As newlyweds there are many things that Society tells us we should do in order to have the American Dream! The following are: 1. Have a big wedding 2.Go on a big honeymoon 3. Buy a bug nice house 4. Buy brand new cars 5. Go On Fancy Dates Weekly 6. Have a baby 7. Go on Family Vacations Annually 8. Have another baby 9. Get a bigger nicer house 10. Oh Don't forget to pay your debts! This list is fine for some but not for others. Mr. Pancakes and i have chosen to go against society and do things our way. We are currently residing in a studio apartment--yes all of our clothes fit into our closet. Although we did have a wedding and honeymoon...medium sized versions...we paid off our cars before we got married. We have decided to do some things differently including: 1. Getting Out of Debt first2. Saving 6-8months of Emergency Fund3. Save 25% or more down payment toward a house4. Move south because DMV is expensive! These four steps are what we have decided to commit ourselves prior to tackling other goals. The two financial gurus we follow right now are dave ramsey and suze orman. Both have differing views and Mr. Pancakes and i are on opposite ends sometimes with financial goals but like our Pastor reminded us to do: Communicate A Lot! which we do on a regular basis. Going against what Society tells you sometimes can be very unpopular however it is important to do what is right for you and your family! Here is keeping up with yourself and your spouse/family and not with the Joneses even though their house is fabulous!
You will be so much better off if you stick to the financial goals you two have set. It will be worth it!
ReplyDeleteI love it!! Make a plan that works for you guys! Wait wait wait - DMV as in DC, MD, VA???? How did I not realize that you were in the DC area?? Argh!! **shooting daggers at Mrs Pancakes**
ReplyDeleteYou all have a great plan and it's not about keeping up with the Joneses but doing what works for you. Even though you all are newlyweds you are on the right path. People who are married for 20 years don’t always have that mindset. This gets me excited as an aspiring Marriage and Family Therapist!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Hubby and I had a small wedding (40 people) paid everything cash and refuse to be in debt (we have the house and my school loans, his school loans are paid off). You have to do what is right for you, because in the end the Joneses are living what is right for them.
ReplyDelete@mrstdj...DMV as in DC, VA, DC, MD
ReplyDelete@nini, singlemommy & alida..thank you for the good wishes...it does feel good to be doing things our way!
Loving your plan and your blog! excited to follow your journey!
ReplyDeleteNot all young couples are as smart as yall. A lot of people, including my generation, all felt like those things that the Jones have were theirs by right and not hard work! Thanks for following at Life or Something Like It. Following back.
ReplyDeleteWe also did stuff to suit us; a very small wedding with the reception at home and a med-sized honeymoon mostly cos we were relocating to another continent and needed everything extra... We are also working towards several financial goals now.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the visit to my blog...Oh, and Happy Married Life!
I lived the studio apt life for 5 years on my own and for about 6 months with my hubby. And no, I did not have room in the closet barely for my clothes let alone his! Buying a house was merely to preserve our sanity! I think it's great you are taking your time. It will put you in a great position once you decide to do all of those other American Dream like things!
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on that we need to be keeping up with ourselves. After isn't keeping up with Joneses is what got most ppl into a financial bind when the economy crashed. We have to start living within our means and saving until we can afford more.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm so with you on creating your own version of the American Dream.