How Families Can Eliminate Debt And Save More Money.

Share This Post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on reddit
Share on email

Stressed out about finances again?  Wish you could save more money and eliminate debt?  Is that even possible for families who have many children and are in debt from adoption, cars, or other major expenses?

Welcome Back!  We are kicking off Season 9 of the Honestly Adoption Podcast with an incredible episode! Brian and Cherie Lowe join our hosts, Mike and Kristin Berry, to talk about why eliminating debt can help bring peace to your home, your heart, and your marriage and share some practical strategies for how you can do this even in a large foster or adoptive family.

Listen Now:

Notes and Quotes:

“There’s no good time to begin paying off debt, there’s only today.” – Cherie Lowe

In April 2008 Brian and Cherie were expecting a new little one and also began their journey of paying off debt.   By March of 2012, less than 4 years later, we had paid off $127,482.30 in debt!

“It was challenging but we would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”

Why should we strive to live debt free?

“The peace that comes from not having debt is immeasurable!” – Cherie Lowe

The difference (financially) you can make in the world is great if you aren’t investing it all in paying off interest and debt.

Practically speaking, how can large families save on grocery bills?

Implement choice elimination strategies (or you will give in from decision fatigue and exhaustion and buy what is easy):

  • Have a list and shop from it
  • Share your list with your spouse
  • Let your kids add to the list (with a limited budget and some guidelines)
What about shopping wisely for clothing?
  • Have a budget in mind before shopping
  • Take an inventory before shopping so you know what your true needs are
  • Be smart about using rewards programs when offered
  • Search for coupons on your iphone before checking out
How can eliminating debt help marriages?

[shareable cite=”Brian Lowe”]’Communicating effectively about money creates intimacy.'[/shareable]

  • Know what your goals are as a family
  • Know what your values are as a family
  • Know what your needs are as a family
Many families feel pressured or want to let their kids do many extra activities.  How can families afford all of these?
  • Limit the number of activities per child, per season to one or two things.
  • Count the cost in time, money, and priorities
  • Don’t overcommit your kids
  • Ask, “Will this bring life to our family and to our child.”
  • Make sure it is something the child is also interested in and not just a parent’s dream.
  • Nurture relationships and don’t let extracurricular activities take over.
  • Help the children learn to contribute to activities they want to take part in
  • Find ways to volunteer or barter to reduce participation fees
  • Make sure the children take ownership of their activities

“Talk to kids like they are adults but realize that they are children.”  – Brian Lowe

“Saying yes to something is saying no to something else.” – Cherie Lowe

What hope is there  for families struggling with debt and money problems?

“You are not alone.”

“You are loved: there are others on this journey, and you need their help.”

[shareable cite=”Cherie Lowe”]’The reason why your wallet feels so small is because your heart is so big, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing!’ [/shareable]

“The darkness hates the light.  If you are living in a state of hopelessness, drive that into the light.” – Brian Lowe

Resources and Links:

Brian and Cherie are known as the King and Queen of Free and blog at www.QueenOfFree.net. They want others to know that there is hope for getting their finances under control, beginning with figuring out ways to save money as they slay the “debt dragon.”

You can connect with the King and Queen of Free on Twitter (@thequeenoffree), Facebook (www.facebook.com/thequeenoffree), or Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/thequeenoffree) to find practical money-saving tips and daily inspiration to slay the debt dragon.

Pick up a copy of the book on Amazon: Slaying the Debt Dragon by Cherie Lowe. You also visit our podcast page to read more!

Cherie and Brian are currently writing their second book: Your Money, Your Marriage: The Secrets to Smart Finance, Spicy Romance, and Their Intimate Connection, due out September 2018.

[reminder]What did you learn from the Season 9 debut? Share with us in the comment section below.[/reminder]

Share This Post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on reddit
Share on email

How Families Can Eliminate Debt And Save More Money.

Share This Post

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on reddit
Share on email
Mike and Kristin Berry are the Co-Founders of The Honestly Adoption Company and have been parents for nearly two decades. They are the authors of six books, and the host of The Honestly Adoption Podcast.

Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is the executive assistant to Mike and Kristin Berry. And she is the best in the land. In addition to providing a warm and friendly response to the many emails our company receives on a weekly basis, she also manages Mike and Kristin’s speaking and meeting schedules, and makes sure that team events go off without a hitch.

Nicole Goerges

Nicole Goerges is a Content Contributor & Special Consultant for The Honestly Adoption Company. She works with Mike and Kristin as a recurring co-host for the Honestly Adoption Podcast, and co-host of Kitchen Table Talks, exclusive video content for Oasis Community, along with Kristin. She is a fellow adoptive mom, and former foster parent.

Matt McCarrick

Matt McCarrick is the Content Production Specialist for The Honestly Adoption Company. If you’ve loved listening to our podcast, or enjoyed any of the videos trainings we’ve published, you have Matt to thank. He oversees all of our content production, from video edits, to making sure the tags are correct on YouTube, to uploading new videos to Oasis, to hitting publish on a podcast episode, he’s a content wonder!

Karen Anderson

Karen Anderson is the Community Engagement Specialist for The Honestly Adoption Company. She spends the bulk of her time interacting with, and helping, people through our various social media channels, as well as providing support for Oasis Community members through chat support or Zoom calls. In the same spirit as Beaver, Karen is also passionate about connecting with parents and making them feel loved and supported. Karen is also an FASD trainer and travels often, equipping and encouraging parents.

Beaver Trumble

Beaver Trumble is the Customer Care Specialist for The Honestly Adoption Company. Chances are, if you have been in need of technical support, or forgotten your password to one of our courses, you have interacted with Beaver. He is an absolute pro at customer care. In fact, he single-handedly revolutionized our customer care department last year. Beaver is passionate about connecting with parents and making them feel loved and encouraged.

Kristin Berry

Kristin Berry is the co-founder of, and Chief Content Specialist for, The Honestly Adoption Company. She spends most of her time researching and connecting with guests for our podcast, as well as direction, designing and publishing a lot of the content for our social media channels, blog and podcast. She loves to connect with fellow parents around the world, and share the message of hope with them.

Mike Berry

Mike Berry is the co-founder of, and Chief Marketing Specialist for, The Honestly Adoption Company. He spends the bulk of his time and energy designing and building many of the resources you see within our company, as well as social media and email campaigns. His goal is to use media as a means to encourage and equip parents around the world. He is also the co-host of The Honestly Adoption Podcast.