The Rothacher “lifestyle” has been in a world wind of changes over the past few years. We had babies 18 months and 12 months apart. We moved to a new town with a new job, church, and home. And the biggest change of all came when God changed my husband’s heart about style of youth ministry, and inevitably ministry in general. This eventually led our entire family to yet another big lifestyle change- church planting.
Our life right now is in major limbo. We are attempting to manage planning for a new life in a different town, home, and stage of life all while staying focused on the day-to-day of our life here and staying committed to our current town, home, job, and church family. I would love to share with you a couple things that God has taught us over the past couple years that made this leap of faith seem less crazy.
FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY
When we moved to our current town and job we were horrible with finances! We had student loans, baby bills, and were sinking quickly in bounced check fees.
Through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, God taught us many things about handling money God’s way. We now have NO debt and have a substantial savings {3 months income}. What will you learn in Financial Peace University? There is so much more to learn than what I can share with you here! You can even attend online.
I have provided you with my 2 homemade printables that my husband and I use every month to tell our money where to go. THESE have been the springboard for the rest of our financial success!
DAVID PLATT’S RADICAL
The basic premise of Radical is to deny the American Christianity which is basically the American Dream with a twist of Christianity and instead, live authentic Christian life as Christ would have us live.
I whole heartedly agree and long for the message of Radical but at the same time knew FPU was full of biblical principles as well. I had to figure out how to use the logistics of FPU and the mindset of Radical.
Through learning to manage the money God has entrusted us with, we have learned what it really looks like to live debt free and that it’s okay to obtain wealth. Through Radical, we have learned what it looks like to live frugally and simply by always keeping the bigger picture of God’s kingdom in mind. One Dave will teach you biblical ways to manage and invest financially while the other Dave will teach you biblical ways to manage and invest spiritually. BOTH are biblical so therein lies the struggle; discovering what God has for our family.
Here are some of the things we now understand about our finances, possessions and how God would have us manage them that have changed our family’s entire lifestyle:
- Make, stick to, and LOVE a budget
- Sell or give away EVERYTHING we don’t “need”
Confession: I’m a hoarder…No more hoarding clothes in case we have another boy/girl. No more hoarding crazy amounts of different dishes to use at random occasions, if we even break them out then. No more hoarding crafting supplies for that someday {we do have supplies, just not ridiculous amounts of it}.- Consignment shops/events, yard sales, Ebay, Craig’s List
- Friends, family, church members, charities
- Don’t buy anything unless we have the money right then
- Live debt-free and have savings
- Use cash for several budget items
And eventually we are excited to put the bigger learned lessons into practice including:
- Saving for retirement {better} and college
- Investing our savings properly to enhance our return
- Live a VERY minimalistic life so we can reach our Ultimate Goal…
- Make a lot of money so we can give it all away!
Have you gone through either of these resources mentioned? How is your family gleaning from both and learning to glorify God with your lifestyle?
Read more on this topic with these posts!

- 7 Cost Increases to Prepare For Before Retirement -
- 5 Quick & Easy Dinners for Busy Days -
- Easy Steps to Get and Stay Organized in Under 10 Minutes -
- 5 Ways to Build an Emergency Fund with Very Little Money -
- Creating An Inviting Atmosphere In Your Home -
- Mouth-watering Garlic Herb Cheese Bombs -
- Animals And The Creativity Of God -
- Game Day Recipe Round up! -
- Heart-breaking News and How You Can Help -
- Quick & Easy – Planning For Your Best Day -
you sound AMAZING…the type i’d love to have a cup of coffee and a chat with….i’m printing out your list ..it’s something i strive for…living better to give more…strive yet struggle…
That is a huge complement! Celina, I need more like-minded women to hang out with!!!
I’m honored that God is using this list to inspire someone. Thanks for the encouragement!
I was thrilled to see someone else was impacted by the book “Radical”. I just finished up being the coordinator for FPU at our church and also reading “Radical”.
“Radical” made such a huge impact on my life that I bought 5 books (with Amazon giftcards) and prayed about who to give them to. I asked the recipients to pass the books on to someone else when they finished reading them.
Last summer I went to China on a mission trip. I’m going back in November. I have been purging my house of things we don’t need so the money can be used to advance the kingdom of God. Once you realize there are over a billion people who have never heard the name of Jesus it really makes you take a look at the way we live as Americans.
Debra, your word hit right at home! My husband has been passing these books out among our Sunday school class at our current church. We lovingly refure to it at “Orange Crack”. You just can’t put it down! We haven’t made an overseas trip {since reading the book} but Have devoted an even larger part of our monthly budget to advancing the gospel through several ministries, one being Amazima minstries. Another book I’m sure you would love if you haven’t yet, is Kisses from Katie!
Thanks for sharing how you’ve gone through this similar journey of trying to figure out FPU and “Radical”! It’s super encouraging!
Girlfriend! AWESOMENESS! After spending 2 weekends with you and now seeing the blog I REALLY hope I don’t ignore you in Cranford’s anymore.. lol! Can’t wait to see what God’s gonna do with ya’ll! And if there is ANYTHING the Dancer’s can do to help (minus buy extra stuff) we are IN! Hugs and Prayers!
Kelley, you are such a sweet heart! I’ve so enjoyed, what Matt and I call, “Plant Camp” and getting to know all of you in our same boat! I Never thought you were ignoring me in Cranford’s, if anything I’m the one who didn’t say anything because I thought you would have No idea who I was ;o)
We will totally keep in touch and ask the Dancer’s for help. Thanks for the hugs and prayers, back a’cha!!!