My biggest money fails and wins of 2017

[@TheRealLydiaSenn]

Financially Fearless. oooooh I love that. That should be your tagline. Also, I love that you negotiated and that you are willing to talk about it. WOMEN NEED TO NEGOTIATE and not feel bad or apologetic or be labeled unfairly.

[@amber4design]

I've been going back and re-watching your semi-old videos, like this one, which is particularly hitting home with me. The feeling you described in this video of being completely debt-free is one that I want to experience again. It's the most freeing feeling I've ever known, and I will get back to it again

[@richellebd]

2017 was an interesting year for me. From starting off the year having to pay rent in two places at once for 3 months in order to get out of a toxic living situation, to getting promoted to my highest hourly wage yet but hating the job and spending all my earnings on a ridiculous lifestyle, to discovering Dave Ramsey and becoming inspired to improve my life in all aspects... I’m now debt-free, living with minimal expenses, have a much better career, despite slightly less pay to start, and I’m in the habit of saving over 50% of my take home pay. I’m turning 25 soon and while I still have a long way to go, I couldn’t be prouder of how far I’ve come. Financial KZbinrs have really saved my financial life so I’m very grateful! Happy birthday Budget Girl!

[@MissbridgerXx]

The first 3/4 of 2017 I was completely floundering. I had so much going on, I was in a job that I had completely exhausted, I was adding more and more money to my credit card (luckily it didn’t get too bad) I was in an abusive relationship and thinking I deserved it, and my cat died. In the last 2 months of 2017 I started paying back my credit card (which now has less than £100 owed on it!), left the abusive relationship and moved back to my parents, and got a new, more interesting and better paid job! I’m so happy, I’m in an amazing place in my life right now and I know that 2018 is going to be amazing for me. Budget Girl, thank you for teaching me your money ways, for being fabulous, and completely relatable and hilarious. Thank you for being real and honest. Your videos always make me smile. Forever a cheerleader for you ❤️

[@SonyaSunny]

Emily Grace Bridger Congrats on all of your good changes! 🎊

[@montyqueen7625]

Hey Budget Girl, I been watching your channel for a while and I seen your debt free scream and I am happy for you being debt free. My wife and I just was diagnosed with the flu so it gives me time to chill out on youtube. Thanks for being real and sharing your journey with all of us.

[@thereaderbug398]

The positive about the bike is that just because you haven't used it much already, you can still use it in the future. I love biking and definitely go through periods where I don't use my bike as often but when the weather is nice, I will bike as opposed to drive if the route is feasible. Don't mark that as a fail yet!

[@nancyosgood777]

It was a big year for me! We paid off all credit cards and our mortgage and I was able to retire debt-free!! I am very happy that things are going so well for you! Happy Birthday!

[@marylepine7091]

Happy Birthday Sarah!! Can't wait to watch your DFS!! You're an inspiration to me! Wins : being DF allowed me to take an additional 6 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Loses: I still seem to forget those annual expenses when budgeting. Led to the memory loss fund acct in our budget.

[@yettawat1564]

Happy Birthday & congratulations on a GREAT year! 2017 was a crazy year for me that involved 2 surgeries on the heals of a third one in 2016 (all unrelated and I am perfectly healthy, so no worries there). Despite that, I have consistently plugged away at paying off my consumer debt and am on target to have that at ZERO by April!

[@andreahaley8533]

Happy happy birthday!! 2017 was a big year for myself as well. I started my first official budget and started the process of turning my finances around. I paid off almost 12K of debt (on a take home pay of about 30K), got a part time job to gazelle even harder, started following your channel, and paid off the first of 6 student loans! I have big plans for 2018! I'll pay off the next loan in about 2 weeks, I'm aiming to pay off 15K of debt, continue to contribute to my sinking funds, and WATCH YOU DO YOUR DEBT FREE SCREAM!!! So excited to watch you on the show this week! You've done such a great job and have been such an inspiration to so many, myself included!

[@heididow09]

Happy Birthday, BG! Love your channel and your debt-free journey. 2017 was the year of our money turn-around. We have been spinning in circles for so many years - no mortgage, but auto loan, credit card debt with nothing to show for it - all totaling about $12K. We are retired, living on SS and my husband’s USDA retirement - so not smart to be carrying debt. We paid off the car this month and are on track to get the credit card paid in full on April 3, 2018! Baby Emergency fund is in place and looking forward to a much better brighter future! Thanks so much for sharing and showing the way!

[@samualdavison6799]

My biggest money win was moving back to the uk from malta, I had been watching your channel for over a year, and I used to fail alot but not spectacularly like I had done, I have 3 pet 2 dogs and a cat( probably know me as the creepy dude who has the twin of rory, princess Bailey ) so I knew was going to be expensive to move my self and 3 animals abroad (back home for me) to the uk, I set a date, planned out what it would cost the big things like passports, flights transport to the small things like multiple vet visits that come with fees, taxis as I don't drive and public transport doesn't allow big pets and cages, I also looked into my job as I had over 400+hours of vacation leave so I got that paid on my final cheque from my job which obviously helped, but I don't think I would have been able to do it if I hadn't been watching your channel, from your channel I learnt about Dave ramsay, though I don't have debt, I don't have savings was living pay check to pay check and some weeks wouldn't be able to afford food, now I have been living in uk 4 months, slowly filling my house with furniture, eating great with tips n tricks I've learnt from your channel, have some goals in the near future, learn to drive, saving some more money, going to do a course, in my own way follow the Dave Ramsay plan, and I get to do all that with having my fur babies by my side so this is my big win of 2017 but also wanted the chance to say thanks if it wasn't for you and your videos I wouldn't like to think what situation I would be in, so thank you Sarah you have been a big part in giving my self a kick in the but I so desperately needed in order for me to give myself and my pets a better life!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful birthday you are a wonderful person, if I get to be even 1% of the person you are, that would be an honour!!!! Happy birthday Budget Girl and may 2018 get even better :)

[@Dmarie1078]

What a great year for you! 2017 was my best and my worst year. I married my hubby in October and cash flowed our wedding. We paid cash for a truck for hubby and an RV for us to live in. Our emerency fund is in place and we are on BS2. So yay for us! It was the worst year because I lost my mother in June after a year long battle to cancer. Hardest thing I've ever gone through. But here's to 2018! We ended January by putting 1,400 towards debt!!! Can't wait to watch your debt free scream tomorrow!

[@dottieleiman6652]

I miss your meal preps as I live alone like you and found them soooo helpful!

[@xiovandijk933]

First of all: You look radiant! And I am so happy for you, you have worked so hard and have come such a long way. You are the first budgeteer ( is that even a word ;) ) I started following on youtube and I have learned a lot from you.The thing that always got /gets me is your authenticity & your gratitude. You deserve it all , enjoy your 30th birthday or as we say here in the Netherlands : Hartelijk gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!

[@daniellehicks4649]

Thank you for your inspiration! We made a big move to a new city in 2017 also and don't know anyone. This month a started our debt free journey and was able to establish our emergency fund and pay off one credit card. It doesn't seem like a lot this month but excited for the new lifestyle we will have soon. Thankful we don't have much debt and no student loans.

[@sarahrzewnicki7292]

I've only started watching your videos recently but I've also been watching Rachel Cruze's and Dave Ramsey's channel and combining all these videos has motivated me to make it my goal in 2018 to get rid of all my debt! Thank you! You are such an inspiration and blessing for me! Keep sharing your journey!

[@rachel2959]

Happy 30th to you, sweet girl!! What an inspiration you are, and what a bright future you have ahead of you! Congratulations!

[@bshadgett3893]

Happy Birthday Sara! I just turned 30 in November and it’s a new chapter of a great adventure novel! Enjoy 😊

[@rinditrainer3947]

Great job, BG! 2017 is the year we started budgeting together...after 32 years of marriage! Hoping to payoff my car this year, and continue paying down debt and funding our sinking funds. You are so wise to get financially on track while you are young!

[@freedominabudget]

2017 was such an incredible year for you!! I am SO PROUD of you, friend!

[@vegemitegirl1971]

Greetings from South Australia. The first time we drove in Houston, our Navman put us through the ezytag lane instead of the cash lane. Our hotel concierge told us where the office was and we paid the $1.80, the following day. A bike is a great idea for Texas A&M. My cousins took us on a walking tour of the campus - it's huge

[@clarerobinson2005]

Such an amazing year for you Sarah! And so cool that you get to celebrate it with your official debt free scream! I can't wait to see what 2018 holds for you xx

[@48mymusic]

Happy 30th Birthday Sarah, I have watched you since the beginning and am so excited that you are now debt free and going to do your debt free scream! Love,love love your channel! :-)

[@susanvelez6534]

I found it! I watched it, you were so excited! I cried like a baby when you finally did your scream! Congratulations Darlin so proud of you! Now can you help this 56 year old woman....... Ahhhhhh I am still crying Sarah! You were excellent on the show and your answers were through and complete. You did great darlin just amazing! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙌🏼🙅🏻🙋🏻XOXOO

[@saraholguin9751]

Happy Birthday! My financial wins were starting Dave Ramsey plan in June and paying off 3 credit cards. Fails... are getting a speeding ticket and not being on the same page as my husband in the beginning of the journey as he was still using his credit card.

[@christinadelp1932]

Happy Birthday!! Thanks for always sharing. I just love your videos! I'm happy you don't have many fails but you have no idea how much it helps to see Someone already there also had fails. I'm not alone . It's encouraging to know you don't have to be perfect to get to the end goal😊

[@rochellethundercloud346]

Happy birthday. Great job getting out of debt so fast. Wow.30 years old and this financially responsible. Not too many people are this smart about personal finance.

[@jeannetterichemond2663]

Happy belated birthday! I loved the fact that you were able to negotiate a higher salary and a moving budget. Would you ever consider doing a video on how to negotiate salaries and benefits?

[@TruFinancials]

*Happy Birthday again!! Such a fantastic year for you. I joined a few weeks before you became debt free. You had such an amazing journey thus far. P.S. this is a good frame for videos, I know you were not liking to record in front of the fireplace/bookshelf.*

[@birdsandwords9775]

Happy Birthday! And congratualations on such a fantastick year. So often, people say they had a good or bad year based on circumstances outside of their control, but YOU made it happen and you are an inspiration.

[@amypuldamusic]

I am new to your channel! Thank you for sharing, I love your openness about your experiences and what you've learned along the way. My money fail this year is taking a loan on a car when I was debt free and saving for one. I got anxious! A money win is that I have my $1,000 emergency savings. Keep up the good work Budget Girl, you're an inspiration!

[@marynasharapova2408]

This lipstick looks very good on you. Love your channel, subscribed!

[@janinehebert4023]

LOL...I had to laugh about the bike basket....I have one too and it CAN HOLD A TON OF STUFF!!! Happy Birthday girl!

[@mariefizel9152]

Total Awesomeness, Sarah!! Best way to celebrate your birthday!!

[@naomiking2442]

Sarah, you're inspiring beyond belief! I loved your debt free scream, it was EPIC!!! Your future is bright :-) Our big 2017 win was paying off the mortgage! Freedom baby! Congratulations!

[@Erica_1021]

Happy Birthday! I will be watching you on Friday! My goal this year is to pay off my last debt.

[@saxisland10]

I just heard your debt free scream on Dave’s podcast! WOOHOO! Congratulations and Happy Belated Birthday! You’ve been a huge encouragement on my debt free journey. Thank you for all of your help! -Emily

[@claireandco15]

Happy 30th, Sarah! So proud of you and your amazing journey. You inspire me!

[@imaginecreate]

Thank you for this great video. It has been a delight to follow your journey. Looking forward to hearing about all your future wins...and even your fails, if you have any. ❤️😊👍🏻❤️😊👍🏻

[@bethmoulin2024]

Happy Birthday! Congratulations on your debt free lifestyle and the great year you had! Here’s for more to come!

[@nicolejessen320]

So glad I found your channel! I am a single lady (cue Beyoncé 💃🏻) lol and I am going to be 30 this year too! I have just recently started my baby steps because I didn’t know they existed until recently! It’s a great plan to get into. I have over $125,000 in student loans to pay off and lots of other past financial mistake to fix now. So I am going to continue to follow you and get myself in a good place financially! God Bless!

[@amber4design]

I am so proud of you, BG! You are truly amazing, and I cannot wait to see what comes your way in 2018. It will be epic!

[@heathermayfield4247]

Many happy returns - the best is yet to come! What a year you have had Sarah. I look forward to seeing what happens in 2018.

[@sarateague251]

You are such an inspiration! I love how honest you are with your fails but your wins are totally awesome and show how intelligent you are! Best of luck to you!

[@glovalova]

My wins were getting the big job I worked my big butt off in nursing school to get and paying off 3/4 student loans. My fail was that we took on car debt when our friends went out and leased a new car, selling us theirs for a really good deal. We should have the car and the student loan paid off by April, but we should have been more patient and waited to buy a car, though it has made my quality of life go up significantly: an hour bus commute home after a 15 hour day is truly unsustainable.

[@eagoodwin1]

My goal for 2018 is to be out of debt or mostly out of debt. I just graduated this month with 16,000 of student loans. Once I have a job I’m going to throw everything at the debt and see how fast I can get rid of it. It will likely take work and sacrifice but you are my inspiration.

[@mappedoutmoney]

Congrats on the big move this year Sarah! And of course, Happy Birthday :) That's an awesome raise!

[@MsSlugbug]

Who hooo! You are so awesome! Happy Birthday 🎁 30s will be the best yet! And congratulations on achieving so much this past year and fulfilling your dreams of finally becoming DEBT FREE!

[@noreenn6976]

Happy Birthday! Must be great to be living a debt free at age 30! Congratulations!

[@kimrodriquez6854]

Happy Birthday Sarah. Hope you have a perfect day. So excited for your debt free scream. You inspire us and encourage us everyday.

[@t84mdca]

Happy Happy Birthday. Just watched you on the Dave Ramsey Show - wow congratulations to you:) What an inspiration.

[@michelelara5982]

Happy birthday! I just turned 30 too... feels a bit odd, but what a great way to start debt free... go girl!!

[@amberbamburg2816]

Happy birthday girl!!! 30 is awesome!!! I'm proud we started our debt free journey again this year, but our biggest mistake was eating out to much! We must cut this in 2018!!

[@michellebakic4202]

Well done sara fantastic...you made me cry x

[@kindralashae7168]

I know this is off subject but I really like the haircut...! Great video I enjoyed watching remembering all the videos you did about those wins and fails. I'm only a few months into my road to becoming debt free and getting some really discouraging comments from naysayers but trying to stay focused. I will tune in Friday to watch your debt free scream, you go girl congratulations.

[@ouvickie]

Happy 30th Birthday and congratulations on all your wins in 2017 - you did a great job. I think your job shift was a big plus in your life! My 2017 fails - still not out of debt and Christmas was not debt free, more expense than what I anticipated. Plus, I ended up with a $1400 ER visit, which even though necessary at the time, still makes me angry - the positive thing - my HSA account paid for it. Wins - I made it through 2017. 2018 should be better - I will shed a car payment and be able to pay off two credit cards and possibly three, then no more credit card debt. On a good note, one of my retirement accounts gained over $10k in interest. That's a huge win. Hopefully many more like that to follow!!

[@cutiepiemania45]

Happy birthday !!! Congrats on reaching your debt free goal before this milestone and I wish you continued happiness.

[@budgetdutchie8321]

Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday Happy birthday toooooo youuuu! And congratulations on a great year!

[@kimberlymasick1752]

Happy Birthday Sarah, your looking Gorgeous!!!!

[@kelseycoca]

Happy birthday! My birthday was yesterday!!

[@kristanvw7708]

Happy birthday Sarah!! I hope you have a great day and an amazing year!!

[@safepethaven]

Happy Golden Birthday! [your 30th bday, for Jan. 30th]. Congratulations on all your accomplishments. I am not clairvoyant, but I foresee many more yummy home-made tacos in your upcoming decade! ;-)) Hugs to Rory too, as she has been there along side you through all your years of sacrifices to becoming DEBT FREE!!!!!

[@joannavolkert1480]

Watched you do your debt free scream today and was SO excited for you. Congrats Sarah!

[@tasharichardson6131]

Happy Birthday❤ BG may God continue to bless you..You have blessed soo many of us.

[@pamgoodman5623]

I have been watching you for a while and really enjoy your videos. Watching this video, I found we share the same b-day! It's coming up so happy early birthday!!

[@BudgetGirl]

Happy birthday to you too!

[@amandabett4450]

Happy birthday! My favourite line .......that basket is adorable!!! Hahaha. I'm a sucker for stuff like that too!!!!

[@julie53112]

Awesome** It's 8:45 pm ..PST 2/2/18 *I'm listening to you on Dave Ramsey, doing your dept free scream...Congratulations!!😃

[@Kimbopolo]

Nice re-cap. Wishing you Happy Birthday and all the best for 2018!

[@healthyfitfun]

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!!! Thanks so much for all your helpful videos!

[@mrsbs7146]

A very bright future indeed!!! Congratulations!! Look forward to other videos!!

[@sherrycunningham1253]

Happy birthday Sarah! May God continue to bless and keep you

[@doitsimply6628]

Happy belated birthday. what a year it has been for you. so happy to see debt free scream. congratulations. Internet high five.

[@jaysshoes]

Very cool to have found you. I listen to Dave's Podcast almost daily for about 5 months, and I have been struggling with a budget. I have found excuses like the people I hear a lot are making mroe money than I, etc. I am hoping after hearing your debt free scream and seeing some of your videos that I believe I can now do this.

[@MoneySmartFamily]

Woo Hooo!!! Happy Birthday! You are a Budget Rock Star!!! Can't wait to hear your Debt Free Scream!

[@stephanieacs8382]

Just saw your Debt Free scream on the show and came to subscribe, congratulations!! And Happy Birthday!

[@rondadee3]

New subscriber here binging through all of your videos. Love them! It's like yapping with a friend. Also, you are giving me Mavy Wavy (from Hotel Transylvania) vibes under that particular light.

[@BudgetGirl]

awww. love that movie and selena!

[@samanthaofwg]

Happy Birthday, Sarah ❤️

[@mariayelruh]

Congratulations Happy Birthday. You might want to do a video about things that you've found out as a new resident of Texas... like the toll thing and how to settle in quickly.

[@MomLife]

I came over from Freedom In A Budget. I just watched your Debt Free scream (she shared the link) You did AMAZING, Congratulations!😍

[@sandykay291]

Congrats... I'm so happy for you....I am 45 and soo much in debt. But determined to get out of debt.

[@patriciamartin5959]

Happy Birthday, BG!!!!!

[@lesliecarnes8775]

Happy Birthday Beautiful! God bless You!

[@anyawillowfan]

Happy Birthday, and congratulations on all your wins.

[@alanaschiro6700]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GORGEOUS!! And CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[@rosiemc85]

Happy Birthday Sarah!!! I can't wait to watch you do your debt free scream. I hope you have a fun and blessed day!

[@bonnyroggenbauer6518]

Love your hair! It's really flattering. How exciting for your debt free scream. I will be watching. You are a total #GIRLBOSS :)

[@theteatimegarden3122]

Happy 30th! Enjoy the success you have worked so hard for !!

[@Allsmilesgirl277]

Happy birthday!!! I love your videos! Here’s to a beautiful year ahead!❤️

[@PeaceLoveandHomeschool]

2017 was an amazing year for you, Sarah! I'm looking forward to Friday. Will you be doing a meet up in Nashville? I'm so proud of you! Now I need to get on the debt free bandwagon. Lol

[@melamelissimo7689]

Happy Birthday Sarah!!!

[@redfoxbudgeting4230]

Happy birthday! Loved this! So inspiring!!!

[@rochellethundercloud346]

My biggest money wasters are a cheap mindset is the same thing as being frugal. Not checking out repair people. Not balancing my checkbook. Paying atm,checking, bank fees. Using payday loans. Credit cards. Thinking that name brand items are better than generic items. Fast fashion. Buying for the sake of buying. Being too good for hand me downs.

[@TexasGirl1633]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! Love your short haircut. Great job on all of your videos......

[@Growstuff70]

Many blessings for your birthday BG! 💕🎂

[@melaniesmith1928]

Thanks for sharing the bad and the good. Congrats on the wins and lessons learned!

[@bhepner1]

I loved watching your journey. I've watched you since your subscribers were at 200.

[@alyssarodriguez7488]

Happy birthday Sarah!! Can’t wait to see you on the Dave Ramsey show!

[@cathleencaratan3373]

I enjoyed seeing your DFS! Congratulations!!!

[@eileenpalumbo6578]

Happy Birthday and a hope you have a blessed year!