$43,000 in Debt Paid Off in One Year

For years, Jason and Brittany Tsvetkoff were losing the battle to stay ahead of their debt. He worked as a carpenter, and she was an office manager. Jason’s income was often unpredictable. “The weather in northeast Ohio was definitely a big factor,” Jason says. “In the spring, it would be rain issues. And then in the winter it could be snow and just blistering cold. So I wouldn’t have full weeks all the time.”

The Svetkoffs also enjoyed splurging on their children. “Probably with our kids, there was some overspending trying to give them what we thought was best,” Brittany admits. "We thought we could do it but really, deep down, we couldn’t.”

Before they married the couple discussed tithing and were regular tithers early in their marriage; however, when times got tough, their tithing stopped. I was brought up that tithing was the very first thing that my parents did,” Brittany says. “And I knew that was what we were supposed to be doing. When the big bills would show up, it was easier to maybe not pay the tithe.”

It wasn’t long before they were putting monthly expenses on their credit cards, and it began to take a tool on their marriage. “When I couldn't bring in what I should, I felt miserable,” Jason adds. “Most of our debt was day-to-day living expenses,” Brittany says. “It weighed on me a lot. There were a lot of nights I couldn't sleep. There were some times I wouldn't tell Jason how much we were paying out because I didn't want to add that additional frustration or burden onto him.”

In 2020, Jason and Brittany knew something had to change. They prayed together and asked God for direction. That Christmas, someone gave them a pre-paid debit card. Their first reaction was to use it to go out to dinner, but God had other plans for it.

“We were in church, and the pastor said that they bought a block of Financial Peace classes and they were offering them for a discounted rate of $50. And we kind of both looked at each other and said, ‘That's what we're gonna use the $50 on.’”

The following day, Jason and Brittany got rid of their credit cards and committed to consistently tithe. “Every time we got a paycheck, it was the very first thing,” she says. 

As Jason and Brittany gave, God began providing extra sources of income. “I just started getting more and more calls and opportunities for work,” Jason says. 

The couple also committed to making lifestyle changes and in less than a year, Jason and Brittany paid off over $43,000 in car loans and credit cards. “We used exactly what we had,” Brittany says. “You pay one debt off and then the next month you take that amount every month to put towards the next highest debt. It's unbelievable freedom. It's--it's freedom to sleep.” 

Today, they support their church’s outreach missions, and church-building projects in Africa. Jason is working consistently and his income has increased by 20% and Brittany has received bonuses. The Tvetkoffs can’t say enough about the feeling that comes from being debt free. “The key that unlocked it was tithing,” Jason says. “I didn't do anything other than tithe and pray. And the result was more than I could have asked for.”

“If you're obedient in giving to Him what you were asked to give, He will put everything in place,” Brittany stresses. “The money's not ours. The children aren’t ours. Our lives aren't even ours. We've just here to be good stewards of what He's given us. You absolutely cannot outgive the Lord.”