this is us | eight years of opportunity.

Hi! We’re the Bargerons, and we’re building a life we love, not a lifestyle we can’t afford.
8 years ago, we started becoming really intentional about how we used our money. Spoiler: we started living on less than we made, and it really did change our lives.

The point of sharing this is not a humble brag to say “look at how awesome we are,” but rather “it really is amazing what eight years of thoughtful purpose can create.” And one thing about me is that if it’s significant, it’s going to be written down. I am who I am.

When we first got married in 2011, we lived on very little and saved what and where we could. We lived some of our best days in this season, too, by choosing low-cost memories. We saved a portion of our tax return every year, and we, also, gave 10% of what we earned to our church every pay period, even when that amount could have really helped us.

Looking back, we were never careless with money because we could never afford to be. 2018 was the first year we had “extra money,” and what we did with it set us on the trajectory we are still on today.

August 20th, 2018

This was the day we paid off our 2013 Honda Odyssey early, making us consumer debt free! This money move kickstarted everything, and we vowed that we would try to never again pay for a decision we made in the past. We decided on this day that we would no longer borrow our way into the life we wanted anymore. If we wanted something, we would save for it; and if we wanted something we could not pay for, we would choose something else to want.

We didn’t suddenly start making more money after that day, but we did start to develop systems that would help us track and use our money better. We budgeted. We saved. We gave. We made plans. We readjusted those plans when needed.

Once we built our Emergency Fund, we started dreaming. Having the peace of knowing that an emergency would no longer devastate us financially enabled us to then open Roth IRAs and 529s, make a plan to pay our mortgage off early, update some things at home, increase our giving, and book a few trips.

Our Main Motivation

These two were only this big when we officially started this money journey, and giving them both abundant opportunities to thrive was our biggest “why.” We opened Roth IRAs in-part so that they would never have to feel the burden of having to meet our financial needs. We opened 529s so we could help them with college expenses without hurting ourselves. We started saving for our first trip to Disney (that we took in August 2020) because we wanted them to have good travel memories to look back on. And one of the reasons we increased our giving was because so many people had given to us on our journey to parenthood.

Not everything has been sentimental, though, and we do a lot of things that you probably don’t consider particularly glamorous...

-Spreadsheets to track spending, saving, and goals

-Eating meals at home most of the time

-Shopping at Aldi and Walmart for most things

-Skipping many things we can technically afford (aka avoiding lifestyle creep)

TJ and I are just two grown ups who decided that “Where did all our money go??” was not the best way to live anymore. We found that we could enjoy each other more without the invisible-but-heavy money stress lingering around and between us, too, even when life got really hard. We, also, loved how it felt to have a plan for our money and for our spending to reflect what we value.

One of our values is seeing the world together

We’ve been able to make travel a priority mainly by 1) saving with travel goals in mind, and 2) earning and redeeming credit card points to offset travel costs. These adventures make it easy to say “no” to lesser things, and we are so very grateful for all we have been able to do and see together in recent years. I pray we are far from done exploring.

Another one of our values is serving together

By living on less than we make and being conscious of our spending, I am personally able to devote time to doing something that means a lot to me: volunteering. We all serve together when my husband and kids are not working or in school, too, because our financial security allows margin for us to give and not only take.

Two things I want to mention in the spirit of transparency and reflection...

First, our modest household income has not increased in four years. In 2022, we made the most money we ever made before and we used most of the increase to stay out of major medical debt. Then our income took a big dip in 2023 when I stepped back from work, and we have been slowly inching our way back up. That has complicated our finances at times, but we have continued to have what we need and more by living on less than we earn. Our overall strategy since 2018 has been to live off of a percentage of TJ’s income and save/invest/give all of mine, and we still mostly abide to that. As TJ’s commitment load has increased, though, mine has decreased, and we have adjusted as needed.

Second, we have not done this alone. We have been enormously blessed by friends and family along the way, and their generosity has moved us to tears more than a few times. Anytime we are recipients of a gift, we try to steward it well and honor the giver. When we are given more than we need, we view it as an opportunity to give more and move closer to our well-defined vision for our lives.

We, also, give all glory to the Giver of every good thing. Our faith and belief in Christ and His Word has been a lighthouse to us on our journey in all of life, including financial stability.

Eight years of being money conscious and debt free has given us more than paid-off balances. It has given us...

confidence when life gets expensive,

freedom to be generous,

room to breathe and dream,

the ability to maximize the present,

a foundation for our future.

And perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to choose what matters to us.

We’re still saying “no” to some things now so we can say yes to other things later.

Still budgeting.

Still saving.

Still giving.

Still avoiding lifestyle inflation.

Still traveling.

Still dreaming.

Still so incredibly awed and grateful.

But we are saying “yes” more than ever before, too, because this was never about having the most. It was about building a life we love with what we’ve been given.

It was always about stewarding what is entrusted to us and living well.

We have a direction for our lives that we are proud of, and we are learning that flexibility and humility will be what actually get us to where we want to go.

Cheers to 8 years of rooting and growing!
We've come so far since that first year, and we are committed to keeping the promises we make to ourselves as we continue along this road. We have so very much to be thankful for.

And as Ina Garten says and has so beautifully lived,

“I concentrate on what’s in front of me, and work hard, because I love what I do, and I have fun doing it; and then I leave the door open, so I’ll be ready when the luck happens.”

An Independence Day Adventure | 4 Days in DC and Delaware.

 A few months ago, I felt an intense desire to book a big adventure for July 4th this year in honor of the USA's 250th birthday. My first thought was, "Let's go to DC!!" mainly because 1) it would be amazing to celebrate in our nation's capital, and 2) we had been hoping to return since we first visited in 2022. Imagine my glee when point prices were exactly what I needed them to be, and there were still a few rooms left to book with points, too! I booked immediately, and the countdown began.

Although the main motivation was to experience DC again, we also took this as an opportunity to visit our last remaining state on the east coast: Delaware. Back in 2023, we set a family goal to visit all 50 states as a family before our son (who was 8 at the time) graduates from high school. At the time of this declaration, we had proudly visited 11 states. And as of this trip to Delaware just three years later, our count is officially up to 29!

We spent 2 nights in DC and 2 nights near Rehoboth Beach, DE for this quick trip, and it was a fun summer adventure that we all loved!

Two Nights in DC

We stayed five nights in this beautiful city back in 2022, and it was a special one because it was our first big trip on points as a family. Our plan for these two days was to revisit some favorite places and soak up all of the Independence Day festivities. In a lot of ways, this trip did not go as planned because of weather interruptions (an intense heat wave and a severe thunderstorm warning), which was pretty disappointing in real-time. The good news is that we made the best of it, and we still enjoyed our short stay in the city. We were proud to wear our red, white, and blue to celebrate 250 years of the USA, too!

Things we did and saw while in Washington, DC:

-Smithsonian American Art Museum

-The White House (from a distance)

-US Capitol Tour

-Library of Congress

-International Spy Museum

-Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

-Washington Monument

-Lincoln Memorial

-MLK Jr. Memorial

-Worls War II Memorial

-Korean War Memorial

One of the highlights of being there for the 4th of July was experiencing numerous flyovers. Each one was absolutely thrilling, and we all loved it!

After spending two days in DC, it was time to head to Delaware!

We stopped in to visit Annapolis, Maryland on our way, and it was just the cutest place! We got some ice cream (because Kilwin's is a must for us whenever we see one, LOL) and walked around the downtown area which was right on the water. This is a place we would all love to return to someday, that's how charming it was! There was a World War II Memorial that we stopped to appreciate, and it was also really amazing to see some of the Naval Academy while passing by.

From there we headed on to Rehoboth Beach!

Two nights in Delaware

After dealing with crazy heat while in DC, we had a good bit of rain on this portion of our trip. Thankfully, we were still able to have some really fun beach time and enjoy a slower pace with less walking -- which was exactly what we wanted. The boardwalk area of Rehoboth Beach was SUCH a cool place that we really loved, and the beach was refreshing and packed with fellow beach lovers.

We were all really happy to learn that Rehoboth did their big Independence Day celebration on July 5th, which meant live music on the boardwalk and fireworks that felt redemptive after missing out on the ones in DC. Our hotel, also, had an indoor pool that was a blessing when it was raining and we couldn't be at the beach. Overall, we all agreed that we would absolutely come back to this area if given the chance!

It's pretty amazing that we have beached in South Carolina, Greece, and Delaware in a single summer, and I'm so grateful for the privilege and sacrifice that both played a role in making each of them possible. We have traveled together as often as we can in recent years, and I sincerely feel so thankful and proud. If you had asked me when I first became a mom if I would get to travel like this in the future, I would have laughed and said, “Probably not...My husband is a teacher and I am a SAHM…”

Look at us now.

*insert happy cry emoji here*

My husband is still a teacher and I’m still primarily a SAHM, but you wouldn’t think that by looking at us. With a whole lot of creativity and intention and favor, we have literally travelled the world together in recent years. And we’ll keep trying to see the world as long and as often as we are able.

What a gift to meet this great big beautiful world with great big beautiful smiles.

And what a gift to give my kiddos good stories to tell as they grow up!

Click here for a video of our trip to DC & Delaware!

And if you are confused about what I mean when I say I booked this trip primarily "with points," here is some insight in how we are able travel like this.

7-Night Disney Dream Cruise through Greece // the bargeron explorers.

After spending four glorious days in Rome, we checked out of our hotel and headed towards the grand finale of our European summer trip: a 7-night sailing aboard the Disney Dream from Civitavecchia! was exactly that—a perfect blend of breathtaking destinations, world-class entertainment, incredible food, and the unmatched service Disney is known for.

This was our second time sailing together on Disney Cruise Line, and we were able to experience some of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean while enjoying all the magic of Disney in between each port. Spoiler: it was EVERYTHING!

Setting Sail from Rome

Our adventure began in Civitavecchia, the cruise port for Rome. As soon as we stepped aboard the Disney Dream, we were welcomed with smiling and enthusiastic cast members, a beautiful stateroom with a verandah, an exciting embarkation celebration newly rebranded as the "Let's Sail Away!" party, and the unmistakable feeling that nobody does it like Disney. I can't explain it, but even the scents throughout the ship feel magical. (Sounds crazy, I know, but it's true. I wanted to bottle up the smell in the Grand Hall and bring it home with me.)

We were over the moon to call this gorgeous ship "home" for a week!

Santorini: Blue Domes & Whitewashed Streets

Our first stop after enjoying a sea day was the stunning island of Santorini.

This was a tender port, which was something we had never experienced before. It was a simple procedure that required us to get off of the cruise ship directly onto a smaller boat that would take us to shore. We had read horror stories of the cable car situation on Santorini, but thankfully we were the only cruise ship at port that day and everything was smooth and quick. The weather was ideal this day, too!

After getting off the cable car, we took a bus to the picturesque village of Oia, famous for its postcard-perfect white buildings, smooth cobblestone streets, and iconic blue-domed churches. AKA the reason this has been at the top of my personal bucket list for so long. Walking these streets legitimately felt like stepping into a dream. Around every corner was another incredible view of the sparkling Aegean Sea.

We spent time exploring local shops, taking photos of the famous blue domes, and simply soaking in one of the most unforgettable places we’ve ever visited. We, also, got to walk around this island with some new friends that we met while waiting to get on the cable car. Meeting and exploring with them was the biggest blessing, and we all agreed that they made our day in Santorini so much more memorable!

I still cannot believe I actually felt this island beneath my feet and got to behold it's unique, breath-taking splendor. A dream turned reality for this girlie!

Mykonos: Wandering Through a Greek Postcard

Next came Mykonos, another island that completely lived up to the hype.

We kept things simple again this day and opted to wander the charming town. It was another maze of whitewashed streets was filled with colorful doors, boutiques, cafés, and hidden corners waiting to be discovered literally everywhere. The Little Venice area of the island was so charming! And of course, we couldn’t leave without visiting the island’s famous windmills overlooking the sea. They’re one of Mykonos’ most recognizable landmarks and it felt surreal to be seeing them in person.

Before heading back to the ship, we enjoyed some frozen Greek yogurt (because duh!!) and a gyro (again, because DUH!).

Chania, Crete: Old Town Meets the Beach

Our stop in Chania gave us an opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds: the city and the beach!

We explored the beautiful Old Town, where Venetian architecture, waterfront restaurants, and centuries of history create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. Before wandering through the charming streets, we headed to a nearby beach for a refreshing swim. With crystal-clear water and beautiful scenery, it was the perfect way to spend a warm Mediterranean afternoon.

A highlight for us was when Braxton spotted a huge sea turtle in the water while we were walking towards the beach! It was magical.

Naples: Pizza & Overstimulation

Our final port of the cruise was Naples, Italy.

No visit to Naples would be complete without authentic Neapolitan pizza, so our first stop was the legendary L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele. The menu was simple, but the pizza was delicious! And the line was down the street by the time we were leaving, which made us grateful that we listened to a local's advice to get there before they opened.

After lunch, we explored a unique indoor shopping area called Galleria Umberto and walked over to see the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola. We were told by someone in Rome that Naples was chaotic, and we can report that our experience was exactly that. If we ever went back to this city, we would likely take a boat to Capri, Ischia, or Amalfi instead. But we're glad to say we've been!

Truthfully, we only walked around this port for a couple of hours and then got back on the boat to enjoy the amenities with fewer people on board.

Our Days Aboard the Disney Dream

As marvelous as each port was, some of our favorite memories happened onboard. I mean it when I say that I truly believe that Disney is the best in the business when it comes to families. We smiled and laughed and danced all week long! This sailing only had two full sea days, and we made the most of every minute.

We spent countless hours exploring every corner of the ship, meeting beloved Disney characters, relaxing by the pool, and enjoying more soft-serve ice cream than we’d ever admit (because Disney calories don’t count, right?), and playing taking advantage of as many activities as possible (big trivia fans over here!). Both kiddos had the time of their lives all week long, and we all left the ship with significantly less enthusiasm as we had when we were getting on.

The AquaDuck water coaster was a favorite of ours on our last Disney cruise in 2019, and Bethany was excited to be old enough to ride it this time. It was an instant favorite for everyone again! We challenged each other to a family game of mini golf on one sea day, too, and Braxton snuck off to play by himself so many times while we were lounging or playing on the pool deck all week.

If putt putt and the aquaduck were Braxton's highlights on board, the best part for Bethany was the Bippity Boppity Boutique. She got a 45-minute personal makeover, a brand new Belle dress, and the attention of everyone she passed afterwards. The cast members would exclaim, "Look! A princess!" every time they saw her, and she was absolutely beaming. I was such a proud mama this week watching my kiddos live their best life.

Our evenings were filled with Disney’s fantastic rotational dining experience where delicious food, beautiful themed restaurants, and genuinely outstanding service made every dinner feel special. Our servers followed us as we rotated dining rooms, and they were the absolute best. Bethany and I both shed tears when we had to say goodbye to our main server, Carina, at our final breakfast before debarking.

Another thing we, also, loved about this particular sailing was being able to watch newly-released movies in the onboard theater—including Toy Story 5 and The Devil Wears Prada 2. (AHH!! Seriously, so cool.) This Belle-loving crew thought the Beauty and the Beast live production was fantastic, too!

One thing that consistently amazed us throughout the cruise, just like last time, was Disney's top-notch level of service. Every cast member seemed sincerely invested in making our vacation the very best it could be. Our dining team quickly learned our names and preferences, housekeeping kept our stateroom spotless twice a day (and added character sheets on the kids' beds when we asked her for them), and every interaction felt warm, personal, and sincere.

This cruise was the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation, and it was all we'd hoped it would be when we booked it 16 months prior. Whether we were racing down the AquaDuck, grabbing another cone of soft serve, meeting Disney characters, or simply watching the Mediterranean glide by from the deck, we were reminded how special it is to slow down and experience the world together as a family.

We told our kiddos that we hope they invite us when they take their own families on trips like these one day. I pray that it won't be enough that we've raised them; I pray that they want us to grow old alongside of them, too, and to make blessed memories together for a lifetime.

Because oh, how I wish these days would never end.

We left with seven days worth of amazing memories, thousands of photos and videos (including the digitals from the cruise photographers, which is 100% worth the investment), and a hopeful promise to ourselves: we’ll be back.

We are already trying to decide where Disney will take our family next!

Watch this video for a glimpse into all the fun we had on the cruise. But be warned: you will probably want to book a Disney cruise for yourself afterwards!