by Tricia
In January we only paid $881 towards reducing our credit card debt balance. That brings today’s total to $23,517. I am pleased that we paid off over $14,000 of our debt and it hasn’t quite been a year yet.
My blog anniversary is coming up, and something I have been trying to do is reach $15,000 of our debt paid off before then. I’m not sure we can do it. I do have some money set aside for home repairs (which the handiman STILL hasn’t called me back about). It’s taking everything I have to resist using that money to pay more of our debt down. Using that money would bring us to that “mini goal.”
Which brings me to a good point – I have lots to update you on. I haven’t been posting that much lately because of work. It was crunch time, and I was working 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. earlier this week. I was pretty tired by the time I got off work. And, I’m an American Idol junkie so I HAD to watch that the past few days 😉
Now that crunch time is over, I should be working “normal” hours again and have some energy left over to write a post. Or, I may have enough of a break time at work to write something.
Part of me feels like my mind is in another place right now and I need to get back on track. I need to keep blogging about my debt. I need to keep chugging along…
I personally feel you do not really want to get rid of this debt quickly. I just started reading your blog and it appears that you are spending too much on frivolous things like home repairs – obviously it depends what’s wrong – if its cosmetic, I think the problem is your priorities! Also, cable TV should be cut! I think if you really wanted to rid of debt, you would have a sure-fire plan of attack. Right now, I see a lackluster approach. Just my opinion and sorry I am wrong about it…
I think you’re doing just fine. You can’t always go full steam ahead all the time. There are going to periods along the way where you have to spend money on other things in order to prevent more expensive repairs down the road. You’re doing an awesome job!
Tyler –
She’s doing the best she can, considering their family income, the fact that she has children, and other stuff that comes up. $13,000 of debt repayment is about 25% of their family’s PRE-TAX income, and close to 30% of their POST-TAX income. They still have to eat, and you know, once in a while have fun.
Lackluster, my ass.
Just saying, other things can be cut to quicken up the process. While I got myself out of debt, fun was really out of the picture. I had a goal and I did not deviate from it with pointless fun. You can have all the fun you want when you’re out of debt! It’s wonderful!
Hey Tyler, do us all a favor and buy some looser underwear. Maybe she doesn’t want to cut basic cable out. Can’t a family have at least one measly “luxury”….
Tyler-
Arent you just full of support and wisdom?
You dont even allow the rest of us, including Tricia to view your own blog and how you accomplished this great feat!
We are all here to support each other, not put each other down, so please just go away!
#6 has a point. It’s not like Tyler’s giving us a blow by blow account of exactly how he paid off his debt. I am wondering, though…is Tyler just a troll, trying to see if he can yank all of our chains?
Tricia,
Keep up the great work, don’t let this guy get to you. Cable TV is an incredible investment if you think about the time you spend watching TV. It works out to just pennies per hour, it is one of the cheapest forms of entertainment out there, and while you are watching you aren’t spending.
In my opinion, $881 is not an “only” number (as in “only $881”). It’s a great number! Great work!
Everyone except Tyler – thank you everyone for speaking up and rooting me on. I appreciate it. 🙂
Tyler – Thank you for your comment as well. You do bring up a point that there are things that can be cut from our spending. The key is to find a balance that works for you. No two situations can be compared to each other. More on this later.
Tricia,
You’re doing fine; keep it up.
I have a family member who is in a lot worse shape; their income is 1/3 of yours, and they have just been hit with $10k of uninsured medical (a glitch in coverage between two employers). A bad deal.
Tricia, you hang in there…you are headed in the right direction. I imagine you will have months where you can put more towards debt repayment than others. That’s life. If you cut too deep, you might soon resent your plan and slide off track.
Tricia ~ You stick to your plan and know we got your back. I’m a recent reader but by reading your posts, tracking your progress – I’m inspired to stay on track too. I see nothing lackluster – I see commitment and progress which is THE Goal!
Keep on chugging, Tricia. You all are doing GREAT! I wish my husband and I were on the same page, as you and yours certainly are – it makes a huge difference.
As for the naysayers – let ’em nay-say. 🙂 They don’t know you and your life. You are doing all of us a great service by telling us about your struggles – something most of us can relate to, and you are a blessing. So there!
Repaying debt is like dieting. To me, for it to be a long-term life change, you cannot be “on” or “off.” You change your habits and still live your life. Fun is not “pointless.” It is necessary to survive and for the long haul. There is not a right or wrong way. If you cannot meet your basic needs then yes, cable is a luxury. As long as your debit is going down, you are successful.