February 3, 2011

The Debt Diet

I'm a little afraid to post this,
but what do I have to lose, right?
I'm going in...

I just read
this post
over at
Thrifty Decor Chic.
(Thank you for your raw honesty, girl.)

I hung on every word.
I couldn't read fast enough.
I hooked on every link.
I read every connected past post.
I was with Ms. Thrifty on every account.

I think finances does that to me.
Actually,
I think talk of debt, finances, spending and saving,
ignites a passion in a lot of us.
For better or for worse.

Money talk can get very passionate.
It can bring up shame and disappointment,
as well as,
pride and accomplishment.

Personally,
I am slightly obsessed with money:
saving,
planning,
paying off
and
looking ahead.

Hubs and I pay cars off early.
We save.
We watch our spending.
We are extreme bargainers and bargain hunters.

But ultimately,
things come up.
Elite Athletic Club registrations,
Tournament Fees,
Orthodontia,
Car issues,
Unexpected Dental
You know the drill.
Stuff pops up.
It becomes a slippery slope.

Enter Mr. and Mrs. Credit Card
(Yes, we have two)
They have become our
"emergency fund".

Right now.
They are NOT my friends.
Their balance is making me sweat a little.
They are bigger than I can pay off in one months time,
or even two.
Grrrrrrrrr.
This keeps me up at night.

I don't like debt.
Never have.
In fact, I hate it.
It's NOT okay with me to have a
balance carry over to the next month.
I know it's what a lot of us do,
but I'm here to change that.

I want to be responsible financially.
I want to live an authentic, pure life.
I want to have an "emergency fund" in the bank to pull from
rather than rely on Mr. and Mrs. Credit Card.

I know,
we are lucky.
Our debt is not
exorbitant,
as some have shared.
But, debt is debt.
Right?
Whether it's a little or a lot.
Debt is debt.


Thankfully,
I have a small handful of role models in my circle
that do NOT have any CC debt.
Glory be.
I so desperately want to be in that group.
I will be in that group.

So here I am.
Asking you to be my accountability partners.

I am on a fast track to chunking down
Mr. Credit and Mrs. Card.

I have already mapped it out a million times on paper.
I've calculated.
I've recalculated
(remember, I'm a planner at heart)

I'm off to the library today
to pick up
one
Mr. Dave Ramsey

The Total Money Makeover:
A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness


Who's in this with me?
Hop on board.
We'll do this together.

We'll all hold each other accountable.
We'll hold each other up.
We'll cheer each other on.

We are strong,
but not perfect.

It won't be easy.
But we CAN do this.

Even if it's just little old me,
I'm going in...

I will keep you posted as I walk head-on into this.

Belt has been tightened.
I'm off to the library.

Wish me luck!


8 comments:

  1. Funny you post this! I'm in!

    We my hubs and I first got hitched we both came with debt. Neither of our family taught us a single thing about managing our money. We taught ourselves we paid off all loans, cc debt, furniture and eloped to start off right. Due to that I was able to be a stay at home mama. We had money every Thursday, I meal planned, couponed, etc...

    Then almost 2 years ago we relocated due to his job, we had a newborn and a 2 yr old. We were both taken by surprise at the stress of it all and we started to slipped on our strict financial rules. Then we slipped more... you know how it goes.

    So here we are with a credit card balance. It's not ridiculous, but WAY more than we're comfortable with.. it'll probably take a year to get everything ship-shape again. *Sigh*

    So yes, I'd like to join you on your debt diet!

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  2. Tys. Soooo happy you are in! We are in this together, girl. We will take our good habits (I know what I need to do) and we'll take this on.

    Think of the happy dance we will be doing when all this is behind us. I'm a stay at home mom too. So our job is a bit harder but so doable.

    Pleeease keep me posted on your progress. I'd love to be encouraged. I'll cheer you on all the way.

    Thanks again for your comment. I look forward to the journey.

    Here we go!
    Wendy

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  3. Woohoo! I think this is AWESOME!

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  4. I'm in too! I just planned out our budget and debt payoff plan in an Excel spreadsheet and I'm determined to stick to it!!!

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  5. This is so timely, Wendy. I just finished reading Dave's book last week (after a deathly long wait for it at my library). It was so worth the wait. To be honest, I was a bit wary about him since I'd heard he can be extreme and he has a cult-like following. However, after reading the book for myself, it makes sooooo much sense. I cut up most of my cards last week, I've started tracking all expenses in preparation for a budget, and I've started on baby step 1. Looking forward to sharing this journey with you.

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  6. Wendy,

    Glad you are "taking the bull by the horns." That's the way it's gotta be. Then before you know it, you'll be DEBT FREE! Good luck and stick to your plan... and remember, if you don't need it, don't buy it :D

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  7. I LOVE his book!!! I bought it and couldn't put it down. I love the way he explains things. For me it's so scary to think about. I hate money. I'm sad to say that I haven't started my money makeover, but hopefully soon.

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  8. Wanted to let you know, I just made a post about Dave too and included you both in it! =) Hopefully someone else will be inspired also! Thank you!

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