I’ve tracked my debt load in a spreadsheet for over ten years now, same as budgeting. Normally, it decreases slowly. There are downward spikes when I make a pile of money and make big payments, and upward spiked when I make certain choices.

These are usually the choice to move, or sometimes to leverage credit for a certain goal. I’ve long since learned to live more within my means, but there are times…

I’ve moved so often, and that just sucks money out of my wallet. Sometimes it’s been necessary, other times for emotional reasons. I once chased a skirt all the way to another province, and it took me five years to get home!! Never again!! LOL You know, I would have been out of debt by the time I got back, if it hadn’t been for a two-second choice. (No, it wasn’t the choice to move.) Five years away, five years to get back home, and five years to get my debt load back to where it was when I left.

Most recently, I’ve chosen to spend $7000 trading in my truck, $5000 of that being new debt, albeit at a lower interest rate. It was a good choice, since I needed a 4×4 and wanted to trade in my truck while it was in good shape. It’s a shame to raise my debt load again, but…that’s the choice I made, and I can rationalize it! LOL

I could have a lower debt load if I didn’t save aggressively, too. But then I would not have money in the bank, which allows me not to live in the edge financially, which I love! :c) It’s good to be able to spend money which has been set aside for a certain purpose, e.g. health or dentistry, even when I’m broke otherwise.

Next year, I should make a pile of money, and be able to pay down my debt aggressively. I’m living with a friend for cheap, so that will be a great blessing.

By the time I get out of debt (hopefully less than two years) all I will have is a mortgage. Then I will still have money in the bank, and (relative) financial freedom, wonderful freedom! :c)

God bless!