get out of debt

Since it’s a new year, I thought I’d take a moment to see where my debt stands. As of today, my total debt is $38,022.24! Yikes! Not much improved since I began this journey. Looks like I need a new job. :P

Ladies and gentleman, please raise your glasses. Here’s to a successful and lucrative 2011! CHEERS! clink :)

A friend messaged me today asking me to serve cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at her Christmas party this weekend. I happen to be free Saturday night, and she’s going to pay me $50 to mingle with some awesome people. YIPPEE!

. . . and that sometimes means you have to do things you don’t want to do for the sake of taking care of your responsibilities. I’ve always been an advocate for doing what you are passionate about, but am now finding that my debt is holding me back from reaching my potential. I may temporarily have to suck it up and do some things I don’t like in order to kill the debt. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a second job, and as much as I don’t want to do that again, I know that I could really put the extra money to good use. A couple of years ago, I worked two jobs for a year and finally had to quit one because I was so exhausted. I didn’t take care of myself and I was so run down that I got sick ALL the time. Well, I swore I’d never do that to myself again, but I don’t see any other way out of my financial situation. Not only do I have a large sum of debt accumulated from student loans, but I can barely afford to live. If I didn’t have a nearly free living situation, I’d be on the streets. I can’t afford rent, even with room mates. I can’t afford the maintenance I need for my car. My car isn’t broken (thank you Lord!) but I can’t even afford new tires or an oil change! Something needs to be done and QUICKLY. I’ve been ignoring my financial state for too long. True, I’ve been well aware of my debt and have been faithfully trying to pay it off, but I never really took into consideration my financial situation as a whole. If I can’t even afford to put oil in my car, things are much graver than I realized. This ends now. Something has to be done. I am an adult and it’s high time I step up and do something.

I FINALLY sprung for the Financial Peace University home study kit. My thought was, if I can blow $200 on STUPID stuff, why not buy something USEFUL. It was on sale, so the price was about $225 with shipping. (It’s retails for $400) I wanted the home study kit so that I can watch the DVDs whenever I want instead of having to try to find time in my busy schedule to attend classes. Another bonus is that I can share it with friends and give it to my parents when I’m finished. :) I also found a couple of promotional codes, so I should be getting the budgeting software, an audio CD, and an additional book for FREE! SCORE! Look out Sallie Mae!!! I’m coming to get you!!!

In other news, Dave Ramsey is having a LIVE event in Portland in April. I applied for a volunteer position, so hopefully they’ll pick me! :) If I’m chosen, I’ll be working the tables before and after the event, but I’ll get to attend the event for FREE and I’ll get a free gift and a nifty tshirt. PICK ME, DAVE! PICK ME!!!

So I keep trying to end my relationship with Debt, and it just won’t LEAVE!! Doesn’t it understand I don’t love it? This is an unhealthy relationship and I think it’s best if we just separate for good! I don’t want to break it gently because that doesn’t seem to work. I just want to get it over with. Quick like a Band-Aid.

You know, every month I get 5 entries into the SalllieMae $25,000 giveaway sweepstakes. I’ve been entered into this drawing every month for a few years. It would be nice if I won. Yeah, that would bring my debt down to only about $10,000 and I’d be able to pay it all off in a year if I worked really hard. Yeah, that would be wonderful. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Why is this taking so LOOOOOOOOOOOONG?! I pay a few hundred dollars a month in student loan interest alone!! I can’t do this. . . YES I CAN!!!!! Okay, let’s rethink strategy. I NEED a supplemental income. I need to get off my bum and make more crafts to sell on Etsy!! I need to work my Sensaria business!! I need to be better about budgeting my money!! and I need to STOP WHINING!!!!!! haha

...sigh

I entered a scholarship contest with Upromise. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! Go watch my video and click the “vote” tab!!! Every vote helps my score and it takes less than a mintue!!!! Thanks so much!

http://www.tuition-tales.com/video-contest-entry-profile.asp?vid=6E739F80A6DD49DEB5994F51E1CBAD65

I Finally canceled my credit card and paid it off. Next order of business, work on those student loans! At this point, I now have $1,271.39 LESS debt than I started with on Jan 1st. Granted, I’ve paid more, but the interest I’ve acquired brings up my balance. blegh! :0P