Ashley

I’m plugging away. It’s been almost a year since I left a good- paying position to pursue my dream job – which turned out to be a nightmare so I had to quit. I’m making far less money right now, and I’m making a bigger dent in my debt than ever. A few pointers, if I may…

1. Yes- Dave Ramsey is a good start. Not only do I trust his common sense approach, but after I built up a $1000 emergency fund, I didn’t feel skitish at all about using every other cent I could get my hands on to put toward my debt.
2. A budget. Yeah, yeah, sounds boring at best and nerve-racking at worst, I know. But make your budget meaningful, honest, and goal-oriented and you feel much more in control of your life. I have created an Excel spreadsheet where I track my monthly income and bills. The coolest feature is that every time I enter an amount to pay under a credit card bill, I have a little sidebar that subtracts this amount from my total debt. That definitely makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something, and also keeps me fully aware of each of my credit card balances.
3. Only have credit cards with a 0% interest rate. Refuse to pay interest. Period. Every time I know that my introductory rate is about to expire, I either call the company and ask for 0% interest (which rarely works) or transfer the balance to a new 0% APR card (which always works). Credit card companies want your business, and they will give you what you want because they think you will foul up. The trick is to train yourself to be as organized as they are, and transfer balances before they skyrocket.
4. Socialize smarter. (This was a tough one for me.) My friends and family are everything to me, but I had to learn to have a good time without spending money. Instead of going out for dinner and drinks, I clean up the house and may spend 10 or so dollars on food (maybe a little more if they’re not supplying the wine.) I quickly realized that my friends really liked this idea- (remember-you’re probably not the only person in your world trying to spend less money!)- and socializing is much more fun and intimate when it’s on your own terms and in your own home.
5. Spend less. Identify your weak spots and start calling yourself out. My weak spots: Starbucks ($5 four times per week = $80 per month); social expenditures (as discussed above); Clothes (I think my wardrobe is nice enough considering the cash I’ve spent in the past); Home decor and furniture (While it is important to my well-being that I be surrounded by a comfortable and personalized living space, I have come to resent some of the more expensive artwork on my walls.)

Just 7,639 left.
Good luck to all!

I’ve done it!
I don’t have to hide my hands anymore. In fact, I’ve noticed that my hands are quite pretty, and nothing to be ashamed of.

Anyone who has not heard of Chantix should ask their doctor about it. I am feeling great about my fifth day as a non-smoker.
Just to summarize, Chantix is a pill that does not contain nicotine, but it blocks the nicotine receptors in your brain. So when you smoke, there is no “pleasure” sensation. For me, it makes cigarettes taste like crap, and even makes me a little nauseous when I try to smoke. Yesterday was my first day of having no craving at all. I really think this is going to help me stay on the wagon! Good luck to all.