Have only one more $90 overdraft charge to take care of and I should be done. Then I get to work on building credit. \:D/ 3 years ago

As of today, I have no debt.

It took me four years to pay off $23,500 and I couldn’t have done it without my parents giving me a loan and my late husband’s parents giving me money. I paid about a quarter of my income to the debt for a long damn time and it’s DONE.

Now I’m saving up for a car. Onward! 4 years ago

That’s what I owe, down from $23,000 at the beginning of 2005. The amount I pay every month is now more than double the minimum payment. That feels good. I need to remember that I’ve done really well on this, given all the changes in my life over the last three years. 4 years ago

I didn’t stop my automatic payments in time and had paid for an extra month on my NC apartment. I got the check back today. $495. I’m sending in an extra $295 payment to the credit card. I plan to spend the rest on new clothes. I’m picky enough that it will take me awhile to spend it all.

I love watching the amount owed and minimum payment go down each month. 4 years ago

I am currently debt free, and have cash saved up for emergencies and retirement.
I can’t see my self getting back into debt in the future. I do enjoy the freedom of being debt free. 5 years ago

I have finally admitted to others that I am in debt , this was a weight off my mind.

I have paid all my bills for this month and I still have some cash left so I won’t need to use my credit card. 5 years ago

I am currently €41K in debt , however this time 3 months ago I hit my peak at €48K in debt I have reduced my spending to an absolute minimum and I have reduced my minimum payments each month by €545 to €800 leaving more room to reduce my expensive debt. I need to keep on rations until my credit card debt is eliminated , currently 5900 (much better than the 13000 before) However I need to free up 7100 to pay off a lump sum debt soon.

I know I cannot reduce my debt as quickly as I have in the past three months , but at least I know that I can keep it reducing.

I think that a realistic aim is to reduce my debt to 0 in 36 months from when I started , in 33 months from now. 5 years ago

I put $200 of my tax refund aside for the move and sent an extra $200 payment to toward the credit card balance, which will be under $10k by the time I move. Last night I was reading a journal of mine from September of 2005. At that time, I was $23,000 in debt, working part-time with no benefits, barely able to make my credit card payments and living in a very unhealthy situation. I had an undiagnosed, untreated autoimmune system, drank too much, slept too little and was deep in a complicated grief process.

I’ll need to be scrupulous with my spending after I move, but if I’ve knocked out $13k of debt in a little over two and a half years under those circumstances, I feel confident I can manage. It’s good to be where I am now. 5 years ago

Its funny because when you think you’re finally in the black, something else happens. Then you get the theory – “well, if I just make more money, and live life the same way, I’ll be OK.” Then you make more money, and you’re even worse off. I need to CHANGE my LIFE and use the money I ALREADY make to get me out of trouble. One day when a girl decides she can stand me for a lifetime I want to be able to provide for her. 5 years ago

Mr. Man gave me a buck to buy him a VA lottery ticket last weekend and I bought one for me, too. I checked the numbers and I didn’t win. I didn’t win and I felt relieved.

RELIEVED?!

I didn’t want to deal with sudden wealth. I felt like it wouldn’t feel as good to win money as to earn it. I was completely unwilling to have money fall into my lap.

That’s messed up. I have worked hard to reduce my debt and earn a good living but there’s nothing wrong with some extra money coming my way on top of that. In fact, it would be great! So I am going to try to remember to visualize myself being given a lot of money until I get comfortable with it, until I start to enjoy the idea of unexpected largess. With a resistant attitude like mine, who knows how many goldmines I’ve missed. So let me announce it here to the Universe: I am ready to gratefully and joyfully receive any money you want to flutter down upon me in a perfect and unexpected way. 5 years ago

Well, I’ve been doing pretty good. Payed off car, student loans and credit cards. Now when I do charge something I pay it off in about three days (that is about the time it takes to post to my account online). Now I’ve been trying to developing a budget so I stay that way. At this point, I only have a couple of outstanding debts on my credit report that total about $250. Not bad. I feel like for the first time in my life i’m going in the right direction. 5 years ago

Last night I had a powerful realization in class. I called in and then switched to listening on the computer. As she came to the end of the visualization, I had a strong urge to rejoin on the phone. She asked if anyone wanted to share. I heard myself give my name and location. Here’s what I said.

“What came up for me was a fear of financial lack. Then, as we did the process, I realized that if I let go of clinging to human security, financial security, I would be free to rest in Divine security, which is eternal. This is a seed in my soul now. All I have to do is water it.” I was crying and my nose was dripping because I didn’t want to sniff while possibly thousands of people across the globe listened to me. I added, “I feel very vulnerable, and young.”

Debbie (Ford, our teacher) got so happy and excited and I could hear others on the line chiming in with agreement and support. She said, “You just said something so brilliant. You feel vulnerable and young. That’s the child mind of wisdom! THAT’S where you begin! Now write it down.” I did.

I’ve been wrestling with this for twenty years. I remember adding up monthly expenses and worrying when I was in my 20s and had $10k in savings and a steady income that took care of all my needs and desires. It’s not that I will be foolish or not pay my bills, but I will finally express in action the faith that has been inside me all along. I will not be forsaken. I am not alone. I am cared for and loved. I can put down this sense of lack, just leave it by the side of the road and continue my journey without blinding myself with fear. 5 years ago

and it looks like I can do the workshop this summer by reducing my debt payments over the next several months. It also turns out that paying off the debt in full after that before I start saving for the training I want to get extends the training start date by only seven months. I was kind of hoping that I could pay less on the debt and save toward the training at the same time, but when I plug it all into my spreadsheet, the emotional satisfaction of that approach doesn’t offset the monetary gain in tackling debt first.

Sometimes being a practical adult isn’t nearly as much fun as thinking you’re making progress and not running the numbers to find out if that’s the case. 5 years ago

In order to get rid of a challenge, you have to give up and then try again ^{I think}. Oh, well. This is a much more positive spin. And it is true that I have been in debt and worked my way out before.

I want to release the challenge/deadline aspect of this. I realized recently that I’d like to spend more money creating my future and less on paying off my past mistakes. It feels like my money energy is flowing the wrong direction in time.

Extending my self-imposed deadline is tied up with changes in my dissatisfaction with where I live and my willingness to commit fully to my relationship. I think it would serve me better to reduce my payments, since the credit card rate is locked in at 1.9% for the life of the transfer, and save money to take a workshop in New York and start building a life that allows me more room to grow.

This is a radical change in how I approach getting out of debt. I currently pay three times the minimum on the credit card. I’m considering going down to two times the minimum (rounded up a bit). I’ve been doing so well on this goal that it would only add about 6 months before I would be debt free. I also want to give myself the freedom to hire a life coach and take classes to become a trained coach myself, if that is what I decide to do.

This is big for me. Really big. Wow. It feels so obvious now. 5 years ago

I had a nightmare in which every time anyone wasted money, a clear spot about the size of a quarter would show up on their skin. Everyone could see how much money you were wasting. When the circles started to overlap, something bad happened to you. It was like your skin started to turn transparent and fade away so your organs and bones and muscles were exposed.

I get frustrated by how tight my budget is, but I put 26% of my take home income toward debt reduction because debt is so horrifying it literally gives me nightmares. 5 years ago

when I found out my friend had eaten nothing but popcorn for three days, I bought him some food. Once he told me that, how was I supposed to just sit there because I’m out of money and would have to dip into my emergency fund? I did feel a little manipulated but I can’t blame him. Yes, he mismanages money worse than anyone I’ve ever seen but he needed to eat. The fact that he still had cigarettes bothered me but that’s an addiction, so I guess I should just get over it.

Anyway, as it stands now, I’m out of money and will have to dip into my emergency fund for anything that I buy in the next two weeks. Twice this week I’ve bought food for unemployed friends. It’s difficult to argue that my emergency fund is more important than their eating. At the same time, I work hard and have built the emergency fund through good choices and some sacrifice and I don’t want people thinking that they can pass the consequences of their choices on to me. I’m the only one taking care of me (financially). I have to make sure I stay committed to my own financial health. 5 years ago

That’s it. I’m just sick of hearing myself justify spending more money than I have. Yet another month where I won’t be able to add to my emergency fund and it’s not the dental or car insurance expenses that pushed me over the edge of my budget AGAIN. It’s the little incidentals. A chair I don’t really need. Eating out and coffee. Books. Candy.

I won’t go see the Two Dollar Pistols tomorrow even though I love their music. I won’t be having anything other than juice when I meet someone at the saloon. I won’t be eating out again for awhile. I won’t be going to Atlanta this month or Richmond the next. I won’t be buying crap I don’t need.

If I don’t stick to my budget, what’s the point of having one? If I can’t trust myself with my money, which represents the work that I do and the care that I take of myself, it chips away at my belief that I can take care of myself at all. Mr. Man isn’t going to be happy about my restricted social life but this is what I need to do for myself right now. Enough is enough. I’m an adult and my life is directly the result of the choices I make every day.

I choose responsibility. 5 years ago

A little over $300 between car insurance and the dentist this month. But I’ve decided that I will splurge on the course in calculus, since it’s only on sale through tomorrow. It’s something that I’m really interested in and that knowledge will last longer than a new piece of clothing or a night out. 5 years ago

My mom wrote in an email that she and my father are so proud of how I have and am sticking to a plan to get out of debt. That makes me feel good. I hate that they might worry about me. I want them to know that I can take care of myself.

I read today about the citizens in the U.S. had a negative personal saving rate for the second year in a row in 2006. The only other two year consecutive negative saving rates occurred during the Great Depression. So even with my debt, I’m not doing worse than the nation as a whole! Once I’m out of debt, my focus will be on saving enough money for emergencies and preparing for retirement. I do want to make sure I balance education, recreation and pleasure with planning and prudence. 5 years ago

So last night I went to bed at 8:30 and that was great. Except when I started worrying about retiring. Yes, that’s right. I’m still over $10k in debt and I’m worried about my retirement account. I was thinking that even after I pay off the debt, I really should be putting more aside for retirement but then how will I move or travel or do other things if the money that’s now paying down debt has to go toward retirement as soon as the debt is gone and, and, and, and…

I very firmly told myself that I need to focus on right now and worry about retirement in a few years when I’m out of debt and have a buffer fund in place. Once that’s my reality, I will make an appointment with a financial planner and see what he or she recommends I do to keep from being a bag lady at 75. That calmed me down enough to fall asleep. I can’t believe I already have a money worry lined up for when this money worry is gone! 5 years ago

I forwarded my flight itinerary directly from the website to my sister and parents so they would have the information. Guess what just appeared in my mailbox? A check from my parents for the full amount! They’re so generous and good to me. This means I won’t have to touch my buffer fund.

I’ve decided to cut down the amount that I put in my buffer fund for October – December so that I won’t be putting money in and then taking it right back out for car insurance, trip expenses, Christmas presents, etc. Then I can start the new year by putting more money in the buffer fund each month AND sending an extra $20 – $50 to the credit card each month. Yes! 5 years ago

Instead of the $300 I thought I owed on the hospital bill, I owe $189.52, which means I can pay it off all this month! This is really good news. I’ve been having trouble sticking to my schedule because there’s so little wiggle room and with medical co-pays and meds (at least $120), a haircut ($45) and wanting to buy Mr. Man’s CD and send it to several people, money was going to be tight in September. October brings a six-month car insurance premium. But now I’ve got $103 more every month. PLUS, the friend who owes me $125 will be paying me back in the next month.

On the not-so-good side, I can’t find flights for less than $540 for my trip back to CA in November even if I fly out of Charlotte and get in very late the night before I’m due back at work. Ah well, it’s always something. I guess my buffer fund will stay right where it’s at for a few months. At least I won’t go into any more debt for this trip. 5 years ago

I ran the numbers again when I paid my credit card bill and if I keep paying at this rate, I’ll be out of debt in 24 months, four months ahead of schedule! I’ll also have three month’s worth of living expenses saved in 18 months. Now, realistically, my car will need to be replaced in the next few years but at this rate, I’ll have enough for a decent down payment and will be able to afford a good car that will last me for years and years. So even though I get frustrated at how every dollar is accounted for and very few get to roam free, it’s really rewarding to see how far I’ve already come and how well I’m doing. I’m not even thinking about how I’ll have a $60 co-pay in September and airfare in November. La-la-la!!! 5 years ago

I have food and I’ll skip buying his sister a birthday present, unless I can go in with Mr. Man and pay him back later. I’ve got a mostly full tank of gas. I won’t go out or to shows. I can make it to payday. I don’t think I have any bills that will show up in August, so it can be my catch up month. By September, all will be well. October is my last payment on the hospital bill from two Marches ago, so I’ll have more money to make sure I don’t have to dip into the emergency fund except for true emergencies. Plus, there’s that whopping 2% raise I got that takes effect this month. [insert sarcasm here] That’ll save me. 5 years ago

After the music festival, the ER bill, paying for classes and other assorted expenses, I have all of $25 for the rest of the month. I also have a hair appointment next Wednesday so I’ll be dipping into the emergency fund. It’s the first time I’ve done that for non-emergencies and I’ll make it up in August. I guess it’s good that paying less on my credit card doesn’t even seem like an option. I’ll have to wait for a few months before I can take the next class because I need to purchase software for it. A few lean months won’t kill me. Thank goodness Mr. Man stocked up on veggie food at his house. I think he’ll be my restaurant of choice for awhile! 5 years ago

I was given the highest rating in every category at my evaluation yesterday and got a 2% raise. In order for me to get anything higher, someone else in the department would have to get less than 2%. I’m bummed. That extra money won’t make a dent in debt and if I set it all aside for a car fund, it would take me like five years to have enough for a halfway decent old used car. This sucks. I guess once the hospital bill is paid off in November, I’ll be able to split that money between debt and the car fund (after I pay for my trip back to CA in November). It’s hard to be motivated to work hard when the absolute best you can expect is 2% and that barely covers cost of living increases.

Not happy. 5 years ago

... 5 years ago

to look forward to getting my credit card bill so I can plug the new balance into my Excel spreadsheet that calculates interest, number of months left to pay it off completely at the current payment rate and how much I would have to pay monthly to knock it out in one or two years? I also enjoy paying the bill, sending that money out to ransom the previous unhappy me and free her to enjoy the good life that I have now. 5 years ago

So after being in the negative hundred numbers for a few months, Im finaly in the positives, 35.67 to be exact. Its not much, but at least its not negative! Ive been working more hours and am going to be opening a savings account soon, and I plan on putting in half of each pay check in it. I still have bills to pay ( so technically Im still in debt ), but it should be getting a lil bit better now! 5 years ago

I got the insurance explanation of benefits and it looks like I’ll have to pay only the ER co-pay for my concussion visit. That will come out of my emergency fund. Renter’s insurance for a year, due in June, will be paid out of the excess I built up by not spending every cent of my paycheck the last few months. So that’s two bills with no stress, whereas in the past they would have driven me to a near-panic. It feels good. 5 years ago