Monday, September 21, 2009

D-E-B-T: The Follow Up

After I put myself out there a few days ago, I wasn't too sure what to expect. No one really likes to talk about their debt, and some people really frown on others' debt. I'll be the first one to tell you I did dumb things. Some people do drugs and some people rent out their body like a cheap motel room. I ran up some credit card debt. Was it smart? Not really. But what's done is done, and I currently have all of my brain cells and never feel awkward answering the slew of questions they ask you before you donate blood, so I guess I turned out ok.

You live and you learn, and then you pay for it. And if you're really lucky, your story can inspire others to make a change.

I wrote that post because I am not ashamed of our debt (that ship sailed way back when we tallied everything up and realized our credit card debt was equal to one year at a prestigious private college).... I'm proud we're doing something about it. I want to say Thank You to the three lovely ladies that left comments for me, congratulating us on our accomplishment. I want to say Good Luck to Grace. I want to say There IS a light at the end of the tunnel to the follower who emailed me with her story. And I want to say Thanks for thinking of me to Gussy, who spent some time on Gchat with me, brainstorming some ways I could cut down on our household expenses.

I'm trying to figure out how I can put a little chart of debt on my blog without putting up numbers (Ryan would kill me)... encouragement is strong motivation and now that we're in the home stretch, I could use all of the encouragement you ladies are willing to put out there! In the mean time, feel free to email me (blessthisnest (at) gmail.com) with any questions you have about our debt, how we got into it, and how we're getting out of it.

7 comments:

A Bride...Again said...

You know, you're right. Debt is a personal thing, and I think that it's awful for others to judge people about why they have debt. In real life, debt happens. Especially to the young. It worries me that credit cards are SO easy to get these days - the big credit card companies set up on college campuses and offer a free T-shirt or something for filling out the application. And they start you off small, and then before you know it your credit line is increased, and you're justifying your spending left and right.

You'll always pay it off later...when something else happens. But instead of the something good that was supposed to happen, something bad happens instead and more debt accumulates.

I think that it was brave of you to share your story with your readers, and I admire you for doing that. Congratulations on pulling yourselves out of the mess that you created. More importantly though, congratulations for recognizing that you got yourself into the mess and being willing to work hard to change habits and get out of the mess. I think that you guys were VERY brave!

You should be PROUD of yourselves! Hold your heads high, and know that you're almost there! Way to go!

Kenya said...

I think it was great that you shared your story with us because it inspired me.

Thanks for sharing!

Jen | Our Life Accounts said...

I loved your post on debt (totally thought I left a comment for you too but maybe it didn't go through), it's much better to realize the problems now and do something about them when you're young, then further down the road when you have kids. The husband and I never allowed the credit card debt to happen but we do have debt in student loans for the vast number of degrees we have between us. The debt never should have gotten that high but the companies that we worked for screwed us out of tens of thousands of dollars and we ended up having to shoulder a lot more debt. We have been on the fastest track possible to paying off our debt since completing the final degrees last year, as long as we stay on track, we'll have our's paid off by next year. It's been a pain in the butt living like paupers and stressing over every penny for the last year and a half but it will be totally worth it next fall when we "hopefully" will be debt free. Oh, and if you want to put a chart up on your blog without numbers or just update on how it's going, may I suggest doing it as percentages?

Sue said...

I think that more people have issues with debt than you know. Some people just like to pretend they don't have it and there are those who were lucky enough or smart enough to never go into debt in the first place. I think you will be amazed at how many people you help with your honesty.

Sue

dinkinflicka said...

Oh man I am so scared to graduate. I'm in college and I don't have a credit card, but EVERYTHING is on loans, I don't have any financial. But this was helpfull

Grace Matthews said...

Thank You for not being afraid to share. I am often ashamed of my debt, but I think that's because others make me feel that way. I was never taught the importance of good credit or staying away from credit cards. A Bride...Again is right...they make it way too easy and credit card companies actually prey on the young, because they know they will charge it up and worry about it later. Most of my debt is from college, but not all of it. With the current state of affairs and our whole country being in debt, You are a great inspiration to us all.

Courtney said...

I'm so proud of you B. Two jobs suck, but you are doing a great job... We will have to plan a congratulations we are finally out of debt (and now can start saving for billion dollar mortgages) party!
Love you!