Getting out of debt: A story of hope – Part 2
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I want to thank everyone who commented on the first part of this series. Although I’m sad to know I’m not alone (because of what that means for you), I am happy to know that so many of us are working our way through and out of debt.
An update and tepid celebration
Last month, I owed $30,702. This month, my debt total is $30,162.
And I can feel a big, old depressing sigh escape from me as I type that. Yes, you might cajole me into celebrating the over $600 I made in payments, but… wow. I do want to celebrate that I paid more than minimum balances on all my payments. That felt really good.
I tell you, though, I’m gonna party next month when I get down into the 20’s. Maybe I’ll even give a prize away here or something fun.
So, start practicing your happy wiggle dance. We gonna party like it’s 1999.
Where I’m going with all this
If you own the Wish Kit, you know that the best place to start is at the end. The beginning is too hard and depressing and frustrating. But the end? Ahhh. That’s where all the inspiration and sunshine and roses are.
So, if I were to dream a little, here’s where I envision myself at the end of this process:
- honoring the commitment I made to my parents
- freedom from debt
- depositing all $700 monthly (that’s been going to the credit card companies) into savings or retirement
- (dare I say it) surprising Inspired Spouse with a trip to Hawaii
This seems awesome. However, it’s funny how hard it is to write this description of my future life. I’ve been so identified with having debt, that it’s challenging to imagine my life without it. Just the same, as I wrote this, I could feel my shoulders loosen and my breathing become easy. I felt lighter.
I’m going to keep sitting with that vision and see what else bubbles up. I’ll check in again next month with an update and another insight into the process of becoming debt-free.
Imagine…
What would your life be like without debt?
I welcome your comments on your own financial or debt situation. I also request kindly, firmly, that you not give advice to me or others unless it’s specifically requested. This makes exploring safe and learning possible for every reader.
So. Dreams. Hopes. Visions. What thoughts come up for you as you read this post?
Organized under Sanely self-employed. Labeled as debt, getting out of debt, money, vision.
315 days ago,
Anne Wayman said:
oh yes, celebrate this for at least two reasons, the most important is you’re putting your own needs ahead of the credit card companies, while still honoring your debt to them… that’s true sanity.
Congratulations!
315 days ago,
Christine Martell said:
Jen, you are doing great! Yes, keep your eye on the vision. I found it was too easy to cheat (one more small thing on the card with the big balance was too easy) if I was focused on the debt. Once I was engaged with the payoff, it almost became a game to see how much I could find to apply to it.
Christine Martell´s last blog ..Looking at slices of time
315 days ago,
Christine said:
Thanks for the reminder to celebrate the little milestones. I’ve been too focused on just getting to zero.
Thinking about the future that does get down to zero, I realized that I’ve been dealing with debt for so long that I really can’t imagine life without it. I’ve thought about it, but I just can’t conjure up the feeling of freedom and relief I know will be there. Hmmm. . .this deserves some more attention.
Here’s to the next small victory!
315 days ago,
Tami Stackelhouse said:
My hubby & I have been *really* lazy about paying off our debt lately. In fact, we’re going the wrong way.
However, when we got focused on paying it down, I made a cute little thermometer chart showing how much to pay off a couple bills (each had it’s own thermometer) and we’d color it in each time we’d pay something. It was interesting how we’d find extra money just so we could color in more. We ended up paying one of them off about six months early!!
Hmmmm. I think I need to make a new chart! =)
This site will make the graphic for you automatically based on your own amounts: http://www.entropyfarm.org/software/thermo/
315 days ago,
jennifer said:
@Anne – The thing you’re reminding me of most is the importance of celebrating. Rome was not built in a day. Thanks!
@Christine – Exactly. It does start to feel like a game, a strategy, and it’s fun to play with. Good for you for finding something that worked for you!
@Christine – I know what you mean. There IS a future of debt-free-ness awaiting. It just takes a little while to discover what it might be like when you get there!
One thing you might try is adding up over a year how much you make in payments and imagine what you might do with that money.
Tami – I LOVE the chart idea. How fun!
314 days ago,
Grace said:
It’s interesting that you write about the “being in debt” identity.
I noticed the other day that I was focusing on contingency plans if something happened, instead of focusing on the ways to not have it happen. Sure, having plans for worst-case scenarios is a good thing. But when that becomes the only focus, I’m sure you can guess what’s most likely to happen: yep, that worst-case scenario.
So I’ve shifted from “if this happens, then…” to “This is what I’m actively doing so that it doesn’t happen.”
It’s amazing what a different feeling that brings – just as you describe about how you feel when you focus on the end instead of the beginning!
Thanks, Jen!
Grace´s last blog ..Authenticity and marketing
311 days ago,
jennifer said:
I love this, Grace. It reminds me of the “learning to ride a bike and not wanting to hit that tree over there – ouch!” scenario.
It’s so easy for me to focus on what I don’t want. All of us, really.
But the stuff we do want is so much more appealing, exciting… and if I’m going to obsess anyway, I might as well opt for the happy outcomes!
308 days ago,
Darcy said:
Just more awe and gratitude for you sharing your journey publicly. I’ve long wished that the taboos around talking about money would magically go away, but you’re actually doing something about it. Go, you!
Darcy´s last blog ..Book: Jacquard’s Web
308 days ago,
jennifer said:
Thanks, Darcy! And now you’re talking about it, too! : )