31 May
Sum, Sum, Summertime
We are getting debt-free and there are no ifs, ands, or buts. It makes decisions easy when you either have the money or don’t.
I go to the grocery store with cash. I let the cashier know what I have and I get her/him to buy in with me from the beginning so when the total gets close I have help making decisions about what goes back. Just today, I sold my first piece of jewelry to a local coin shop. I only got $5.50, but that went straight into my gas tank.
This summer feels rough, though. Maybe it’s like weight loss, it’s those last 5 pounds that’s the hardest right? It’s the last credit card that’s the hardest. I want what I want when I want it! I am tired of the scraping and scrimping and waiting. I want new shoes, I want to buy some new make-up, I want to send the girls to summer camp…
But, I will continue to be good. I will stay focused. I will stay in control. Because I am a big girl and I know that I will love the results. I know this is temporary. We will (hopefully) be debt-free by the end of the year and there will be some breathing room in our budget. We will fully fund our emergency fund in about 6-8 months and then, again, we will have more room.
Dear Daughter says, “When we are debt-free we can do whatever we want. Right?” Not exactly. I have learned my lesson. I am looking forward to having a slightly larger number next to “Blow Money” on the budget, but I am not gaining the weight back. I mean, going back in to debt. But, I am going to buy those shoes!
~ The Wife
Posted by Music Man on 06/01/10 at 6:43 pm
I feel your pain though I am nowhere near as close as you guys. The summertime seems the roughest since it is the time when we want to get out and DO things. Keep at it
Posted by Tutu on 06/02/10 at 6:56 pm
Loved your posting, Mom! I especially love how your whole family is on the same page – very inspiring! Thanks to all of you for hanging in there – IT WILL BE HUGELY WORTH IT – I hope you continue with postings for several months AFTER you’re debt free – it will be really interesting to read what it’s like on the other side of the “finish line”.
Posted by the Dad on 06/14/10 at 8:52 am
Thanks, guys!
Posted by Tam on 07/27/10 at 9:23 am
It has been easy for me to delay the shoes since this has been the year of foot surgery for me! Our major setback is the fact that I am now unemployed because of the second foot surgery. I am really looking forward to the kids going back to school this year because we are all bored out of our minds since I cannot walk!
When I look at our debt-free projections and it is STILL over 5 years I get incredibly discouraged. I just have to keep reminding myself that those numbers are based on our current trends. It inspires me to continually look for ways to cut expenses and increase our incomes. I am looking forward to going back to work and getting back on an even faster track! NOW PLEASE!
Posted by the Dad on 07/27/10 at 10:29 am
Tam, you are so hungry for it I have no doubt you will land a great job and together you and J will tear it up. The only constant is change, right??
Posted by Murf on 07/29/10 at 4:50 pm
Remember you are the adult!! It’s very obvious in what you post here. I have to remind myself of that over and over again and I am at least …25 years or more older than ye, Sister!
Posted by Jeffrey Johnson on 08/22/10 at 10:17 am
Best way to lose weight go to hospital for 2 months. 5 weeks I ate nothing they did not believe me when told them I only eat foods I liked. Once lost 90 pounds they listened to me. Do not like the half million cost thanks to insurance my share under $10,000 but I not paying a cent they gave awful service. One even forced me to have operation I refused twice which caused staff infection and 6 week extra stay.
Thank credit card collectors bad try the hospital ones. My credit card creditors only ones understanding saying take care of yourself and worry about us later.