Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Debt Monster

We are making big changes to get out of debt and change our lives. We feel we are sacrificing quite a bit, but it will definitely be worth it to live within our means. The flip side of that is that this is going to be a long process. We no longer use our credit card, and will hopefully never use one again, but paying that down is going to be a big bear, especially when we are just trying to keep up with the interest rate!

For some reason, this is just something that people don't talk about. Maybe we are embarrassed, ashamed, don't want others to know we have debt, whatever the reason may be. I think it is something that we NEED help with from our friends and family. Debt stinks. Big. It can be depressing and there are times when you can feel truly hopeless, like a big old irresponsible dope. If my friends were feeling that way for ANY REASON... I hope they would tell someone and get some much needed hugs and a sympathetic ear! Who cares if it is a self-inflicted problem. Believe me, I bet there are more people out there with THE SAME problem, just nobody wants anyone else to know!

To get to the point, this is me, saying to my friends and family, that debt stinks and I am feeling somewhat depressed and frustrated, even along with all the great changes we are making to make our situation different. I hope that a year from now, I will be feeling completely empowered, proud, relieved, and FREE! And, I hope by this time next year we will be able to GIVE away as much as the debt that we carry right now! Wouldn't that just be INCREDIBLE!?

For all of you out there with the big debt monster in your bill stack... I love you and here is a big, virtual *HUG* and feel free to return it to me... I could use one today!

:)

2 comments:

amylouwhosews said...

I am so proud of you. I totally know how you feel. I had a lot of debt when I got married and I was even too embarrassed to tell Nick how much it was. I wasn't even willing to look at it myself, I was so embarrassed by it. You are doing a great thing and will be so relieved when you are over this. You will also feel empowered to teach your kids so that they can be more responsible.

A big hug to you from someone who knows how it feels. :)

Rachel Tramontana said...

Jen, hugs from me....and I need the hugs back, that's for sure. I don't know if it's that you feel like an irresponsible dope, or it just creeps up so fast, you don't see it coming. I would have to agree that most people are in the same boat and it's definitely a touchy subject. You guys, however, are doing a much better job. I think it's like having an addiction. Admitting the problem out loud to people is the first step to recovery, LOL. I'm proud of you guys! I wish I could say we were better at knocking down our debt ... Sam just bought me a WII the other day. I had said in passing how much I enjoyed boxing your four year old ... and he came home with a WII!! Talk about a purchase that we truly DIDN'T need (not that I wasn't appreciative or didn't think it was thoughtful.) Some things we can WANT but don't have to have. (Though don't get me wrong, if you see me up in my room in the shadows at night doing what looks like boxing moves or especially bowling ... now you know what I'm doing!!) Anyway Jen - that's so great for you guys. *Someday* we'll get there. (Sigh)