Just when things were going well, DH and I

**Lyn5** · 12-30-2005, 06:56 PM

I had been doing really well and had saved enough to pay off my credit card this month...which would cover Christmas and all the other expenses we had this month. So what do DH and I decide to do? We are fixing up our basement with flooring and storage units/cabinets. I am really happy to clean our basement and to have storage space. It will be nice to clean up, have space and I will be able stockpile and store my emergency supplies. But I am just sad that at the end of this month I will have a big bill on my credit card. I have been reading the threads here for ideas and inspiration and I think it is working...I will follow some of the advice of homesteadmamma and will only use a gift card I recieved at Christmas for groceries and try to make do the rest of the month. I think that with each paycheck I will try and take whatever we have left, no matter how much, and pay my bill on-line. Here's hoping we can do it.

**canadian gardener** · 12-30-2005, 07:46 PM

Don't beat yourself up so hard.

You are going to be fine, your plan is good for getting yourself up and out.

Perfection is a strange and elusive and destructive goal.

It's ok to have a few detours on the road to debt freedom as long as they don't derail you.

Your plan is fine, you are doing great. I'd have done the same.

**sillybutt** · 12-30-2005, 08:23 PM

I totally agree - and I would've done the same. As long as you stay on top of the bill and do all you can to pay it off as soon as possible, you're still on the right track.

**Lyn5** · 12-30-2005, 08:49 PM

Thank you both, you are very encouraging and it has cheered me up greatly.

I have tried so hard to get ahead and stay that way, especially with Christmas, that I was feeling down about the costs. I am happy about our project and the time DH and have spent together doing it, so I think in the end it will be worth it

**frugalfarmwife** · 12-31-2005, 01:18 AM

You'll be fine, look how much fun you had spending the time with hubby, how much you'll save with stockpiling, how you've increased the value of your home with the improvements

See, these are GOOD things!

You'll get that bill paid off in no time!

Kris

**ACEHearts** · 12-31-2005, 12:02 PM

I agree, don't beat yourself up. I had pinched the budget enough for the next few months to put an extra $500 each month for the next few to get the balance paid off. But DH and I decided that this month the $500 would be better invested in a newer computer for me, so I can work with less headaches on my business websites, and with any luck get that $500 + back within the next 6 months.

It all balances out in the end, as long as you have a plan, you'll be fine!

Cindy

**Lyn5** · 01-17-2006, 07:10 PM

Hello everyone

I thought I would let you know about my progress....our basement turned out really nice and the family has been enjoying it greatly. I did go shopping to buy some loss leaders, but that was about it and our stockpile is doing really nicely. I have followed the advice here for about 6 months and now my stockpile is an actual pile

I did slip a little and bought a game for DH and DS to play, but family time is good time and I like things that keep DH and his friends near our home and doing things where DS can be a part of the fun. On Monday morning DH got a deer in our backyard, so that was dinner last night and I made some in my slow cooker for tonight's dinner. Plus, DH and I prepped the rest of the meat and now I have lots of ground meat in the freezer as well as some cuts for jerky etc. We haven't gone out much for the last few weekends, except to visit family. We did go to the movies this weekend, but I used coupons that we had gotten at Christmas and we ate lunch before we went.

So, to be honest I don't think I will have everything paid off by the end of the month, but I am STILL TRYING! If not, hopefully it will be a small amount left and we can take care of it next month. Thank you for the supportive replies that were posted.

**Pepper** · 01-17-2006, 08:29 PM

You are doing great.....

**MACMOM6** · 01-20-2006, 10:18 PM

I think you are doing AWESOME!!! You are inspiring me..I would love to see pictures of your basement. I really want to re-do ours but am lost for ideas.

Take Care,

**Lyn5** · 01-21-2006, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by MACMOM6
I think you are doing AWESOME!!! You are inspiring me..I would love to see pictures of your basement. I really want to re-do ours but am lost for ideas.

Take Care,

Thank you. Well, I was doing great and then I had a setback today...my car needed a safety, servicing and also fixing the breaks

, but they were all things I knew needed to be done. DH usually services my car, but inbetween I to take it to a shop. Is the month over yet?

We don't have a "true" basement...part of it is below our house and part is on the ground level (we live on a hill) so it also a garage....we put down some vinyl flooring that was in two long sheets and then DH and I assembled the cabinents ourselves...and we cleaned, a lot. Eventually we want to get a picnic table to put down there too, so DH and his friends have a place to "hang out" and in case of an emegency, this is our shelter area. I will try to post one photo....
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...5/DSC04198.jpg