No more CC debt!

**happydog** · 02-02-2008, 04:08 PM

We paid off our second CC today! And we beat our time goal by quite a bit, so we can start getting our HELOC paid down sooner! We've been VERY tight with the budget for the past 4 months, and it feels GREAT to have these gone. Thanks, everyone, for the inspiration this site provides. If I check in here regularly, I'm much better about thinking twice before spending anything. Off to edit my signature!

**kcsmom76** · 02-02-2008, 04:48 PM

Way to go!!!

**hollyhill** · 02-02-2008, 04:50 PM

Oh my! You did fantastic! We need to get tips from you now......wow!

**Mom23boys** · 02-02-2008, 05:11 PM

WOOHOO! That is great news!! I can't wait until I can say those words.

**happydog** · 02-02-2008, 05:33 PM

hahaha... well, to be fair, our income improved significantly last fall, so it wasn't all just because of cutting spending. All of the increased income we have had in the past 4 months, has been applied directly to debt, while we worked very hard to avoid any new spending. But, income aside, I guess what has truly made the biggest difference in our spending habits has been keeping track of *every* penny we spend. I mean every penny. Sodas from the vending machine, you name it. I'm finally learning firsthand, that budgeting only works if you know where/how much you're spending (duh! lol). We were pretty surprised when we finally began to see on paper, just how much money we were piddling away, because we weren't keeping careful enough records, and weren't setting ourselves a weekly pocket money allowance. I know we've cut our food budget down by probably 2/3, just by being aware of what we were doing, and by planning ahead. Eating out has been a budget buster for us, for years.

I've begun to view our household finances like a business, with all the same cash flow management, capital funds, etc., that make a business successful. I want our household to turn a profit (for savings and retirement), just like a business, so I've started tracking our expenses the same way. It's SUCH a relief of stress to finally feel like we have it under control. I can hardly wait to get rid of the stupid HELOC!

Thanks for your kind comments. We're pretty excited over here, and feel like we've truly accomplished something. I hope this can inspire someone else here, to know that the pennies *do* matter, and can add up to a lot of debt reduction. It can feel so overwhelming--don't I know it--but every little thing you do, can make a difference.

**frugal-fannie** · 02-02-2008, 09:25 PM

O happy day for you. congratulations on making your goal earlier.

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-02-2008, 09:26 PM

I am soooo very happy for you, congrats!

**sweetlittle** · 02-02-2008, 09:31 PM

Super for you!!

I can't wait to say those magic words too

.

**mom2matty** · 02-02-2008, 11:47 PM

WTG!! Good for you!!

**kittykatstrong** · 02-03-2008, 12:06 AM

WTG, You rock!!!

**thrifty gal** · 02-03-2008, 08:10 AM

Way to go!!!! You should be very proud of yourself!!

**watchingpennies** · 02-03-2008, 08:39 AM

That is so great! Hard work pays off and I thank you for your post...I need inspiration to know that being "frugal" for a while really will help us in the long run!