No more Credit Card debt, too!!

**krbshappy71** · 02-10-2008, 10:21 AM

Tax return came through and I made the final payment online, I printed the page that showed a zero balance and posted it on my desk for an ego boost.

I DID IT!!!

I'm still very afraid I will fall back to them. My savings is not built up yet and I find myself dipping into the amount I have. Very scary and frustrating, I thought once I reached this goal I would have a new attitude but so far the only attitude is one of fear. I have requested the credit card account to be closed and I have cut up all credit cards. But I know another card is just a click or phone call away. ughhh.

I don't want to give up my lunches with friends, I don't want to give up buying stuff "just because" for my kids, I don't want to tell myself no after years of having to do so. I've worked hard for so many years I want these to finally be my "having fun" years but after that recent battle with a credit card I know that isn't exactly "having fun" either. Bah.

**Samigirl** · 02-10-2008, 10:51 AM

Outstanding job! It must be a great relief to have that debt paid off. The only advice I have on how to get rid of the "wants", is to come to FV daily. It certainly helps me stay motivated. Keep up the good work!

**FrugalMomof3** · 02-10-2008, 11:11 AM

Congrats! You should be soooo proud!

**nikinicole** · 02-10-2008, 11:23 AM

Congratulations! I can't wait to be there too. I understand your fear, thats probably why I'm working on my savings account before trying to tackle my credit cards again. But have faith in yourself! You'll be able to budget fun stuff and still not touch the credit cards. Just think of how much you'll be saving on finance charges!

**kcsmom76** · 02-10-2008, 11:47 AM

Congratulations on your credit card payoff!!

I think you need to sit down and figure up how much you need in savings. You need a goal and a plan. You will be able to stick to a planned goal if you set it up and look at it every day and see what you can do to make it happen.

Have you read Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey? I would suggest you read the book, get it from the library if you have to and it will change your life. At least it did mine and dh's. We are following his steps and it has made me feel so much better about our finances. We finally have a small savings account and are well on our way to paying off all non-mortgage debt. We are shooting for having it all paid-off by December 31, 2008. I can't wait.

I hope this helps.

**Royal** · 02-10-2008, 11:53 AM

WTG! That's quite the accomplishment.

**bumplett** · 02-10-2008, 12:17 PM

Congrats!!!

I don't think you have to give up lunches out w/ friends (I sure don't, we go out to lunch once a week) - you just have to budget for it!

I still buy my kids something "just because", I just make sure it's not too expensive

You don't have to deprive yourself, that's only going to make it harder (IMO)

just be responsible & budget in the fun money!

**PrairieRose** · 02-10-2008, 12:37 PM

Woo Hoo! I'm thrilled to hear it!

**mom2matty** · 02-10-2008, 01:18 PM

That's fantastic!! Congratulations

**mommy4ever** · 02-10-2008, 02:44 PM

krbshappy71,

CONGRATS!!! I can't wait until we're there.

May I suggest since you are cc debt free now, that you create a second account? Continue to build your EF, but have as second working savings(spending) account. This accounts for your "regular" irregular payments. The once a years, the occasionals. This can include insurance, pet, co-pay dental, vacation, birthday, car maintenance, house maintenance and Christmas funds. And what ever else you want, including a "blow" budget for just because. Divide it up by 12 and put that amount each month into the account. Then you don't need to touch the EF, and when the tire needs replacing or a plumber to be called, which usually isn't an emergency, it's maintenance you don't need to tough your ef~! I call it a freedom account, this is my school fees, sprt fees, kid clothes, new car funds. christmas and b'days too. So my EF remains untouched so if we have a real emergency, illness causing no pay, layoffs, serious accident etc, then the ef is there.

So if you budget the "irregular regular" payments in, then youdon't need to use the Ef or the CC.

Again. WTG!

**IntlMom** · 02-10-2008, 03:02 PM

great job !!!

**krbshappy71** · 02-11-2008, 06:45 PM

thank you for the support and advice!

I pulled out a lump sum of "ef" for an envelope system but have not divvied it up yet into categories. I think I will do that today. I thought I would not touch it if I labeled it "vacation" but instead I just beat myself up for touching it. That wont get me very far in this journey.

I will try dividing it up into more than just an "ef" and see if that helps, thank you!