It's been a long, hard climb, but I am happy to say that in less than two years, I have paid off a whopping $20K of debt!!!!:vs_OMG:
It hasn't been easy, but after a layoff in 2012 and realizing that my appearance of "having it together" was just that... an appearance followed by "losing" all of those things (bye bye BMW and big, fancy house), I decided to get my priorities in line after landing a decent paying job in my field of choice (it wasn't just for the money).
Instead of quitting the job that had gotten me through the lean times, I decided to do that part time and enjoy my full time job and much needed pay increase. I also decided to simplify my life and live within my means... on a budget. At first it was painful. I HATED cooking at home and bringing leftovers for lunch. My coworkers laughed at "Ol' Bessie" - the 2006, gas guzzling deathtrap of an SUV that I was forced to drive (no car payment), and because I worked so much, any semblance of a social life disappeared. Nevertheless, I kept plugging away.
Fast forward to 18 months later and I can honestly say, I can't be happier. I'm ecstatic to be living in a one bedroom apartment, and my work wardrobe is a rotation of about 20 pieces of clothing. I find cooking therapeutic and get interested looks when my coworkers smell me heating up my leftovers. Though I did up purchasing a car after "Ol Bessie" died, it's a reasonable used car with a low payment (and APR thanks to the debt payoff), and I'll have that paid off by the end of 2018.
I now see that things don't matter. In fact, my one bedroom apartment is hardly furnished, and I don't feel the need to clutter it with things. I could care less what people think about what I "should" have at my salary, and for once in my life, I'm at peace.
I've heard there's a name for folks like me... a minimalist. Hmmmm... is that true or have I just gotten smarter with time?
It hasn't been easy, but after a layoff in 2012 and realizing that my appearance of "having it together" was just that... an appearance followed by "losing" all of those things (bye bye BMW and big, fancy house), I decided to get my priorities in line after landing a decent paying job in my field of choice (it wasn't just for the money).
Instead of quitting the job that had gotten me through the lean times, I decided to do that part time and enjoy my full time job and much needed pay increase. I also decided to simplify my life and live within my means... on a budget. At first it was painful. I HATED cooking at home and bringing leftovers for lunch. My coworkers laughed at "Ol' Bessie" - the 2006, gas guzzling deathtrap of an SUV that I was forced to drive (no car payment), and because I worked so much, any semblance of a social life disappeared. Nevertheless, I kept plugging away.
Fast forward to 18 months later and I can honestly say, I can't be happier. I'm ecstatic to be living in a one bedroom apartment, and my work wardrobe is a rotation of about 20 pieces of clothing. I find cooking therapeutic and get interested looks when my coworkers smell me heating up my leftovers. Though I did up purchasing a car after "Ol Bessie" died, it's a reasonable used car with a low payment (and APR thanks to the debt payoff), and I'll have that paid off by the end of 2018.
I now see that things don't matter. In fact, my one bedroom apartment is hardly furnished, and I don't feel the need to clutter it with things. I could care less what people think about what I "should" have at my salary, and for once in my life, I'm at peace.
I've heard there's a name for folks like me... a minimalist. Hmmmm... is that true or have I just gotten smarter with time?
