It wasn't until I was well out of college and had been living on my own for years that it came to my realization that my mother has no concept of money.
Every time I would visit home there would be something new and obnoxious in her house and when I would ask about it she would say... oh that was only XX a month and I got XX percent off.
Growing up if I had a great day, I was rewarded by going to the mall and buying something new for myself... if I had a bad day, I was cheered up by going to the mall and buying something new. For many going to the mall to get something may be nothing. But for me growing up I never really asked for much. I never had to have the latest games or clothes. But this behavior growing up only continued into my adulthood.
By the time I graduated from Auburn, I had over $3000 in credit card debt. And while I thank my mother for most of it... there were no lessons of fiscal responsibility... and all those free credit card offers on campus didn't help. I have since paid that $3000 off twice over. But now after the Atlanta job situation and everything going on here I have found myself once again in credit card debt... $7000 this time. Entering into a recession only makes me fearful of having such debt... which is why I will be grinding like crazy to pay off this debt. I will be working like a mad man... cutting expenses... taking no personal trips... and watching my spending until I get this under control.
Now with groceries costs... gas... skyrocketing. And my rent going up next month... this will definitely be a challenge but my goal is to be credit card debt free by April 1... lets see if I make it.
5 comments:
Good luck with your plan, let me know if you need to be re-motivated frequently... i'll post some cyber-reminders just 4 u lol
This recession is no game man, its a bad time to accumulate debt!
You know what, I can feel you on this post! Things can get expensive and credit card debt is a quick fix and a longterm problem, especially in this economy! Take it one step at a time and pay off one card at a time! I found out when I paid the minimum on most and paid alot on one, I was able to pay them off more quickly. maybe that might help...
I hope you make it - for real. A few months ago I was about 6K in debt. I've done some money making and I've enlisted the help of a really good debt/credit dude who's done some MAJOR work on my credit report - I'd be more than willing to share the information with you. Basically I'm down to about 1600.00 in debt - and I'm talking in a matter of like 3 months.
I wish you luck with that baby boy!
~Damnit!
Were our mothers raised together? Mine rewarded me the same way and I am in the same boat you are in. Except, I graduated from college with in the high teens in credit card debt. I didn't get serious about paying it off until last year. Now I am down to about $5,000 and will have it all paid off by May of 2009. I'm having to sacrifice a lot of social activites now, but it's worth it. I just wish that I had gotten started sooner.
More power to both of us on that endeavor!!!
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