One year ago, I was over $25,000 in debt, primarily from a vetrinary surgery I wish I hadn't paid for (the dog died anyway) and extremely foolish car repair for a vehicle I no longer have.
A year later, I am down to $12,500 total debt and a credit score in the upper 700's. Extra work, hard work, and giving up most of my personal belongings got me out of trouble.
I am focused 100% of my finances at this point in my life. Nothing else matters right now. Nothing else can matter. I am already middle aged and have very little to show for my life. So right now, the focus is building my bank account up.
I have no one to help me and I believe strongly that people need to make their own life. Alone.
You can't count on anyone to help you financially in life but yourself.
I think there was a time when I was younger that I thought my wealthy parents would help me. Well, they bought my younger brother a house, car, remodeling, home theater etc. and lavish him with expensive gifts. I am given nothing. Reality hit hard a few years ago that I would not get the same treatment as my brother and I began really focusing on making my own way.
There was a time I thought one day I'd get married and two incomes would be better than one. But it turned out, when I got engaged, that was anything but true and I was looking at not only supporting myself, but supporting another person on my income as well. It hurt like hell, but I decided to be logical and hold off.
You can not count on anyone.
I will never turn to the government to assist me either. For the rest of my life, money and security will be my main focus and I have never been happier. I feel like I am on the right path.
$12,500 on a personal loan that will be gone in 2 years and I am currently able to save close to $1000 a month. Someday, I hope to be able to move to a cheaper area and buy a house with mostly cash.
As my debt and savings go up, I will update here and tell how I did it.
History
March 26th, 2010 at 01:05 am
March 26th, 2010 at 02:08 am 1269569295
March 26th, 2010 at 02:39 am 1269571183
Secondly, ummmmm, no offense, honest, but since when is 33 middle aged?
March 26th, 2010 at 02:23 pm 1269613393
When I say stupid I mean like chronically stupid...ie. people who have 5 kids while on welfare or people who use their 401K like a bank account and withdraw it every few years etc.
I consider mid 30's to mid 50's to be "middle aged". That is what I was taught. I actually kind of thought everyone called that middled aged?
March 26th, 2010 at 02:41 pm 1269614504
Never thought about it since the females in my family live into their 90's so middle age was 45 (But there is my faulty math). I guess to me middle age is 35-55; so I am going to deny it for 2 more years.
Welcome to the Blogs. I would love to hear more! I can say I have made my share of stupid mistakes and am currently working on fixing them in the most positive way.
March 26th, 2010 at 05:06 pm 1269623170