I just want to pat myself on the back a little

**NoNo** · 12-31-2009, 08:33 AM

I just need to take a moment to boast a little, because I feel so awesome. At the beginning of last year I decided to do something about the debt that was beginning to overwhelm me. Too many nights were spent laying awake wondering how I was going to get out of the hole. Well, this morning I sent in my final credit card payment!

I also paid off a student loan and a loan from a family member when I needed a new car. I added everything up and it's nearly $20,000!!!

And that's just the stuff I paid off. I have another student loan and my car loan, but those are manageable and the car gets deducted from my paycheck. If I include payments on those, I'm up to $30,000 paid off in 2 years. It took things like staying home when my friends were going out, turning the thermostat down in the winter, growing a garden and learning how to can, and taking every odd job I could find including consulting, baking, and soap making, but it all feels worth it now. I look forward to a new life of saving ahead for purchases, and having an emergency stash for those unexpected things that pop up. It will be nice to get my tax refund this year and not have to immediately send it to a credit card.

What a superb way to start the new year. I'm doing a happy dance in my jammies now!

**redrhodie** · 12-31-2009, 08:41 AM

Congratulations, NoNo! Well done!

**ridenread** · 12-31-2009, 09:14 AM

Well done. That is quite an accomplishment

**OakLeaf** · 12-31-2009, 09:30 AM

Good job!

**NbyNW** · 12-31-2009, 09:45 AM

Congratulations! Sounds like you've picked up some fun, creative & money-saving talents along the way, too! Keep up the good work.

**NoNo** · 12-31-2009, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by NbyNW

Congratulations! Sounds like you've picked up some fun, creative & money-saving talents along the way, too! Keep up the good work.

Thanks everyone! It feels so good to have that burden gone!

I really love the new skills I've acquired and hope to learn some more. It's kind of nice to be self-sufficient. The response to my soap making has surprised me, and I'm hoping it turns into a steady source of pocket change.

Smilingcat - the last time I paid off my cards, literally 20 minutes later I got a call saying my car needed a new transmission. All about a week before I was leaving for Italy

After I paid for that, the car still didn't run right and I had to get a new one. That pretty much dug the hole for me, though moving didn't help, either. This time I have a car that works and no big trips in the immediate future. Fingers crossed there are no nasty surprises!

**smilingcat** · 12-31-2009, 09:49 AM

Congratulation!!! WOOOHOOO!!!!

Just keep it up and don't let yourself get into that hole.

smilingcat

**arielmoon** · 01-04-2010, 07:21 AM

Good for you!

Very inspirational!

I need to get by butt in gear and do the same thing!

**owlice** · 01-04-2010, 06:37 PM

Yay!!!! Congratulations!!!

**tulip** · 01-04-2010, 06:46 PM

Nono, I think you have inspired a few people here. Thanks for doing that, and congratulations on your success.

**NoNo** · 01-05-2010, 06:00 AM

Thank you, and thank you to everyone. Money is one of those weird things that people don't like to talk about when they're in trouble. Maybe if they did, it'd be easier to correct the problems that are affecting so many of us. I'm glad I could maybe inspire any of you that are in the same situation I was. That's what makes this community so great. Nothing is taboo and we all back each other up

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