January BlogHer Writing Challenge Day 2

January BlogHer Writing Challenge Day 2

 

January BlogHer Writing Challenge Day 2 Prompt:

Do you usually keep your resolutions? Tell us about a time when you were particularly successful.

Umm, nope is the truthful answer. Oh I have a beautiful list of reasons excuses to explain why I don’t usually complete my New Year Resolutions; but honestly I think the real reason is that they have never been realistic.

This year instead of creating a list of 25 things to completely overhaul in my life (which really means 25 more ways to feel like a failure); I have chosen only five (5) things to work on which if completed will make so many more areas more fulfilling in my life.

But to get back on topic of today’s prompt… The first thing that comes to mind is the decision made to get out of debt. Hubster and I purposed to get rid of over $60,000 in debt and only ever have a house and at most one vehicle payment. Whew…were we thrilled when this was brought to a level of seeing the end of the debt train!

Our first step was to set up a budget and a savings plan. We still use both of these to keep on top of expenses. And yes, we do use credit cards now and again, but we plan our purchases and set aside the payment amount so make sure we do not ever have more owed than we could pay off.

Now when we make major purchases that are not things that can be pulled from the planned savings just as a broken window, blown tire or busted water heater; we do use our American Express card and set up installment payments for three months. This way, we do not let things get out of control again on our amounts owed.

While I would love to be completely debt free…I don’t see that happening with hubster turning 60 and me 55 this year. Had we started back in our thirties..sure thing. Do we advise our children how NOT to get in the same position we were in..you bet we do.

But I am happy that we have our expenses and debt under control which was our resolution many years ago. It’s not an easy thing to do. However, it is so worth the peace and freedom that comes at the end of the struggle.

Where are you at in your financial walk? Are you struggling just to make rent? Do you have to decide which company gets paid this month and swap out the following? We have been in that same position. The stress can be unbearable at times.

My suggestion would be to start with financial counseling. There are amazing programs that will work with you to get your debt under control. Many of these are non profits and do not charge you to get agreements with creditors set up. We used a program like this and were able to have $44,000 paid off in just under three (3) years. It was tough.. but the credit companies were willing to hold off racking up extra charges for late payments, inflated interest and by changing the amount due to a manageable sum, we were able to pay more and reduce the debt faster. We paid a fee which was considered a charity donation to the agency of $25 a month and that was such a blessing.

Now that I have rambled way off topic… Won’t you share your response to this writing prompt in the comments below? How would you answer.. Do you usually keep your resolutions?

 

Today’s post is Day 2 of a month long group blogger challenge. If you missed any of the previous challenges, you can catch up HERE.

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