I went to the bank today to transfer the credit card balances to our line of credit. I know it hasn't changed much of anything, but I still feel good having made a bit of progress. I set up telephone banking for the account so I can transfer and snowflake at whim.
Now that I am determined to kick this debt's butt, I found the drive home from the bank different and strange. I stopped to buy a coffee (no donut, no extra-large) and along the way all I could do was look at all the places I wasn't going. Suddenly, I really "needed" to pop into the flea market. If I'm going to cut back on expenses, surely a few cheap used paperbacks would keep me entertained, right? Or maybe I should see what Blockbuster has on their cheap-cheap rack. You know, to tide me over while I hibernate and track my pennies.
I didn't go, but it was a little surprising how strong the pull was. I think I need to figure out some kind of allowance so I won't feel like I'm punishing myself. There has to be balance. I am not the do-away-with-everything type.
Paid to Line of Credit: $20
Remaining Balance: $12792.96
I need a set of blinders.
July 25th, 2009 at 06:46 pm
July 25th, 2009 at 07:46 pm 1248551177
We are considering the $5 a month Netflix plan because it allows you to watch unlimited movies online.
July 26th, 2009 at 06:18 pm 1248632331
When we first started getting on track, ours was very patchy--sometimes I'd have $100 for each of us but it would need to last weeks; other times I've give $20 each and I wouldn't be able to say how long it would need to tide us over. But anything, even a couple of bucks, so you can get yourself a little treat, helps you blow off steam. Sure there's a lot of free fun out there--but there's much more that costs money, and you need to keep your focus, and your spirits up.
Now that we've got a bit more cash flow and have knocked off some of our debts, we each get $60 every Friday and an extra $20 the first Friday of each month. That's a lot--$840 per month--but I feel that it's a modest enough amount, percentagewise, and we still have years of debt repayment ahead of us, so I want everyone to feel fairly comfortable.
July 29th, 2009 at 01:56 am 1248832592
At the moment, I am trying my hardest to not spend all of my allowance, and putting that towards my personal loan to get it paid off quicker. DF wants to use some excess funds we have to pay it off, but I would rather pay it off myself, as it is my personal loan from before we combined finances, and I know I probably could have paid it off sooner if I hadn't spent so much on books, takeaway coffee and clothes
I think an allowance is very neccessary for many couples, and that money should be guilt free.
July 29th, 2009 at 03:55 am 1248839722
And books...oh, books. Always my downfall.