Debt - A Curse and...a Blessing in Disguise!

Yes, you read correctly: debt has and is still a nightmare, pure hell. I have the choice to curl into a little ball and hope that it will disappear as fast as it came into my life. Some days, I am seriously depressed and very much alone in this journey. However, I decided that it was a blessing in disguise. Why? I appreciate things, money and life much more. I do not take anything for granted anymore. I am more respectful toward myself and the environment.

One year ago, I lost a great job. I not only lost a good income, but also health insurance coverage. Before I lost my job, I was taking anxiety medications, anti-depressants, and high blood pressure medications. After I lost my job, I could not afford to pay for those pills anymore. I lost a little bit of weight (I still need to lose at least 40 pounds), I cut my soda drinks intake, and unbelievably enough, I do not have high blood pressure anymore. As for the depression, well it is a constant battle, I am not on my meds anymore but I am doing better. So, yes, it is a blessing.

I do not wish for anybody to be in debt, and it will take me at least 6 years to get out of it, but I am learning a lot along the way.

My cousin, whom I do not see often, called me on the spur of the moment the other day, and invited to have dinner on his yacht. Yes, his million dollars boat...I was grateful and had a great time. I was helping him and his wife cleaned up after dinner (we had some "canard" (duck) and guacamole-its was delicious) and my cousin threw away the dinner left over in the garbage. All I could think about was "the money being thrown away" and how it would have made me a wonderful lunch for the next day. I guess I should not criticize him - I used to do the same thing unfortunately.

So, I am learning so many lessons along the way...

Have a nice day!

Car Inspection = fail

When you think you will have just enough money to pay the bills this month...something happens. Three steps forward - two steps backward.

I had the annual inspection on my truck this morning and of course, it did not pass. Total cost to make it work: almost $600. Money that I do not have. Right now, I am super depressed about it.

On another subject, I have been working so hard at "fixing" my credit score. In the last month, I was able to raise my credit score by a lot. I have been "cleaning" my credit report. Now, I think I hit a "plateau"...

Credit Report...Repairs!!!

I have to share this with you all. I have been studying and looking at my credit score. Not so good at all. I have made a lot of mistakes. At least, I am aware of them.

However, I have been doing a lot of reading online and studying and I have been "cleaning" my credit report. Every little bit helps.

If you have a chance, go to myfico.com. I am not selling anything...I just came across that website a couple of days ago. Anyway, they offer tons of advices to help clean your credit report. I know, there is no magic wand, and some things are just not "fixable". However, I learned that sometimes asking a creditor to remove a "negative report" can be a good thing and they just might say yes...

And you? Any advices to share?

Set Back

Yesterday, I was a really bad girl, and spent some money on unnecessary items...I have been so good about not spending on clothes, and being very careful with my money. However, yesterday was disaster day.

So what happened yesterday?

Well, first I received 3 bad news in one day - two about my children's health - and one about a summer job that I did not get because of budget cuts. I know, it is not an excuse to go out on a spending spree.

I was so sad, and stressed out and depressed that I headed to the mall. I bought a bathing suit for my son at Hollister, and a new tie for my son at American Eagle. I spend - $50 at Yankee's candles (for my own defense - everything was on sale 50% to 75% ) and I spend $35 at Target.

I also have been very careful about eating better and exercising more. Unfortunately, I have been eating hamburgers and French fries for the past two days. It is funny how you can go back to old habits very quickly.

It did not make me feel better. So the moral of this story is: the next time I have a bad stressful day, I need to find another way to make me feel better. Overeating and overspending is NOT the solution.

From a very sad and stressful girl :(

One more debt paid off!

Yes, one more debt paid off. Another small one of course, but still, it is another one paid off.

So, why do I feel depressed about all this? I should be feeling good about all this. I think it is the fact that I do still have a huge amount of debts...and my credit score is low...

:(

ONE DEBT DOWN!!!

Today, I paid one debt. Ok, it was a small one. Still, I am glad and proud of myself. No more phone calls or emails from this creditor!

It is so motivating!!!

My goal is not only to be debt free - but I am working very hard right now to pay my bills on time - respect my budget and avoid late fees. Easier said than done BUT working very hard on it!

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND

Another week, another day.

I agreed to watch my boss dog for the week. Well, I did not really want to but did not know how to say no. Surprisingly, he gave me $100 to watch the dog which help me buy groceries. (I had no idea how I was going to pay for groceries this week). So, I was soooo happy!!!

On another note, my employer cut my hours from 40 to 30...this will have a HUGE negative impact on my budget.

One of the thing I like to do is participate in sweepstakes. Especially online. In the past six months, I have won:

- a $400 gift certificate to BODHI bags
- gloss and mascara
- body lotion
- a mattress cover
- a free oil change at MIDAS.

However, I have hit a "dry spell" in the last two months...Hoping this is going to change!!!

:)