Down with Debt

Paying off credit cards is a challenge. I'm still working the Dave Ramsey plan, and it's finally been working for me. I made a BIG credit card payment last month. I expect to make an even BIGGER payment this month. I know it's working because the credit card companies have raised my limit, sent me a multitude of offers and have been sweating the fact that they are going to lose me as a customer. I'm especially excited about ditching the "American Way of Life," i.e. spend now and pay later. There's something subversive about living within my means. I love it.

Learning how to stay within budget has been a learning experience. I now know the total amount of money I need for the week, but I'm still having problems categorizing it. I don't know how much money I need for food, for clothes, for pets, etc. I just know the total amount I need. I suspect this is how Jethro is keeping his budget as well, though he has it all down on paper - something I'm working on.

Back in 2003, I remember reading a book that was written by an actor. He encouraged the use of credit cards and debt, saying that debt was like an investment. It was a sign of confidence for an artist to take on debt. It meant that the artist knew that he was going to be successful and pay it off. I wish I could remember the name of the book, so I could encourage everyone not to read it. That's partly how I got into debt. Not only was the author's philosophy wrong, it was also stupid.

Once I'm able to break free from financial slavery, I'll be able to spend even more time working on my own projects. Priceless

Comments

[Melanie Magee]

congrats on working the dave ramsey plan. i did. [got out of debt, got a new job and a house]. i know you exist now. greg talks about you and i may have even seen you once.
at shades perhaps.
i have enjoyed reading your blog.[and i dont usually read blogs]
melanie, from shades valley commun.