Here is a recap of the conversation I had with a friend- a friend who, by the way, just put $1,500 on her credit card for Christmas to buy useless toys that she couldn't afford for her kids who didn't need them:
Friend: We got our first paycheck of the year- I can't believe how much lower it is!
Me: Didn't you know the tax holiday was expiring?
Friend: No, I don't keep up with that stuff.
Me: I can help you figure out a budget if you want. (I wanted to YELL and SCREAM and tell her how stupid with money she is and that she has to change her spending habits or she will end up ruining her life, but I didn't- I was very calm and controlled. I am proud of myself)
Friend: No, thanks. Those don't ever work for me.
Umm...WHAT?!? You can't help those who don't want to help themselves. Perhaps I'll give her a copy of Total Money Makeover for Valentine's Day.
Sometimes I get frustrated when I see people be so STUPID with money, and then complain when it runs out. Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by financial imbeciles.***
But then I read a Success Story (click HERE) and I regain hope in the Human Race.
This Success Story tells of Cherie and Brian Lowe. They had $127,482.30 of debt!
HOLY CRAP! I can not imagine having that much debt outside of a house! WOW!
It took them four years to pay it off, but they DID IT! And then they threw a huge party- which they totally deserved.
If this story doesn't give you hope in the ability to pay off debt and get back on track financially, I don't know what will.
Here's the financial secret embedded in these two stories: You can hide your head in the clouds and think that some magical Financial Fairy will come help save you from the evils of your own mistakes (like my friend), OR you can take the bull by the horns (like the couple in the article) and attack your debt and/or reach toward your financial goals and squash your debt or make your financial dreams a reality!
I didn't say it would be easy- but ask Cherie and Brian, and I am sure they will tell you- it is worth it!
***This is why I like blogging and like connecting with other people interested in finances. I KNOW- because of you- that there are many, many people who ARE in control of their finances and who make SMART financial decisions. I'm not the only weird one out there!
Totally worth it. Rock on.
ReplyDeleteI agree- getting out of debt is well worth all the sacrifices!
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