what will I obsess over when debtfree?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
what will I obsess over when debtfree?
10
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 1:01pm
I was actually thinking this the other day! As crazy as it sounds, What will I substitute that "obsession" with when it is not there anymore? I consume myself with figures, checking this site and bankrate, and going over the budget---- numerous times a day (mostly when dh isn't home because he would think I'm a freak.)
Our income tax refund is enough to finish the roof, payoff our last cc, and payoff furniture. Then we'll payoff my student loan by June. We can then start saving all the snowflaking money and my tips for the downpayment on our new home- to be built hopefully next spring. We will payoff our SUV with the (little)money made from selling our current home.
Don't get me wrong- I'll be so happy to be rid of that debt! The weight will be lifted off of my shoulders after many years of getting the balance down then charging it up again ...over and over....we never had it at 0 balance. But I feel like this obsession is such a big part of my life---- I guess I could obsess about saving money after the house is built. Or maybe I'll start gardening........whatta yuns think? LOL!!
~~~Nicki
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 1:04pm

I think once I'm out of debt, I will obsess about our retirement. We are only putting minimal payments into our 401K and IRA accounts...but if we didn't have to pay down all of our debt, we could really max out those accounts, I'm pretty sure. So I think that will be my next obsession money-wise. Paying for our future. :-D

pat

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 1:04pm

Anything you want!

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 1:11pm
You can still come visit the board and give advice from the debt-free perspective. And I believe ivillage has a million other boards to obsess over, and otherwise, gardening sounds like a good obsession.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2005
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 2:55pm
what a great post. #1 because it makes me feel better about my obsession over my finances, and #2 it makes me happy to think about what I will do when I'm debt free! Even though its a few years down the line, I'm pretty sure once we are declared debt free, I will be obsessing over our retirement accounts, and a college fund for my children. And I can't wait to obsess over doing my living room and dining room over. Of course I already think about those 2 rooms, and what I am going to do with them when we are finally able to spend some money on them. In a few years, I should have it all set in my mind!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 3:20pm

Well, although it is probably a year off, I already know what I am going to obsess with once I get out of debt. I am going to school to become a financial counselor. I am already have a few credits towards an accounting degree and hope to get my bachelors and also get a background in psychology. I want to help other people become debt free. I also want to fine tune my "frugal" skills and really learn to save and invest. I can't wait to get there!

kel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 5:00pm

What will I substitute that "obsession" with when it is not there anymore? I consume myself with figures, checking this site and bankrate, and going over the budget---- numerous times a day (mostly when dh isn't home because he would think I'm a freak.)

I am ROFL at reading this, I thought I was reading about myself there, I do the same thing and I obsess about having $0.00 days so that when the next payday hits I will have more money leftover to snowflake into my current targeted card! I think I will probably obsess about putting money away for the down payment on a townhouse, but who knows. I'm planning that debt free day will be by May 2006, but I'm HOPING that it will be sooner! :) I just wanted you to know that I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post and all the replies. This board has done amazing things for me over the past couple months, I can actually see the balances going down on all my debts and I haven't charged anything in months! Yeah!
~leanne

~leanne

deciding to be happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, but that you had decided to look beyond the imp

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 7:32pm
I've thought of this myself. lol I think I will obsess about savings and retirement. I'm starting both now but it's not my main focus. So yay, I still have something to obsess about. LOL
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 7:41pm
I am a debtfree lurker who rarely posts but enjoys reading posts darn near everyday. I have been obsessed with money since a teenager (I'll be 50 in October). There is always something to obsess about. First for me as a married person was paying off all debt including mortgage which we did in 15 years, finishing 5 years ago, then renovating our paid off house (soup to nuts, done in 3 years) and currently paying cash for our only child's college ($18,000 per year, who's in his second year of a 5 year curriculum), along with scraping together enough money for the last 10 years to invest the maximums into 403B and IRA accounts and continuing to do so until we retire which I calculate to be in about 5 years for me, 8 for DH. Early retirement with our current standard of living has always been my ultimate goal. Not that I will retire, just that I can. To do all this on a waitress and teacher's income we learned to live without a lot of things. I obsess on distinguishing between living without what I consider small stuff to have for the big stuff and still be happy. An example, we keep our heat on 60 degrees and wear alot of sweaters but my husband just went to the Super Bowl in Jacksonville to watch his beloved Eagles! He had the time of his life even though it cost a fortune. I could go on for days on the subject of saving for the important stuff. Anyway, I just want to say keep chipping away girls and I think your all doing a great job!
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2005
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 9:34pm
wow. what a great post. I love how you say you leave the heat at 60 but hubby went down to jacksonville. that is exactly where I want us to be. thank you for that inspiration.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Tue, 02-08-2005 - 11:39pm

I'd say you'd be free to obsess about anything you'd want, lol!

I have to say, you'd probably have fun watching investments grow for your future-you'd have endless ways to tweak it all just right so that you'd be able to max out all your retirement contributions, etc.

I had to laugh too-when I can't get to sleep at night, I don't count sheep anymore. Nope, I re-do the debt snowball mentally, LOL!!

Lisa