Sorry

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2004
Sorry
15
Wed, 08-31-2005 - 8:57am

I know I started and then dissapeared for a little bit. It is just so frustrating that I can't get our heads above water. I just feel like a failure, and really didn't want to post about our progress, because it was all negative.

Anyway, I will be posting more...Just wanted to check in.

Martha

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2004
In reply to: my4kids0044
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 8:34am

you know, watching those images of the hurrican ravaged south has really helped me put things in perspective too... I was also feeling really down about our debt, but when i saw that devastation, i had to give a little prayer of thanks that we do have what we have. I am on a serious mission right now to get an emergency fund going. snowflakes are gonna have to wait for a awhile for us. I will continue to pay minimums, but for right now i want to make sure we have enough money to get out of town if we ever needed to. I am also sending something to the red cross and the disaster relief fund. I just thank my lucky stars that we don't live in that area and I pray for all those people.

kel

Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: my4kids0044
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 12:31pm

"I realize my problems are insignificant compared to theirs...."


Whoops! Not at all my intention!

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-07-2003
In reply to: my4kids0044
Thu, 09-01-2005 - 8:34pm

Hugs Martha!

It's been about 3 months now since I started FULLY focusing on, tracking, admitting my debt and made the firm determination to STOP it. 3 months. and some days I wonder if I've made ANY progress. My total debt in 3 months has gone down by all of....$106!

Im with you, Im treading water, occasionally getting a big ol swallow of water!!!

My smallest debt is down to $204. When that's paid off..thats $36/month in my snowflake fund.... :) which means the next one is getting paid off, andthen the next.

THe thing that keeps me going, is an image...I've heard it a few times in a few different ways....but...just as they snowflake out of debt....think of debt payments as a snowball.

The first step...You have to gather just some...some handfuls of snow. You have to carefully pack it and form it. Right? it takes time.

then, you start rolling it.

You might go along ok..

but then it gets snagged...maybe on a lil hill, or just sometimes doesnt it seem like the other snow "clings" to it? Sometimes snowballs even LOSE a chunk, or break in half! and you have to start over.

Eventully, though....the snowball is big enough it doesnt get "snagged" and you've found your footing and you're not having to crouch so much, and so you're pushing a lil harder...

until, eventully, it seems like that big ol snowball is moving itself!

I mean....have you ever tried to STOP an avalanche? cant do it.

right now...after packing and crawling along, getting my snowball started...It snagged in August...(hehe..maybe it melted? ) and im reshaping it now.

Others on this board are packing it for the first time. some are just at that point where its big enough they're no longer crawling, they're standing over it..its not the most comfortable way to walk, but its steadier, and easier on the knees. ;) and some are just cruising along behind that snowball...making sure it stays smooth and headed in the right direction.

The important thing, for me at least, is to remember that EVERYONE can make a snowball. Its NOT rocket science. not any more than getting into debt was, and I think we're ALL experts at that!!

Im glad you checked in. and I hope you'll stick around for lessons from these...snowman-building champions.

:D

~ Teresa

Teresa
http://www.affordingpickles.blogspot.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
In reply to: my4kids0044
Fri, 09-02-2005 - 12:49am
Danni--Thanks again for putting things so eloquently. I sometimes shudder when I look at the "total" amounts (cc, cars, and especially, the house payment), and I know I havent given credit enough to the small victories. Whomever said to take it a dollar at a time has the right idea. At least in some areas there are things that are decreasing, or you found a way to budget food, etc. With gratitude, Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2004
In reply to: my4kids0044
Fri, 09-02-2005 - 7:54am

I can't even express how gratful I am to all of you for your kind words and support. I am so happy that I found this board.

Now I just have to get my act together, and get my budget done.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Pages