I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks, as I was sorting out my life and disasterous finances. I managed to ring up a HUGE amount of credit card debt when I was young and stupid, but I was still able to get a home loan and a car loan because I always paid on time, but only the minimums, so I was getting nowhere.

Then this man wandered into my life, and he was stunned when he found out how in debt I was. It was when he said that he was 90% sure we wouldn't break up over it that I realized just how out-of-control my situation was. That meant that there was a 10% chance I could lose him, and I did NOT want that to happen.

So I ran up all my numbers and put myself on a very strict budget. It's only been a couple of weeks, but I just paid bills today, and for the first time in AGES, it wasn't stressful. I have money (a little, but it's there) in savings, and I was able to pay extra on my car insurance and save some service fees.

The best part is the urge to go shopping and just blow a ton of money on crap is mostly gone, at least so far. I know it's early, and I'm going to be careful not to backslide.

The funny thing is, I started out doing it for him, or for us, really, but it made me feel so good--it was a bigger high than I ever got out of shopping!!!

I hope it doesn't seem like I'm bragging, I'm just finally feeling good about the situation for the first time in ever and I know that encouragement and support is what all of us need. I'm really glad I found this place!!

Thanks for "listening"

Teresa