In 2009-2010, we were nearly debt free. We were so close. We were working our Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover, we attended Financial Peace; the 9-week class held at our church. We were doing it!
Then we got complacent. “Eh, we got this. We’ve come so far, and we’ll never let it get like that again…,” we told ourselves. “We can handle just this little bit.” Then a little bit became a little more, and then became a lot.
“You can wander into debt, but you can’t wander out.” – Dave Ramsey
We are back at aggressively attacking a giant hole with a decent-sized shovel. This time, however, we are not stopping short of the finish line, wandering around and only doing it with a half effort.
In the process of budgeting and looking at places to trim and downsize, our cars – while not extravagant – represent a couple of good-sized chunks of our overall debt. We made the decision to sell one and get a reliable beater to drive. Like selling the house to rent for a while, it seems like such a step backward, even though it fits our overall plan and is moving us in the right direction over the long term. I know all of this in my head. My gut, though? In my gut it really sucks. It’s saying out loud that we made mistakes.
It’s shame-filled, yucky, and it makes me angry.
Hi. My name is Lori. I like stuff. It’s really fun getting the new car. It’s really fun getting the shiny thing, instragramming it, and reveling in the newness of it. I don’t like that I like shiny and new and clean and pretty. It’s so superficial. It’s just stuff.
You know what’s not fun? Buying a beater that is filthy, but mechanically sound.
Otherwise known as being an adult.
I have to remind myself that this is temporary. This is a season and is not going to last forever. It’s living like no one else, so later we can live like no one else – without the debt! Delayed gratification.
It’s weird.
It will be worth it.
Lori's Life and Other Stuff 
From my perspective this is not a step backwards. It’s a giant leap forward. How great that you can share this with your readers. Having little to no debt is powerful. I’m sorry that it makes you feel shameful. I haven’t yet met a person who hasn’t made a mistake or five. It’s harder to meet people who actually admit it. I think if we lived close, we’d be friends. xxx
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I agree completely, Gail. If I lived in Canada we would DEFINITELY hang! 😊
As you probably know, when we hesitate with that “publish” button, for myriad of reasons, those are usually the posts that hit home with readers. The posts that are scariest to write are often the most real, honest and raw. ❤️
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You’re dead to rights on that one!
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