Greetings, Money Saving Lords and Ladies, it’s my favorite day of the week – FRIDAY. I’m back with a bit more of our story this week, hoping to inspire, encourage, and make you laugh a little.
Hey everybody. So glad you stopped by today. Freedom Friday is when I bi-weekly let you in on how we’re doing with our pursuit of paying off debt. It’s also when many of you have e-mailed me with your story (with either “Freedom in Progress” or “Freedom Achieved” in the subject line) so I can share your story to encourage others, too.
I can’t believe this is the last Friday in July. The Eldest Princess goes back to school in less than 2 weeks. {big sigh}. The summer has blown by at rapid pace. Part of me welcomes it. I love the fall – with its trips to the Apple Orchard, Football (GO COLTS), and soup. And nothing makes this frugal girl’s heart happier than cheap office supplies at Back to School and eventually Black Friday. Even still, I’m a bit amazed that the year is more than half over.
Looking at the numbers of 2010 (specifically the summer), I also continue to be amazed at what we’ve been able to pay off and ways we’ve been able to increase our income and intensity at paying off debt. Just in June and July, the evil sorceress Sallie Mae (our last debt in the debt snowball ala Dave Ramsey
I know many of you are also hard at work this summer to pay off debt. You’re sacrificing. While everyone is talking about the summer blockbusters they’ve seen, you’ve been satisfied with catching just one of those flicks (or maybe none at all while working the DVDs at the library or redbox instead). Others are talking about expensive trips and you’ve been kicking it at home. Friends are eating out and it’s cereal night at your house. It’s not easy but it’s so worth it. And in the long run, you’ll be thankful that you did.
Over the last 2 years and 4 months, I think that I’ve learned a lot about contentment (while I’m sure I still have many more lessons to learn). I’m over the moon about a free packet of BBQ sauce that came in the mail today. Or I’ve found something like Swag Bucks and been able to score a free iPod Touch {honestly, I still can’t believe that happened}. On our fridge pinned together are all of the final notices for bills we paid off in the debt snowball. Attached to it is a pin that says, “To Have More, Desire Less.” Over $60 in debt ago, I still didn’t think I had enough, even though I truly had a lot. Now, I’m pretty cool with what I’ve got. It doesn’t mean I don’t get the gimmes from time to time but I do think it indicates a little something I’ve learned along the way.
What about you? What have you learned that you didn’t expect in paying off debt? Don’t forget to e-mail me with your stories of Freedom in Progress or Freedom Achieved. We want to celebrate with you or commiserate with you. It’s all about being in a community that’s headed in the same direction because we are stronger and louder together. Thanks for being on this journey with us. Until next time,
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