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Another One Bites The Dust

  March 31

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I had to pop in with a quick update and tell you I’ve paid off another credit card! Oh yeah, I used my tax return, pointed the virtual zapper at that balance, and poof! made it go away.

Can you tell that I’m So. Very. Excited.?

Two years ago, hubs and I had 4 of them with high balances. Now, 3 of them are at ZERO baby.

I have one left and am trying to knock it out by the end of the year. Never do I want to go down that road again.

How are we doing this living on such a teeny tiny small income? I just can’t say it enough – We live with less.

I don’t have an iphone.
I don’t have a t.v.
I don’t have a car.

And, yes, these things are possible because I live in the Caribbean with a bus that takes me straight to my work every morning. But, we sincerely hope to take all of these lessons back home with us no matter how much we may make in the future.

Imagine being completely free from the lure of the mall.
Imagine not ever popping into fast food joints for a quick $10 fix.
Imagine not ever being exposed to t.v. commercials that make you want the finer things in life.

That’s how it is every day for me. I don’t need a thing. I have designer bags and shoes all locked up in storage back home in Louisiana, and I’ve hardly thought about them. I have two iphones that sit here unused because I don’t want to buy the service plan. I have a cheap pre-paid phone that works just fine for me. Nobody cares. No one has ever said, “Why don’t you have a smart phone?” because that’s not the culture here. I don’t worry about wearing expensive things – it’s too damn hot for that. Plus, I get more compliments when I strut around in my hot pink $10 sundress from Marshalls. Seriously, it’s true.

All I think about is squeezing in as much time as I can with my very studious hubby. And, we get so, so excited when we think about what we’re going to save for next. Right now, we’re eyeing a big Europe trip like we did back in the good ol days when we were in college. And, I know this goal is going to be possible if we plan accordingly. We get super excited just chatting about the possibilities.

So let’s talk about you:

Do you have a big goal?
Want to pay off all your credit cards?
Want to go to Europe?

Take the first step. Cut out the excess.

Spend less. Live more.

It’s that simple.

7 responses to “Another One Bites The Dust

  1. This is so inspiring!! You guys are definitely starting out on the right foot!! Your family tree will thank you! Thanks for being open and honest!

  2. Congrats! That is so awesome that you’ve paid off three cards! I remember how excited I was when I paid off my last balance, and, like you, I never ever want to be in bad debt again (mortgages being unavoidable for most of us, of course). If it means I have to be THAT person, using 50 coupons at the grocery store to buy 50 things, not having cable, and not having a single item of clothing from this season, it’s all worth it when we can pay cash for our car. 🙂 And I’ve never once looked back and thought, “I really wish I’d had such and such a thing back in 2009.” So again, congrats! Hooray for you!!! Keep it up!

  3. I hear ya. Except I moved to the Arctic. No cell phone, basic cable, no car (5 minute walk to work). Only 1 major store (like a really small Walmart). Paid off the CC’s, and student loans, FINALLY! I’m FREE!!

    …but OMG I still miss Starbucks 🙁

  4. This was from awhile ago, but congrats – how inspiring! I’m trying to beat the debt beast this year, and stories like these are really motivating! I’ll check out your other entries to see if you paid all of them down. 🙂

  5. This is so inspiring! I am just beginning my journey to achieving financial freedom and I’m really looking forward to the possibilities that could bring me and my family. I am from a Caribbean island myself and completely understand the lifestyle you are talking about. I grew up living that lifestyle. I hope that I can go back to some of those ways although living in NYC is completely different and makes it a lot harder. Congrats!!

  6. I remember when I felt trapped by my credit card debt. Almost like I was in a financial prison! No matter how much I budgeted and saved, it felt like it look forever to get out of debt especially since I was paying a penalty APR on one card of nearly 29%! One of the biggest mistakes I made after paying off my debt many years ago was letting my momentary financial freedom get the best of me. I didn’t stick to my tight budget and went out to dinner with friends and bought some new clothes though I never used my credit card to pay for them, it was still a waste. Luckily, I reigned that in quickly when I realized the pattern was starting all over again. It’s a good reminder that even when you reach financial freedom or dig yourself out of debt to keep living on that same tight budget and saving/investing!

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