Jaime’s No-Shop February: Week Two
Wow… let’s just say that week two did NOT go as smoothly as week one. There was some good and some bad news, and I’ll share both with you.
Let’s start with the good: I really didn’t fall into any big amounts of temptation. I bought the boy a pair of jeans (yes, another… he’s destroyed about $450 retail worth of denim recently, and I scored a great deal on some Loomstate jeans for him) for Valentine’s Day, but that’s pretty much it. I was a good girl.
Bad news? Well, I haven’t been a good girl for about a year now, and it’s starting to catch up with me. Namely, my student loans. I’m taking 100% of the blame for this one, but man… this bites. I don’t want to give you too many of my financial details (I love you guys, but there are some things a girl’s got to keep private!), but let’s just say there’s more money going out than there is coming in.
Oh, and I have to find $1,000 by the 26th. No big deal.
But, as for the whole “no-shopping” part, it just got a WHOLE lot easier, since I have no money to spend anyways.
I would like a little advice for those of you who have been here (or, some form of here… I’m not sure everyone in the world is like $40k in debt, and I hope, for their sakes, that’s not the case): how did you stay sane? I know I have to totally change my lifestyle, but do you have any tips or tricks that helped you stay motivated? I’ve been listening to Dave Ramsey a lot, and leaving little notes for myself (yeah, like I could forget how much debt I’m in!), but I’d love a little advice from an outsider.
Stay tuned for next week, where I hopefully don’t find any bonus debt!
To see more of Jaime’s work, check out DenimDebutante.com.
Sigh… student loans. Well, I know you know that debt for education is ultimately worth it. You invested in yourself and by repaying that debt you’re actually investing in yourself again by proving your credit worthiness, which will help you when it comes time to buy that house. So it’s really a positive thing! I know, I know… not as fun as new jeans, etc., but it’s something!
I’m so glad you’re listening to Dave Ramsey. I went through his Financial Peace University a couple of summers ago and that turned my financial life around. I had a lot of credit card debt that I managed to completely erase a few months ago, but I too still have student loan debt.
I’m not sure who your loan people are but can you ask for a deferment? Also, have you done your tax return yet? If you file through Turbo Tax, they’ll make sure you get the most money back possible, and quickly too. And if you do it well before April 15th, you’ll get the return really quickly.
Also, you might want to stop buying your dude jeans for a little while ;) Good luck!
~Adelle
.-= The Fashionista Lab´s last blog ..Mission Inspiration =-.
I don’t have any specific advice for you – I’m actually in a very similar situation. I’m living beyond my means, but I have never recognized it as such, because I spend my money on clothes, and I think because they are on sale, I’m saving! Isn’t that silly? But, i completely relate to you. This is really hard. I think the most important part is to have someone you can be accountable to. I think it’s a great idea that you and your boyfriend have created a budget together. If you think he’ll be lenient on you, maybe there’s a friend or family member you can call in to help you as well. To say things out loud is an amazing way to make yourself accountable as well. It’s not fun to not keep your word or reach your goals in front of others!
I guess I just want to thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. Reading your posts is helping me be accountable as well, because I know I’m not alone. Good luck!!!