Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Big Debt Goal Paid Off! - Mission Accomplished!!!


Whaaa hoooooo!!!  Friday morning I logged online, sent in my final payment and kissed that puppy good bye!  And boy, oh, boy does it ever feel good!  Yes, indeed.  Whaaa hoooooo!!!!

If you have followed my blog for any length of time you've known that I've had some struggles.  In 2o12 I lost my job.  It was an odd thing that happened that day.  My bosses decided to let me go as their devoted and hardworking office manager, because of pressure by their church to give one of their members a job.  Did it take me completely by surprise?  Well, not really.  We had already hired two people from their church, even though we didn't have any openings at the time, so I was aware of what was going on.  And since I was one of the few remaining employees who didn't belong to said church... well.  And since my departure all non church member employees have systematically been replaced.  But that is beside the point now, although that is was began this whole story.


I decided to open my own business and at first I was doing really quite well for a brand new business, until I got sick.  My energy and momentum was washed out to sea, replaced by fear and anxiety about my future.  I also realized, much to my surprise, I didn't do well working alone.  I craved co-workers and the social aspect of going to work each day.  I needed to get healthy and then I need to get another job working with people.

My doctor suggested, given my health issues and my emotional state at the time, that a change of venue would probably be a really good thing for me.  I needed a warmer climate and a new adventure to focus on.  The girls and I were super excited and we began to make our preparations and get ready to go.  We were moving to Arizona!

Like I said, if you have followed my blog for any length of time you know that we didn't quite make it to Arizona and you pretty much know how that all went down.  It wasn't pretty.  In fact, it was freaking ridiculous at everything that happened, but you make the best of your situation and you keep on trucking.  Even when what you really want to do is curl up into a ball and cry yourself to sleep...


Fast forward...

By the time we moved back into our home over Labor Day Weekend in 2014 I had acquired some pretty substantial debt.  I had debt from starting the business, medical bill debt, debt acquired from expenditures related to the failed move and having to tow my truck back to Boise and some additional debt from trying to keep our chins above water while I figured out what to do next and found a job.  Over $27,000!


It could have been a whole lot worse, but it wasn't.  I could have declared bankruptcy and, given the circumstances, I'm sure a judge would have granted me that.  But, I got myself into this situation and I was pretty confident I could get myself out.

So I got busy and set a goal.  I mapped out a plan (and Thursday I'm going to give you a summary of what I did).  Now, just one month shy of the three year mark, that debt is paid.  It's over, it's done and that chapter is officially closed.  And it feels really, really good.





48 comments:

  1. I am a fairly new reader and didn't realize you had been through so much. I have admired the way you are raising your daughters to be so self sufficient. I hope that you will never have so much drama in your life again.

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    1. Thank you Carole. So happy you found us! I agree, a little less drama has been very nice. :)

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  2. CONGRATS!!!! What a great accomplishment!

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  3. Congratulations! I am so proud of you. You have taken lemons and made lemonade for sure! I can't wait to see your plan Thursday. I know it involved a tremendous amount of creativity and sacrifice.

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  4. Wonderful! I too did not know your backstory...you never know how strong you are until you have to be! Congratulations and wishing you and the girls only the best...

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  5. You should be really proud of yourself. I don't comment a lot but enjoy reading about your thriftiness and teaching your daughters as well. Enjoy the moment.

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    1. Thanks Christina. It feels really good to have that all behind me.

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  6. Fabulous. You must congratulate yourself. A job well done and I bet a weight off of your mind.

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  7. WAY TO GO!!! It is always wonderful to pay a debt off and I have been following your blog for a while and I know how hard you have worked to get your debt paid. Time to celebrate and do the happy dance. Paula in Kansas

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    1. Happy Dance has been done (more than once)and yes, I'll have to come up with some fun way to celebrate! Thank you Paula!!!

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  8. Well done!!!What a great achievement! I have been reading your blog for some time and I really love the way you seem so positive about your various goals. It shows you what can be done when you put your mind to it!

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    1. Thank you Felicity. Where there is a will, there is always a way, right?

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  9. Congratulations, you must feel so good. Debt is awful. You are such an inspiration.

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    1. Having this one behind me is a huge load off! Thank you much! :0)

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  10. That's gotta feel so good! Go you :-)

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  11. Congratulations.. So VERY happy for you. I have just recently found your blog, so was not aware of this.. You are a great inspiration, love reading your blog to get motivated.. thank you for sharing..I look forward to seeing how you did this "getting out of debt".
    We too, did this.. Hubby and I are both retired and we wanted to be debt free and we did..It is wonderful..
    How very sad that your former work place, got rid of you and others , for such a reason .....to give it to their church members. sad.... I can tell you, I would not want to attend that church... My son and grandson are both pastors of churches, and I would be devastated to hear they did such a thing.. hugs.

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    1. Thank you Judy. So good to see you back and congratulations on your own debt goal. Big accomplishment. Take care!

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  12. I'm so happy for you, congratulations! I bet you feel relieved and like a giant weight has been lifted off your shoulders. I'm so sorry you had to go through so much, especially with what started the whole thing: the part about being let go because they wanted to hire people from their church. That is just bizarre when you think about it. I wonder if it worked out for them, but really, who cares right? It sounds like you are in a much better place in life now because of it! You and your daughters are so inspiring.

    D.

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    1. Thank you very much, and yes, I am much better off in retrospect. I'm exactly where I am supposed to be right now. ;)

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  13. Congratulations to you!!! You are so disciplined and paying off that much is just three years is incredible. Go, YOU!

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  14. Erasing that 27K debt is something to really celebrate! Congratulations on your persistence--may there be much peace and contentment in your life from now on!

    PS Humph. Doesn't sound like much of a Christian church to me at all--encouraging its members to fire outsiders and hire strictly from their own ranks. Shame on them! It is surely not what Jesus would have done. But it will come right in the end, for they will answer for it before him.

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    1. Thank you Sue. I appreciate your kind words. Honestly, they did me a favor. From where I was to where I am... huge favor. :0)

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  15. That is so awesome, congratulations!!!

    Tania

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  16. Woohooo!!!! What an inspiration on paying off your debt vs filing bankruptcy! All while raising your kids as a single mom, taking care of all their needs and creating a GREAT LIFE for them and for you! Wow!!! Major major kudos! You're my hero!

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  17. I can't wait till Thursday till you write more about it!!! I have some debt so I really want to read more of your digging out story!

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    1. Hopefully it helps but if you need more details just email me. ;)

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  18. Wow! thats an inspiring post.I am in the middle of a debt reduction,barely see the light at the end of the tunnel,but your blog is so inspiring,and i love your determination,and lack of self pity! Congratulations! xox

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    1. Thank you Karen! I know at times it can be hard to see that light, but it is there. Stay the course, you can do this! :0)

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  19. WOW!!!!!!!!!!! I get behind on reading your blog due to the garden coming in and look at all the excitement I miss! You are out of debt! I am so proud of you for all of your hard work, determination, and wisdom. You did it! You did it! You did it!
    We had a mortgage burning party and burned the papers in the backyard. What are you going to do to celebrate?
    Jeannie @ GetMeToTheCountry.Blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Jeannie. I still have a mortgage and my 0% car loan and a couple other little things, but the big ugly chunk is gone. I'm pretty dang happy about it. Congratulations on your mortgage pay off. HUGE accomplishment!

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