Saturday, April 13, 2013

Toodaloo Nelnet!!!! WE'RE DEBT FREE!!!!

On January 1, 2013, Daniel and I embarked on a path that we had been wanting to embark upon four years prior to finally doing the darn thing! On April 10, 2013, we made our last student loan payment. It's really surreal. Many have asked me how do I feel. Honestly, I was expecting to feel overcome with joy, but I didn't feel anything. Unfortunately, on the same day that I should have been rejoicing in us achieving this wonderful goal, I was dealing with a situation that I have dealt with for a while on my job. I thought my feelings were subsiding, but on the day that I was supposed to be experiencing unbelievable joy, I found myself needing to close my office door and cry. And I cried. I cried for 3 minutes maybe even more. I was crying because for as much as this was a wonderful moment, the devil has been tap dancing on my spirit. Someone was playing the song, and he was doing some of his finest footwork on my heart. I hate letting him ever have a moment where he feels that he is winning. What was even worst was that this was the time when I should have been praying more and lifting my eyes to Heaven, but I found myself falling  asleep without praying and waking up without giving God His due as well. I was reading my Bible, but I was really going through the motions. In my moment when I needed God most, I was turning away from Him. I hate to admit it, but it's what I was going through. Flesh sucks. (Pastor Wesley's sermon was on this very topic today. Perfect timing.)

For as horrible as this situation has been, I have people in my life who are simply amazing. On the same day that I was going through this low moment, I received a call from a friend at work. She was calling to ask me some standard questions, and I decided to open up to her. She gave me the kick in the pants that I needed. DON'T YOU LET THIS STEAL YOUR JOY FROM YOU!!!! (Yes ma'am!) I know most of the right words to say to anyone for their down in the dumps moments. I actually don't like to address these moments because most people know what to do, so I try to just listen. This showed me that sometimes people just need to hear it. I needed to hear this more than I knew it. She reminded me that it's okay to let it out, but you will not let this steal your joy. I thanked her, got off the phone, cancelled our fancy reservations, and decided I just wanted to chill at lively restaurant in DC. It was everything that I needed.

So...It's Saturday, and I'm debt free. How do I feel? Well, I still don't feel like throwing a party. My current work situation may have had an impact on this, but I really think the reason is that this is now a way of life for me. It's my new Sunday through Saturday. Being debt free is just a result of this lifestyle. I'm really happy that we can start working on Baby Step 3. We aren't slated to finish this until August of this year. Once we're done with that, then we can move on to Baby Step 4, a baby, Baby Step 5, another baby maybe, Baby Step 6, no more babies, then Baby Step 7. We found an awesome program and it works.

Recap 
Starting Debt January 2013- $13,366.54
Current Debt  April 12, 2013- $0.00

Toodaloo Nelnet! My next step is to figure out what all I need to call into the show to do our Debt Free Scream. 

1, 2, 3 WE'RE DEBT FREE!!!!!! (Just Practicing)

Thanks Daniel for being the wonderful husband you are. Back in January, you made me put down the Christmas ornaments. They were only $2 a piece, but they weren't a part of the budget. Of course I could have afforded the $6 to buy the ornaments, but this was about modifying our behavior. Small steps lead to huge bounds.

SN: I did end up getting those ornaments in February for 25 cent each. I got 2 whole dollars worth of ornaments from my budgeted blow it money. Lol.

4 comments:

  1. Being debt-free is absolutely one of the things that me and my husband want to achieve in the near future. I'm confident to say that we're getting there. :) Anyhow, I can feel how happy and grateful you are. I think one thing that made you succeed was that you and your husband helped each other. It can't be done by one person. The both of you must strive to make it happen. Congrats, Kimberly!

    Allan Morais

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    1. Thank you so much! You are absolutely correct! It took both of us in order to accomplish this. I had a lot more work to do in the behavior modification area than Daniel, but we only were able to accomplish this because we agreed on the terms and held each other accountable. Good luck to you and your husband on your debt slaying!

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  2. This is so cool ! Congrats!!! It feels like we were just chatting about this a week ago but it was December , boy how times flys. Good luck with your next step.

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    1. Thanks Natrina! It didn't take long since we had already knocked out my student loan the year before we fully committed to the program. We did get radical. Living off of one income, adhering to a budget, and foregoing many things...it took discipline. Have you and Philip decided to do the program or something else? Take care.

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