11 Cachinnations

1. AmberO at Sleeping is for Sissies Said,

   All the people who said the FIRST thing they would do is pay off their debts obviously don't have jobs.

   Posted on 6/09/2006

    
2. Anonymous Said,

   So I take it you're one of the quitters?

   Posted on 6/10/2006

    
3. Meg Said,

   Thanks for your note. I appreciated it. Oh and it's hard to repay your debt when you're still a student and can't get a real job.

   Posted on 6/10/2006

    
4. Seth Ward Said,

   I took action when I got married. I humbly handed over all my money to my wife to manage. (all $12.37 of it) Some men have a problem with this but I did and do not. I might take over some day but she is so good at it and actually likes it, why in the H-E double hockeysticks would I rock the boat????

   Posted on 6/10/2006

    
5. Anonymous Said,

   We've buckled down and have a plan to get totally out of debt by early next year. Then the savings begin. I'm tired of paying for money I already spent. We don't borrow money. We don't use credit cards. We're hardcore, but soon we'll not owe anyone for anything!

   Posted on 6/11/2006

    
6. Chaotic Hammer Said,

   In a way, it also depends on what you're counting as "debt".
   
   I own two vehicles, one is paid for and the other one I'll be making payments on for another couple of years. So technically that's debt.
   
   I am now a homeowner (and I've only been one for the last few years, I'm a late starter), which is a huge debt, but not much different than paying rent for a long time, except that at the end, I get to keep this place without paying any more rent.
   
   We use credit cards for convenience only, but always pay them in full every month. I don't have any long-term outstanding obligations beyond the house and the car.
   
   I've lived on extremely meager means before, eating only Ramen noodles and potatoes and not knowing where my rent was going to come from (and hiding my car from the repo man just long enough to scrounge up the next car payment). It's been a long, slow process getting to a reasonably stable financial place for my family.
   
   Lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking about how I can use the things I have to best serve the Lord. It's sometimes difficult to have the mindset that all I have is His anyway, and that He is just letting me be a steward for a while, but both my wife and I agree that this is true, and we hope to live like we believe that.
   
   It is nice to (finally) be in a place where I'm not constantly owing a bunch of money to a bunch of creditors that I can't keep up with (been there, done that, got the T-shirt, etc).

   Posted on 6/11/2006

    
7. Anonymous Said,

   Sure, there's all different kinds of debt. We'll have a mortgage for a while, but since you're always paying for a place to live if you rent, we've bought hoping that someday the paying will end! We just figure that debt is keeping us from doing what we really want and need in life. Because 'stuff' is not what we want and need. We want to be able to send our kids to college... (once we've had them of course.) And we need to give more to support our church. We want to travel. We need to be able to support friends and family. So it's really important to us to get out from under debt.

   Posted on 6/11/2006

    
8. Chaotic Hammer Said,

   Cach - You are very wise, and I mean that seriously, not sarcastically.
   
   What Snoopy said is true -- creditors are ruthless and heartless, and do not care a whit what sort of trouble they get young people into today.
   
   It's way too easy to get in over your head, and it happens quickly. And it buys into the whole message of our culture today -- You Can Have It Right Now! Instant Satisfaction! Live Now, Pay Later! Etc.
   
   The virtues of patience, frugality, and wise planning for the future, are simply not taught or emphasized today. This is true both inside and outside the church.
   
   My wife and I feel just like you guys do. Our dream is to be free of the burdens and hindrances related to constant debt and financial struggle, so that we can truly be free to help others.

   Posted on 6/11/2006

    
9. Sarah Said,

   I have a full-time job but can't afford to pay off all my debts. It's a bit tough to be single and self-supporting and try to make a dent in my student loans that equate to twice my annual salary. However, if I didn't have that education, I'd be earning much less. I'm taking a class right now called Financial Peace University, which helps christians organize their debt and pay it off in a snowball effect.
   
   Oh, and don't you think credit cards should come with a Surgeon General's warning label? I'm sure they're a major culprit behind many cases of migraines, ulcers, high blood pressure, depression, and increased risk of heart disease and cancer.

   Posted on 6/12/2006

    
10. Anonymous Said,

    I like that program, Sarah. FPU is a very good one. It comes out of Dave Ramsey's philosophy. I also like Rich Dad/Poor Dad. All good stuff.
    
    I actually just can't get on board with credit cards at all. The reason is that statistics are not in favor of having them. Sure, you can pay it off at the end of every month... probably if you're responsible. But something like 89% of people don't. Not because they don't want to, but because something happens. I try to keep something from happening by spending less than I make, saving what I can, and paying for things when I buy them. That just seems safer, easier, and smarter to me than trying to work some system. But that's just me!

    Posted on 6/12/2006

     
11. Anonymous Said,

    As usual Kat, you're my hero. I told you you were a rock star!

    Posted on 6/12/2006