Well folks it is now official. The check has been cashed. The account has been credited. My wife's CC debt is no more!
I have started getting myself more organized. I started by cleaning out the garage. My tool chest is now in perfect order and everything is accessable.
I took the hazardous waste to the county facility. I threw out crap that had collected over the years. I was tired at the end but I am organized on that front. I noticed some of my tools are missing. That is what I get for lending things out!
I need to replace a few tools but there is no rush. Oddly enough I find that the more organized I become the more I find that I pretty much have everyting I wanted. Isn't that a hoot!
I have really been blessed. I truly have.
My next project is the basement. I have a ton of stuff to throw out and/or give away. Since the bills are paid I have gone on an organizing kick. I don't really know why but I have!
The Christmas shopping is done and I stayed on budget for the most part. My wife is upset because I keep telling her I pretty much have everything I have ever wanted. I hope I don't get a lump of coal for Christmas!
It feels sort of weird not having a large bill to pay off. In fact I feel a kind of let down truth be told. I know that sounds odd but I guess that is just me. Maybe I expected being out of debt to be some sort of magic thing. While it is nice it is not a lasting rush if you know what I mean.
I am seting up things so that more of my checks are sent into savings and investments. Wish me luck!
Update on Financial Freedom!
December 19th, 2006 at 06:34 am
December 19th, 2006 at 06:53 am 1166511238
Since you are used to paying that large lump every month, you might just as well pay the Bank of PRICEPLUS LLC for a few months more.
December 19th, 2006 at 07:42 am 1166514168
December 19th, 2006 at 12:22 pm 1166530944
I agree with baselle that the let down feeling that you have is normal after meeting a goal. You're used to having a target you're aiming for and that target is now gone. Now you need to focus on a new goal. You've proved that you have the focus it takes to conquer problems.
December 19th, 2006 at 12:52 pm 1166532725
We are actually on parallel paths. I'm nearing the end of a long payoff dating back almost six years. As that goal comes ever closer, I find myself shifting my attention to the tasks of decluttering and reorganization. Like you, there's really nothing I want or need, so I substitute organizing things for acquiring things.
I'm sure I'll be genuinely satisfied once I finish . . . Right.
December 19th, 2006 at 01:20 pm 1166534410
December 19th, 2006 at 02:26 pm 1166538384
December 19th, 2006 at 02:27 pm 1166538458
Now you can shift your focus from lowering debt to increasing your savings, so instead of feeling the rush of seeing balances go down, you'll get to feel the rush of balances going up!
December 19th, 2006 at 02:30 pm 1166538623
moneycents, I wish I felt like that. Don't get me wrong it is great to feel good but, well, I don't feel al that great. I think baselle has tyhe right idea for me. I owe a million to ME with interest! I guess I'll struggle with that debt!
December 19th, 2006 at 02:32 pm 1166538763
It is a strange way to look at things but hey it works for me!
December 19th, 2006 at 04:19 pm 1166545155
Paying off debt is a "get mad at the lender" mentality and saving isn't exactly the same. It does help to track savings and watch the balances rise.
December 19th, 2006 at 05:30 pm 1166549411
December 20th, 2006 at 02:14 am 1166580882
December 20th, 2006 at 05:44 am 1166593445