Well, it's been a month since I officially resolved to get serious about this debt. In the grand scheme of it all, I suppose I'm doing alright. I'm not adding any charges to my credit cards, and really I have too little available credit to do any damage even if I wanted to. I was able to make a $300 payment on one of my maxed accounts this month---it's still over the limit and that amount wasn't even the total minimum payment, but everything I put towards my debt is progress.
Before, my strategy was to pay the closed and maxed accounts because I wanted a continuous decline in my debt. In other words, I didn't want to clear out some credit on my usable cards, only to run the balance back up when I need gas or feel tempted to get fast food. Know what I mean?
The downside is that this month I've had to borrow money from my family for gas and expenses I didn't budget properly for. I've never had to ask anyone for anything and even though I always pay back, I don't like being that person. So this time I'm allocating some of my money toward my available cards so that I can pay the miscellaneous if need be.
So in short, the good news is that my closed account is now below its credit limit. Also, I can only remember buying fast food three times since the end of December.
The bad news is that I wasn't able to pay as much this month as I had wanted. We all know how something comes up just when you think you are getting ahead. This month I got a bonus at work and as soon as it went in my bank account I had to use it for a car repair.
And remember I mentioned earlier about how flighty I can be when it comes to new hobbies....well yeah. I tried to get into making jewelry, with the hopes of learning how to do it well and selling it eventually. Another hobby bites the dust! I spent at least $150 on that, which obviously couldve been put toward my debt. It turned out not to be my thing, but I wouldn't have known had I not tried. If you don't know what you're good at you have to see what sticks.
Other than that, I have really fallen off my goal to take my lunch to work. It feels like it's been a long time since I've done that, but it's actually only been about two weeks where I've been just eating in the cafeteria like old times. I really need to get back on board. My plan to drink water instead of buying sodas fell by the wayside but it really is my fault because I've been buying sodas for the house and when I drink them, I don't want water. I need to go cold turkey....and it would do me some good because I've been noticing some split ends in my hair again.
I went to the grocery store today and spent over $100....basically not caring how much I spent. But I guess the good thing is that I have food to take to work.
I would go through and give the grand total of my debt as of now, but it would only depress me so maybe next time. Hopefully I can do better this month. Being aware is half the battle.
