Buying Stuff ($9,791.67)
I think the hardest part about trying to get your credit card debt reduced is the constant temptation to buy crap that you want. I mean, that's what got me into this mess in the first place, right? To be fair, a good portion of my credit card debt came from what I consider "worthy" charges. For example, there are plane tickets to go visit my mom, car repairs, contact lenses and other things like that. Also, I sort of had to live on one of my charge cards for about a month after I moved to New York because my job hadn't started yet and, frankly, I needed to eat. I won't lie and say that all of that debt comes from justified or necessary purchases. For example, I recently sold one computer to buy another, newer model. Did I need a newer computer? Certainly not. My computer was less than two years old and still in fine working condition, but I justified the new purchase by telling myself I would sell the old one for a good amount, which I did. Then the plan was to take all the money from the sale and put it towards the recently charged new machine along with my NY State tax refund and voila! I'd have a fancy schmancy new computer with no additional debt.
As you can reasonably predict, it didn't quite work out that way. My brother, to whom I sold my old computer, paid in full in a timely fashion, so there was no problem there. I, however, have yet to receive my state tax refund and half of the money my brother paid me is pretty much long gone in the vacuum of groceries, gas and other living expenses. I did pay off about half of the computer, but that wasn't the only thing I charged that month so I did end up incurring another lump of debt as a result. I love ths computer and I'm glad I got it, but in all reality I should have/could have waited until I had the money in hand to get it, because now I'm going to end up paying finance charges on it. Bah!
It is easy to forget about the nice things one already has when one sees the new, shinier models sitting on the shelves. I've been pondering getting a DV camcorder so I can take my vlog outside of my bedroom, but the money for that hasn't materialized just yet. I could go on an on about the things I want but don't have money for but it would be pointless and materialistic. I'm trying to work harder at appreciating what I have and enjoying those things and spending time on activities that don't inherently cost money.
As you can reasonably predict, it didn't quite work out that way. My brother, to whom I sold my old computer, paid in full in a timely fashion, so there was no problem there. I, however, have yet to receive my state tax refund and half of the money my brother paid me is pretty much long gone in the vacuum of groceries, gas and other living expenses. I did pay off about half of the computer, but that wasn't the only thing I charged that month so I did end up incurring another lump of debt as a result. I love ths computer and I'm glad I got it, but in all reality I should have/could have waited until I had the money in hand to get it, because now I'm going to end up paying finance charges on it. Bah!
It is easy to forget about the nice things one already has when one sees the new, shinier models sitting on the shelves. I've been pondering getting a DV camcorder so I can take my vlog outside of my bedroom, but the money for that hasn't materialized just yet. I could go on an on about the things I want but don't have money for but it would be pointless and materialistic. I'm trying to work harder at appreciating what I have and enjoying those things and spending time on activities that don't inherently cost money.
posted by Joel Stuart at
11:26 AM
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