The Only Thing Certain In Life Is Change

This is such an exciting time in history, a time of change, and there couldn’t be a better time to change my lifestyle. I am so fortunate to have been selected for Project Money.   And with so many of my friends and family losing their jobs, I am very blessed to have a position in which I enjoy and work with such great people. 

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about my family and how we deal with finances. I come from a family of hard workers, and just like my family, that is what I know how to do. Unlike my parents, I come from a generation of “buy now pay later”  thinking and although I was not raised in such a manner I certainly got caught up in the same struggle as our government. 

I moved to Madison almost five years ago and watched my debt balloon out of control.  I am fortunate to be able to pay everything on-time; however, if there are any changes in my income or situation I certainly could be that person on the street asking for spare change. My family is excited and wishes me the best; but times are hard for them right now, so I imagine there are some mixed emotions. I embark upon Project Money with the hope of changing my financial situation but also with the hope that someone else can benefit from my experience.

I met with my financial coach, Carrie, for the first time, which was somewhat of a daunting experience only because now someone else knows all of my good, bad and poor decisions that I have made over the years. However, I must say I feel quite liberated and humbled by it all. I wrote out some of my goals for the future and Carrie set one concrete goal for me to begin my challenge. I must first pay off the credit card with the highest interest rate—which by the way is a card from my favorite clothing store. I had been paying a little more on all my bills, but this way we can pay the minimums on everything else then focus the extra money on the one bill to eliminate it the fastest. Now the hard part will be staying out of my favorite store because “who needs cute clothes?”   I wonder how I will feel when the weather really starts to get nice…..

Comments

[Jack Schroeder]

Go get'em Angie! You're very fortunate to have help in doing something you've always wanted to do: Take charge of your financial future. You have the strength of character to be a success at whatever you set your mind to. Show us how it's done.

[Robert Lewin]

Good luck! I'm pulling for you!