Written November 25, 2011
I know it's been weeks since I last posted. I'm still getting used to this blogging thing. But let me bring you up to speed. Last time we talked I was just getting over the shock of pulling my credit report. But good things have already come from that experience. I have made a budget for myself that has allowed me to start making payments on the bigger debts that were on that report. I even made my first payment on one of my debts last week. Now, I won't lie...it absolutely sucks to see my money go into the pits of the collection agency. But I have to stay focused and remember that the end result will be just as sweet as when I was shopping collecting debt.
But I do have a confession. I linked my twitter account to this blog, so you probably have noticed that I did indulge into the black Friday madness. But instead of creating more debt, I only got some few items and the best part is that I spent less than $100. I needed something to quench my thirst before I go full on cold turkey starting Jan 1st. But I will do better...I swear! :)
Also, be on the look out for my new installment called Shop Your Closet. Here I will be displaying examples of how to look great for a night out without spending a dime! Talk to you later!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Reality Check
Written November 11, 2011
I did the unthinkable....I actually received my annual free credit report. I had to know the damage that I have done in my worst shopaholic days in my early 20s in order to repair and prepare for the future. The first thing is that I didn't realize how long it was, 10 pages!!! But then again, I really don't know how long they are supposed to be, but for me, that seemed pretty long. After printing it, it seemed a bit overwhelming and there was a lot of special jargon that I don't understand. But after consulting with Google and Askjeves.com, its all starting to make sense and I am putting my anxiety at ease.
Secretly, I feel ashamed. I can't believe that I really spent this much money in my early 20s and never realized that I had to pay it back. But I am glad that I know where I need to begin in order to finish my quest in being debt free. So now, I am devising a plan and creating a budget to start paying off those old debts that I have accumulated. I'm going to start with the smallest and work my way up to the big ones. My goal is to attempt to pay two debts per pay period depending on the amount of the debt. So hopefully very soon, I will have all of my credit card debt paid, everything expect for my student loans which is a whole different ball of wax.
I believe that getting this credit report is the best thing that I have ever done. After all, you don't know where you're going until you know where you've been and this is only the beginning to start my new debt-free future.
I did the unthinkable....I actually received my annual free credit report. I had to know the damage that I have done in my worst shopaholic days in my early 20s in order to repair and prepare for the future. The first thing is that I didn't realize how long it was, 10 pages!!! But then again, I really don't know how long they are supposed to be, but for me, that seemed pretty long. After printing it, it seemed a bit overwhelming and there was a lot of special jargon that I don't understand. But after consulting with Google and Askjeves.com, its all starting to make sense and I am putting my anxiety at ease.
Secretly, I feel ashamed. I can't believe that I really spent this much money in my early 20s and never realized that I had to pay it back. But I am glad that I know where I need to begin in order to finish my quest in being debt free. So now, I am devising a plan and creating a budget to start paying off those old debts that I have accumulated. I'm going to start with the smallest and work my way up to the big ones. My goal is to attempt to pay two debts per pay period depending on the amount of the debt. So hopefully very soon, I will have all of my credit card debt paid, everything expect for my student loans which is a whole different ball of wax.
I believe that getting this credit report is the best thing that I have ever done. After all, you don't know where you're going until you know where you've been and this is only the beginning to start my new debt-free future.
Progress...
Written October 27, 2011
Okay, It has been almost a week since I decided that I was going an a shopping fast. And I must say that it has been challenging. Especially since there was a new store that opened in The Summit Shopping center that is aboslutely amazing, Versona Accessories! (www.versonaccessories.com for those of you that don't know.) This store completely sucked me in. I was driving around doing my Christmas shopping, trying to be good, and I was memorized by this store, that was so bright and pretty that I had to stop in. (True shopping addicts can relate! LOL!) So anyways, I went into this store, against my better judgement since I was feeling kind of weak-willed, and I was amazed. This store has so much girly and blingy things that I felt as if I died and went to heavan! They have jewelry, handbags, clothes, and my ultimate nemsis, shoes!! And the best part is that everything is so reasonably priced. :) But I am proud to report that I didn't buy anything!!! I walked around and casually drooled over some shoes and a couple of jewelry items, but I left empty handed. That was one of the hardest things that I have done, and I don't know why I torture myself, but I couldn't help but feel and overwheleming sense of pride that I stayed true to my shopping fast. It's still a work in progress, but I'm getting there...
Okay, It has been almost a week since I decided that I was going an a shopping fast. And I must say that it has been challenging. Especially since there was a new store that opened in The Summit Shopping center that is aboslutely amazing, Versona Accessories! (www.versonaccessories.com for those of you that don't know.) This store completely sucked me in. I was driving around doing my Christmas shopping, trying to be good, and I was memorized by this store, that was so bright and pretty that I had to stop in. (True shopping addicts can relate! LOL!) So anyways, I went into this store, against my better judgement since I was feeling kind of weak-willed, and I was amazed. This store has so much girly and blingy things that I felt as if I died and went to heavan! They have jewelry, handbags, clothes, and my ultimate nemsis, shoes!! And the best part is that everything is so reasonably priced. :) But I am proud to report that I didn't buy anything!!! I walked around and casually drooled over some shoes and a couple of jewelry items, but I left empty handed. That was one of the hardest things that I have done, and I don't know why I torture myself, but I couldn't help but feel and overwheleming sense of pride that I stayed true to my shopping fast. It's still a work in progress, but I'm getting there...
Hello. My name is Brittany and I am a shopaholic...
Written October 18th, 2011
I believe that the first step in making a change is to admit you have a problem. It took me a long time to admit to myself that I am a shopaholic. I feel like shopping everyday is normal. I could buy shoes online during the day while I was at work, and then leave work and run straight to the mall and not even think twice about it. Then on the weekends, I would "run errands" (as I would call it) and eventually my errands would end up in a shoe store or some upscale boutique. The worst part is that my closest is filled with clothes and shoes that I haven't worn yet, but I still find nothing to wear and go back out to find something else. It’s a vicious cycle. And it's not just clothes and shoes. I also love to eat out. I believe that my job gives to a lunch break so that is an excuse to go out to eat everyday and honestly, that’s what I do. The sound of the debit card beep gives me a fix just like any other addict would. And this addiction has carried me through the most of my 20's. But now it's time to change.
I am a newlywed and I am now in my late 20's. I'm beginning to look more into my future and preparing to get a house with my husband and start our family. After looking at my finances and drowning in my credit card debt and mounds of student loans, I've decided to make a stand against my shopping addiction. And so, I have decided to go on a shopping fast. My idea of this fast is that I will only buy the essentials (ie. gas, food, household bills, etc.) and cut out the non-essentials (ie. shoes, clothes, fast food/going out to eat, etc.) And with the extra money that I will save, I will make a full force effort in cutting down my debt and get myself back on track. Sounds crazy, right? That's what I say to myself everyday, but I know it's what I need to do to have a better future for me and my family.
My plan is to start November 1st. I'm going to use the remaining months in this year to slowly prepare myself. For the next two months, I will slowly downsize my spending and only spend on what I really need. But what about Christmas? I still plan to enjoy Christmas and give gifts to my family, but I will not get anything for myself. That way, Christmas spending will still keep my thirst of shopping quenched so I can slowly get off shopping before I go cold turkey on January 1st. :(
So I invite you to come with me on this journey. I know that it will get crazy, but I'm up for the challenge to ensure the financial conformability of my future family. These are the confessions of a newly reformed shopaholic...
Hello Blogspot World!!!
Hey!! I'm Brittany and I'm new to blogspot but not new to the blogging world. I'm just now converting my old blog over to blogspot from wordpress.com. Wordpress.com was just a little to complicated for me and I was more focused in the design of my blog and not the words I was expressing, which is never good. So the next couple of post were the ones that I started on wordpress.I just don't want to confuse you guys, so consider this my little disclaimer. I look forward to being apart of the blogspot family and I hope that you enjoy my journey as I share it with you.
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