From the monthly archives:

February 2010

March Challenge

by Ashley on February 27, 2010

January was rough, February was a major improvement, but March will rock.  I’m currently happy with my progress.  It is a struggle, because my debt makes me so anxious that I just want to pay it off right now! If only I had $16,897.75 in my banking account!  (An improvement from $20,500, for sure.)  So, [...]

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Travel

by Ashley on February 26, 2010

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been going back and forth about how to proceed in my journey.  It seems there are two choices: (1) continue with gazelle-like intensity, spending nothing extra. Or, (2) keep intensity high, but allow for some spending exceptions.  It seems to me now that I will take route [...]

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My Budget

by Ashley on February 24, 2010

There was a request for this a while ago and I don’t want to keep people guessing as to how I’m able to put so much money toward my debt, but if you hear me complain about how much I work, then it’s probably not much of a mystery to you. Here’s my monthly budget: [...]

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A Good Job

by Ashley on February 22, 2010

Since starting my new job this semester, several people have asked me why I’m still working at the library.  I politely respond with, “Well, that’s how I support myself.  And, they pay me significantly more per hour, provide me with health insurance, and give me paid vacation and sick time.  How could I afford to [...]

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The Ulta Call

by Ashley on February 20, 2010

I used to write a lot on my personal blog about my love for Ulta.  It was so bad that no one could pass an Ulta without thinking of me and telling me so later.  For those who don’t know, Ulta is this amazing store full of makeup and nail polish and hair products; what [...]

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A Want List

by Ashley on February 18, 2010

For the last week, I’ve been having this debate in my head about whether or not to create a want list.  A want list would be a list of things I want to buy when I get out of debt.  It seemed like a good idea at first.  That way, instead of obsessing over something [...]

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A Bank Deal

by Ashley on February 16, 2010

My approach to getting out of debt is very simple: make as much money as possible so that I can put as much money possible toward my debt.   None of my accounts were in bad standing, so I didn’t take any consolidation loans.  I haven’t sought out no-interest credit cards to transfer my balances. [...]

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A Lifestyle

by Ashley on February 15, 2010

The further I get into my Out of Debt Journey, the less I think about it.  I knew this would happen, of course, and I even looked forward to it.  It’s no fun being preoccupied with money all the time.  But, it makes me a bit nervous, because when you’re focused intensely on something, you feel like [...]

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The Debt As It Stands (2/13/10)

by Ashley on February 13, 2010

After a bit of a rough financial start to the year, I finally feel like the dust has settled.  The new laptop is completely paid off, all school fees are paid for, all books for school are purchased, and both jobs are in full swing.  It was frustrating to feel like I was making no [...]

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A Mind Trap Fueled By Impatience

by Ashley on February 3, 2010

Sometimes I fantasize about being debt free.  Just substitute always for sometimes.  I’m not thinking about living in a mansion and driving a Mercedes.  I’m just thinking about a life with reliable things that I have the funds to replace when I need to. The recession ripped out from under me the safety net I didn’t know [...]

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