28? No Way!
First off, I have a correction to make. I haven’t been completely honest with you and as much as that worked when I was dating (like when I said, ‘I absolutely LOVE football!’ when the last game I watched was in the sixth grade), it’s not in the cards in my communication with you readers.
I’m not 27 as stated in my first post…
I’m 28.
I don’t lie about my age because I want people to think I’m younger. I lie about my age because I can’t remember how old I am. I honestly forgot I was 28.
Isn’t this supposed to happen MUCH later in life?
Why does this come up? My co-workers talk about my age a lot. They all assume I’m 21 or 22 and they act shocked when I break the news that I’m 27… er… 28. I guess the assumption is natural. I work for slightly above minimum wage and I’m surrounded by 18 year olds.
It could also be because, thanks to the greasy hot dog burner, I’m breaking out like a pubescent teenager.
Is it just me or does everyone feel 21 regardless of the emerging fine wrinkles and stray gray hairs?
It’s this mentality that continues to make me struggle financially. It’s OK to make stupid financial mistakes in your early 20’s. It’s not OK to continue those mistakes for the next 8 years. I guess I’ve always felt young so I always assumed that I’d live forever – and conveniently, that’s how long it would take to pay off my debts… including those club cover charges… from my freshman year in college.
But the reality is, if I want to retire before say… 2078, I need to take care of my responsibilities. I need a sense of urgency.
My financial class gives me that sense once a week but I find it wears away after a few days. By the following Tuesday I’m debating the necessity of Enya’s greatest hits or a discount cashmere sweater (fortunately I decided those were both non-necessities… for now anyway…).
Any ideas on how to keep that urgency? Other than someone poking me with a stiff cattle prod whenever I pull out my debit card?
How do you stay motivated?
Popularity: 9% [?]
Posted: November 24th, 2008 under Debt Reduction.
Comments: 10
Comments
Comment from brandon caballero
Time: November 24, 2008, 5:57 am
Carry around an index card in your pocket with the amounts you owe to everyone, anytime I go to purchase something, or lose motivation I pull the index card out of my pocket and look at it. This always works.
Comment from Creditcardfree
Time: November 24, 2008, 7:58 am
I like to keep spreadsheets of debt balances. I look forward to recording payments and the new lower balanced owed.
Comment from Daniel Massicotte
Time: November 24, 2008, 2:47 pm
I really think you need to get a better job before you loose heart. You’re probably surrounded by students (i.e. need to move on).
Comment from Nicole
Time: November 25, 2008, 9:45 am
That financial class wears off quickly just like the feeling you get after going to Mass:)
Comment from Adriel
Time: December 3, 2008, 12:47 pm
Before I buy anything, I ask and think to myself “Do I honestly need this? Will I honestly be using this 1 week from now? one month from now? will it completly satisfy me? would I honestly rather want to keep my $50 or use it for this toy? etc…”
and if it’s something pricey that i’m not sure to buy like a nice tv or something, I force myself to give myself 2 weeks not to buy it before I make a decision because sometimes I find myself comepletly changing my mind within that time frame.
Comment from Rebekah
Time: December 3, 2008, 11:15 pm
Adriel – I’ll have to try that! I need far more patience than I have! I’m an instant gratification kind of gal!
Comment from steve
Time: December 6, 2008, 2:14 pm
Just as a one week limited experiment, every time you are tempted to buy something, ask yourself if it is a want or a need. If it’s a want, don’t do it.
You can always go back to the other way next week. This is just to prove to yourself that you have the option to behave differently and have the willpower to do it.
Comment from steve
Time: December 6, 2008, 10:25 pm
Instead of going “cold turkey” on all unnecessary spending, which could be a bit harsh on yourself, if your goal is to focus more of your spending on necessities and less on unnecessities, you could give yourself one item in the month to buy that is X price or under. Then you are still practicing your discrimination, but selecting among the things you are thinking about buying. And in the end you will buy the one that has the most utility/pleasure attached to it. It could be a good sharpener of your discrimination while still giving you a sense that you are a “normal” person who can buy things for fun too. Then when you actually buy the thing you will be able to see how you actually feel about it–was it worth it, would you do it in the future, that kind of stuff. These kinds of things are easier to notice when buying special things is special instead of every week.
of course, only do this if you can fit it in your budget.
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