Ask:
Okay, I have said over and over again (I'm sure you all are getting tired of it! ) that we are working on becoming debt-free. This summer is going to be the summer of Work, Sacrifice, and More Work! During June, I'm working at the vet, McDonalds, and teaching summer school. In July, I am going to work at the vet and pick up as many hours as they'll give me at McDonald's. In August, I will work at the vet, start getting my classroom put back together, and work at McDonald's on the weekends.
On our fridge, I have a paper that says, "Debt-Free". Under that, we had written May 2010. That has been crossed off and now it says April 2010.
I need some more visual motivation!!!
I need more stuff to see every day to keep me (us) on track when things are not fun this summer. What do you think suggest???
Editted to add: We just came up with an idea. I wrote about it on the 8th post on this thread. Please read it and tell me your honest opinion. I really do appreciate all of your feedback. Thanks, guys!!
Answer:
Personally, I would get rid of the "Debt-Free" note. You're still looking at the word 'debt'. I would suggest changing it to say something like 'Financial Freedom'
Could you replace the McDonald's job with something more rewarding? You seem way too talented to work there!
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Can you do a running tally of the money earned or how much your debt is decreasing?
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Calmingweight, I can see your point, but I LOVE the term debt-free. We listen to Dave Ramsey, and we can't wait to be able to SCREAM into the phone, "We're debt-free!!!!!!!!" If anybody listens to him, you know what I'm talking about. It just gives me goose bumps to think that we're going to be in that position!
We're going to keep the McDonald's jobs. As much as I complain about it, we do get to set our own hours. The owner and managers work around our schedule - not the other way around. We are treated really well there. The paycheck comes every 2 weeks, and we get to watch our debt amount diminish every 14 days.
Thanks for your advice. I really appreciate your input.
Lexi's mom - - any ideas on what that would look like? Any ideas to spice it up? I know, it seems like I'm reaching for straws here, but a spreadsheet just wouldn't be as motivating as something more colorful and festive. That may sound silly.
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I watched that Oprah a couple of months ago that was helping people get a handle on their debt. One family had a big old poster on an easel right in the middle of their kitchen. I can't remember exactly how they had it laid out, but they had glued their credit cards and bills to the poster and they had a graph and every time they paid something off they had filled in the graph and put the date that it was paid off. They had little kids and they were joking about how their 5 or 6 year old had totally gotten into it and showed their chart to all his friends when they came over! Maybe you could search on Oprah's website and find something about them, or maybe someone remembers better than I do. Kathrynhannah was the one that told us all to watch the show. KH, do you remember the people I am talking about? I think they were from Indiana, and if I am not mistaken he was a teacher and a coach.
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I think that when people are on a budget they focus on what they CAN'T have. Instead, they should focus on what they DO have. I would make a list that says, "The Best Things in Life are Free" and then list all the thing you love to do that don't cost anything (or nearly anything)...
1. Tell somebody you love them
2. Call a friend
3. Take a nice, hot bath
4. Go for a leisurely walk
5. Invite a friend over for coffee
6. Read a magazine
7. Hang out on here!
etc...
Come up with about 25 things and post that on your fridge too.
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Kim, I love that idea! We are trying to keep a positive spin on everything, and that would really help!
Maggie, that sounds like a great idea. I will check Oprah's site later on tonight when I get back on here. Kathrynhannah, do you remember anything more about that?
Thanks, guys. I can always count on you to help me get some great, new ideas!
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After reading Maggie's idea about the chart, an idea popped into my head!
Here's what we're thinking: (We just began talking about this for 3 minutes, so nothing is carved in stone. PLEASE, please let us know if you have a better idea!!)
Okay, you know how when communities are raising money for something, they make a big thermometer? Then, they put their goal at the top, then divide the thermometer into sections. As they raise money, they color in the appropriate section.
We could do something just like that!!!!
We are thinking that we'll set a goal for JUST the 3 summer months, for how much debt we want to pay. I want the goal to be reasonable, but a little tough - not extremely easy. I want it to motivate us - to kick us in the tail when we need an extra boost of motivation.
Be honest - what do you think of that idea?????
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I think thats a great idea! Its so rewarding getting to color more "debt paid off" on the thermometer!
Kim, I love that idea!!! I might do that just for us when we get bored! Bored in this house = spending money!
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Oh, I like that too! A very positive way to look at things. One of the parks near me has a variation of that right now - they are raising money for new playground equipment and they have a picture of big green blades of grass and every time they hit another goal the grass gets higher! My kids and I love to watch the progress.