Some small steps

I’ve just started reading a really great book, “You’re Broke Because You Want to Be.” It is just the kick in the pants I need! I just took a break from my reading and unsubscribed from the e-shopping emails that I receive from Banana, JCrew, Ann Taylor, Williams Sonoma, etc. that make it so tempting to buy online. Can’t pass that sale up! I also took all of my credit cards out of my wallet except for one Visa in case of emergencies–real emergencies. Baby steps…

Interest has been halved!

One good thing about this past year’s progress–I have halved the amount that I am charged in interest every month. At the beginning of 2008, I was being charged more than $300. For January 2009, I’m at $155. Yay!

A new year, a new start

There’s nothing like a new year to wipe the slate clean and start anew with a fresh attitude and can-do spirit. If you check my status, it’s easy to see that I fell off the wagon as 2008 came to a close. I stopped tracking my credit card balances and lost sight of my goals, and the results speak for themselves–up $723 since I last tracked my balances in September. But it’s a new year, and I’m committing myself to really focusing on making some progress with my debt. I officially am resolving to:

1. Track my balances every month.
2. Put away all of my credit cards except for one bank card for emergencies.
3. Get more involved with Debtors Anonymous. (Fell off the wagon with this too because of the holidays and the weather!)

I really would like to pay off $10,000 this year. It will be tough, but I am expecting a raise (I recently got a promotion) and my car will be paid off in June. I know I can do this if I really put my mind to it!