Note to Self

If you see me around town and I'm not dressed to the T and sporting the latest cute haircut....know that I am currently reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.  This book is inspiring me to become debt free.  I, Joy Henslee, 100%, with all my being want nothing more than for my family to be debt free!  I'm not talking about keeping the school loans and the house payment debt free, I'm talking about I don't get bills in my mailbox except my current utilities debt free.  The hard part about our new debt free plan is that I am having to work extra shifts just to keep us from using the credit cards and every time I get close to saving up our $1000 emergency fund, BOOM there's an emergency.  Like the septic lines had to be completely replaced last week...$1400.

I think I have found the root of my problem just from watching Dr. Phil.  I love to eat and I love to shop.  Nothing makes me feel better than a new outfit or shoes.  The problem is, that satisfying feeling doesn't last very long.  Then comes the bill from the department store or the credit card bill and next thing you know I have ran the bill up to $500 and I'm still not happy.Then an emergency happens and I can't pay off the credit card like I had planned when I used it.  I am doing better though.  I am trying to be very frugal here lately.  I'm not buying every little outfit that I see for myself or for M & M.

I can just see myself sitting in a Dr. Phil show where my marriage has gone bad because of our finances. I really don't want that.

Dear Joy,   

I know that you are dying to buy a new pair of jeans but you have 20 pairs in your closet.  You may need to lose a couple of pounds to get in them.  Let that be your motivation.  When you become debt free and you can pay cash for them, you will feel much better about your decision.  Better yet, if you lose a couple of pounds and get into the ones in your closet, you will feel fantastic!

Love,

Dave Ramsey and Dr. Phil 

P.S.  People could care less what you wear or what your hair looks like!  Now FOCUS!