Around 10:30 p.m. tonight, I logged into Nelnet.com, as I have done hundreds of times, and saw that my last student loan payment had cleared. I am debt free. I've been writing about this goal for almost 2.5 years (6 months for a newspaper blog and almost two years on this one). All month long I've been saying, "Well I'm basically debt free now." But today, it is here. If you look at the photo, it says, "Paid in full by borrower." That's ... Read more...
My Taylor Swift response to all the haters
Last week Time Magazine picked up an article that was written about me onWise Bread, a personal finance site. The story explained how I was able to pay off $28,000 worth of student loans in three years while making around $30,000 a year. For the most part, the responses were amazing. I started this blog to keep myself accountable, but I also wanted to show people that if you really wanted to pay off your debt quickly, it was possible. As ... Read more...
I’m sick of hearing excuses
The more excuses you give for a decision, the worse it is. The more you need to justify the financial decision, the more money you’re losing. Here are some of my other favorites: "I work really hard so I deserve to eat out/shop/[insert wasteful money habit here]." Let me tell you something, we all work hard. At least we all think we work hard. I doubt I know anyone who thinks they don’t work hard. Does that mean we all deserve to buy ... Read more...
My decision not to get an engagement ring
About a month ago, I got engaged. And since I’ve been telling people, the first question has not been “how did it happen” or “when are you guys getting married,” but “where is your ring?” In fact, one coworker told me that she kept forgetting I was engaged because I don't wear a ring. I wanted to remind her that having a diamond ring didn't save her from getting divorced, but I bet my tongue. I’m not getting an engagement ring. I made the ... Read more...
One year later and a look back
About a year ago I started this blog to chronicle my attempt to pay off my student loans. In that year, I have paid off more than $10,000 worth of student loans. Let's take a look back! How have I done this? I moved from a one-bedroom apartment to a three-bedroom duplex. Savings: $359/per month I moved to the same city as my boyfriend and stopped driving 6 hours to visit him every weekend. Savings: $150 I started earning more at my ... Read more...