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Big Numbers from other people

January 20th, 2007 at 03:29 am

Other than basic discussions on finances, I don't normally talk to other people about their debt (except online), but in the past few months, I've found out that a coworker has $20,000 & growing in debt and one of my best friends has about $15,000. I find these numbers to be amazing!

But then I took a look at their lifestyles compared to mine. And realized that there were a lot of differences. Comparing myself to the 'Joneses' actually made me feel good about the steps I've taken to help me reach my financial goals. And its motivated me as well.

For the updates--I packed my lunch every day this week. This is the 3rd week in a row. NICE! I had no spend days Tuesday through Friday. My intention was to have lunch out at work tomorrow, but I decided to take a personal day instead. So instead of working, I'm going to see my nephew in his new karate class, go to the library & head to the grocery store. I still might get that salad that I was looking forward to...we'll see.

I am really trying to stick to my grocery budget, but I need to stock up on a few things that I wasn't planning on. So I'm going to take a look at my list--determine what can be held off until my next payday & then just get whats needed this week.

I'm hoping, but not expecting any more overtime to be available at my work. If it does, I am signing up for as much as possible. All the extra money will go towards my financial goals.

And I hate to say it, but I still haven't been looking too hard for that part-time job. I WILL get on it this week. I promise.

Posted in saving on food, goals, no spend, Savings | 3 Comments »

3 Responses to “Big Numbers from other people”

  1. Amber Says:
    January 20th, 2007 at 03:56 am 1169265374
    1169265374

    Awesome, all the money you saved can go towards your new home...way to go Smile

  2. disneysteve Says:
    January 21st, 2007 at 12:13 am 1169338408
    1169338408

    I think the whole "keeping up with the Joneses" problem would go away if people were more open about their finances. If you discovered that the person whose lifestyle you envy actually has 20K or 50K in debt, you probably wouldn't be so envious anymore. Or if you found out that they earned twice as much as you, you wouldn't keep trying to match their spending habits.

    I have a friend who travels to Disney World very frequently. I always wondered how he managed it. Then one day, I was at his house and couldn't help but notice the open credit card statement on his counter with an outstanding balance of over $12,000. Now I know how he does it - and I'm no longer jealous.

  3. Broken Arrow Says:
    January 21st, 2007 at 04:14 am 1169352856
    1169352856

    Sigh. I too have 22k in student loans. Sure, one can say that it was for the greater good of higher education, but in my eyes, money owed is still money owed, regardless of its rhyme or reason. Not that I regret it because if I had to do it all over again to get a college degree, I still would. However, I would've tried to minimize it as much as possible.

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