👆🏻 Actual screen-shot of my total Credit Card debt owed, as of Sept. 24th, 2018.

Yep.

Saving is similar to losing weight. So many say they want to do it but only a handful have the grit to make and stick with the necessary changes to shed the fat.

With diets– you can try the pills, the fads, and other quick-fix methods, but most of these will leave you eating a doughnut in the closet ashamed. Both you and I both know, the only time you’re really going to cut that fat is through frickin’ sweat and tears– moments of weakness and strength, persevering through the hard times with only faith that there’s a better life on the other side.

I use this analogy because saving money is the same thing! Sure, I would love to win the lottery and take the diet-pill equivalent to suddenly become rich without really trying. I have had so many moments where instead of shamefully eating a doughnut in my closet I am hugging all of the treasures I splurged on at the Loft. Know what these two concepts have in common? Both include indulgence.

That sinfully delicious word.

To indulge, you are making an in the moment decision without ration or regard to whether it ultimately serves your long-term goals or not. It smells good. It feels good. For that split moment or two, there is no better euphoria than scoring on that brand new Yeti cooler or Ugg’s that are half price.

If you have found yourself in a debt-dulgent vortex, you have come to the right place. For me, “work-hard, play-hard” was more like, “work-hard, spend-hard”; I felt like because I was putting in so many labor some hours as a bedside nurse, I deserved a few (albeit expensive) “feel-good” moments. Until, I overdrew my bank account over $400.00 and had to ask my FATHER. FOR CASH. As an employed, graduate degree holding, RN, 28 year old — this was the tipping point for me.

I pulled out my credit cards and chopped them up. No longer, could I afford to live a life of luxury, that didn’t even belong to me. It belonged to Chase.

September 24th, 2018 is the date I faced my debt demons. Starting with a total balance of $9,877.40 owed, on December 21st, 2018 my new balance was: $2,114.95. 

On that day, the only way I can describe the way I felt is like, I went from being a passenger, watching slow but inevitable car crash — feeling totally helpless to the situation; to suddenly being the driver of the car, taking control of the steering wheel and turning that car around, right before the collision.

My experience has been captured on  Instagram  through my daily stories and weekly posts every Monday at 9 a.m. CST, sharing tips and the progress of my debt.

In honor of our new year, here are 19 simple steps for you, in a FREE, downloadable work-sheet!

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gritrich and out of debt

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The suggestions listed in the guide can be implemented a few different ways:

• Sequentially, all at once. 👈🏻 This is how I tackled it. I spent 2-3 hours one day, and totally committed to figuring out and doing this system!
• Day by day! 👈🏻 Take each step, one day at a time. Lets say you start on Feb. 1st and complete step #1. Feb. 2nd, step #2, and so-on.
• Choose a few favorite steps and find your own debt-saving style!

Though I am NOT a professional in Finance, and do not guarantee you financial freedom,    I REALLY hope this insight to my journey, helps you along the way. My intention in creating this, is to at least get your wheels turning about your finances, and if you see a collision in the future, to take control and turn THAT CAR AROUND.

Please write in the comments below with any questions and feedback you have!

xoxo

Andi