2021 Victory

 I just received my 2021 success from Credit Karma and am amazed at the progress I made in 2021. I don't feel comfortable sharing my actual numbers just yet but will share the overview. 

In 2021 I raised my credit score by 84 points!

I have paid off over 50% of my car loan.

I have also paid off most of my student loan, thanks to 0% interest :)

This is a very small update, but I wanted to share the wins I have had just from applying the Budget Mom methods. I will be credit card debt free in 2023. It has been SO hard to not do all the things we used to do, but I am starting to see the rewards and the finish line is just up ahead. We have big plans for the future, and this is the first step to achieving those plans.

When I first started this process, I had to watch the Budget Mom YouTube videos every single day. That was my motivation to stay on track. After I got the hang of it, I was able to motivate my own self. I talk so much about the Budget Mom because she has really helped me to achieve goals I thought were impossible. It takes baby steps and before you know it you will be well on your way to achieving the bigger goals you may have set.

If I can do it, anyone can :)

Going, Going, Gone

I wanted to do a small budget update. I did not expect to pay off anything in 2021 since my debt was so high, but I was wrong. In December I was able to pay off one of my higher balance credit cards. I was beyond ecstatic!! I have paid off almost 50% of my debt thanks to the Budget Mom!

If you are like me and think there is no way possible to save a dime, you are probably wrong. My initial savings started with loose change. In about a year's time I was able to save $100 in change. Once I saw how much was saved I decided to step up to dollars. One savings challenge idea from the Budget Mom is to save every $5 bill you get. I tried this for a month, but had to stop because it was taking too much of my already low food budget lol. I did participate in the savings challenge courses the Budget Mom creates every year for a small fee, and that was helpful in paying off debt. 

My Christmas fund struggled a bit. I normally save a certain amount of money each check. With the rising cost of food, gas, and rent, all my extra money was gone. We saved up enough money for a PS5 last year. We waited in several queues to try to purchase one with no luck. I thank God we never got to purchase one because that was able to go towards the Christmas fund. We were a little disappointed to not be able to continue on with our PS5 plans, but we know it is just a temporary set back and as soon as we can we will start saving again :)

Through this debt free journey I have included my daughter in the plan. I want her to see why credit cards are bad. I want her to learn up front you should always save for what you want, instead of throwing it on a card. I want her to learn to create a budget and stick with it so she can support herself when the time comes. Whenever I work on my budget, she will pull out her money and work on hers. She has goals she wants to achieve and thankfully she is learning to achieve them the right way, by saving her money. 

I am so thankful to have stumbled upon the Budget Mom. She has helped to keep me motivated to become debt free. She has helped me realize I am an emotional shopper. I have gotten so much better, but those old tendencies like to creep up every now and then. Some days I feel like I will never have financial freedom, but I know as long as I do what I can, I will get there. 

I am excited to see what progress is made in 2022!!!

Happy New Year!