I worked 3 jobs all through my school and graduated from a #1 program in my area with a 3.9 GPA and a 3.85 Grad GPA! I don’t understand how a community college degree could cost more than my master’s and undergrad combined! Can you explain a little more? I’ve read through your archives but I can’t seem to find the answers I am looking for…

What I think has been the most important realization that I have come to through this entire journey of getting out of debt is actually really simple; find enjoyment in what is already a part of your life and reduce/eliminate anything that doesn’t in some way bring joy to your life. In doing this I have almost entirely curbed my frivolous spending without dramatically changing my lifestyle. I no longer feel a desire to purchase things like DVDs or CDs, which used to be a major area of spending. When I buy clothes, I do shop retail but my purchases are very infrequent. In the last year and (almost) a half, I have bought 2 pairs of jeans and one t-shirt when before it was not uncommon that I would buy 2 pairs of jeans and a t-shirt every single week. I haven’t died yet!

What money I do spend goes directly towards things that I value deeply, such as travel. I do not smoke or drink (at all, ever) which I think many people have at least some habit that prevents them from saving money; gambling, pornography, comic books, drugs/alcohol…shoes. I’m not perfect, I still spend money on eating out on a fairly regular basis and I’m not saving nearly enough money for long-term goals because all of my energy is focused on debt elimination but I’m doing what I can while still allowing myself some sense of freedom to pursue things that I enjoy or am interested in. I try to restrict making financial decisions on impulse by considering whether what I am doing or spending will lead to some specific goal that I value.

One thing that I really hope to be able to do in the future is to avoid lifestyle inflation once I begin to earn “real” money (if that is the direction my life takes). I want a house and a parcel of land but by no means do I want a McMansion or beachfront property. I don’t need (or even really desire) the latest electronic gadgets and technology. I prefer living modestly and simply, as peacefully and in tune with my personal values as possible. I want to earn a solid income without sacrificing family or freedom as I’d like to adopt a child someday and being there to be a father and raise my child firsthand is more important than being able to buy plastic trinkets for them while I am slaving away at my job.

Yes, this is my ideal outlook on my future but who looks at their future and says they want to work at a job they hate to be able to pay the bills and take a Staycation once a year? :)

I really went on a tangent! Thanks for your support!!!

Our goal right now is to purchase a 2nd home in cash. We are looking at at $250,000 purchase. We have almost half of that saved & if we sell our current house when the market improves that will give us $160,000 replacement savings (after fees) when the time is right. Reading “The Millionaire Next Door” & “Cheapskate Gazette” years ago inspired us & we used some of the ideas from them to achieve our current financial goals. Here are some ways that have helped us work towards that goal.

1. Vigilant saving, was a #1 priority after debt elimination.
Paying off our first mortgage & then continuing to send
that amount + every single month as if we still had a
mortgage. (Just as your doing w/ your car pmt amount.)
2. Shopping at Thrift Stores 1st for clothing, books, etc.
before going to the mall. Buy used, save the difference.
It’s surprising the name brands we find there.
3. Most of our meals are homemade by me.
4. It goes against my grain to pay “retail” for anything. if
it’s not on sale it won’t be purchased.
5. Simplify,simplify, simplify. Things are just things. We
do have a beautiful, nicely appointed modest home,
travel & eat out too, ever mindful of our goal. It takes
vigilance to keep the materialistic “monster” in us
in check. The hardest thing to do is to tell yourself no,
but after a while it becomes an ingrained habit to
overlook frivolous unnecessary purchases in order to
reach those important goals.
6. Once in a while we go on a “Budget Diet” where we
challenge ourselves not to spend a single cent for 7days.
We used to play this “game” more often years ago. We
found we could only practice restraint for short periods
of time. ;-)
7. Being financially benevolent long before we could afford
to. When we mindfully & intentionally made this choice,
a dramatic cosmic shift took place. It changed our
hearts, our attitudes & our finances inexplicably. We see
an abundance and contentment we never experienced
and never believed we would ever experience in this
lifetime. Our only regret is that we didn’t learn & practice
this sooner

Just a few tips, I know your smart and on the right path and I know you will reach your goal. I’m excited for you to experience the indescribable liberation from the bondage of debt and I just wanted to encourage you in your efforts. Your going to be so very much farther ahead of us financially by the time your our age. :) Sandi