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| | From:  Pröud2BâMóm (Original Message) | Sent: 10/22/2007 12:06 PM |
Dear Cindy, Help! I want to pay off my credit cards too. How do I do
this without feeling cheap? I hate saying no to the kids when then
want me to buy them something. And I still want to buy things myself.
But I know my credit cards are already too high and if I don't start
to do something about them soon I will get into real trouble. Help! -
M in Ohio.
------------<WBR>---------
First off, take that word "cheap" right out of your vocabulary! This
isn't about being cheap or miserly. This is NOT about doing without
or depriving yourself �?
This is about DOING WITHIN!
Anything that you have been wanting to DO �?but thought you didn't
have the time to DO is now up for grabs!
And what you may not know now �?but will soon discover, is
that "DOING within" is one of the most satisfying, least stressful
ways to live.
When you decide to tackle those credit cards one chunk at a time �?
you have decided to spend less and divert the money you saved into
paying off your debt. Unfortunately, paying off debt is not near as
much fun as BUYing a new outfit or something new for the home. Stores
have made shopping fun. So much fun, that for many people, they have
forgotten how to have "fun" without BUYing. The scary thing - this
is what they are teaching their children. Unless you have the right
clothes, the right shoes, the right car, the right hair style, the
right makeup �?you can't have fun!? YIKES!
The secret to paying off your debt is re-discovering the "fun" that
doesn't cost a dime.
Plan daily activities that are all about DOING �?instead of BUYing.
Our goal is to pay off as much debt as possible by the end of 2007.
This is the perfect time of year to do this �?the next two and half
months are filled with opportunities to simply "DO." It's only when
you fall into the retailer's idea of how to spend (literally) the
holidays that you get into money trouble. Leave the clutter in the
stores �?SHOP at home FIRST.
As for the kids �?don't tell them about your goal. You don't want
them to think that paying off debts means you are "cheap, poor, or
miserly). Just start DOing more with them that doesn't involve money
(or spending temptations)<WBR>. Here's some ideas for you and the kids:
1) Go for a fall walk. Bring the camera �?let the kids take some
pictures (email them into CindysPorch so I can post them on the
website �?hint hint).
2) Clean out the garden �?kids love raking. Let them build a
huge pile and hop in. Let them toss the leaves around and start all
over again. Take pictures!
3) Decorate the house for Halloween. We're going to do ours this
weekend �?the kids are excited about building a new ghoul for the
front door (using only the stuff we already have in the home). Take
pictures.
4) Watch an old family DVD. Make some popcorn and hot chocolate.
Curl up together as a family.
5) Clean out the garage or a shed. Quit your laughing LOL. Kids
may not be excited about this kind of a project when they get
started, so let them pick out some great music for the boom box and
tackle one corner at a time. Just spend an hour and then go DO
something with the kids to celebrate the progress. If you happen to
find the old ball mitts or a Frisbee �?head out to the park.
6) Go for a bike ride. My kids are just shocked when we ask if
they want to go biking with us. The answer is always a resounding
YES! And off we go (my poor legs LOL).
7) Bake bread. There is something very satisfying about kneading
bread dough �?let the kids do it. Once the bread is baked �?let the
kids dive into that fresh loaf (after it cools just a bit �?big
smile). Let them enjoy the fruits of their labor.
8) Clean out their bedrooms. No kid likes to clean their room �?
but once it is done �?WOW! Help them out �?start by hauling out the
NOT ME FIVE (dirty laundry, trash, dishes, papers, and stuff that
doesn't belong). Then add some clean sheets and remake the bed �?the
kids will start loving their room all over again.
9) Call up the local tourism office �?find out if there are any
fall fairs, dances, or autumn potlucks in your area. Join in on the
fun!
10) Adopt a family for Christmas. We've been adopting a family
for the past five years. This has been so rewarding. As a bonus �?it
has taught the kids so much about people who have less and are
struggling. Suddenly that new pair of jeans doesn't seem quite so
important anymore (more on this later).
11) Crawl into the craft closet and pull out an activity �?
something that you BOUGHT all the supplies for, but never used
(acrylic paints anyone? LOL. Been there, done that).
12) Clean out your master bedroom closet. HUH? That's not fun.
Maybe not, but once you get started, you'll discover a new fall and
winter wardrobe that you forgot you had. Sew on those buttons, iron
the pants. Have fun with this. You are SHOPPING at home FIRST. While
you are at it, look for the perfect Christmas outfit. You already own
it, I know you do �?you just have to find it (and maybe hand wash it
LOL). Toss out the clothes you hate. Put away the off-season clothes.
Rediscover your wardrobe. You paid a lot of money for these clothes �?
you may as well wear them!
13) Clean out the bathroom. (OK Cindy �?this is going to far
LOL). Hear me out. Clear out all the clutter under the sink. Go
through the make-up stash. Toss out the stinky potions and lotions
that give you a rash. Then find a pretty basket or bowl and put out
the bathing products you love. Create a mini-spa in your own home.
Polish up the tub and sink and them pamper yourself. It won't cost a
dime.
14) Use up some of those gift certificates that have been
gathering dust in your just drawer. Some of them are going to expire
soon. Book a date and celebrate �?it is already paid for.
15) If you know you are going to be in a place where fast food is
usually purchased (concession at hockey practice, drive through on
the way to piano lessons), then think ahead and pack a quick lunch,
some apples, and water. The kids will eat that too - and you will
save another $20.00.
Any more ideas? Send them on in and we will share them with the group.
Your debt is going to be tackled one day at time. Every $20.00 you
keep in your pocketbook or off the credit card is $20.00 you still
own.
Take care of you,
Cindy (cindy@cindysporch.<WBR>net) |
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