Confessions

SO! I've just finished reading most of Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" - at least up to the chapter on saving for retirement, page 150 - and I've got a whole lot of thoughts going around...

You know when you start a new fitness program and you are determined to lose the weight, get fit, etc... and by day 2, you're ready to just give up because "it's too hard," "inconvenient," "too *enter excuse here*"? Well, in some ways, this whole "financial fitness" program that my husband Kyle and I are going to start just kind of seems like the same thing. I'm really excited to check off each debt we pay off, live a comfortable life with our kids, and never have to worry about money again.
However, I love to spend money. Not put everything on a credit card that I will "pay later" but more of the fact that I love dining out and I love shopping at the mall, and I know this is going to be hard. I'm not into impressing people by what material things I possess, it's just more of a behavior. I don't have a problem - I don't turn to shopping/purchasing items when I'm sad or happy - but it's more of a favorite hobby. I enjoy going out with the girls, hitting Olga's, and buying a new dress. I make a day of it!

So Dave, I'm trying to change! No, wait... I'm GOING to change! I'm going to make a huge effort - the best I can - and make sacrifices to change my life and live very simply, sell stuff that isn't needed, work long hours until I have no more energy, and THEN - and only THEN - will I be able to live like no one else.

So... now that I've got that off my chest, I'm ready to put all of myself into this program and follow it to a T.

Good-bye, shopping mall. I'll see you later.