What's Your Excuse?

We have debt. A lot of it. By any one's standards.

Unless you're the type who thinks that consumer debt is 'normal' and everyone has it.

I personally know people who have no debt, other than their mortgage.

I know someone who has no debt whatsoever. (Hi Rick!)

I recently read a post on a personal blog about a couple's debt, and a husband's determination to get out from under it. Yet they spend extravagant amounts of money on things that they don't really need. The wife wants nothing to do with the finances, and the hubby is going crazy trying to figure it all out. Yet they have a tonne of excuses.

Actual quote (as a response to a comment): "...I would never spend that much on a (thing)....it's the 100 here  the 100 there that get me..."

I remember ages ago when I too used to think like that. How could I possibly live without the $1000 + and utilities type dwelling we lived in? I couldn't say no to hubby when he 'needed' to go golfing to 'relax' and have time to himself. We 'deserved' to eat out 5 nights a week, because our schedules were so crazy.

At one time, I actually thought that no one could understand the budgeting difficulties that we had, trying to budget for an entire year at a time. Business and personal expenses combined. With a highly variable income.

Over the last 3 years of our journey together, I have learned so much. About myself, about my partner, about financial matters. My excuses became just that. Excuses.

No one really wants to downgrade their lifestyle. No one really wants to feel deprived, or have to go without to pay for the mistakes of their past. But that is what becoming a mature adult is about. Accepting responsibility for your own choices, regardless of the circumstances. And then doing something about it.

I still have excuses  reasons as to why we are not out of debt yet, but I can say with pride, that we are working toward a life of freedom from debt.

Just not by buying $300 Coach purses or Juicy Couture as part of my daily wardrobe.