We finally received our economic stimulus check. Too bad we’ve pretty much already spent it. 
We’ve been throwing around ideas for months about how we plan to spend this quote: free money :unquote. We’ve decided to go ahead and split the $1200 we get as a couple into $600 for each of us to spend as we wish. Here’s the breakdown:
My $600
Pay off a credit card. (Done this morning.)
Take Ozzy to the Vet. (On time, no less!)
Switch the title of the car I’ve been driving since college into my name.
His $600
Update Norton on our computer.
Buy his plane ticket for our August NYC trip.
Get a new pair of sneakers.
Anything left from my $600 will go towards a new pair of sneakers for me. And anything left from his $600 will go towards one of his credit cards.
Then anything left from my $600 after I purchase new sneakers will then decide for us whether or not we can afford to make a trip up to Busch Gardens for the 4th of July. Which even at the crazy discounted rate my Dad found, we probably still won’t be able to afford it and probably shouldn’t spend the money.
I know that we’re being very responsible with this money. Honestly paying off that credit card this morning lifted such a gigantic weight. Not to mention updating my budget to reflect that payment put a huge smile on my face and kind of refreshed me.
It’s just so hard to be an adult sometimes. It’s hard to say no to doing something fun. (Which I’m going to find myself doing more and more often.) But I’m just paying the consequences for racking up so much debt too early in life.
I’m reading Dave Ramsey’s book Total Money Makeover and while it’s encouraging to read about people who’ve paid off their ridiculous amount of debt over the course of 12 months, it’s also deflating because I know I won’t be able to do it in 12 months. More like 29 months…I actually just figured it out and if I stay on track, without getting a second job, not accounting for tax refunds and pay raises, the debt will be gone on November 26, 2010. I’ll be 27 and debt free.
Oh what a glorious thought.
Of course I’ve figured this all out without figuring into it the possibility of moving into a house or having kids…oh well…at least after November 26, 2010 I’ll be able to do fun things again! Woohoo!
*kisses*
Smiley Count: 3
Here’s an idea: don’t update Norton. Save the money. Use the free Grisoft anti-virus (AVG) software that I’ve been using for years. I’ve been virus free for two laptops and a desktop! And it hasn’t cost one penny. Use free SpyBot and/or Lavasoft Adware once a week too.
BTW, if you’re debt-free by the age of 27, you’ll be way ahead of the average American—including your parents.
Dad is right! That’s a reason to be proud, and it looks like you’re well on your way
Whenever I pay something off, I always feel a huge sense of accomplishment. I am not sure if I should, but I do.
I think you need to use the $600 dollars to seek therapy. Going to Busch Gardens over July 4th weekend? You must be crazy.
I LOVE Busch Gardens!!!!!
Ugh debt. We do amass it quickly don’t we? I’d like to crawl under a table when I see how much I still owe for student loans. But we’ll get out of it soon right?
No kids until December 2010!
BTW, can you pay off my credit card now, please?
hehe, good for you and your stimulation!
And congrats on paying off a bill — now the key is to keep it paid off! I have not been good with that
you guys are so organized, i love it
enjoy the mula, woo.
You guys were very responsible with your money! We spent ours on our trip to Mexico.
You’re smart for thinking about your $600 and then doing something with it, even if some of it is frivolous. I just stuck my refund in the bank, saying I’d go buy that new camera I’ve been eying, but freaking out over the purchase of our new home. So, there is sits. Not stimulating much of anything.
Mimmy, Your Aunties LOVE LOVE LOVE you, and we’re very proud. Patience yields many good things. Keep at it. You’ll get there. Remember, someday we’ll all go to Italy together and drink a toast to you and Danny paying cash for your trip! Babs is beaming!
Yay for paid off credit cards!!
Wow you guys are being responsible! Paying off credit cards is always a wise choice. It took us a couple of years but we finally did it and it feels great!!!
My father bought me Total Money Makeover for CHristmas. On the label, he wrote “to Lexi, from Dave.” Ohhhh Daddy…
The book is good though…while I won’t be done in 12 months either, I have hope for 18! I used my tax return this winter to pay off two credit cards and it was a glorious feeling!