How I finish paying back my credit card bills
Hello
How are you guys?
I’m currently writing this blog right after work. Funny you may ask tho!
It’s a freaking brand new year in three whole days but I can’t wait to share with you guys what I have achieved so far. I never thought I would be able to but here it’s my story.
I grew up with the most amazing supportive family ever although we didn't have much money I was still a delightful kid. What changed me was that my then best friend made me feel bad because I didn’t follow the trend of keeping up with the latest style and clothes.
-Back then everyone wanted an iPod to listen to music
-Haven't the latest CD like (Nsync and Britney Spears)
-Jewelry and lipgloss
-Basically, the latest clothes to keep up with the latest trend
Apparently, I was only 12 years old and I didn’t have the money to buy things I wanted.
So I grew into resentment because over the years I felt like I was mocked by society because I never had the latest trend. So how did I rack up almost 27k in debts and how I pay it off took a lot of hard work and courage.
When I was 18 years old, I got sent into a group home because my parents wanted me to take care of my mental health. So I started receiving SSI monthly payments to my account. I only got 400 bucks a month and back then I was so happy receiving that to a point. Started using the money to buy makeup and clothes which wasn't enough for me. So apparently I was naive and I thought I knew a lot since I just became a young adult and didn't like to ask for help. So I took out a loan for 300 with interest and that screwed me over because I didn't know how a loan works. I end up having loan people call me back every week to make sure I pay them back. Be honest with yall. It was a nightmare in hell.
I guess when I was 21, I opened my amazon credit card and it opened so many things I could get at the moment with the money I didn't have.
-Opened Amazon Store Card to buy things to make me fit in
-Opened Macy Store Card to buy makeup and clothes to make me feel validated by others
-Opened Hot Topic and Forever 21 to keep up with the latest trend
-Opened Victoria Secret to make me sexy and alive
-Opened Target to keep buying groceries which isn't as bad
These are the main credit cards that are made me feel like shit all day.
How I manage to pay off all my debts isn't….
You see, over the years I had a lot of toxic friends who just used me for my money. Sadly I actually thought they were my friends. I felt like I always pay for the food and take them shopping which I never get anything in return. I felt so undervalued and unappreciated to a point I started resenting them.
What makes me realize I need a change in my future?
How would I start a future if I had so many credit card debts I still have to pay off.
So I started to apply to jobs even if the short term, gigs, seasonal, paid classes, or always applying to jobs till I get one I am happy to work at.
My journey wasn’t an easy one though. When I started to work I went on shopping to a point I never stopped shopping. I would constantly be more broke. Then one day I told myself enough was enough.
“I said Haylie, are you going to continue and not be able to take care of your family in the future. Buy my parents nice gifts and support them as they support me. Do I want my kids to inherit my bad attitude to money and never-ending credit card bills? Will I ever be able to put groceries on the table?”
How I manage to pull it all of the time, some planning, and good advice from a long-time tutor.
He once said start by cutting one credit card at a time and stop buying things you don't need.
I put 50 percent of my earnings into a credit account each month and make sure I have enough to pay my part in bills to my family. Then I also have a Stash account to invest and save in case of emergencies.
I started doing this month by month and I did it in two years. What helped the most was having a full-time job and a gig to put extra money on the side each week. I worked almost every day tirelessly, having less than 7 hours of sleep. I didn't really have a social like but a supportive fiance on my side because he and I have the same type of attitude. It was kinda hard because I felt like I didn't have a social life but also it was depressing and lonely at times. Although I have to admit it, it felt so amazing for the first time after I finished paying off my credit card. Now I get to save up for my future and start a little fun on the side besides work. This year on the bright side, I gave my parents the best Christmas allowance ever and never saw them light up so happily before.
If you are reading this post regarding who you are, if I can do it. YOU can too.
Happy Holiday.
-Haylie
