The one thing that always seems true in life, is the more you get, the more you want.
This was exactly my mentality growing up. I was always first in line for the newest shiniest iPhone, or the best car I could get my hands on. I got further and further into debt in search of the life I wanted to live, not the life I needed to live.
Throughout the years I made several attempts to make changes in my life and get myself back on track. where I kept falling short though was my insistence on going all in, all at once, only to wind up at the tech store buying a new phone because let’s face it, shopping fixes everything, doesn’t it? The problem is, is that we all get motivated to make change, be it physically or emotionally and we all race in thinking it will happen overnight, but when it doesn’t work for us like magic, it’s not going to work.
Hey Mister
Mac Davis
Where you going in such a hurry
Don’t you think it’s time you realized?
There’s a whole lot more to life than work and worry
The sweetest things in life are free
And there right before your eyes
You got to stop and smell the roses
You’ve got to count your many blessings everyday
You’re gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road
If you don’t stop and smell the roses along the way.
The lyrics to Mac Davis’ “Stop and Smell the Roses” apply strongly to the process of paying down debt. A hard and fast approach to any process in life (especially debt) can just land you back in the same position you started in.
My first attempts at paying down my debt didn’t go to plan. but I believe where I went wrong was going too fast. they say “Life is short, so live it while you can” but I think it should read “Life is the longest thing you’ll ever do, why try and do it all at once”
A majestic tree does not reach the stars overnight, so why should we?
5 reasons why being debt-free is the best
#1 I won’t be living paycheck to paycheck
The fewer things I am paying off, the more money I’ll have left to put towards the things in life that matter. Maybe I want to save for a house deposit. Maybe I want to buy those tickets to Singapore I’ve always wanted. being debt-free is the gateway to a life that can be lived beyond materialistic significance. The joy you will inevitably feel when your money is your own is quietly satisfying and brings a better feeling than bringing home the newest piece of technology on offer.
#2 I Had Less Stress
I cannot over-explain this one. Chronic Stress is considered to be a silent killer associated with the 6 leading causes of death. I know for me, my perfect stress release was shopping. Adding more stress to my cart while I was at it. This had an immediate effect on my health and my relationships. Debt was on my mind all day every day. The stress of making payments, and the fear of losing my home. we all have choices to make. It’s time we make the right ones.
Read about my journey through debt here
#3 There will be Simplicity in Life
Courtney Carver is the leading influence in my journey to living with less. Her outline of her struggles with debt and wanting to provide everything for her daughter Bailey is a story that resonates with me. Her journey to living with less is what got me ready and motivated to tell my story.
Courtney’s articles and her book ‘Soulful Simplicity‘ highlighted the importance and benefits of living simply. Since clearing my debt I have learned to live with what makes me the happiest. The junk draw is cleared and out of my headspace. the box of memories I no longer remember is taking up precious real estate in my conscience that just needed to go.\
#4 I was able to Save More
This has to be one of my favorite lessons about paying off my debt. When i was at my breaking point i had $50,000 in debt. paying close to $600 a week in payments was crippling my chances of getting out. every week my rent was at risk and eating healthy was beyond out of the question. my health was low my mental health was low. The light slowly crept its way back in to my life as a started seeing the balance go down on my cards and hire purchases. by the time i started seeing a positive balance the light was blinding. it saturated everything i could see
#5 I Had the Option to Go Back to School
I spent the first 8 years of my working career bouncing from retail store to retail store. stuck firmly in the industry because of my debt. At $600 a week I had no option but to stay in the security of my full-time job. I was stuck. I certainly couldn’t imagine the possibility of spending 52 weeks away from a full-time job while studying full-time. It’s easy to feel the weight of debt on your shoulders when it has you feeling trapped in an environment that weighs you down every day of your life. By Paying off my debt I was finally able to escape and make my way back into the school system. 3 years later and I am thriving in my new position in the world. I have been able to buy a house with my wife and start a family and live the life i wanted
What it all adds up to
It’s only a short list but it is a few of the greatest lessons I pulled from my long journey to financial freedom. one of the single greatest lessons I’ve pulled from being debt free is the freedom. no words can describe the feeling of not owing anything to anyone. your money is your own, so why don’t you go buy some happiness, it is free after all.
