So, the spiral started off with a couple of luxury purchases, then turned into necessary spending. Then, along came a defining moment. My dog got very sick, so I took him to the vet. He had gone from 18 lbs to 14 lbs. And, it turned out he had a tumor the size of a softball attached to his liver. It was surgery (with no guarantee that he would survive or that it wouldn't be cancer) or euthanasia. The estimated cost was over $1,000. I knew we had already spent money we didn't have on electronics, furniture, and then teeth and tires. The "logical" decision would have been to put him down. I couldn't choose to put him down. And, I have a husband who, although he doesn't love my dog (who sometimes pees in the house) he loves me so much that he said, "I want you to do what will make you happy. I don't want you to regret that you didn't do what you could."
Well, approximately $1,600 later, the dog is recovering wonderfully. The giant tumor was indeed cancer, but they got it all, and he has a good prognosis.
Oh, and did I mention that my testing sessions have "dried up"?
Well, I'm still in good spirits, economy as it is and all. And, here's why...
1. We can afford to pay our bills every month(even if not aggressively as I'd like)
2. More work will come along again that meets my needs (maybe more testing sessions will open up again, or tutoring, or something else.)
3. The worst-case scenario for me would be that we remain as we are for 2 more years until my youngest starts kindergarten, then I get a teaching job. One year of teaching income would wipe out what we've got in credit card, student loan, home improvement laon.
I have to remind myself that my work situation is a luxury, not a necessity, because I intend to be home more than anywhere else while my kids are little. And, if that means the snowball stops rolling on debt, then that's okay. I also learned that when the money IS coming in, don't take a break from the debt snowball to treat yourself to a luxury. It would feel so much better buying a flat screen or laptop with cash!!
So, lessons learned.
I hope my setback has not discouraged anyone from their goals. Instead, learn from my mistakes. And, just as we plateau when dieting, so it seems we can plateau in dropping debt. However, the only way we can truly fail is if we stop trying.
Blessings!
