[prohornblower]

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Prohornblower,

Congrats on your 5 digit reduction in debt!!!!!! I have been listining to the recent online Dave Ramsey streams and I like him too.

Just curious, what your your biggest challenges in making your 180 turnaround?

Congrats again.

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Well, I got a LOT of help from my gf. Literally, one day I let her know how bad it was, and that I'd need to get a 2nd job. She said she didn't want me to have to get another job b/c we wouldn't be spending enough time together. So, she helped pay off my debt. Together, we nailed it. She probably gave me in excess of 5K. I'm not ashamed to admit that it took her help. I'm actually very proud to point out to people that my girl was willing to help. Now, I help her with her Roth and stuff.

Honestly, Prelude, my debt wasn't attributed to bad spending habits. I was a recent grad. back in March 2003 when I got laid off (beginning of Iraq war). My industry was hit hard and I was out of work for over a year. I was literally paying rent and car payments on my CC. It was a bad time obviously, but my gf and I got to spend a lot of quality time together that year. (Part of the reason she helped pay off my debt, b/c she encouraged me to not take a low-paying job just because). And, I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I learned more about life from getting laid off than I did in 5 years of college.

So, anyway, that is how I got into, and out of debt. Probably doesn't help you much, but do what you gotta do. If your sacrifices hurt, that probably means they are working. As D-Ram says, with money, "The good decisions ALWAYS hurt now, and feel good later."