Love the practical suggestions here, especially letting go of guilt and judgment, and the parallels to diet culture. January is when we typically “tighten our belt” on diet and spending, but I have found that by taking away the judgment, I am able to make more empowered decisions that I can maintain rather than quick fixes or rash decisions.
All true! We don't have to throw out the "fresh start energy" or the time for reflection and planning — but we don't have to turn that into guilt and trying to fix ourselves.
I love this post primarily because you highlight facing your debt head-on WITHOUT judgement. As a finance educator, I've learned that fear of judgement and self judgement cause the ostrich affect.
Thanks for your straightforward advice. Facing our own debt is the only way.
If you do find that you need assistance, please reach out to your creditors directly. Don't bury your head or fall for the quick fix schemes out there.
Absolutely! The shame and judgement budget culture puts on debt makes it easy to want to avoid it, and I totally empathize with that. But it's only going to compound that feeling. You have to know what you're dealing with, so you can make a plan to deal with it in whatever way makes sense for your financial circumstances.
As someone who grew up as a Baptist in the South, owing and being in debt was something that was seen as sinful. After all the Bible says that the borrower is a slave to the lender. This is how Ramseyites stay in condemnation. I was a Ramsey follower for many years and beat myself up for using credit cards. Living in hyper-capitalism makes it nearly impossible for the average person to avoid credit usage. But most multi-millionaires and billionaires have TONS of debt.
YES! Ramsey's condemnation of debt is probably his greatest offense against his followers. The bible isn't wrong — a borrower might be a "slave" to the lender... But you can't blame the enslaved for the sins of the enslavers!
And if we want to get real Biblical like OT, back then, all debts were forgiven every 7 years. Fast forward, we have to pay to file bankruptcy! Another example of the crazy insane system of hypercapitalism in full effect. (See for reference: Deuteronomy 15:1-2) Consumer protection laws state that we are supposed to at least have negative information removed from our credit reports after 7 years. However, credit card companies and banks have figured out a way around that by re-aging charged off debts. And we as the overworked consumers have to take time out of our day to file disputes with all three separate credit bureaus when there are errors and mistakes. Sigh, I really want to scream at how greed is insatiable in this country. Other countries do NOT have this INSANE FICO system which feels like bondage when you have to make decisions around how is this going to impact my credit score which impacts my insurance rates, my interest rates, my credit approval, employment opportunities, etc. The system is rigged against us and we are at its mercy.
Love the practical suggestions here, especially letting go of guilt and judgment, and the parallels to diet culture. January is when we typically “tighten our belt” on diet and spending, but I have found that by taking away the judgment, I am able to make more empowered decisions that I can maintain rather than quick fixes or rash decisions.
All true! We don't have to throw out the "fresh start energy" or the time for reflection and planning — but we don't have to turn that into guilt and trying to fix ourselves.
I love this post primarily because you highlight facing your debt head-on WITHOUT judgement. As a finance educator, I've learned that fear of judgement and self judgement cause the ostrich affect.
Thanks for your straightforward advice. Facing our own debt is the only way.
If you do find that you need assistance, please reach out to your creditors directly. Don't bury your head or fall for the quick fix schemes out there.
Absolutely! The shame and judgement budget culture puts on debt makes it easy to want to avoid it, and I totally empathize with that. But it's only going to compound that feeling. You have to know what you're dealing with, so you can make a plan to deal with it in whatever way makes sense for your financial circumstances.
Agree 100%. Budgeting is not the answer. Real life assessment of you're own situation is called for. Without judgement.
So helpful! I love buying gifts for my kids so choosing to pay off what I can each paycheck, and putting the self shame and judgement to the side.
Yes, I love that!
As someone who grew up as a Baptist in the South, owing and being in debt was something that was seen as sinful. After all the Bible says that the borrower is a slave to the lender. This is how Ramseyites stay in condemnation. I was a Ramsey follower for many years and beat myself up for using credit cards. Living in hyper-capitalism makes it nearly impossible for the average person to avoid credit usage. But most multi-millionaires and billionaires have TONS of debt.
YES! Ramsey's condemnation of debt is probably his greatest offense against his followers. The bible isn't wrong — a borrower might be a "slave" to the lender... But you can't blame the enslaved for the sins of the enslavers!
And if we want to get real Biblical like OT, back then, all debts were forgiven every 7 years. Fast forward, we have to pay to file bankruptcy! Another example of the crazy insane system of hypercapitalism in full effect. (See for reference: Deuteronomy 15:1-2) Consumer protection laws state that we are supposed to at least have negative information removed from our credit reports after 7 years. However, credit card companies and banks have figured out a way around that by re-aging charged off debts. And we as the overworked consumers have to take time out of our day to file disputes with all three separate credit bureaus when there are errors and mistakes. Sigh, I really want to scream at how greed is insatiable in this country. Other countries do NOT have this INSANE FICO system which feels like bondage when you have to make decisions around how is this going to impact my credit score which impacts my insurance rates, my interest rates, my credit approval, employment opportunities, etc. The system is rigged against us and we are at its mercy.
Thanks for the suggestions. Could you please send me a link in a response to your class on how to have a career doing freelance writing? Thanks.
Absolutely! Thanks for your interest :)
Here's the session on how to start freelancing: https://www.healthyrich.co/p/how-to-start-freelancing
And the follow up, Land Your First Freelance Gig: https://www.healthyrich.co/p/land-your-first-freelance-gig