"The man who begins to say it can't be done is often interrupted by somebody else doing it." -Elbert Hubbard
Excuses, excuses! I am often appalled when after reading an encouraging personal debt payoff story submitted by someone who has patiently sacrificed the pleasures of today for a better life tomorrow, the reader responses are littered with the skeptics who spend energy and digital ink condemning the contributor as a liar or exaggerator because in their minds it couldn't be done. Then there are others who simply must justify themselves and their inability to accomplish something similar because they just don't have it as good as the author. They may feel better about their lack of success, but in the end they've been interrupted by the man (or woman) who did it.
I've been in the debt payoff mode for several years now and I can tell you from personal experience that it's NOT easy. To be successful you must constantly swim against the current of self-indulgent consumerism promoted by the commercial system whose economic life depends on your living beyond your means. You fight boredom as the same basic incremental payments seem to ever so slowly whittle away at the mountain of debt month after month for years on end. You wrestle with discouragement when unforeseen bills such as medical expenses or house and car maintenance costs eat away at your debt repayment efforts. The list is endless and any one or all the above becomes the fodder of excuse-makers.
If that has been your experience, take heart! You can become the one who by your bold, patient persistence interrupts the naysayers. Don't let their defeatist attitudes and excuse-making become a source of discouragement. I've said it before, but the secret to success lies in visualization. You must be able to see yourself living your new debt-free life. You've got to imagine the feeling of satisfaction, having reached your goals. Feel the freedom. See the better life. Meditate on the positives. I find writing this blog helps me. I frequently go back and read what I've written and I'm amazed at how encouraging that can be. Associate with like-minded people who are working hard to liberate themselves from the bonds of debt. Read their stories and rejoice in their accomplishments with the full expectation that your day will come. If they can do it, so can you!
Jan 1, 2013 (Beginning Bal). July 1st, 2015 Amount Paid Off
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House #1 - $70,908 House #1 - $49,547 $21,361
House #2 - $57,619 House #2 - $ 0 $57,619
House #3 - $49,123 House #3 - $ 0 $49,123
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Total: $177,650 $49,547 $128,103 (-72.10%)House #2 - $57,619 House #2 - $ 0 $57,619
House #3 - $49,123 House #3 - $ 0 $49,123
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Well, as you can see, we've paid off $128,103. That has certainly not been easy. What could I have done with $128k over the past two and a half years? Plenty! New cars, trucks, home remodel, gadgets galore, tons of travel. We could have become drunk on consumerism without the hangover of debt. But at times when I'm feeling weak or bored, I just go back and read more on debt-free living and imagine what life will be like by this time next year when I can fully enjoy the fruits of my labors and call an official end to this forty-two month rental property payoff marathon.
The battle will have been worth the sacrifices. I can see that clearly. Can you see it in your case? Let me know how things are going in your debt-payoff adventures. What issues are you battling? How close are you and what "future reality" helps you carry on in your efforts?
