The Cost of Being Debt-Free

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I don't mean the cost of using a debt consolidation agency. I mean all the things you had to give up / forgo and all the lifestyle adjustments it took to get you there.

In my quest to become debt-free, I made a few lifestyle adjustments. I said no to a lot of social events / trips that would've been fun, but wouldn't have helped me pay off the overdraft. I packed my lunch to work 70% of the time, I moved out of my swish digs to somewhere cheaper, I didn't take on more debt, I shopped less and lived below my means.

Though I made those adjustments, I didn't do too much / more than I could handle.

For example, I didn't move into an ultra-cheap dump (though I thought about it). I spend a lot of time at home, so I wanted to be in a flat that was secure, reasonably priced, but spacious and airy.

I continued to go back to London often. For me, this is necessary to preserve my sanity - it keeps me in touch with friends and family and gives me somewhere to refocus and count my blessings. Also, I went on vacation as usual. I did it in a much more cost-efficient way - travelled in the off-peak season, stayed with friends and family, travelled cheap etc.

I guess what one chooses to live without is different for each person. Personally, I haven't found the cost of being debt-free to be exorbitant, because I have a balanced compromise. If anything, the cost of being in debt – late fees, overdrawn charges, expired interest rate offers etc. are what appear too high.


Sometimes I do wonder though, how much more I could put away if I changed a few things. Today, I'm wondering whether the cost of being debt-free was worth it to you, now you stand on the other side of the fence (so to speak). Are there things you would have done differently?


Speak on it.

Advice to a Young Teenager

One of my older cousins decided to impart some words of wisdom when I was 14 years old. He was a junior at university, back home for summer vacation. I was visiting his family, up watching late night television. He walked through the door after a night out, made himself a sandwich and sat with me for a bit. I wasn't sure what he was talking about (and it is highly probable he was under the influence of liquor at the time) but his words stayed with me and gave me valuable insight into the psyche of a man.

No man is looking to start a relationship in the club

Disclaimer
**This LastBornChild has never tried to start a relationship with someone from a club. NEVER. Truth be told, I stay with people I know at clubs - I go for the music and the drink, I supply my own friends.**

Now, back to the post. What I took away was, if a man doesn't tell you / show you he cares, then he probably doesn't. Men don't start caring in a club and men consider club-like environments as off-the-record. Recently, I read a short essay and from Ekene Agabu stumbled upon an articulate quote that reinforces the point my inebriated (well-meaning and loveable as always) cousin made to me all those years ago.

"As a man, I must call myself to higher standards. Before I touch you, I must respect you like my mother, protect you like my sister and look out for your best interest like my baby"

To me, the message in both is very similar, though the delivery couldn't be more different apart. The underlying theme is being able and willing to respect. My cousin's blunt method got his message across to me in a very effective way. Thinking about that one-sided conversation still makes me laugh.

Star Wars Facebook Status Updates

On the first day of the last month of the year, I would like to confess that I adore sci-fi. So, when I came across Facebook status updates from various Star Wars characters, I was laughing for a minute.

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Hahaha gotta love C3PO!

When Shortcuts Turn Into Missions

I tried to save more money this year by moving into cheaper accomodation. I understood that this way wasn't going to be the easiest as it required me tightening my belt and going without. I agreed to those terms and sucked it up.

I am spending more time in London because I decide I have earned a pick-me-up (i.e. friends and family) at the end of most weeks. I thought my old landlord was a pain - this one is five times worse. I am saving money, but I am sending a threatening e-mail approximately once a week about crap I shouldn't have to deal with. On the plus side, the neighbours are lovely and we all agree we rent from a jackass. I am counting the days until I move out - I am seriously considering setting up a countdown and prominently displaying it somewhere that will give me sustenance.

Has it been easy? No.
Has it been fun? Hell no!

But I'm glad I am going through the experience. It is character-building and it gives me a chance to reassess what I am willing to do to save money.

Initially, in my quest to stamp out debt, I considered many shortcuts - such as going without everything I enjoy. I discovered I am not into hardcore sacrfice. What happened was, I went on serious random shopping sprees to compensate for the hard few months. Though I love every single thing I purchased, I do accept my timing was poor and my planning non-existent. It probably set ym debt recovery back by a good few months.

I am willing to take the scenic route to achieving goals. I agree with the cliche - life is too short to live in a bedsit be unhappy.

The Best X-Factor Audition This Year

I'm always sad when the initial stages of X Factor / Pop Idol or any other audition-centered TV programme is over. That's because you are guaranteed some awesome television in the early stages – you know, before everyone starts taking themselves way too seriously.

Case in point: Alan Walton

Now seriously, how adorable is he?

When Others Make You Believe in Yourself

I had the pleasure of meeting a very accomplished professional recently. We talked a little and I'm sure he wouldn't have remembered me, had I not e-mailed asking him to mentor me in a very specific area of my professional development. So, I have my first official mentor and he is awesome. He stays on top of what we agree and follows up. He also expects a lot from me, which in turn causes me to push myself - so far, so good.

Before I formally approached him and asked him to mentor me, I had a serious bout of self-doubt. I thought he might think it a waste of his time - because I am on a detour from the professional qualification route. I thought he might already have mentees. I spoke to certain members of my family about how he inspired me when we met. My family encouraged me to go for it. This experience reminds me of the many times I did something because of my family and in spite of myself. This is that appreciation post. I love them. Much.

Even when I don't believe in myself, even when I am down and broken, my family continue to have unwavering faith in me.