ANGRY

I (thought I) just found a new blog to read… Then, about 5-7 posts in, starting from the beginning, I found out I was wrong.

The blogger goes on to say that one of their credit cards was charged off and she settled the bill for 45% of the total. To me, that is not getting out of debt. To me, that’s taking the easy way out.

I get that they were deep in debt. I get that it was a lot of money. I get that they have dreams and goals. Believe me. I. Get. It.

As I too am in their situation. The difference though, is I plan to actually work hard to pay my debt off. I have set a mini-goal, with a due date, that I am trying to achieve and once I achieve that, I’ll set another mini goal and then another until I’m debt free.

The Husband and I dug this hole ourselves, one purchase at a time; now we are filling it back in one shovelful, or sometimes spoonful, at a time. I think it’s unfair to not pay back the full amount if you are able. And truthfully, this blogger’s fiancé did have some medical issues; but she also went on to say that the debt was from her previous relationship that ENDED OVER 6 YEARS AGO. 

Annoyingly, she also goes on to blog about how much money they are SAVING by doing this. I wouldn’t call it a savings. Truthfully, it feels like it’s theft. I’m going to use your money to buy stuff I don’t need and can’t afford and then not pay you back for it and say how much I saved on it! It’s crazy!

I don’t think it’s right to call yourself a debt blog if you aren’t making the responsible choice and actually paying off your debt. It’s much easier to get someone (a company) to charge off your debt and settle for pennies on the dollar.

Not to mention, I don’t think anyone who does that will “learn their lesson” and stay out of debt!

Although we have found ourselves back in debt, it’s due more too changed circumstances than anything else. Our new normal was very tough to get adjusted to. Buying our new house was expensive; but we are paying back every penny we borrowed; and slowly learning to live within our means. We are paying our debt back.

How easy would it be to call the credit card, ask them to close the account, and to settle for 40 – 50%? In fact, we actually have enough money in the bank to do that right now. But it’s not the right thing. It’s certainly the easy thing, but I would need to live with myself and my conscience afterwards!

Sorry. Thank you for indulging me. Rant over.