Let's Talk About Debt, Baby

"I'd rather admit to cheating on my significant other than admit to making a foolish mistake with my money." - A Friend


From the moment I published the first post on this blog, people I know and people I don't have been quietly contacting me privately to say, "Me too".

Thank you. Knowing you are out there, knowing you've made some of the same decisions I have, gives me the courage to keep talking.

I started this blog for a couple of reasons:

1) I didn't want Infinite Wisdom to become only about money as I clearly have a lot to say on the subject, and
2) I figured if I talked about it - the struggles, the victories, the misshaps - so that others could hear and watch, I would hold myself much more accountable.

After all, it's much easier to disappoint myself than to disappoint you - whoever you are.

What I didn't know would happen, and it is a most unexpected and happy surprise, is that now I'm talking, so are some of you and not just to me but to each other!

Case in point: I went out to my favorite hang out last night with the BFF. Mid-way through the night, the topic of this blog came up and, pretty soon, a half dozen of us were standing around freely sharing how much we owed and why, what we were doing and prepared to do to pay it down/off, sharing the mistakes we'd made, giving each other support and suggestions for ways to cut expenses to free up cash.

It. Felt. So. Good!

There wasn't any shame. We weren't hiding in shame behind our walls of debt. We weren't even peeking around them. For a little while, we all opened the windows of our debt houses and began to clear the air, asking each other to come visit. It was inspiring and affirming, to say the least.

Crap. I hate to admit this but, I think perhaps I've managed to form a support group. Although, hopefully, one without meetings and group hugs. I hate meetings (and group hugs). There are way too many of them in this world already. I'd rather just figure out ways to have fun together for cheap.

But if it's helping us all to talk about it? Then I'm all for it. Just, you know, let's keep the group hugging down to a minimum, OK? Thanks.

Photo Credit: mothergeorge