We paid off

[annettemarie]

$28,060.17 of consumer debt.

It took us the better part of 5 years (we went through Consumer Credit Counseling) but we did it! We still have some medical bills to take care of, student loans, car payments, a Lowe's card, and a mortgage, but having this off our shoulders is such a huge, huge deal. And now we'll have an extra $524 a month to throw at those debts.

And if I can wax moralistic for a minute take a lesson from me, mamas. Most of this was my fault. Natural family living, homeschooling, trying to live a Waldorf lifestyle, all that is great. Excellent really. But there's this ugly consumeristic side to it, and I got completely sucked in. I spent money we didn't have on organic baby clothes, wooden toys, cloth diapers, etc. All those things are great, but don't go into debt to get them. I can honestly tell you that having this debt over my head affected my mothering, almost ruined my marriage and has, at times, made me a not very nice person. So learn from my lesson, and remember that the heart of attachment parenting is relationships, not things, and a huge part of natural family living is being a good steward of that which is given to you.

Thank you to all who have helped us in this journey.

[JamieCatheryn]

WOW good job! That has got to feel great, no more consumer debt! Thank you for that message too. As we sloooowly chip away at our (smaller) debt I keep feeling we'll never get there so why not just buy the toys, furniture, extravagant local foods, books, etc etc etc I want. But it's so not worth the trouble it takes to shovel out of it huh.

[fullofgrace]

That is so fabulous!!! Congrats. Good work!

[Purple*Lotus]

You are totally awesome

[EmmyJane]

!!!!!!!!!!!!Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

I too am slowly chipping away at my debt and sometimes feel overwhelmed.

Thank you for sharing your story. It gives me courage.

[applecider]

Congratulations and thank you SO MUCH for that reminder. I could use that frequently...

[kittywitty]

That is amazing!

I totally feel you on that pain, too. It can be very consumeristic and sometimes I can feel myself being sucked in, too.

[leigh09]

That is AWESOME!!! great job, and great message

[DevaMajka]

Wow!!!!!!!!!
Awesome for you! That must feel phenomenal!

[mtm]

Originally Posted by annettemarie

$28,060.17 of consumer debt. Natural family living, homeschooling, trying to live a Waldorf lifestyle, all that is great. Excellent really. But there's this ugly consumeristic side to it, and I got completely sucked in. I spent money we didn't have on organic baby clothes, wooden toys, cloth diapers, etc. All those things are great, but don't go into debt to get them. I can honestly tell you that having this debt over my head effected my mothering, almost ruined my marriage and has, at times, made me a not very nice person. So learn from my lesson, and remember that the heart of attachment parenting is relationships, not things, and a huge part of natural family living is being a good steward of that which is given to you.

first, congrats! second, thank you for the part I qouted, your honesty about the consumer nature of AP is refreshing

[MamaMonica]

Congratulations, Annette! You are awesome.

[annettemarie]

It feels really, really great actually. I cried when I opened the envelope.

[Purple*Lotus]

I bet you did! It must have felt like a great accomplishment!

I am getting excited because after many months of payments, I have almost paid off the MRI bills from July I am sure that I will be crying when that bill is gone too!

[MyTwoAs]

Congrats!! That is fantastic news and what a journey you've been on.

[dawningmama]

Omg! Annette, that is fantastic! Congratulations!!!!!!

[Smithie]

Excellent news!

[BunnySlippers]

Inspiring!

[BathrobeGoddess]

You rock! That is awesome!!

[brooks97]

Congratulations!!!! That's a big debt to pay off in 5 years. You should be proud of yourself.

[sunnysandiegan]

WOO HOO!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!