I've never really blogged before but I'll give it a try.

I guess I should start out by giving you a little bit of history. At age 18 I got my first credit card....bad idea. I maxed it out, partially because I had freedom to do what I wanted with it, but also because I had uncontrolled Bipolar disorder and while in a manic state I spent lots of money. Then I got another credit card and luckily that one only had a very small credit limit. I had gone to college and then dropped out leaving me with a lot of student loans, the bipolar had left me in and out of hospitals and doctors offices, I wasn't even 21 yet and was drowning in debt. However, one of the medications I was given for the bipolar, also gave me diabetes, and because of that I was part of a class action lawsuit in which resulted I got a settlement of 85,000.00 that I used to pay off all debt and purchase a used car through my husbands company, a rental car company who sells very nice gently used cars.

Several months later my bipolar was again uncontrolled and well, lets just say all the credit cards were once again maxed out, and have since been paid down yet again with a home equity loan from our first house, and yet they are uncontrolled and maxed out again, BUT are cut up, gone, closed and no longer able to be used.

Last year, I drew up a budget and discovered with a heavy heart that so much of our money was going towards debt and I despised myself for doing that to us. So, I came up with a household budget, as well as a savings plan to save money for home repairs or what have you, AND pay off debt. Currently we are able to put 400 dollars a month towards debt, after the finance charges. All in all, we have less than 8000 dollars in debt.

Right now, and for the last 2 years, we have been wanting a Wii, and we are finally getting one this week, I have been saving for it and I am so excited I can hardly stand it. It feels good to have earned something. I really want it so I can use the Wii fit and incorporate it into my healthier lifestyle I am trying to pursue, like cutting out fast food, I have been good for 2 weeks now and it feels good.

I have finally learned the value of a dollar and I hope that being only 24 I have learned it soon enough.

I am glad to be a part of this community and look forward to hearing from you. I can't promise i will write everyday but i will try. Thank you so much!!