I'm Paying Overdraft Fees... What?

October 22, 2009

That was the last time I over drafted on my account.

$225

That's what I paid in fees alone.

11,125,569,789,156,151

That's the number of tears shed over the whole ordeal.

1

That's the number of seconds it took for me to decide that I'd never go through that again.


So, here we are, how ever many months later and here I am in utter shock. I'm overdrawn.

Granted, it's only $21.08 but that's still crazy! What's crazier is that I know how it happened. It's all my fault.

Here I am spouting off how good I feel to be debt free, how light my shoulders feel, how awesome it is to wake up not owing one cent to a single soul all the while I've spent more than I possess. There was more than enough money in there but I made two fatal mistakes.

1. I didn't track a single purchase over the last two weeks
2. I splurged on non-essentials.

There is a purchase for $3.48 (I don't even know what this is). Another for $1.58 (Huh?). And the $50 "cooking class" at Williams-Sonoma that ended up being a "live-tutorial" with a "culinary expert".

What I'm feeling now is shame. For years, I've scrimped and not even saved just lived paycheck to paycheck. And the first time I have money left over, I lose my effing mind and spend more than I've got.

I thought I was ready to be debt free. But now? I'm not so sure.

Settlements

I received a settlement offer from the last credit card company I owe money to. They are willing to take 40% off what they claim is my final balance. It's not that I don't have the money; it's that I don't want to give it to them.

There was a time when I was sending them $220 a month and it still wasn't enough to clear my balance. They've never been willing to negotiate with me in the past so (and I'm not saying that this is the right thing to do but) I stopped paying. I will find a way to get them their money if only so that I can get this yoke from around my neck.

And I promise you and myself too, I will never abuse another credit card. In the end it's not worth it. Because when I write them this check I will be sending them one-half of my vacation fund. *shaking my head* So not worth it.

Money In The Bank

I have money in the bank! Serious money in the bank. The urge to spend it is out there. But not like you may think. I'm not trying to get shoes or craft stuff but food. Take-out food! Name brand food!

My problem is that food is relatively cheaper than other things and therefore I find it easily justifiable. Shoes, clothes, jewels, films, music, they all cost so much and deplete my funds needlessly. But food is a necessity.

At least that's what I tell myself when I'm rolling through the drive-thru. "I have to have food to live so that doesn't make this wrong at all." But it is wrong. It's completely counter-productive to both my financial and fitness goals.

I finally got my mind right now if only my discipline would follow...