Start Today

I’ve been on this FI journey for about two years now. It’s crazy to think it’s already been that long. I’ve kept on the right track and continued my progress. I would like to be one of those stories that seems crazy, but is somehow true. You know the “I crushed 100,000 of debt on a teacher’s salary” or the “I stopped buying coffee and saved enough for a house” headlines.

I had dinner with a friend and I always update her on my progress. We talked about our own goals and hopefully I gave her a few of my tips to help her toward her own goals. I’ll share a few things I’ve done or realized within these two years.

1. Focus
Pick a goal and just focus on that. When I first started this journey, I wanted to pay down my debt, save for a new car, save for an emergency fund, and save for an eventual wedding. This was all too much for my little paycheck. I realized how much more I could accomplish if I just focused on the most important things.

2. Do it for yourself.
I originally started focusing on my finances because the guy I was dating encouraged it. I wanted to impress him and we often talked about the progress. Then, we split and I kept it going. I kept working on my debt because that’s exactly what it is - MINE. The one who will get the most out of being debt free is me. It’s great to have enough money now to spend on my grandma or to buy my parents a new gazebo when theirs was crushed in a storm, but still that’s for me. I enjoy seeing them happy and want to do my part.

3. Keep at it
This is probably the hardest part. I saw a quote a couple days ago and it’s stuck with me lately. “A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today.” I like it. Basically, if you continue on the same path, then nothing will change. If you make a change and keep working toward whatever is your goal - you will be happy you did. This is one I guess applies to living a healthier lifestyle the most, but it’s true for your financial health as well.

4. Peace of Mind
It’s invaluable. When I was almost laid off, I was so thankful to have an emergency fund. When I first started this journey, I thought my emergency fund would be for things like new tires or a new washer. Then, that moment happened. I realized what is a real emergency. When I knew I would begin to need new tires, I saved extra money - put less toward my loans, and got what I needed. Many call that a sink fund. It’s good to know you can do it. You can save and you can not have to worry. I know the house needs a new roof in a few years and that I should start saving for a new car, but I also know that I can do it. I can especially handle it if I crush this debt.

My new goal is to have my PLUS loans paid off by January 2018. Then I’ll evaluate my Auto loan and see when is a good goal to set for finishing that. I’m hoping for July 2018.