by Ashley
I simply had my ten 12 months anniversary at work and it hit me – I bear in mind running a blog after I was first supplied my place! Meaning I’ve been running a blog right here for over 10 years, too!
It’s a wild factor to think about. On the one hand I’m like, “Dang, 10 years of debt compensation and I’m nonetheless right here. Nonetheless not completed!” Alternatively, I’m so happy with how far I’ve come and all I’ve achieved in that point.
So at the moment I assumed it could be enjoyable to make a journey down “reminiscence lane.” For newer readers, it’s additionally somewhat context into the place I began and how far I’ve come!
Fast caveat – at one level the weblog possession modified palms and a few of my previous posts are now not out there. When out there, I’ll hyperlink on to the articles in case you wish to learn extra. My apologies that among the earliest ones are gone.
2014 – The place It All Started
I “interviewed” for a Blogger place right here by writing My Debt Story again in February 2014. By March, I’d been chosen as one of many bloggers. (That unique submit isn’t out there anymore, however I discuss beginning my Debt-Discount Mission on this previous submit, circa 2015)
Once I first began running a blog, I had practically $150,000 in debt – the overwhelming majority (simply over $100k) in scholar loans. This weblog and its readers had been a fantastic accountability community for me! I ended up paying off over $10,000 in bank card debt in simply my first 3 months as a blogger!
In whole, I paid off simply over $25,000 of debt in 2014, simply over $26,000 of debt in 2015, and over $30,000 of debt in 2016!!! One other main milestone was turning into Client Debt-Free in 2016! We nonetheless owed medical money owed and scholar loans, however it was such a tremendous feeling to repay my automobile in full!
By early 2017, we (FINALLY) hit the half-way level in our debt-reduction journey.
2017 – The Backward Slope Started
Then issues stalled. It felt like one step ahead, two steps again by way of debt discount. I didn’t share it on the time, however my then-husband and I had been struggling in our marriage. Cash was an enormous supply of battle.
It’s powerful to look again at my 3.5 Years Into Debt Reimbursement: Reflections & Trying Forward submit. I used to be full of a lot hope, and but issues weren’t going effectively. Our debt began creeping up once more.
We separated in 2018 and for some time I couldn’t make progress in any respect. Between authorized prices and being financially answerable for two houses (my rental and our marital dwelling), debt continued to extend.
Finally, I needed to step away. I centered on my youngsters and cleansing up my life and returned to running a blog in 2022.
So A lot Life Has Occurred Since I’ve Been Running a blog!
I landed my full-time job in 2015!
I separated (and later divorced) in 2018.
I developed Continual Kidney stones and subsequently was recognized with Kidney Illness in 2019 (one notably unhealthy case of kidney stones left me hospitalized with sepsis!)
I met my “particular person” and re-married in 2020.
I suffered some main losses – my Dad was recognized with Frontal Temporal Degeneration (Bruce Willis’ illness) in 2015, dying simply this 12 months (2025), and my brother unexpectedly handed away in 2021. This all brought about me to change my view of the debt payoff course of.
I continued to set robust monetary objectives – particularly the will to repay my new-to-me automobile (which I’d purchased throughout my time away from running a blog), however I grew to become extra centered on financial savings than on paying off my scholar loans.
I paid off my automobile, formally turning into shopper debt free (once more) in October 2023!
We adopted a second canine in 2024 and we went on a dream trip as a household to Hawaii in Summer season 2025.
That just about brings us updated!
You possibly can catch-up on my 2025 Objectives, and a mid-year standing test as effectively.
Ideas and Reflections
Issues are so vastly totally different now than 10 years in the past after I was a newby blogger! At that time, I used to be drowning in debt as much as my eyeballs! Now, I get to observe our month-to-month internet value (which is now not damaging! lol) and think about issues like what to do with a elevate, discovering a monetary advisor, and what to do with an inheritance.
There have been some powerful occasions, however I’ve been so, so blessed as effectively.
Thanks to everybody who’s cheered me on, supplied recommendation, or given powerful love within the feedback through the years. I do know I’m nonetheless a few 12 months away from being absolutely debt-free (my unique goal debt-free date was 2018 – ooof!). However I’ve lived a lot life in these previous ten years, and I’ve come to grasp the significance of steadiness and of fixing programs when essential.
This can be somewhat sappy or “woo woo” for some, however I actually consider we every have classes we’re speculated to be taught in life which might be particular to us alone. Considered one of mine has been that it’s okay to let go of some desires with a purpose to make room for others. My persona is such that I’ll attempt repeatedly to jam that sq. peg right into a spherical gap and WILL NOT GIVE UP!
With age and maturity, I’ve realized that it’s not an indication of weak spot or lack of character to let these items go. As a substitute, it might be a mark of braveness, and knowledge, and progress.
What about you? Trying again over the previous decade, what’s one monetary resolution (massive or small) that modified your life probably the most?
Hello, I’m Ashley! Arizonan on paper, Texan at coronary heart. Lover of working, running a blog, and all issues cheeeeese. Early 40s, married mom of two, working in academia. Making an attempt to lastly (lastly!) repay that ridiculous 6-digit scholar mortgage debt!