Dear Debt, We Go Way Back

by Melanie

Hey party people! Do you know that when I receive a new dear debt letter, my week is made? I know I say it again and again, but you all inspire me so much. Your dear debt letters are so creative and awesome! We have a few dear debt letters in the queue that I’m so jazzed about!

This week, we have one from my girl Erin, who I was able to meet at FinCon last week. She is so talented. More about Erin: Erin is the blogger behind Journey to Saving. She talks about living frugally, paying off her student loans, and budgeting, all with the hope of inspiring other millennials to start their own financial journey. She is a personal finance freelance blogger who enjoys the simple things life has to offer, including her family, friends, and cats.

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Dear Debt,

You and I go way back. You wrecked havoc on my childhood. You trapped my parents, baiting them and baiting them, until they succumbed to your embrace.

Constant worried whispers found their way to my ears, and there were times I wondered if we would pull through.

It was all because of you, dear debt. But you probably don’t remember. You hop along from one person to the next, playing each like a fool. Like a plague, you infect millions with your sickness.

After seeing the destruction you wrought back then, how you entered and left our lives without so much as a care, I vowed I would stay away from you.

I decided to turn the tables and use you for something practical: my education. I figured that getting a degree out of you would be better than falling prey to buying things I couldn’t afford.

Of course, you had to prove me wrong. I hear you laughing, mocking me every time I think of what could have been. You hang over me like a storm cloud. Whenever I think better days are near, the rumble of thunder reminds me that you still linger here.

But once I’ve paid my dues, I will no longer have any use for you. After all, it is you who used me, isn’t it? I was just a pawn in your game.

Well, even though you gave it your best shot, I’m not one to stand down and admit defeat. You’ve been a thorn in my side for years, but you’ve also given me a gift. I bet you didn’t plan for that, did you? You’re all about taking and never giving back, but I managed to get something out of you.

Because of you, dear debt, I now know what I am capable of, and I know you won’t get the best of me. I wouldn’t be the same person I am today had you not infiltrated my life so many years ago. And for that, I thank you, because I am stronger. And that strength will serve me well in persevering the storms you bring.

I’m looking forward to sunny days, debt; days where you don’t cloud my skies. In the meantime, I’ll be busy telling others how they can live without you, and helping to cure the disease you’ve given them.

Erin

Melanie
Latest posts by Melanie (see all)

18 comments

Brandy @ Busted Budget September 25, 2014 - 4:32 am

What a long journey – first your parents struggling with debt and now you in a similar struggle. I definitely feel your pain. I saw my mom struggle with credit card debt almost my entire life and for some reason, I still felt like student loans were a good idea. At least we both know we need to kick our debt in the ribs and get rid of it for good! Good luck 🙂

Reply
Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 10:10 am

Yep. Debt is still debt, even if it’s used for education. That said, I don’t regret it! I wouldn’t be the same person without it. Good luck to you in getting rid of your student loans!

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Kirsten September 25, 2014 - 4:56 am

I could have written so many parts of this letter myself! Love how empowered you sound at the end!

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 10:11 am

Thanks Kirsten, I try! =) We’ll get past this, one way or the other.

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Lauren September 25, 2014 - 5:01 am

I can so relate to this. Great letter, Erin!

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 10:11 am

Thanks Lauren, glad it resonated with you!

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Kassandra @ More Than Just Money September 25, 2014 - 5:56 am

Great letter Erin! Debt is so insidious and destructive but man when we decide to wake up, debt has little chance!

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 10:12 am

Exactly!! We’re an entire army dedicated to abolishing it, and that’s what I love about the community Melanie has built here.

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 6:55 am

It was very cathartic to write. =) Thanks for providing such a great outlet for everyone to vent a little about debt!

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debs (@debtdebs) September 25, 2014 - 9:22 am

It is really cathartic, isn’t it? I hate how your parents debt worried you as a child. This is my concern and why I’ve become so passionate about educating others about debt. I love my kids so much and feel I need to make amends in this way. xo

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 9:13 pm

I hear you, Debs. My parents could have gone about everything in a better way than they did, but I think things turned out fine considering. There are so many wonderful role models out there like yourself spreading the message to other parents, so hopefully they’ll stop treating it as taboo.

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Ben Luthi September 25, 2014 - 9:47 am

I love the idea you have here of putting pen to paper and making that stand. It makes me sad to see my parents so close to retirement and still in debt’s clutches.

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 9:15 pm

If it weren’t for the fact my parents were able to sell their home and move, they would be in that situation. They’ve retired, but are still in debt – they have enough income from social security and a pension that it covers mostly everything. I still worry they haven’t fully learned, though.

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Even Steven September 25, 2014 - 12:39 pm

Very well written Erin, I liked the comparison. Sickness and disease is a good comparison especially when it gets you down.

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Erin @ Journey to Saving September 25, 2014 - 9:15 pm

Thanks Steven! It came naturally to me. I think it’s pretty appropriate as well.

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Shannon @ Financially Blonde September 25, 2014 - 12:58 pm

And you see, none of this awesomeness and debt unloading would have ever happened if you stayed “door debt”. 🙂 I love that you have a platform here for people to share their debt stories.

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Melanie September 26, 2014 - 12:47 pm

Haha! I’m so glad I came up with this idea instead, too 🙂

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Laurie @wellkeptwallet September 26, 2014 - 5:40 am

“You hop along from one person to the next, playing each like a fool. Like a plague, you infect millions with your sickness.” AWESOME line, Erin. So glad you have joined this crazy PF blogging world. 🙂

Reply

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