Do You Remember?

by Melanie

Hey debt fighters! Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing some awesome Dear Debt Letters! I’ve partnered with Belinda Rosenblum of OwnYourMoney.com for the #DitchYourDebt challenge. Belinda is on a mission to help 10,000 people get out of debt and as part of the challenge, participants are writing breakup letters to debt! It’s not too late to sign up for the FREE challenge. Today’s letter comes from K. Show your support and let’s inspire people to get out of debt!

Dear Debt,

I actually managed to elude you for quite some time. Do you remember when I paid for everything with cash because no one would give me a chance at credit? Do you remember those times being humiliated at the front of a Marshalls or TJ Maxx and my store credit requests were always declined?

I remember having no idea that those inquiries and declines would affect my credit score but in my mind that 15% off was the best thing since breakfast for dinner? (Isn’t all store bread sliced? I never got that one)

Do you remember the time that the hubby and I finally said, let’s buy a home? Do you remember that exorbitant mortgage that we were pre-qualified for? Scratch that, do you remember what hubby pre-qualified for?

I was just riding the train but the bank wanted my information in order to get us into the home that I really wanted. Do you remember, how horrifying it was that they pulled my credit report at the bank and it was filled with old unpaid cell phone, cable and hospital bills?

Do you remember that was my first time ever seeing my credit report? Do you remember me paying everything off within 30 days only to go back to the bank, actually qualify by the skin of our teeth only to learn that an offer had been accepted the night before? Do you know that I randomly think of that day?

Do you remember how excited I was when my daughter was accepted to an awesome university? Do you remember how nervous I was signing my name on the dotted line for a multitude of loans?

Do you know, how accomplished I felt after being a young mom, without a traditional education? Do you know, my mind told me that all of those loans for school for your daughter would probably cost me more than I imagined?

Do you know that I felt vindicated because the naysayers couldn’t say that I didn’t educate my child? Do you know those loans were the push that started the avalanche of credit offers?

Do you know that I finally had credit cards to rent a car to go and see my daughter at said university? Do you know that credit cards allowed me to purchase books until my daughter was able to secure a job?

Do you know that I still haven’t paid for that very expensive dinner for the family after her graduation? Do you know that seeing her walk across the stage was priceless? Do you know that I haven’t paid a single thing late in 3.5 years?

Do you know that I couldn’t do anything that would jeopardize a need that she may have had?? Do you know that I know what my credit score and utilization are right now?

Do you know that I used you as much as you used me? Do you know that I’m no longer afraid? Do you know that in writing this letter I realized I didn’t love myself enough to do it for me? You do know that this is it right? You had to realize a few lines in that this in indeed a Dear John letter. *sashaying away*

K

Melanie
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6 comments

Prudence Debtfree September 23, 2015 - 9:01 pm

K. I wish you well in really making this “it”! You have ensured that your daughter is well set up in life. I worry a bit when you say, “Do you know that I couldn’t do anything that would jeopardize a need that she may have had??” Other needs might arise, and I believe that she is now able to take care of them – thanks in large part to what you have done to provide for her. I hope you release ownership of her needs now, and show her that you know how to take care of your own needs. And that you know how to kick debt to the curb : )

Reply
Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:40 am

Thanks for the support!

Reply
EL @ Moneywatch101 September 24, 2015 - 11:25 am

Good letter and K is finally able to break it off, and get rid of all that extra baggage.

Reply
Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:40 am

Yessss!

Reply
Charlie September 27, 2015 - 2:27 pm

WOW!What a wonderful post!
This is actully the first aritcle I read in your blog(I found your blog through cashvilleskyline) and I absolutely love it! My favorite part is in the last pargraph: “Do you know that I used you as much as you used me?” – truly inspirational. Keep up the good work!

Reply
Melanie September 28, 2015 - 9:41 am

Thanks for stopping by, Charlie!

Reply

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