Dear Debt, F@<% Off

Hey Everyone! We have a fiery new dear debt letter from Lindsay. Lindsay has always been the outdoorsy type, which is why she got two degrees in wildlife biology and conservation. After graduating, however, she was crushed when the only job she could get was as a lab animal caretaker. As her finances started tanking, she decided to learn more about how to manage her money. Eventually, she started a blog to document her journey, and then began freelance writing to start saving and work her way out of debt. She hopes to one day find her way back into the wildlife field, but will continue writing as long as she can. Check out her blog at NotoriousDebt.com.

Dear Debt,

F@<% off. It’s time for you to go.

We used to have a great relationship. You convinced me that with your help, I could do anything I wanted. Because of you, I moved across the country just two weeks after graduating from high school to start my adult life and get two college degrees. Because of you, I bought a house and a truck to go with it. Because of you, I paid for a surgery when my husband got sick, and to fix my house when it needed major repairs.

But the truth is I didn’t need you for any of this.

I could have saved the money I made while working through high school and college. I could have worked harder to get more scholarships. I could have saved up to buy a cheaper vehicle outright. I could have saved up money in an emergency fund and a health savings account so I could have paid for the doctor’s bills and the home repair bills in cash. But instead of realizing this, I became more dependent on you.

I wanted more things, but I didn’t know how to save up for them. Instead, I relied on you more and more when things went south. Over time, much like my little cousin Kelly*, you began barging more and more into every aspect my life. I couldn’t just go out with friends; you wanted to come too. I’ve never been on a real vacation with my husband, because I had to stay and work to take care of you instead.

No more. It’s over. You’re not the savior I once thought you were.

Instead, I’m going to save up for myself, like I should have been doing from the start.

I’m working on saving up an emergency fund of three month’s living expenses, so I don’t need to rely on you when shit hits the fan. I’m saving up for my husband’s education. I’m saving up to go on a real vacation this summer. I’m saving up to buy a car.

Truth be told, I’ll still need you at some point in the future. I don’t know if I’ll be able to save enough to buy a car outright by the time I need one. I’m saving up for a down payment on a house, but I won’t be able to buy it outright.

But you will no longer be my crutch. I’m standing on my own two feet now.
So get ready – because after I’ve saved up my emergency fund, I’m coming at you full-force.

Peace out,

Lindsay

P.S., Eat a d!<%.

*Name changed to protect identity and prevent awkward family reunions

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Melanie

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances. She is passionate about empowering women, helping others get out of debt, and focuses on the intersection of debt and mental health. Every September she organizes a Suicide Prevention Awareness Blog Tour, to help share resources for those struggling with debt and suicide. In addition to her love of personal finance, art and music, she is also a karaoke master and a cat mom to Miles and Thelonious.

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