Do You Remember?

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!

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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

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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.

Latest posts by Melanie (see all)

• Talking About Money and Mental Health - September 12, 2022
• Dear Debt, We’re Better Apart - June 27, 2022
• Announcing The Mental Health and Wealth Summit - May 4, 2021