As far as our groceries go, other than buying milk and bread, we have still not gone back to buy groceries yet. We still have several freezer meals left. We plan to go next weekend and prepare a new batch of freezer meals.
We have had a few setbacks this month. One being another car broke down. This time the repair was not something that Joel could fix; so, we had to pay for it to be repaired. So, once again, the emergency fund was there. We just can't seem to keep it more than a couple of weeks. I am thankful that we have it right at the right time. God provided just what we needed when we needed it!
The other setback, in a way, was that Joel got pneumonia. I am thankful that he had health insurance; but, we will have a co-pay to pay as soon as we receive the bill. Not as bad as it could have been and most importantly, he seems to be getting better. Not as fast as he would like; but, it is not easy to kick pneumonia to the curb.
As you know from other blogs, due to the nerdy OCD part of my nature, I have been watching thrifty, saver videos for several months. Believe me...there are hundreds of vloggers! Some of them are in debt to the tune of $100,000. No...not counting their mortgage! These vloggers are inspiring; because, they are making drastic changes in their life so that they will no longer be in debt.
I am thankful that Joel and I have been able to stay away from that, for the most part. Other than our mortgage, we have very little debt.
However, the nerd that I am, was curious as to the statistics on debt.
Here is an article titled 5 Things Keeping Americans from Financial Freedom.
http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2014/07/01/5-things-keeping-americans-from-financial-freedom
To bullet point, the 5 things listed.
1. Student loan debt.
I am not making a political statement here. College should probably be more affordable; however, many students do not take advantage of the scholarship opportunities. Every year, there are thousands of scholarships that go unclaimed. You may have seen on Shark Tank that there was a guy who created an app called Scholly. The reason was; because, he realized that college students were missing many opportunities for scholarships. In that app, you set up your profile and it will suggest scholarship that you qualify for. How many people sign up for a student loan; because, they didn't even try to get a scholarship or sign up for a grant?
2. Credit card debt.
Studies show that the average credit card debt amount per household was $15,762. This study also shows that between credit card debt, student loans, car loans, and mortgages the average household spends 9% of their income annually to interest alone.
"The cost of debt: The average household is paying a total of $6,658 in interest per year. This is 9% of the average household income ($75,591) being spent on interest alone."
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-card-data/average-credit-card-debt-household/
That is extremely shocking to realize the amount that is spent on interest every year. Could you imagine what people could do if they were not paying that much in interest annually? Who might they be able to help if they were not bogged down so far into debt?
3. Keeping up with the Joneses.
I've learned over the years that sometimes the Joneses may be buried in debt. Don't compare yourself!
4. Auto loan debt.
If you can afford a good, reliable used car; but, can't afford the brand new one without debt DON'T buy it. The value of the car depreciates the minute that you drive it off the lot anyway!
5. Neglecting your credit score.
Should go without explanation! Just watch out. You never know if someone has stolen your identity or a company has erroneous charges on your account, if you never look.
Anyway, I found these statistic shocking even though I knew it was possible. I will just say this...a LOT of people want to blame someone else for their financial situation; but, maybe we would do better to say, "What can I do to change my situation?" Do you need the full cable package? Is there something that you never use that you could sell? Anything that you can do to lower your interest payments will pay off in the long run. It means finding contentment in other ways than with our possessions. This is why I find so many of these bloggers inspiring.
Check out some of the vloggers on debt, saving, and thrifty spending including Debtisdum, Lydia Senn, His and Her Money, Budget Girl, and GazelleinTents. Just to name a few! :-)
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