I can’t help but think this must have come from writers typhoon season (as opposed to writers drought).

It’s a trick I’ve learned over the years, that really helps. It is one of the first steps in developing a meditation practice. I have never been able to get beyond this step! I can’t sit still for even 5 minutes!

Lisa

My previous impatience has probably ruined the prospects of a golden retirement. I had the head knowledge years ago to save adequately and avoid debt for retirement. I did not abide by the plan I had set up, when “life” intervened badly. (I was laid off twice within 3 years. I had a bad experience with a dishonest company. I also experienced serious family/marriage problems which helped to unhinge my good sense — I didn’t look for a replacement job in my field of accounting. I went back to school to become a teacher, and it was a total disaster. I am now back in my “field”, but I am employed several rungs below where I once was, with no great opportunities to be promoted. (Every day at work, I feel “squashed like a bug.) When my children were young, I did not pursue my CPA certification, nor an MBA degree. I am now paying the price. I cannot now afford the tuition. I got us into $80,000 more debt following my “dream” that didn’t pan out.)

So, my advice to younger folks is to strive very hard to develop discipline and self-control, and get all your credentials in order as young as you can, so the degrees and certifications will pay you back over many years. If you think you have many years to save up for retirement, remember, there are no guarantees. Industries die — mine did. Loved ones die — I have lost a son and a brother. People become physically ill, or mentally ill — this happened in my family, too.

We cannot move away to change jobs, because my husband would probably not be able to find another job, given his medical diagnosis. There are few jobs in field, and even fewer for someone his age, with his medical issues.

God gives optimism to the young, and I’m glad He does, (or I never would have done anything!) When you hear warnings from the older people, just remember, often they have been through many trials, and wish they had done things differently before, after, and during those trials!

Just my 2 cents…

The funny thing is the people in my life who are very impatient about delaying spending are the ones who will wait ages for another driver to finish walking to their car, get all settled, and get out of the parking spot close to the store, and have no problem standing in long lines to get the latest fad item!

Best Wishes,
D4L

Keep up the good work, I am a recent fan of your site and I can’t get enough of it.

I’m doing the best I can to enjoy the journey.

Several writers have suggested keeping a chart (filling it up percentage by percentage as the debt is paid) or a graph (showing the total amount owed gradually going down) posted where you can see it every day, to remind yourself of the progress you are making toward the goal of becoming debt-free.

And, Trent, tell me if I am wrong, but didn’t you mention that you keep a photo of loved ones in your wallet, to remind you of the motivation behind your decision to become debt-free?

I prefer having art on the walls rather than charts and graphs, but I do keep a spreadsheet open on my computer that shows my payments and balances for all my accounts for each month, so I can see how the debts are falling and the savings are growing. I look at it at least once a day, and it always a relief to see proof that I am heading in the right direction.

I think that patience is the hardest part of paying off debt/saving for something/etc. It’s so easy to get all fired up with a great plan, but sticking with it is so hard to do.