My name is Justin Golds and I graduated from college in 2005. I have been working for a door and window manufacturer. When I started working, I rented an apartment with a buddy and proceeded to spend every dollar I had to do what I wanted, like going to Vegas on two days notice. After six months I bought a house to fix up and dug right in. Since I am addicted to working on my house, I now owe Lowe's my first born child.

When I started realizing my debt was piling up I tried to fight it by earning more money so I tried a home based business that failed and threw me deeper in debt. It was not until about three months ago that I woke up and decided that I needed to make major changes. I found this site and studied it for hours on end. I cut up my credit cards and got out of any monthly commitments I had and have been working on my debt ever since.

Right now I owe a little over $16000 in credit card and credit line charges. I have worked my Lowe's credit card down from $1700 to $1200 and want to have it paid off in the next 4 months. I still make my monthly payments on the other debts. The biggest thing I have learned from this site is living below my means. I used to be up for anything and didnt worry about how i was going to fund it. Now I look at the overall cost involved with an activity before I dive right in. Instead of looking just at the hotel or golf costs, now I see the gas and food costs associated as well.

My next step is to creat a full budget and start tracking every dollar I spend. I know I can get more debt paid off if I look closer at my spending habits. I will continue to update as I make more progress in the months to come.

Congratulations on making the switch. Have you thought about getting a second job to help you pay off your debt faster?

Something tells me you're going to love this part and be quite successful. Good luck.

I have not taken a second full time job but I have been working on the side installing windows, doors and siding. The extra money really helps me in paying off my debt. I worked on my budget this weekend and that is a bear of a project. I neve knew I had so many little things to pay for.

I ran into a major set back today when a bill came for my credit card. I have been making the monthly payments with a little extra on the principle. All of a sudden I get a bill for over $400. It says that current activity has put me over the limit but I cut that card up a long time ago. I fought all day on the phone but have not gotten anywhere so far. I hope that I can get to the bottom of this and not have to make this large payment but I guess I will have to wait and see.

You might want to contact the credit bureaus for free credit reports, just to make sure no fraud is taking place.

Justin, have you been looking at your statements online? (if that card has the option) It sounds very much like fraud to me. It happened to me recently, when someone charged something like $750 on my credit card at flowers.com or something. One phone call to the credit card's fraud line and it was cleared up immediately.

I guess I freaked out a little early. I managed to get ahold of the fraud line today and get things cleared. Turns out my card was used to purchase something in another state. Now I just have to go through the hassle of getting my card straightened out.