LOL ask and you shall receive. I have 3 cards with $6 k combined credit and debt on them.

My success is owning up to the fact that these indeed HAVE TO BE PAID OFF. My part time job doing fast food wasn't good enough. So I picked up another job at a factory. Worst feeling ever waking up and working 16 hrs and coming home almost every day.

FAST FORWARD.

About 4 months of working (2 months with both jobs) I am now Just $934 in debt, in which March 16th is the day I am officially $246 in the green.

Keep in mind I'm not feeding off my parents either. I walked to work, yes about 12 km of walking each day working 16 hours. I lost 30lbs too and built muscle. I payed rent and was forced to save $400 a month into an untouchable account too. So I was definitely feeling the burn in this lesson.

What should I do now that I'll be out of debt? My plan is this:

Rent $200.00
Cellular $50.00
Gym $26.50
Savings - Forced $400.00
Fun / Things I need $72.70




... CHANGING THIS TO

ING RSP $100.00
ING Direct $650.00
Emergency Fund $200.00




Sound good for a while?[/quote]

Great work, and it seems like you are starting your life off right.

What are your goals? If you are earning a low salary at this time, it may not make a ton of sense to max out your RRSP, especially when you don't have an emergency fund. You might be better to keep the money in a savings account and contribute it in a few years when you could get 30% back.

I've been toying around with the idea of an rrsp. I might just do what you suggested and just lump it all into a high interest account.

My goals are simply to live below my means but still have the experiences that most people get out of life which can include:

> own a small house
> MAYBE drive a car, I've been heavily debating this one, I've done so well so far without a car and just biking, running or walking wherever I need to go.
> continue on with my internet projects
> have 1-3 kids and be married

I'm a fairly basic guy, I don't need the best of everything but it won't stop me from getting what I want. I project my income will be between 60k-100k when I finish school. 60k from nursing and the rest from internet business.

I just never want to be in debt again, even good debt kinda scares me. I plan on saving for a year, and then going to school again as long as my mind is still in the right place.

... CHANGING THIS TO

ING RSP $100.00
ING Direct $650.00
Emergency Fund $200.00

Cant complain about being out of debt and losing weight. Nice work...that is a long day!

Thanks for the comments.

I just went to a personal trainer today and set something up. Thats what my dollars are going to next get started on a good healthy habit.

Update:

$261 in debt right now. Will be $329 in the green come March 13th now.

Sounds like you are doing the right thing. I imagine that it is very exhusting but you must be really focussed to be working so hard - good for you and keep it up!

Yes, I can confirm for certain that I have $0 against me! These months were long and sometimes I didn't want to wake up, but it's only uphill from here!

My hat is off to you,wish more young people would stop and realize where they are headed just as you did.

Thanks kindly,

For those wishing to pop in on my financial goals, check out my journal, http://www.getrichslowly.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1658

Everyone has lived paycheck to paycheck. I was the same way. I asked myself what are the rich people doing that I am not? I started reading about money, how it works, what to invest in. The first book I purchased was Money Dynamics for the 80's written by Venita Van Caspel. After reading that book, I started investing and within 3 years I had saved over $30,000 dollars. Earning Interest is far better than paying it. So Learn More, Too Earn More.

The One Minute Millionaire
Lower Your Taxes Big Time


Try these to get you started.

Read all you can about Warren Buffett. Do what the rich do, and you too can get the same results.

Good Luck!