Wednesday, December 31, 2008

End of the Year Reflection - My 7 Stages of Debt Repayment

After I wrote about how I'm no longer underwater on my student loans, I marveled how my debt repayment process was awfully similar to that of the 7-stages of grief.

1. Shock (1998-1999) and Denial (1998-2007)
When I graduated from law school in 1998, I knew I was graduating with a big debt ($106,925, to be exact), but I never paid attention to exactly how much and never gave much thought on how I was going to pay back the loans.

When the grace-period after graduation expired, my reaction was, “Oh my God, I don’t know how I’m going to repay this. But I’m sure it’ll all work out somehow.”

I’m not sure exactly why I thought things were going to "work out somehow", since I didn’t have a budget or a plan.




During this time, I “borrowed” (read: took accepted) money from my parents and lived on credit cards. Whenever I was short on money (which was always), I sought and received forebearances on my student loans. I lived in complete and utter denial.

It seems like other people experience this type of denial as well. This article from MSN Money highlights the story of Sophia Wallace:
The 28-year-old New York resident has a master's degree from a prestigious university, a successful career in photography, stamps in her passport from around the globe and, until recently, personal finances that were out of control.

When Wallace graduated with a student-loan debt of $60,000, she found herself overwhelmed to the point of financial paralysis. She tore through a $5,000 loan from her dad as bills stacked up. She had no idea where her money was going -- despite making what she defines as a good salary. The sense of powerlessness crippled her.

2. Pain and Guilt (1999-2001)
As I was (barely) making my minimum monthly student loan payments and digging myself deeper into credit card debt, I kept thinking to myself, “What have I done? Why didn’t I study harder during undergrad so that I could get scholarships? Why didn’t I research whether I qualified for grants? Why am I not independently wealthy? Why, why, whyyyyyyy????”

I wallowed in self-pity for about 2 years, conveniently disregarding the fact that I got myself into this whole mess.


3. Anger and Bargaining (2001)
Despite the fact that I was taking accepting money from my parents to make ends meet, I found myself getting angry at my parents for not being rich enough to pay for my law school education.

Some of my classmates/friends lived in Beverly Hills and their parents funded their education 100%. Although some of these classmates were earning the same amount as I, they were living a much more extravagant lifestyle since they had no student loans to pay back.

I grumbled that I too could be living the "high life" had my parents paid for my law school education. I cursed my parents for not being rich. (Talk about misdirected anger!)

cat
I also bought lots of Lotto tickets, praying to God, “If you let me win just enough to pay off my student loans, I promise I will do pro bono legal work for the poor and needy…” I don’t know exactly how much I spent on Lotto tickets, but that money probably would’ve been better spent paying off my debt, don't you think?


4. Depression, Reflection and Loneliness (2001-2007)
I was depressed and withdrew from many of my friends. They were all buying houses and I was still living in a rented 1 BR apartment (and still am). They were driving fancy cars and I was still driving my mom’s hand-me down, beater Toyota Corolla.

I was already $157,000+ in debt and went through a downward spiral of spending binges on cars, fancy designer clothes and accessories, and fancy vacations.

I may not be rich, but at least I can spend like one.



In 2003, I fell behind on my student loan and some credit card payments. I came to accept the fact that I was going to die with my debts. Who cares about my credit score? I'll never be able to buy a house anyways.


5. The Upward Turn (2007)
(Earlier this month, FruGal was very kind enough to highlight me in her “Five Minutes With” series. The following is from the interview.) My lightbulb moment came when I got rejected for an American Express Clear Card.

I was desperate to transfer some of my high-interest credit card balance to a 0% interest card. American Express instantly rejected me for: 1) serious delinquent payment history and 2.) excessive debt-to-credit ratio.

I’d never been rejected for a credit card so this was a horrible slap in the face. I knew I needed to do something. But what? How?


6. Reconstruction and Working Through (2007-present)
After the rejection, I tallied up my debt payments and I discovered, to my horror, that my monthly expenses were $500 over my monthly income. I had no choice but to: (a) increase my income by taking a second job and/or (b) reduce my debt.

My second job as a telemarketer for a cheesy timeshare didn’t last for a month. So I chose option (b).

In 2007, I liquidated most of my employee stock option account, my savings and my Roth IRA to pay down $17,000 of my credit card debt immediately. I also stopped contributing to my 401k (i.e., tax-deferred, employer sponsored retirement account) for 7 months to increase my cash flow. At the time, liquidating my assets was the hardest and scariest thing I’d ever done.

I was also ruing the lost opportunity of not contributing to my 401k, but as they say, things happen for a reason. This was the smartest move I ever made since I'd stopped contributing during the height of the stock market bubble and paid down my debts instead.

Anyhow, during this time, I did the next scariest thing – I created a budget for the first time in my life.


7. Acceptance and Hope (2008) [My Current Stage!!]
Up until mid-2008, I was still pretty depressed since I was upside-down on my debt and I didn't think I could pay off my debt ever.

But when I plugged the numbers in a debt reduction calculator and into my spreadsheet, I discovered that I could pay off my entire debt in 6 years and 5 months. I thought, "That’s totally do-able AND I’ll still be in my early 40s when that happens!" A ray of light.



Well… the rest is documented in my blog that I started in August 2008 with the encouragement of Sallie's Niece.

I still have a long journey ahead of me and my blog is helping me be honest and accountable. I am grateful for all the tips, support, encouragement, and yes, criticism, the PF blogging community has given me in 2008.

Thank you all and have a blessed 2009! Go PF Bloggers!

19 comments:

jpkittie said...

Good for you! We are all here for you!!! I love the blogging world... It really has helped me a ton! You will get there - a little of 6 years is not that long...

Cheers to 09!!!

DogAteMyFinances said...

Fantastic post!!! Funny thing is all those investments from 2007 would be cut in half... Amazing in retrospect.

Sallie's Niece said...

PF blogging has helped me as well. Reading your post I kept thinking (that could have been me in a few years!) but pulling your head out of the sand is the first step no matter when you do it. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I think I went through many of the same stages as you (in the same years). It kinda made me smile. Wish we would have known each other before! We could've saved each other a lot of grief.

Sharon S said...

Hi there-what a post!!! You have really turned yourself and your mindset around and you will get that debt down and eventually gone, I know it! its when we reach the lightbulb moment that things really hit home, you've passed this stage, so the only way is up!! Hurrah for you, keep up the good work in 2009!

Miss M said...

That is a really good analogy and an insightful look into how you got where you are. You've come a long way in a short period of time, you should be proud of what you've accomplished. Here's to a prosperous 2009.

Anonymous said...

Great Post. I read your post on FruGal when she posted it and thought it was great. I always like to know the Aha moment.

You are doing great and are an inspiration to us all. Remember we are all in this together.

Just wondering are you a practicing attorney now?

Ms. MoneyChat said...

great post shtinky! how awesome is it that you've gone from hopelessness to being debt free in 6 years! you've come a long way darlin' (okay, the southerner is coming out in me;-).

Anonymous said...

Shtinkykat, I love your post!

Ah, all the fun stages we go thru til we hit that lightbulb moment and onward. I have silently yelled at my parents for not providing me with certain things, too. But I notice that all that pent up energy helps me to move forward if used in a positive manner.

You're doing a great job. And I am glad to virtually know you. :)

Shtinkykat said...

jpkittie: Cheers, indeed. Your postive attitude is truly infectious and you're such a great PF blogger role model.

DogAteMyFinances: Thanks! This really gives credence to those who argue in favor of paying down debt vs. savings. But I'm going to do both only b/c my 401k is automated. And besides, I need to really start dollar cost averaging now that the market has been obliterated.

Sallie: When I stumbled upon your blog, I was truly impressed by how you're battling the awful SL debts without giving up. You already have a leg up since you never stuck your head in the sand. Good job and keep up the good work.

MOU: I agree! I wish I encountered many of the PF bloggers earlier.

$haron: Hurray for all of us who've won small battles in our war against debt.

Miss M: Heh heh. It took me 10+ years to make my first baby steps. Cheers to all of our accomplishments!

Debtfree2009: Thanks! Re: your question, no, I just play one on TV now. Just kidding. I've quit the practice and I'm a working stiff for an insurance company. The hours and benefits are much better. :-D

Miss MoneyChat: Thanks! I love Southern accents! :-D

Christine: I'm happy to "virtually" know you too. I agree that we often waste our time on negative energy. On to a more positive attitude in 2009!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing journey! Good for you for coming out the other end and resolving to do better in future. I think we all need to go through something similar to this to really become financially healthy. All the best for 2009 :)

Escape Brooklyn said...

Wow, thanks for sharing such a candid history of your finances! You're making FANTASTIC progress and I love your blog.

Miss M said...

Hey Kat, congrats on the latest MSN Money shout out. I thought this was a great piece, glad to see others are noticing too.

Shtinkykat said...

FruGal: Thank you for highlighting me in your 5 Min. With Series. That was the springboard to this post. Cheers!:-D

EB: I love your blog too!

Miss M: Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Very nice post! I stumbled upon it after reading Sallie's niece. The stages you mentioned were exactly what I went through. I owed $42,000 of SL in Dec 2002. I had deferred my loans for 5-6 years and consolidated in Dec 02 at 6.5%. I also owed $8k in cc and $7k on my car. My anger came when Salliemae wouldn't discount the rate after faithful payments. Especially, when the fed rate dropped to 2-3%. Also, they extra payments I made were not placed on the principal, just future payments. I finally paid off all of my loans Dec 08. So, there is hope...keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

It was extremely interesting for me to read the article. Thank author for it. I like such themes and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read more soon.

Anonymous said...

Hi !.
You may , probably curious to know how one can reach 2000 per day of income .
There is no need to invest much at first. You may start earning with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you need
AimTrust represents an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with structures around the world.
Do you want to become a happy investor?
That`s your chance That`s what you really need!

I`m happy and lucky, I began to get income with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to choose a proper partner who uses your funds in a right way - that`s the AimTrust!.
I take now up to 2G every day, and what I started with was a funny sum of 500 bucks!
It`s easy to start , just click this link http://tuqutevo.s-enterprize.com/eqesyz.html
and lucky you`re! Let`s take this option together to get rid of nastiness of the life

Anonymous said...

Good day !.
might , probably curious to know how one can collect a huge starting capital .
There is no initial capital needed You may commense to get income with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you haven`t ever dreamt of such a chance to become rich
AimTrust represents an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with structures everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your choice That`s what you wish in the long run!

I`m happy and lucky, I began to get income with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to select a correct partner who uses your money in a right way - that`s it!.
I earn US$2,000 per day, and my first investment was 500 dollars only!
It`s easy to get involved , just click this link http://ofawalinob.freecities.com/eteryb.html
and go! Let`s take our chance together to feel the smell of real money

Anonymous said...

Hi !.
You re, I guess , perhaps very interested to know how one can make real money .
There is no initial capital needed You may begin to get income with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

AimTrust is what you need
The company incorporates an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

It is based in Panama with structures everywhere: In USA, Canada, Cyprus.
Do you want to become really rich in short time?
That`s your chance That`s what you wish in the long run!

I feel good, I began to get real money with the help of this company,
and I invite you to do the same. If it gets down to choose a correct companion who uses your funds in a right way - that`s the AimTrust!.
I take now up to 2G every day, and my first deposit was 1 grand only!
It`s easy to join , just click this link http://uworejoxu.builtfree.org/wyfahok.html
and go! Let`s take this option together to get rid of nastiness of the life