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Being an adult, unfortunately, does not come with a handbook on how to “be.” I can’t speak for everyone, but I can tell you this — I’ve learned the hard way. With practically everything.
My personal credit journey.
I partially blame my struggles on the fact that I just didn’t understand privilege. I was a child of two very hard-working parents. We didn’t take lavish vacations, but we did take vacations. I recently recounted my childhood with a friend. We were talking about how we didn’t know how hard our parents worked and how lucky we were. We were happy to have had our vacations and to not want for anything, but we also didn’t realize the privilege that was afforded to us.
I’m not blaming that on my struggle. No, I created my problems. But I’ve made the mistake of not knowing my parents struggles twice now. I expected to just HAVE. Because that’s what you do. You work and you get, right? Well factor in a mountain of student loan debt (we’re talking Mount Everest) and a desire to fit in? And we have a problem.
The first time I rebuilt my credit on my own (with the guidance of my dad — thanks, Dad!). But fast-forward many years, a husband, and a child later, and it took a bit more help.
A cry for help.
The second time around I decided I truly needed help. I used CreditRepair.com to help me get my finances in order, get me back on track, and find a clear plan for the future. CreditRepair.com is a leading provider of credit report repair services in the United States. They are a team of credit professionals who educate and empower individuals to achieve the credit scores they deserve. I worked hard, made lifestyle changes, and made plans for my future. I knew I owed it to my growing family to repair my credit and create a better life.
The holiday spirit.
Part of my struggle with the holidays is the fact that EVERYONE wants to do something extravagant. But I’m beyond that. My number one rule is to NOT go into debt for the holidays. In the end, we’re all exchanging (likely or almost) equally priced treats for one another.
But at what expense? I don’t want my financial security to be ruined because I’m trying to keep up with superficial gift giving. We are all adults. When we want something we work, we save, and we purchase it. And if there’s something that you desperately want, you will get it.
I would rather see the joy on the faces of my children when we are able to take a fun vacation to the beach or go to an event with them. I would rather build memories than give superficial gifts. They will know love and they will know how much the holidays mean. But they will also know that it is more important to avoid financial disaster and avoid going into debt than to celebrate any holiday.
A quest for financial literacy.
Financial literacy should absolutely be a point of discussion in families, schools, and even work environments, but it isn’t. Until it is, we need to rely on outside resources. CreditRepair.com is there to help.
Your credit score is not written in stone, and you are more than a credit score. CreditRepair.com will help empower you to work on your credit score, enjoy your life, and make small lifestyle changes to help you achieve your dreams! But your credit won’t fix itself. Get help from CreditRepair.com today with a free consultation and kickstart your credit repair efforts.
Whatever you do this holiday season, please remember that no holiday ‘cheer’ is worth going into debt for. Let’s build our credit scores together with CreditRepair.com.
I love that there are places that can help with credit. I love that I can check on my credit as well. I always want to be sure I have a good score.
I completely agree that I would rather do experiences than gifts! I also refuse to pay for gifts on credit and one thing I do is buy small gifts through the whole year!
I like to give experiences like a stay at a hotel. Another gift that my boys are getting is a visit to the trampoline park.
I prefer experiences that gifts also and you definitely need to be careful with credit during this time of year.
Credit is so important. This is such a great and informative post. Sounds like a resource to look in to!
I agree. You’d think they’d teach you about finances and the like in school. That would come in more handy than say metal shop haha! Luckily there are resources readily available to us nowadays.
That is so awesome that you took the initiative to repair your credit! Credit is so important and even more important than I think people realize. Thanks for sharing!
Kileen
cute & little
I agree that Christmas is emotions and often maybe a gift like this is different, but more appreciated. To my friends I have not given anything physical this year, but a great emotion to live!
A positive credit score is important to all of us. I totally agree with you that financial literacy should absolutely be a point of discussion in families, schools, and even work environments. We do not need to really on outside resources at all.
I am very careful when it comes to my credit score because I am planning to buy a house in the near future. I can imagine it’s easy to get into debt that you can’t control if you don’t have a proper budget plan.
Having a good credit is really important and I am glad that you found a company that can help you in managing your finances.
I used to maintain a credit card until one day I decided to be completely free from it. Cash-base. Well apart from proper loans I’ve made (car and home) I now pay everything in cash (or my debit card).
My dad always told us to live within our means but there was a low point in my life when I thought I needed expensive things and trips to make my life happier. One day I woke up and my credit card was massive. I really had to sit myself down to form an action plan to tackle it.
I wish I had some help like that. It would have ber easier, I think.
People go insane over Christmas. Buying things people may not even like just to buy them. It’s so important to stick to a budget and get something they’ll appreciate and not necessarily an object.
Thanks for sharing! I work in the financial industry and it is tough to see so many people struggling with credit.
I think it is really hard to not overspend during the holidays. There is so much pressure to buy and buy and buy for everyone! It gets out of hand and I usually go WAY over our holiday budget. We have been fortunate to always be able to catch up in January with those expenses but it is stressful.
Thank you for sharing! Christmas is so hard on so many families, and it shouldn’t be that way! Christmas is about spending time with family (& good food) No one should go in debt over one day of the year.. And sadly, I have been there. I struggle every year with this.. And every year I say I am not buying gifts. But I still manage to buy gifts.. This year I have decided to only buy for my Mom, my dad and my sister (& I have a huge family).
Most people I know, including my whole family, is getting more into experience gifts than physical gifts. Everybody is tired of clutter and stuff!
I am fortunate to have excellent credit but it is always nice to know that there are places to help if I ever need it and places to be able to frequently check on it.
It is great that there is the option for second chances and to fix things as opposed to letting things get out of control. I think it is lovely that one can enjoy life again and make smart decisions.
Holiday time can be so hard staying in budget! But it so important to live within your means and all members of family should be understanding of this. Only spend what you can afford.
This is interesting. I wonder if there is an equivalent in Canada?
Financial education is so important! I’m so grateful that my high school and parents taught me about credit and budgets. It was a lesson that has been so beneficial!
I go back and forth between am I creating an expectation of a certain level of life for my children or am I teaching them to go into debt? It is a balance; sometimes I am in balance and sometimes I am way out of balance!
Great post! I totally agree with you. Experiences are far better than presents, but unfortunately for the loved ones that are far from us that’s all we’ve got to offer sometimes.
I agree that this is a season to share special moments and not to try to impress other with things that we can’t afford. Thanks for sharing!
Your fortunate being able to go vacations. I was only able to do that when i got older.
I agree, we should focus on the things that could make our love ones happy without us being broke after Christmas. Lol.
I love experience more, then gifts too. And you should never put yourself bad possession over gifts
Laura
https://www.beautywithlala.com/
thanks for the reminders, it’s easy to be distracted with all these fun happenings in Christmas
We should make our loved ones happy
Great info here. Good to get our finances in order as soon as we can.. It can be super easy to get carried away.
Yes true. Sometimes holidays are the best time to reflect on the togetherness!!!!