About Me

Denise

"Develop a plan that is so amazing, so glowing, that you are willing to walk blurry-eyed to work everyday to make the money necessary to reach the light." Sparky

I'm a freelance journalist and crafter who dreams of starting my own business-- a hometown Tiki bar. I am a former New Orleans Bourbon Street bartender.

The tiki challenge: I must find creative new revenue streams, apart from my career.

**Five year tiki goal: $40,000**
**2009 Tiki fund goal: $2,500**
$2427.43 to go

**Total tiki money: $3,032.74**

***Savings Goals for 2009***
$10,000 into savings/ EF
$2,000 into 529 plan
$2,000 to Roth IRA
$2,620 extra college fund
$600 into new car fund
Total: $17,200

Pay $3,000 extra on student loan. Balance: $0. PAID OFF
As much as possible to IRA

***Progress Report***
$7343 savings, $2657 to go
$2200 to 529 plan, GOAL MET
$100 to Roth, $1900 to go
$400 to new car fund, $200 to go
$175 to IRA
$2,620 to extra college fund, GOAL MET

Student loan extra: PAID OFF

**Non- financial goals**
Write a novel in a month
Lose 10 pounds
Grow 100 pounds of veggies

**Progress**
0 pounds lost-- pregnant!
4 pages written
53.54 lbs. veggies grown

My Pages

student loan PAID off

July 30th, 2009 at 07:54 am

My final payment hit today. My $40,000 in student loan debt is officially PAID IN FULL. I am now transferring my monthly payment to my savings account instead.

I graduated in 2001, and have been whittling away at that loan ever since.

When I got my first office job out of college, I vowed to keep freelancing and use all of my freelance money to pay down the loan. Some months, I was sending $1000 extra. When times were slim, I sent $50 extra. But as long as I had work, I always sent a little extra with the payment.

If I hadn't done that, I'd still be paying down that stupid debt 10 years from now.

My advice to those of you with loans-- always send a little bit more than you have to, even if it's $5. It does shave time off the loan.

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments »

13 Responses to “student loan PAID off”

creditcardfree Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 07:57 am

Congrats! And good advice about paying extra.
Broken Arrow Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 08:06 am

Congratulations! Woohoo!
Aleta Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 08:29 am

Congratulations! That was awesome news!
Amanda Rush Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 08:43 am

It is truly a great feeling of satisfaction tohave paid some loans and debts. Congratulations.
shiela Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 09:11 am

Good for you.
NJDebbie Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 09:34 am

I'm proud of your efforts!!!!
BuckhornGal Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 11:03 am

Way to go - I'm doing a happy dance for you :-) Congratulations.
miclason Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am

Woo-hooo!!!!

::PAID IN FULL::

woo-hoo!!!!
my english castle Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 11:33 am

Great job! And you said you'd lost focus!
No Pain | No Gain Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 11:47 am

Congrats!!!
Ima saver Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

Wonderful!
katwoman Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 12:24 pm

Congrats!!!! That's a terrific accomplishment.
Purple Flower's Says:
July 30th, 2009 at 07:12 pm

Congrats! I'm happy for you

Thrift-o-rama and the quest for a Tiki Bar

One girl's quest to shore up her personal finances and save for her own business

student loan PAID off

13 Responses to “student loan PAID off”

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