Debt Doesn't Take a Break, But I Do

Wouldn't it be grand if you could send your personal debt on a vacation somewhere? Pack it up and say, "See ya in two weeks, credit card debt! Have a great summer, Car Payments!" With debt on vacation, you might enjoy some quiet relaxation of your own thanks to the clarity of mind a debtless few days would bring. Yes, you and your debt could certainly benefit from a much needed break, even if it would be a minor case of denial.

Okay, I'll stop myself now before I get too far into the debt-on-vacation fantasy. That would make for a funny picture though, wouldn't it? I envision a bunch of credit card bills lounging by a swimming pool in Palm Springs...

Since we can't realistically send our credit card debts and other financial frustrations on vacation, or at the very least out of the house, I've been taking my own break. I just decided three weeks ago to temporarily stop concentrating on the very content that sustains this blog. It's certainly not a responsible thing to do, mind you. But, I felt it was necessary.

Did this respite from my debt-filled thoughts have any sort of affect on my journey toward financial freedom? Did clarity of mind somehow provide me with the one solution to paying off my debt in one fell swoop?

Nope. I'm still in the red.

Naturally, as you read in my letter to Henry Paulson, I was inspired by the recent bailout economic rescue package. But nothing has resulted thus far from my attempt to garner some of that cash for my own family's bailout. They say it'll take some time to implement a plan and distribute the funds appropriately, though. So, I'll let you know when the fraction of that $700 billion makes its way down to me.

With all the events in recent weeks, I am glad I decided defocus my sights on personal debt for a little while. Just listening to NPR each morning last week was enough to depress me. I mean, how many times does a person have to hear "economic crisis" before becoming clinical? I'm listening to music on my morning commutes this week. Perhaps some I'll get some creative insight on living below my means from The Best of Mississippi Fred McDowell.

Keep fightin' the debt, folks!

In Debt :: Ed Ness