Dearest FlyLady, Kelly, and Everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that you wonderful people have totally
ruined my retail therapy sessions. I still love to go out and browse,
but I hardly ever come home with anything! Even my shop-a-holic
husband has gotten into the habit of questioning every impulse buy
and realizing that the "whatever-it-is" we're about to buy isn't
going to satisfy whatever need we're imagining ourselves to have.
The other day we went out shopping for two hours, with both toddlers
in tow, and came home with nothing but a happy experience. That is
so unheard of! With the money we don't spend on STUFF anymore, we
have purchased a family membership to our local zoo and have been
there every weekend since. I love watching the happy memories pile
up for our girls, especially since I know they won't ever wear out or
collect dust or weigh us down into CHAOS. And I love walking hand-in-
hand with my wonderful DH, seeing us both calm and happy because
we're not wasting money or collecting junk or dreading a train wreck
of a house at the end of the day.
It's a little disconcerting, not being able to talk myself into buying
things, but I'm getting used to it!
Love from a Texas FlyBaby
My Dear FlyLady,
I just had to send in a testimonial about the Financial FLYing
lessons. I am definitely still a Flybaby, but I have been getting my
finances more ordered for about the last six months. I was that
person who had stashed credit card statements and bills EVERYWHERE in
my life and house. I even broke the bottom out of a drawer that was
over stuffed with bills and other financial papers. I did boogie
that one a while ago, but there was so much more.
I had some in bags that had gone on trips with me as I picked the
mail up on the way out the door. I had bills and credit card
statements crammed into the "organizer" on my desk. Our file cabinet
was full of them too, too old to be of any use anymore, since I had
given up on filing years ago!!! All of this was "hidden" in plain
sight. And with all of that financial CHAOS they were getting paid
late most of the time. One by one, I faced the bills. This was not
easy, as we are in a lot of debt. I mean, lots of debt. Private
college loans (from DH and me), mortgage, several credit cards,
store cards, personal loans, cd clubs, etc.
So, enter Flylady into my life about three months ago. I have a
shiny sink, thanks to my hubby who washes the dishes each night. My
laundry is under control and there is so much less clutter in our
lives, but piles and piles to go. One step at a time!
Now, your challenge to FLY in our finances. I have been able to pay
all of our bills on time for the last 4 or 5 months. I made a list
of them, and put each due date into my calendar on the computer. And
by having them all listed, I was relieved to find out that with some
self control, we could actually pay our bills each month with what we
are currently earning and still buy groceries and gasoline!
Whoopee! Fear binds us up so that even baby steps are defeated
before they are attempted. I have been paying extra on the smallest
bill, so that it can be paid off quickly and that minimum amount
applied to the next bill. I pay some over the internet and some in
person so that I can be sure there is money to cover the check.
Money is still tight, but things are getting paid off! And no more
phone calls from creditors at all hours of the day and night.
Last night I combined the fruits of my labor from a purse boogie with
our advances in loving ourselves with our finances. I found in my
purse two receipts from 2 years ago, one for the original purchase
and one from when I returned that item and could not find the
receipt. I went back to the national chain and they were able to
adjust the return receipt and give me a $12.00 credit! Best part is,
it went back onto my credit card from that store, and I already paid
that bill plus $20.00 over the minimum due this month! What a great
feeling! All this from finding these old receipts and the company
being willing to adjust something from 2 years ago. One less thing
to weigh me down mentally, emotionally, phycially, and spiritually.
Yes, spiritually.
Many thanks to Flylady for inspiring us to be courageous, to be
strong and courageous, to FACE our finances as a way of loving
ourselves. I thank God daily for you and your staff. I hope that
everyone can find encouragement from my story and how step by step,
you can Finally Love Yourselves in your finances.
Blessings, blessings, blessings!
Flybaby in NY
