10-10-10

Today was to have been my big debt-free day. I worried earlier this year that I wouldn't make it, what with the condo purchase. Amazingly -- blessedly -- I paid it off almost two months early.

I had wanted to have $10,000 in savings in addition to being debt free. I didn't manage to do that -- what would've gone into savings actually went toward the purchase of the condo. But I do have savings, and that's a good thing.

I am happy to report that I remain debt free. I have used the credit card for various purchases (like my outrageously expensive new progressive eyeglass lenses), but I paid them off immediately. I am afraid to have even the smallest amount revolve. Debt always starts with that first purchase.

I have made one costly mistake. So vain was I about getting progressive lenses in my glasses that I had a distance-only prescription put in instead. I lasted all of a month before throwing in the towel and having the optometrist send me the prescription for progressives. And I splurged on the latest technology -- something called individual progressives. They were not cheap. Oh, no, they were not.

Of course, this mistake means I spent an extra couple hundred dollars on lenses that ended up being worthless. I'm calling it my Stupidity Surcharge. Or Vanity Fee.

Tomorrow I meet with the financial planner. I think our meeting will last a couple of hours. I'm eager to hear what he suggests and to get things started. I can't see using him beyond one year -- unless I benefit from some unexpected financial windfall. But as I've said, it will be good to get a foundation in place.

In other news, my wardrobe is pitiful. I am going to try to buy something at least once a month, but we'll see how that goes. It depends on the budget. That I hate shopping isn't going to help.

Next month is a three-paycheck month, so I'll have some wiggle room. I plan to put most of that "extra" check in savings. Also coming is a freelance check for work completed in September, and a check for work that I will start in November. That money will also go into savings.

And so that's where I am on this day, 10-10-10. How are you doing with your debt?