An extra $10 a month seemed like such a drop in the bucket, but I decided to call my student loan provider to see how much of a difference it would really make
. That may seem like pennies to some, but I wasn't exactly rolling in dough. As an entry-level newspaper reporter, $28,000 was also my starting salary.
I wanted to become debt-free as quickly as possible, and that moment changed how I started to approach money. It made me realize that how I spent my money, even just a few dollars, could alter my future for the better.After this revelation, I felt in control of my finances for the first time since graduating college. Instead of a prison, my debt felt like a weight that was slowing me down — and I finally understood how to lighten the load.
That $10 sparked a lot of little changes, but most importantly it made me realize what was actually worth paying for. Back then, it wasWhen I got a new job, I added the salary increase to my student loans. A year later, I moved in with my boyfriend and a mutual friend. By then, I was putting 50% of my take-home pay toward my debt. Three years after my first student loan payment, I became debt-free.After I saw what a difference $10 could make, I was determined to scrimp and save anywhere I could.
My money obsession started to make me miserable. I refused to even buy things I knew would make me happy, like a gym membership or art classes. I wasI also avoided doing things with friends, like going out for drinks or seeing a concert. When anyone wanted to hang out, I would push for cheap activities or not join them.
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