Lifestyle Change

 

In 1969, I got married for the first time, and my wife and I were in debt because of mortgage and vehicle debt.  In 1993, I got a divorce and in 1998, I got remarried and my wife and I were in debt because of a mortgage, vehicle and credit card debt due to the lifestyle we wanted to live.

In 2010, my wife and I were able to pay off our mortgage, our vehicle and all our credit card debt because of an inheritance.  That inheritance was exactly enough to eliminate our debt, so we decided to that rather than spend the money on a more expensive home, more expensive vehicles, or take several luxury vacations.

In short, my wife and I decided to make a lifestyle change.  Making a lifestyle change is not an easy task to execute, but it is a task that nevertheless was something we both wanted to do.

We have been DEBT FREE for 15 years.

We have been retired for 10 years.

We pay cash for our vehicles, either through money we have save or through interest we have earned on our investments.

We use a credit card often for purchases so we can get frequent flyer points/miles on Delta but pay off that card at the end of the month before any interest is due.

We don't live HIGH ON THE HOG as the saying goes but we do not deny ourselves anything either, always making sure our health comes first.

The reason why we don't deny ourselves anything is because we have made a LIFESTYLE CHANGE.

1. We recently downsized our home so we would not have so much to maintain
2. We don't purchase new clothes unless we NEED them
3. We don't go out to eat except once a week
4. We don't go on expensive vacations
5. We don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes