Was able to view my credit history for free online via a couple of sites, which is something I’ve been meaning to do as a part of my whole “Get my finances together” resolution. This was actually a very humbling experience.
Mmmmm credit excess.
The good news is I’ve only got one late credit card payment from back in `06 and two late student loan payments. Everything else I pay on time, for whatever that’s worth.
I’ve got one credit card that’s carried between 3-5K for the last two YEARS (yes, I’ve budgeted to get this taken care of over the NEXT two YEARS. Yes, this is why Credit Cards are EVIL).
But for something really terrifying, have a look at the balance history on my big CC, in chronological order:
01/2006 $1,337
02/2006 $2,800
03/2006 $2,554
04/2006 $2,068
05/2006 $1,882 – got sick with diabetes
06/2006 $2,538
07/2006 $2,981
08/2006 $2,056
09/2006 $2,597
10/2006 $3,782 – uncovered hospital bills came due
11/2006 $5,231
12/2006 $5,821 – got laid off and lost health insurance
01/2007 $6,560
02/2007 $7,051
03/2007 $7,214 – moved to Dayton
04/2007 $7,308 – went to Spain
05/2007 $7,619
06/2007 $9,014 – still no health insurance
07/2007 $9,609 – advised employer to hire me b/c of med costs
08/2007 $10,323 – employed/finally got health insurance
09/2007 $11,282 – went to Switzerland/started dating locally
10/2007 $12,068
11/2007 $12,791 – new insurance co problems
12/2007 $13,972 – initiated new budget to control debt
01/2008 $13,805
I can’t tell you how depressed I was with this card balance back when it was $1500. I kept thinking, “Oh, I’ll NEVER pay this BACK.”
I’ve resolved not to have anymore years like 2006/2007 ever again.
Seriously, layoffs and chronic illness and moving and dating of any kind (local or international) is not a good idea.
One more reason to give up dating! Yay!
I can’t wait to be done with this debt.
