About two weeks ago I posted about a dilemma I was having. For those unfamiliar, I was unsure of the amount of my disposable income I wanted to allocate to my “future house fund” and how much I wanted to throw at my student loan. That article has been my most read post and by far the most responded to. After mulling it over, running numbers, and deciding what I wanted my goals to be, I have reached a conclusion. I am committing to throw $1,000 each month towards that bad boy. That was the overwhelming recommendation from each reader that responded! I think in my head I was justifying the necessity to hoard my cash and put it all in my savings, when this clearly opposes mathematical reasoning.
Although I still believe personal finance needs to remain personal, I agree the numbers need to be strongly considered. I became focused on the desire to purchase a house (taking on more debt) when I should have been concerting my efforts towards breaking up with Sallie Mae.
This decision couldn’t have come at a better time! With a little over $12K in the bank, my Emergency Fund is fully funded (6 months pay) and allows me the freedom to throw as little or as much money as I’d like at my future house fund, or even better, towards my school loan.
So on this day, April 3rd 2009, I commit to putting a minimum of $1,000 to my school loans each month. Thank you fellow bloggers for whispering wisdom in my ear and opening my eyes… hey its like that Ace of Base Song… “I saw the sign, and it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign!” Booya for Ace of Base, Booya for sweet advice from bloggers, and double Booya for paying down debt!
I am punching Sallie Mae in the face!