If I could be any animal I would be a house fly. Okay, not really, I’d probably be a fire-breathing squirrel, but house fly would be second on my list. Yeah I know flies are pretty gross looking and only have an average life span of about a month, but they do have one thing going for them: persistency. Sure they are rather annoying, but ya can’t really say they lack commitment or dedication.
I was at the beach this weekend, trying to get my tan on, but a handful of flies were doing everything they could to prevent me from reaching ultimate relaxation. They’d buzz around me and land on my legs and stomach. I would try and swat at them, but they are just too darn quick and seemed to narrowly escape my hand each time. I think the flies got some sick pleasure out of taunting me, as they continued “touch and go” landings on my body. As annoyed as I was, I had to acknowledge the fact that these flies were persistent. Even when facing certain death as I swatted at them, they never gave up on their mission: Annoy the crap out of me.
This may be a stretch, but hear me out… Our financial attitude should mimic that of a fly. When declaring war on debt, like so many have, we have to keep consistent and remain committed to our battle. Paying down my student loan was not exactly my idea of a good time, but being aggressive and throwing all my extra money at it allowed me to pay down four years worth of loans in just two years.
I had a written goal to pay off my loan. A fly has a goal of bugging (pun intended) the crap out of me while I chill out on the beach. Sure our goals are different, but the only way to achieve them is remaining persistent. Just as I tried to stop the fly from reaching its goal (by murdering it), it’s important you’re aware that your lenders are going to try to prevent you from becoming debt free. They’ll add late fees, increase your interest rates, and change the terms of your contract. But we can not… I repeat, CAN NOT, let our creditors “swat” us to death. We will fight, persevere, and ultimately end up victorious. Let this be a lesson to you all, although flies may be gross, they can teach us a thing or two about managing our money.
Favorite Nail from yesterday. Reason why you don’t invite girls to basketball games
*originally posted 09/10*
What? No stick figure fly? 🙁
I know that lenders want us to take out loans so we can pay interest until forever and make late payments every month… but honestly, I never really heard anyone outright say that my lenders are trying to prevent me from becoming debt-free. But you’re right, they are. They really really want me to stay in debt forever. And ever and ever. It’s a bit early on a monday to have my mind blown, but there you have it!
I do see a problem with the system that rewards debt. Our credit score should be more based on making smart decisions, i.e. paying off loans early, saving for retirement, having an emergency fund, not living paycheck to paycheck.
How would you actually like to implement that system? Like let companies know balances of your assets?
@Sheila – I completely agree. It is amazing that you can have a ZERO credit score when you do not borrow money! Just because you have no debt, does not mean you are a deadbeat.
Alas, it shouldn’t matter as you should have no desire to borrow more money if you get yourself out of debt! Look at debt like the fly and SMASH IT!
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