We are now debt free...
Today, I wrote the last check and licked the last stamp; I'm proud to announce that we are now 100% debt free.
I had to make a choice:
- I could liquidate all of our savings and pay off all of our debt, and potentially risk a catastrophic personal financial meltdown if I lost my job (I am required to pay unemployment taxes, but I don't qualify for unemployment benefits because I'm self-employed); or
- I could pay the minimum payments and try to build a larger emergency fund, and only then should I work to slash our debt.
I decided to slash and burn. With the exception a $1,000 emergency fund, I have liquidated and closed every account I could get my hands on and poured the money into paying off the debt.
Next, we are going to be saving 3-6 months of expenses and start saving for a house.
I was in a mood to celebrate. I remembered that I had a $5 "cash register" certificate that was due to expire today. My plan was simple: get some free stuff, Chinese take out and maybe a $1 RedBox DVD rental...
Cheaper is Not Always Better
... At Walgreen's pharmacy, I picked up a some Clubman Lilac Vegetal aftershave, which was marked down to $2.19 on clearance (from approximately $8).
Now, I know what you are thinking. Eight dollars for aftershave? That is some expensive stuff... Figuring in the $5 certificate, it was essentially free.
The question is, what does $2 aftershave smell like?
After smelling the aftershave, I can honestly that free was too expensive. It smelled like cat urine from a cat that has a bladder infection, after it was ravaged by a skunk. Truly, it is a fragrance for people who hate themselves and everyone around them.
I would package it up as a potential frugal Christmas gift, but I don't know anyone that I hate that much.
Labels: Personal Finance
