The Debt Debate

This is a scary number to me. Every day it changes and it gets larger. I'm at a loss of words to describe the uncertainty of what the number will be the next day. It is difficult to see 2022, but if I make all of my payments until then, it will be over with. That is, unless I find a way to make it disappear in several large payments (like this chap did in ten months, granted his salary and determination were at a higher level than my own).

I'm not suggesting that anyone follow that guy's prescription for eliminating student debt (as I'm sure he had a powerful network to draw upon), but I do believe I can make a stab at the old idea of scrimping and saving. This is my last big hurdle that counts against me (now that I'm looking to buy a house). My work, graduate studies, and social responsibilities may all be tested as I solidify a goal of bringing that outstanding balance down to zero, but I will make it happen.

In an effort to add to that cause, I have some musical instruments and other unused items that can definitely go, so expect a list of items that I'm parting with sometime soon. As my mentor once said, "If you haven't used it for six months, you probably won't use it for another six months." (Obviously, he may have not spent time in an Iowa winter, because sometimes it takes longer than six months to use shorts or the lawnmower.) His words may seem a little over-simplistic, but they do hold water. I would probably exclude things like works of art or ritualistic items (be they religious or otherwise), but the majority of the other "things" in our daily lives are just extras if we don't use them.

Take my aforementioned instruments. Three of my four guitars have been in their cases or simply hiding in my closet for almost half a decade now. My bass amp has sat unused in about the same amount of time. The collection of electronic gizmos and geek antiques have simply been lost to the hoards of dust bunnies. Even my beloved wing back chair has not been sat in by anyone for at least half a year.

These extra things that we cannot live without can really catch us off guard when we look around at all of them. I've become especially aware of this as of late. Since meeting my girlfriend (or rather, her having met me), I've reinforced my belief that it is not what you do, what you have, or where you go. Instead, life is mostly about who you choose to spend it with. Take joy in the fact that you are six feet above ground (or 5'11" for me) and not six feet below it yet.

The tangential direction of this blog has taken many facets, but, quite frankly, that has been my favorite aspect of it. In an almost organic way, it has incorporated my thoughts and experiences (both expected and unexpected) into one coalescent entity. Only recently have I let my philosophical side meander on this blog, but hopefully you haven't lost interest. Stay tuned and watch as the roller coaster ride of student debt continues to be at the forefront of my future. Feel free to comment on any post at any time. Until next time, catch you all down that dusty trail.