Budgeting and debt reduction.

Patriot and I have been struggeling lately with our debt reduction efforts.  In 2008 we made good progress in dumping debt, but then at the beginning of the year his company did some reevaluating and realized they needed to down size.  It involved 2 rounds of layoffs, salary reduction across the board, no overtime available AND a reduction of hours for all hourly employees.  We went from a 40 hour week plus overtime to a 32 hour week.  That is over a 20% reduction in Patriots's income.  These policies were in place for 6 months.  Since July he has had full 40 hour weeks, and some occasional overtime.

While it wasn't fun, we were able to survive the 6 months with out going further into debt.....we did make an effort to put as much cash into our savings account as possible so we would have it in case of a major emergency, and only paid the bare minimum on the debt.  The long term affect of this is that we seem to have lost our traction, the drive to keep on working the debt down. 

Now that we are about 3 months back into a "regular" income level we have made little effort to get back on track.  In fact, with all the house projects and the unexpected need for a new vehicle we seem to have increased out debt.  To top it off, we have a trip planned for November, and with all the backwards motion I am feeling guilty about taking it.  So I have been focusing my internet time on debt reduction themed blogs and sites that give pointers and encouragement from others in our situation.  

It was during one of those searches that I came across this website. 

my year without spending      

I am just in love with the idea of a whole year of buying nothing new that isn't absolutely necessary.  I know that it would not be easy, especially with Freedom and Justice in the house, and with the fact that Patroit and I are both spending enablers to a major degree.  But I think we could do it, I know we should at least try to do it.  In fact I am thinking about trying it out for the month of October, just to see if we can muster up the will power to say no.  Now to convince Patriot that this will work for us.

Today I'm just an everyday American Mom drowning in my own debt.