Ballin' 1.1

Urban Dictionary gives several definitions of ballin', one being living in affluence/wealth. I'm using it as a short term for snowballing (i.e. paying your credit cards off in such a way that the money you use snowballs into larger payments as smaller cards are paid off). I like the way ballin' sounds--there's a nice ring to it.

I'm not going to state the sum of money I owe right now. Honestly, I'm not ready for that. What I will tell you is that I have seven credit cards that need to be paid off. I've done the math and it looks like I can have all of the balances down to zero by January 2013 (if everything goes as planned). The very thought of being debt makes me so excited that I want to tinkle in my leggings. Gross, I know.

Since no great goal is worth much without a plan of attack, here's mine:

1. Surrender all credit cards to my lover/spousal equivalent/not-yet-fiance - This was done weeks ago.
2. Set up a livable budget - Done. It'll be a beautiful day when all of that cash I'm plugging toward credit card payments can instead be used as savings or (gasp) discretionary spending money.
3. Stop shopping - I've put myself on a three-month shopping ban. After that, I can shop as long as I stay within my budget and use cash only.
4. Take up a hobby - I need a distraction to keep me from mindlessly browsing websites like Saks/Piperlime/Gilt/etc (and blogs). I'm going to start baking and decorating cupcakes and spending more quality time at the gym. Right now I'm being distracted with travel (both for work and for pleasure), but when February ends and I have a little more time I'm going to be a cupcake-making gym rat. Holla.
5. Sell Sell Sell - Remember this post? I can probably list some of those unworn items on eBay/Bonanzle.
6. Throw money at my cards - Just because I've budgeted a set amount for card payments every month doesn't mean I can't pay more. All money I take in from eBay/Bonanzle will go toward credit cards, as will any overtime I work and "unplanned" money (like my tax return, bonus, etc).
7. Post blog updates once or twice a month - Accountability is key.

Truly, I'm ready to do whatever I can--and make whatever sacrifices needed--to be debt free ASAP.

Completely off topic, I'd originally planned on doing a post about my trip to Miami. After realizing there wasn't too much to say about it beyond "the weather was great" and "I worked a lot" I decided to nix the idea. I will leave you instead with this photo of one of the window mannequins in South Beach. No joke, these types of mannequins were the norm. A photo opportunity at its greatest...

Happy Friday! Now I'm off to Virginia.