21 years old and in Debt
- Panda
- Sep 13, 2016
- 2 min read
Well, this is it. This is me exposing every mistake, every number, every moment in my life that has lead me up to $26,000 in debt. You ready?
18 years old: COLLEGE! I got into Northern Arizona University, studying the Health and Wellness Coaching degree. I was a health nut, I had a passion for being healthy and working out regularly, except when I was a hypocrite and skipped the gym for a bag of flamin' hot cheetos. NAU was one of the most memorable times of my life. I loved it there.
But then I dropped out.
And was in debt for the 1 year I attended. About 19k in debt to be exact.
A few months later: MY FIRST JOB! I can't believe it! I got a job and I was making $17 an hour. SEVENTEEN DOLLARS! This was also my first job, as I went through cosmetology school in high school and could not get a job for the weird hours I was available.
November 2014: STUDENT LOANS. Yikes. When I got those emails that my loans were no longer in deferment, it was one of the most disappointing news I have received that year. $60 a month for Nelnet Loans, total balance was starting around $5,500. $166 a month for the Great Lakes Parent Plus Loan, that my parents took out, but I am responsible for; starting balance was around $13,696.
Grand Total Student Loan Debt: $19,196
Ugh. Just for 1 year at university. And I dropped out.
And even after all that debt: CREDIT CARDS. 2 years later of buying things with money I did not have, around $8,000.
My current debt today is $25,131. As of today, September 13, 2016; I've paid off a Victoria's Secret Credit card and a Kohl's Charge credit card. Here are my current debts:
Today: I am 21 years old, I have an even better paying job, and i am sick of my debt. I have a plan and I am ready for this journey. Want to follow along? Well I hope you stick around to see how I do it and the tips I can give for anyone else in my shoes. This is my time. I am ready to be Debt Free Panda by the time I am 23.
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