Let's talk about money

It's a subject that we don't like to talk about. It's not polite talk about how much money you make or ask someone else about how much they make. I think we assume that our family and friends make enough to live comfortably but really have no idea what we actually do for a living on a day to day basis or how much income that earns us. 

Before medical school I was very money conscious. I always paid credit cards off every month and only took out what I needed for student loans. As I went through medical school, I was sick of living like a college student. While other friends were working, and I assumed making pretty decent incomes, I was spending hours a day in class then many more hours studying in the library. I thought I deserved certain extras, like nice beach vacations or the occasional pair of shoes, ect. I didn't mind taking out more loans to do this. I wasn't living extravagantly by any means but maybe ended up with little bit more student loans than I should have. I don't regret taking those vacations or splurging every once in a while. I think my sanity depended on it. 

It wasn't until residency that I began spending more than I really should. First it was the wedding. Then vacations we wanted to take. That snowballed into moving expenses to Nashville. More vacations and of course a baby. Daycare. Add to that 7+ months of paying rent and mortgage when we couldn't find a tenant. And there you have it. How we ended up in more debt than we realized. 

Student loans debts were inevitable. The monthly payments for those in and of themselves are more than most people's mortgages. I'd have to say that some of the credit card debt was also inevitable. Some of it was probably irresponsible. But you know what? I don't regret going on vacations or traveling home for the holidays. In the end, we made memories, and spent time with family and friends and that is what life is about. 

So recently we sat down and really took a look at our finances. We've come up with a plan to pay off our credit card debts. We'll then work toward student loans, college funds, ect. I want to be responsible and get our debts paid off but at the same time I want to enjoy finally having some extra income that I've worked so hard for so many years to obtain. We need to save for a home and really need to buy a new car. We also need to save more for retirement. But I also want to buy a new pair of diamond earring since I lost one of the diamond solitaire earrings Michael got me for my 30th birthday. And maybe a really nice purse. And some shoes. And clothes for baby girl. Luckily I'm preggo and don't really want to buy clothes right now but eventually I want to buy jeans from somewhere other then Old Navy. See??? Financial planning is hard!! I need Dave Ramsey or Susan Orman to help me out!