$10,000

One of the things that constantly surprisesme about money is my ability to somehow get large sums of it when I really want something.

For instance, three years ago I needed to save $2,000 for a trip to Europe with my grandma. I had 3 months to save up for the trip and was able to get $2,000 with a lot of hard work and very little effort.

Now, I’m saving for a house down payment. I need to get $10,000 for down payment and closing costs. And, as of today, I have $10,119 (withOUT touching my emergency fund, folks!). With nearly a month to go until closing I’ve done it. Which is pretty amazing. I only decided one month ago that (indeed, after 2 years of pining and indecision) that I did in fact want to buy a house.

Yet, somehow, after 4 years of blogging I still haven’t managed to pay off this last credit card debt of $12,000.

That’s right – 3 years ago I could get $2,000 in 3 months, now I can get $10,000 in a single month – but somehow in 4 years I haven’t been able to get $12,000? (Anyone else see the Math irony?)

It’s like, getting something for my money that is tangible and immediate is so much more of a reward for me than getting out of debt. I know, I know, I know about all the awesome things I can do once I’m out of debt. How all that money will be mine and working for me, but somehow that isn’t as exciting as a vacation or a house…

I guess once this house thing settles I’ll have to somehow find the motivation to get an extra $12,000 to pay this darn thing off once and for all.

Help!