Very brave post Billygoat...considering how unwilling most people are to talk about their financial situation.
I'd like to respond to each of your questions:
Do any of you find yourselves struggling because you never learned to save?
Not struggling per se, but wishing that I'd begun saving and spending less a lot sooner.
Was the impending doom of Armageddon a factor in how you spent money?
Not until I left the cult while still believing in it. I thought that I was going to be toast at any moment, so I'd better live it up now! (It's been about three years since I felt that way...learned all about the Lie since then.)
Did you abuse credit because it would get cleared in the New System?
No. I thought I wouldn't be around in the "New System". See above. (Although, in a sense, I guess I would have been cleared of my debt. lol)
Do you think it is for JWs today? Or is it different from when I was a kid?
I think many jws mismanage their money. I'm not really sure if they do so more than the average person though...there are loads of people out there who've never been jws who are totally clueless about money...in fact, I'd say that the majority of people are downright stupid when it comes to money management.
As far as jws today...hmmm....well, my family members are all very much into the stock market, mutual funds, equity investments, etc. That wasn't the case when I was growing up. I think that the change in the teaching about the generation of 1914 has had a real impact in this regard.
Did your parents teach you good finance management habits?
In many ways, yes. They taught by example. They never bought anything that they could not afford to pay for right away...even vehicles, which they always bought used. If they used a credit card, they used it only out of convenience. Credit card bills were always paid on time and in full every month. The only exception to that rule was the mortgage on the house. Before I left the borg, I was only working part-time and I still managed to save quite a substantial amount...an amount that I have not seen in a savings account of mine since. Then again, I was a good little dub at the time...what the heck did I have to spend my money on? lol
What are some things you’ve done to teach yourself new spending habits? (I mean practical little things.)
Other than realizing that Jehoover isn't going to strike me dead any day you mean? I have a couple:
Keep a budget - even a simplified one is great. I use an Excel spreadsheet to track what I spend in general terms so that I know whether or not I'm meeting my own savings goals. I have formulae everywhere in the spreadsheet so I know if I spend more than I should in one area, I have to compensate elsewhere. (It's kind of depressing to look at sometimes, but it does the trick.) The great thing about it is that if you project it month by month for a year or two, you can really see your money in savings adding up to a nice, tidy little sum.
Never use a credit card to buy meals or drinks....or more to the point, never take a credit card with you when you are out for a few drinks!
Any recommendations in terms of how to clear debt?
You could see a credit counsellor. Make sure you go to one that doesn't charge anything for their services though. They can help to lower the interest rates on the credit cards you are paying off....sometimes even eliminating the interest altogether. Just be advised that if you are up-to-date on your payments, going through a credit counsellor *may* adversely affect your credit rating.
Any recommendations on how to GET MOTIVATED and STAY DISCIPLINED?
I find the projected budget does wonders for me. I can see the numbers grow and grow...and/or shrink and shrink when I put in extra expenses for things I don't really need.
That's about it from me!
