How to Get Educated and Face Up to Your Debt

One day recently I went to the library with my daughter and while she was using the computer, I absently started looking at the nearby bookshelves. To my amazement I found myself reading titles that I had never noticed before ... each one dealing with finances and debt. To think of all the times I had gone to the library researching favorite topics or checking out great novels, at no time did I ever think to look for a book that would address my current situation, namely "stressed out from debt" and "stressed out from pretending not to be in debt". My debt had become so intimidating, I barely could think of anything else. Constantly I was thinking, hoping there was some way out...some secret. I sure didn't want anyone to know I was in such a mess financially.

Standing there in the library looking at that particular section of books really opened my eyes to all the information I wish I had known about back when I first started out as a young adult. And why did it take me so long to realize there were actually books at the library dealing with debt? I think the topic was one I avoided at all costs. Debt being almost a taboo subject. Well, no longer. I have to deal with the topic now before it gets any bigger. And believe me, it is huge.

At the library that day my education of becoming debt-free started. I found books that told about how others had the same problem I did, that is, they were being hounded by debt collectors, too. I checked out the books kind of hoping the librarian wouldn't notice the titles. And if she did I was thinking of letting her know I was researching again....thank goodness she barely glanced at the titles, basically just stamping the return date on the little card in the back and telling me "thank you." So I came home and started reading. Once I started, I didn't want to stop for anything but, I had to so it took a few days to finish my reading.