Here’s where it all began – an hour, a big city, and a credit card.

Written by Hope

I moved to Chicago in 1996. I had just graduated with my bachelor’s degree and was planning to move to Chicago to save the world. Ha! My plan was to work with gang kids as a licensed social worker.

My rent was $350. I had no debt. I had no credit cards. I didn’t have a car. In fact, I left my car in Texas for my parents to sell.

I was completely clueless when it came to finances. I mean, I grew up with a checking account. But credit score I had no idea. Credit cards I had no idea. Loans I had no idea. I was really clueless when it came to the world of money and debt and all that.

Then I passed a table somewhere, and I was sure they were offering something for free. I signed up for my first credit card.

This was my first purchase… (there was another purchase I remember… Coach backpackI loved that bag! But I had no idea what Coach was. I wasn’t a fan of designer brands. And honestly, I still don’t, even though I know them now.

If my memory serves me right, did this watch cost me $300? Don’t take my word for it, it’s been nearly three decades since I bought it.

While I was constantly cleaning and purging, I found this a few weeks ago. Along with two other beautiful watches I’ve acquired since then.

I went to Walmart to try to get new batteries for all three watches. They wouldn’t do anything with them because of the high prices, I guess. They referred me to a jeweler to replace them. For $42, I got three new watch batteries. Now I wear my watch that I bought 28 years ago, and my daughters each get a nice watch.

A few months ago, I was able to sell my engagement ring. (I couldn’t find a post about it.) But I’ve tried selling my “real” jewelry at pawn shops, jewelers, and finally on Facebook Marketplace. I was shocked at how little these supposedly expensive pieces were worth. But for now, I’m going to keep this watch. I haven’t worn a watch in years. And I’m going to enjoy it. It brings back memories of some of the best times of my early life. I love Chicago.

But it will also serve as a reminder of what you should never do financially! No more credit card debt!

Side note: Before you get into unexpected spending etc, this money came from my Christmas savings. I thought these would be perfect gifts for girls.

Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business executive who helps clients grow their businesses and operate more efficiently by leveraging her expertise in project management, digital marketing, and technology solutions. She recently became an empty nester mom as her five adopted children spread their wings. She lives with her three dogs in a small town in Northeast Georgia and would rather live in the mountains than the beach any day. She struggles with travel fever and does her best to help each of her children finish school and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting firm for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the spring of 2015 and feels like she’s finally at a place where she can truly focus on making wise financial decisions.