“Six Financial Thanks for Thanksgiving”

As Thanksgiving approaches, I realize that although I am drowning in debt, I actually do have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to my finances.

1. My husband and I both have our jobs. I have a lot of friends who have lost their job this year, and I am so grateful that my husband and I have the ability to make our debt payments and keep afloat.  Our situation could be so much worse, and my heart goes out to those of you who have had to deal with job losses this year.
2. We have an affordable mortgage. Several years ago when we bought our house, we actually made a really good financial decision (something that doesn’t happen much) by purchasing a house well below what the bank was willing to loan us.  Because of that, we have been able to manage our payments unlike so many people who have lost their homes or who are in danger of doing so.
3. No car payments! Both of our cars are paid off which makes our monthly debt payments much more manageable.
4. My family’s health is great. Although we have insurance, health bills can strap millions of Americans.  We are thankful that we have avoided serious health issues.
5. Our city: Austin. I’m so glad that we are living in this city where on any given weekend we have so many choices of FREE things to do.  Just this weekend we checked out the East Austin Studio Tour.  Other free stuff we have done this year has been the Viva la Vida Fest, Joie de Vie Happy Hour, Fall Creek Grape Stomp, and those are just the things you guys have read about.
6. You, Republic of Austin readers. Thanks for supporting me as I struggle to get a grip on my financial life.  It’s been awesome having you along for the journey, and I hope you continue to follow me and learn something along the way.

See, I knew that if I just stopped and thought about it, I would find a lot of things to be thankful about in spite of the gloom and doom of my negative net worth.

What are you thankful for this year?

Related posts:

1. “Financial Awakening, Part I: Drowning in Debt”
2. Financial Awakening, Part II: Knowing and Owning Your Financial Situation