About
Hi, my name is Cait. Welcome to my personal finance blog! What’s a personal finance blog? you might be wondering. Well, let me tell you about mine.
In June of 2011, I was completely maxed out. I had approximately $100 to my name, plus another $100 of wiggle room on my credit card, and it all had to last me six weeks. After years of swiping for anything I dreamed of owning or doing, my bad spending habits had finally caught up with me and I was left with more than $28,000 of debt to pay off. To try and stay accountable throughout my debt repayment journey, I decided to start this blog.
Since then, I have evolved from being a girl who wanted to be smart with her money into a woman who cares passionately about every penny that goes in and out of her hands. I paid off more than $10,000 of debt in 2011, $11,000 of debt in 2012, and I made my final debt repayment on May 21st, 2013 – nearly two years from when I was maxed out.
In case you’re wondering, there are no quick fixes to get out of debt. Over the last two years, I have done things that no twenty-something wants to do, including: moving back in with my parents for six months, avoiding shopping malls, and saying “no” to travelling with friends. Some months have been easier than others, but I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t track my spending and (at least attempt to) stick to a monthly budget.
At this point, I’m sure it doesn’t need to be said, but I am a personal finance blogger not a financial planner. The posts on this blog reflect my personal experiences and should not be taken as advice. With that being said, I hope to inspire girls and women everywhere to take control of their lives and achieve financial independence.
After a brief stint in Toronto, I am now starting a new life in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I hold a BA in Communications and work full-time as the managing editor of not one but two Toronto-based startups. Want to know more? Keep reading!
Congrats on taking the steps in the right direction to working towards being “a balanced and financially sound woman”.
Thanks, Girl!
Subscribing to follow your journey. This is a fascinating blog. Good luck!
Thanks, Jeff! Hope I can keep it fascinating for you
Oh how I can relate! Glad to have found your blog, I’ll be following along.
Happy you commented so I could find your blog too
Congratulations on figuring this out sooner than later
Now your’e ahead of the game! Thanx for the RT on the book giveaway! I think Gail’s book would be an excellent investment, even if you don’t win it 
Cheers
The Dividend Ninja
I’m enjoying her first book so much, I am certain I would love her others too. Thanks for the comment!
Curious…just found this blog. When did you start paying off your debt? You’ve done a good chunk which is amazing! Just wondering how long it’s taken you?
Hey CN – I started my debt repayment plan on June 10, 2011. So it’s been just over 7 months now. Thanks for your comment!
Hi Cait – I actually read your blog a few years ago when you were anonymous but lost touch. I came across it again a few days ago and so happy I did! Love reading about the “adventures” of other young professional Canadians
I totally agree that if money was no longer “taboo”, we could all be in a better place!
Congratulations on your debt progress so far. I will be continuing to read.
Lyndsay
Hi Lyndsay – I’m so happy you found my blog again! And that you commented, so I could find yours. Heading over there now.
Hi Cait,
I need you help!! Could you email me and fill you in, please…
Kind Regards
Kara
Sent!
I love your blog. I’m just getting ready to clean house, financially… and to drop the 50 pounds I’ve gained along with my debt. Seems like I’ve gained a pound with every $300 of debt. Time to get healthy.
So, planning to lower my debt $500/2-week paycheck and 5 pounds/2 weeks. – $1,000 and 10 lbs a month sounds more than doable.
Keep me honest!
Cheers,
Hannah
Hi Hannah,
That sounds like pretty rapid weight loss. Over the last 12 months, the most weight I have lost is 8 lbs. in one month – and that was my first month of eating right and working out almost every single day. Since then, I’ve only lost between 1-5 lbs./month.
I would never tell someone what goals to set but I will say that it’s better to stick to realistic goals (say 5 lbs./month) and BEAT those than set really tough goals that may make you feel worse if you don’t meet them.
Good luck!
Hi Cait, I just want you to know that you are such an inspiration to me. I have just started committing to getting out of debt and there could be no perfect timing to find out about your blog. Thank you so much for inspiring people all over the world. God bless you!
Thank you for the kind comments, Ann. Happy you found me! Be sure to checkout other blogs listed in my blogroll – most of them are written by people who are also digging their way out of debt. Good luck!
Have really enjoyed browsing your blog and intend on continuing to follow along.
I live in Texas, and stumbled upon your blog whilst searching for a great personal financial software. I am putting the pieces of my life back together after near two decades in the military, PTSD, and, unfortunately, incarceration.
I now lead meditation classes in mindfulness-based stress reduction. I’ve been toying with the idea of starting my own blog and yours has certainly inspired me. I’m not sure if this is the right forum (perhaps e-mail?)…I’m no web-designer/webmaster and time is tight. Any thoughts on how to get up and running (wordpress..etc.)? If you don’t reply, no problem…undoubtedly you are hammered with questions daily.
Good luck!