"I don't have any debt"... Really? Are you sure about that?

Last night, Michael and I headed over to a co-worker's house to play some Texas Hold 'em. It's been a long time since we've played so I was pretty excited. We had 11 people play one $20 game so we were able to pay out 4 places- $100, $60, $40, and $20.

It cost Michael and I $40 to play and I did not have it budgeted. I forgot. We got lucky though because we sold a DVD player earlier in the day and got $40 for it. Whew. Close one!

Wouldn't you know, I ended up taking 2nd place and Michael took 3rd so we walked away with $100! It was a fun night!

Today we're heading to a Diamondback's baseball game- Michael's boss gave him tickets so it won't cost us anything to go. Then tomorrow we're heading to BDub's to watch football with a bunch of friends, so we'll use a little bit of money for food while we're there.

Pretty fun weekend for very little money! I'm always amazed at how little you have to spend to have fun.

On a different note, I was talking with a friend this morning and the conversation was a little frustrating to me. This whole "Dave Ramsey plan" that Michael and I are on works for us and it makes total sense for our situation. Not having any debt is the way we have chosen to live our lives. However, I fully understand that it's not for everyone and maybe it doesn't make sense for others. I'm cool with that and we all need to work our money the way that works for us, not someone else.

So, when I'm talking to my friend and she tells me she has a new car that she financed ($22K) and $250K in student loan debt, I don't say anything. Sure, I think it's risky, but she's going to be a doctor soon so I know she'll have a large income and I know that's what she's looking at. It's none of my business if she chooses to take on the risk of debt and I do not judge her. Nor do I try to convince her her way is "wrong" because I don't necessarily think I can make that call for her.

I can only honestly and realistically say that debt is "wrong" for Michael and me.

So when she tells me she has $22K in a car and $250K in student loans, I sit back and secretly hope that she never suffers from job loss or any other hardship that would make her regret it. But that's as far as I go with my opinions.

However, when she says in another sentence, "I don't have any debt" I do not feel comfortable not saying something.

Me: "Well, you have a car loan and student loans."

Friend: "Yeah, but I don't have any debt."

Me: "Umm... yes you do. Student loans and a car loan ARE debt. Sure, they're very normal and most people have them and can easily justify them, but they are debt nonetheless."

Friend: "I don't consider that bad though so I don't really think I have debt."

Okay, whether you consider it "bad", "good", or "okay" is irrelevant. I totally understand that student loans are considered "good" debt. I get it. I really do. However, good or bad, debt is debt. Don't be unrealistic and say something like, "I don't have debt"

That's denial. Go ahead, have it, I really don't care. We choose not to but if you want to, go right ahead.

But don't go and say that you don't have any debt when you do.