Recently Megan has been checking out DVDs from the local library for us to watch. We do have a Blockbuster Total Access subscription, which costs $10.59 a month after tax, that we use as well; but that only allows us to have 1 movie at a time.

I have not been to the library to see the selection, but she assures me there are some recent movies there, as well as some older ones which she has been checking out three or four at a time. While some frugal experts would probably say that continuing the Blockbuster subscription was silly, since we could get movies for free from the library, I have a hard time giving it up as we currently get newer HD-DVDs from Blockbuster through the mail, then trade those in at the store for other DVDs. We typically get at least four or five a week and I also get a coupon for one XBOX 360 game rental a month, which itself easily justifies the $10.59 subscription.

The library DVDs have been a welcome addition as we killed the Dish Network subscription and only watch movies or DVDs now. The main reason for killing the TV feed was simply to save money. But I have also noticed I don’t really have any desire to go see movies at the theater since cutting the TV off. This is probably because I haven’t been bombarded with TV ads for the newest movies coming out.

I guess the whole point to this rambling is, you should definitely check the library for DVDs and movies to fill your entertainment gap on the cheap, or even on the free. This is on frugal tip I see us using for the next few years.

While I do not think this was the optimal first step it is going to be one that really helps free up some money and improve our financial situation.

We have decided to postpone the wedding until next year. This allows us time to save some more money and ease the financial stress on ourselves. This will also mean about $1,800 I get back from deposits and payments on the honeymoon Disney Cruise. This is money I can then turn around and pay on other consumer debt to help get on track. I would also highly recommend Dreams Unlimited Travel if you are looking to book a Disney Cruise or other Disney vacation as they have been extremely easy to work with. We will defiantly turn to their services first when we rebook our honeymoon.

I am getting married in October. Since we already live together, we have been discussing finances, budgets, and debt. According to some, my debt is nothing for me to worry about. However, I feel that almost $50,000 in debt is a bit too much. While only about $10,000 of that is consumer debt (credit cards, same-as-cash appliance financing, etc), I think it’s high time to get on top of this and eliminate it now.

Since one of the steps to getting anything done is to write it down; I’m going a step further here and writing it down on my blog. I plan on posting updates on my progress towards ridding myself of this debt as well as tips and tricks from the debt reduction websites I read daily.

I hope my experience here can help someone else to focus their efforts into ridding themselves of the debt monster.