When I told Micah I was going to write this, he responded “Into every generation is born a Debtor.” So we’ll start with the good news—debt isn’t your destiny. Always remember that, no matter how big it feels.
The bads news is that just as she has responsibility to be the Slayer, you have a responsibility to deal with the big scary monster that is your debt. But fortunately once you get your debt paid off, your Debt Slayer duties end. Which makes you really lucky.
At the end of Season 2, Buffy runs away. But the monsters are still there—where she runs as well as back in Sunnydale. Like the neverending supply of vampires, your debt doesn’t go away just because you really really want it to.
But when Buffy comes back and faces her responsibilities at the beginning of Season 3, it’s extremely painful and frustrating—not just monsters, but also relationships. She just wants to run away again. I hope it’s not a big spoiler that she ends up staying…hence many more seasons.
The thing is that you can’t run away. Unfortunately. Even bankruptcy isn’t an easy out.
Fortunately, you can sharpen your Debt Slaying skills with frugality, snowflaking, organizing your snowballs, etc. And once you’re a total Debt-Slaying warrior, you’ll be even better prepared to tackle investing and put your skills to a good use. Unfortunately, I can’t think of a Buffy metaphor for that.
You can’t run away, so the options are basically to let it kill you or to learn to fight it. Whether you’re staking it one vamp at a time or bringing down the Hellmouth, you’re on the right track.
For more Buffy-inspired personal finance musings, check out:
- 11 Things Buffy Taught Me About Frugality and Simplicity at Living Behind the Curve
- and Celebrities and Money: Sarah Michelle Gellar at Lazy Man and Money
photo of Sunnydale High provided by Janeway216
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LOL! I didn’t think I could learn anything from Buffy but I guess I’m wrong. I love the word Debt Slayer. It makes me sound like a superhero-ish.
Ah! You beat me to it! I’m going to do a Buffy-related PF post, I am, I really am!
Actually I think BVS had a lot to say about perseverance in the face of obstacles, and that DOES apply very well to personal finance. Keeping on fighting against seemingly insurmountable odds is an admirable trait.
Good stuff. Now tie Spike into all of that 🙂
Just you wait until Season 6–that’s when Buffy really hits actual debt….DoubleMeat Palace, to anyone familiar with the series.
This has to be my favorite personal finance post EVER!!!! After you finish the dvds you need to get the comic Buffy Season 8. I really do love me some Buffy!!!
Ha. Genius. This is very poignant. I think if you read between the lines there is a lot to be learned from Buffy. 🙂 thanks for this!
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