D and I had an appointment at the bank Saturday morning. For the first time in nearly four years, I feel as though I have some control over my finances. When I met D, I had just started getting used to having money, savings, being able to buy a "big ticket item" once in a while. Four years into our relationship, we moved in together. This required the purchasing of furniture. But rather than just buy furniture, we also spent money on a 'toys'. Then he lost his job. Unemployed for nearly a year. School for another and unemployed for a third. I was eventually sucked into a consolidation loan at an astronomical interest rate. The bank decided I was too big of a risk. I didn't reallly have a choice. Now, I pay an insane amount of interest every month, I still have bills that were never included in the consolidation that have started to affect my credit rating. I'll be the first to admit that I'm a lousy saver, heck, I'll admit it: I can't save a dime (unless it's for a short term goal, then I seem to be ok).

So we finally went to the bank, spoke to an advisor and started proceedings to consolidate through the bank at a much lower interest rate. The plan, if it is approved, would also include a savings plan. Worse comes to worse, the bank will not approve the loan and we'll have to keep paying the astronomical interest. Even if this is the case, I still want to proceed with the saving's plan. I hope this works. I felt immediately better when I left the bank and nothing had even been approved yet. We'll find out later this week as to the result of our request.

I'm nervous and excited. It's the beginning of our new life.