Part One: Our Money Mess

Ever open your credit card statement, see the minimum payment, and think: ‘Whew, I dodged a bullet’ – while totally ignoring the balance? Yeah… that was us.

Welcome to Economic Simplicity – where clarity meets confidence and we make money make sense.

Our Low Point

We didn’t grow up talking about credit cards or compound interest. So when we got married, we did what a lot of people do – we used credit like it was extra income. Vacations, dinners out, holiday gifts… we weren’t living large, but we were living beyond our means.

We had cards with balances, cards with high interest, cards we didn’t even remember applying for. There was one month where we couldn’t even cover all the minimums. I remember sitting at the kitchen table trying to figure out which bill we could pay late without getting our lights shut off.

Everyone around us, family, friends, even a couple of financial advisors, said the same thing: “You should just file bankruptcy.” But that didn’t sit right with us. We felt like we’d made the mess, and we wanted to figure out how to clean it up without walking away from our commitments.

The Shift

So we got serious. Not fast, not fancy, just focused.

• We looked at every card.
• We transferred balances to zero-interest offers.
• We made spreadsheets. (So. Many. Spreadsheets.)
• And we started paying things off, one dollar at a time.

We also checked our credit reports for the first time – and shocker – found mistakes. Accounts we didn’t recognize, old addresses, even payment history errors that were dragging our scores down.

Once we learned how to fix that, everything started to shift. We weren’t just digging out – we were taking back control.

Why It Matters

That’s why this content exists. Not because we’re gurus – but because we aren’t.

We’re you. Or maybe the version of you a few steps ahead. We learned by messing up, by trying things, by asking questions. And we built our MAPS system to help others do the same – intentionally, without shame.

Today, we use credit differently. Intentionally. Confidently. Not because we’re scared of debt, but because we understand the cost of letting someone else define our path.

MAPS MOMENT – M IS FOR MINDSET

When you’re overwhelmed by credit card debt, the first thing to change isn’t your spending. It’s your mindset.

You have to believe you’re capable of fixing it. You have to believe there’s another way. That’s where MAPS begins – and so does this series.

So Now What?

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to break down the credit card game – the myths, the traps, the tools – and help you find your best way forward.

No shame. No fluff. Just simple, clear steps that anyone can take.

📌 Want to learn how to choose the right card or fix your credit report? That’s coming. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.
📌 Got a credit story like ours? Drop it in the comments or tag us – we love hearing how others made their way back too.

Until next time, keep it simple, stay intentional… and follow your MAPS.