In my experience, American Express tends to go above and beyond in all instances, and for Nelli and I, they reimbursed us for approximately 10 years of annual fees as well as the accumulated interest we had paid on balances we had carried over from month to month. This led to Amex absolving approximately $14,000 of our balance.

In realizing that I was just shy of $100,000 in debt I felt sick to my stomach. I remember wondering “how the hell did I let this happen?” I was saddened, ashamed, and embarrassed by my ultimate failure in my ability to manage my own household. The worst feeling came when I even began to question how two adults who couldn’t even manage themselves, could raise a child.

With the increased income, we began to swipe that Amex a bit more as well. More eating out, more unnecessary odds and ends, last minute vacations, Christmas gifts… More of everything to be honest. Nelli and I were spending like we were members of Congress; we had a seemingly unlimited reserve with no apparent care for deficit.