Having a Defeated Attitude

I was having a conversation with my dad on the way home last night, mainly because I wanted him to know that on August 15th his loan would finally be gone and hoping that would make him happy. I also said that I’ll be taking over his Tractor Supply payment so he doesn’t need to use that card anymore. I was trying to explain to him that soon we would be free of all interest-accruing debt besides the house, but his reply was “I already know I’m always going to be in debt.” I asked why, and he said because “I only ever have $170 left over from Social Security every month after paying bills”.

I told him that’s not always going to be the case though. Once everything is paid off he’ll have over $300 more (so about $500) left over each month because he won’t be making payments anymore, and quite frankly that’s more than what I’ve been living off lately while trying to pay off these bills.

I guess it’s just hard to try and explain to him without feeling like he feels I’m lecturing him. I think the best route is just to do the payments, get it done, and then tell him when he needs to stop making a payment. Eventually it will add up and he’ll see, and maybe won’t feel so defeated when it comes to finances.