Ever been surprised at your own efficiency? I was this morning when I went to pay my American Express card.

I use the American Express Open for Business card for all of my gas purchases because I get 3% cash back (was 5% until just recently). Anyway, I had set up a reminder to pay my card today, so I logged in to do so. But apparently I already paid the bill, back in June right after I got the statement.

Today marks the first paycheck I've received that I do not have to put money toward old credit card debt. And boy, does that feel good.

It's been more than two years since I started a concerted effort to pay down my debt completely. Like many journeys, I haven't exactly taken a straight path. I meandered a bit, threaded my way between the trees, climbed over some logs, splashed in a creek, pushed through nettle-bushes, wound around.... Okay, I suppose you get the picture. Despite my diversions, there's always been one general direction, one destination, one goal. Now, I've reached it.

Well, I did my last debt update in January, and like political candidate who has gained his targeted office, have been promising to do another one each month since then. Now, I'm ready to make good on my promise.

Here's the rundown for the last three months:

February

March

Well, it's the new year and I'm already late with my first debt update. Hopefully that's not the trend-setter for all my goals this year!

Anyway, here's this month's chart:

I used to be in the habit of giving debt updates near the middle of each month. I dropped out of that habit awhile ago, but would like to start doing so again.

I debated whether to give my debt update for December, or whether to start with January. Ultimately, I decided to provide a December update, even though it's not necessarily a good one, because I already know that January will show much improvement.

Also, I'm changing the format to a screenshot of my net worth spreadsheet, rather than the table I used previously, for simplicity's sake. And here it is:

Today I paid off approximately $9,800 in credit card debt, and boy does that ever feel good.

According to the debt reduction plan I set up in Aug. 2007, I had intended to pay down approximately $9,200 of my then-current debt amount, which was about $10,000, by the end of this year. That would have left me with approximately $800 in debt, that I was hoping I could either pay off immediately or refinance.

Okay, maybe you've been here before. You have a credit card payment coming up so you go online to pay it. Everything goes smoothly, and you're feeling good. You've gone another month avoiding late payment fees and finance charges.

Three days later, your gut feels like it suddenly dropped to the center of the earth as you stare at an overdraft charge in your bank account. You slowly realize that you had put in the wrong account information, and you have no excuse except silly inattentiveness.

Okay, I'm going to admit something that is a little embarrassing. It probably even will seem a bit dangerous – and stupid – to many people, especially to any fellow personal finance bloggers out there.

I don't have an emergency fund.

Over at MSN Money Central, Liz Pulliam Weston argues that you should send your comments to the Federal Reserve on their proposed changes to banking rules related to various types of fees and fee calculations.

Jonathon over at My Money Blog has given a straightforward example of how 401(k) loans are not double-taxed. It's an interesting and informative post, especially because it goes against the "conventional wisdom" that people often give with borrowing money from your retirement account.