28 Apr

Mile Marker 20 and Time-Travel that Works

Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out.

I blinked and ten years went by. I chose debt for most of them

One of the guys I work with is 6′ 6″ and once in a while when he zigs instead of zagging, he clocks his head on a door frame. Being of a more diminutive stature this is not a problem I’ve ever had to deal with, but every so often I pass a mile marker on the road of life that feels like a smack to the head and stops me in my tracks.

May’s budget is solidifying (yes, by that I mean we haven’t done it yet — tonight, tonight!) and in it The Wife has an item that takes me back to the Spring we met. I distinctly remember her heading off to attend her tenth high school reunion that year. This coming weekend she will board the Alma Mater train once again, this time for her twentieth.

Whoa.

I am struck by several things when faced with this fact: it has been 20 years since we graduated from high school, we have been together for 10 years, and our net worth is somewhere around -$300,000. It makes me want to go back in time and shake myself, “Don’t go into debt! Pay off that $129k mortgage! Cut up those credit cards! Save!”

Oh man, where we would be today as we watch that mile marker pass by if I could go back and talk to my younger self.

Nonetheless, today I have come to a realization. I have gone back in time if I choose to believe it. My 47 year-old self has come a-begging to these 37 year-olds and we are listening.

With some unexpected overtime, this month we are sending $2,400 to our smallest debt; even more than we previously thought possible. If we stick to our plan, those 47 year-olds will get everything they want. Everything they want. How’s that for time travel?

It seems I blinked and ten years went by. I chose debt for most of them. With great satisfaction that mile marker falls behind us and this part of the road will be different. It already feels less bumpy, better paved. This time we choose financial freedom. Maybe mile marker 30 won’t feel like such a whack-to-the-head when it approaches.

Who am I kidding? The kids will be 14. I’ll be unconscious for sure.

the Dad


2 Responses to this post.

  1. Liz's Gravatar

    Posted by Liz on 04/29/09 at 9:59 am

    What an awesome idea, to give yourself a birthday present today for ten years down the road. We can do that with our health, too.

  2. mrsnunar's Gravatar

    Posted by mrsnunar on 04/29/09 at 8:36 pm

    I love your site. This post was especially inspirational! Keep blogging; I’ll keep reading!

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