7
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 9 Comments
[T]he budget has become a verb and is no longer a noun. It is a dynamically changing Plan
I remember the summer vacation we finally got cable television. Not for what I did, but for what I didn’t do. Oh my gosh, I became a lazy goober sauntering from kitchen to couch, cereal bowl in hand, ready for another eight hours of whatever was on.
It wasn’t until much later I realized what a waste being so lazy that summer was, but since I was 9 I didn’t feel all that bad.
I am proud to tell you The Wife and I have been anything but lazy with our budget these past months. That’s why I have been so surprised lately with several friends and acquaintances who do not do a new budget every month. …continue reading
23
Jul
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 5 Comments
…these opportunities to save were there all along, but it took a shift in our perspective to put them into practice
When it comes to trimming the budget there can be big cuts like “Sell the stupid car!” or moving to a cheaper house, but lately I’ve been having fun finding replacements for smaller things that add up.
I’m not talking about small things we deemed unnecessary, mind you, these are things we genuinely enjoy. Some we cut immediately when we began our total money makeover, others we gave up reluctantly, and a few we were happy to give up when a replacement revealed itself unexpectedly.
Here are some of the replacements we have found that made a difference in our budget each month. …continue reading
24
Jun
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 7 Comments
We actually went without, stuck to a plan, and saved up for something we wanted
Race car, Lightning McQueen, gets thrown in jail in Cars
after getting tied to a weighty statue and driving through town, tearing up the road behind him as he goes.
On my daily 70 mile commute I see so many cars that I envision dragging a huge anchor just like McQueen behind them in the form of a monthly payment. If not for the car itself then for the stereo in it, the custom tires or some maintenance that just had to be done. Not that long ago I would have been one of them. Thankfully, (say it with me now) we do not borrow money. …continue reading
4
Jun
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 6 Comments
[I]t came with resentment, guilt and the underlying current of fear that results from living life sans safety net
Every time I watch a newly-married couple smoosh cake into each other’s face at their reception I have this uneasy feeling of something being wrong. When The Wife and I married we were giddy, ridiculously happy, and yet civilized about the darned cake eating thing. There was no smooshing.
Sadly, something was still wrong and I think even then I felt an uneasiness. I didn’t know what it was until nine years later. Nine years and more than $10,000 in accumulated overdraft fees. …continue reading
1
Jun
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 4 Comments
Is there a second job in my future?
On the way to any goal I think it’s natural to wonder whether or not one is doing all one can to get there. It is probably rare, however, to have the release of a piece of free software trigger real doubt about it.
This past week I have counselled three separate couples on their financial decisions, each in a different phase of acceptance/denial about their situation. Each time I found myself questioning my own actions. Am I doing everything I can to get out of debt as quickly as possible? …continue reading
11
May
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 5 Comments
I am amazed how a few months on a written budget can bring such clarity
Oh I did NOT just do that. You are kidding me. There is no way I just plowed into the car in front of me, right? I guess every plan needs a good testing now and then. This is apparently time to test ours.
On the way home from work last week I was stopped behind a minivan, second in line at a light in my little Civic. The light changed, we all accelerated and I allowed my attention to be distracted for a moment. Half a second, I’m sure, but nonetheless… I glanced away from the minivan then back to find it completely stopped again. …continue reading
