Emergency Mode – Stop the Debt Snowball and Pile Up Cash

“By focusing on our finances regularly we were able to see an on-coming train and prepare for the safety and security of our family…”

My cheese has been moved.

Last week things at work took a huge shift; a majority of my colleagues signed union cards and filed their intent to vote on organized representation with the National Labor Board.

I’m not going to debate the idea of union vs. non-union work here, but as a jack-of-all-trades whose position is impossible to classify, organizing is not in my favor at all. The two most likely outcomes I see are either a strict narrowing of my duties and a pay decrease of about 50% or an elimination of my position. …continue reading

[EBM] The Dance Recital

“Perhaps I’m just feeling surprised and beat up as line-item after line-item shows up for this thing like a mechanic calling throughout the day to tell you he found another thing wrong with the car.”

The Wife has taken dance classes since she was two and danced professionally into her twenties. I, on the other hand, had almost no paid hobbies growing up. With those differences, it should probably be no surprise that we need an Emergency Budget Meeting about the kids’ upcoming dance recital.

To The Wife it is expected that we budget for costumes and recital tickets and, hey, I’m cool with that. My kids rocking a stage? Awesome. It’s all the other things that are starting to freak me out; maybe I need some perspective from other parents. …continue reading

Borrowing Money from Family – How to Save Money at the Cost of a Relationship

I should start by stating something obvious; no one wants us to be out of debt more than us. In fact I NEVER WANT TO SEE A CREDIT CARD AGAIN.

I believe our perceptions of money, debt and even contentment (i.e.: happiness) have become so healthy as The Wife and I sear the lessons of becoming debt-free into our psyches.

All of our family and friends support our goal and some have even dug in and are applying the same principles that bring us such peace. But a recent offer from very kind, loving family members highlights one of the red flags we have come to watch for. …continue reading

Wisdom from The Tutu

“When you stop writing I will know you’re finally enjoying yourself.”

I was the kind of kid who got horribly homesick. I have no idea why, but I remember it being terrifying to spend the night away from home. Maybe it was because we moved so much when I was young …continue reading

One Year, Two Baby Steps, Three Missed Snowballs

DOMAIN RENEWAL NOTIFICATION: Your domain Climbingout.net is going to expire!

Wow — already?!

I can hardly believe it has been a year since we started on the road to financial peace. First, a thank you to all of you who follow our journey and offer encouragement. To those of you doing it with us, HIGH FIVE!

So how are we doing? It’s been 12 months since we started this journey and this blog.

For 12 months we have …continue reading

I’m Excited about 2010 – The Joy of Positive Momentum

I feel like we spent 2009 pushing back on a huge boulder that is now rolling in earnest.

If it were tangible, is this what momentum would feel like? In my soul 2010 already tastes like a great year.

It’s hard to put my finger on why, but after starting 2009 at the bottom and watching our lives turn around, 2010 seems to stretch ahead of us full of promise and I’m excited. …continue reading