29
Oct
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 13 Comments
Most importantly, this October The Wife and I came together to agree on all spending
Do you have one of those months each year? A month that simply outsmarts you? I do.
For some reason our lives gravitated to October as though it were the only month of the year. Financially October is my speed bump and I am growing to accept it.
There was a time in my youth when October was just the month that had Halloween. It was the month that began the holiday season. The month when the air got crisp and chilly. The best time of the year. …continue reading
19
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 10 Comments
I let myself get all excited about paying that debt off and moving on to the next one.
The Millennium Falcon for Christmas in 1982, visiting Scotland, being debt-free… From an early age I’ve always easily gotten my heart set on things. You’d think I’d learn to manage my own expectations better.
I am preparing our six-month update for this journey and am excited to see we are were paying off another debt with August’s snowball payment. …continue reading
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
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
