27
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 7 Comments
“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
21
Jul
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 4 Comments
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
22
Apr
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 11 Comments
if you too are thinking about ditching your big bank and finding a local bank with a soul, I encourage you to give it a try
This post is an example of what happens when companies put customer service last and the customer realizes there are other choices after all. Everyone who engages with customers (which pretty much means everyone) should be reading Seth Godin’s blog. That really is the sidebar to this post, but I think it’s so important I’m putting it right at the top.
I am consistently amazed by businesses that seem to go out of their way to make things more difficult for their clients. Not just slow, awkward or boring but down right more difficult. …continue reading
22
Feb
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 11 Comments
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
19
Jan
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 11 Comments
My emotional connection to money, loans, debt and the interplay with relationships has changed so drastically that I feel a certain discomfort with the situation
This whole get-out-of-debt nonsense has really screwed me up, you know that? I mean, really. When was the last time someone handed you $2,000 and you said, “no, thanks”?
Not long ago I mentioned some freelance work coming up. It’s a fun, challenging project, but one for which there has been little time lately.
It is for a dear friend and is not on a strict deadline. Nonetheless, I want to get it done sooner rather than later. I am shooting for the end of February. It should net around $3,000 toward our debt and I look forward to making that payment. …continue reading
14
Jan
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 22 Comments
Several months ago we hit that frustratingly expensive time in a man’s hygenic cycle: it was time to buy razor blades. Ugh.
I’ve been using Gillette Fusion blades since they came out and the Mach 3s before that. Why? Because they sent me a free handle, unsolicited, when they first produced the dang things.
I think they came with one or two cartridges too. However, at $25 per refill package they had become a painful slice of the weekly budget. I was done. …continue reading
