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
7
Jan
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 12 Comments
My dislike for the credit industry is matched now only by my apathy for their business methodology
Last night I realized that with a $48k debt snowball, like a hostage situation, Stockholm syndrome eventually sets in.
We have become comfortable with our method, level of focus and debt-reduction. Yes, we have three debts left, but we are making steady progress and have a plan. Mechanically, the system has found a groove: income is earned, payments are made, debt goes down.
In a way, when you have gotten used to living on a budget and spending less than you make, you can buckle down, do the work and forget the “whys” of getting away from credit card companies.
Then they remind you. …continue reading
30
Dec
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 9 Comments
It is ironic that I was the one bolstered by my kids’ easy acceptance…
While I truly hope you all had as lovely a Christmas as I did, I cannot imagine that’s possible. My condolences.
It has been a stunningly wonderful holiday season. And not only was it all done with cash, we even paid down another thousand dollars of our debt.
At The Wife’s insistence we had a Christmas sinking fund and spent it on the kids; $100 each. That may not seem like much, but it was enough and generous grandparents from both sides of the aisle made for lots of love and plenty of presents to unwrap. …continue reading
4
Dec
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 12 Comments
There is always tomorrow. Another month. Another budget. Another chance to get it right.
Oh. My. God.
After ten months (TEN MONTHS!) of financial responsibility… no, financial PERFECTION, today I screwed the pooch.
Actually, I screwed the pooch more than a week ago when I ignored our budget and decided things were going even better than I thought they were… and gave away the farm. …continue reading
24
Nov
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 10 Comments
Never has it been so clear to me that personal finance is really personal.
I have tried to find the tone for this post for a week now, but have to admit it is hard to land squarely on the side of happiness or condemnation.
You know how some things just make you cock your head to the side in a gooey blend of disbelief, empathy and mild-confusion? Not in a superior manner — instead, you want to be happy for someone, but can’t see around the enormous elephant in the room. …continue reading
19
Nov
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 5 Comments
This week: milestone #7 on The Road to Being a Grownup.
You know how every so often you back out of the dream world you live in and face facts? Yeah, me neither, but still… Don’t get me wrong, dream worlds can be hilarious.
For example, last night. I dreamed I pulled out my Google Credit Card and… actually… used it.
Like I said, hilarious. …continue reading
Several months ago we hit that frustratingly expensive time in a man’s hygenic cycle: it was time to buy razor blades. Ugh.
