6
Nov
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 7 Comments
I remind myself to speak clearly and honestly without hidden agendas both at work and home.
I cringed as my phone rang at work. It was a call from a colleague, Larry, who has an amazing ability to suck time and air from any situation.
“Hey, what computer is 172.168.00.55? Is it important?”
That’s the LDAP, our directory server, the most important computer in the place. Why do you ask?
“Someone left a page up in here and it’s down.”
Someone left a page up in here and it’s down. I don’t understand what that means.
“I’m in the office and there’s a screen up with a bunch of of computers on it and they all have green dots except that one, it has a red dot and says ‘not connected’.”
I’m like, you’re freaking kidding me, right. …continue reading
22
Jul
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 10 Comments
Had I kept things clean and simple… this month’s debt snowball payment would not be paying back-taxes
Every village needs an idiot and today I guess I’m it.
You know those times when you think you’re being nice, but it turns out you’re just lying for someone else? Compound that with a fat slice of Stupid and you’re going to end up owing someone money. …continue reading
4
Jun
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 5 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
4
May
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 6 Comments
At the end of the day goods and services of exceptional nature have exceptional value
An odd conversation sprung up last week that got me thinking about value versus miserness. The term “conversation” is probably incorrect as I stopped responding once I realized the other person was just out to pick a fight, but it made me question why I am so happy to pay for somethings and not for others.
All around us we are bombarded with very sophisticated marketing that gets us to spend our money — often times on things we could do well without. Sometimes, though, we seek out a service or goods that we want or need; i.e. something with intrinsic value to us and I am amazed when another person is simply unwilling to pay for it. The Entitlement Gene is evolving rapidly in our culture. …continue reading
13
Apr
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 6 Comments
…emotionally I hadn’t connected with the numbers that were on that paper
There is a moment in the Polar Express, after a movieful of skepticism, when The Boy holds a bell from Santa’s sleigh in his hand, gives it a shake and finally hears its jingle. It is the wonder immediately following the birth of belief. Whether it’s the spirit of Santa Claus, true love, or a working written budget, there is magic in the moment where one believes.
This week marks the end of our second month on a written budget. Budget committee meetings are getting easier. Communication between The Wife and me is better than ever. I am starting to look back on how we lived the first ten years of our married financial life with regret and awe.
Even the day The Wife came home from the grocery store with …continue reading
25
Mar
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 3 Comments
I’d like to think they were glad someone opened up the honesty bag
Best friend, Jon, once asked me if the detention I got was worth it after a particularly good quip that exploded laughter from my seventh grade English class. I wasn’t always that successful. Like the time I pulled the chair out from under Christy T. in the sixth grade and she fell on her bottom. Off to the Principal’s office for that one.
Nonetheless, whether appropriate or not, I’ve always been comfortable speaking up in a classroom setting.
This past Sunday The Wife and I started Dave Ramsey’s thirteen-week Financial Peace University class at a local church. We debated about attending, feeling as though we were motivated and making progress on our own without spending another $100 on a class plus the commitment every Sunday night and potential …continue reading
