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
25
Feb
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 3 Comments
A word I’ve heard a lot this week is “traction”. Man, do I want some! I had hoped the yard sale would provide it, but it proved to be more mentally important than a financial salvation.
Having a plan on paper feels good, but it’s hard to feel like we’re moving anywhere but backward right now
Our first goal is to save $1,000 for a baby emergency fund ($516 saved). Next is to pay off the $47k credit card debt.
Let me tell you: from this side of the field that looks like a long frickin road to me.
This evening I had the kids …continue reading
21
Feb
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 4 Comments
The quickest way we could think of to kick start the emergency fund was a garage sale and today was it!
Time for the safety-net that frees us up to chop the credit cards to little bits.
“What if the refrigerator goes out?”
“What if the car needs brakes?”
“What if …continue reading
18
Feb
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 5 Comments
Our first budget is a bit messy… We are more than $47k in debt and our current take-home pay is $5,400. Our mortgage is $2,200 and… we have no savings.
It was a good weekend and we hammered our first budget into place. That shit is hard! However, both The Wife and I are sold on Dave Ramsey’s ideas and there is a palpable paradigm shift happening in our house.
The switch that was thrown must have been a big one because I’m ready to castrate my suburban manhood right now.
Ten years ago I went from renter to home-owner and began my new life as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor. I own (and know how to use well) two circular saws, a compound miter saw, three drills and a drill press, a table saw, a belt sander, a band saw, a Bosch jig saw, a router and router table… you get the idea. …continue reading
