2
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 9 Comments
Getting out of debt has readjusted so many priorities in our lives and this may be the next big one to change.
How the Dad ended up with a ridiculous commute.
Way back in 1996 a friend asked if I was interested in renting his house. The current renters were bailing on him and he knew I wasn’t happy with my living situation.
I was one of several roommates in a pretty small place about 20 miles from work. The thought of a whole house (with a yard!) to myself was very enticing. My own kitchen, a real garage, in a real neighborhood.
The catch? It was more than 60 miles from work. …continue reading
27
Jul
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 5 Comments
Have you ever seen a toddler drop the whole scoop off the top of his ice cream cone? It seems like slow motion as that thing falls, splat, to the ground in the all-enveloping silence before the crying begins.
No parent wouldn’t love to replace that scoop immediately. It’s human nature. We all have been there.
We want to restore balance, make things right, put them back the way they were as quickly as possible.
Maybe Things Don’t Need to Be Restored
Focusing our lives on becoming debt-free shines a painful light on this simple aspect of our nature; it’s ridiculous to think we are entitled to our things. …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
12
Jun
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 4 Comments
Every time I want to text someone with that crap phone I am reminded of our goals
Okay, there’s really nothing fun about buckling down and getting out of debt. Or is there?
No, there can’t be; it’s a barren, joyless trek through sacrifice with nothing but denial and self-discipline.
Ha! Haven’t you guys seen Mary Poppins? Spoonful of sugar, baby. Our family has had loads of fun while working this debt snowball. In fact it’s forced us to find free & low-cost things to do together that we wouldn’t have sought out back when we were brain-damaged. …continue reading
31
May
Posted by The Wife in Climbing Out. 7 Comments
It’s the last credit card that is the hardest…
We are getting debt-free and there are no ifs, ands, or buts. It makes decisions easy when you either have the money or don’t.
I go to the grocery store with cash. I let the cashier know what I have and I get her/him to buy in with me from the beginning so when the total gets close I have help making decisions about what goes back. …continue reading
24
Mar
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 13 Comments
Don’t ask me how to get your exemptions right. The tax tables are obviously some kind of weird voodoo.
Not long ago I was becoming frustrated with our progress on Baby Step 2. I am painfully impatient to get out of debt. Just ask The Wife.
Yet it’s a long road. Most people who follow the plan we are doing need 18 – 24 months to become debt-free. I’m afraid we’re going to need more.
What does ole Ramsey say? “Children want it now, adults devise a plan and stick to it.” …continue reading
