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
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
19
Nov
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 4 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
24
Jun
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 7 Comments
We actually went without, stuck to a plan, and saved up for something we wanted
Race car, Lightning McQueen, gets thrown in jail in Cars
after getting tied to a weighty statue and driving through town, tearing up the road behind him as he goes.
On my daily 70 mile commute I see so many cars that I envision dragging a huge anchor just like McQueen behind them in the form of a monthly payment. If not for the car itself then for the stereo in it, the custom tires or some maintenance that just had to be done. Not that long ago I would have been one of them. Thankfully, (say it with me now) we do not borrow money. …continue reading
11
May
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 5 Comments
I am amazed how a few months on a written budget can bring such clarity
Oh I did NOT just do that. You are kidding me. There is no way I just plowed into the car in front of me, right? I guess every plan needs a good testing now and then. This is apparently time to test ours.
On the way home from work last week I was stopped behind a minivan, second in line at a light in my little Civic. The light changed, we all accelerated and I allowed my attention to be distracted for a moment. Half a second, I’m sure, but nonetheless… I glanced away from the minivan then back to find it completely stopped again. …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
