26
Oct
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 9 Comments
Tomorrow is the vote.
In the past 8 weeks we have been hustling; hard. I’ve picked up two new side jobs — one tending bar and one doing freelance visual effects while The Wife has worked diligently turning last year’s October debacle into a pillar of savings.
In the last two months we have added four grand to our emergency fund and paid the bare minimum on our remaining debt.
By this time tomorrow we’ll know if we will need it to live on while I look for my new career or if we get to drop it on the last credit card.
Thanks for hanging with us. You’ll be the first to know.
the Dad
Update: No: 135, Yes: 87. Sigh of relief and tomorrow morning $4,000 goes right on to our last debt!!
27
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 8 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
2
Aug
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 12 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
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
18
Mar
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 4 Comments
“When you stop writing I will know you’re finally enjoying yourself.”
I was the kind of kid who got horribly homesick. I have no idea why, but I remember it being terrifying to spend the night away from home. Maybe it was because we moved so much when I was young …continue reading
19
Jan
Posted by the Dad in Climbing Out. 11 Comments
My emotional connection to money, loans, debt and the interplay with relationships has changed so drastically that I feel a certain discomfort with the situation
This whole get-out-of-debt nonsense has really screwed me up, you know that? I mean, really. When was the last time someone handed you $2,000 and you said, “no, thanks”?
Not long ago I mentioned some freelance work coming up. It’s a fun, challenging project, but one for which there has been little time lately.
It is for a dear friend and is not on a strict deadline. Nonetheless, I want to get it done sooner rather than later. I am shooting for the end of February. It should net around $3,000 toward our debt and I look forward to making that payment. …continue reading
