Tuesday, November 6, 2007

A long downward crash with no way to pull up

I am reading a great book call The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It is not great because it makes you feel good that is for sure. In fact I cant seem to read it without breaking down and crying. I keep hearing (also watching a video series at church) and reading about the Hope people felt with a plan in place but yet the more I read and the more I try and try to get gazelle intense about getting out of our student loan debt the worse I feel. I know the only possible way we can do it is to work like crazy people (as we don't have much to sell) and I am already mourning the lost time with my son. I tried to increase my income without paying the sitter the extra time by taking him with me thinking I would also feel better about not completely being separated from him but I just got frustrated and angry with him. I was sick and tired of being around him by the time I actually had the time (after work).

I am a nerd and I can't help but crunch the numbers and they don't give me any hope. It will still take years to drag ourselves out. I will stick with it and keep trying as my experience with loosing weight tells me that eventually you start to believe in what you practice and it gets easier.

By the way the crash implied by the title is an emotional one. I actually know we will not fail at getting out of debt I just also know it will be a very long time and a hard life that I emotionally struggle to endure. The thought of 3 to 9 more years of the status Que is frightening.

Here we go with.
Step 1: Emergency Fund $1000.00

Well we tried selling our most valuable (money wise) posesion, excluding the car needed to get Ben to work, our Big Screen LCD TV and stereo system. We found a buyer but they can only buy it in payments so getting our Emergency Fund done will be delayed if we use this to fund it.

I am requesting more hours at my original part time (used to be full time) job to help out but only time will tell here. If this doesnt work I am thinking about looking for a 3rd part time job. I allready work a 2nd part time job on my days off and this is the one that I tried to take Tyler along on.

Ben is looking for a part time job also (in addition to his law office) to get this paid and get the debt snowball rolling.

And of course we are praying for increased success at his law office which will also help.

Anyone know how I might have a winter garage sale or another way I might "find" some money?