by Adam Dawson
I am writing this from the road as we take a quick trip through the bayou to New Orleans! Friday was my last day at my job. What could have been a financially catastrophic job loss has turned out to be quite the opposite.
Officially, my “position was eliminated.” My company did offer me a generous severance package as well as unpaid bonus and let me cash out my vacation time. In my new position, I was offered a small signing bonus, so this is all going to be a nice cash infusion for us. I will get into the numbers a little later once I have the paperwork in hand. We are planning how to use this money, but we are thinking that we’ll boost our emergency fund and put a chunk toward debt.
In what seemed like a recognition that my boss and I just didn’t fit well and I got the short end of the stick, the company is also making me rehire eligible and allowed me to say my goodbyes instead of giving me the perp walk out the door.
Since I haven’t determined my next start date, we decided to take a little vacation. Besides our honeymoon, Emily and I have only been on one vacation just the two of us, and it was a 3 day weekend in a cabin in West Texas. So we are excited to have a few days to spend together, just us.
Vacations can be expensive, but we are using Hotwire for rooms, we made a trip to Walmart for snacks, and we are making the most of public attractions like parks and riverfront walks. We enjoyed renting bikes in Houston ($5 each) and riding through the park, and are spending the day in New Orleans today; we plan on going to a National Park to see the swamp tomorrow. It was an indulgence, but we watched the epic showdown between Peyton Manning’s Broncos and the Colts last night at Manning’s, a restaurant and sports bar in NOLA owned by Archie Manning. It only seemed fitting.
I’m so thankful that this job change worked out well instead of the alternative. The one time cash infusion is nice, but there is also potential for a reasonable raise that will help our budget goals. More on that later. I don’t want to screw up my severance. 🙂
Great news, happy to see it’s working out so well. Best of luck and enjoy the vacation 🙂
Thank you!!!
I wish I could relate more to you guys. You don’t seem like u want to be out of debt. Also I never know who’s writing. Best of luck.
umm…how does paying over $60K in debt not “seem like they don’t want to get out of debt?
also, it’s very clear in the header of each entry who is writing…
Props to making the most of a crummy situation. Perhaps the cash payout is enough to make a solid go at eliminating one of your smaller loans?
Thanks Walnut – indeed, we hope to obliterate one of them!!
You are $100,000 + in debt and you are taking a vacation?
Whiskers, I honestly have no problem with a mini-vacation despite $100K in debt. It is student loan debt, and admittedly some of the hardest type of debt because there is literally no way to get rid of it other than to pay it off (I am an attorney who specializes in debt management and corporate law). Life is about balance, and if a mini-vacation is needed from time to time, under responsible terms, so be it. They didn’t go off to an island at a cost of $5,000. In my opinion, people who have income and the means to pay back their debt should not live in a false Dave Ramsey bubble. Why does it have to be all or nothing? Pay back debt responsibility (paying more than minimums), try to live within your means, save some, and have a little fun. What is wrong with that? Take time to smell the roses!
It’s not a huge vacation. We took a total of 4 days and 3 nights away. It was refreshing.
Whiskers – I thought the same thing but don’t usually comment. I miss the old authors of this blog. Seems like the writing is all over the page. Why do we need guest writers all the time. I thought the blog was about Adam and Emily. Mitz – my 1st thought when you said, ” Take time to smell the roses!” was that they had their roses time. Their debt may be student loan debt but they were using their money for other things while racking up that debt. Sound like they need to stop smelling the roses and get serious.
Hi Tracy, we are in the room here with you and listening! We are very serious about paying off debt as evidenced by our progress so far. Coincidentally since we started blogging, we’ve had more roadblocks in a shorter period of time than ever before. We were on auto-pilot with paying off debt for 3 years, only in the last few months have we missed our snowball payment at all. But we are making progress as a family and it will be reflected in our debt payoff numbers soon. Stay tuned!
Miranda.. I get the emails and it never says who is writing in the header. I did go to website and noticed it is in header.
Tracy… I agree with you. I used to feel bummed about paying off debt and would read a posting and get a little boost that I’m not the only one struggling. It’s just hard to relate when I read about a vacation 🙁 maybe the difference is that I have a child and I have different motivations. I think totally different about finances after having a kid. I guess I’m just in a different stage of life… Aka.. OLD! Lol. Best of luck in your journey. 🙂
I kind of feel the same way. I thought Adam and Emily were going to go after their debt like gangbusters, but it seems not to be the case. Kind of disappointing.
Hi! This has been a very challenging few months for us on the debt payoff. Turns out that trying to increase debt payoffs from $20,000 to $30,000 per year is hard! We are making a lot of progress in our household, having more effective budgeting conversations and reducing expenses, and I believe the fruits of that are just ’round the corner.
I have to agree with the poster that says it just doesn’t seem like they want to get out of debt. I too was shocked. It kind of reminds me of Claire in her early days until she “got it”. I don’t think you guys are really serious are getting out of debt. If you were, you’d state all of the income numbers, list every dollar you spend and be proud of your efforts to pay off the debt. You’d have a lot to write about if you were working at it. The step in the groceries was in the right direction but honestly, you don’t seem to be really wanting to get out of debt. It seems like you can rationalize so much….it’s just a small vacation and then all of the restaurant eating. Even the job loss…you didn’t think through the whole garden thing and you don’t seem to really think about the “real cost” of things, everything from the whole goat debacle (not thinking about the shelter), overbuying on the house and then no back up fund for the rental property and then the well costs. A little research on the front end by googling “well issues” prior to purchasing the property would have uncovered people’s countless issues on the costs of well repairs, etc. I am sure it will sound harsh to hear this and then Adam will respond will how anyone who disagrees with him is unfair…I can totally see how your boss didn’t think you were a “team player” and I don’t think you have the maturity to see the whole scope of a project, whether it’s at home with the whole debt payoff and most likely at work, it’s probably the same.
I’d have a lot more sympathy when I hear about the real struggles you face in getting out of debt. Instead, it’s vacations and dreams about what you’d do when you get out of debt. Those are fine but if you were really into this, you’d be thinking day and night about your spending, putting your budget out there and refining it and talking about your struggles, etc. Go back and read Beks blog-she did a great job of talking about their debt, posting honest numbers every month and posting about her struggles. Her husband took on extra jobs and she talked about how hard they worked at the debt payoff. Granted, each blogger will have their own style but it’s the honesty I am talking about. You guys just aren’t there yet…nothing wrong with that at all but I think for the purposes of a debt blog, you need to really get serious. The guest bloggers were only needed because you weren’t talking about the real issues and the struggles to pay off the debt. When you really get serious about it, you’ll have so much to talk about! Good luck in your journey. I really do wish you the best but I don’t see you getting out of debt any time soon.
Anonymous: you are right. We won’t be out of debt soon. It will be a little over 3.5 years from now. This is the plan we started with in June 2010 and we are on track to make it. Sticking with a debt payoff plan over a 7 year period, through all of life’s ups and downs, is what I call commitment.
I won’t be saying anything is unfair. You have me wrong on that. I’ve never had anything handed to me and I don’t feel entitled to anything, so it’s hard to say anything is unfair. My dad always said, “I came into this world naked and hungry and so far I’m holding my own!” We concur. A job loss, fair or unfair, sucks. But I am learning from it and moving forward.
A curious thing happens here in the comment section. We get a steady stream of people who say we don’t share enough details, and then we get our fair share of readers who take the details we do share and use them against us. Now, people can say what they please and we expect a robust discourse here. But I’m sure the readers can understand when it gives you pause before sharing even more details.
In this case, Anonymous combined several of our posts into an air assault. I’m not sure what the purpose of it was. But it wouldn’t be inaccurate to paraphrase part of it as, “well I can see why you got fired.” Losing a job is high on the index of the most stressful life events. It occurs to me that rubbing this in our face is one of the most dreadful comments we’ve ever received, and by someone who can’t bear to sign their name to it. We talked about this comment, and we are both trying to shake it off. But we determined that there’s always someone to kick you while you’re down. I’m glad some others passed along well wishes. We are thankful for everything we have and are reminded that facing trials develops perseverance, character, and hope. Our hope for the future is intact and maybe our dreams and positive outlook will build the readers up as well.
Well said, Adam. I agree that Anonymous’ job loss comment was way below the belt, and doubly insulting that s/he couldn’t even manage to sign it.
A three day mini vacation with the bulk of the activities free is not something that sets off alarm bells in my mind. You’re very right – job loss is extremely stressful. I think you did the right thing in taking a few days to decompress before you begin a new job. And I certainly don’t think your former boss’ actions are a reflection on you at all. Some people are just jerks, full stop.
Here’s hoping that your new position is a much better fit with nicer people.
Awesome that your job loss turned out so well! And I agree with a lot of the other commenters – a small, well-thought-out vacation is not something that alarms me. I hope it was a good trip for you. 🙂
I’ve actually been feeling kind of bad for you guys lately, because I have noticed that the comment section has been rather harsh. I felt bad for you when shared what you did for the goats, which was all about staying on budget, and got criticized for it.
I think you guys are doing fine, and making progress. 🙂
Anonymous’s problems are Anonymous’s problems. He or She is projecting them onto you. Please don’t take them as anything more than a frustration with their own life.
Since you are striking a certain balance between living life, taking risks and paying down the debt maybe you can go into more about how and why you chose the comfort level you did.
Personally, given the low risk of your debt, your cash position makes me uneasy, not your debt payment schedule. But everyone sets their own risk comfort level.
Good to get away so you guys don’t kill each other. Debt is stress, and being realistic is important.
You really dodged a bullet on the job issue. Good on the fates for that. A little celebration for that would risk insulting the fates who are clearly working hard in your favor.
meant to say skipping the celebration would risk insulting the fates.
Ah, all these years, still no edit.
“Sticking with a debt payoff plan over a 7 year period, through all of life’s ups and downs, is what I call commitment. ”
I think that’s where you and I have different definitions. I call that being an adult. You contracted to borrow the money and now you are living up to the terms of the contract and repaying it. Sorry, no gold-stars from me.
Commitment is borrowing $300K to buy a house and repaying it in 5 years because you don’t want any debt. Or, better yet, saving hard for those five years and then buying the house with cash.
Yes, movers and shakers use debt to leverage their wealth accumulation. But the people who read this blog aren’t interested in learning about that, they are interested in learning about people who share their interest cutting expenses to the bone and reducing debt as fast as humanly possible. You can’t argue to me that you are doing that, or that you don’t have any idea what that looks like. You’ve introduced us to friends whose total income for the month is less than your food and entertainment spending.
You are insanely blessed. You have the risk tolerance that I don’t have and an education that seems to get you a job (that you think pays enough to sustain your lifestyle and wealth growth plans – although we don’t know that to be true.) You understand leveraging and you are doing it (both leveraging the education loans to get you a better education and higher paying job as well as leveraging in real estate.) You have a plan and you are working that plan. Schmooozing and appearances may very well be part of what you need to do to succeed as a mover and a shaker; someone who is focused on wealth accumulation so is living the lifestyle in order to achieve the lifestyle.
Then you blog about how you want to be a homesteader and the image I have is someone more earthy, more back to the land, and less consumer conscious, and I can’t get my head around many of your expenses.
I guess the disconnect between the two pictures I’m forming of you from your posts may be part of what keeps me from connecting with your struggle and wanting to cheer you on.
The contractual obligation is to pay it back in 20 years. I’m happy with accelerating that to 7.
I think some of these commenters need to relax, take a deep breath, and shut up! Adam and Emily are on their OWN journey to debt freedom. How boring it would be if there was only ONE way to pay off debt. They are sharing their personal journey with all its ups and downs and detours….sheesh! I enjoy hearing about their situation and always learn something new. I don’t always agree with everything, but I appreciate their willingness to share and enjoy their fresh voices, honesty, humility, and fun attitudes!
Keep in mind commenters – would everyone agree with YOUR choices if you shared them? I think not….so let’s give everyone a little grace. The debt free journey is hard enough without nasty comments heaped on top.
Breathe!!!!
*sigh*
I KNEW people would kvetch and moan about the mini-vacation. Good grief – even the ORIGINAL blogger took YEARS to pay off her debt!! And the mini-vacation? It was just that – mini!!! They spent frugally – it’s not like they blew a load of dough in the Presidential Suite of the Ritz! Furthermore, their remaining debt is STUDENT loans, which usually have very reasonable interest rates. They don’t have any consumer debt (credit cards).
Paying off this amount of debt is a marathon, not a sprint. Or would you rather read a blog for the next few years about eating ramen noodles every night?
I think congrats are in order for turning into such a stressful life event (losing a job) into such a windfall. I look forward to your debt payoff update! (Under the $100k mark???)
What it comes down to is that miserable people love to spread misery. Plain and simple. Even if someone disagrees, saying hateful things is so pointless. This blog is not required reading and those who read and enjoy it do so for entertainment, ideas, and motivation. What motivates one person doesn’t motivate another. I imagine that the latest bloggers might be a bit more realistic for many people. I think your blog is interesting. You are going to love your goats as they are curious and hilarious animals. AND you are going to make progress at your own rate whether or not people support and appreciate your efforts. I for one would encourage everyone to be kind. If we can’t do it in the comments section of a blog, how can we expect this world to be a better place? I mean really people, come on….
Good to see the job situation working itself out! I won’t judge the vacation, because we are in debt, and guess what? We took a 7 day family cruise earlier this month, because we NEEDED to get away and relax. We came back even more motivated. Sometimes you just need the break. 🙂
Keep up the good work, Emily and Adam! And please don’t be discouraged, you two know what you need to do and it sounds like you are always working on ways to make this process better for your lifestyle.
Wow, this post really brought out the claws. I’m guessing because a vacation is a totally optional expense in many opinions. However, I think that we all need time to recharge and traveling is one of the best ways to enrich your life. You aren’t taking on debt for this getaway, and have planned ways to keep your expenses low. I’m not saying do it every month, but man, once in awhile is not just beneficial, it’s necessary. Some people who read this blog won’t agree with me, and that’s fine. But, those are the people who also wouldn’t enjoy the trip because they would be obsessing about how they could have put the money spent toward debt. And, if that’s how you want to live until you’re debt-free, that’s okay too.
Can you please clarify about your new position? I guess I am wondering why you don’t have a start date or paperwork in hand. It would be interesting also to read about the ways the new job will impact your debt in all those “little” ways, because it’s something people need to consider when changing companies. Like maybe the job is much closer to home, so gas expenses will fall. Or maybe you now have to pay for a cell phone vs. using a company-paid one. Of course, health insurance costs can vary or maybe the dress code is different so new clothes or lower dry-cleaning costs are in the future. Good luck with the new job!
Yes, I’m planning to address these items specifically, good idea! Thanks for the well wishes!
I haven’t checked in here since you posted this because I wanted to wait for the inevitable negative comments! You guys took a frugal vacation and I think that’s fine. Everyone needs to unwind once in awhile. One comment I’m seeing repeatedly on here is the fact your debt is student loan debt, as if that doesn’t count or something. I guess it grates on my nerves. Debt is debt. Period. We have a $230,000 mortgage that we’re trying really hard to pay off in 6 years. You’ll never here me say “well, it’s mortgage debt so it doesn’t really count”. No, I get slapped down all the time from friends who saved for 10-15 years for their homes and have no mortgage. Everybody’s financial goals are different, but I know for us–we feel very uncomfortable in this economy and mess this country is in to have to worry about the roof over our heads. Because of this, we haven’t taken a vacation in 2 years and don’t plan to for at least another 2 years, but that’s us and many wouldn’t agree with this mindset.
We’re not gazelle intense as we still have a really nice DirectTV package, smartphones, etc., but vacations and eating out all the time were the cuts we were willing to make to meet our goals. Everybody’s cuts are going to look different. You guys have made good progress and if taking a little getaway to NOLA helps to keep you focused, it was a good decision.
Cathy C, we agree with you on this – student debt IS debt! And debt of the worst kind since it’s so hard to get rid of!
Maybe we aren’t eating Ramen every night, but I do maintain that we have a plan that we are sticking to. Better than no plan, I would say. It is strange. When I look around at the indulgences people we know have, it feels like we are being pretty intense. But I’ve also realized central Texas is doing great economically, so maybe people around us here have more and indulge more than in other places. good luck, Cathy!
^^^ And I forgot to add–the reason vacations and eating out were cut is my husband actually gets more stressed out from traveling which negates the whole point of the vacation and we’re both really watching our calorie count and trying to lose some weight. These were easy no-brainer cuts for us, so that’s why I think we’re really not that gazelle.
I think the comments asking for more details are related to wanting to see individual expenses laid out. So instead of saying, $800 for restaurants, we’d like to see that broken down a little more. We ask this because we think breaking it down will also help you guys own the expenses.
Have you read Give Me Back My Five Bucks? (http://www.givemebackmyfivebucks.com/) I REALLY like her weekly expenditure breakdowns. When she’s able to go a full week and only eat out once, it drives me to also watch my dining out expenses. When she has a week where she seems to spend tons of cash and admits and states that she totally blew the budget, it makes her much more human and I have empathy for that. It might not be your style, and that is just fine. Just something to give you a little perspective from a reader.
Yikes! I hope the stress from negative comments didn’t outweigh the relaxation of vacation!
I never understand why people feel the need to write such negative comments on a blog. Perhaps its because I’m in the same boat as you – started off about a year ago with over $100,000 in debt, mostly student loans, and though I’m hoping to have in paid off in less than 5 years, it doesn’t mean I’m going to eat ramen noodles and not buy a new pair of pants until I do. Just keep doing what works for you – you’ve done better than many so far.
I don’t think anybody is arguing that student debt isn’t “debt”. But the fact is that not all debt is created equal. There are some very easy metrics to rank how bad debt is, the most obvious of which are the interest rate and the payback period. Many others factor in as well: penalties, disposability under bankruptcy, etc, etc.
The fact is that student loan debt is not as bad as credit card debt by any of these metrics except for the provisions of bankruptcy. Of our three previous bloggers here, all three had significant, high interest, credit card debt. This, in my mind, was a very legitimate reason for the “gazelle”-focus of each of them (for Claire, at the end at least). Honestly, I thought that all of them took things at certain points to nearly insane extremes, but that’s OK, that was their prerogative.
It’s simply unfair to label folks as being “not serious” or “not committed” simply because they have a different path. There are millions of families in the US that have debt in the form of mortgage. Do we label all of these folks irresponsible simply because they have debt? Do we say that all of them are super responsible just because they have only mortgage debt? In my mind, neither extreme conclusion is justified until you really dive into individual circumstances.
Adam and Emily have been very upfront about some of their challenges. They have also been very successful over the last 3 years in making progress on their debt. Let’s let them “Kaizen” their way to a successful and accelerated debt payback.
I agree with you that not all debt is equal and cc debt is obviously the worse type to have, but I would argue that regardless of interest rate, student loan debt is the next worse to carry as there’s no tangible equity there. Unlike a car or house that you could potentially sell and pay back the loan, all you have with student loan debt is your marketability. You’re simply not guaranteed a good job just because you have a great degree. Adam’s very fortunate that he’s able to find higher paying jobs to pay back the huge investment he made. I’m not one of those who said they weren’t really committed or serious about debt payoff. I think they may be comfortable in their current plan and comfortable isn’t usually what people seeking debt blogs want to see.
I’d like to see them raise the bar a little higher and finish paying these loans sooner than expected so they can apply that money to mortgage payoff and investing, but I get the feeling they’re comfortable stretching it out and that’s fine. That’s their way of doing it. My neighbors are approaching 30 with student loan debt and they also are stretching it out. In fact, it’s the last thing they want to focus on and could care less how long it takes them to pay it off. They also don’t have the funds to replace their aging vehicles either. I’d be willing to bet if they weren’t having to pay a minimum to student loans for years, they could’ve saved for a replacement vehicle. Again, it’s all about priorities.
Adam did say that they plan on paying off the loans in 7 years, so they are not stretching it out by any means (original term is 20 years).
As for your friends who give you grief for using a mortgage to buy a home after they saved for 15 years – ouch! I wonder where you live? Here in Boston buying a home with cash is pretty difficult. The only people I’ve ever heard of doing so are either real estate developers (and even then they’re usually financing the deals) or retirees downsizing after having bought their homes many decades ago.
You are obviously committed to paying off your debt. You have already made great progress towards eliminating it. What I don’t understand is why you guys want to do this blog. And mean that sincerely. What do you want to get out of this experience in relation to your debt? New money saving ideas? Accountability? To share with the readers what you have learned? As a reader I am not clear as to what your goals are in relation to this blog.
You seem comfortable with your plan and progress and that is okay, it is YOUR journey except that coasting and comfortable doesn’t make particularly good blog fodder. I am in your corner and want you succeed in every way I just don’t think you guys have hit your stride blog wise. I think asking yourselves what you want to get out of this blog is a good start. Just my 2 cents!
Agree with what Theresa said. It’s not clear why you chose to blog on this site. What was the motivation or objective?
Your debt payoff seems to be on autopilot, you are comfortable with your payoff plan. It could be more aggressive but you don’t want it to be. You aren’t even posting that much, sure there was the mini-vacation but even allowing for that, aside the guest posts I don’t believe there have been any posts in a couple of weeks…
So, are you ‘Blogging Away Debt’, and if so, how does blogging about it help your journey?
we have never really worked together on money. i have handled most of it myself. We started blogging here as I got my (previous) new job, we just bought a house, Emily wanted to get involved, and we are looking to start a family. we need people’s input on all these things as you can see some of them aren’t going so well.
Here here. (Or is it hear hear? I never know).
Anyway, I agree 100% with this comment. You have a well-established group of readers standing by with interest, advice, and a yearning for motivation – for a blog about getting out of debt. If you are in a good place and happy with your pace, and can still afford an upper class lifestyle, then we the readers simply aren’t needed. And if you do need help, but you’re so defensive that you can’t even share your basic budget, we can’t help. Throw us a bone here! How can we help?
I think this is the best description of the issue. Autopilot is boring and unmotivating. Unless you’re trying to pay it off faster the readers’ advice, encouragement and commiseration is unnecessary. So what are we all doing here?
You say you want to talk about your new job, and house and starting a family. Which is totally cool, but not what this blog is focused on. You can relate those to debt repayment, but in the long run it’s kind of a stretch.
Honestly, you seem like you’d be happier with a blog focused on your homesteading efforts with occasional forays into debt, jobs, family, etc for a little interest. I’m NOT saying, “You’re boring, get off our blog,” but do consider what it is you really want to talk about and if it’s NOT debt repayment and finances, maybe start something up and let us know. Some of us like homesteading and goats.
I think they might have been scared away now. They deleted their most recent post about the “Tax Man.” I saw the link in my feed but poof, it’s gone. These two are not the right ones for this blog, time to cut losses and move on. I will not read again unless I see a new blogger name.
i dont think that was our post – maybe a guest post? but you’re right, some of the comments lately have been demotivating.
I would like to chime in also – I agree with Theresa.
Hey Adam..
I think it is indeed a smart decision to have a vacation with your wife Emily, before going to “war” (your new job) lol. Hope that your vacation works for both of you. Good luck and have fun!
^Agree. You two are a cute couple and will certainly, eventually get out of debt, but this blog has turned into like watching paint dry.
Thanks Laura! We are very experienced in watching paint dry due to Emily’s work. It’s not so bad.
Lol! Agree!! It’s nothing against you guys. I think you’re a cute couple too that will probably do great things in the future and end up multi-millionaires, but it’s not doing a thing for my motivation right now. We’re high income earners living on a low income budget with purpose and this blog is feeding my “we earned it” mentality!! Wrong answer!! We need to seize the day on this and knock it out!! Tomorrow is never guaranteed…
Just a funny little story, but I flipped out on our weed service people yesterday. They treated us 2 days in a row just 3 weeks after the last service, so it added an unexpected $110 to our bills this month. Can I pay it? Yes. Did I call them and complain that they didn’t space it out as they had the 3 previous years and cost us an additional double payment this month? Yes. It’s not the point of whether we can pay it or not, it’s the fact that money was allotted for debt payoff and their scheduling was just messed up! I know if you’re truly short on funds you probably aren’t hiring out for weed maintenance, but the cost of doing it yourself is actually the same or more than hiring a company to treat it for you. We like our lawn to look as good as it can like the rest of our house. I felt like a cheapskate, but in these economic times, companies like this can’t afford to lose customers over stupid mistakes. Just a silly little story, but even people with means are watching every penny. Well, most are.
Your story about your weed service people is just “not doing anything for my motivation right now” (to use your words).
To be fair, everyone has their priorities. Weed maintenance does nothing for me.
Emily, I didn’t mean to be so snarky to you guys about the way you’re handling this blog so I apologize. I hope you can see beyond any perceived personal attacks from your commenters and take some of the advice into consideration.
I’d love to hear a little more about how your business revenue factors into your budget, if it’s treated as “gravy”, etc. That’s something I can relate to and other than seeing your beautiful work, we know very little about what your average monthly sales are, how you market your business, etc. It’s not very often I get to hear about someone else’s struggles/successes with running their own business based on artistic output.
Sheesh, I think you make a lot of good points in your extensive comments on this blog, but really, is it worth “flipping out” on people for what was apparently an honest mistake? And one easily corrected by delaying the next treatment by 1 week?
And I have to agree re: the incongruity of your overall stance on debt and an expenditure like this. If Adam/Emily had written up a lengthy post about their decision to go for $110/month weed maintenance because it “costs just about as much” to do it themselves, they would have gotten absolutely bush-whacked (har-har) by other commenters here.
Maybe I wasn’t clear enough about the treatment schedule. They treat us once every 2 months at $55 a treatment. I budget for that amount (roughly $27 a month is set aside). We had a treatment on Sep. 25th. They treated us again 3 weeks later and AGAIN the very next day. It can’t be good for the yard to have that much chemical put on that close together, so I was peeved about that the most. Couple it with an unexpected additional $110 for 2 treatments that were mistakenly made and I think I had good reason to “flip out”.
My point was only to show how we’re budgeted down to the penny in order to reach our goals, not to justify how or what we spend our money on.
Cathy, I have to agree. I want to watch someone really attack their debt – talk about the daily decisions, the frustrations, the difficulties and the triumphs – not get angry because people have questions/suggestions. Why are you doing this blog if you’re content to leave things on auto-pilot for the next 3 years?
Wow, people can be so critical! I did want to know more about the new job and how that all transpired. I can only offer this experience. I lost my job and it has now been 3 months… I have had multiple interviews and am expecting an offer this week or next. Still, the moral of the story is that events can happen and then take much more time than you expect to rectify. Meanwhile my wife caught pneumonia and has been bed ridden for 2 weeks. Emergency funds are very important. You can go from top of the world to bottom overnight. Trust me. Glad the job thing worked out more seamlessly for Adam. (also don’t get old, that hurts ya in a job hunt I’m findin’)