This is it. A time for change. When I started keeping track of my finances to the very last penny at the beginning of this year, I learned a few things about myself that were quite humbling. My careless spending habits had remained in the shadows since the day I got my first real job, and now that I have a family to look after, and real bills to pay, these habits are beginning to rear their ugly, consequential heads.
Thanks to my grueling efforts toward figuring out where my money was going, I found out that McDonald’s [top] dollar menu wasn’t saving me any money at all; I found out that 21% interest and a $2400 limit was a big deal rather than a good deal; I found out that impatient is the last thing you want to be when buying a used car. I found out a lot of things. But I found out too late. Far too late.
The consequences of my impatience, my lack of personal finance skills, and my impulsive, impatient spending have caught up to me, and at this point there’s nothing I can do but weather the storm. Of course, being laid off, and supporting a family of five on a single, hourly income have added fuel to the fire, but here I sit, hundreds of dollars overdrawn, thousands of dollars in debt, and with no way out this side of a miracle. But do I deserve a miracle?
God has always provided for my needs, financially. Even in my current situation, and at my current job, my bills are paid. I have every penny accounted for, bills, income, and unnecessary spending, from February of this year up until Decebmer 31st of this year, and without the unnecessary spending, my bank account will not go below zero. It has been my impatient, and impulsive financial decision making thus far that has gotten me here, and it has been a sincerely humbling experience to actually see the numbers on my computer screen.
I’m not angry at God, or at anyone who may have influenced my behavior. I am angry at myself. Why am I doing this? Why, even when I know I can’t afford it, do I still pull up to the drive thru? What could possibly be slipping my mind when I swipe my credit card for things that will not provide anything besides instant, short-lived gratification? I pray every day that I will come to understand the horrors I am putting myself through when I do such things before I do them. I would greatly appreciate some prayer support. I’ve been going it alone all along, and this is where my lust for sole control has gotten me.
God bless you,
~Josh
Comments (7)
Look up http://www.daveramsey.com
He’s a Christian financial advisor, churches run his classes, he teaches you how to get out of debt and how to properly handle money. Look up the baby steps.
I am in exactly the same position. I think I have to sell my car next week. I have handed in all my cards but on Sunday somebody gave me some money – small amount – but instead of putting it away I went to KFC. I will pray for you if you do the same for me.
@Umnenga - My car’s up for sale, too. And I would’ve done the same thing you did with the money, only I would’ve gone to McDonald’s. It’s terrible isn’t it? Why do we do these things?! I will pray for you.
@dropsofjupiterihh - I went to the site, and I gotta say I recognize that guy. I’m gonna look into some of his stuff, hopefully I’ll find something I can get for free. Thanks!
I’ll be praying for you man. Right now I’m in the “spend as little as possible” mode until I find a job. I’m in the process of buying PCs to build and sell, so hopefully I’ll have a stream of income from that soon.
Have you read the book Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki? I’m almost through reading it, and I’ll tell you, it has opened my eyes to a lot of concepts that can help you to get out of the rat race of just earning enough money to pay the bills every month. It won’t happen overnight of course, but over time you can start earning money through assets, rather than working like a dog to pay off liabilities. I highly recommend the book.
@respawn87 - I haven’t read that book, but my old boss was raving about how awesome it was. There’s a “rich dad poor dad” seminar that comes through the Minneapolis/St. Paul area every once in a while, and I’ve always wanted to go. Good luck running your own version of my dream job. lol. You’ve got a 4 year degree. Something will come up for you.
How can you be thousands of dollars in debt? If that is to forward of me then excuse my asking and pretend this part is not even here.
When it comes to money, spending, and financing there are couple of things you need to realize. (Which is also what you will get from some of books.) One never pay anything before you pay the 1st things. I know doesn’t exactly make sense but let me explain. 1st things are things that you can not live with out: housing, utilities, and food. You don’t put gas or car here cause if you have to you can walk, bike, and so on it is not a thing you have to have to live. Then you tackle the 2nd things. Your second things are house cleaning supplies (which you can make alot really easy adn cheap if you look into it) (NEVER buy Windex. Think about it don’t you put washer fluid in your car? How much does that cost you 1.5$ max usually right? Well what is this fluid cleaning, glass. So why pay 3$ for Windex that has maybe 1/4 of the amount of the washer fluid), pet food (if you have one but honestly if you are in this situation you don’t need one), gas, car payment, credit card payments, student payment, and anything you need to fix things around the house. Then your third things. Your third things are anything you think you need that did not fit into the above categories. Then if you have anything let you need to put it up in savings. If you in such a situation that you are explaining you don’t need to spend on any wants right now. I don’t know how religious you are, but I will tell you personally I have noticed that 90% goes a lot farther than 100%. In other word if you are dedicated to God in give Him back some of his money and helping His mission then He will be dedicated to you in make sure that you are taken care of. I am not sure if I helped at all or just upset you or just told you things you have already heard, but that’s is my two cents that you can not even buy coffee with anymore.
@minnachick - Thanks for the insight, it really means a lot. Washer fluid for windex? Brilliant! And you’re absolutely right when you say I can’t afford wants right now. I’ve been overdrawn most of July, so needless to say I can’t even afford my needs no less my wants. We have a cat, but Rachel takes care of all the food and pet supplies with whatever money she gets. Wonderful advice, thanks again!