Hopefully everything turns out ok, but reading the story reminds of why Dave Ramseys Total Money Makeover is such a great read and plan. I was always pretty much debt free and when I married my high school sweetie, she had a little debt, but not a lot. I forced her into the plan and she took to it like fish to water. We live below what our income is and eventhough I'm a small fleet owner and make a pretty penney, the household has staying power. We have enough to sustain our lifestyle for like 2 yrs minimum. No car notes because they're dumb and the only debt we have is ins,mortgage,cell phones,internet, food,elec and that's it. It really makes it easy to overcome a reduction in income when your debt free. Also, I've never been a fan of 401k or stuff like that. I've always felt the need to have my own retirement plan,investment plan and insurance when I was in the corporate world. When I changed or bounced, I already had it going.
IROC, Glad to hear everything worked out for you, your wife, and kids. I am going through a similar thing as my wife's business is going out of business. She will probably quit getting a paycheck by the first of May. And I didn't get a raise like I normally do because my company has frozen everybody's salary. I am teaching some classes on-line for a JUCO and it is a good thing I have that extra income because we would really be screwed. But the wife is going to try to get a teaching job (something she did for 5 years before she did the business thing). I have been praying every night that she will be successful, but I still don't know how we are going to get through the months of May, June, and July (as well as the first part of August). I know God will provide something but it is pretty anxious times.
When all of this economy stuff began in '08, I began to pray that God would allow us to see His provision in the areas we normally wouldn't look for it or pay attention to it. I had no idea the shakeup that was coming. In the midst of everything, we had provision, we had calm. I encourage anyone... keep looking for provision outside of the comfort zones of your lives... and do as suggested in a post above... learn to live well within your means. We are trying to get out of car debt, and other than that we only have mortgage, insurance and utilities, phones, internet... The best attitude is a positive one. And that's easiest to have when you have a peace that passes your own understanding of the circumstances you find yourself in. Thanks for all the words of encouragement... And I sincerely am praying for all of my acquaintances through this bbs and social networks, as well as those I've met (and some of you fit all those categories). Stay positive...
