Biggest thing you can take from this: A lesson. Here's the mantra I live my life by: "Prepare for the worst, hope for the best" I have an upbeat attitude, but I don't get caught with my pants down.
Thank you all for the responses. Pole, yes I am a landman and things are looking better. I have solid references and about 3.5 years of experience (I've only been out of work since December). I got recommended for this job for a good company and hopefully I can start soon as the crew chief likes my resume and is looking to hire. I just called in a few debts owed to me so that should net me some cash. I have considered putting everything in my storage unit on ebay (57 inch Mitsubishi DLP 1080p and very nice furniture) even though everything in there is all paid for. Because of the nature of my recent work, I have been crashing at my parents house. I was traveling about 3 weeks out of the month so there was no point in spending money on leasing a place. So no apartment rent/cable bills. As far as selling the car, I'd prob be about 10k in the hole by selling it. It was a horrible horrible horrible investment... lesson learned. My insurance is paid off for a few months already. Monthly bills include the following: Car Car insurance (paid until May) Health insurance Phone (iPhone... going to have to revert back to a normal phone until the cash flow is better) Gym Membership (I'm a gym rat so giving this up is not an option) Storage Unit Way too much crap online Looking back at my bank statements/credit card statements, I've just been eating out way too much. The lady and I are going to have a long talk about cutting back. I haven't shopped for new clothing in ages.
Going to restaurants is a budget killer. People don't realize how fast you go through money when you are going out to eat.
Considered moving? You can land a landman gig if you move. Its weird, you are now unemployed but have the same workload you had as a landman. Mwuahahha
I am sorry if I haven't read everyone's responses, which I will do later, but I think I got where some of your solution might be: Find a good sucker... I mean, a good Samaritan who can buy the car from you and pay what's left so you can start saving again. I am pretty sure public transportation while you're out of a job wouldn't be bad. I don't know how much your monthly payments might be, but calculate how much it would be LESS if you didn't have them or had a cheaper car. It's a great feeling when you see someone else driving a HUMMER and you drive a Corolla, but you're done paying yours and they're just guzzling gas and still paying for theirs. Swallow your pride. Move in with her but have a clear understanding of WHY and let her know why. Don't be a bum, but yet let her know and be honest about your situation. If she loves you, she'll understand. If it doesn't work, then you can go back to living on your own. It's pretty much THAT. Here are two things I get from your opening post: 2. You know where you went wrong. You can learn from all this to not do it again. Most people can't even realize these things, but you admit it. This is good stuff and it should help you in learning about yourself to get a good job and a good life. 1. You're young. You've got lots of time to repair what's broken. Good luck, sir.
First, I wish the OP all the luck in the world. Tough times are tough times and suck for anyone. I'm guessing the above points are the reasons that someone who's 28 with no kids no house and no wife who's been making almost 6 figures for three years is getting the amount of consideration and sympathy that he is. Lots of people have it much worse, some of them here being more considerate than I in their response. I mean no disrespect. You're young, seemingly humbled by this, and apparently have the experience and knowledge you need to be making a good salary eventually, if not ridiculously good. Tighten the belt however you can and weather the storm as you're able. I'm not sure what advice you're seeking that you don't already know, other than consolation and encouragement. I give you both, tempered with "you think that's bad?"
Homer-sexual ??? But, yes, definitely weird... you homo . And a very ORIGINAL nickname, may I say sir. REP+
Update: I landed a good job that starts Monday. I reviewed a lot of my finances over the past years and realized I was spending $300-$500 per week on food. My goal is to spend no more than $140/week on food until I am completely out of debt and my car note is at about the actual value of the car. My job gives me a per diem of $25/day so I can technically eat for free during the week or even make money. I discontinued a lot of services that I no longer need. Plan on emptying out my storage unit and moving my stuff into my parent's house within the next 2 months. Being humbled is an enlightening thing. When oil was at $100+/BBL, I didn't need to even worry about job security. Every day with work is a blessing. For those without work, do not give up. Things will get better.
probably no longer necessary, but... when i was unemployed, my goal was to take $25 to the grocery store and leave with at least 25 items.
