Oct 12
A 10-Year Plan
That’s the headline in today’s Post and Courier here in Charleston, and the story is about the city’s efforts to draw up ideas for the next decade.
I’d hate to think about a ten-year plan for me. I’m trying to work out a one-year plan. And even that’s a challenge with the word debt written all over it. I’m angry at myself for letting things get this way. I’m a fairly intelligent guy, after all, and it isn’t like I couldn’t have seen it coming. Still, I allowed myself not to see it, somehow figuring that everything would work out one way or another.
At least I didn’t buy a home I couldn’t afford with a mortgage practically engineered to cause financial disaster underwritten by an irresponsible company more interested in a dollar amount than my credit score.
At least I didn’t go buy some flashy, gas-guzzling sports car, wrapped up in some kind of mid-life crisis a few years early, only to be drowning under the still-ridiculous prices at the pump.
But in some ways, what I did was worse: I can look around my apartment and find virtually nothing to show for the credit card bills. What did I spend the money on? Groceries? Utility bills once in a while when I was strapped for cash? Dinner out to eat with a colleague when I should have had Hamburger Helper at home? Yes, some of each. Too much of each. Then again, one in each case is too much.
My one-year plan begins with getting debt under control. I’m working on it, but it’s going to take time.
And I’m not good at waiting.
October 13th, 2008 at 9:07 am
It’s a hard habit to break; my thoughts & prayers are with you as you struggle to ignore the pleas for instant gratification. Hang tough!
October 13th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I think in this economy we all need to take a look around. Good for you. I know where my money has gone and will be going, more so now that I’m single again. Good luck to you! De
October 14th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Well, some things can’t be planned. We never planned for Pete to be unable to hold a job. For us to have no answer as to what was wrongn with him. For me to be the main support of the family. We are blessed to figure out a month at a time, for necessities not frills.