I thought it was time to actually write an "About Me" post. I have started this thing several times over the last couple of weeks. But, something just keeps getting in the way. Add to that, not knowing what I want to say.
My story begins in 1987 when I graduated high school. I ended up not going to college right away. After spending all summer looking for work in my small town, I got together with my Grandma and borrowed $3,000 from her to start my own business. A little second hand store that was on the main street in my small little town. At one point, I even called the Sally Jesse Raphael Show for advice to grow my business. While I couldn't use any brand names (like the name of my store) on the show, I was able to mention my city name, which in turn did bring in some new customers. Customers that didn't know I had existed before I called into the show. Sadly though it was not enough. Despite my best effort to make better window displays and getting exposure, there just was not enough business to keep going.
Around the same time, I started writing for an upstart local newspaper. As I closed the doors of the secondhand store, the location became the office for my freelance writing career, as well as the La Cygne office of the new paper. Unfortunately, that paper soon folded. Soon after the 1988 November election, all my belongings were loaded in my dad's pickup truck as my parents drove me to Topeka. Once in Topeka, I spent the next couple of years bouncing from one part-time job to another, starting at McDonald's. In 1992, working part-time a grocery store, I started attending Washburn University. However, I borrowed heavily and signed up for 2 or 3 of those college credit cards. I was in debt. It was not a pretty picture. I did not know how to balance my spending. The grocery store, said when I was ready I could go full time. Faced with the debt, I declared bankruptcy and took my employer up on the offer. I spent the nest few years working full time, and eliminating all my debt.
On Dec 31, 1994, I quit my job and moved to Chicago (the next day), to work with an inner-city ministry known as Jesus People USA (aka JPUSA). Two years later, I was back in Kansas vowing to never get another credit card. Vowing to never borrow again. However, as many of you can gather, that is not what happened. I ended up allowing myself to borrow for this or that. Signed up for Credit Cards and constantly was in the cycle of debt. I took two trips to Europe. In fact Areas, of Europe that most American travelers (to Europe) never see. I still want to see some of the more popular spots, but I really enjoyed visiting the areas that I did. Still though, the second trip was with money I did not have. I was once again the cycle of debt. I knew I had to break the cycle, but I really didn't know how. I was pretty much resigned to the fact that it would always be that way. Oh, I usually got bigger debts paid off early, while living on the credit card(s) to get by.
Finally in 2006, I bought the "Transforming Debt Into Wealth System," with my credit card. After listening to what John Cummuta had to say, I found that it made since. I knew I had to put into practice what he was talking about on the CD's. One thing he said, was to start a website with affiliate links, to make some extra cash. However, he said in order to get visitors to keep coming back, you need to find some way update the content. I decided I would create a blog about personal finance. Discussing the very things that I was learning. I actually thought I would be the first such blog. Once I started, I found that there was about 150 other similar blogs. (Now there is over 1000). I continued to learn from John Cummuta and of course what is now Crown Financial Ministries. However, I soon started attending a Dave Ramsey class, and began to really enjoy what he had to say as well. It really wasn't a lot different then what Cummuta was teaching. The basic differences was how the ordered the priorities.
It was hard for me, living only on $15,000, my household expenses were a greater part of my budget, then for the average household earning $25,000 or more. However, in 2008 I got the big promotion at work, that took my income to just under $30,000. That bit of influx in cash helped a lot. My debt was going down.
In 2010, I got married to a wonderful woman. Before we got married, she and I went together as a couple to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. She was on fire. She indicated she really liked what Dave had to say. She even said she can't wait to see him live. Likewise, I can't wait to be able to take her. I want her to dream with me and see the big picture down the road. I love her, and I will get her a place of our own. We just have to be willing to make those sacrifices now, so that we can save up for it.
Anyway I am getting off track here. After we were married, we moved away from my $30,000/year job and the place I called home for 11-years and moved to Texas. A place of lower taxes, slightly warmer winters and closer to her 30-year old son. I cashed in my employer based Simple IRA and sold my house, allowing us to pay off the remainder of the debts.
It was a long process, four years in the making. Almost 5-years. My wife doesn't like me talking about the personal debts or budget nearly as much as I do. I think it is important to give a general idea here on the blog. However, some of the readers want more details. That is one area I have to respectfully disagree, and yield towards my wife's wishes. I love her, and if she feels uncomfortable with that information being shared then I have to find a balance. I have tried avoiding saying that point blank, because I don't want it to sound I am being negative in any way towards my wife. However, some readers have continued to hound me and demand more details and even calling me a liar because I am not answering the questions for more detail. So, when I say that some say I am to honest on this blog, I am primarily talking about my wife. There are others, but she is the one I am mainly thinking about. I love her and I respect her wishes. I just hope that all the readers would respect that as well. Anyway, that is my life's financial story. I don't know what will happen in the future. However, I expect to see my wife in our own home again soon. Hopefully sooner rather then later. I want us to be able to do some traveling. Perhaps to London, Paris, Frankfurt and some of those more popular destinations in Europe, I would like to take my. I want her to see New York. One thing I know, is I need to build my travel savings up and have it ready for when we need to go visit her or my families back in Kansas (me) or North Carolina (her). Here's to a brighter and a completely debt free future.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
follow me on Twitter and facebook
Discussing faith, business, personal finance, news (business and financial related), politics, and pretty much everything else.
No comments:
Post a Comment