There are times that I post blog entries just so I can catch the thoughts floating in my head and pin them down somewhere so that I don't have to worry about them anymore. This is one of those posts. This might be TMI or something that most people don't talk about. I feel like I need to be honest with myself, and accountable to more people than just myself, so I'm laying everything out on the table in an attempt to do that.
Financially, I have not been in great shape for a long time. Things were made infinitely more difficult in 2013 when a series of events forced me to start charging a ton of things on my credit cards. I realize now that I wasn't being forced to spend some of the money I was spending though. I gave when I didn't really have anything to give because I thought I was helping, and it drove me to ruin.
I moved to a cheaper apartment to save some money (the mouse house). I wasn't making much money though either. Lyft saved my butt a few times, but I'm hesitant to see if I have to pay back taxes for being an independent contractor. Tax tally will be forthcoming....
I moved to the treehouse when the mouse/noise issue became too much for me. The treehouse is way more than I can afford on my own while trying to pay off my debt. Sure, I secured a teaching position once I moved to the treehouse. Said position pays marginally better than my previous employment, but I still am unable to swing it long-term if I want to make progress. You don't want to know how much credit card debt I currently have... but it's about how much I paid for my car. Ridiculous.
I've scoured debt-reduction sites and advice columns. When I look at how long it would take to pay off my debt while only paying the minimum payment, it's decades.... The only way out of this is to increase my income with a better job/second job and/or to reduce my housing costs. I am working on adjusting both.
The part that frustrates me the most is that I'm earning $190 in interest per month on my two cards and I am still only able to afford the minimum payment each month at present. Two steps forward + one step back = not much progress made.
I'm limping along till June. Jenny has offered me an amazing opportunity to rent her condo with another mutual friend and I think it might be the best thing that could happen. My soon-to-be roomie is in a similar financial situation and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity to make positive changes in our lives.
My rental+utility costs will be slashed in half ($810 vs. $445) and I will have more money to devote to my debt. There is almost no other place I could rent that would be so inexpensive, is in a safe location, and has a dishwasher and a food disposal (!!!) in addition to the amenities I currently have (washer and dryer in unit, pet allowances, etc.). :)
Of course I'm searching for teaching positions in the area, and if I'm moving back up to West Chester, I can expand my search a little further north without the fear of an arduous commute.
I think it's cool that my craft stuff is picking up steam! I enjoy doing it and have thought for years about making stuff to sell but never put a plan into action. It's a little bit of income here and there, but it's something.
Also going to pursue joining a working band more heavily. :)
Saving on housing costs though is a big weight off my shoulders, and if I'm able to secure a teaching position at a public school or private school, I know from personal experience with long-term sub assignments that it will pay more, or at least enough to make a difference.
Things are continuing to improve and I am excited about the future. I'm able to see a future again, now that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. :)
CW: 195.0 (for posterity)
