Bought a huge house with a 3 car garage and a pool!

[LeftBench]

Thanks for updating us.

Sounds like a great result. Well done.

What are your biggest learnings to date?

Thanks Andy. What I've learned most from this experience is to use my brain more and not jump into major life decisions so recklessly. My wife and I bought a house we couldn't truly afford because we got ourselves so excited about all the nice things about it. "We'll make it work" was something that was said multiple times when it was brought up how tight money would become. I was so focused on thinking about all the great times we could have at this house and refused to acknowledge the fact that there would be severe financial strain.

While it has been frustrating for sure, I am confident that in 5 or 10 years from now I will look back at this experience and think of it as a positive one because I learned a valuable lesson.

 

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[Bouncing Soul]

Well done, especially not taking Dad's money. Way to man up, all too absent in this world today.

It took us 3 years to get through debt, and then we sold our house to move to a cheaper house (and state). We felt so rich when we got here (and got distracted by babies and sleep deprivation )we didn't work our plan as aggressively as we might have. I totally disagree with the "fake it until you make it" mentality, but there is a kernel of truth in there it forces you to hustle. As you cut your burn and your slowlane feels faster, careful not to lose motivation or get sloppy. It happened to us!

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Don't mean to bring back an old thread but I just wanted to give an update.

The house is officially on the market. We might make a few bucks off the home which would be nice. The plan is set to rent a cheap place after the house sells. We will be moving in with my parents in between the sale of the home until we find a rental.

We are going to move to the town we used to live in, the town I work in currently at my slow lane. It'll be a shorter drive to work and more time with family. More time to dedicate to a Fastlane venture as well.

I've paid down credit card debt considerably but still have a ways to go. Once we are relieved of this mortgage then I'm going to dump a ton of money into the CC debt till it is gone.

It took me a while to put the house on the market, but I'm glad its finally done. Our realtor honestly believes we will get $25k - $55k more than we paid for it just 9 short months ago. While that would be nice, we will just be happy to get rid of it with enough to take care of the closing costs.

Hope you all have an excellent weekend!

Great update. Really sounds like you put some effort into the plan, plus being on board with the wife is awesome.

Let us know when you kill the CC debt. I think you will find that feeling of being debt free in an apartment far exceeds being crushed by debt in velvet prison.

 

[Jon L]

Don't mean to bring back an old thread but I just wanted to give an update.

The house is officially on the market. We might make a few bucks off the home which would be nice. The plan is set to rent a cheap place after the house sells. We will be moving in with my parents in between the sale of the home until we find a rental.

We are going to move to the town we used to live in, the town I work in currently at my slow lane. It'll be a shorter drive to work and more time with family. More time to dedicate to a Fastlane venture as well.

I've paid down credit card debt considerably but still have a ways to go. Once we are relieved of this mortgage then I'm going to dump a ton of money into the CC debt till it is gone.

It took me a while to put the house on the market, but I'm glad its finally done. Our realtor honestly believes we will get $25k - $55k more than we paid for it just 9 short months ago. While that would be nice, we will just be happy to get rid of it with enough to take care of the closing costs.

Hope you all have an excellent weekend!

We did mostly the same thing as you, then sold our house, took the money we made off of it and paid down most of our debt. Now, I'm freelancing and barely making enough to pay the bills, but its worth it because once I figure out this 'fastlane' thing, I'll be making a lot more money than I am now.

So will you. I know what that whole process is like. Its hard, and a bit exciting. Congrats on moving so far so quickly. It took us 5 years to sell the house.

 

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[LeftBench]

Another update for you guys... nothing earth shattering but I'm plugging along -

The house is still on the market. We've had a few serious inquiries but no official offers. We've lowered the price as far as we can go without being in the red post-sale. I have a good feeling it will sell soon, but we will see.

I've finally taken action on a project I had been thinking about for a while. It feels good to be working on a non-Slowlane venture and I believe it has serious Fastlane potential. I haven't been able to focus as much time on it as I'd like, though, because I have things I need to take care of first.

The biggest one of those things is clearing out the debt I had mentioned earlier. I'm still working on paying off the massive amount of debt I had incurred. Wife and I are paying cash for everything now and paying off the debt. It is more than I realized but we are getting it paid down bit by bit. I'm working as much overtime as I can without sacrificing all of my family time. I won't keep this up forever, but will do what is needed to eliminate this debt that has been hanging over our heads.

I finally admitted to myself that I do not need to be making car payments on a newer vehicle. I can buy a nice shiny new vehicle in the future when I am running a successful Fastlane business. After the winter or after my house sells and I move closer to work, whichever comes first, I will be selling my 2 year old (purchased new) 4WD pickup truck and buying a beater car in cash. I am sick of making unnecessary $525/month payments. Especially since I have 3 years of payments left.

An extra $525/month to pay into the credit card debt will be nice. Also, eight months from now a pension loan that I had taken out will be paid off, giving me another $835/month to pay into these bills. I also switched my health insurance plan, freeing up approximately $200/month, and received a raise of about $1,200.00/year for January.

The old me would have thought that this $1600.00(approximately) per month extra that I will be pocketing would be enough to keep me afloat and in this house. I'm smarter than that now, thankfully, and will be using it to pay down the debt.

Like I've said before, I'm not driving in the Fastlane at the moment... but I'm working hard as hell to get there. Hope all of you are well.

 

[Bouncing Soul]

You're trying to get from Sidewalk to Slowlane. Even being a slowlaner actually puts you ahead of most of the country. But, why stop there?

 

[LeftBench]

You're trying to get from Sidewalk to Slowlane. Even being a slowlaner actually puts you ahead of most of the country. But, why stop there?

At first I was kind of offended by this because in my mind I'm a Slow Laner who is moving himself into the Fastlane eventually. "Who does he think he is, saying I'm on the Sidewalk?" If you can't tell, it's been a while since I've read TMF .

"A Sidewalker (a follower of the Sidewalk financial roadmap) is someone who goes through life with no financial plan, often living paycheck to paycheck."

You're right. I'm a sidewalker. Not forever though! Thank you for the words of encouragement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

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[Bouncing Soul]

Most of my life was on the Sidewalk, the last 6 years or so in the Slowlane. No insult intended at all. The air is better up here, keep pushing!

 

[LeftBench]

No insult intended at all.

No offense taken at all. I truly appreciate your input. Reading about your escape from debt is a great motivator for me.. Thanks again!

 

[redsfaithful]

This thread is kind of a trainwreck and you are leaving a lot out of it. I'm not judging, just saying.

I think this forum and the book are actually dangerous to many people who read selectively or don't grasp it all.

You haven't mentioned what your wife thinks once in the thread. Just that you had a long talk with her once and decided to sell. Did she decide or did you decide? Did you have to push her into this decision? I have a hard time believing she doesn't want to stay in her house, especially since you don't come right out and say that she's enthusiastic about downsizing.

Not once in this thread have you discussed what your kids think. Do they want to move out of their home with a pool into an apartment? Obviously, they are not the decision makers, but it's also not the greatest move to create instability in their lives when you say yourself you just cleared up enough money to pay the bills. Kids need stability above all else, not a dad who runs around with his hair on fire, first putting his family into massive amounts of debt and then deciding they need to live in an apartment because of the mistakes YOU made.

I'd gamble every dime I have into you having shiny object syndrome, both in buying crap you don't need and in chasing business ideas.

Start a side business. You said earlier you do security work on the side - why not start a security staffing company or something similar in the industry?

For like 95% of people, the best business to go into is one related to the job they already have. Most people do not have the ability, time, or talent to shift into something completely unrelated ESPECIALLY for their very first business. There's too much to learn about running a business without adding in not even knowing how the business model works or functions.

Make more money that isn't tied to w2 work. Get a comfortable safety margin by earning it. Figure out how business actually works.

There's too much worry on this forum about whether a business is fastlane, slowlane, sidewalk, and that's important in the long, long run, but when you are starting your very first business it isn't. That first business is about getting off w2 employment and putting your life into your own hands. If it happens to be fastlane, great. If it doesn't, that's fine, you are still improving your situation.

And also, of course, spend less within your current situation. Stop buying crap you don't need and put it towards your house payment and give your family the stability they deserve.

Now, if you can honestly say your wife and kids are thrilled with the prospect of moving into an apartment, then disregard all of this, but man I SERIOUSLY doubt it.

My advice would be a complete 180 to a younger guy with no wife and kids, but that's not you.

 

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[LeftBench]

This thread is kind of a trainwreck

Agreed. I got myself into a pretty messed up situation.

You haven't mentioned what your wife thinks once in the thread. Just that you had a long talk with her once and decided to sell. Did she decide or did you decide? Did you have to push her into this decision? I have a hard time believing she doesn't want to stay in her house, especially since you don't come right out and say that she's enthusiastic about downsizing.

My wife actually wanted to leave the house before I did. Her reason was different than mine because she didn't realize how bad it was financially. She wants to move closer to her family (which is also closer to mine, and my job). I'm not sure why it matters that I haven't put her feelings into the post, but she is completely on board.

Not once in this thread have you discussed what your kids think.

My 10 month old thinks "Dada, Mama, this milk tastes good, etc" and my 2 year old doesn't think much about our living situation but seems to be excelling as far as his learning and thought process.

I'd gamble every dime I have into you having shiny object syndrome, both in buying crap you don't need and in chasing business ideas.

I've definitely purchased lots of things I don't need. Thats why I'm in this situation, I'll admit it.

Start a side business. You said earlier you do security work on the side - why not start a security staffing company or something similar in the industry?

I've actually looked into this. NJ Security Companies, by law, are only allowed to be started by someone with 5+ years of Law Enforcement experience. Luckily for me I have 8 years experience... sadly for me, a CURRENT LEO is not allowed to start a security company (legally anyway). So this is not a viable option for me for at least another 17 years. I did own and operate a Women's Self Defense side business but it wasn't generating enough income to keep it going. I am and always have been interested in starting a side business, though.

There's too much worry on this forum about whether a business is fastlane, slowlane, sidewalk, and that's important in the long, long run, but when you are starting your very first business it isn't. That first business is about getting off w2 employment and putting your life into your own hands. If it happens to be fastlane, great. If it doesn't, that's fine, you are still improving your situation.

Great point!

And also, of course, spend less within your current situation. Stop buying crap you don't need and put it towards your house payment and give your family the stability they deserve.

Definitely. Not sure if you saw my last few posts but I've made some drastic changes. I think I'm on the right track.

Now, if you can honestly say your wife and kids are thrilled with the prospect of moving into an apartment, then disregard all of this, but man I SERIOUSLY doubt it.

We plan has changed a bit - we (my wife and I) have decided to move in with family rent-free until debt is paid. Then rent a smaller house nearby until we are ready to buy again. We will be buying within our means this time, though.


I appreciate your post. I've made a ton of mistakes and I will definitely make more. But I'm grinding every day to change my situation for the better.

 

[redsfaithful]

Did not realize your kids were so young, and that does change the equation if they aren't in school yet.

So this is not a viable option for me for at least another 17 years. I did own and operate a Women's Self Defense side business but it wasn't generating enough income to keep it going. I am and always have been interested in starting a side business, though.

If you are married to staying in your job for the next 17 years, why are you even on this board?

 

[LeftBench]

If you are married to staying in your job for the next 17 years, why are you even on this board?

Good point. I should have worded it differently... at this point I don't see it as a viable option because I can not give up my income. Between family obligations and the debt I currently have, I believe it would be unwise for me to start a business that requires me to quit my current job.

I believe I'd be better suited starting a business that I can work on while I am still currently employed at my "Slow Lane." If the business shows enough potential, I would LOVE to quit my Slowlane and work on a business 100% of the time. If not, then I have the crappy 17 year plan to fall back on, lol.

If I was single with no kids, I could definitely work the angle a bit differently. But for right now I'm dependent on that income I get every other week.

 

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[biophase]

I don't want to see the words slowlane, sidewalker or fastlane in this thread again. None of those classifications mean anything to you at this point.

 

[LeftBench]

I don't want to see the words slowlane, sidewalker or fastlane in this thread again. None of those classifications mean anything to you at this point.

I'm definitely all over the place

 

[FreshStart87]

I see everyone here being so critical to left bench on the choices he is making. What would the real fastlaners do in his situation?

 

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[Namtab]

I am intrigued to see where you go from here. Selling your house was a big move (hopefully for the better!) and I can definitely tell you're eager to get stuck in! Looking forward to more posts and I hope something viable comes your way soon!

 

[LeftBench]

I am intrigued to see where you go from here. Selling your house was a big move (hopefully for the better!) and I can definitely tell you're eager to get stuck in! Looking forward to more posts and I hope something viable comes your way soon!

Thank you for the kind words! We have another couple coming tomorrow for a second look at the house, so my fingers are crossed. I can not wait till this thing is sold!

 

[FreshStart87]

It seems that many people relate working on a job to slowlane. The job itself is not! A job can help you build capital to be used toward your overall goal. You have trapped yourself in as you are already aware. Just keep plugging away on your fastlane plan.

Im gonna say that @SteveO has already mentioned that left bench can use his career as a fastlane approach to cure his debt. I just don't understand why people are so critical of left bench and his lifestyle as if though the guy was born with a fastlane mindset and not using it.

 

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[biophase]

Without knowing how much debt you have, I would sell your car now and get the beater now. Why wait until end of winter. You are paying $525 every month you have it. You can get a decent 4WD SUV for $5000. Every month you wait to do this is $500 down the drain and it sounds like $500/mo is a large amount to you.

 

[relentlessaction]

Free Debt Ties and The Materialistic Lifestyle

Congrats on the success man. Your pulling yourself out of that rut slowly but surely.

You seem to now know the realization of an actual dollar and how critical and crucial it is to surpassing the average population as far as net worth and lifestyle. You have to sacrifice that fake ballin' mentality and just suck it up to reap the benefits later.

You start spending money before it's in your pocket and you end up in a pile of debt and working for the people who you are in debt too. I see it more and more everyday..You also can't make any big moves to the fast lane if your trapped.

I still work a F/T job but have my side business gross $200k ecommerce for 2015. A co-worker just bought a new BMW car but only put $2k down and is paying the $500-700/month to have a nice car. I still drive my 1997 civic beater... Works great and I pay barely anything for it. I probably got 5 times more cash in the bank and earn probably 2 times yearly then they do. But yet from the outside, it is perceived that he is "richer". I'm perfectly fine with that because 3-5, 10 years down the road.. That picture will be much more different.

Can't think on the same paths as people in our local area as most of those people are living the 9-5 life.

I always say to myself...Every time I spend.. I'm taking my hard earned profits and putting it in another rich man's pocket. Granted there are things you do need and that is fine and dandy but if you don't need it and you are just spending to spend. That's a losing battle 100%.

All products, most products are a source of income for a business or entrepreneurs. We all trade time for money or money for time.

Getting out of the non-ending and losing cycle of a consumer is the first step.

Build your own cycle for others to run in (aka business/fast lane) is the next step.

Work A Slow Lane + Side Business Hustle

I work a regular job 9 to 5 and hustle an e-commerce site that has grossed $200k. Ecommerce was perfect since I work a 9 to 5.

Plan on selling in 2016 and aim for higher goals and build a new eCommerce which fixes the downsides of my current. Start small and grow bigger. Once you get that positive cashflow and have more saved.

You now have capital to make bigger moves.

There are ton's of ideas and businesses to make on the internet.

IMO, Anyone only ever needs about $20k/net profit per month to live nice. Spend $5k/net and save $15k/month is awesome!

I plan to quit soon within the year. I'm hoping to also gross $250k/net for 2016 but plans to smash that goal but I'm keeping it realistic. My goal is $250k/net saved and $15k/net profit. Spend $5k/month max.. I plan on moving to a cheaper city/area and buying a $200-300k house and will focus on growing my saved capital to $1 million using paid advertising.

Your on your way!!! Keep up the good work!

 

[LeftBench]

Without knowing how much debt you have, I would sell your car now and get the beater now. Why wait until end of winter. You are paying $525 every month you have it. You can get a decent 4WD SUV for $5000. Every month you wait to do this is $500 down the drain and it sounds like $500/mo is a large amount to you.

Thank you for the advice and good point. Im on it.

$500 shouldn't be a lot
of money for me each month but it definitely is at the moment because of the debt.

On another note we cancelled our dish network yesterday. $94/month saved and we will be streaming Netflix and Hulu for the kids. This isn't a forever thing but every bit helps for right now.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

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[LeftBench]

Free Debt Ties and The Materialistic Lifestyle

Congrats on the success man. Your pulling yourself out of that rut slowly but surely.

You seem to now know the realization of an actual dollar and how critical and crucial it is to surpassing the average population as far as net worth and lifestyle. You have to sacrifice that fake ballin' mentality and just suck it up to reap the benefits later.

You start spending money before it's in your pocket and you end up in a pile of debt and working for the people who you are in debt too. I see it more and more everyday..You also can't make any big moves to the fast lane if your trapped.

I still work a F/T job but have my side business gross $200k ecommerce for 2015. A co-worker just bought a new BMW car but only put $2k down and is paying the $500-700/month to have a nice car. I still drive my 1997 civic beater... Works great and I pay barely anything for it. I probably got 5 times more cash in the bank and earn probably 2 times yearly then they do. But yet from the outside, it is perceived that he is "richer". I'm perfectly fine with that because 3-5, 10 years down the road.. That picture will be much more different.

Can't think on the same paths as people in our local area as most of those people are living the 9-5 life.

I always say to myself...Every time I spend.. I'm taking my hard earned profits and putting it in another rich man's pocket. Granted there are things you do need and that is fine and dandy but if you don't need it and you are just spending to spend. That's a losing battle 100%.

All products, most products are a source of income for a business or entrepreneurs. We all trade time for money or money for time.

Getting out of the non-ending and losing cycle of a consumer is the first step.

Build your own cycle for others to run in (aka business/fast lane) is the next step.

Work A Slow Lane + Side Business Hustle

I work a regular job 9 to 5 and hustle an e-commerce site that has grossed $200k. Ecommerce was perfect since I work a 9 to 5.

Plan on selling in 2016 and aim for higher goals and build a new eCommerce which fixes the downsides of my current. Start small and grow bigger. Once you get that positive cashflow and have more saved.

You now have capital to make bigger moves.

There are ton's of ideas and businesses to make on the internet.

IMO, Anyone only ever needs about $20k/net profit per month to live nice. Spend $5k/net and save $15k/month is awesome!

I plan to quit soon within the year. I'm hoping to also gross $250k/net for 2016 but plans to smash that goal but I'm keeping it realistic. My goal is $250k/net saved and $15k/net profit. Spend $5k/month max.. I plan on moving to a cheaper city/area and buying a $200-300k house and will focus on growing my saved capital to $1 million using paid advertising.

Your on your way!!! Keep up the good work!

What a great post. First off congratulations on your successes so far, keep up the great work!

Secondly, thank you for the kind words and the advice.

Like I said earlier, I am all over the place and this situation has caused me to go through some ups and many downs, but I'm happy to be making forward progress.

I appreciate your input!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Namtab]

Free Debt Ties and The Materialistic Lifestyle

Congrats on the success man. Your pulling yourself out of that rut slowly but surely.

You seem to now know the realization of an actual dollar and how critical and crucial it is to surpassing the average population as far as net worth and lifestyle. You have to sacrifice that fake ballin' mentality and just suck it up to reap the benefits later.

You start spending money before it's in your pocket and you end up in a pile of debt and working for the people who you are in debt too. I see it more and more everyday..You also can't make any big moves to the fast lane if your trapped.

I still work a F/T job but have my side business gross $200k ecommerce for 2015. A co-worker just bought a new BMW car but only put $2k down and is paying the $500-700/month to have a nice car. I still drive my 1997 civic beater... Works great and I pay barely anything for it. I probably got 5 times more cash in the bank and earn probably 2 times yearly then they do. But yet from the outside, it is perceived that he is "richer". I'm perfectly fine with that because 3-5, 10 years down the road.. That picture will be much more different.

Can't think on the same paths as people in our local area as most of those people are living the 9-5 life.

I always say to myself...Every time I spend.. I'm taking my hard earned profits and putting it in another rich man's pocket. Granted there are things you do need and that is fine and dandy but if you don't need it and you are just spending to spend. That's a losing battle 100%.

All products, most products are a source of income for a business or entrepreneurs. We all trade time for money or money for time.

Getting out of the non-ending and losing cycle of a consumer is the first step.

Build your own cycle for others to run in (aka business/fast lane) is the next step.

Work A Slow Lane + Side Business Hustle

I work a regular job 9 to 5 and hustle an e-commerce site that has grossed $200k. Ecommerce was perfect since I work a 9 to 5.

Plan on selling in 2016 and aim for higher goals and build a new eCommerce which fixes the downsides of my current. Start small and grow bigger. Once you get that positive cashflow and have more saved.

You now have capital to make bigger moves.

There are ton's of ideas and businesses to make on the internet.

IMO, Anyone only ever needs about $20k/net profit per month to live nice. Spend $5k/net and save $15k/month is awesome!

I plan to quit soon within the year. I'm hoping to also gross $250k/net for 2016 but plans to smash that goal but I'm keeping it realistic. My goal is $250k/net saved and $15k/net profit. Spend $5k/month max.. I plan on moving to a cheaper city/area and buying a $200-300k house and will focus on growing my saved capital to $1 million using paid advertising.

Your on your way!!! Keep up the good work![

Free Debt Ties and The Materialistic Lifestyle

Congrats on the success man. Your pulling yourself out of that rut slowly but surely.

You seem to now know the realization of an actual dollar and how critical and crucial it is to surpassing the average population as far as net worth and lifestyle. You have to sacrifice that fake ballin' mentality and just suck it up to reap the benefits later.

You start spending money before it's in your pocket and you end up in a pile of debt and working for the people who you are in debt too. I see it more and more everyday..You also can't make any big moves to the fast lane if your trapped.

I still work a F/T job but have my side business gross $200k ecommerce for 2015. A co-worker just bought a new BMW car but only put $2k down and is paying the $500-700/month to have a nice car. I still drive my 1997 civic beater... Works great and I pay barely anything for it. I probably got 5 times more cash in the bank and earn probably 2 times yearly then they do. But yet from the outside, it is perceived that he is "richer". I'm perfectly fine with that because 3-5, 10 years down the road.. That picture will be much more different.

Can't think on the same paths as people in our local area as most of those people are living the 9-5 life.

I always say to myself...Every time I spend.. I'm taking my hard earned profits and putting it in another rich man's pocket. Granted there are things you do need and that is fine and dandy but if you don't need it and you are just spending to spend. That's a losing battle 100%.

All products, most products are a source of income for a business or entrepreneurs. We all trade time for money or money for time.

Getting out of the non-ending and losing cycle of a consumer is the first step.

Build your own cycle for others to run in (aka business/fast lane) is the next step.

Work A Slow Lane + Side Business Hustle

I work a regular job 9 to 5 and hustle an e-commerce site that has grossed $200k. Ecommerce was perfect since I work a 9 to 5.

Plan on selling in 2016 and aim for higher goals and build a new eCommerce which fixes the downsides of my current. Start small and grow bigger. Once you get that positive cashflow and have more saved.

You now have capital to make bigger moves.

There are ton's of ideas and businesses to make on the internet.

IMO, Anyone only ever needs about $20k/net profit per month to live nice. Spend $5k/net and save $15k/month is awesome!

I plan to quit soon within the year. I'm hoping to also gross $250k/net for 2016 but plans to smash that goal but I'm keeping it realistic. My goal is $250k/net saved and $15k/net profit. Spend $5k/month max.. I plan on moving to a cheaper city/area and buying a $200-300k house and will focus on growing my saved capital to $1 million using paid advertising.

Your on your way!!! Keep up the good work!

I would love to see the process you wen't through while building your e-commerce site! Great post

 

[relentlessaction]

@Namtab - You can post on my progress thread and I can answer. I don't want to take away from OP's thread. https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/2016-year-of-the-hustle-250k-net-profit.64780/

 

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[Namtab]

@Namtab - You can post on my progress thread and I can answer. I don't want to take away from OP's thread. https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/2016-year-of-the-hustle-250k-net-profit.64780/

awesome, great news!

 

[Learner Guy]

LeftBench,

Good on you for coming here and handling some pretty harsh criticisms. I think that says a lot about you.

My take on what people are trying to get across is that you don't sound to have mastered your present situation, and so trying to magically leapfrog it... won't work.

I've read TMF twice but don't keep the definitions in my head. In my language, you're not managing as an employee, where the challenge is to earn, save, and end up a bit further AHEAD every day. A great site for this stage is Mr Money Mustache, who doesn't get everything right but has some great things to say about frugality:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/04/18/news-flash-your-debt-is-an-emergency/
When I saw you'd only just cut your cable service, I thought of him immediately. You can probably cut your expenses DRAMATICALLY right now, and you should do so YESTERDAY if you ever want to have the ability to build something.

I'll echo the other posters who've been saying that debt-free in an apartment, or even manageable-debt in an apartment, would feel great. Without a better handle on the numbers I don't see that any of us can give very specific or concrete advice.

I will say, though, that I believe you need to master the disciplines (industry and frugality, maybe?) required to 'graduate' from your present stage, before you will be able to do so.

Once you're adding to your war chest every month, it won't take long until you have something to invest, whether in inventory or development or just time away from work.

All the best!
LG

PS great quote from MMM:
"The correct response to this sort of debt is, “AAAAAUUUUUUGGGHHHH!!!! THERE IS A CLOUD OF KILLER BEES COVERING EVERY SQUARE INCH OF MY BODY AND STINGING ME CONSTANTLY!!!! I NEED TO STOP IT BEFORE I AM KILLED!!!”"

 

[LeftBench]

Hey all just a quick update since the last time I've been on here.

Got about another $17k debt paid off. Working hard to keep up the pace with that. Things are going well on that front.

House is finally under contract... we are looking to close on this sale March 24. We should be walking away with about $30k in our pockets which will go straight to debts.

I am seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

I realize I've said some things on this thread that were pretty stupid along with a very few things that have made sense. Re-reading it has me wondering what the hell I was thinking at times. I received some harsh criticisms (deserved) and have created a few E-Friends via PM who are in similar situations. With all of that said, I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to comment, positive or negative. It has really helped me with getting through all of this.

My stress levels have gone down tremendously and my wife is much happier too. Instead of worrying as much we are able to enjoy our family more. We aren't out of the woods yet, but we're definitely armed with machetes and clearing the path.

 

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[Learner Guy]

Congratulations!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[relentlessaction]

Congrats.... Continuous effort goes a long ways.