Maggie - I did read the entire post. I do understand that you are in a very difficult situation. However nothing in your post leads me to think that any of the difficulties were caused by the mortgage company. I am assuming based upon your statement that you actually have the ability to pay the mortgage that this was not a case of someone making a loan to someone that should not have been made. I understand that the circumstances surrounding your decision were very unique - and it may be that you really didn't have much of a choice. But to me the article sounded very like (and please understand, this is my impression only) "I walked away from a deal, broke my word - and now life is great!" And that just feels wrong to me. I have a problem with the number of people walking away from mortgages because it is no longer convenient for them. I also have a a huge problem with the lack of shame, for lack of a better word, that people seem to have concerning welching on deals. As I said - perhaps I am hopelessly old fashioned, but I was brought up to believe that a person's word is their bond and a contract isn't something you lived up to only as long as it is convenient.
Working for same company 10 years and have packed my lunch pretty much every work day except for about a dozen times total and a few of those times someone was treating. I can control what I eat and I can save a bunch of money too by using leftovers. I think am the only person in a office of over 200 that brings a thermos to work, I can't see buying an overpriced beverage when it tastes just as good from home. I do carry the thermos in a tote bag, people see it and think I am crazy.
Pack. Once every two months stop by the local grocery store nearest the office and stock up on canned soups, oatmeal, ramen, and snacks (aka popcorn, nuts, raisins) so that I never have the excuse of not having food available if I run late and forget to bring food. Usually pack food the night before (with leftovers from dinner) so it's rare that I forget, but just in case...
Once in a while I'll go out to lunch with coworkers. Mostly I bring lunch. Some weeks I'm better at this than others. This week I've been pathetically disorganized and end up bringing something easy like cheese on crackers, fruit and carrot sticks.
The smartest investment I have ever made has been my camera. I am so glad I have memories captured on film to share with my family and friends. Something that I will forever have in picture form.
Also, since you live in Colorado, have you ever been out to Golden and taken the Coors tour? I was out there a couple years ago, and they gave me and my wife four free samples a piece (and each same was at least 1/2 a pint). In fact, that tour is the main reason I would want to go back to Colorado. :)
The smartest investment I ever made was buying my house. We bought is a a HUD house 19 years ago for about half it's value. So while the rest of the neighborhood is coping with outlandish mortgage payments, we are sitting pretty. Now if only the rest of our bills were cut in half, we'd be doing good.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I'd say I bring my lunch an average of 4 days a week. It tends to be leftovers so occasionally we don't have enough dinner left to pack lunches. I found the trick is to dish up my lunch BEFORE my husband fixes his plate. That boy can eat.
After my husband died, I went back to school and got my Bachelors and then a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. I graduated last year. I've wanted to become a therapist and help people since I was seven years old, so I'm grateful I could realize my dream. I think this is the smartest investment I ever made because not only can I make a difference - I can be happy while doing it.
Getting rid of unecessary expenses is always a good idea. So is doing the dishes, but we don't always do them. Sometimes we don't want to be on a budget because, we just don't want to take the time to do so, and other times its much more psychologically messy.
If you fall into the latter group then you really ought to get a counselor and face those past demons. They are doing you no good, and probably causing you more stress than disregarding them is helping.
The first group, hey time to wise up and cut back on some expenses.
We pack ours at home. It makes a lunch out a real treat. I would consider buying lunch at school for my kids, especially when pressed for time but my kids object (Really!) to white bread, lack of veggies, and hot dogs and chicken nuggets.
When I worked, I almost always packed my lunch. It saved us a lot of money.
I generally buy a pack of lunch meat (or deli meat) and a pack of the bread rounds and make my own sandwiches in the office.
Maggie - I did read the entire post. I do understand that you are in a very difficult situation. However nothing in your post leads me to think that any of the difficulties were caused by the mortgage company. I am assuming based upon your statement that you actually have the ability to pay the mortgage that this was not a case of someone making a loan to someone that should not have been made. I understand that the circumstances surrounding your decision were very unique - and it may be that you really didn't have much of a choice. But to me the article sounded very like (and please understand, this is my impression only) "I walked away from a deal, broke my word - and now life is great!" And that just feels wrong to me. I have a problem with the number of people walking away from mortgages because it is no longer convenient for them. I also have a a huge problem with the lack of shame, for lack of a better word, that people seem to have concerning welching on deals. As I said - perhaps I am hopelessly old fashioned, but I was brought up to believe that a person's word is their bond and a contract isn't something you lived up to only as long as it is convenient.
Working for same company 10 years and have packed my lunch pretty much every work day except for about a dozen times total and a few of those times someone was treating. I can control what I eat and I can save a bunch of money too by using leftovers. I think am the only person in a office of over 200 that brings a thermos to work, I can't see buying an overpriced beverage when it tastes just as good from home. I do carry the thermos in a tote bag, people see it and think I am crazy.
Pack. Once every two months stop by the local grocery store nearest the office and stock up on canned soups, oatmeal, ramen, and snacks (aka popcorn, nuts, raisins) so that I never have the excuse of not having food available if I run late and forget to bring food. Usually pack food the night before (with leftovers from dinner) so it's rare that I forget, but just in case...
I definitely brown bag. Saves time waiting in line to buy.
Once in a while I'll go out to lunch with coworkers. Mostly I bring lunch. Some weeks I'm better at this than others. This week I've been pathetically disorganized and end up bringing something easy like cheese on crackers, fruit and carrot sticks.
The smartest investment I have ever made has been my camera. I am so glad I have memories captured on film to share with my family and friends. Something that I will forever have in picture form.
I pack my own lunch when I work away from home. It's cheaper, healthier, and I like to cook, so I usually have the leftovers anyway.
I gots no problems with PBR. It's delicious.
Also, since you live in Colorado, have you ever been out to Golden and taken the Coors tour? I was out there a couple years ago, and they gave me and my wife four free samples a piece (and each same was at least 1/2 a pint). In fact, that tour is the main reason I would want to go back to Colorado. :)
The smartest investment I ever made was buying my house. We bought is a a HUD house 19 years ago for about half it's value. So while the rest of the neighborhood is coping with outlandish mortgage payments, we are sitting pretty. Now if only the rest of our bills were cut in half, we'd be doing good.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Pack your lunch for work, cut coupons for groceries and use a list of things you need. ask for discounts in stores. etc
I'd say I bring my lunch an average of 4 days a week. It tends to be leftovers so occasionally we don't have enough dinner left to pack lunches. I found the trick is to dish up my lunch BEFORE my husband fixes his plate. That boy can eat.
After my husband died, I went back to school and got my Bachelors and then a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. I graduated last year. I've wanted to become a therapist and help people since I was seven years old, so I'm grateful I could realize my dream. I think this is the smartest investment I ever made because not only can I make a difference - I can be happy while doing it.
Getting rid of unecessary expenses is always a good idea. So is doing the dishes, but we don't always do them. Sometimes we don't want to be on a budget because, we just don't want to take the time to do so, and other times its much more psychologically messy.
If you fall into the latter group then you really ought to get a counselor and face those past demons. They are doing you no good, and probably causing you more stress than disregarding them is helping.
The first group, hey time to wise up and cut back on some expenses.
Sigh... None of you even looked at the netspend site, did you? Well this supplied my day with a nice laugh. Thanks.
just curious, after "thousands of sweepstakes I’ve entered over the past 14 years"
have you ever won anything?
We pack ours at home. It makes a lunch out a real treat. I would consider buying lunch at school for my kids, especially when pressed for time but my kids object (Really!) to white bread, lack of veggies, and hot dogs and chicken nuggets.
Yes, we pay way too much for cable.
Not really. Funds are lumped together.
I started funding my 401k on the first day of my first job.
I always search for end of season sales (Halloween, Christmas, etc) in preparation for the next year. Same with birthday supplies. Love potlucks.
I do not have a gym membership. I can walk outside for free.
I think there should be unpaid chores which are just part of learning to live responsibly and then extras where they can earn spending money.
My husband and I both work.