Comments on: The Road to Financial Armageddon #8: Meltdown

By: Florida Girl

Florida Girl — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:09:27 +0000

Please remember before you spend down the road to meltdown: My dad could not afford to take us on an expensive vacation, we lived in a house with a bathroom 1/2 floor down, that was shared with one of the other apartments. ‘Us’ – that is my mother and I, not a big family. Here is what I do remember: We went camping…most our vacations were spend in a tent, I loved it!!! He spent time with me, he gave me responsibility, the ‘don’t climb up that tree’ was not an empty warning,…I really did fall down and he let me. This year he died twenty years ago and I hope I can be to my daughter what he was to me. No expensive toy can replace that

By: Dangerous Norms: When a Treat Becomes a Routine Matter ∞ Get Rich Slowly

Dangerous Norms: When a Treat Becomes a Routine Matter ∞ Get Rich Slowly — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:00:19 +0000

[...] you’re playing a dangerous financial game. After a few years of this, I found myself in a downward financial spiral. I realized that without making some major changes, I was going to lose everything I [...]

By: Justin H. from Checks For Less

Justin H. from Checks For Less — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:10:41 +0000

Great post. Having 3 kids myself, I really connect with what you say about giving them. Time flies, so make sure to love your family, spend time with them, and figure out how to provide for them in the long term. Back to work :)

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 13:45:11 +0000

This is a truly touching post. I’ve just made the decision to aggressively attack my debt whilst saving for a house. We are planning on having a family, and I think you hit the nail on the head. The cost to those around us is much more than the cost to ourselves, dollars mean nothing to the security of a happy future.

By: Jennifer Ward

Jennifer Ward — Mon, 07 May 2007 13:48:26 +0000

Let me start by saying that I really enjoy reading your post every morning. Between your values, sincerity and extenstive knowledge, as well as your frugality, I thought maybe my husband was keeping extra busy at work writing this post himself:) This is “our way of thinking” as well. I love it! Anyhow, your above story really touched us and I felt compelled to write. Our brother in law, Craig committed suicide in March. He was in extreme debt (over $300,000. worth in credit cards and a second mortgage on existing house, as well as their previous home, medical bills, etc…) and he had not been working since January. He was living a lie. He would get up and get dressed every morning and his wife, my husbands sister, Becky, would think he was going to work. He could not tell her that he quit, so he would not have to fire two individuals with families. He did not have the heart to do it. He would spend his days (we later found out) at their old house they were trying to sell, looking for work and going to interviews. Craig did not want Becky to know that he had “failed” his family. He tried to take a life insurance policy out on himself in late Jan., just to be denied in early March due to pending medical tests from his neurologist. Craig was a great father and committed husband. This truly looked like the “Norman Rockwell” picture family. They have three beautiful children together, ages 10,(that weekend) 7 and 4. I never would have guessed he was depressed! He felt like a failure as a husband and father as he was unable to provide financially for his family; even though he had so much “to bring to the table”. He was a great and very likeable guy. That day in mid March he went to their old house, like he did, except this time with duct tape and a charcoal grill and a plan. He taped a note on the outside of the door that read “Caution, Carbon Monoxide” He taped the door on the inside and turned the grill on. I am not sure how long it took, but I am sure he had several hours to think. I cannot even imagine what filled his head that day. He left a note, simply stating that he was sorry he could not take care of her and the kids and that her family could take care of them better than he ever could. We never did find out (yet) if he had something wrong with him physically…quite possibly he did. However, we believe most of his depression was from his debt. He would take out loans and cash advances on credit cards and deposit into their account, which he solely handled to pay the monthly bills.He was getting deeper and deeper in debt, of course, by doing this. They lived well above their means, but he wanted to keep up as if nothing had ever happened. Now not only does she have to contend with his death, the love of her life, and their kids growing up with no dad, but now she has to file bancruptcy and she is not sure if she can even keep her home!
I applaud your for writing this post,as you never know how you may touch someone somewhere that needs it. I am sure you did. I believe what comes around goes around…one good turn deserves another, however you say it, you touched me. Thank you.

By: BigBuddha

BigBuddha — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 03:29:04 +0000

Wow .. this series of posts is excellent … and it really shows a true to life journey of a “financial armageddon” waiting to happen … thanks for sharing this story, I think the more people who get to read this will definitely have a hard look at themselves and their situation and be jolted into action .. goodwork keep it up.

By: Cacheblazer

Cacheblazer — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 10:41:06 +0000

Your post really stuck a chord. I think we’ve all run into scenarios where it seems financially we’re headed for a meltdown. It is hard to prepare for the unexpected. What’s the answer? Well, there are many approaches and I’m curious to read your follow up, but I will say that inspiration often stems from desperation!