Comments on: The Road to Financial Armageddon #10: What I Learned http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:22:21 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: JAMM http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-753938 JAMM Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:57:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-753938 Beautiful vocabulary and story. Thank you for the wonderful confession of hindsight being 20/20. You are all of the above mentioned positive comments and more. Beautiful vocabulary and story.
Thank you for the wonderful confession of hindsight being 20/20. You are all of the above mentioned positive comments and more.

]]> By: Joan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-728212 Joan Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:58:53 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-728212 Thanks so very much for sharing all of this! I clearly remember the first dollar I ever got, which was from the tooth fairy in exchange for the first canine I lost. My dad came home a little later than usual that evening, and when I showed him my dollar, he asked me what I wanted to spend it on; I was dying--DYING--to spend it. He drove me to Walgreens, where I purchased some something; maybe a plastic toy gun or some bouncy balls? It's telling that I don't remember what I bought, but that I do remember spending the dollar. Now that I'm married and in the process of trying to pull my credit score up to an acceptable level, I'm finally really, truly thinking about money for the first time in my life in any sort of constructive, forward-thinking manner. Although I've changed many of my destructive credit habits and am close to being debt-free, a part of me up until recently still basically operated on the premise that, well, if there's money in the bank to buy that cheeseburger or that pair of pants, I can buy it! Such is clearly not the case, and at 30, it's a lesson learned late--but it's never too late to change. Thanks for your site! Thanks so very much for sharing all of this! I clearly remember the first dollar I ever got, which was from the tooth fairy in exchange for the first canine I lost. My dad came home a little later than usual that evening, and when I showed him my dollar, he asked me what I wanted to spend it on; I was dying–DYING–to spend it. He drove me to Walgreens, where I purchased some something; maybe a plastic toy gun or some bouncy balls? It’s telling that I don’t remember what I bought, but that I do remember spending the dollar.

Now that I’m married and in the process of trying to pull my credit score up to an acceptable level, I’m finally really, truly thinking about money for the first time in my life in any sort of constructive, forward-thinking manner. Although I’ve changed many of my destructive credit habits and am close to being debt-free, a part of me up until recently still basically operated on the premise that, well, if there’s money in the bank to buy that cheeseburger or that pair of pants, I can buy it! Such is clearly not the case, and at 30, it’s a lesson learned late–but it’s never too late to change.

Thanks for your site!

]]> By: Jimy Shah http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-674000 Jimy Shah Tue, 26 May 2009 15:52:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-674000 A well described real life story. I liked the fact that you did not shy away from your mistakes and you brought it up openly in public for other to learn from it. Overall, a great job. All the best ! -Jimy A well described real life story. I liked the fact that you did not shy away from your mistakes and you brought it up openly in public for other to learn from it.

Overall, a great job. All the best !

-Jimy

]]> By: JMV http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-643324 JMV Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:44:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-643324 Hi Trent, I found this story because I'm just at the meltdown stage now. I only work part-time and currently owe $5000 on one cc, $800 on another and I'm soon to be 2 months behind in the rent (£1200). I also can't afford to pay in full my next electric bill on time. I know I've left it too late to avoid major hassle, but I guess it was a case of turning a blind eye and hoping for a miracle or something. After reading your story I'm going to do what you've done and hopefully this will get me back on track sooner rather than later. I've considered just not paying the $3000 cc bill as the minimum amount required is currently $160 which I also can't afford, but I realize I need to take responsibility and try to arrange something with them. Right now I have $25 in my account and don't get paid until Friday. It may sound like a nightmare, and I suppose it is, really, but I'm now maintaining a positive outlook and being secure in the knowledge that I WILL make this work out. Thanks, JMV Hi Trent,
I found this story because I’m just at the meltdown stage now. I only work part-time and currently owe $5000 on one cc, $800 on another and I’m soon to be 2 months behind in the rent (£1200). I also can’t afford to pay in full my next electric bill on time. I know I’ve left it too late to avoid major hassle, but I guess it was a case of turning a blind eye and hoping for a miracle or something.

After reading your story I’m going to do what you’ve done and hopefully this will get me back on track sooner rather than later. I’ve considered just not paying the $3000 cc bill as the minimum amount required is currently $160 which I also can’t afford, but I realize I need to take responsibility and try to arrange something with them.

Right now I have $25 in my account and don’t get paid until Friday. It may sound like a nightmare, and I suppose it is, really, but I’m now maintaining a positive outlook and being secure in the knowledge that I WILL make this work out.

Thanks,
JMV

]]> By: Bruno http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-618609 Bruno Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:57:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-618609 Trent, I read your story with interest; thank you for sharing your personal experiences and insight. I have a 24 year old son who recently was married. I plan on sharing this link with him and his wife. Trent,
I read your story with interest; thank you for sharing your personal experiences and insight. I have a 24 year old son who recently was married. I plan on sharing this link with him and his wife.

]]> By: Financialdad http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-600483 Financialdad Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:00:29 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-600483 I loved reading your story! Thanks for sharing these wonderful insights. Certainly, you're correct: life is so much more than the things you can purchase! I loved reading your story! Thanks for sharing these wonderful insights. Certainly, you’re correct: life is so much more than the things you can purchase!

]]> By: crystal http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-456293 crystal Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:00:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-456293 thank you for sharing your story. i am 24 yrs old and i have learned much of what you share on your website on my own--boy do i wish i found this web site 6 years ago when i started racking up credit cards--i have come a very long way & i am currently teaching my boyfriend how to manage his money and get his finances in order. unfortunatly he thinks that the "easy" way to get out of debt is to volunteer for a 2nd deployment to iraq in july. although it will help i am going to show him that it doesnt have to be the "only" way. once again, thank you. thank you for sharing your story. i am 24 yrs old and i have learned much of what you share on your website on my own–boy do i wish i found this web site 6 years ago when i started racking up credit cards–i have come a very long way & i am currently teaching my boyfriend how to manage his money and get his finances in order. unfortunatly he thinks that the “easy” way to get out of debt is to volunteer for a 2nd deployment to iraq in july. although it will help i am going to show him that it doesnt have to be the “only” way. once again, thank you.

]]> By: Brian http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-432929 Brian Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:27:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-432929 I'm happy I found this site and read your story. I'm in the middle of college with a semi full-time job. I have to keep a close eye on all my money. All my paychecks vary based on how much I work. Worse thing is I commute to both school and work, and car insurance at age 20 on a mustang is hell! But with a little thinking, lots of budgeting time, and tips from blogs like this it makes things a whole lot easier to get through. I’m happy I found this site and read your story. I’m in the middle of college with a semi full-time job. I have to keep a close eye on all my money. All my paychecks vary based on how much I work. Worse thing is I commute to both school and work, and car insurance at age 20 on a mustang is hell! But with a little thinking, lots of budgeting time, and tips from blogs like this it makes things a whole lot easier to get through.

]]> By: kaizoku http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-427806 kaizoku Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:05:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-427806 Okay, so you got into debt, realised your spending was unsustainable, then consolidated your debt and are paying off that debt. where's the armageddon? you appear to have lost nothing: not your house, not your car, not your health, not your wife or child, not even your credit rating. I congratulate you on realising your behaviour had to change before something really bad happened, and it's good that you've been able to use your story to educate others, but come on! Okay, so you got into debt, realised your spending was unsustainable, then consolidated your debt and are paying off that debt. where’s the armageddon? you appear to have lost nothing: not your house, not your car, not your health, not your wife or child, not even your credit rating. I congratulate you on realising your behaviour had to change before something really bad happened, and it’s good that you’ve been able to use your story to educate others, but come on!

]]> By: Chris http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-427645 Chris Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:24:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-427645 Your story was very inspirational, thanks for sharing it. Of course, it's the basis for your entire blog so something good definitely came out of it. =) Your story was very inspirational, thanks for sharing it. Of course, it’s the basis for your entire blog so something good definitely came out of it. =)

]]> By: CJ http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-427179 CJ Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:15:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-427179 Your story really woke me up. I am 15 years old and even though I don't yet earn money in any way, I realized that maybe, this time in my age is the best time to start educating and changing myself and my habits. I would also recommend, if not force, my father to read these series of posts as well as your whole blog. He has recently acquired a rather big debt because of credit cards almost exactly like how your debt piled up, it also kind of awakened him on our family's financial situation but I think we aren't yet changing our lifestyles and habits that much. If not for my grandmother and aunt, our family would have been able to pay that big debt and we would have been in poverty by now. Thank you really for these posts. Your story really woke me up. I am 15 years old and even though I don’t yet earn money in any way, I realized that maybe, this time in my age is the best time to start educating and changing myself and my habits. I would also recommend, if not force, my father to read these series of posts as well as your whole blog. He has recently acquired a rather big debt because of credit cards almost exactly like how your debt piled up, it also kind of awakened him on our family’s financial situation but I think we aren’t yet changing our lifestyles and habits that much. If not for my grandmother and aunt, our family would have been able to pay that big debt and we would have been in poverty by now.
Thank you really for these posts.

]]> By: JR http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-413928 JR Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:21:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-413928 I’m happy to read your story and I’m glad that you came to the truth about financial peace. What saddens me is that there are so many creeps out there that never come to the truth. It’s a natural truth, it shouldn’t even have to be taught, and it’s just plain old common sense. If any readers of this story needed this story in order to point them in the right direction, then you’re a loser and you have bigger problems than your finances. America is full of gluttonous, covetous, greedy, instant gratification creeps. America, in just a few short decades has moved from the largest creditor nation in the world to the largest debtor nation. We have aborted nearly 50 million unborn. We are the largest consumers of illegal drugs, we produce nearly all of the world’s pornography and we are war mongering perverts. It’s little wonder that we can’t get simple financial concepts ingrained into our own lives. I’m happy to read your story and I’m glad that you came to the truth about financial peace. What saddens me is that there are so many creeps out there that never come to the truth. It’s a natural truth, it shouldn’t even have to be taught, and it’s just plain old common sense. If any readers of this story needed this story in order to point them in the right direction, then you’re a loser and you have bigger problems than your finances. America is full of gluttonous, covetous, greedy, instant gratification creeps. America, in just a few short decades has moved from the largest creditor nation in the world to the largest debtor nation. We have aborted nearly 50 million unborn. We are the largest consumers of illegal drugs, we produce nearly all of the world’s pornography and we are war mongering perverts. It’s little wonder that we can’t get simple financial concepts ingrained into our own lives.

]]> By: Jeremy Day http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-408461 Jeremy Day Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:01:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-408461 Hi Trent, I very much enjoyed reading your story. Although I got myself in a fair amount of debt I have payed most of it off now. Except my school loans and mortgage. I really enjoy your writing and get a lot of great info out of it. Keep up the good work! Cheers, Jeremy Hi Trent,

I very much enjoyed reading your story. Although I got myself in a fair amount of debt I have payed most of it off now. Except my school loans and mortgage. I really enjoy your writing and get a lot of great info out of it. Keep up the good work!

Cheers,
Jeremy

]]> By: Pat Brown http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-2/#comment-396146 Pat Brown Fri, 17 Oct 2008 22:39:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-396146 Trent--- Just found your blog and LOVE it..and am waiting tosee if my new batch of laundry "slime" sets up oovernight or not! My DH and I are finally, Praise the Lord, only $6 K from being debt free, except the mortgage (which is low interest, fixed, and less that the home's fair market value) We did dumb things..and won't repeat them. Happy to say that our lessons "took", and our son and little family are debt free on an E-4 salary in the miltary, with twocars and a three year old in Washington, DC..and he's finishing his degree. Thankfully, we were honest about our screw-ups, and he took the lessons to heart. I am a new ssubscriber!! Trent—

Just found your blog and LOVE it..and am waiting tosee if my new batch of laundry “slime” sets up oovernight or not! My DH and I are finally, Praise the Lord, only $6 K from being debt free, except the mortgage (which is low interest, fixed, and less that the home’s fair market value)

We did dumb things..and won’t repeat them. Happy to say that our lessons “took”, and our son and little family are debt free on an E-4 salary in the miltary, with twocars and a three year old in Washington, DC..and he’s finishing his degree. Thankfully, we were honest about our screw-ups, and he took the lessons to heart. I am a new ssubscriber!!

]]> By: Becky http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-1/#comment-383817 Becky Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:53:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-383817 I just found your blog today. I must confess my dh and I are melting down. Too much on our plate right now. But I hope by reading your blog every day maybe we will find a way out soon. Thanks for the inspiration! I just found your blog today. I must confess my dh and I are melting down. Too much on our plate right now. But I hope by reading your blog every day maybe we will find a way out soon. Thanks for the inspiration!

]]> By: The Comeback Kid http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-1/#comment-382835 The Comeback Kid Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:57:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-382835 THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR STORY! I have lived this (with disastrous results) for nearly 30 years and am just now in the stages of recovery. It is very inspiring to me that your story shows a road back from the minus side of the number line to zero, and even (if some/all of your recovery choices became habits) to the plus side. If there's one thing that resonates with me from your story, it is that it all begins with what we are thinking; what we experience is the results of our thoughts. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." All the best for the road back! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR STORY! I have lived this (with disastrous results) for nearly 30 years and am just now in the stages of recovery. It is very inspiring to me that your story shows a road back from the minus side of the number line to zero, and even (if some/all of your recovery choices became habits) to the plus side. If there’s one thing that resonates with me from your story, it is that it all begins with what we are thinking; what we experience is the results of our thoughts. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
All the best for the road back!

]]> By: John Kibuuka http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-1/#comment-359108 John Kibuuka Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:08:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-359108 Amazing series, and all the articles on this website! Truly inspirational especially for an african like me who devotes a good amount of time everyday, dreaming of all the things i would like to buy if i had all the money; chocolates, big nice house, expensive clothes etc. Am recommending this site to so many of my friends to change for the better before they lead stressful lives in future! Thank you very much for correcting my view towards before I actually get a ruined life! :) Amazing series, and all the articles on this website! Truly inspirational especially for an african like me who devotes a good amount of time everyday, dreaming of all the things i would like to buy if i had all the money; chocolates, big nice house, expensive clothes etc.

Am recommending this site to so many of my friends to change for the better before they lead stressful lives in future!

Thank you very much for correcting my view towards before I actually get a ruined life! :)

]]> By: Brandi http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-1/#comment-341080 Brandi Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:49:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-341080 Your website is a wonderful source of financial common sense (something not all that common). This series of articles was particularly inspiring. It shows how easy it is to get all the wrong messages and be heading down the wrong path without even knowing it. But it also shows that it is possible to climb your way out. Thanks for sharing. Your website is a wonderful source of financial common sense (something not all that common). This series of articles was particularly inspiring. It shows how easy it is to get all the wrong messages and be heading down the wrong path without even knowing it. But it also shows that it is possible to climb your way out. Thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Michel http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-1/#comment-335764 Michel Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:04:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-335764 This is a great site, and I'm at this very minute cooking up my first batch of homemade laundry detergent, so thank you for that recipe and for the extremely thoughtful self-critique and analysis of how money fits with our culture and our pschology. You sound a lot like my dad, which is a very good thing. One thing I'm wondering about is why your wife play such a little part in your story, other than the unwitting one who essentially had the wool pulled over her eyes. At what point did you sit down with her and have an honest discussion? What did she do to bring your family back on track? It seems one-sided, and I'm curious since the one thing that does come through is your respect for her. Not at all a criticism, just as a woman I'm wondering about the other side of the story :) Again, thanks, this website is my new obsession! This is a great site, and I’m at this very minute cooking up my first batch of homemade laundry detergent, so thank you for that recipe and for the extremely thoughtful self-critique and analysis of how money fits with our culture and our pschology. You sound a lot like my dad, which is a very good thing.

One thing I’m wondering about is why your wife play such a little part in your story, other than the unwitting one who essentially had the wool pulled over her eyes. At what point did you sit down with her and have an honest discussion? What did she do to bring your family back on track? It seems one-sided, and I’m curious since the one thing that does come through is your respect for her. Not at all a criticism, just as a woman I’m wondering about the other side of the story :)

Again, thanks, this website is my new obsession!

]]> By: Mary http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/comment-page-1/#comment-323000 Mary Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:52:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/11/10/the-road-to-financial-armageddon-10-what-i-learned/#comment-323000 Trent, Thank you for sharing your story and all your endless amount of invaluable info. I have been working at putting it to good use, from making my own cleaning supplies and laundry soap to your tips on investing, saving, paying off debt, etc. All of your articles are very well written and extremely informative and for that I am eternally grateful!! Good luck on your road to financial freedom and with your writing! Trent,

Thank you for sharing your story and all your endless amount of invaluable info. I have been working at putting it to good use, from making my own cleaning supplies and laundry soap to your tips on investing, saving, paying off debt, etc. All of your articles are very well written and extremely informative and for that I am eternally grateful!! Good luck on your road to financial freedom and with your writing!

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