Comments on: The Longest Night http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:03:21 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: riders http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-767842 riders Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:49:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-767842 Hi,i'm glad to meet your blog.I already downloaded free e-book on your web,i think that its useful to create my blog.Thanks for your info,i will come back next time. Hi,i’m glad to meet your blog.I already downloaded
free e-book on your web,i think that its useful to
create my blog.Thanks for your info,i will come back next time.

]]> By: Jaden http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-739055 Jaden Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:47:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-739055 I am tearing up reading this, Trent. How very well-written and touching. Your blog is such a help and inspiration for me. Sometimes I feel like the goals I have- for a house of our own, careers for my husband and I that we both love, and a wonderful childhood for my daughter (and hopefully other children, someday!)- are out of reach... But then I remember that we're better off now than a year ago, and that as long as we keep doing what we're doing, following the principles that you lay out so well- we'll be better off still in a year. Sometimes it's hard to breathe when you feel like you have a mountain of debt weighing you down. I can imagine how awful you felt that day, and I'm so happy you've been able to turn it around and find something positive in it, provide for your family, and do what you love. And all in a few short years. You give me hope :) Thanks for that. I am tearing up reading this, Trent. How very well-written and touching.

Your blog is such a help and inspiration for me. Sometimes I feel like the goals I have- for a house of our own, careers for my husband and I that we both love, and a wonderful childhood for my daughter (and hopefully other children, someday!)- are out of reach…

But then I remember that we’re better off now than a year ago, and that as long as we keep doing what we’re doing, following the principles that you lay out so well- we’ll be better off still in a year. Sometimes it’s hard to breathe when you feel like you have a mountain of debt weighing you down. I can imagine how awful you felt that day, and I’m so happy you’ve been able to turn it around and find something positive in it, provide for your family, and do what you love. And all in a few short years. You give me hope :) Thanks for that.

]]> By: Ravi http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-738789 Ravi Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:11:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-738789 Very touching and heart warming, Trent. Thanks for sharing! Very touching and heart warming, Trent. Thanks for sharing!

]]> By: Lee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-727876 Lee Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:46:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-727876 Thank you for sharing that heart-warming account of your 'light bulb moment' to becoming financially sound and debt free. We're all on the road, and I thank you for your latter posts on the subject. They've been most helpful :) Thank you for sharing that heart-warming account of your ‘light bulb moment’ to becoming financially sound and debt free. We’re all on the road, and I thank you for your latter posts on the subject. They’ve been most helpful :)

]]> By: MoneyEnergy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-649466 MoneyEnergy Sun, 03 May 2009 06:40:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-649466 It's great to see these moments when people start taking more responsibility.... I hear you when you say at that point you felt disgusted with yourself... I've been in those moments too, although not so much on the financial side. Perhaps I've always been too conservative financially. Yet even now I'm realizing how much more financially responsible I can be. Love the story, thanks for sharing. It’s great to see these moments when people start taking more responsibility…. I hear you when you say at that point you felt disgusted with yourself… I’ve been in those moments too, although not so much on the financial side. Perhaps I’ve always been too conservative financially. Yet even now I’m realizing how much more financially responsible I can be.

Love the story, thanks for sharing.

]]> By: Chris http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-605126 Chris Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:32:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-605126 Wow, Dan's kind of a dick. Anyway, this article hit home for me too. I don't have kids, but I've been in a similar situation, and it's impossible to describe the feeling of worthlessness you feel after seeing exactly how bad your finances really are. The feeling of failing my wife, and not being able to get out of it just made me want to crawl in a hole somewhere. I got much more financially responsible since then, but after losing my job in August 2008 and being unable to get another one yet, my savings is dwindling fast. I need to do something fast. One thing this post didn't mention is after your turning point here, what did you do to better your situation, and what choices helped you turn it around? How did you get out of the hole? Wow, Dan’s kind of a dick.

Anyway, this article hit home for me too. I don’t have kids, but I’ve been in a similar situation, and it’s impossible to describe the feeling of worthlessness you feel after seeing exactly how bad your finances really are. The feeling of failing my wife, and not being able to get out of it just made me want to crawl in a hole somewhere. I got much more financially responsible since then, but after losing my job in August 2008 and being unable to get another one yet, my savings is dwindling fast. I need to do something fast.

One thing this post didn’t mention is after your turning point here, what did you do to better your situation, and what choices helped you turn it around? How did you get out of the hole?

]]> By: Dan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-603239 Dan Tue, 31 Mar 2009 15:21:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-603239 I read your blog a lot and, knowing that you enjoy creative writing, I feel that a lot of the stuff you write on this site is bull. I think you are a fiction writer who is attempting to write real life but cannot resist the urge to include a bunch of flowery crap. I will no longer be following your blog as I am sure repetitive rolling is doing damage to my eyes I read your blog a lot and, knowing that you enjoy creative writing, I feel that a lot of the stuff you write on this site is bull. I think you are a fiction writer who is attempting to write real life but cannot resist the urge to include a bunch of flowery crap.
I will no longer be following your blog as I am sure repetitive rolling is doing damage to my eyes

]]> By: erica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-370692 erica Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:59:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-370692 (sorry, I got cut off :)) Anyway, I have started "31 days to Fix Your Finances" and am confident that I will succeed. Thanks again! -Erica (sorry, I got cut off :))
Anyway, I have started “31 days to Fix Your Finances” and am confident that I will succeed. Thanks again!

-Erica

]]> By: erica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-370690 erica Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:57:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-370690 Trent, The only thing I can say is that you truly are an inspiration to the countless number of people who are suffering financially and feel hopeless about their situation. Piggy-backing on the opinions already expressed by others, THANK YOU for sharing your story and success. I know that I too can achieve the financial freedom I have desired for so long. I can lose the "keeping up with the Jonses" mentality and ensure that my daughter live a happy life even though I am a single parent (I would overcompensate with material things in order to not feel guilty that she was from a "broken home"). I realize that the only person feeling broken was me and I am happy to say that I am ready to change my spend thrifty ways (I Trent,

The only thing I can say is that you truly are an inspiration to the countless number of people who are suffering financially and feel hopeless about their situation. Piggy-backing on the opinions already expressed by others, THANK YOU for sharing your story and success. I know that I too can achieve the financial freedom I have desired for so long. I can lose the “keeping up with the Jonses” mentality and ensure that my daughter live a happy life even though I am a single parent (I would overcompensate with material things in order to not feel guilty that she was from a “broken home”). I realize that the only person feeling broken was me and I am happy to say that I am ready to change my spend thrifty ways (I

]]> By: erica http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-370689 erica Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:57:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-370689 Trent, The only thing I can say is that you truly are an inspiration to the countless number of people who are suffering financially and feel hopeless about their situation. Piggy-backing on the opinions already expressed by others, THANK YOU for sharing your story and success. I know that I too can achieve the financial freedom I have desired for so long. I can lose the "keeping up with the Jonses" mentality and ensure that my daughter live a happy life even though I am a single parent (I would overcompensate with material things in order to not feel guilty that she was from a "broken home"). I realize that the only person feeling broken was me and I am happy to say that I am ready to change my spend thrifty ways (I Trent,

The only thing I can say is that you truly are an inspiration to the countless number of people who are suffering financially and feel hopeless about their situation. Piggy-backing on the opinions already expressed by others, THANK YOU for sharing your story and success. I know that I too can achieve the financial freedom I have desired for so long. I can lose the “keeping up with the Jonses” mentality and ensure that my daughter live a happy life even though I am a single parent (I would overcompensate with material things in order to not feel guilty that she was from a “broken home”). I realize that the only person feeling broken was me and I am happy to say that I am ready to change my spend thrifty ways (I

]]> By: Andrew McMillen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-337754 Andrew McMillen Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:26:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-337754 Amazing post, dude. Amazing post, dude.

]]> By: Rick http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-212729 Rick Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:32:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-212729 Great story. In my case I had an exwife who spent every dollar I earned, and maxed out every credit card and credit source; often without telling me about it. She thought she could borrow her way to a higher standard of living. To escape this hell I had to divorce her, foreclose on the house(to get the profit to pay debts), quit my job, and physically move away. I did all that, and more. Now I control my own finances. They will always be separate, and I will never use debt. It is impossible to explain to someone who has not been there; but I am reborn again, with another chance. I encourage anyone still stuck in that rut to make dramatic lifestyle changes, whatever is necessary, to restart. Great story. In my case I had an exwife who spent every dollar I earned, and maxed out every credit card and credit source; often without telling me about it. She thought she could borrow her way to a higher standard of living. To escape this hell I had to divorce her, foreclose on the house(to get the profit to pay debts), quit my job, and physically move away. I did all that, and more. Now I control my own finances. They will always be separate, and I will never use debt. It is impossible to explain to someone who has not been there; but I am reborn again, with another chance. I encourage anyone still stuck in that rut to make dramatic lifestyle changes, whatever is necessary, to restart.

]]> By: John http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-70444 John Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:10:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-70444 Now, you are in a position to be envied. We don't get strong lifting ping pong balls ! We have to lift weights, physically, mentally, spiritually, and "financially". john Now, you are in a position to be envied.

We don’t get strong lifting ping pong balls !

We have to lift weights, physically, mentally,

spiritually, and “financially”.

john

]]> By: MoreCents http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-70440 MoreCents Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:52:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-70440 This is why I love your website. Thank you. P.S. You are an excellent writer. I don't say that often -- I was an English Major. This is why I love your website. Thank you.

P.S. You are an excellent writer. I don’t say that often — I was an English Major.

]]> By: Lina http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-69732 Lina Tue, 11 Sep 2007 18:43:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-69732 Thank you for bringing back this old post. I only been a reader for a short while but this was what i needed to hear. I dont have any children and I am both young and single, but it doesnt exclude me from doing the right thing with my finances right now, so I wont have to worry later. Thank you for bringing back this old post. I only been a reader for a short while but this was what i needed to hear. I dont have any children and I am both young and single, but it doesnt exclude me from doing the right thing with my finances right now, so I wont have to worry later.

]]> By: Siena http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-69652 Siena Tue, 11 Sep 2007 16:01:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-69652 Thank you for posting your story. I think a lot of people have hit a financial breaking point--but as you've shown--good can come out of those moments. Your moment became a financial awakening. As one of those who has felt desperate and alone and such a screw-up--sites and stories like yours offer hope and a sense of community--that we're in this together and are finding solutions together. Thank you for posting your story. I think a lot of people have hit a financial breaking point–but as you’ve shown–good can come out of those moments. Your moment became a financial awakening. As one of those who has felt desperate and alone and such a screw-up–sites and stories like yours offer hope and a sense of community–that we’re in this together and are finding solutions together.

]]> By: Ned http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-69631 Ned Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:13:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-69631 Sounds like your son has been your greatest teacher. At only a few months he both was the "straw that broke the camels back" and the driving force behind a leap in maturity to change decades of bad habits. Keep your eye on that boy! Sounds like your son has been your greatest teacher. At only a few months he both was the “straw that broke the camels back” and the driving force behind a leap in maturity to change decades of bad habits. Keep your eye on that boy!

]]> By: Jessie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-21039 Jessie Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:35:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-21039 This article comes so close to home, actually with a situation I am going through right now. I managed to rack up thousands of dollars worth of credit card debt, student loans, car loan, etc. Not only that but I have to pay for rent, food, etc. I am in a debt repayment with a creditor where I am paying them more than what some people would pay for a mortgage payment. I am really stretching myself thin for the next 4 months, but I know at least I will get to that light at the end and be able to breathe alot more comfortably. Kudos to you and helping us realize there are are more of "me" out there! This article comes so close to home, actually with a situation I am going through right now. I managed to rack up thousands of dollars worth of credit card debt, student loans, car loan, etc. Not only that but I have to pay for rent, food, etc. I am in a debt repayment with a creditor where I am paying them more than what some people would pay for a mortgage payment. I am really stretching myself thin for the next 4 months, but I know at least I will get to that light at the end and be able to breathe alot more comfortably. Kudos to you and helping us realize there are are more of “me” out there!

]]> By: jonny http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-20901 jonny Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:32:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-20901 That's incredible. Thank you. That’s incredible. Thank you.

]]> By: Pete http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/comment-page-1/#comment-20851 Pete Thu, 26 Apr 2007 04:24:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/25/the-longest-night/#comment-20851 Thanks for sharing Trent. I had a similar experience several years back, even before our son was born (he's 17 months now.) After doing some number crunching and coming to a very simliar realization as you, I just went back to our room by myself and sat at the end of the bed in silence for almost an hour. I couldn't believe where I was and how I was failing my wife and our future family. When my wife came in to comfort me, I remember telling her, "Babe, I'm worth less than nothing...I owe the world more than I have." That was a life changing day. Obviously, my wife was extremely loving and supportive...what more motivation does any man need. Now we're debt free, aside from our mortgage, invest regularly for retirement and our son's education, and can even afford for my wife to be a stay at home Mom. We live on a fairly tight budget to be able to do those things, but there is no gadget, gizmo, car, etc...that I want more than what I have right now. Nothing is worth more to me than knowing I'm good for my family. Cheers to you Trent! Pete Thanks for sharing Trent. I had a similar experience several years back, even before our son was born (he’s 17 months now.)
After doing some number crunching and coming to a very simliar realization as you, I just went back to our room by myself and sat at the end of the bed in silence for almost an hour. I couldn’t believe where I was and how I was failing my wife and our future family. When my wife came in to comfort me, I remember telling her, “Babe, I’m worth less than nothing…I owe the world more than I have.”

That was a life changing day. Obviously, my wife was extremely loving and supportive…what more motivation does any man need.

Now we’re debt free, aside from our mortgage, invest regularly for retirement and our son’s education, and can even afford for my wife to be a stay at home Mom. We live on a fairly tight budget to be able to do those things, but there is no gadget, gizmo, car, etc…that I want more than what I have right now. Nothing is worth more to me than knowing I’m good for my family.

Cheers to you Trent!

Pete

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