Well, it’s been 2-3 weeks since my last update.  The last month has been a wild roller-coaster of events.  I may get a little winded in this post, because it’s really my "catch up" with everything up to now.  It actually bothers me that I let this go so long, because the point of this site was to make myself accountable and to let everyone learn from my example…good or bad.

So, first I’d like to thank those that actually inquired about my status lately.  I am most grateful for those that keep in touch.  One such reader I’d like to point out is Mrs. Accountability.  She’s been around since I started this, and really has been on the ball the last few weeks.  Reading through her story and recent progress has been inspiring and she’s definitely been a blessing as a reader from the get-go.

As for my roller-coaster of events…I’d say the craze of events follows suit with an emotional roller-coaster as well.  This stuff can really take a toll on you.

Here’s some of the stuff that’s been going on:

• Preparing for Thanksgiving with just about all the in-law families
• Keeping up with the Joneses
• Deciding on Christmas gifts
• Two medical bills ended up in collections after only being one month behind

Thanksgiving with the in-laws

I should really be careful with this one.  It’s not that I dislike visiting with any of them, but just about everyone can probably imagine what a big visit with the family can be like for more than a few days…nerve-wrecking at times, mostly pleasant, and the occasional "blow up" between sisters/mom/whoever.

As far as financial impact, we were almost able to keep the week’s expenses pretty tight, but right at the last minute before everyone arrived…things just weren’t good enough for the wife.  Big grocery list, lost of extra things "required" to be hospitable, even though our visitors are the ones who taught us to be frugal growing up or grew up with the same parents, etc.

Fine, I’m down with an extra $100-200 for the week.  We only do this every few years.

Keeping up with the Joneses

That brings us to the item on the list…trying to keep up with others in a better financial state than ours.  (Or at least looking like we are.)  So I understand blowing a few extra bucks here and there to make people feel at home during a visit, but how do we act while they’re here?  Let’s just say that’s the week I stopped even getting on the computer for awhile.  Not only did I stop updating with posts here, but I stopped keeping up with the budget sheets altogether.

"Wanna go get some Starbucks?"
"Sure!  Let’s get some for everyone!"

"Want to go shopping?"
"Oh yes, let’s go to the mall!" (where the credit limit was just increased on a dept. store card)

"You know, you should get X, Y, and Z…we have one and we love it!"
"Great idea, let’s go pick one up on the way home from another visit to the mall!"

I may exaggerate a little, but you get the idea…

Deciding on Christmas Gifts

Not only does the whole "keeping up with the Joneses" theme get out of control while family is here, but it’s very difficult to get rid of it once it’s taken over.  After being out of touch with how much we were spending, it was very easy to just continue if "just a couple more days" *cough*weeks*cough*.

As soon as we started talking about what to do for Christmas gifts this year, our super-frugal plans got tossed out the window because the emotional side of my wife’s childhood Christmases have already taken over after a week of reminiscing with family over the old days.  The magic of Christmas morning will happen yet again at our house this year…followed by yet another credit card bill to have to worry about for months to come.]

So on the bright side, everyone will be very happy for awhile.  Meanwhile, I’ll be biting my tongue for most of it while trying to figure out what to do about it all.

Overdue Medical Bills

To top it all off, the ear surgery my daughter had a couple months ago apparently has a different bill collector’s schedule than every other medical office we’ve ever been to.  I usually float the 120 day grace period a little close with most offices to make sure my insurance has had every opportunity to pay their portion before I bother counting how much I owe.  Apparently that wasn’t a good idea with this specialist we went with because I just got the 2nd bill I’ve ever seen from them (the last one was the first one I’d gotten) and it’s from a collection’s agency. 

Took me by surprise, but whatever.  I’ll just go down to the office and pay the thing and let the collector know (in writing) that I’ve already paid it.  If I can’t pay at the office, then collector it is.  *sigh*

Time to turn it all around

Ok, so if you haven’t noticed…I’ve been a little bitter toward "our" decision making as if I had nothing to do with it.  I totally agree that it’s all just as much my responsibility as it is Mrs. Debtbeater.  I’m angry that she’s the instigator in most of the unnecessary setbacks, but I did cave in.

Obviously we’re not on the same page with every aspect of our finances.  Sure, we both say we want to get out of debt…but she’s not come to terms with what that really means for us 24/7/365.  There’s some exceptions in her mind that are OK, and it’s going to slow down our progress.

Sounds like we need to redefine our strategy a little better for next year so there’s absolutely no surprises.  Luckily every step toward debt freedom is disguised as a lesson.  We’ll all survive, and hopefully come out smarter than before.

My next post will also list some of the things we’ve already done to turn things around.  Once I get caught up with that and a few other posts & to-do items I’ve been working on, it’ll be back to the good old routine where we keep up with things on a daily basis.