Today was a crappy day. It really shouldn’t have been though. The only explanation I have is that all this stuff is just catching up with me, and I’m feeling a bit down.
I mean, business stuff is going OK, and really starting to stabilize. We are at 7K a month in revenue from the new advertising program. I just started the thing in November…I mean, 0K to 7K in 6 months…great, right?
Good ole emotions
I still feel blue. I even worked out pretty hard tonite, and that always makes me feel better. Not tonite. I talked with my Mom on the phone (we talk 2-3 times a week…it’s a good relationship), and I felt a little better after that.
I went to Albertsons by my office and spent 26.50 on groceries (I got alot of good stuff! eggs, cheese, milk, bread, bananas, apples, and more), then came home and made 2 nice chicken, beans, and cheese burritos. That was good.
I don’t see my counselor again for another two weeks. I felt like I had been getting along OK until today.
House update
Talked with my real estate agent today. It looks like Greenpoint (the 2nd mortgage), wants to do a walk through/appraisal of the house. So….he told me not to clean. Funny. I guess he doesn’t want them thinking the offer we have on the house is too low. Guess I did that yardwork for nothing! Oh well.
He said we should know in another week or so after the appraisal if they will approve it or not. He said its, “just a matter of being in their guidelines….you can’t afford the house). Yeah, I can’t.
My Roomates
My roomates are having trouble finding a house they seem to like. I think they are realizing how good they’ve had it with me as their landlord. I didn’t have them do any deposit or last months rent or anything. Plus, I think I probably undercharged them each about $25-$50 a month.
I’m hoping I don’t have issues with this. I just don’t want to deal with any crap from them. They haven’t told me when they plan on leaving (I told them they had to be out by June 1. That was about a month ago when I told them that). So, I’m assuming I will be receiving another $1500 come May 1st from them. I swear, if they pull any crap (leaving stuff behind for me to get rid of, clean, ect)…
Granted, I am grateful for how they reacted to the “notice of default” posting…but still. I’ll be honest, I’ll be glad when I am not living with them anymore (even if that is living in my office).
The office
June 1 is likely when I will be moving as well. Hopefully my roommates will be gone by then. It’s going to be interesting. Part of me is just wanting the date to come tomorrow, and be done with this blasted house. Then, of course, another part of me enjoys a private shower…
My office has three separate rooms. And we really only use the largest room for business stuff. The 2nd office is my office I use when I need to be one the phone, for sales stuff. The 3rd office is currently a small “break room”, that no one really uses, but stores some snacks and water and the like. This will likely become my new room. I have a old twin mattress that works fine, and I’ll put that in there to sleep on. During the day I’ll keep the door to that office shut, and with a little luck, anyone looking in from the outside will just assume the room is just for storage.
Dorm life 2.0
I never had a traditional dorm experience. I had a short stint in the military (looong story), then 2 years living at home attending community college, then two more years at a 4 year university, but never living in the dorms. So, I was explaining to my mother (who does not like the idea of me not having a space of my own), that this will be the dorm experience I never had. Just me, my george foreman, a mini-fridge, and some books. My shower will be right down the street at the gym, and my sink down the hallway in the bathroom. Really no different than most dorms!
Some Ads
I may throw up some adsense ads on here. I don’t get much traffic, but as one reader suggested, even if I make a buck or two a day, that’s my lunch for the day! Writing is very therapeutic for me, and I’m excited to keep track of everything here…it keeps me on track!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Try the food bank!
I’m rooting for you, man. Good Luck.
I’m glad to hear that your business is doing good!
This suggestion may be to late, but how much was the house costing you monthly, have you considered renting out the house to new tenants for above the monthly mortgage? That’d bring you in just a little bit more income. As far as the Google ads, yea even if they bring you a $1 a day, thats a dollar you didn’t have. Anyway hang in there, as Mcmanus put it, there’s nothing that can’t be done.
I’d love to hear the story about the short stint in the military, if you’re willing to share it and have time.
I currently have roommates, but like living alone better.
Debt Kid,
Put a tipjar up, like what is at Exurban Nation. If the Haters(tm) willingly gave up 200+ dollars to make Casey dance, I am sure they’d give you that much, or more, to foot your grocery bill for awhile, or something.
Also, call Dave Ramsey during his show. He may have some good advice, and I bet he’d try and help you out, even if its just books and other budgeting material.
As for renting out the house to different tenant, that was one of my options I looked at back in Dec/Jan. But, my total mortgage payments are 4K a month, and I could probably rent the house out for 2500 at most. So, still a negative net. Now, If I didn’t have all my other debts, I could probably swing it.
I listened to Mr. Dave Ramsey this last weekend for the first time actually. Seems interesting…maybe I will give him a call.
And when I have a couple free hours, I’ll explain the military story (I wrote a 10 page journal entry on it once, just to give you an idea of length). It was a dream of mine, that just didn’t work out like I was hoping.
Thanks all for the comments. Back to work…
Once again, I want to discourage you from attempting to “live out of your office.” It would be better for you to stay at the “Y” (you don’t say where you live) or find a “roommate” situation where you rent a room in someone’s home.
Why this advice? Because of zoning and building codes, not to mention the fact your office landlord could evict you.
I’m certain with some creative thinking you could come up with an alternate living situation.
Hang in there. You’re going through a sh*ty situation, that’s going to make you depressed. It’s (and I’m not a doctor), real clinical depression, I think they call it “situational depression”. Interestingly, the same drugs that work on it too. However, they can be expensive.
If you ever start feeling like you can’t handle it anymore and have suicidal thoughts, you should get some treatment for the depression. Immediately. It will help!
You don’t need to go to a psychiatrist, any doctor can and will prescribe antidepressant drugs. You could even get them at a free clinic.
A second though on your housing situation. I can’t figure out where you live, but I have two suggestions; house sitting, and living on a boat.
Rich people like to have their houses occupied when they are out of the country. You can end up living for short periods of time in really nice houses, rent free. Put an add in craigslist.com.
If you live near the water, another alternative is living on a boat. You can get a broken down boat very cheap. If you are never leaving the dock or mooring, you don’t need the engines on the boat to work. It does need to float, however!
Finally, be aware that google adsense will cancel your account and keep a couple of months worth of money they owe you if people start repeatedly clicking your adsense ads. If someone tells you that they are clicking your ads just to help you out, ask them to stop.
Good Luck. I think you are going to end up fine.
I have room mates. I have found that you need to assert your will on them. Do not assume anything about the arrangement you have with them, even if they are friends. Be very clear and specific in your dealings. If you don’t like confrontation send it by email or text message. I suggest you write to them a simple 3 point email listing the items that concern you (move out date, last months rent and cleaning). No need to be mean but it helps prevent ugly misunderstandings. They can’t then turn around and say – “Oh I didn’t think you’d mind if I left the old mattress…”, “didn’t pay the last weeks rent cause I needed it for the new place”, “The rooms wasn’t clean when I moved in and I didn’t have time cause you didn’t tell me to clean it…”.
Good luck.
PS Do your room mates owe you utilities as well? Make sure you get that covered in the last rent from them. Once they’ve gone you have no leverage.
George,
The house sitting idea is genius. I will look into this. I had though about http://www.couchsurfing.com as well. Thanks.
PMSPMS,
I will e-mail my roommates a 3-4 point bulletin e-mail tonite or tomorrow. Thanks.
I just want to wish you good luck with all you do. And don’t forget to give yourself a break from time to time and even have fun, otherwise what’s the point
Hey,
I hope you feel happier soon. It sounds like the business is doing well – 7k!
I think the housesitting idea is good too – I know for a lot of people around here, their insurance policy requires someone to check on the house quite often, so it’s easier to have someone stay in the house.
Sounds like you did well on the groceries.
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DK,
I have been through some tough financial situations throughout my life. It?s not easy. In the long run, things worked out and they will work out for you. Yes it does get depressing. That will pass. A book worth reading (go to the library) is ‘How to get out of Debt Stay out of Debt & Live Prosperously’ Jerrold Mundis. If you can?t find it in the library, go to Amazon.com. A used book is $4.00 and $3.49 shipping. Worth every penny. Also check out this website:
http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm
Hey Debt Kid,
I just ran across your site following a link from someone who linked to me. You can definetely climb out of your hole without bankruptcy.
I lost my business 17 months ago and started paying everything back about 15 months ago. I started with $556,848 in debt and have brought that down to $350k. If you go to my site and then read in order the links to “Steps to Freedom” on the left side bar, it will tell you most of what I have been through.
You are lucky, you still have your business which makes it even easier for you. I will tell you, with focused intensity, following Dave’s plan absolutely works. Best of luck!