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cellboyI was thinking of the economy, cost of living, and such. And how bad many have it at the moment. I then had a flash back, of my life and my trying to survive many many years ago. In the early 80's I decided to try my hand at Real Estate. The beginning yrs are tough; and building up your business takes patience, time and money.
I remember for a a few years (maybe it was 4 yrs) that it was so bad I could barely make my rent payment of $575. In fact, I had budgeted myself for gas and groceries on $15/week or less (I actually managed it). It was slim pickins. It was tough. Sometimes, very little money even to eat 3 times per day. I even rented my couch out to a friend, who was out of work, due to a dot.com bust (but we had great sex too - Tmi). I did at times run to mom and dad for help, but avoided that as long and as much as I could. I have only confessed to a few, but one night, longing to go out to the local gay bar, and broke, I stole some tips left on the bar just to buy a beverage (forgive me God). It did turn around eventually, and getting a 2nd *real job*, as my friends say, did help. But over the years, after a few recessions, a dot com busts, and my reaching peaks and valleys of financial success, I finally decided out. I burned out. Living on commissions is for the birds. I know it could of been worse. I knew friends that had it bad. Real bad. But it was still a challenge. And what stress! And the hardest thing, is knowing many where money was never a problem. Where you could not keep up, or even socialize on the same scale. Those were tough times.
So maybe that's why today, I still am very cautious with money. I can be generous, but I don't spend excessively. I don't buy the latest toy, or buy just to buy. I am always thinking, before a purchase, if I really need it or not. Can I live with out it? My dad, although generous, was that way (child of the depression era). If I spend too much now, I may not have it tomorrow. What if I lost my job? It took me a long time to get out of debt. And being pretty much debt free, is a great feeling. I don't want to travel that road again. I'm doing fine, own 2 condos, ok job etc.... but I am always cautious.
Have you ever been without money? How bad has it been? What did you do in your life to turn it around?
I remember for a a few years (maybe it was 4 yrs) that it was so bad I could barely make my rent payment of $575. In fact, I had budgeted myself for gas and groceries on $15/week or less (I actually managed it). It was slim pickins. It was tough. Sometimes, very little money even to eat 3 times per day. I even rented my couch out to a friend, who was out of work, due to a dot.com bust (but we had great sex too - Tmi). I did at times run to mom and dad for help, but avoided that as long and as much as I could. I have only confessed to a few, but one night, longing to go out to the local gay bar, and broke, I stole some tips left on the bar just to buy a beverage (forgive me God). It did turn around eventually, and getting a 2nd *real job*, as my friends say, did help. But over the years, after a few recessions, a dot com busts, and my reaching peaks and valleys of financial success, I finally decided out. I burned out. Living on commissions is for the birds. I know it could of been worse. I knew friends that had it bad. Real bad. But it was still a challenge. And what stress! And the hardest thing, is knowing many where money was never a problem. Where you could not keep up, or even socialize on the same scale. Those were tough times.
So maybe that's why today, I still am very cautious with money. I can be generous, but I don't spend excessively. I don't buy the latest toy, or buy just to buy. I am always thinking, before a purchase, if I really need it or not. Can I live with out it? My dad, although generous, was that way (child of the depression era). If I spend too much now, I may not have it tomorrow. What if I lost my job? It took me a long time to get out of debt. And being pretty much debt free, is a great feeling. I don't want to travel that road again. I'm doing fine, own 2 condos, ok job etc.... but I am always cautious.
Have you ever been without money? How bad has it been? What did you do in your life to turn it around?
