Author Topic: Want to start but...  (Read 3002 times)

b4u2

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Want to start but...
« on: January 06, 2014, 09:02:26 AM »
I try. I really try. I'm 35 (almost 36) divorced (child support for 2 kids) remarried with 3 more kids. So big family, lots of debt but not horrible. Child support alone is a killer for me. $1080 a month for 2 kids that I pay. Pretty sure it wouldn't cost me anywhere near that amount to raise my 2 kids but that is what the state says I have to pay. On a bright note when it ends I'll feel like I am super rich lol. One child is 12 the other is 10 so a long ways to go. I've made small cuts where I can. Cell phones (just switched to Ting), Directv (under contract till 10/14), My wife perfected the grocery budget. I have a google docs page with most of our spending on it. We have made headway since the start of 2013 but it's slow. I was using the debt snowball method but think I got sidetracked. Kid going to college this year. Always researching but still lost.

odput

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Re: Want to start but...
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2014, 09:29:40 AM »
Two big areas I notice are missing right away are house and car...changing one or both of these two categories will likely make more difference than all your other changes combined.

Cheddar Stacker

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Re: Want to start but...
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2014, 11:38:19 AM »
Agreed on the house and car. Don't give up B4U2! Even if you're not seeing huge progress right now on debt paydown/asset accumulation, every effort you are making is saving you from a future hole you might otherwise have to dig out of.

On the topic of divorce - I hope it was a fair deal for both of you and you have a decent relationship with the ex as far as custodial rights.

I'm still madly in love with my wife and hope like hell we never have to go through a divorce, but I'm scared to death of child support and alimony. I hate the idea that a court decides what your kids/wife/husband needs. What is it based on? Is there a mustachian court that would say "only public schools", "your kids don't need a smart phone at 10", "$300/month for groceries"? I doubt it.

I would hate to see a mustachian with a complainypants consumer spouse get divorced just before FI. Can you imagine what a judge would do with your wage earning capacity? You might be legally required to work 10 years after FI just to pay the Alimony/Child support that a judge decided. Ouch.

b4u2

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Re: Want to start but...
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2014, 12:26:22 PM »
I'll work on starting a journal. I have a spreadsheet on Google docs that I am trying to clean up. 2013 totals at the start and 2014 staring totals. I have to get some of the numbers from home. I doubt I will ever be a true mustatchian. I/we have things that we like, ie Harley, Camper, suburban. I know I will get face punched a lot but I can handle that.

b4u2

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Re: Want to start but...
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2014, 07:37:21 PM »
I started a journal in journal section.

 

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