If you haven't heard it before, a decent acronym for JOB is Just Over Broke. And isn't that the truth.
This post started out to be about a kid. Namely my kid, and since he doesn't know about this blog... yet, and since you really don't know me personally, I was going to tell his most recent history. And then I started thinking, I did the same things when I was his age. So this is a story about a couple kids.
My first real job came with the USPS, I was a letter carrier. Pretty good money for blue collar work. A great job in tough economic times like the late 80's when I started. And I was a WORKER. I worked every minute they would let me and most years I would almost double my yearly salary based on base pay. But here was the problem with earning good money...... NO FINANCIAL SKILLS.
I had a child obviously and was paying a pretty significant amount of child support. I also was married, not to his mother, and we bought a home as soon as we could. Almost accidentally we bought one of the most affordable houses of all we were shown... and in fact I will say it was completely accidental. It ended up being close to both of our JOBS and luckily was the home we chose. Just for laughs.. it was 49,950.00 and the awesome bond money interest rate was 8.5%. HAHA. hmmm
In addition to this home we had a few credit cards, always with a balance. Two new vehicles, 1 motorcycle, 1 jetski, a lake lot, and of course we lived the high life. (not high.. toke toke.. just living large!)
Needless to say, when this marriage ended, the cards came tumbling down, and in a hurry. A not so unfortunate incident inasmuch as what I learned and how it changed my life. Trust me, it's not that much of a curse NOT to be able to borrow a dime. It just took the label BAD CREDIT to learn, and isn't that the way sometimes. The harder road sticks. Also, try being the proverbial 30 yr old guy living in your parents basement. It proverbially SUCKS.
My son is in a similar situation. He has a son, and plans to marry the mother soon. Until last week he was the only one working, roughly 10 bucks an hour, unskilled. They have one car, with payments of course, and live with her parents. They also carry revolving debt, mostly store type cards for things they just had to have NOW.
His recent story that maybe you can relate to.. receiving his tax return.
Being that he was recently temporarily seperated from his fiance, and returned home to live with mom, he had no car and though missing his child was his major concern he was seriously inconvenienced without transportation... so it was mentioned that I should find him one of my "auction beauties". And that's what I started doing, looking for him a great car at a great price.
Well, that takes time, most good things aren't easy or quick.. or, as they say.. "Everyone would be doing it". Comes along week 2 and I decide to run a nice 10 yr old ford explorer by him. Well come to find out he just bought a 52 inch plasma TV. Being the good dad, I remain calm but ask him if he has any money left. Well, the TV is on credit. It's only $80.00 a month.(He doesnt even know how many months) When I asked why he borrowed when he had his tax money..hoping to hear he still wanted a car.. I learned that the tax refund money was used to pay "wedding expenses".. you know, the Vegas for 10 days on a 10 buck an hour job variety.
Quick Tip: If you want GREAT wedding gifts.. DON'T ask your guests to take an expensive trip to see your wedding. JUST SAYIN...
But anyways.. I'm not going to make this much longer, its too long already. I think you can see the points I'm trying to make. Now, I try to love myself, and I love my kid, so I am not angry, nor did I lecture him. But, it is a perfect example of what NOT to do if you don't want to report to that Just Over Broke every day for the next 45 years...
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