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Sorry for not posting for a while. Real life has kept me busy. However recently an event occurred that was an important milestone for me and Smudge. I paid off the debt consolidation that I have been on since 2008. We finished the program two years ahead of schedule due to serious belt tightening and lucky windfalls. When it was all added up it was over $61,000 and for the last two and half years it has dictated every aspect of my life.
To make the plan succeed it required me to sacrifice almost everything to make it work. I could not regularly visit more distance friends and family members because the budget would not allow for the extra gasoline. Food budgets were managed to the penny. Elective medical treatments postponed. Art supplies to trimmed to the bare bones and with the exception of Further Confusion we had to forego all conventions. Smudge and I have seen a handful of movies in the theaters over the last few years, and most of those have been in the last year when our situation was already beginning to improve. Auto repairs were deferred. In some case for too long with unfortunate results. Clothes and shoes were worn until they were falling apart. No air shows, car shows, auto races. I cancelled all my magazine subscriptions and on only a couple of occasions did I buy new books or magazines. no trips to the firing range. In fact I just avoided having sell all of my collection.
However last month I finally crossed the finish line, and like a runner who has just finished the toughest race of his life I am just happy to get across the line. Where I placed in the race was irrelevant, for I have succeeded in saving three of the most precious things in my life.
1. I have saved my relationship between
Smudge and I. One of the leading causes of failed relationships is money problems, and for her part Smudge's faith in me held fast. Although there were some rocky moments in 2008. Now though I know that in the face of adversity we can be victorious. Now we can start planning for our future together and leave the past behind us.
2. I have removed a major stress from our household. Not only was this a trial for Smudge and I but also for
Rindis and 
Tom_Clowder who are our roommates. If I had failed in this the fallout for all could have been disastrous for them to.
3. I have salvaged some of my dignity. I was taught that if one borrows or takes something that one is responsible to pay it back from its original owner. To not do this is a terrible reflection on one's character. Yes I had to negotiate new terms with my creditors but we did not file for bankruptcy. Although it was touch and go at first. Still I paid back all the money we owed our creditors. I still owe money to some our friends who helped us during all this but now I have means to do that.
So how does it feel to be out from under a giant metaphorical rock. Strange. For so long now it has dictated every aspect of my existence that actual feels odd to not have it lurking in the background. In our studio we have a white erase board. Originally it was used to keep track of conventions we would be attending or sending our artwork to. Once BackBreaker closed it was used to keep track of all the different creditors, what our outstanding balances were to them. How much they got a month. What their interest rates were and projected dated of how long it would take to pay them off. Now it is empty.
One immediate benefit has been an explosion of creativity from me. For most of the last two+ years my sleep/ dream cycle has been very irregular with me only having one or two dreams in my dreamscapes a week. Now I am almost having nightly dreams. Sometimes multiple ones in one night that I can remember. The Equestria dreamscape being a strong example of this. Also my health has improved and I don't so weighed down by stress.
I am still struggling to find time in the studio but when I am in the studio I am not having to force myself to work. It is starting to come naturally again. Now I just need to find more hours in the day.
To make the plan succeed it required me to sacrifice almost everything to make it work. I could not regularly visit more distance friends and family members because the budget would not allow for the extra gasoline. Food budgets were managed to the penny. Elective medical treatments postponed. Art supplies to trimmed to the bare bones and with the exception of Further Confusion we had to forego all conventions. Smudge and I have seen a handful of movies in the theaters over the last few years, and most of those have been in the last year when our situation was already beginning to improve. Auto repairs were deferred. In some case for too long with unfortunate results. Clothes and shoes were worn until they were falling apart. No air shows, car shows, auto races. I cancelled all my magazine subscriptions and on only a couple of occasions did I buy new books or magazines. no trips to the firing range. In fact I just avoided having sell all of my collection.
However last month I finally crossed the finish line, and like a runner who has just finished the toughest race of his life I am just happy to get across the line. Where I placed in the race was irrelevant, for I have succeeded in saving three of the most precious things in my life.
1. I have saved my relationship between
Smudge and I. One of the leading causes of failed relationships is money problems, and for her part Smudge's faith in me held fast. Although there were some rocky moments in 2008. Now though I know that in the face of adversity we can be victorious. Now we can start planning for our future together and leave the past behind us. 2. I have removed a major stress from our household. Not only was this a trial for Smudge and I but also for
Rindis and 
Tom_Clowder who are our roommates. If I had failed in this the fallout for all could have been disastrous for them to.3. I have salvaged some of my dignity. I was taught that if one borrows or takes something that one is responsible to pay it back from its original owner. To not do this is a terrible reflection on one's character. Yes I had to negotiate new terms with my creditors but we did not file for bankruptcy. Although it was touch and go at first. Still I paid back all the money we owed our creditors. I still owe money to some our friends who helped us during all this but now I have means to do that.
So how does it feel to be out from under a giant metaphorical rock. Strange. For so long now it has dictated every aspect of my existence that actual feels odd to not have it lurking in the background. In our studio we have a white erase board. Originally it was used to keep track of conventions we would be attending or sending our artwork to. Once BackBreaker closed it was used to keep track of all the different creditors, what our outstanding balances were to them. How much they got a month. What their interest rates were and projected dated of how long it would take to pay them off. Now it is empty.
One immediate benefit has been an explosion of creativity from me. For most of the last two+ years my sleep/ dream cycle has been very irregular with me only having one or two dreams in my dreamscapes a week. Now I am almost having nightly dreams. Sometimes multiple ones in one night that I can remember. The Equestria dreamscape being a strong example of this. Also my health has improved and I don't so weighed down by stress.
I am still struggling to find time in the studio but when I am in the studio I am not having to force myself to work. It is starting to come naturally again. Now I just need to find more hours in the day.
Category All / All
Species Raccoon
Size 758 x 686px
File Size 78.2 kB
Congratulations on surmounting your debt. I am very happy for all of you! Hopefully now you can take care of the things postponed by austerity's demands and start looking ahead to the future.
As for your image, it signifies well, but I imagine it as being a snapshot taken seconds before cheering friends and fans rush forward to loft you and Smudge out on their shoulders.
As for your image, it signifies well, but I imagine it as being a snapshot taken seconds before cheering friends and fans rush forward to loft you and Smudge out on their shoulders.
can't speak for any other state, but one way to drive without annoying emission requirements is to drive an older car.
I like the air cooled volkswagen beetle. being a '70, it does not have to go through emissions. (the cut is 1975. anything before gets a pass) the problem is keeping the parts going... but for the beetle, they are still there.
Mind you, this is a car of choice because my folks had them. YMMV.
I like the air cooled volkswagen beetle. being a '70, it does not have to go through emissions. (the cut is 1975. anything before gets a pass) the problem is keeping the parts going... but for the beetle, they are still there.
Mind you, this is a car of choice because my folks had them. YMMV.
A few small financial tips if I may offer them without offending:
1) Don't stop saving. Yes, you can loosen up the restrictions a little and start maintaining things again (health particularly), but don't get used to spending the money again. The first thing to save is an "emergency fund" for those thing you can't anticipate but need to deal with quickly. Minimum $1,000, preferably 3-6 months worth of expenses.
2) Save ahead. Make a list of the things you want to have. Figure out what they'll cost to replace and how long they'll typically last. Divide those figures to get a monthly amount for each and total those results. This is how much you should be setting aside each month. This may seem a parallel to the emergency fund (and might even substitute for it), but this is for things you know are going to need replacement but you don't know exactly when. And yes, this can include a car or house.
3) If you can comfortably save over and above all of that, start looking at buying assets. And I use the definition given by "Rich Dad, Poor Dad": things you own that earn you money without having to work for it. You may not think you will ever be able to buy stock or bonds or anything like that, but some of them require very little money. The goal is, of course, to be able to live off the income from your investments instead of any paycheck or self-employment. That's called retirement.
I wish you the best of luck!
1) Don't stop saving. Yes, you can loosen up the restrictions a little and start maintaining things again (health particularly), but don't get used to spending the money again. The first thing to save is an "emergency fund" for those thing you can't anticipate but need to deal with quickly. Minimum $1,000, preferably 3-6 months worth of expenses.
2) Save ahead. Make a list of the things you want to have. Figure out what they'll cost to replace and how long they'll typically last. Divide those figures to get a monthly amount for each and total those results. This is how much you should be setting aside each month. This may seem a parallel to the emergency fund (and might even substitute for it), but this is for things you know are going to need replacement but you don't know exactly when. And yes, this can include a car or house.
3) If you can comfortably save over and above all of that, start looking at buying assets. And I use the definition given by "Rich Dad, Poor Dad": things you own that earn you money without having to work for it. You may not think you will ever be able to buy stock or bonds or anything like that, but some of them require very little money. The goal is, of course, to be able to live off the income from your investments instead of any paycheck or self-employment. That's called retirement.
I wish you the best of luck!
Congratulations to everyone. It is a weird feeling, to no longer owe your soul to the company.
I paid off my last payment to the evil credit card overlard last year. It was weird, not longer having that monster debt hanging over my head. I also found out how many things in my life were not needs, but were nice-to-haves.
My best wishes to both of you.
I paid off my last payment to the evil credit card overlard last year. It was weird, not longer having that monster debt hanging over my head. I also found out how many things in my life were not needs, but were nice-to-haves.
My best wishes to both of you.
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