"Standing in Our Truth."

[diznee25]

Anyone who recognizes that phrase has probably seen the Suzy Orman Show a few times. I just wanted to share my story in hope of inspiring others who are going through a difficult time.

Things looked promising at the begining of the year; DH and I were both working 60 hours a week to start up an emergency fund while paying off credit card debit. We were rolling in money and dreaming about the future; after pay off debt we were going to save for a down payment to buy a house. Heck, we even planned a trip to WDW for December 2011.

Then everything crashed around us. It was like a room full of dominoes where if you push one over, they all come tumbling down. I started having health problems in May. (A combination of my muscular dystrophy and depression.) My job was in jeopardy and I went on medical leave in July.

We were staying afloat pretty well. My disability benefits helped, and my DH was still working overtime. But my medical bills started coming in and my health insurance doesn't cover 100%, (until I reach my annual deductible.) Then my DH's company took away overtime, so that hurt us as well. Plus our apartment complex just raised our rent, so by September (this month) we have gone to survival mode. My disability benefits dried up, and I have resigned from my job.

It was really hard to admit that even given circumstances that we couldn't control, (like my health issues), that we really weren't financially prepared for all of this.

So here we are standing in our truth. I just cancelled our vacation. We've tightened up with money in our every day living, so our lifestyle is different, but it's what we can afford. We are looking into moving back to the west coast, because living in Maryland on one income is going to sink us.

I really thought it would be hard to do all these things, but the truth is I feel less stressed, (which is good for my health.) And we're finally standing in our truth.

Lessons learned: If I knew then what I know now, I would have strictly saved for an emergency fund. No paying down credit card debt, and no planning vacations.

We never thought these things would happen to us. No one can predict those circumstances. But you can prepare for them as best as possible, otherwise you'll be put in a stressful situation like we have.

But I do believe the choices we're making now will improve our future. Moving back to the west coast will be positive for us; we'll be close to family, we'll be able to rent a house from my in-laws so rent will be low!, and I think my job opportunities will be better. (Once my health issues are under control.)

Here's to the future:

diznee25

 

[lisajl]

I hope all goes well with your health. Thank you for sharing your story it is a wake up call for many of us.

 

[HM]

Best wishes for you as you move through the changes! {{HUGS}} And thanks for sharing your cautionary tale.

 

[casndan]

My husband and I went through a very similar situation last year and it was incredibly hard, I had cancer (currently in remission!!!) and my DH was severely injured in Iraq. I felt like my the walls were closing in on me but once I "stood in my truth" things really started to get better and partly because I was less stressed about it all. I hope that the stress will lighten up for you very soon and you start feeling better too!! Good Luck!

 

[diznee25]

Thank you everyone for the wishes.

You know how I said in my original post there are some things you can't control.....Well DH and I just found out today that my MIL (70) was just diagnosed with cancer. (All the medical problems going on in my family is just unreal...) Any prayers would be appreciated.

Of course now we are really antsy to move back to Colorado. Hopefully my DH will get that job interview soon...

diznee25

 

[LovableGluttons]

Thank you everyone for the wishes.

You know how I said in my original post there are some things you can't control.....Well DH and I just found out today that my MIL (70) was just diagnosed with cancer. (All the medical problems going on in my family is just unreal...) Any prayers would be appreciated.

Of course now we are really antsy to move back to Colorado. Hopefully my DH will get that job interview soon...

diznee25

I am sorry you have had to go through all of this, how stressful!

Neither my parents, nor my husband's were very good with money management and neither ever had much savings.

My big wake up call came in 1992 when my husband's supervisor (active duty Air Force) was not permitted to re enlist to the draw down in forces. He was married to a stay at home mother with no marketable skills and had two children. They had no savings and had substantial debt.

They had to move into a pop trailer behind his grandmother's home since they had no income to even rent an apartment.

Scared me into action!

I worked 12 hour night shifts for 15 years, my husband worked during the day. We drove VERY old cars, ate cheap, had our two children during this time, and lived off less than one income so we could save for our retirement, save for a house, and save for our children to go to college. No vacations other than going for a drive or getting a movie from the library. We did "splurge" and drove across the country to visit family, eating sandwiches out of a cooler and tent camping along the way.

I lost touch with that family over the years, but I will never forget them and the lesson their misfortune taught me.

I hope things turn around for you soon.

 

[nunzia]

Just sending to you.

 

[ilovemk76]

Anyone who recognizes that phrase has probably seen the Suzy Orman Show a few times. I just wanted to share my story in hope of inspiring others who are going through a difficult time.

Things looked promising at the begining of the year; DH and I were both working 60 hours a week to start up an emergency fund while paying off credit card debit. We were rolling in money and dreaming about the future; after pay off debt we were going to save for a down payment to buy a house. Heck, we even planned a trip to WDW for December 2011.

Then everything crashed around us. It was like a room full of dominoes where if you push one over, they all come tumbling down. I started having health problems in May. (A combination of my muscular dystrophy and depression.) My job was in jeopardy and I went on medical leave in July.

We were staying afloat pretty well. My disability benefits helped, and my DH was still working overtime. But my medical bills started coming in and my health insurance doesn't cover 100%, (until I reach my annual deductible.) Then my DH's company took away overtime, so that hurt us as well. Plus our apartment complex just raised our rent, so by September (this month) we have gone to survival mode. My disability benefits dried up, and I have resigned from my job.

It was really hard to admit that even given circumstances that we couldn't control, (like my health issues), that we really weren't financially prepared for all of this.

So here we are standing in our truth. I just cancelled our vacation. We've tightened up with money in our every day living, so our lifestyle is different, but it's what we can afford. We are looking into moving back to the west coast, because living in Maryland on one income is going to sink us.

I really thought it would be hard to do all these things, but the truth is I feel less stressed, (which is good for my health.) And we're finally standing in our truth.

Lessons learned: If I knew then what I know now, I would have strictly saved for an emergency fund. No paying down credit card debt, and no planning vacations.

We never thought these things would happen to us. No one can predict those circumstances. But you can prepare for them as best as possible, otherwise you'll be put in a stressful situation like we have.

But I do believe the choices we're making now will improve our future. Moving back to the west coast will be positive for us; we'll be close to family, we'll be able to rent a house from my in-laws so rent will be low!, and I think my job opportunities will be better. (Once my health issues are under control.)

Here's to the future:

diznee25

Good luck.

Your story shows how dangerous living with debt and having a small emergency fund can be. I hate when people post "Everybody has debt. It is just the way it is."