2009 - Year in review

Well 2009 is in the books, and the first day of the new year I love sitting down and going over all our finances for the previous year. I spend literally hours going over how much we spent and where and why. I think if others practiced this even a little bit, they wouldn't be broke all the time.

I'm amazed at how little it takes to live off of. I'm serious! Life is cheap .. it's your LIFESTYLE that makes it expensive. We just finished out 2009 with ONE income probably a bit higher in the pay scale than your average McDonalds worker. That's right, ONE income that didn't even make enough to get out of poverty level, and it took care of a family of 4 pretty damn well. We ate good, the kids are spoiled, we took a trip, we bought some decent non-necessities that were pretty expensive (generator, wood burning stove, etc..). And we did it all with NO government handouts. Were not on food stamps, we don't get heating or living assistance. Hell, FEMA came to My door last spring to hand Me some money for the severe flooding in the area and I basically told them to fuck off! It's just not that hard to live on less, and yet nobody does it or else doesn't believe Me.

Why anyone wouldn't want to cut their work life in half, be debt free, and have no stress is beyond Me but yet nobody does. We don't own credit cards, we have no loans other than the house, and we just watch what we spend. And in return we have all the freedom in the world to enjoy life.

By government standards, we're basically living in poverty. I would argue the exact opposite! Do you know what happens when you live under government standards?? You don't pay taxes! Do you have any idea what a financial burden that is lifted off your shoulders?? And I'm not breaking the law .. I'm not even bending it. I'm simply CHOOSING to live on less because I see what a rat race life is for most of you out there. It's just not worth it! I also choose this because our government is arguably the least fiscally responsible entity I've ever seen in the existence of eternity!! They SUCK!! Why in the hell would I give My hard earned money to someone who can't even come close to balancing their checkbook (the budget)!! And I don't feel guilty about it one bit .. why?? Because I don't ask for government handouts, and I'm not milking the system. I like to think of Me and the government as a annulled marriage .. it just kinda dissolved away. I don't need their help, and they sure as hell won't get mine.

On the flip side I'm not anti government by any means. Taxes on gasoline to pay for roads .. good idea. Taxes to pay for schools, police, fire departments .. great! However .. taxes to go around the world 'nation building', or bail out fiscally irresponsible people .... FUCK YOU!! I'm simply saying the government is extremely inefficient and irresponsible from the money they take from you and me.

Dammit, I'm getting way off track! Back to humble living.

For almost all the months of the year, we (a family of four), lived on less than $2000.00 per month. Of course we had months that are inevitable, like when property taxes are due, or home owners insurance is due ... hey, shit happens. But when you average it out, I would say that a family can easily live a very comfortable life on around 2 grand a month. If you take all the non-necessities out of our spending for the year, it's less than that! But we all gotta live a little, so I included things like vacations, and big boy toys and stuff.

Now I'm pretty certain that most of you make more than double that ... and are still broke at the end of the month. All I can say is "HOW?" How is this possible? I can't even begin to think what we would do with 4 grand a month! Maybe go to Disneyworld every couple weeks! In fact now that I'm working (ha ha), we have extra money to just throw in the bank at the end of the month. And might I add that each month a pull in a 5 DIGIT income .. if you include the cents!! I'm not kidding either, if you think I pull more than a grand a month at what I do, you are sorely mistaken. And in case you forgot, our MAIN source of income is another menial job that gets us health benefits and stuff.

For a very short time I thought since the kids are both in school now, I'm going to go out and get a good paying job with lots of hours and we'll be rolling in dough. Thank God common sense stepped in and stopped Me. If I had done that, I would hardly be with My wife, rarely see My kids, and everything would get complicated and hectic and stressful. You know ... like your typical family!!! Well typical I AM NOT, and with any common sense, I never will be. It just ain't worth it.

So in conclusion, the world would have you believe that getting a good paying job, and climbing the ladder to success will give you all the freedom in the world. I have seen just the opposite come true. You have no time to live your life, tons of stress, and your left with always wanting more more more. The benefits of living the opposite of what the world tells you to live are beyond description. It's just to damn bad that no one will ever believe Me.