“THE DOUBLE D’s; DEBT DETECTIVE”
THE LAST DAY…
March the 7th 2014; it is Friday and its my last day at work. For those who have checked out my Google page, you may know I have worked at the Home Depot for the past 15 plus years. I had to quit to collect my 401 k saving to get out of a hole; sure I could have gotten a loan, but doing so would have put me further in the hole in the long run.
HIGH HOPES?
I had spoken to our store manager when I gave my two week notice and he assured me not to worry. My job was secured and everything would be fine. So everything was fine until my last day there; Friday. I was introduced to my replacement and was told to train her and I might add; a different position would be created upon my return…but I would be considered a “NEWBIE”. As everybody knows, a new hire does not have any benefits and the pay is at minimal. My fate was sealed.
THE BET’S
Throughout those two weeks the bets were rolling as to whether the boss would keep his end of the deal or not. 90 plus percent of the people working there and my gut told me he would not. His past performance with people was negative; he was the “Give me-give me” type. So it came to no surprise on my last day, yet he continued to encourage me not to worry about it.
THE HORROR…
Its Friday afternoon, I am at my home and the lights go out… “Many things race through my mind” I don’t have a job anymore, did I pay the light bill? , did the check bounce? , it’s the end of the world, I DON’T HAVE A JOB ANYMORE etc, etc… and in the end; what the hell am I going to do. What appeared to be an eternity was one horrific hour that the lights where out. I just sat there on the sofa looking at that black television screen with pounding thoughts of impending doom. Not having enough money to pay the light bill, the water bill, the house bill, and way in the back was that terrible thought…not been able to pay my little girl’s Beetle.
THE HERBIE BEETLE
Back in 2012 I had gotten a loan from my 401 k savings and put a down payment on a car for my little girl. She couldn’t drive alone yet; she only had a driver’s permit. Also, we were going out of state to see the Grand Canyon and other sites. It was their first out of state vacation. I couldn’t resist the Beetle. My little girl loves Beetles and I knew she would adore this one. It came from the factory looking like “Herbie”. I had decided to buy her a new car instead of a used car because I didn’t have to worry too much about the car breaking down and buying her a car meant freedom to me. In the past I had worked the same schedule at work (4 am-1 pm) so that I could be there for her after school. I would pick her up from school, school events, and cook for her afterwards. “She calls me the chef, butler, and dishwasher dad among other titles.” What can I say? Every parent will do just about anything for their children and so did I.
REFLECTIONS
FLASHBACK TO the winter of 1985 West Germany; it had been the coldest winter since WWII; low crawling to an enemy position. Took me a good hour to go unnoticed. Mission accomplished. Desert Storm Arabia; the deep desert in 130 degree heat. Mission accomplished. I could make a list from repelling off Black Hawks and mountain sides to paragliding in the coastal waters of Costa Brava, Spain. “Message?” I got the will to succeed when I put my mind into something.
LIGHTS ON
And the lights come back on, both in the house and in my mind. I got a plan to climb out of that rabbit hole and a plan to eradicate debt in my life for good. “THE DOUBLE D’s; DEBT DETECTIVE” is on the move!
“What are your thoughts on this? Feel free to add your ten cents worth.” Thanks in advance.
In the meantime…time is a wasting and Alice in some Wonderland awaits with a life line…if not; that is okay too. See you on the other side, I’m clawing and climbing myself out!