Treading Water

Drowning In Debt & the Sharks Start To Circle

I know we aren't alone, as we desperately tread water, coughing and sputtering from a wave or two along the way. We are adrift in a financial sea that threatens to steal our joy, every month. We forget for a while when we catch some calm from a little extra money from a side job, or from me being able to play the coupon game successfully from time to time. Our kids are very good at distracting us from the gloom, but it is a real struggle not to succumb to the despair.

Giving To Others: The Ultimate Reward

Winning the Lottery or some other sweepstakes would be SUCH a blessing (BTW we do NOT play the lottery, that would be foolish and a waste of money)! We imagine, getting completely out of debt, putting money away for each of the kids for education or their first home. We think of all the people we want to bless who helped us along the way: our parents, a few key friends, and our church. Then, a car that isn't about to fall apart, a truck for Chad to use for work and a home of our own, FINALLY! Then, the rest away to be doled out to charities and help others over time as well as keep us comfortable. No. No mansions or boats or excessive toys. Just to finally be able to return the favor and bless others would be huge for us. Give back. If we could figure out how to invest wisely, we could bless many for a long time!

See, right now it feels real hopeless at times. We do okay for a while, then something happens and we are at rock bottom again. Someone backs their rig into my parked car, smashing the front and side of the driver's side. Then don't bother to leave their info. Having to rent a car while it was fixed, the total was almost $400. Or, I get sick enough to need medical attention, and being uninsured, it's $300 just to be seen for 15 min to swab my throat that looks worse than ground hamburger to confirm it's strep. It never seems to really end, at least not for long. I am tired of telling the kids, "No, we don't have enough money to do that." when they ask if we can go to the book sale, or bake sale at school. I wish we could just catch a break for once.

The IRS has us in their grasp and, as I've been told by a CTP (certified tax preparer), "The days of the kindler, gentler IRS are over. They want their money and don't care about your situation." Apparently, though they will still take the $150 application processing fee, and happily, they won't tell you that you are guaranteed a no. I was told by the CTP that he was told by the IRS and other CTPs, that they aren't advertising it, but they do NOT do Offers and Compromises anymore. They need money to fund the gross financial mishandling this new administration is infamous for and do NOT care that the rest of the country is bleeding out financially. So, if you are considering some tax company you've seen on tv to help you with such a process, don't bother.

But what can we do against the destructive gobbling machine of greed that our government has become? What is the recourse for so many who are floundering despite following the directions as best as the could? We always filed our taxes and never hid anything. I was told to stay in contact with the IRS and they would work with us, but all it seemed to do, was help them keep tabs so they could obliterate us on a whim. I would tell them how we couldn't make a payment because no money was coming in... and was told to sell our only car that was used to get to work, get groceries and take our kids to school. I feel vulnerable and ruined. I never knew how little our government really cared about us, "We the People". We are taxed, over and over. Sucked dry of our hard labor and then we can watch our money go to drug addicts and lazy good for nothings who have learned to work the system, because the system doesn't bother with drug testing or check ups to make sure the people getting assistance are truly needy and actually making attempts to better their lives.

I am. So very tired of it all. I want to be done with this debt. I never wish to be in the clutches of greedy government men, who golf and fly to Paris with their wives on MY DIME, while our military men suffer in poverty at home and are abandoned overseas in wars we don't belong in. I am sick of nursing an aging car, praying for it to last for years because even a used car is too expensive, while fat government cats fly in jets, take limos or can choose from a fleet of brand new top of the line autos ON MY DIME. I'm tired of telling my kids, "We can't, because it's too expensive." when they want to buy a present for a friend's birthday party. Here's an idea: Drastically cut the salaries of all government political employees! WHO THE HECK needs $400,000/a year and benefits and paid vacations while the rest of the country struggles to pay basic medical care or goes without??? Ahem... Mr. President? Would you please step up? No? hm...

Updates Galore

So, I have been decidely absent all this time due to a lot of stuff going on in our household. Some good, some bad. The bad was having the IRS drop the hammer without warning or allowing us time to work out a payment plan. We owe, but we have always gotten a letter saying basically that they received our return and to call to set up a payment. Nothing. Then one day, checks start bouncing and when I call the bank to ask what happened, I am told the IRS put a lean and took all our money. ALL OF IT. Then the checks bounced. I called and told them I had no prior warning. My last conversation I had with the IRS they had not yet received our income, but since it was in the mail, all was good. I told them they couldn't do that without giving us an opportunity to set a payment plan up, so they reversed the levy. That wasn't the end though. You see, $150 in fees for bounced checks were still there, then, the bank charged us a $100 fee which caused three more to bounce. Nice. Stress up to my eyeballs and I am scrambling to do what I can to fix our financial situation.

The one bright spot: I found out I was pregnant. Now, at first I was like "Oh no. We have no money and I need to look for a better paying job or get a raise!" but I realized, God has a plan for us. While it seems scary for the moment, at some point, there is always a break in the storm and we are always better having come through the weather. We are better prepared the next time things get shady and we are basically getting better every time. I wish it didn't have to take such an emotional toll every time, but I guess that is just me needing to have more faith and not let it get to me as much.

So, here is our little peanut's first picture!....



I am hoping to finally have a little girl. I have two boys as you may know and a girl would be fun. Besides, I need someone on my team! However, if I have another boy, I know I will be well taken care of. My two boys are so good to me and always are ready to defend me from daddy's pinches or tickes.

So, to conclude: there is always light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to hold tight to your faith, knowing that there is something greater in store for all of us. Try to find the lesson in the hardships you are going through and use that time to become a better person by the end of the trial. Especially since, you don't want to repeat the experience and we all know, that if you don't learn the first time, you are doomed to go through it again at some point! All is not lost, even though it may be darkest before the dawn, the morning after a storm is always breathtaking and a sigh for the soul.