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I'm Back!

September 6th, 2007 at 04:47 am

I'm back after over a week without internet.

A LOT of things have happened this past week and money is going to be very, very tight for the next couple months. To explain, let me back up a little:

June of 2006 my father and his business partner opened up a restuarant. The restuarant thrived for awhile and we got the best reviews and was compared to some of the top restuarants in our city. Unforuntetly, the business partner turned out to be less than honest and because of her the business, and my family, went bankrupt.

My parents are currently filing for bankruptcy and had to auction off our house (bank declared foreclosure), which took place last Friday. We obviously had to move. My mom found a condo that we were able to afford and the plan was for her, myself, and my brother to live there. My dad's new job was in California.

But his security clearance didn't go through on time and he lost his job. So he moved back here and will also be living in the condo. Now, this condo is just under 1,000 sq. feet and could honestly fit inside my old room with room to spare (my old bedroom was about 1,100 sq. feet). [Needless to say, our old house was huge and it's quite a shock downsizing that much.]

I decided that while I love my living with my family, I love them alive even more and living with them could be hazardous to their health/life [The closet that would have been mine was SMALLER than my old shower.]. So I moved in with my Grandma and some family friends.

My monthly expenses have obviously changed. Right now they look to be:

Gas: $80
Food: $60
DSL (My grandma didn't have DSL before I moved in and I need it for school): $25
Music: $60
Total: $225

My monthly income will be about $400 (post-tax) and my Aunt has decided to send me $100 every month to help out.

I could get by without her helping me but I want to save as much as possible because I will have to dip into my savings for this month (the cost of moving...aaagggghhh) and I will be buying a car on the very near horizon.

I haven't forgotten about my IRA, but I will have to decrease my deposits for the time being. I'm thinking $50 a month for now.

While I hate what's become of the restuarant we worked so hard on, this entire experience has taught me so much. It's the reason I've been saving so much and have opened up my IRA. It's taught me how to budget not only my money, but my time. While I was a senior in high school I was working full-time to help with the family bills.

It sucks, but this only proves the saying that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger true (and I have the muscles built from moving as evidence!).

I'll be popping in and out, whenever I have a moment that I'm not working on homework.

4 Responses to “I'm Back!”

  1. Carolina Bound Says:
    1189084722

    Wow! A lot has happened! Sounds like you're on track, though.

    The house I just sold this summer was only 1,100 sq. ft., and I raised two boys in it, as well as a dog and a total of five cats at different times. Yes, that kind of space is challenging! My home now is bigger, but I've never had the chance to really spread out since I left my family home way back in 1967!

    My son is the house manager of a restaurant that sounds like yours. It gets excellent reviews, but the finance part is always rocky, due to the practices of one of the founders (who has now left). I always have my fingers crossed that the restaurant will survive.

  2. Broken Arrow Says:
    1189088864

    Yeah, wow. That is some crazy stuff.

    Amazing too that you're doing all this at 18. I think it's terrific and I wish I was half that smart about it at that age.

  3. JanH Says:
    1189095853

    Wow, this has been a tough time on you and your family! And after all your family's hard work. I am so sorry. I'm glad that you have a fresh start and we are all pulling for you. Keep us posted!

  4. Amber Says:
    1189131960

    Wow I am sorry to hear about the business and every thing that has happen. From reading your post I am amazed, well admire your positively Smile way to go.

    Good luck and glad you're back

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