Sometimes the least said is best.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Prepared to Die
What I find extremely concerning about our passive outlook on life is our lack of preparation for death. Many of us think that if we don't think about death it will somehow pass us by or at least get distracted elsewhere. This mentality often leaves families devastated and ill prepared to carry on. From personal experience, my brother, Jay, at the age of 39 died of a heart attack. You can be sure that he did not expect to die at 39. He had not updated his pension and insurance at work to reflect his then 16-year-old daughter as his beneficiary. His pension for his work of 19 years and 6 months with the corporation he worked for reverted back to the company. Had he been active in ensuring the well-being of his daughter, she would have received his pension.
I think... we can choose to be passive and continue to let things happen to us or we can become active and take action to make things happen the way we truly desire. I don't believe anyone wants to create a hardship for their loved ones. To that end, we should all make sure that our affairs are in order. Check your insurance policies annually. Make sure that your beneficiaries are current. Make sure your family knows where important papers and information are kept. Be clear as to what your wishes are by talking to family and friends in a frank and honest manner. It doesn't help to ignore the inevitable. Since we never know when death will come, we should always be prepared.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Financial Woes
I have not blogged for a few days. I've been thinking...
Like many others, I have hit some incredibly hard financial times. I have been thinking about my options on how to resolve those problems. I find it especially difficult to understand the great depths to which my situation has sunk. This is because I am an extremely frugal person with few possessions and even fewer needs. Yet and still, here I am... struggling. I had to think about what choices I have made up to now that has led me to this point. I know that every choice that I have made has been instrumental in where I am now. So, now to go back and review those choices. Those choices can not be reversed, but can be reflected upon in order to avoid repeating any that will continue to cause me financial problems.
I know that I have an inclination to want to help others. In spite of the fact that I have little (relatively speaking), I tend to want to take care of others. I think that is in part the mothering side of me.
But, what I really struggle with is how some decisions that I have made, seemingly in my favor, have somehow turned out to be to my detriment. For example, at 42 I left my full-time job and finished my undergraduate education. On the surface this seemed to be a wise decision. In my work life I had consistently been told that without a degree my ability to make more money would be stifled. So... I received a Bachelor's degree with a double-major and graduated Maxima Cum Laude. Well, that decision did not lead to more opportunities or a better salary. With my many years of experience and now an undergraduate degree, I was told that the positions I was then applying for required a graduate degree. So... once again, I entered school to pursue a degree that was to provide me with the credentials necessary to fulfill the requirements of the positions that would offer a better salary and opportunities.
I have completed my coursework and await graduation from an Ivy League school. I am now over $100,000 in educational debt. I am working full-time in a position slated to end in June 2008. I will begin teaching this month, but with no prior teaching experience will only make a small salary.
With a past due mortgage, student loans, car insurance, utilities, one last minor child at home, etc. I would need to make $100,000 a year just to meet all of my obligations. What are the chances of that? I don't know. At this point, my options are waning, the creditors are calling and my home is in jeopardy.
With each email entry Publisher's Clearing House assures me they are on the way. I hope they get here soon!
Like many others, I have hit some incredibly hard financial times. I have been thinking about my options on how to resolve those problems. I find it especially difficult to understand the great depths to which my situation has sunk. This is because I am an extremely frugal person with few possessions and even fewer needs. Yet and still, here I am... struggling. I had to think about what choices I have made up to now that has led me to this point. I know that every choice that I have made has been instrumental in where I am now. So, now to go back and review those choices. Those choices can not be reversed, but can be reflected upon in order to avoid repeating any that will continue to cause me financial problems.
I know that I have an inclination to want to help others. In spite of the fact that I have little (relatively speaking), I tend to want to take care of others. I think that is in part the mothering side of me.
But, what I really struggle with is how some decisions that I have made, seemingly in my favor, have somehow turned out to be to my detriment. For example, at 42 I left my full-time job and finished my undergraduate education. On the surface this seemed to be a wise decision. In my work life I had consistently been told that without a degree my ability to make more money would be stifled. So... I received a Bachelor's degree with a double-major and graduated Maxima Cum Laude. Well, that decision did not lead to more opportunities or a better salary. With my many years of experience and now an undergraduate degree, I was told that the positions I was then applying for required a graduate degree. So... once again, I entered school to pursue a degree that was to provide me with the credentials necessary to fulfill the requirements of the positions that would offer a better salary and opportunities.
I have completed my coursework and await graduation from an Ivy League school. I am now over $100,000 in educational debt. I am working full-time in a position slated to end in June 2008. I will begin teaching this month, but with no prior teaching experience will only make a small salary.
With a past due mortgage, student loans, car insurance, utilities, one last minor child at home, etc. I would need to make $100,000 a year just to meet all of my obligations. What are the chances of that? I don't know. At this point, my options are waning, the creditors are calling and my home is in jeopardy.
With each email entry Publisher's Clearing House assures me they are on the way. I hope they get here soon!
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