Here's today's question: When in an elevator, why do some people feel it necessary to enter and then immediately begin backing up until the person behind them is forced to suck up against the back of the cab? Seriously, I have had to hold my hand out to STOP them from doing the unwanted bump! I want my 12-inch "personal space" buffer; call me an elitist, call me a spoiled American snob- whatever. I do not enjoy a total stranger's ass that close to me. Unless we're about to engage in the Bunny Hop, BACK THE FUCK OFF, there is 3 FEET IN FRONT OF YOU.

And yes, the economy and the bail-out, Part III, The Middle; Inflation and You, a Sexy Tango.....coming.....soon'ish.

So, my job. Also the paranoia. Yes. To both. I have never been in a position where I know so much about behind the scenes big wig decision, holy crap, workings. Now don't get me wrong I adore my job, am very, very happy with job and even more happy with a recurring paycheck - as are all my creditors. But lordy, raise your hand if you've begun noticing shit hitting the fan? Paycheck not stretching as far as it used to? Yeah, me/mine either.   I mean I don't think we're going into a depression, it's not going to be Thunder Dome out on the highways. Polio and rickets aren't going to be widespread and I'm going to make a big leap in predicting, at least at the moment, the United States isn't going to turn into a dusty, yellow gel filtered after school special of doom complete with tattered clothes, turnip eatin' and let's brew us our own booze. Although I'm not above the booze thing.

(Although I've been following this blog that totally thinks that's EXACTLY what's going to happen. She's a batshit loon ya'll. She's hoarding canned food and buying solar powered generators for when the electricity goes out and....it's AWESOME.)

 But on the other hand I do expect a full-on, full-frontal, expose your ta-ta's recession. Double unemployment, kiss your 401(k) returns good.bye. for at least the next 5-years, possible rape of our Social Security program;  rampant, freakishly high inflation and a retail crash of which only the stale hot-dog smelling, evil that is Walmart will survive.

(Reveal:  I've begun doing my grocery shopping at Walmart. I know, I know they are unethical pieces of shit who treat their employees like crap and sustain cheap, probably child labor in various third world countries. I get it, HOWEVER I save like $50-$75 A WEEK ya'll. And with their "No antibiotics and No hormone" meat section, I have "No Excuse". Ethics have to take a back burner when it comes to consumerism and a recession. Plus, PLUS..... I never, EVER feel under dressed when I shop there, so.... shush"

Anywho, as painful as it is, it's come time for me to PAY OFF YE OLE' DEBT OF HISSYFIT and therefore I'm joining this blog for The Poverty Party wherein we bloggers gather and be brutally honest about how fiscally irresponsible we are and then write what we're doing to rectify the ugliness, along with tips and things that have worked for us.....and also when we miserably, terribly, embarrassingly, fall off the financial cart right into a glorious pile of Nieman Marcus where we wallow and perhaps do the backstroke over something pretty.

So, over here at The Land of Emma we're....not sucking outrightly. Both of our cars are paid off - No student loans - House with a manageable mortgage - check! But! BUT! Credit cards. Little plastic slivers of horror. There are three total...the Black Plague of Death Card that has an UNHOLY interest rate (I'm looking at you WASHINGTON MUTUAL you pieces of SHIT!). The carried amount clearly from slkdjfidsokd disodil sk. Yeah I have not a clue, please refer back to the "fiscally irresponsible" section above. My thought is I charged a Coke and the interest accrued over a couple of years- those bastards. Then there's the Care Credit card that I didn't even realize was a card, not that it matters because it's a line of credit that we used to pay the THOUSANDS spent at the Vet's office in desperation to keep my Walter alive; I can't talk much about that one, I still get weepy. And finally, there's Mark's Visa which shouldn't count since nothing personal is ever put on it, it's for work only. Money goes in, it's reimbursed, money goes in.... 

So total, our debt is.....Good LORD! Shoot me. A little over $9,500. Jesus, I'm the national average.

Of course the point of this exercise is to share what we're going to do to bring down that debt? Well obviously my plan is to have a full-on panic attack followed by some crying.

Eesh. Must. Marinade. In. HUGE. debt-id-ness.

In the meantime I leave you with this.....

Dear Madonna, please go away. You are no longer relevant but in fact sort of spooky in your vein-y, no pants wearing ways. Thank you.

    

Comments

[lies1976]

I do not have a credit card. That is my money saving tip for the day. If I do not have the money, I do not buy it, simple as that. Except for the house ofcourse, because I kind of like the idea of a roof over my head and running water. Credit cards are a deathtrap.

[Cavatica]

Ain't it great to be average?

[Beverly]

finally I am above the average in something, snark, my debt is twice that. No I am not proud, rather kicking myself daily for it. Oh and I so agree on the Madonna thing. She actually hasn't been relevant in years!!

[Jenny]

We have more debt than that. Include C's grad school loan and it is wayyyyy more.

But we pay it, inch by inch and we are in a better position than last year. Twins are freaking expensive and so are designer jeans...

Madonna. I read a blog that picked Guy's side. Have to say I agree...go away lady with the zombie like body.

[Deb]

I'm with you on the Wally World thing. I save bundles as well. Even on my worst hair/clothes day I don't feel uncomfortable there.

However, I use my favorite grocery store cloth bags so I do not provide free advertising for Wal$%*&Mart.

[Melissa]

Totally agree about the elevator thing. It's one thing if it's jam-packed with people, but a half-empty one gives folks no reason to shove their backside up my nose.

I agree about not having a credit card, though we do have one card that we use for gas only since we get a 5% rebate every month.

And as far as debt goes, well, adopting two kids in a 16-month period and having to get a new vehicle after DH gets into an accident and totals it (two weeks after it was paid off, dammit) have ensured that we are "above average," too *sigh*

[lies1976]

I met with one of Madonna's personal trainers (a total hotty btw) this weekend. I wanted to ask him to feed her a peanutbutter sandwich because she looks starved. But I chickened out. Sorry.

[Carol in Iowa(now in Texas)]

Stephanie? Where are you? We won honey! I was hoping to see a parade on your blog.

Carol

[Deb]

Usually when you get this quiet, you are beyond busy. Hope all is going well.
Deb

[lies1976]

So it has been a month and no word. You must be really busy. Would love to see a sign of life!