Mikachu · nu

In times like these, if you have any amount of debt, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m in debt, but we’re not as bad off as others, so I may be able to see the light a little better sometimes. That doesn’t mean that I don’t break down, panicking about our financials from time to time because the situation just appears so hopeless. Thankfully I haven’t been bombarded with collection calls in the past couple months, thanks to some debt negotiation with them. Now I just get calls from the companies I’m not necessarily in debt with, but we’ve been late with payments due to not being able to catch up and organize our finances to be able to pay on time. Ugh, I’m embarrassed to even think about it, let alone admit it to the general public.

I’ve done a debt settlement or two on a couple of my credit card accounts, which has helped quite a bit in regards to what I paid and I what I actually owed. The best thing, though, that I did with those accounts was cut up the cards! I did that about two years ago. Sadly enough, I still have a little less than half to pay off since the money I’ve been making has been half of what I made while in the Air Force.

In moments of desperation, I’ve thought about contacting a debt relief firm and see what, if anything, they could help us with. However, most of those companies advertise towards those in more significant debt. So, I’ve felt weird about going to them for only a few thousand dollars that can be easily taken care of with the right budget and discipline. We definitely need better discipline with our spending habits. Rather, the husband does. I keep mine to a minimum but he can’t help but go out, buying food and his precious fútbol jerseys. I know I can spend money, but with as little as I’m bringing in, I try and keep it down. If only he’d do that same.

There’s nothing more obnoxious than having to researching things like apartments or getting an online car insurance quote. They’re tedious processes that sometimes can’t be helped even by awesome websites that promise ease and usability. Right now the husband and I are looking around the area for a cheaper place to live. It’s kind of difficult considering that San Diego has as high a cost of living as Los Angeles, it seems. It even effects the cost of the direct car insurance we recently purchased. BLECH.

It hurts too, because we went from two cars down to one, so being close to our respective work locations is easier on us in that sense. It doesn’t help us when we want and need to move someplace cheaper, which is usually somewhere in the boonies. At least we don’t have the issue that the husband’s dad has with his car, being worth less than what he owes on it. I guess that’s the price you’re risking to pay when you go for a somewhat-nice car like the Chrysler 300, which is what he has.

I can’t tell you how eager I am to just be able to really settle down and get some roots in. I can’t imagine growing up like this, like the husband did pretty much, and several other friends of mine. I’m grateful to have grown up in the same house my whole life. Now to get back to that…

I know feelings are split on paid & sponsored blogging. Some people make a living off it (or try), some people just don’t care (like myself), and others absolutely despise when people “sell out” and give into the trend of selling space on their personal blogs and the entries they write. To be honest, while I don’t care all that much, I have run into the times where I become agitated that most entries made by someone on their blog are because they’re trying to earn that money. I know a lot of entries have personal opinions and stories in them, but those stories seem tainted when that link rears its head somewhere down the paragraph.

I’ve gotten into product reviews a little over a month again, and you’ve seen the result of that. Now, I’m also trying to edge my way into some paid blogging. Why? Because I’m trying to get all of my bills caught up and to have some extra spending money for myself is needed. I think it’ll also get me blogging a little more often, helping me write entries inspired by whatever assignment I might have.

Also, again to be honest, I don’t think I have that dedicated enough of a following that I’ll upset too many people with this change.

Even with as big as it is now, I still would like to know: What are your thoughts on paid & sponsored blogging?