I make 35-40K per year at my present job, more than enough for a single man with no responsibilities. However, when my ex-wife and I split up, I voluntarily assumed the entire burden of our debt (including medical bills, credit cards, etc.) to spare her unnecessary hardship. In addition, I continue to send my son a generous amount of support each month. What is left over barely covers my rent, utilities, insurance, gas, and food. Not having a car is not an option; I require it to perform my work.
I live in one of the poorest parts of town, in a cheap one-bedroom apartment with exactly two pieces of furniture: a bed I purchased from my boss for $100 and a chair my daughters chipped in on last Christmas so I would have a place to sit besides the floor. My extravagances, such as they are, involve the occasional pizza and a small (but absolutely necessary) store of cold beer.
I could probably just say "fuck it" and declare bankruptcy (as many family members and friends have advised), but that would adversely affect my ex-wife as well since both of our names are on the debts we accrued together during better financial times, when paying them off wasn't a concern. Besides, I have a real problem with the idea of declaring bankruptcy since my current problems are not due to catastrophic health care bills, etc. but to the unraveling of a marriage and a change of heart. I refuse to take the easy way out and so have another 2.5-3 years before I will be in the clear and able to enjoy some of the fruits of my labors.
Even then, I can't imagine living high on the hog. My needs/interests are simple and often free. I must confess though that I would love to again afford season tickets at the Philharmonic.
I live in one of the poorest parts of town, in a cheap one-bedroom apartment with exactly two pieces of furniture: a bed I purchased from my boss for $100 and a chair my daughters chipped in on last Christmas so I would have a place to sit besides the floor. My extravagances, such as they are, involve the occasional pizza and a small (but absolutely necessary) store of cold beer.
I could probably just say "fuck it" and declare bankruptcy (as many family members and friends have advised), but that would adversely affect my ex-wife as well since both of our names are on the debts we accrued together during better financial times, when paying them off wasn't a concern. Besides, I have a real problem with the idea of declaring bankruptcy since my current problems are not due to catastrophic health care bills, etc. but to the unraveling of a marriage and a change of heart. I refuse to take the easy way out and so have another 2.5-3 years before I will be in the clear and able to enjoy some of the fruits of my labors.
Even then, I can't imagine living high on the hog. My needs/interests are simple and often free. I must confess though that I would love to again afford season tickets at the Philharmonic.
