Personal fortune or misfortune is always relative.

Well played Jayhawk.

LOL Mace. Ain't it the truth!

the water heater cost for for replacement, installation, and clean up for the damage it leaked. But that's OK, I used it to teach my kids to swim.

Cleanup for the damage?

Florida houses don't require drains by water heaters for meeting code?

edit:

To clarify...

My water heater is right next to a drain in the floor that is just for instances where the water heater blows up. Some of the floor tiles may warp if they're submerged for extended periods of time, but no damage would occur to the rest of the house.

It had a drain pan, it overflowed and damaged the carpet and floors in 3 rooms... but it's OK folks really... I see how this post made me sound petty, when it was NOT the intent.

Egad.

That sucks.

Don't sweat it, Mag. I'm not busting your balls about it.

Yeah, putting personal thoughts on a forum like this is like asking for a cup of coffee from the waitress that you tried to get fired last week.

And Mace, I would have taken your wife's advice and gone with the 23 year old, you can always do it all over again.

Heh. Well, arfcom is WAY more hostile than we are...

Having gone from being very secure financially to having to declare bankruptcy.
All i Can say is screw it, if the fridge is full. you have a roof over your head and clothes on your back.
And the love of your family nothing else really matters it took me a long time to realise that.

If nothing's horrific, then life is terrific.

I had a hard year financially so I feel your pain.

Wow, glad my water heater is in the garage. We had ours rust out last year and total cost to replace it was like $600 I think?

Which is good, as it happened right after my wife lost her job a few months after I lost mine.

Here's a nice comparison: In 2011 my wife and I made close to $150k.
In 2012 my wife and I made $135k (should have been a lot more but I lost my job in March and she lost hers in August, but she got 10 months severance pay for the last 4 months of the year so it made up for my 2 months of work + unemployment being far below 12 months' worth).
In 2013 we made...Let's see, $6k in unemployment for me before it ran out in June, $11k or so for her before hers ran out this month, and I started a job in late Oct making 60% of my old salary and got my first check in November, so I made $5k for the year. She still hasn't found a job, but it's only been 16 months while it took me 19.

$22k for 2013. For a family of 4. You don't want to know how much of our savings we went through. My job right now won't pay the bills with her unemployment, and now that hers is out too we're really back in the red.




The Jedi Master

Reading about how many dont have a job anymore, I guess I should be happy about my GF's 25K/year

2013 has been an interesting one. Instead of bashing Mags, take his post for what it was. A reflection. Reflect on your own 2013.

For me, finally got the promotion I have worked 2 years to get. Got the kayaking bug again, buying my own in 2014. Started fishing again. Adopted a new dog. Took my wife to New York city for her first time. Saw ground zero and paid my respects.

Its been a fun and exciting year for us. Hoping next year is even better as we try to start a family through IVF.

2013 sucked for me, too.

First, the school where I teach was partially blown up by a fertilizer plant exploding. I nearly lost my job as they reshuffled us around.

Then I take a $200/mo. hit in the wallet because my already expensive health insurance gets jacked up to pay for Obamacare. I'm the sole breadwinner for my little family, and teachers don't make much. We have good insurance, I've worked hard to get it, now I'm being punished for working hard. You're welcome, America. It wasn't like I was gonna use that money.

My son-in-law shelled out the transmission in my work car, still can't afford to replace it.

My cousin, a lifelong diabetic, alcoholic, and drug addict, fell off the wagon again. Nearly died this time. Tired of seeing what he's done to my sweet aunt and uncle.

And last but not least, my relationship between me and my mom's family has taken a hit after I skipped my sister's wedding. It's okay, I told my wife. If she follows Mom's example, she'll have another one next year. I've been married for 14 years to the same woman. This marriage has lasted longer than all my mother's marriages (six or seven, I've lost count) combined.

I understood what you were getting at Mag. Here's to 2014 being better. At least I started seminary school this year. Hope your little girl is healing, mentally and physically, and that she's learned a lesson about what's important.

Hope your girl is doing better Mag Mine just hit run amok stage and it has been quiet the journey, not that is was unexpected ..i was prepared for the downhill run, but still, hoping she comes out the other side well.

I have to wonder sometimes whether it is easier to be poor. I make around $35K and have money to spare. Not gloating or picking a fight, just saying some of the expenses I keep minimal by driving older vehicles and fixing most everything myself has helped make less income not such a big deal. Putting a new roof on this year cost me $700 for materials as opposed to around 4 grand and I got a pancake compressor and nail gun as write offs since I can use them in my handyman work. Lower levels of stress, plus God's gift of good genes has kept me out of the doctor's grip. I would go in for a broken bone, but never a cold or such. My son, who has struggled for years with anxiety, and OCD fueling alcoholism, has turned his ship around and with counseling is doing much better. My wife and I have been married almost 37 years and have more fun than when we were in our 20's. Having time to hunt, fish, and volunteer with Scouts keeps me looking forward to tomorrow. I wish us all better fortunes in the new year.

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