More on Debt and Writing

Pat Gabridge elaborates on finances and writing. As Chris has suggested, I plan on blogging my experiences paying off my debt. I haven't officially enrolled in Financial Peace University yet, though I paid for a lifetime membership during my Dave Ramsey experience. Jethro and I will do it. We both have those little financial organizers that designed for the program. I unwrapped mine this weekend, and gave the other one to him. We chatted for a while about it. Figuring out a budget will be key.

I have a feeling that starting it is the hardest part, though Baby Step #1 shouldn't be a problem for me. I'm almost there anyway.

Throughout my life as a writer, I've had periods of money and periods of poverty. Neither has taught me how to deal with money. Poverty is no way to live.

I also don't buy the idea that I have to settle for poverty to do what I want in life. Yes, that includes theater.

More progress as we figure out what the heck we're doing, and how the heck we're doing it.

Comments

[Ruben Carbajal]

I came across your blog several via theatreforte, and I think you're one of the most thoughtful theater bloggers around. Only recently have I decided to lose my "poverty mentality" in regards to doing what I love. This has meant (for me) thinking past theater and teaching myself to write in other genres (tv, film) and trying to treat my writing more like a job. That said, a budget is a nice start!

[Laura]

Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate them. It's also nice to know that other people think the same things I do.

Budgeting is hard, isn't it?

[Cormac]

Budgeting is hard, but realizing what you're spending in the first place is the hardest part, in my experience. I mean, the math is simple. It's getting yourself to understand the implications of that math on a gut level is what kills ya. A friend of mine realized that he and his wife spent $550 a year on cans of Diet Coke (1 every weekday each at 1.10 a can). Ow. I benefited from the absurd incomes of the late 90s and early 00s, so I was able to realize these things but shrug off all but the worst offenders--but no more. With salary sanity back in my life, so returns the budget. Ah, well. Some day I'll thank myself.

Keep posting on this. We all need a role model!