10/27/19 22:25 East Northport, NY
Who wants to talk about money?
I had dinner with Emma earlier and we had an honest
conversation about money. I did not
manage my money very well when I was younger. Even today I know I can do a
better job, but I wished I shared some advice (to all of my children) that my Dad gave me when I was in
college; do not get a credit card. When
I was younger I assumed the money would be there and somehow I would be able to
pay back the debt, besides having a credit card meant in some aspects, I was an
adult and was provided a new found freedom in plastic. Paying back debt was a problem when I was
younger. It was common to get a call
from one of the credit card companies – to let me know I was in arrears. I would get offended, insulted since I did not
like being treated as a…child. But I was
a child in my approach.
Being divorced and paying alimony and child support had
meant I needed to look honestly at my budget.
I quickly learned, I don’t keep all of my paycheck – my net income. In
fact, I will not keep all of it till the divorce is settled, and that my
friends will take place in a few years.
In the meantime, I have learned how to keep a budget, and yet even with
my semi-disciplined approach, my credit card debt has been creeping up. There is the dreamy, ferry dust, pie in the
sky, any more clichés, approach, eventually I will pay off the debt? The way I would question if I need to see the
doctor or ask for directions. Eventually
I will find my way? If I don’t change my
behavior or my approach to managing my money, nothing will change. I will become more responsible with my money,
there I said it. I want to learn how to
manage my money and have my money earn more money with compound interest or
something that I can reach out to, like the ferry, asking for help. This time I will be serious, it takes
educating myself, working it and the discipline and commitment. I can, I will, I must.
Who wants to run a half marathon in the rain?
My body really want to shut off and hit the sack. Just a few thoughts. This morning, the rain started before I left
the house. A rain shower passed, but I
knew I was in for rain today. I drove in
the dark towards St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue. I made an instant coffee, had a bowl of cereal
and was off. I wanted to get on the road
by 6:30. Traffic was building up at the entrance to the college. I was
impressed with the maniacs who were out in this shitty morning to run in
it. We all needed to be back in
bed.
The race was well organized, I didn’t wait long for a bus
and a few minutes later I was walking to where I would drop off my bag. Cold pelts of rain began to fall, I thought
it was going to get worse, but it did not.
In no time, the County Executive, Steve Ballone, Roger from WBAB and a
Met’s pitcher were all there to wish us well.
There was also an impressive version of the Star Spangled Banner and a
prayer. Beautiful. The race mentioned and recognized in my ways
- the 75th anniversary of D Day, WW II. Our bitching about the rain meant nothing to
the lives that were lost. There is a lot
of support between the other runners, the times I slowed down to walk, I was told
not the quit. Another asked if I wanted
to put my sweater on my back, he would hold my water bottle. No, thank you. And I didn’t quit.
So I ran the half marathon and accomplished it in under two
hours. It’s time to call it a night and
hit the sack.
Thank you for reading this.
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