Home life Hiccups: May 2016

Tips for debt consolidation

So, you're thinking of consolidating your debt?

Good idea. And a smart one.

Many people don't realize the amount of money they could save just by consolidating some of their debt.

My husband and I are wanting to start a family soon so we jumped on the bandwagon. This happened to be a smarter idea than I could have possibly comprehended at the time. Not only will this simple re-purposing of funds help us financially for our future family.. this has also helped us tremendously with my recent layoff.

Consolidation options:

1. Retirement.

- This is one of the things that I decided to do. A lot of times people don't realize that this is an option. You're not necessarily taking out money from your retirement. This is a loan against your retirement. I had a nice little cushion of $5,000.00 in my retirement. The way my plan worked was that I was only able to take out half. It was enough to pay off my credit cards. My credit card was at a 24% interest rate. My loan consolidation was 4%. BIG DIFFERENCE. Putting them together made my note lower as well. Saved about 60$ a month just on my cards.

2. Loans.

- A lot of banks offer debt consolidation loans at reasonable interest rates. After paying off my credit cards we moved onto my husbands. He didn't have a retirement like I did but his debt was definitely high. We went to our local bank and applied for a consolidation loan. We got approved for an 11%. Its not as low as my retirement but Its still lower than his 24% interest rate on his card.

3. Credit card transfer.

-There are a good bit of cards out there that offer no interest for the first 18 months and we can. We weren't able to do this because our debt to income ration was too high. But this is definitely an option for some people. You can transfer your balance and pay it down without worrying bout interest. Once you get close to the end of your interest free period you can transfer it again.

Doing a few of these tips has saved me and my husband more than 150$ a month. And they will be paid off faster and for a lower interest. This savings is whats helping us quite a bit since being laid off. But any savings is good savings.

My hiccup this times was letting the debt getting out of control to being with. But I've put on my big girl panties and made smart choices to get it under control. Even when things seem out of control break it down and find a solution.

8:24 PM
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Struggles of a Firefighter's Wife

3 am.

Warm sheets.

Soft pillow.

Sent of lavender fabric softener.

Hum of the overhead fan.

The ear piercing series of tones coming from my husbands nightstand.

Ahh.. Home.

Never thought I'd get used to being jerked out of a very pleasant dream, but here I am. You get used to it after a while. I feel him sit up, yawn, and quickly stumble around the dark room. Through sleep filled eyes he reaches for his boots. The tones still going off. Sounds like this one will be a bad one. The dispatcher quickly reads off the list of trucks. "901,902,904,911,931.." All of his stations trucks are called out as she moves onto another series. I lift my head to hear better.

Fully engulfed structure fire.

He notices I'm up. Gives me a quick kiss and hurries out the door. I hear the car door close and see the lights start flashing. He waits till he gets to the end of the road to fire up the siren. I force my quickening heart to calm down. I know he will be okay but every time I seem to find myself worrying. His lingering sent and sound of the rain lure me back to sleep. My alarm goes off. I reach for him and he is not there. I start to worry but I know he is good at what he does. He will be fine. I get dressed and ready for my day.

This is something that every firefighter wife goes through. The worry. The anticipation of when he will get home. But most of all the pride. The pride we fill when he walks through that door. His expression tired but content. No, they didn't save the house. But everyone is out and safe. The prevented it from spreading.

Firefighters put their life on the line everyday, yet somehow they don't gain the respect they deserve.

There was once a girl that we met in target who was going on on her phone about how she sees overweight firefighters and she knows damn well they don't do any firefighting to be that overweight. My husband sure tore into her. But this is something that firefighters get more than they care to admit. My husband isn't necessarily overweight but there are firefighters who are. This doesn't mean that they don't risk just as much. Sometimes they are the only ones strong enough to pull your body out of a vehicle you wrapped around a tree.

This is something I see him struggle with. Most people will never give them the respect they deserve. Its up to us. The wives. Its hard on us as too. We have to be the supporter. The lover. The best friend. and even sometimes the mom.

Its hard. I rarely see my husband. He works full time as a firefighter. They get less money than they deserve, so he works part time as a pharmacy tech at CVS. In between two jobs he still finds the time to volunteer as a firefighter. Its hard on our relationship. As his wife, I want to spend time with him. But I feel selfish to take him away from that. From a place he can make a difference. A place where he can save lives.

Its hard. Its not easy. never relationship is. I can't imagine the difficulties to come once we have kids.

So cheers to all the wives out there. The wives behind the firefighters. The wives who persevere through everything. The wives who hold up the firefighters. Who support, nurture, and guide. Cheers to you.

7:38 PM
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Oilfield Crisis (Pt. 2)

Drowning is the word that comes to mind. The sinking feeling of being pulled down. Darkness evading the edges of your vision. As I sit in the chair looking forward I'm barely comprehending the words being said to me. "Brandi, we are sorry to say that we are going to have to lay you off." I'm then given the same speech about the downturn in the economy like many before me have been given. I start going over the list in my head of current events that have transpired. Examining every aspect to see what I did wrong.

As if they can read my mind they say "You've done nothing wrong." I tell them thank you for the opportunity and stand. They refuse to let me gather my things. They will get it together for me tomorrow. I am as relieved as I am annoyed.

I square my shoulders, lift my chin, and walk out. At least it is the end of the day. Mostly everyone has already gone. I am surprised that I've kept it together. There were a few tears that escaped in the office but overall I am proud of myself.

I get into my car and with shaking hands I dial my husband. At the sound of his voice I break down. I let him know what happened. Hes very encouraging. I think "How did I ever land someone as wonderful as him?".

I drive to my dads to let him know. He will tell me what to do next. I'm sure that I know what to do next but I just need him to tell me. I need him to tell me that it will be okay.

10-20 applications later and here I am. I've only landed 1 interview but at least that is something. I have my fingers crossed and hopefully I'll get a call back this week.

I will say after the heartbreak and tears, this is still a humbling experience. There are many people especially in deep south that are loosing jobs daily. People who have been there for 35 years are being forced into early retirement. Families having to sell their homes and move in with their parents just to get by. The thing about communities , not just here but everywhere, is that we are supportive and resilient. I will get through this. Many of you who are gong through rough times will get through this. Last November the current layoff count was up to 250,000. I can say through personal experience that number has grown and still continues to do so. It also brings into light the lack of job availability. In our community we've also closed a hospital. So not only am I fighting against people who have been laid off for jobs but also, the people from the hospital.

All, I can say is that in life their will be hiccups. Some that you can control, some that you can't. All you can do it try your hardest. Takes some big gulps of air and power through. If I can get through this, I know you can. You are strong. You are resilient. You are brave.

6:42 PM
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Tips for debt consolidation

Struggles of a Firefighter's Wife

Oilfield Crisis (Pt. 2)

- A B O U T M E -

Brandi

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