[Laneco]

I went back and reviewed that old thread. I had posted in February 2009. We had taken quite a few pre-emptive actions as we had seen the writing on the wall before most were willing to admit it. The best thing that we did was to unload two rentals for a loss of $40,000, very much against the advice of our realtor. Those who did NOT sell those (all individually owned rentals in a development) lost as much as $70,000 each. Good decision. The other cutbacks stayed in place...

2010 found Steve on a long path of unemployment (a year) that led to taking a one year stint as a contractor in Afghanistan. Money was good, but not great and a year away from home. That let us catch up back debt (e.g. the $40,000 rental loss), etc. He came back and took a job out of town for a year and a half, in our home state, but 3 hours away. That job is winding down now, so he has basically come home to stay. After being gone for nearly 2.5 years, he will still have no job here at home. College expenses for the kids, and expenses for my mother have been added. I took a second job. Pay is good, but erratic as it is consulting.

The 401K's have been climbing nicely, not that there was much when the improvement started, but I can say that is positive. The home values have stopped the downward death spiral, but even as conservative as we were, the residence is still probably $35,000 in the negative. The remaining rental/investment property is probably about break even if we dumped it today. Otherwise it is just a $1100 a month drain on the finances.

So a dim light of hope seems to be here. The problem is that I'm nearly at the end of my resilency and patience. About ready to say screw all of this and go live in my 25' camp trailer.

angela