Financial catch-up after the WTS (page 3)

Simon

I'm putting in an application for the Police and failing that I am starting college, its not so much the money that I'm worried about but its just doing something with my life other than being a mum, I want to make my kids proud, thats a big part of it, but its about getting back the self confidence and happiness that the Watchtower stubbed out.

WTG Ellie !

As much as anything else it's setting a good example for the kids - ours are really used to the idea that when you grow up you don't stop learning and may carry on going to "grown up school" (open university)

Angharad has really enjoyed her course even though I know it has been hard work. Getting a degree while working and/or looking after a home and family is no small achievement.

DannyHaszard

"Yes, I fear that the WTS may *still* end up taking MY money, just indirectly through other people"

Get this! My elderly Grandfather Roger Haszard and MY Grandmother Ruth Haszard are living in Largo Florida usa circa 1987,(now deceased). We get an emergency conference call from my uncle Wallace on 'what are we going do do with our aging patriarch as they are becoming helpless and are in need of a part-time nurse'. My grandfather is busted as he gave all his assets to the Watchtower and his estate is all going to the Watchtower when they die. There is no emergency cash to free up so the family now has pitch in to pay for their care. The WT has occasional hypocritical articles on caring for our elderly,they don't reveal how countless family's get into this bind on account of their wicked advice. For those who haven't been their yet,babies are a pleasure just wait until you have to change your parents diapers.

upside/down

That's what we're doing...at 40...with no education except for high-school... (gave up full ride scholarship to University to join a cult)...so much for being "gifted".

Thanks to some "Samaritan's"...we have recovered...and will do as good or better than the average Joe in the long run.

Please..please...please...if you depressed..down and out...and don't have a pot to pee in...DON'T QUIT!!!

Contrary to what the WTS has indoctrinated you with...No one is out to get you...Satan is not concerned with you...AND there are good people and opportunities EVERYWHERE... you just gotta start looking.

My family and I left (were forced out AGAINST our will....lucky for us) and were reduced to NOTHING...total welfare dependants...We took advantage of the programs offered by the government (student loans) and dug our asses out of the hole we'd WILLINGLY let ourselves be thrown into as members of a loveless cult (WTS).

We lost everything...and I mean EVERYTHING...even went bankrupt...and were sued and owed the IRS...and we got out of it. It was a long hard haul...but we are now debt free...have a thriving new business and all our "syndromes" (brought on by being in a mind-f*cking cult) are gone or almost gone and we actually have money in the bank...pay our bills ON TIME...and have a life.

We did it...not "God"...not our "loving (gag) brothers"...

But a couple of Samaritans (worldly people) helped us at our lowest and WE worked our asses off without making excuses (of which we have plenty)...

We are determined to never wallow in the "victim" mentality (and we ARE victims)...and take responsibility for ourselves...NOT a Dub trait...and LIVE life...and hopefully leave a little something for the kids.

You CAN do it...YOU!!!

u/d(of the been there done that class)

Simon

We are determined to never wallow in the "victim" mentality (and we ARE victims)...and take responsibility for ourselves...NOT a Dub trait...

That really is the key. It does feel good getting out of debt doesn't it?

DannyHaszard

There ARE many benifits to avail in our society,here in Maine usa even free groceries (mostly served by local churches) are everywhere you just have to go get it.

Even the local skid row alcholics have a nice wet-shelter to live in and free medical care some of them even have cell phones and personal computers.

Danny Haszard gone from 'Dean's list to dumpsters' and back again.

Finally-Free

As a JW I wasn't planning for retirement, and when I left my marital breakup ate up the few resources I had. I'm trying to catch up by living a very simple life to save money. I rarely go out to restaurants, or anywhere else. I'm also devoting a lot of time to increasing my worth in the workplace, and I take a lot of courses.

W

blondie

I will say this about planning for retirement. I worked in retirement planning for about 5 years and found that many people gave it no thought until 5 to 10 years before they were to retire. JWs aren't the only people that think they will never die...but for other reasons. Some think they have plenty of time to plan; others don't like to think about getting older; others want to spend it now. In the US, saving for the long term is not something younger people tend to do. They are paying off school loans, getting established in their field, buying houses and cars, having children, etc., etc. People tend to depend on social security and pensions as well and as we see in the US, those things can change very quickly with a company going bankrupt, pensions not being protected, pensions being raided by new owners of the business, and the federal government contemplating "adjusting" social security.

So if you have not planned for retirement, now is not too late to start.

Blondie

Simon

I think there are two main approaches to getting straight financially:

Earn more money
Get a better education, get a better job, do more jobs, do overtime, start a part-time business

Don't spend as much moneySimplify your life, cut down on luxuries or non-essentials, make do with second hand or not-the-latest gadgets, sell old things

Of course doing both is even better !

We had some tough years but are now doing much better and putting plenty away for retirement and savings.

We don't have a great deal of outgoings - a modest house (so low mortgage which we overpay) and no major bills. This helps reduce the "burn rate" or the amount of money you need to live so you can then save more.

I believe that there is a negative gravity to having a zero balance in that if you are in debt, it's a struggle to get out of it. Likewise, once you do get out of debts the savings then accumulate and it's easier to save more and more.

Ah, compound interest ... you enemy when in debt and your best pal when you have a few bob.

Finally-Free

Of course doing both is even better !

Getting an education increases earning potential which greatly increases savings and investment potential. Spending less on luxuries helps a lot!

I like the idea of a part time business. With a little planning a person can turn a hobby into a part time business, so you're doing something you enjoy and making money at the same time.

I think it's very important for those of us who, because of our former watchtower trained thinking, didn't have children "in this system". We won't have someone we can live with when we're old, so we need to make our plans now so we can continue to live as independently as possible in our old age.

W

MegaDude

Great thread.

Paying yourself first is such good advice.

Although I got a 30 year mortage on my home I inquired at the bank how much extra I would have to pay to pay it off in 15 years. I'm on track and have only four more years to go. Woo hoo! It will save me tens of thousands of dollars. It's amazing how just paying a little extra each month will save thousands and thousands off your mortgage.. Sometimes the mortage company will give you a huge break if you just make your house payment in two-week payments, half the first two weeks, the second half the following two weeks.

Financial catch-up after the WTS

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