Debt is not a privilege

Preface: This blog is a personal experience of debt and what I have learned from it. At the end of last year I bought a brand new 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport fully loaded w/sunroof, 6-cd changer, premium audio, and a loan.



For a few months I studied the vehicle market and what would satisfy my needs (I could fit in). Actually, I obsessed about buying a vehicle. I would read and create excel spreadsheets meticulously debating what is the right vehicle. Alias! I made the smart move to just "window" shop. I went to the dealership and saw exactly what my heart pounded for a new Highlander. The only question that never begged an complete answer was, "Lance, how do you plan on paying for the car?" Shoot, I had saved enough money to put a "reasonable" down payment...I can buy anything. Let's go in debt!


I sat down with the finance manager wheeling and dealing. Now, I have gotten the payment to something I could afford. Ultra low payments for 6.5 years. Yes, I went to college and studied economics, my common sense light was broken.


Today, I let go of my pride, my greed, my debt. I sold the Highlander for a 10% loss. It was tough to do. I put a lot of prayer and consideration into this decision. God lead me to read 'Total Money Makeover' a few weeks ago. It is written by Dave Ramsey and supplied me with the sense that I didn't have at the time. God spoke to me and I listened to His words of wisdom. He taught me two things: 1. Debt is not a privilege. 2. My money is God's money.


God allowed me to purchase the Highlander because I was greedy to get it. Afterwards he conditioned me to sale it. It was hard to swallow. Sale the Highlander? No! Then that is when I realized my money is God's money.

Mercedes Benz Stereotype

The other day I was meeting Katie for lunch at Zoe's in Homewood. My favorite meal at Zoe's is the chicken rollup. The Homewood lunch hour is extremely busy. After driving around the same area three times I finally found a parking place. This was one of those parking places that the car to the left and the right did not maneuver in the center of the spot. The problem car was the Mercedes Benz...actually it was the driver. It was parked on the line just to the right of me. I did the best job to park in the center of a tight tight squeeze. After pulling my truck into the spot the lady stepped out of her Mercedes and gave me a devilish look. I thought...of maybe she is looking at someone else. *looks around* nope..she is definitely looking at me. Matter of fact she starts waving her hands to show me how much room is between our cars. I am thinking that this lady is nuts. So I rolled my window down and said, "Mam, is there anything I can help you with?" She gave another devilish look and said, "Yes, you are too close to my car please don't hit it." Humm...like would I really just open my door and smash and smash and smash the Benz. On a good day no...on a day where a lady is being very annoying yes. Yet, I said, "Mam I can't do a better parking job because you parked your car on the line....."

After I squeezed to get out of my truck I met Katie at the door of Zoe's. Who comes out the door while I am opening it? The Benz lady and she doesn't say a word not even a glance.

Lesson learned: Don't park next to cranky Benz women they'll give you a devilish look.

Weekend review

CubanRedneck

Today at work I had the pleasure of speaking with a cubanredneck. Yes, dictionary.com went berserk. Anyway, one of the company service trucks was being towed. When the tow man began to load it he bent the rear work bumper on the truck according to dealership. So, I was ready to pick up the phone and call the tow man. Before I had a chance the phone rang and it was the tow man. I politely asked him if he bent the bumper. His repsonse with a Cuban accent, "No, I did not bend the bumper man...I just load it and go." Yeah...the next question, "Are you sure." "Yes, I am sure...I would never lie because I am cuban." Your Cuban...so you don't make mistakes? Then he proceeded to say, "I am cuban and I marry American women she good. She a redneck and they don't lie. I am cuban and work hard. So, I am a cubanredneck and I would never lie to you."

If you were ever wondering cubanredneck's do exist.

ATL & The Snow Show

Yesterday I had an errand to run near ATL for work. So, Katie and I went over for the day. Let me tell you there is never a dull moment in ATL. From people asking for change (not Obama) to expensive...really expensive name brand stores to people doing shady things on the marta. The most memoriable moment was eating at the Tavern in a ritzy mall. The wait was 10 min and standing next to me was a woman who had a diamond that could have bought me a giant boat.

Today it snowed and below is the video of the "The Snow Show". This is what people do when they see snow every 1,000 years...

Enjoy!