On the afternoon of October 14th, 2003, two extraodinary events occurred. First, the Sheriff called me in to the Chief Deputy’s office, dramatically closed the door (like I may be in trouble) and then proceeded to inform me they were promoting me to Sergeant. Within one hour, my phone rang. It was SFC Newsome, the training NCO for my Army Reserve unit.? He informed me that my commissioning had finally come through after an eighteen month process. I proceeded over to my reserve unit where I was sworn in and signed my oath of office as a Lieutenant in the United States Army.
In case you are not familiar with law enforcement or military rank structure, the two above events are very significant. Many very talented and deserving police officers will go their entire career without achieving the rank of Sergeant. It is extremely competitive, and most officers, especially those with rank, love their jobs; so there is little turnover.
Every since that day, and even to a large degree prior to that day, there is one thing that I have been used to; I am used to being in charge.? As a police officer, whether it is a traffic stop, domestic disturbance, or just taking a report, I was always in charge. As an officer in the United States Army, I am in charge. As the owner of The Lazy Susan, I was in charge. This is my personality, and is what I enjoy doing. I like to make the big decisions.
Earlier this year I found myself in an awkward position. In doing my budget, I couldn’t quite pay everyone I owed with the income I had every month. The thing I did have was extra time most evenings that was available to me. I used to think that if I couldn’t make at least $25 per hour it wasn’t worth being away from my family. My paradigm has totally shifted now. If I can do anything to speed my progress of getting out of debt, then it is worth my time. My entire focus and drive is dedicated to getting out of debt forever, and doing it all in four years.
I then had to go out and try to find a temporary job that I knew I could learn quickly that would make a decent amount of money. I first went to TGI Friday’s, but they never returned my call. I only had nine weeks left in Columbia, South Carolina at that time. Next I went to the Texas Roadhouse. I suddenly found myself hired, and training the next six consecutive days, at minimum wage, so that I could be a server. I now find myself back in a restaurant, only this time I have absolutely no say on what goes on. It is a very humbling place to find myself to say the least. As a nine year police veteran, fourteen years in the Army, I have to have a nineteen year old college student check my silverware and tables before I can go home. As much as I dread having to leave my family to go to this extra evening job, I love what it does to our monthly budget.
Intensity really does make all of the difference. By utilizing these keys to dumping debt, I am able to see the progress immediately. I have absolutely become gazelle intense since February 12th. I have sold four of my guns (a police officer has great difficulty parting with his guns), I have a second job, I have quit borrowing money for any reason, I have made saving a way of life, I pray daily about our current situation, and tomorrow I will talk about using the debt snowball.? As you can tell by the timestamp on this post, I have really made Proverbs 6:4-5 my daily battle cry, I am allowing no sleep to come to my eyes, nor rest to my eyelids, but I am freeing myself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter. Intensity is required, as is a second job in order for me to dump my debt.
One other side note, be sure to keep up with the conversations in the comments section of each post.? I welcome all comments, both positive and negative. A good conversation from the weekend can be found on the post for “Make Saving a Way of Life.”
For the record: As proud as I am of all your law enforcement and military accomplishments, I’m even more proud of you for getting that job at Texas Roadhouse… and that’s not just because you sometimes bring home salad.
Comment by Amy — March 27, 2006 @ 10:31 am
Joel, I know Amy told you how much we love your new blog but I wanted to tell you myself. Both my husband, a police officer for wright county, and I read your blog and can’t say enough positive things about what you are doing. You guys are such an inspiration. Keep up the good work and know that we are cheering you on!
Amanda ( fly friend of Amy’s)
Comment by Amanda Kelley — March 27, 2006 @ 12:04 pm
WOW!! I can’t even beleive you are trying to do this..so many people would just take the easy way out.
I know some of what you are going though. We, my husband and I found ourselves on the verge of being unable to make our monthly payment. We are both disabled after working 35 yrs at a sawmill and 28 yrs at a shoe factory.
We did have one thing you didnt have..a home that was paid for. I took out a $25,000. home equity loan. (and $25,000. was a lot of debt for us) Paid off EVERY one of my debts (cutting up every credit card we had). Now my 1 payment is smaller than 1 credit card payment. The releif if unbeleivable. I will NEVER have another credit card as long as I live!!!
I do wish however that I could have gone the route you did, but just discovered your blog today. My daughter Amanda which is a Fly friend of Amys gave it to me.
Anyway, enough of me and mine…Just keep going..you are doing great and we are so proud of you!!
Jan
Comment by Jan — March 28, 2006 @ 11:27 pm
Joel, I found your website today (9/25/2006). My wife and I are also following Dave Ramsey’s plan, but our $45K starting debt certainly pales in comparison to yours. I admire your courage, dedication, and most of all, your extremely upbeat attitude. I’m sure I will visit often for encouragement.
What prompted me to respond was this comment: “As a nine year police veteran, fourteen years in the Army, I have to have a nineteen year old college student check my silverware and tables before I can go home.” I can completely relate. I am in a supervisory role at a consulting firm, not quite the authority position that you are in, but nonetheless, it is a professional job where I can give some orders. As my second job I am working at a country club up here in Massachusetts. There is something particularly humbling about a college degree-holding business professional walking over to a table carrying a tray and wearing a hokey uniform and having some rich snob tell you that if you work hard you too can someday be rich and snobby. After they are done belittling you, you then have to nod, smile, and retrieve their drink. As I watch them drive away in their Mercedes, I can only think to myself, “They’re probably broke”.
Keep up the good work. Keep trusting God for the grace to honor and obey Him with your resources. You will make it.
Comment by Bob — September 25, 2006 @ 11:32 am
I’m a year veteran teacher and coach w/ alot of monthly bills….I’m also going to get a second job. My first thought was, I’m above that, but the reality is is that we are wasting time and opportunity…Thanks for your website…
Comment by Trey Green — October 18, 2006 @ 8:37 am
First, congratulations on your progress! We are also following the TMMO, and took second jobs. We leave the cave every day at 3 am and deliver newspapers. DH and I are both college grads and DH used to deliver papers when he was 8. He never thought he’d be doing it again, but here we are! We’ve been doing it for three and half years, with probably another good year to go. The thought of another winter is depressing, but anticipating the feeling of being debt-free keeps us keeping on.
You have our respect and admiration, and no job is beneath you. Work as if you are working for God….it matters not what you do….
Christy
Comment by Christy — June 11, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Hi Joel,
I have just found your blog from over at TMMO. I just wanted to say that taking that swallowing your pride and taking this job not only shows dedication, but is the show of a real man. It takes a real man to admit his mistakes, which you have done many times again, and it also takes a man to do something about them.
Keep it up!
Comment by Frank — October 7, 2007 @ 3:16 am