Now That It's Behind Us…Let's Move On

I suppose if us Americans have a "fiscal year" it ends on April 15th with the filing deadline for our federal taxes. In my and my family's case, I'm glad that the 2009 fiscal or financial year is over. Things are looking up and it's time to move on.

My 2009 started with me out of a full-time job because 2008 ended with me being asked to resign or be let go. I chose resignation. Luckily I had had the sense to pick up a part-time job with an old college roommate the previous fall, so I had that to at least have some income to go along with the severance package I got, which really ended up the vacation/sick time I had accumulated. It wasn't a lot but it was something.

Despite this we still managed to make it to Walt Disney World in June. We were determined to make this trip…even it meant neglecting other things…you know trivial things like food and bills. LOL Relax…I didn't starve my kids to head to WDW. This trip was going to be a special family trip…my oldest had just graduated from Marquette University and or 25th Wedding Anniversary was going to be in July, so this trip was an important celebration trip.

We had a great time….it was well worth the money spent.

I even managed to squeeze enough money together to attend the D23 Expo in Anaheim in September. It might not have been the wisest spending of money but I felt I needed to do it. I had a great time and met some really wonderful people (this is my shout out to Greg, Mike, Brad, Richard (aka Shaft), Ryan and Doug) along with interacting with e-celebrities like Lou & Deanna Mongello, Annette Owens, and Beci Mahnken. It was really a great experience.

By that fall we had exhausted our savings and needed to tap my 401k from my former job….to pay the mortgage and also because our roof needed to be replaced badly.

In October, I had found out that the other hospital in our organization needed part-time help so I was able to pick up some extra work there during the fall. In December, I found out that they had a full-time opening on the 2nd shift (the shift I prefer to work) working Monday through Friday with no weekends and no holidays. I was immediately hired. The job was to begin in January. What a way to start the new year!

I had a full-time job again!

While I was overjoyed….it did cut into my "family time". Being "under employed" gave me lots of time (not money) to spend time at home with the kids and my wife. I miss that….I like the money…but I miss the "home time" I had.

Things are still tight now financially since we ran up a lot of our credit cards over the last year just to live…but we're dealing with it.

This spring has been a bit stressful…getting used to a new job, lots of bills and the impending tax situation created by having to tap the 401k.

I finished up the taxes last night…they are all signed…in envelopes and ready to be mailed. 2009 is now officially behind us.

I have never really been one to celebrate New Years and say good bye to the prior year…but I am so glad to see 2009 over and gone and looking forward to the rest of 2010. It's time to start a new chapter of our life and looking forward to better and happier times.

Good riddance 2009!

Let's move on! Keep moving forward!