LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS...

I had a discussion with my coworker concerning some issues that had been affecting him/her at work. Unfortunately, he/she was going through a rough time outside of the uniform and needed a little help. I am going to tell you all what was going on, but I want to stress the importance of living within your means. If you don’t have it…then go get it or save for it…NEVER borrow it because you’ll never get back from that. If you are trying to keep up with the Jones or the Smiths…you need to adjust your mindset because it won't last. Plain and Simple. 

That being said, a few months ago my coworker brought a vehicle that cost about $92k. I saw it in the parking lot, went to roll call, and immediately asked who vehicle it was. My coworker speaks up and tells me basically that he had used his pandemic money as a down payment on the vehicle. I acknowledged how nice the vehicle was, and then let roll call commence accordingly. Throughout the day between calls for service I’d meet up with my coworker and speak to him/her about the vehicle. Specifically, the cost, the features it came with, the color, etc. As we are speaking, it was revealed that the monthly payment for this car was approximately $1.1k, and that their significant other didn’t know about the purchase. Already! You can see something isn’t right about this…however, it wasn’t really my place to speak on the matter, so I kept it to the car and left it alone.

Fast forward to 2021….

As I was driving to the station for roll call, I got an email requesting a monetary donation for this coworker in reference to an “unexpected” emergency that had placed the family in need of financial assistance. I am the type to give to the needy; I am my brothers/sisters keeper, hence if needed I will help…however this isn’t one of those times. I read the email and immediately got upset because by this time I was parked at the station and could see that my coworker was still driving the $92k vehicle. I didn’t reply to the email, I didn’t say, and/or do anything to express my opinion at that time. Eventually, my coworker called me via phone and doubled down on the request…asking me whether or not I got the email. In response, I told him/her that I’d received it and would not be contributing. When asked why, I explained that I wasn’t going to contribute because if the situation was THAT bad, he/she wouldn’t be driving a $92k vehicle daily. In addition to that, I recommended that he/she re-evaluate any financial obligations and consider potentially downsizing to cover any needs with the proceeds from that.

Fast forward to 2022….

I haven’t seen that vehicle for several months now, no further financial assistance was requested, and I saw my coworker at an overtime event...

Live within your means...if you don't have it, go get it or save for it...NEVER borrow it because you'll never come back from that...