been there, done that

BEEN THERE , DONE THAT


I know that it is dangerous to humble myself and step off the pedestal that you’ve placed me, but the simple fact is, just in case you haven’t been paying any attention whatsoever, I’ve done everything wrong on my long trip towards prepper perfection. When I scream and holler and call you an idiot and in general act insufferable it is not because I think I’m perfect or smarter than you or that I have special insight, but rather I’ve made mistakes you don’t have to make if you don’t want to. What brought this up was the latest in junk land and the back and forth with the comments. I don’t want to come across as intolerant of others difficulties. Everyone has their own particular issues holding them back from being more independent. I’m not blind to those, even if I appear to be. Let me give you a great example of idiot advice that doesn’t take into account others difficulties. This is exactly how I DON’T want to be. The ex is on her fifth or sixth husband ( just in case you think I’m the only one who has a problem living with her ) or possibly even her seventh. It really is impossible to recall all of them. The one right after me was a really great guy ( this is the one she killed off by giving him a heart attack after forcing him to flee in panic after she threatened to call the cops on him- the same crap she tried on me before I finally washed my hands of her for good- and to this day she is collecting that blood money in the form of SS checks to the non-blood related infant he adopted out of the goodness of his heart ) and I know he was just trying to help. But it infuriated me just the same. I was at my worst point ever after the divorce financially and they were tag teaming me about buying something. I think it was a pellet gun for my son. A gift I would normally delight in providing but as I said I was in full blown financial meltdown. Between taxes and support I was out nearly 75% of my meager income. So he gives me a wonderful story about how he moved in with his brother after his divorce. He had been raped about as bad and the tale was supposed to inspire me to live cheap. No harm was intended but it came across that way.

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I’ve been stuck far away from family with no fallback. I’ve been close to homeless, forced to go back and live with an old lady I wanted to leave just to have a roof over my head. I’ve stayed living in town to be close to sick family. I’ve lived in the city, had a great paying job and hadn’t had two nickels to rub together for preps because of the high cost of living. I’ve jingle mailed a home I had put 25% down on ( granted, it was a mobile home, but it cost almost a years income ). I’ve walked away from preps and started all over again. My ideas on frugal prepping are by and large not my own ( the only three original ideas I’ve had were the Jim Washer, thermos coffee and nuke bread ). I’ve gleefully stole them from others, mostly Kurt Saxon ( and most of those weren’t original to him, either ). But the only reason I’ve converted to them with such a religious fervor is that I’ve been through enough that they become really good ideas. If you never had financial hardships ( until now ), and have always lived in a nice home, of course the prospect of living in a trailer on crappy land looks hideous to you. But when you’ve been totally stressed multiple times over being homeless during the cold winter, they look great because they represent security. If you’ve been forced to give up all your investments due to hardship, you don’t feel bad about just walking away from another. It becomes just “the cost of doing business” rather than something you feel you can’t give up no matter what.

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Believe me, I can relate to your feeling of being trapped and having no recourse as things fall apart around you. I’ve been there many times. You never get used to it but you do end up responding to it better. When I give advice to just make up your mind to change, when I say it is as simple as accepting that lowered standards of living actually improve your life, I am speaking from my own experience. Of course everyone thinks differently, but I do have some basis for my conclusions. I’m not draping a trophy over myself and proclaiming that I am a god amongst men for the course I’ve picked or saying that I alone have suffered. I’m just sharing how I’ve dwelt with setbacks. My financial depression happened long ago and I’m trying to help you charter the one you’ve now started. And, really, all I’ve been through is pretty mild compared to what will come. I might be almost as ill prepared as you to cope. But at least it is something. Something other than Business As Usual. My writing style is meant to be taken with a few grains of salt. I’m cynical, surely, rude and blasphemous. But hopefully I’m funny. An amusing anecdote should stick in your mind longer than a somber one. Yes, at times I can stress wonderfully and hate powerfully, but just take it in stride. I’ll calm down shortly thereafter. And if you are the target, don’t despair. I dislike almost everyone’s behavior- it isn’t personal.

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I think I’ve got a pretty good bunch of loyal minions. They support me even as I abuse them verbally. But I’m sure you all take my drivel in the spirit it is intended. To be helpful. This long winded explanation is for the benefit of those still confused and unsure. Peace, brothers and sisters.

END

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My e-mail is jimd303@netzero.com
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