In order for this website to make since and for you the readers to get the most out of the site, it occurs to me that I should tell you a little about myself.  The about page of the site has some general characteristics but I figure now is a good time to give you more of a back story:

Anonymity

  First thing to note is that I am trying to write without revealing my name.  Some of you who may eventually check out what has happened with the site (guys who were originally writing on here when I first opened the website) know who I am, and I ask you not to reveal my identity.  The reasons are simple.  I am in the military.  I love the military for the most part, but I do have some complaints and some rather strong political opinions and observations.  In the military you are allowed to have an opinion and even voice your opinion, but it must be clear that you are expressing your own opinion and not making a statement that can be percieved as an official statement or stance.  The nature of the internet is that random readers will often criticize your writing, and make the assumption that what you are writing is fact and/or official.  The easiest way to avoid this besides throwing up a disclaimer that what you are reading is my opinion, is to write anonymously.

  Another reason is that I have made alot of mistakes in my life, especially in the realm of finance, and I am working hard to correct these decisions, and am sharing my experiences as tools to help you prevent these same mistakes, and even to correct them, I still feel shame and embarassment over my decisions and actions.  I am not quite ready to “come out of the closet” for everyone to know who I am, and what an idiot I have been.

Background

  I am a happily married 35 year old, semi-intelligent, ruggedly handsome and super sexy father of two.  My third child is on the way and I am stoked about it.  I proudly serve in the military, and have only a few years until I retire from service and move on to something else.  I am in my senior year of earning my Bachelor’s Degree, mostly paid for by the military.  My lovely wife and children are the center of my world.  I coach my son’s soccer team at the local YMCA, when soccer is in season, otherwise I am an active parent for my son’s team whatever sport season the local Y has going on. I have transferred my Montgomery G.I. Bill benefit to my wife, so that she can pursue her degree as well.

  I grew up well and did pretty good in high school.  I could have done much better, but fell into the typical teenage trap of hanging out, wasting time, and generally not applying myself to the best of my abilities.  My parents were divorced, and I spent the school year with my father, and the summers with my mother.  Both are good people, who raised me well and taught me the values of hardwork.  My dad was a pretty typical man of the times, and had basic knowledge and skills to do almost any type of minor repair himself, skills and traits he tried to teach me all the time, but I wasn’t interested.  My mother was the same way in dometic issues, but again I wasn’t interested in learning.  The real point I am trying to make is that like most of you, I am a pure consumer, and it is all my own fault.

Today

  I am happily married, and trying to raise my own children as well as my parents raised me.  The economic crisis the country is facing has impacted everyone, us included.  I see my “buying power” and financial stability crumbling as the dollar devalues and wages stay the same.  I watch monthly as my excess money at the end of every pay period shrinks, and the items I own start to wear out and break.  I have decided it is time to take control of my life away from debt and consumerism, and to pay off my bills, and become self sufficient.

  As the price of day care increases, the ability of my wife to take an entry level job at lower wages has disappeared.  It actually costs more to pay for child care, than she can earn right now, making the smartest decision for her to be a stay at home mom.  One of our long term plans and solutions is for her to work on her degree, while being a Domestic Executive Manager, so that as the children begin school, she can enter the work place into a career in a few years, when I have retired from the military and settled into a location.

 What I am not

  I am not better than anyone else.  I don’t think I am better than anyone out there.  I am smarter than most, and sexier than most, but I have my own character flaws, make stupid decisions, and have to correct them.  I AM DETERMINED, however.  I am going to apply myself and learn about lots of things.  I am going to break free from constantly consuming, and become self sufficient.  I am going to drag my family kicking and screaming along with me, and teach them the skills I develop along the way.  I am going to share with you what I am doing, what I am learning, and share with you the pains and joys of this journey.

  Everything I have read to this point about blogging says you have to have a niche, and stick to it.  Become an expert in a particular area and share that with your readers so that you can maintain regular readership.  I am all over the place though.  I guess my niche is going to be me.  I hope that you come here over and over again and find value in what I have to offer.  Afterall we have somethings in common, we are father, husband, student, military, coach, etc…