Finances

This whole divorce business is quite expensive not only in pecuniary terms, but also emotionally and physically. I’m beginning to see all this manifested.

For the two years I waited for Lovey to finally come around to agreeing to the settlement agreement, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how I would land on my feet financially. The legal fees were astronomical. I had to replace my furniture and sound equipment that Lovey had taken with her. On top of all this, I had to figure out how to build a new fence and deck in the back of my home….it was on the verge of collapse from sheer neglect. I had to have some brick work done around my house. The house needed painting. As a result of the great flood of ’06 the week of Lovey’s departure, I had to buy new sump pumps and new carpet for the downstairs. While doing it, I had new carpet installed in my bedroom too.

In the midst of everything, my wife upped her request for spousal support significantly.

But I had everything figured out. I would use some of the proceeds from the retirement equalization, and pay off a loan from my Thrift Savings Plan which would free up $600 per month toward alimony. That would mean that I would only see a net increase of $200 to monthly expenditures.

But…

The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that I can’t use my equalization proceeds to do this. So, I’m kind of stuck now with the financial situation I am currently in.

While it won’t be easy….and I won’t be making the strides I had initially planned on making my debt lessen, it’s just gonna take a little longer. However, every spare penny is going to go to pay off that loan I have from my Thrift Savings Plan. When that is paid, it will greatly help my financial situation.

I suppose this is a small price to pay for the peace of mind I now have….or at least I’m in the process of getting.