I am always so conflicted whether I should be happy or upset about where I am at in life. Sure things could be worse, but damn they could also be a whole lot better.
Had I not bought a house 2 years ago I would probably have over $50K in savings and not be in CC debt up to my ears. Yes, that is for sure depressing to think about. But then I take stock of what I do have: a clean, comfortable, & safe abode, a reliable source of income, food and health insurance for my family, & last but not least a nice glass of wine while i write this entry. Not too bad.
But then I start think of what I COULD have had. 
I pursued a Deed In Lieu of Foreclosure rather than just a letting it go into a foreclosure, which has sped up the whole process of turning my house over to the bank. I have gotten so much slack from everyone I know about leaving my house so early in the game without taking advantage of staying and not paying. In my defense, I could not live like that. Sure I could have saved money, but it would have been a very uncomfortable situation for me.
As soon as DH and I decided we were going to give up the house, we wanted to move right away. Sooo...had we not been so haste in our decision, we could have been saving $1,500/month in the last 4 months.
Is comparing yourself to a destitute vagabond really a positive way to uplift yourself?
It's all relative
October 11th, 2009 at 07:53 am
October 11th, 2009 at 12:46 pm 1255265204
I think you should hold your head high as you did the honest and honorable thing by getting out with your integrity intact and being open with your intentions to your lender.
October 12th, 2009 at 12:44 am 1255308268
I don't know the complete particulars of your situation - but I can imagine that if your friends were instrumental in pressuring you into buying a house ("can't fail" "real estate only goes up" "buy now or be priced out forever") ... and your friends are giving you grief now for leaving your house early, I'd be shopping for a different set of friends.
October 12th, 2009 at 06:55 am 1255330512
("can't fail" "real estate only goes up" "buy now or be priced out forever") ...
But I have no one to blame but myself. C'est La Vie...
October 12th, 2009 at 02:50 pm 1255359013
October 12th, 2009 at 07:55 pm 1255377344
What I like about your post is that you have taken responsibility and moved on. & I know too many people in your shoes to seriously think it's the "easy way." Or that it would make any sense whatsoever to stick out your situation. (Though I have had little patience with those who have learned nothing and take no responsibility for their own plight. I know a few of those too).
Hang in there, and good luck.
October 31st, 2009 at 01:12 pm 1256994773
Jerry