Hi everyone. I haven't been posting for awhile, but I've been around. Good to see that you're all doing good!
Myself however, I'm a bit distraught as of late. A short story to lead me into it:
Last summer I had a good paying job and me and my wife were living in a nice house. She started a little online "romance" type thing, was lying about it and all. Well things boiled over and I was so stressed out! I ended up losing my job, partly be accident and partly because I just didn't care. Losing my job meant no income so we packed it up and moved to a really, really crummy house. No, I mean almost un-liveable dwelling folks.
Things between me and my wife turned magical again however, so that was good, and I went to the job that I had had before I'd gotten the better paying job I mentioned, which lifted my spirits seeing my old friends and co-workers again.
Well early this year my father-in-law left my wife's mom, which devestated the whole family. My mother-in-law didn't have a snowball's chance of making it financially, and the house we were in should be condemned honestly, so we moved in with my mother-in-law to help her keep her house, car, etc.
Now to the issue at hand. She's quite.....overbearing......selfish......rude.......I'm not insulting or being mean, just telling you how it is, as friends. Now we're all struggling financially, big time. Examples would be my car is falling apart literally, but it's paid off and I'm thankful for it. My wife has a nice Jimmy for her and the kids, all paid off. My mother-in-law? Pays over 200 a month for car payment not including insurance! I haven't had a hair cut since July, which is okay becuase I'm thinking about growing it back out, BUT my mother-in-law? She routinely gets her hair and nails done. Me and my wife, my goodness we need a night out so bad, but money's tight. My mother-in-law goes out with her boyfriend constantly, even going as far as to spend money on HIS groceries, and of course "needs" to buy new outfits to wear. Me and my wife need clothes so bad it's pathetic.
Point is this: I'm shelling out lot's of money and doing without things and working very hard to help, but it feels a bit one-sided. Then when bills come in, WE get yelled at. I'm not a kid nor naive. In fact I took accounting in high school and college. I know how money works.
Another point would be the housework. My poor wife, college student, mother of three, with a full time job, is expected to do it ALL. What? It's not even her house! She's so stressed. Of course I help, but the point being is that we don't get much help. A little if her mom is expecting company, but that's just about the only time she gets up to help.
So the main point is: WHAT DO I DO? I want to leave! To leave, I'd have to stop paying bills and save since our savings is gone. All of it. Either that or I'd have to wait until next year's tax return. One the other hand, I felt good about coming over here to help, almost like a good samaritan or something. But now, sheesh I just want out!
So I ask for your prayers because I've been feeling pretty weak as of late. A bit worn down, a bit depressed, which isn't a good spot for me considering my past with depression. My poor wife too, she's feeling at least as bad. We've got each other to lean on but we're in it together so we're both pretty worn down and tired; very burnt out.
LOVE YOU GUYS!
Matt
p.s. Sorry for ramling!