I have things, debt focused things, to say. I swear. They won’t happen this week though. The Internet/computer problems are better but other things are not. We’ve gotten news that has taken my family aback and we are dealing/planning.
I’m sorry, I know this isn’t what y’all come here for and I’m glad the others are dishing out excellent content.
I will have posts this weekend. I have things to say and comments to which I need to respond. I feel like I’m letting y’all down and I am anxious to get back to “normal”. I hope you’re all well.
Jun 12, 2014 | 
43 comments
43 comments
More excuses from a B.A.D. blogger. *Sigh*. It’s getting old. It seems like Ashley is the only 1 out of 4 that knows how to keep a commitment.
I don’t think you have to be quite so rude. Clearly she has something going on that is preventing her from being able to post and at least she’s saying something now instead of waiting until the end of the day or whatever. These are real people with real lives that don’t totally revolve around this blog, ya know?
are you joking?
She has been upfront (which she didn’t have to be) about the fact that her family is dealing with some health issues. If you can’t tell by this post that something serious happened in her personal life then I don’t really think there is much that can be said for you to gain some empathy.
Steph, you are not “letting anyone down”. You’ve offered great content thus far and I’m surprised you didn’t even take a break when you guys got all that news a while back. I’ve always said to myself as I’ve read all your posts since then how great it is you’ve been able to keep a fairly sunny disposition since then.
Don’t let this blog feel like a burden. Yes it’s a responsibility you signed up for but we are all aware that this is not your full time job and life will and should take precedence.
Best of luck to you. and remember, whatever you are dealing with, it always gets better.
Freckles, I say this with complete sincerity and zero sarcasm. I am very happy for you that you haven’t experienced any real problems in your life yet. I know that you can’t possibly because if you have you would see this for what it is and not a lack of commitment. I also am very happy for Ashley that things are going well in her personal life and that she can work from home where she has her own schedule and Internet availability at all times. She’s doing a great job. I am currently writing this from my office bathroom because I don’t have that luxury. I’m at an office all day and in the evenings I’m focused on a family issue that is the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. I’m sorry I am not performing as well or often as you’d like and I pray everyday that we experience a miracle and my life can go back to the way it was.
I totally “second” The Spunky Banker and Debtor. I only want to speak for myself, personally, but I like to blog here because (1) I appreciate the accountability and the advice and suggestions of readers, and (2) I’m a talkative person…I’m with babies all day so this has been a bit of a creative outlet. I do think its important to discern between this and a “real” job though. Recall that none of us bloggers are being paid. This is 100% of our own free will and accord. Yes, there are benefits (see #1 re: advice and suggestions of readers), but to expect the blog deserves the same “commitment” as a job I think is unfair and just not reality.
Stephannie – I take back my original comment and apologize. I posted in haste without reading any of your backstory, and have not been back on this site until just now to see any followup comments.
Again, I apologize.
Me again …. I just wanted to followup again and say there is no excuse, I was wrong.
Freckles-
I want to commend you for having the guts to come back and apologize when you realized you didn’t know the whole story. As an anonymous commenter it would have been easy for you to simply refrain from saying anything after you learned of the situation, stepping up to admit you were wrong anyway is something the world needs more of, kudos to you! 🙂
Cheers,
Meghan
Freckles – Sad to say, but it is rare these days for someone to accept responsibility for their actions but rather try to justify them. Thank you for taking the time to come back and extend your sincere apology. That has to help Stephannie right now in her time of need. Prayers for you Stephannie and all your family during this difficult time.
I have to agree with Freckles too. You people signed up for this, and we are only hearing from Ashley regularly. I understand that life gets in the way, but perhaps some of our bloggers are not committed to blogging?
Sarah, my reply to Freckles applies to you as well.
If you “understand that life gets in the way” then why are you over here basically talking crap? I bet you would put your family first before any side projects (such as this blog) so I don’t feel like you should be critisizing. Do you not think that the bloggers are real people with real issues other than their debt repayment? I mean honestly, have a heart or something. Geez.
Stephanie, I am sorry you are dealing with difficult news. Hang in there! (I’ve been there, and feel much compassion for you and Jim this week).
former blogger here. take it easy on them.
From what I read between the lines, I would assume the news on her mother’s health isn’t good and she needs to take the time to grasp what is going on. Family is and should always be first priority. What any of these bloggers put or for us readers is secondary to their lives…their real lives. They have jobs, family, children, obligations…a real life. Please give them a little consideration when life hits back hard. This happens to all of us…We are not in the public eye. Several of these bloggers have proved over and again they are here to learn from you guys and get a handle on their situation. It’s a brave thing putting it all our there, but please be considerate when their personal life interferes with a daily blog read. I am sure they would much rather blog than deal with some of the life stuff that has been thrown at them. Be kind.
Stephannie, I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.
Stehannie, take the time to take care of your family. No matter what others say, your family comes first!
Agreed.
Take care of yourself and your family Stephanie….the blog can wait!
Freckles and Sarah – shame on you both for your unkind comments. Let’s keep this blog uplifting and positive. Next time you feel the need to make a nasty comment, stop and ask yourself if it’s 1. necessary 2. true 3. helpful 4. kind…..the world needs more kindness.
Do you mean the “kind and positive” way that this community railed against Jim? Who’s calling the kettle black? I say shame on all of you!
I’m sorry, what does this have to do with Jim??
Sarah,
Please don’t compare what Jim did (plagiarized, lied, then came clean) to what is going on with Stephanie is going through. Apples and oranges my dear.
actually, jim had a similar issue recently with a death in his family and i don’t think the readers were as supportive as they have been regarding steph’s situation.
Maybe that is what sarah’s saying perhaps?
OC, I see it that way too.
I think that may be in part because the death in Jim’s family occurred after the whole plagiarism situation. Steph has been upfront about her family situation since it began and has even blogged about how it is affecting their budget and their debt journey. Just an observation……….
Read some of the comments on Jim’s last entry. (Oh, the numbers don’t add up. On, I can’t read the graph.) People were picking him apart after traveling back and forth to a hospital and experiencing the death of a loved one. Of course it’s not apples and oranges, my dear. It’s apples and apples.
Stephanie I apologize for my hasty judgments. I hope your Mom is doing better. But I still feel there was a lack of empathy for Jim’s troubles, and that’s not right either.
Sarah, speaking only for me, you are correct and for that I do owe Jim Ann apology. I have felt more connected with some of the other bloggers than Jim but he and his family certainly deserve my same consideration and prayers during his trials…for being insensitive to his loss…Jim, I sincerely apologize for not extending encouragement during your time off loss.
My prayers for your family, Stephannie.
Prayers for your family – ignore the ignorant comments, you owe no explanations.
Stephannie, I totally understand your situation. Family always comes first. Hope, the problems will soon go away. Take care and be well.
I hope all goes well, Stephanie! I have been following this blog since the four bloggers came on. I think only time will tell who does well in their debt reduction. It’s really tough to hang in there for the long haul. It takes so many lifestyle changes! (I am speaking from experience.)
Take all the time you need, Stephannie. We will still be here. In the meantime, keeping you and your family in my thoughts.
Steph-
Please do not allow the negative Nancy’s to get to you. I think it is awesome you are willing to pop in just to give us a heads up. I thought part of the reason we had multiple bloggers this time around was so we would still have content even if one had life events that pushed this blog down on the priority list.
I enjoyed reading the type of content you provided before life handed you a few bumps in the road, and as a born and bred Yankee I find your Southern charm and vernacular really quite charming! I will keep you and your family in my prayers and look forward to hearing more about your debt journey when you are able to tell us.
-Meghan
Stephanie, I’m so sorry things are hard right now. Real life is far more important than blog life. No worries on that front.
Stephannie- Hang in there! Sending you good vibes and hugs.
Prayers for you and your family, Stephannie.
+1 on that.
I think that we as the audience/readers need to remember that we need to be as graceful as the bloggers have been. This is not a school where they are to be treated like children when life issues arises…being “scolded” almost.
They are not getting paid. They are doing this voluntarily to help them as they embark on their journeys. Sometimes, that journey has many pitfalls just like a normal life has. That’s part of the journey. Some of us need to stop being so self-righteous.
It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have read these bloggers’ opinions, advice, and efforts. I love this site. I come to it almost every day. But lately, it’s been full of catty behavior and unnecessary drama on the behalf of some of the commenters, that I want to stay away from being tempted into reading all this negativity.
Stephannie,
know that you have a lot of sympathy from your readers. It’s clear from your post, and your followup comments on this thread, that you’re in a wrenching family situation and am so sorry to hear it. Wishing a quick resolution or at least improvement in the situation as soon as possible. We’re thinking of you and pulling for you.
Sending prayers your way. Thank you for letting us know that something that requires all of your focus is on your plate. Take care of you and your family. Thank you again for letting us know that is what is going on.
I have been a reader of this blog for quite some time as I like to hear from others going through the same type of debt payoff that I am. I also used to like to read the comments from other blog readers as they had some great advice or different ideas. However this has changed recently. I greatly dislike the commentators on this blog who engage in such negativity. This woman is clearly going through a difficult time and commentators want to complain about her lack of blogging. It is silliness and inappropriate. I felt the same way in how Jim was treated. Life happens. We can’t control everything in our lives nor can we do anymore than learn from our mistakes and apologize. Stephannie, if a loved one is ill, spend as much time as you can with that person (and take time for yourself and your family) and don’t even worry about this obligation. I wish you the very best and that more positive news is on the horizon for you and your family!
Sorry to hear you are going through a tough time. Sending prayers your way. Take care, Stephanie.
Dear Stephannie – you were missed today. Praying that all is okay with your mom. I know that is a hard thing to go through. One day (or sometimes minute) at a time. Thinking of you.