Some time ago, freewheat, I got an email from a particularly prominent farmer, ALSO with a good income from an outside job, and up to his ass in debt.
It was particularly worrisome for him because he is perceived as financially sound.
But he was one year's income-payment away from bankruptcy. He was trying to help set up family as well, and machinery as you know, is unaffordable on today's grain prices.
You are indeed not the only farmer feeling broke, frustrated and feeling alone.
Farmers often feel they don't measure up when they hear the next door neighbor talking about the new tractor. Or when they see the fancy half ton go by his place.
What he doen't know, is that too many times, the extravaganzas are not paid for. Some people have a lot of money, granted. I spent a month in New York, and the wealth infiltrated your brain, but again, not all was what it seemed.
Some of the fanciest flyers have declared bankruptcy and left their communities with their burden, and then they turn around and do it all over again. Sometimes, the folks who have committed to spending huge money to make money are often gamblers. This year, I believe, will be a hard one. I think interest rates will soar in the fall. Some others are just really good at making money.
If you really love to farm, look for ways to save money. To work a little on the side. To cut costs. To share machinery. Spot fertilize. Spot spray. Trade work. Get cows on shares. Do what ya gotta do.
Each of us measures up in our own way.
It was particularly worrisome for him because he is perceived as financially sound.
But he was one year's income-payment away from bankruptcy. He was trying to help set up family as well, and machinery as you know, is unaffordable on today's grain prices.
You are indeed not the only farmer feeling broke, frustrated and feeling alone.
Farmers often feel they don't measure up when they hear the next door neighbor talking about the new tractor. Or when they see the fancy half ton go by his place.
What he doen't know, is that too many times, the extravaganzas are not paid for. Some people have a lot of money, granted. I spent a month in New York, and the wealth infiltrated your brain, but again, not all was what it seemed.
Some of the fanciest flyers have declared bankruptcy and left their communities with their burden, and then they turn around and do it all over again. Sometimes, the folks who have committed to spending huge money to make money are often gamblers. This year, I believe, will be a hard one. I think interest rates will soar in the fall. Some others are just really good at making money.
If you really love to farm, look for ways to save money. To work a little on the side. To cut costs. To share machinery. Spot fertilize. Spot spray. Trade work. Get cows on shares. Do what ya gotta do.
Each of us measures up in our own way.
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