u/AardvarkNo7642

Just a curiosity really. What kevel of respect do you recieve from your scouts?

A little back story: My scouts all call me Mr. (First Name) I dont know where that started or how it caught on for the Troop, but they all do it, even my own kid. If a scout addresses me by name with no Mr. It doesn't bug me, and I dont correct it. They do it to the ASMs as well.

I was at Cubo in January with the pack and overheard a gentleman telling a cub "I am your cubmaster, you will address me as Sir" in a not nice tone, and that didnt sit well with me at all.

I have a couple boys in the Troop that I know Mom and Dad are big on the "Yes Sir, Yes Ma'am" at home, which is fine, its just not my personal parenting style. If they dont address me as sir at meetings I dont correct them like Mom and Dad would.

What are your thoughts? Whats a good balance you keep to maintain the leader - scout dynamic with out being too friendly or too strict for both the boys and the parents?

Title says it. I was a heavy drinker and made some really dumb financial decisions over the last 20 years, mainly credit card usage.

Heres where I sit now:

Income: 2580 every 2 weeks after deductions and retirement savings

2600 / month VA compensation

Expenses:

Mortgage/escrow $1400

Utilities: average for all utilities is about $400

Vehicle payments: 3 vehicles total $1200

Credit card debt (27k @ 18%) right now paying $800

Financed home improvement: payment is $250

Insurance for vehicles: $129

Savings: $250 per paycheck (new since sober)

Savings: $100 per month each for both kids: $200 (new since sober)

Phone plan $160

Internet: 80

Groceries (Edit: Family of 4): $1200-1500 (includes diapers one kid and dog food for 2 large dogs (Edit: 90lb dogs, 1 on special diet due to medical issues)

I try to limit dining out to once a week= about 400 for the month. Life is hectic and sometimes that may end up being 5-600 a month

Leaving me with about $800-$1000 to cover random shit that pops up like vehicle / home maintenance, when one of the kids comes home needing money for school/extracurriculars, dog vaccinations, and hobbies.

Credit card usage has dropped to zero: I was litterally the guy who would drink all my money away and just put stuff on the card, even alcohol; then pay the minimum payment.

My vehicle payments will reduce by $425 next February and then another $260 in June of 2027, and the remainder will be paid by December 2027. I cant really sell one, 1 vehicle is for wife and kids, one is a commuter car for me, and the truck I use to pull trailers quite often, almost on a weekly basis.

How should I prioritize the money I no longer spend on drinking, and the future reduction in vehicle payments?

1 option I was thinking is to split the difference into credit card payments and savings 50/50. Is this a solid plan?

Another option I was thinking about is cashing out a 401 I have, that is sitting at 45k, paying everything off that I can, then maxing out retirement where I can after the fact. (Im 37, have a pension plan through my employer, plus 451b plan, and VA compensation). I would prefer not to do this option if avoidable.

Im not in danger of losing anything, repos, foreclosures etc.. everything is paid on-time.

Thanks for reading my ramble.

Edit: Thank you to every one who is responding. Im reading and taking notes on everything you all are saying even if I dont get a chance to respond.