Debt Advice Desperately Needed....Please!

[hsmamato2]

Of course, that is also a possible income producer if Crystal is pregnant as they are purebred dogs. But she has had three litters in the past and I felt that was plenty. I have never bred them for money but to try to improve our line. But I could sell whatever pups, IF she is pregnant, which would help pay some bills. .

oh- I didn't read they were show dogs- that's a whole different ball game than a hound on the back porch scarfing up picnic crumbs.... sadly,showing/breeding dogs doesn't make much money,but it does cost a lot. You should either sell the dogs to another breeder if you want to see the line keot going,or 'fix' them and just keep them as pets. Showing is so out of your cost range right now,and puppies are SO costly to birth,maintain properly,etc.

 

[sorul82?]

Ok, I was just out mowing our front yard and almost stepped directly on a snake! Yikes! But he was a small fellow and I think I scared him more than he scared me. I yelled louder than he did though!

Probably a Red Rat or Corn snake. I really don't know my snakes so I am only guessing. We get a lot of Black Racers in our yard too. Two days ago I saw two Bobcats running down the street. They then circled my neighbors house and took off again. A beautiful site!

I just wanted to post one of the other things we are doing to help defray some of our smaller cost concerns. We have planted a small vegtable garden in our backyard. We have some tomatoe plants (both better boys and sweet 100's), some potatoes, cucumbers and cantaloupe. It won't feed us completely but the kids and I have had a great time planting and watching it grow. We have enjoyed several of the little tomatoes but are still waiting for the big tomatoes to mature and turn red. For those of you looking to make your grocery dollar go just a little bit further this is one idea I can pass on to you in return for the advice you have been giving me.

I really can't say thank you enough!

Snakes! Ugg!!

As for your garden, if you have extras one week, you could sell them. I don't mean rent a space at the farmer's market, but on a street corner or parking lot. Of course get permission from the property owner, but it is a thought and something I am considering.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Possibly Brutal, but this is survival mode:

1) Must Pay
. . . car payment, but if too high, dump the car and get a cheap used one
. . . food, but be a frugal as possible and do a lot of coupons
. . . utilities
. . . home phone land-line for dial-up internet as a job seeking resource
2) Don't Pay
. . . credit cards, since $35,000 is tough even at minimum payments
. . . cable TV, including basic cable stations
. . . cell phones
3) Sell
. . . DVC contracts
4) Optional
. . . do not cash 401(k) until everything above exhausted
. . . cut house insurance and car insurances to $1000 deductibles or greater
. . .

 

[candizfan]

I am sorry to hear of the problems you are facing.

I agree that the DVC should be sold.

Think basics. House, groceries, one car, insurance. Everything else is extra and needs to be cut. We have been there too and it is a hard lesson to learn but hopefully things will pick up soon.

Try temporary agnecy work. It allows employers to hire for short term needs but usually pays close to what the job is worth and will bring you a pay cheque until times change.

If you can't find work in your area, you may need to consider moving.

It is hard to change your standard of consuming. Somehow we find our "worth" tied to the extra we have or extra things we do (like vacation) and to cut them out makes us feel like we are not worthy. But your family is worth setting the right priorities and taking care of their NEEDS. Don't feel guilty as a lot of people are in the same boat.

A lot of people think they are paying the bills but have $30,000 + in credit card debt. I hope a lot of people learn they are not paying the bills if they have credit card debt but are living above their means. It is sad that at some point, to carry huge consumer debt, became the norm for a lot of people.

I hope you find work soon. All the best to you.

 

[mrsklamc]

One PP said that not paying your credit cards wouldn't hurt your credit right away. Yes, it will. I am mostly saying that for other readers though because in your case you may not have a choice and the CCs should the last thing paid.

You might apply at KGB.com. Personally I'm not doing it anymore because I couldn't make more than $3 an hour and that's not worth it to me. But in your situation it may well be.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Something else to consider - as you said back early



If you plan to stay in accounting (and since you hated your job, the time may be ripe for a switch), its probably pretty important to realize that future employers are likely going to pull a credit check on you. And, they, like you, are going to believe an accountant should know better. If you are going to stay in an accounting related field, you need to do everything you can to get your credit score back up and avoid both foreclosure and bankruptcy.

Sage advice.

 

[sk!mom]

Something else to consider - as you said back early



If you plan to stay in accounting (and since you hated your job, the time may be ripe for a switch), its probably pretty important to realize that future employers are likely going to pull a credit check on you. And, they, like you, are going to believe an accountant should know better. If you are going to stay in an accounting related field, you need to do everything you can to get your credit score back up and avoid both foreclosure and bankruptcy.

Very good point! All the more reason to do everything possible to generate as much cash as possible to cover things until you get back to work.

 

[wall*e2008]

I am going to have to swallow my pride and admit the trouble we are in so that we can get some good advice and help. We are a family with five children and have always had just enough money to get by from month to month. Not enough to put into savings but enough to pay all of the bills and anything that might pop up as a 'surprise'.

.... We have a bit over $35,000 in credit card debt.


... We also have a couple of DVC contracts that we owe money on in addition to cell phones, life insurance, car insurance, cable/phone/internet, car payment, electricity, dues, gas so DH can get to work, groceries and any incidentals (which are never small as we have the five children & pets who are always needing something).

You need to sell all your DVC contracts ASAP.

 

[Shmily1]

I'm so sorry to hear you are going through this. I haven't read every page, but do have a suggestion or two to bring in a little cash.

Do you have friends that have children you could babysit? Around here, that is $75 to $115/ per kid!! If you had several children to watch, you would make pretty good in a week and be spending time with your children too.

Also, have you thought about mystery shopping? You could bring in a little extra and get reimbursed for items such as gas, food, etc.

Online money making could be possible with Chacha or other WAH ventures.

 

[wall*e2008]

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31732492&postcount=4


I was not able to resist either! Oh, the shame!

Two nights over 4th of July in the Poly Garden View Club Level. I couldn't justify the $100/night extra for Lagoon View. Finally I will get the chance to sleep at the Poly! I love DVC....I NEED DVC! But every once in a while I love going back to try out a resort or two. Especially ones we haven't tried yet. Since two of the kids will be visiting Grandma's we will be able to fit in the Poly room with only the five of us.

So that makes four trips so far this year.

1. March Caribbean Beach
2. May VB BC and AKL GV
3. July Poly
4. Dec OKW with possible stays at POP and maybe....??? GF?? We will see.

It is very hard to resist when Disney gives the gift of a discount. Although I don't think the discount is as deep as I have seen it in the past. I was expecting 40% or so but it was closer to 35%.




You wonder why you are $35K in debt and want the mortgage company to help you out but you have just taken 1 trip and have 3 more planned?

You trip #2 is from May 30 - June 7. How do you plan on paying for food etc. when you only have $50 left over for food as it is now. Also you unemployment time is running out and you are going on vacation rather than job hunting?

 

[OceanAnnie]

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31732492&postcount=4


I was not able to resist either! Oh, the shame!

Two nights over 4th of July in the Poly Garden View Club Level. I couldn't justify the $100/night extra for Lagoon View. Finally I will get the chance to sleep at the Poly! I love DVC....I NEED DVC! But every once in a while I love going back to try out a resort or two. Especially ones we haven't tried yet. Since two of the kids will be visiting Grandma's we will be able to fit in the Poly room with only the five of us.

So that makes four trips so far this year.

1. March Caribbean Beach
2. May VB BC and AKL GV
3. July Poly
4. Dec OKW with possible stays at POP and maybe....??? GF?? We will see.

It is very hard to resist when Disney gives the gift of a discount. Although I don't think the discount is as deep as I have seen it in the past. I was expecting 40% or so but it was closer to 35%.




You wonder why you are $35K in debt and want the mortgage company to help you out but you have just taken 1 trip and have 3 more planned?

You trip #2 is from May 30 - June 7. How do you plan on paying for food etc. when you only have $50 left over for food as it is now. Also you unemployment time is running out and you are going on vacation rather than job hunting?

Oh my. That changes the context of things a bit.

 

[snowbunny]

Friskykitten, the post that wall-e2008 references was written May 8. On May 22, you started this thread stating you are flat broke with $35k in debt and looking for suggestions.

I really don't know what to say. Hopefully you had an epiphany in those 2 weeks.

 

[wall*e2008]

Oh my. That changes the context of things a bit.

He is more fun reading. It was posted a month ago.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=31488150&postcount=3


In your own opininon, was it a better view to see the fireworks from the concierge lounge or the "beach"? I am still trying to decide if I want to dish out the extra money to do club level....

 

[wall*e2008]

They own 650 DVC points!!!!!


http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24576182&postcount=8


Another forever borrower. We have 650 points that are never enough. Of course with 5 kids we always have to have a 2 Bdr. And with no vacation time we are only there on Fri and Sat nights which eat up the points way too quickly. I hate weekend points but that is the only time we can go until I earn some vacation time from work. Maybe in late 2009........




Using the $65/point posted earlier today that would yield $42,500!!!!!

 

[pixie921]

Unbelievable. Digging up old posts just to handslap the OP? Why would you do that? Just to make her feel worse, or to show that she's not "worthy" of help? Or just because, as you said yourself, it's "fun"?? That's just sad. And mean.

 

[snowbunny]

deleted...never mind....

 

[wall*e2008]

Unbelievable. Digging up old posts just to handslap the OP? Why would you do that? Just to make her feel worse, or to show that she's not "worthy" of help? Or just because, as you said yourself, it's "fun"?? That's just sad. And mean.

The only sad part is that she is making poor financial decisions even when she is unemployed. That DVC must be sold now and she must stop vacationing when she cannot pay more than her mortgage and then only has $50 to feed a family of 7 plus pets.

 

[pixie921]

Sorry but the OP said her three DVC contracts would only net $4000 in a sale. She's $35k in debt and has at least that much in DVC contracts at current resale prices. Why waste people's time posting babysitting and coupon suggestions?

You're assuming that people who have offered suggestions feel it is a waste of their time. I was one of them, so please don't attempt to speak for me. I certainly don't feel my time was wasted.

If she's ready to make a change, good for her! Lots of people have to hit a "rock bottom" place before they truly open their eyes to their situation (be it financial or even an addiction). From that point forward, suggestions offered are not "a waste of time" -- they're a hand offered to hopefully help someone make that needed change.

But I guess some people would rather just rub someone's face in their mistakes.

 

[JoiseyMom]

To those bashing the OP. She has already said they screwed up, and the 35k in debt is their fault. They bought DVC while they were both working. Neither one expected to lose their jobs, let alone both of them in the same window. No one expects this.

The majority of people today have some sort of unsecured debt. And when you lose your jobs, well the debt gets deeper. Even if you don't have any debt, once the jobs go, the debt will start to grow!! More and more people are being laid off, jobs are scarce, unemployment for some is mroe then they would get at most local retail jobs. Savings at times like this goes quickly.

SHe knows what she has to do, and plans on doing it. But living the life she was and being able to pay her bills, and her debt, ya know..there was nothing wrong with that.

OP, here's hoping you and DH get jobs that are more in league with what you were making! I know how hard it is. My DH was laid off as of the last day of May last year, and just started a full time job 2 weeks ago. He was self employed for the past year, and we were paying our bills. It was tight, and now with the new job it is tighter since he is now making 27k less then the job that laid him off. It is hard, I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Kay1]

Unbelievable. Digging up old posts just to handslap the OP? Why would you do that? Just to make her feel worse, or to show that she's not "worthy" of help? Or just because, as you said yourself, it's "fun"?? That's just sad. And mean.

Whatever you think of Wall*e's decision to post what she did, I have to say I think it might be helpful to the OP to see it all in black-and-white. I mean, really, and those posts aren't especially old.