Debt Dumpers - 2013

[peel]

I just wanted to drop in and say that something incredible happened after DH got acquainted with YNAB. We haven't even set it up yet, only watched the tutorials. I mentioned that I would like to use YNAB to follow Dave Ramsey's basic rules, the first being to put together a $1000 emergency fund. DH, the packrat who never parts with anything without a fight, said, "I bet we've got a thousand dollars worth of stuff we can sell and build that fund up in no time." I swear, this is a miracle. I've only been saying this for YEARS, but it takes someone official to make him see the light.

 

[gracie1]

I just wanted to drop in and say that something incredible happened after DH got acquainted with YNAB. We haven't even set it up yet, only watched the tutorials. I mentioned that I would like to use YNAB to follow Dave Ramsey's basic rules, the first being to put together a $1000 emergency fund. DH, the packrat who never parts with anything without a fight, said, "I bet we've got a thousand dollars worth of stuff we can sell and build that fund up in no time." I swear, this is a miracle. I've only been saying this for YEARS, but it takes someone official to make him see the light.

Way to go with DH!! Not only will it declutter your home but make you money as well!!

 

[zy144622]

I just wanted to drop in and say that something incredible happened after DH got acquainted with YNAB. We haven't even set it up yet, only watched the tutorials. I mentioned that I would like to use YNAB to follow Dave Ramsey's basic rules, the first being to put together a $1000 emergency fund. DH, the packrat who never parts with anything without a fight, said, "I bet we've got a thousand dollars worth of stuff we can sell and build that fund up in no time." I swear, this is a miracle. I've only been saying this for YEARS, but it takes someone official to make him see the light.

This is great news! You must feel great jut knowing your headed in the right direction.

 

[disney-inspired]

Alright so something has come up so I won't be saving as much for WDW as I initially posted. I want to visit my sister and BIL (currently in the midwest/south). So, I will be (if everything is okay with DBIL) flying out for Thanksgiving week.

 

[LSU25]

I just wanted to drop in and say that something incredible happened after DH got acquainted with YNAB. We haven't even set it up yet, only watched the tutorials. I mentioned that I would like to use YNAB to follow Dave Ramsey's basic rules, the first being to put together a $1000 emergency fund. DH, the packrat who never parts with anything without a fight, said, "I bet we've got a thousand dollars worth of stuff we can sell and build that fund up in no time." I swear, this is a miracle. I've only been saying this for YEARS, but it takes someone official to make him see the light.

This is great news!!! awesome

 

[peel]

We set up a lot of YNAB tonight...we found that it will probably take a few weeks to get everything in order, and I took a "chill pill" to offset the panic when seeing the CC balances tallied up in one place and realizing there will be two chemo treatments for our cat in July. But I know this is the first step to getting on track. Thanks for the advice and encouragement, everyone!

 

[gracie1]

We set up a lot of YNAB tonight...we found that it will probably take a few weeks to get everything in order, and I took a "chill pill" to offset the panic when seeing the CC balances tallied up in one place and realizing there will be two chemo treatments for our cat in July. But I know this is the first step to getting on track. Thanks for the advice and encouragement, everyone!

Way to go!! You should be proud of yourself

 

[peel]

Just got an offer to refinance my mortgage....saving $179/month and all closing costs were waived! Next up, research new auto and home insurance. I'm on fire!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Just got an offer to refinance my mortgage....saving $179/month and all closing costs were waived! Next up, research new auto and home insurance. I'm on fire!

Isn't that a great feeling? We refinanced 2 yrs ago so I was hesitant to do it again so soon but it saved us $260/month. That was a huge help in saving for our roof.

We have a small amount of debit that is mostly 0% for limited times or 2.99% so we're not paying a lot of interest but once you start really looking at a budget, you see how much you pay toward debt each month that would otherwise go into savings. I'm saving for our trip right now but come Sept we'll be in power pay-off mode!

 

[peel]

Isn't that a great feeling? We refinanced 2 yrs ago so I was hesitant to do it again so soon but it saved us $260/month. That was a huge help in saving for our roof.

We have a small amount of debit that is mostly 0% for limited times or 2.99% so we're not paying a lot of interest but once you start really looking at a budget, you see how much you pay toward debt each month that would otherwise go into savings. I'm saving for our trip right now but come Sept we'll be in power pay-off mode!

Congratulations on being in such good shape! We have a long way to go but I finally feel like I've got a little more control of the situation. I'm already feeling my stress level dropping a bit.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Congratulations on being in such good shape! We have a long way to go but I finally feel like I've got a little more control of the situation. I'm already feeling my stress level dropping a bit.

Oh, not really in good shape. Debt is debt. Maybe I rationalize in my head that it's not a lot of interest but still, it's very easy to fall when you keep walking on a cliff.

 

[peel]

Oh, not really in good shape. Debt is debt. Maybe I rationalize in my head that it's not a lot of interest but still, it's very easy to fall when you keep walking on a cliff.

OK, good shape compared to my shape.

 

[gracie1]

OK, good shape compared to my shape.

This just made me lol!

 

[pryncess527]

Congratulations on being in such good shape! We have a long way to go but I finally feel like I've got a little more control of the situation. I'm already feeling my stress level dropping a bit.

Yay! I've had the same experience. I don't have more money per month than I did 3 months ago, but I have a much better sense of where it goes, and that control has really helped my peace of mind. I used to never really "know" if we could afford something, it was just kind of a guess. Now I know exactly what we can afford and what we can't, and it makes the actual spending so much more stress free!!

I'm glad your DH started YNAB and his first instinct was to start selling stuff, lol. I had the same response as he did -- seeing the numbers all laid out, I really wanted to increase the income number I've been amazed at what people will pay for my old junk on ebay . . .

 

[AuroraRora]

Yay! I've had the same experience. I don't have more money per month than I did 3 months ago, but I have a much better sense of where it goes, and that control has really helped my peace of mind. I used to never really "know" if we could afford something, it was just kind of a guess. Now I know exactly what we can afford and what we can't, and it makes the actual spending so much more stress free!

This is exactly how I feel too! I keep stressing it to my roommate, who struggles with not knowing where her money goes or what she can afford, or even if she can pay her bills at times. I tell her how much I've paid off since I started this, and she says she can't have that because she makes less than me. But I'm making the same amount, in general, that I always was. I've just re-routed the money to better things, organized what I can and can't afford, and stopped blowing money on dumb stuff. Now when I think abut my finances, it's not a guesstimate (at best!) like it used to be, I KNOW how much is going to x,y and z, how much will be left, if I can afford something or not... and it feels great!

I'm having a bit of a dilemma at the moment - my budget is all organized on the basis of, these are the bills that get paid and then anything left over (which can go up and down based on my work) goes towards the debt. So, I've cut out all non-essential things from my budget so that as much as possible will be left over for extra snowballing. One of my expenses is going to therapy for some issues I've been having, and my therapist and I both think it might be beneficial if we double up on sessions. I pay out-of-pocket and while I think she's an incredible therapist and I could benefit a lot from double sessions, I'm really struggling with the idea of paying double what I pay now per month. I pay her $60/hr and the thought of taking another $240 a month out my extra debt repayment really doesn't sit well with me. But neither does not benefiting from therapy as much as I could be

 

[pryncess527]

That's a tough one. The debt snowball is important, but so is your mental health!!

I assume there is no way to get insurance to cover it?
Or, do you have access to a Healthcare Spending Account? At the very least, you could try and put money into that to cover her visits for next year so they'll be pre-tax income (I did just kind of assume you live in the US . . .)

 

[gracie1]

Bumping thread

 

[PinballFamily]

One of my expenses is going to therapy for some issues I've been having, and my therapist and I both think it might be beneficial if we double up on sessions. I pay out-of-pocket and while I think she's an incredible therapist and I could benefit a lot from double sessions, I'm really struggling with the idea of paying double what I pay now per month. I pay her $60/hr and the thought of taking another $240 a month out my extra debt repayment really doesn't sit well with me. But neither does not benefiting from therapy as much as I could be

Could you maybe double every other session with the therapist to help balance both your health and financial goals?

 

[Doodlebug939]

This is exactly how I feel too! I keep stressing it to my roommate, who struggles with not knowing where her money goes or what she can afford, or even if she can pay her bills at times. I tell her how much I've paid off since I started this, and she says she can't have that because she makes less than me. But I'm making the same amount, in general, that I always was. I've just re-routed the money to better things, organized what I can and can't afford, and stopped blowing money on dumb stuff. Now when I think abut my finances, it's not a guesstimate (at best!) like it used to be, I KNOW how much is going to x,y and z, how much will be left, if I can afford something or not... and it feels great!

I'm having a bit of a dilemma at the moment - my budget is all organized on the basis of, these are the bills that get paid and then anything left over (which can go up and down based on my work) goes towards the debt. So, I've cut out all non-essential things from my budget so that as much as possible will be left over for extra snowballing. One of my expenses is going to therapy for some issues I've been having, and my therapist and I both think it might be beneficial if we double up on sessions. I pay out-of-pocket and while I think she's an incredible therapist and I could benefit a lot from double sessions, I'm really struggling with the idea of paying double what I pay now per month. I pay her $60/hr and the thought of taking another $240 a month out my extra debt repayment really doesn't sit well with me. But neither does not benefiting from therapy as much as I could be

First of all Hugs to you for taking control both financially and mentally in your life. It is not easy and I personally feel that my mental health is connected on some level to my financial health.

You had mentioned that both you and your therapist felt that you could benefit from extra therapy. Obviously this therapy has been beneficial for you so if it is a priority then make it one and add some sessions. I would probably start with one extra session a month and see if he/she feels if there is any stuff that you can do on your own then discuss during your sessions. (Homework if you will) I don't know your specifics but life is about balance and maybe one or two sessions for a few months can help you make even better strides in your mental health and overall health.

 

[AuroraRora]

Could you maybe double every other session with the therapist to help balance both your health and financial goals?

Thanks so much for your support everyone I'm thinking I'll talk to her about the possibility of alternating between 1hr and 2hr sessions every other week, but let her know that some weeks it might be necessary for me to drop down to all 1hrs depending on my financial situation. This month seems to be going well work-wise and I think I'm feeling a little financially ahead of myself, when actually it may not stay consistent. Luckily her schedule is flexible!

How is everyone else's month coming along? I've been working some extra hours this week so as soon as I get out of work I'm taking the check to the bank to put towards my student loan. But I'm taking $5 out of it to treat myself to a cupcake.. shh, don't tell my snowball!