Debt Dumpers - 2013

[milwaukeemommy]

Have you looked into Angie's List? There's a membership fee, but you can usually find a coupon code online to reduce the price. Typically, the money you can save will cover the cost of the membership.

Most vendors/contractors offer reduced pricing for Angie's List customers (10%, $100, etc.). There are also the "Big Deals" which are a lot like Groupons, but for home improvement items. I've often seen roofing deals on my local Angie's List site.

Thanks! I get the emails for Angie's List (not sure why?) but never really looked into it, knowing there is a fee to sign up. Maybe I'll check it out further .... we have lots of work to be done on our house in the near future so it might be worth it!

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Thanks. I just found out this afternoon that I got the job I have been interviewing for. It's full time and I will be making more than 3x what I did last year. We have all kinds of plans for that extra money (including trying to pay our house off early) already, lol. I will be commuting into the city three days a week and telecommuting the other two, so some expenses will increase, like gas, parking and I need some clothes. I am so excited!

Congrats! How exciting - and life altering. I can just imagine all the plans running through your head! LOL

 

[momof2gr8kids]

One of my good friends got engaged last month and I have a feeling I'm going to be asked to be a bridesmaid. Better start saving!!! The wedding isn't until fall of next year so I have plenty of time.

I'm happy to say I didn't charge a dime to my credit card all last month and so far so good this month. I have a ways to go to pay the balance down but at least no more is being added!

Good for you with no charges to the credit card!

If you get asked to be a bridesmaid, here's hoping your friend doesn't turn into Bridezilla, expecting everyone to drop a huge amount of cash on a dress and showers, etc. LOL

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Hey,
that is one paid off and three times the minimum amount on the other! You should be proud of that

I sometimes wish I had a bunch of little debts to pay off instead of one big one, so I could get that "rush" of having one paid off!

 

[jenny105]

Good for you with no charges to the credit card!

If you get asked to be a bridesmaid, here's hoping your friend doesn't turn into Bridezilla, expecting everyone to drop a huge amount of cash on a dress and showers, etc. LOL

She's very laidback so I don't think she will but who knows?? She has a pinterest wedding board and she posted a $60 bridesmaid's dress from David's Bridal and I was like 'YES! PICK THAT ONE!'

 

[OhMari]

It's crazy! My older one started high school today & just the amount I had to pay at Open House was nuts! Registration, sports, yearbook, lunch (& my boy can EAT) .... I think I wrote $200 in checks just that night. And he still will need a graphing calculator -- $$$$$$$$

I'm glad someone was able to give you a graphing calculator. I remember when my dd was a Senior and she bought her own and she also needed it for College. Her sister and her brothers ended up borrowing it and she was mad. She paid for something and she wanted to charge them a user fee.

Anyway, we moved her last week and I found the calculator in a box. She still is coveting it, I told her to put it on Craigs List and it sold in 2 hours.

 

[Eureka]

Congrats! How exciting - and life altering. I can just imagine all the plans running through your head! LOL

Yeah, my brain is pretty busy right now. DH wants to focus on the mortgage. He is not as concerned about the credit card. I would like to meet down the middle, don't want that hanging over us but do see his point about being free and clear on the house (we have 12.5 years left on it). Then there are the things like making the kids' activities work that are going through my mind. The thought is if we can each telecommute two days a week, it will be doable without having to hire anyone to chauffeur. (and less driving for DH, who works 50+ miles away (one way)).

Got the background check consent form today, so we are moving in the right direction

 

[ceemys]

She's very laidback so I don't think she will but who knows?? She has a pinterest wedding board and she posted a $60 bridesmaid's dress from David's Bridal and I was like 'YES! PICK THAT ONE!'

lol. I would too! You only wear it once anyway, so as long as it is cheap.

 

[pryncess527]

Yeah, my brain is pretty busy right now. DH wants to focus on the mortgage. He is not as concerned about the credit card. I would like to meet down the middle, don't want that hanging over us but do see his point about being free and clear on the house (we have 12.5 years left on it). Then there are the things like making the kids' activities work that are going through my mind. The thought is if we can each telecommute two days a week, it will be doable without having to hire anyone to chauffeur. (and less driving for DH, who works 50+ miles away (one way)).

Got the background check consent form today, so we are moving in the right direction

No one is giving you a tax break for your credit card interest (of course, if you aren't in the US you may not be getting one for the mortgage either)

And in most cases, I would expect the CC interest to be substantially higher than the mortgage which would make the decision clear, for me. Of course, I know that may not always be the case, if your mortgage interest is high then that might make more sense.

 

[Eureka]

No one is giving you a tax break for your credit card interest (of course, if you aren't in the US you may not be getting one for the mortgage either)

And in most cases, I would expect the CC interest to be substantially higher than the mortgage which would make the decision clear, for me. Of course, I know that may not always be the case, if your mortgage interest is high then that might make more sense.

You are preaching to the choir we have had this same conversation and it is getting close to an argument, so I have backed off. He is a govt contractor up for rebid this year and is 9 years older than I, so he is nervous about things like losing his job, the house, and not being able to retire someday. As long as we don't squander the money, it will all work out is what I am telling myself. And I know we won't. Plus the very fact that I will have a consistent paycheck (unlike freelancing) makes it easier to not use the CC (until my checks arrive etc) and to pay off large chunks each month.

 

[pryncess527]

we have had this same conversation and it is getting close to an argument, so I have backed off.

I completely understand that!

I'm having a mini-celebration today because I checked YNAB and I still have 55% of my grocery budget left AND dinner for the next two nights has been purchased. So I'm actually on track to make it through the month without overspending on groceries . . . what a minor miracle for my household! I'm happy to have made it almost halfway through the month with no budget surprises.

Hope everyone else is having a good September so far

 

[Eureka]

I completely understand that!

I'm having a mini-celebration today because I checked YNAB and I still have 55% of my grocery budget left AND dinner for the next two nights has been purchased. So I'm actually on track to make it through the month without overspending on groceries . . . what a minor miracle for my household! I'm happy to have made it almost halfway through the month with no budget surprises.

Hope everyone else is having a good September so far

That is great! We spent a lot on food, even with my couponing. Really it is things we will and do eat but I like to stock up when there are sales. And there are always sales on something we use, lol.

 

[gracie1]

I completely understand that!

I'm having a mini-celebration today because I checked YNAB and I still have 55% of my grocery budget left AND dinner for the next two nights has been purchased. So I'm actually on track to make it through the month without overspending on groceries . . . what a minor miracle for my household! I'm happy to have made it almost halfway through the month with no budget surprises.

Hope everyone else is having a good September so far

Way to go

 

[LSU25]

Saved $40 from this weeks groceries...since Disney trip 2014 is paid for, I have my first deposit for disney 2015

 

[gracie1]

Saved $40 from this weeks groceries...since Disney trip 2014 is paid for, I have my first deposit for disney 2015

Wow! Your really ahead of the game on your vacations! I'm working on budgeting for 2014!
Today was my dentist appt (yes, another one with quite a few more to come) with a bill of $850. I was in the chair for 3 hours. Excruciating!! Lol. So tomorrow I have to look at the budget and see where I stand. I will more than likely have to dip in my savings, which I didn't want to do but might have to.

 

[milwaukeemommy]

Wow! Your really ahead of the game on your vacations! I'm working on budgeting for 2014!
Today was my dentist appt (yes, another one with quite a few more to come) with a bill of $850. I was in the chair for 3 hours. Excruciating!! Lol. So tomorrow I have to look at the budget and see where I stand. I will more than likely have to dip in my savings, which I didn't want to do but might have to.

At least you have a savings to dip into

 

[honeybunches]

Eureka, I think having a happy husband is worth more than winning the battle. Even if it costs you more in the long run. You and I both know that, but as long as husband is happy that is worth it to me. JMO

I'm having a mini-celebration today because I checked YNAB and I still have 55% of my grocery budget left AND dinner for the next two nights has been purchased.

I really want to learn how to do this program. I missed that sale where it was $15 and now don't want to spring for the $60 version.

On a good note, I've been paying down our upcoming Disney trip little by little. At first we were planning to pay big chunks of it, but it just wasn't happening. Mostly because we never seem to have big chunks of money just sitting around. So whenever I get an Ebates check or something like that in the mail, I've paid it toward the Disney balance. And guess what!! We have paid $2325 just since August 1! That makes me realize (a) how much extra money we just fritter away on normal months and (b) how much I can start paying down credit cards/student loans by doing this same plan. Guess I wasn't all that motivated before but I sure am now!

 

[pryncess527]

Eureka, I think having a happy husband is worth more than winning the battle. Even if it costs you more in the long run. You and I both know that, but as long as husband is happy that is worth it to me. JMO

I really want to learn how to do this program. I missed that sale where it was $15 and now don't want to spring for the $60 version.

On a good note, I've been paying down our upcoming Disney trip little by little. At first we were planning to pay big chunks of it, but it just wasn't happening. Mostly because we never seem to have big chunks of money just sitting around. So whenever I get an Ebates check or something like that in the mail, I've paid it toward the Disney balance. And guess what!! We have paid $2325 just since August 1! That makes me realize (a) how much extra money we just fritter away on normal months and (b) how much I can start paying down credit cards/student loans by doing this same plan. Guess I wasn't all that motivated before but I sure am now!

Congrats on putting so much towards your Disney balance, that's awesome!!

Sinc you are interested, I'd suggest downloading the free trial for YNAB sometime between now and Thanksgiving, to try it out, It will almost definitely go on sale again by Christmas the latest.

 

[pryncess527]

Saved $40 from this weeks groceries...since Disney trip 2014 is paid for, I have my first deposit for disney 2015

That's awesome!

 

[ceemys]

I completely understand that!

I'm having a mini-celebration today because I checked YNAB and I still have 55% of my grocery budget left AND dinner for the next two nights has been purchased. So I'm actually on track to make it through the month without overspending on groceries . . . what a minor miracle for my household! I'm happy to have made it almost halfway through the month with no budget surprises.

Hope everyone else is having a good September so far

Yea! Left over money is great!

Wow! Your really ahead of the game on your vacations! I'm working on budgeting for 2014!
Today was my dentist appt (yes, another one with quite a few more to come) with a bill of $850. I was in the chair for 3 hours. Excruciating!! Lol. So tomorrow I have to look at the budget and see where I stand. I will more than likely have to dip in my savings, which I didn't want to do but might have to.

Boo! Dental work is expensive and SO not fun. Hugs.

Eureka, I think having a happy husband is worth more than winning the battle. Even if it costs you more in the long run. You and I both know that, but as long as husband is happy that is worth it to me. JMO



I really want to learn how to do this program. I missed that sale where it was $15 and now don't want to spring for the $60 version.

On a good note, I've been paying down our upcoming Disney trip little by little. At first we were planning to pay big chunks of it, but it just wasn't happening. Mostly because we never seem to have big chunks of money just sitting around. So whenever I get an Ebates check or something like that in the mail, I've paid it toward the Disney balance. And guess what!! We have paid $2325 just since August 1! That makes me realize (a) how much extra money we just fritter away on normal months and (b) how much I can start paying down credit cards/student loans by doing this same plan. Guess I wasn't all that motivated before but I sure am now!

Great job on paying on your vacation!