Debt Dumpers - 2014

[DrewMommy]

Hello

My goals for 2014:

1) Pay off 9/13 CC (yes I know this is an obscene amount - $16,000)
2) Build up savings (including Disney savings )
3) Stick to my budget!

 

[dayvewc]

Hello

My goals for 2014:

1) Pay off 9/13 CC (yes I know this is an obscene amount - $16,000)
2) Build up savings (including Disney savings )
3) Stick to my budget!

Hey!!! Welcome!! You can do it. We're here for support!! and we have faith in you!!

 

[dayvewc]

My girls eat better than I do, relatively speaking. lol.

But while it isn't my normal food, I noticed today at Petco that they had Canyon Creek Ranch dog food marked down to half-price. I asked one of the managers (she's a friend of mine) and was told that it wasn't selling as well as corporate liked, so it was being discontinued in the stores.

If you have a local store, it might be worthwhile to check if they have any left. I got two 24 lb bag of grain-free food (one of my girls is gluten intolerant) for $24.98 + tax each. It was just over $50 for 48 lbs of food, which will feed them for 3-4 months and saved me about $50 (or more) in the process. Like I say, it isn't my favorite food for them, but it is a good quality food and provides a bit of variety to their diet.

Hope that helps someone.

 

[MEM]

I use Straight Talk through Walmart. Can bring your own phone including IPhone and its $45 per month plus taxes. And service is great for us!

I'll look into it, thanks! That would be $135 plus taxes for our 3 phones, instead of $200, if I understand correctly.

 

[gracie1]

Hello

My goals for 2014:

1) Pay off 9/13 CC (yes I know this is an obscene amount - $16,000)
2) Build up savings (including Disney savings )
3) Stick to my budget!

Welcome!! I actually have you beat on the 13 ccs - many,many years ago I had 27. Yep, fresh out of high school. I did it all during the holidays so I could get those discounts. Some I paid off as soon as the bill came in, others I did not - and that was the first time I got myself in cc trouble

 

[Deffenm]

So far I am doing well. I have my budget setup for January and goals for 2014 mapped out. I stuck to my grocery budget for the week and actually had 4 dollars left, which went into savings. The only place I can save money is groceries, gas, and eating out.

 

[gracie1]

So far I am doing well. I have my budget setup for January and goals for 2014 mapped out. I stuck to my grocery budget for the week and actually had 4 dollars left, which went into savings. The only place I can save money is groceries, gas, and eating out.

Way to go! Sounds like you have your plan in action for January! The groceries are the worst budget buster for me! I never seem to find much on sale, because I have weird eating habits Special K is definitely doing well by me!

 

[ariamac]

WELCOME

Which countries will you be visiting in Europe?

The Netherlands, UK, Spain and France (Specifically - Amsterdam, London, Paris and Barcelona! I can't wait!!!

I have postcards from Barcelona and Paris hanging at my desk at work as extra incentive

 

[SpaceGirl]

The Netherlands, UK, Spain and France (Specifically - Amsterdam, London, Paris and Barcelona! I can't wait!!!

I have postcards from Barcelona and Paris hanging at my desk at work as extra incentive

I am so jealous, this spring we took our second trip to Europe. We flew into London Gatwick connecting with the Eurostar train to Paris for a week (LOVE PARIS), we then took the Thalys high speed train to Amsterdam for the tulips at Keukenhof Gardens after 4 days there we flew back to London for a week. This is when my younger sister and niece had to fly home because they both have jobs.

My DH and I continued to Norway to visit the Trolls and the Fjords traveled from Bergen across Norway to Oslo after a visit there we traveled to Edinburgh were we rented a car and spent about 10 days exploring Scotland. Took a sleeper train to Bath via London and a day trip to Cardiff Wales before we headed back to Gatwick then home. We were gone 42 days.

Loved every minute, but all the touring is exhausting so my biggest tip...get great walking shoes and be in good physical shape before you go.

Have Fun
Beckie

 

[ariamac]

I am so jealous, this spring we took our second trip to Europe. We flew into London Gatwick connecting with the Eurostar train to Paris for a week (LOVE PARIS), we then took the Thalys high speed train to Amsterdam for the tulips at Keukenhof Gardens after 4 days there we flew back to London for a week. This is when my younger sister and niece had to fly home because they both have jobs.

My DH and I continued to Norway to visit the Trolls and the Fjords traveled from Bergen across Norway to Oslo after a visit there we traveled to Edinburgh were we rented a car and spent about 10 days exploring Scotland. Took a sleeper train to Bath via London and a day trip to Cardiff Wales before we headed back to Gatwick then home. We were gone 42 days.

Loved every minute, but all the touring is exhausting so my biggest tip...get great walking shoes and be in good physical shape before you go.

Have Fun
Beckie

Sounds like a fantastic trip! I've wanted to see Barcelona since I was a kid so I was just planning a trip there, then my BFF was like umm, how about I meet you in Paris and we can do that for a few days! UMM YES, PLEASE!!! That eventually led to hey, let's do a full-fledged eurotrip!

Thanks for your tips, I'm planning on getting into better shape so I can be a beach whale lol

 

[SpaceGirl]

Sounds like a fantastic trip! I've wanted to see Barcelona since I was a kid so I was just planning a trip there, then my BFF was like umm, how about I meet you in Paris and we can do that for a few days! UMM YES, PLEASE!!! That eventually led to hey, let's do a full-fledged eurotrip!

Thanks for your tips, I'm planning on getting into better shape so I can be a beach whale lol

In Barcelona and Paris you must be very diligent for pickpockets and scam artist, just be careful with your personal space and you'll be great.

If you have any questions just ask...Is this your first visit?

Beckie

 

[ariamac]

In Barcelona and Paris you must be very diligent for pickpockets and scam artist, just be careful with your personal space and you'll be great.

If you have any questions just ask...Is this your first visit?

Beckie

So I've been warned... I'm usually pretty cautious with my surroundings so I'm sure everything will be just fine.

This will be my first visit! I've put Disney World first for the past couple of years, time to change it up and visit Disneyland Paris LOL

Thanks so much for your advice, if I think of anything, I'll be sure to come to you!

 

[gracie1]

I am so jealous, this spring we took our second trip to Europe. We flew into London Gatwick connecting with the Eurostar train to Paris for a week (LOVE PARIS), we then took the Thalys high speed train to Amsterdam for the tulips at Keukenhof Gardens after 4 days there we flew back to London for a week. This is when my younger sister and niece had to fly home because they both have jobs.

My DH and I continued to Norway to visit the Trolls and the Fjords traveled from Bergen across Norway to Oslo after a visit there we traveled to Edinburgh were we rented a car and spent about 10 days exploring Scotland. Took a sleeper train to Bath via London and a day trip to Cardiff Wales before we headed back to Gatwick then home. We were gone 42 days.

Loved every minute, but all the touring is exhausting so my biggest tip...get great walking shoes and be in good physical shape before you go.

Have Fun
Beckie

I am jealous of you!!! That is my dream trip, to go to Paris! One day I will get there! Right now I'm going through my bucket list of cheaper things I want to do or see (such as Broadway shows, etc). However, after working on organizing my taxes yesterday, I could've definitely taken a nice trip to Paris and stayed very fancy Oh well....one day!

 

[SpaceGirl]

Gracie

After hundreds of trips to WDW I just decided EPCOT just wasn't enough. I started reading, planning, wishing and talking about it to DH, our first trip was around 32 days and still there was so much to see and do.

When I was shopping for Christmas I started thinking what would Paris and London be like during Christmas...

Once you have experienced Paris, London and Amsterdam they seem to call you back so next year we maybe headed back.

If you make visiting Paris one of your goals...I know you'll get there.

 

[gracie1]

Gracie After hundreds of trips to WDW I just decided EPCOT just wasn't enough. I started reading, planning, wishing and talking about it to DH, our first trip was around 32 days and still there was so much to see and do. When I was shopping for Christmas I started thinking what would Paris and London be like during Christmas... Once you have experienced Paris, London and Amsterdam they seem to call you back so next year we maybe headed back. If you make visiting Paris one of your goals...I know you'll get there.

I have always said when I finally get there, I would want to go when it's Christmas and see the lights and decorations!

 

[crazycatstacy]

Paid off one credit card this month (it was a small one- only $500) and paid half of another $500 one. will have the other half paid off by the end of the month and I am hopeful to have two more paid off next month. I start paying my student loans next month so I am a bit nervous about how that will all work out but I think I have it planned out.

 

[kmjhmom]

Joining!
My goals for 2014:
Have the last cc paid off (in April)
Get the emergency fund up to $15,000 (by August)

Then I plan on adding a bit extra to each mortgage payment and start saving for DS's college. DS is 11. Any advice on how to save for college? TIA!

 

[dayvewc]

Paid off one credit card this month (it was a small one- only $500) and paid half of another $500 one. will have the other half paid off by the end of the month and I am hopeful to have two more paid off next month. I start paying my student loans next month so I am a bit nervous about how that will all work out but I think I have it planned out.

Congratulations!!! Even if it was "a small one" it is still paid off. Way to go!!

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[dayvewc]

I've really enjoyed this current thread and the 2013 thread. I don't post much on this but read it daily. I posted sometime last year we were debt free except the mortgages (military moves have left us landlords by default two times, so yes, that's a plural)

My question to the crowd is would you put more towards the emergency fund or do both the emergency fund and ROTH IRA when looking at your budget? TIA! I'm not going to spend additional on the mortgages at this point.

Hard to answer for someone else without knowing more about the whole circumstances, but my personal opinion is to build the emergency fund to a minimal level, then contribute towards both. Probably weighted more towards the emergency fund until it is fully funded then equally or shift the weight to the ROTH IRA. This assumes that you are starting with $0 (or close to) in the emergency fund right now.

Now, how much is a "minimal level" and how much is "fully funded" would depend on personal circumstances. For me, the numbers would be $1000 and $7500, with a comfort level of $15,000.

The $1,000 is enough to pay the deductible on my car and homeowners insurance at the same time. The $7500 is close to 3 months take-home pay, and the $15,000 is close to 6 months take-home pay.