Debt Dumpers - 2014

[gracie1]

Thanks for the support everyone!!! I'm grinning like an idiot and work and getting some weird looks. But who cares!!!! This is the best thread ever!!!

You deserve it! Knowing that it's paid off will make you smile all day long I am here at work also - and I am happy to say I am sticking with my New Years Resolution so far - to not let them take advantage of me anymore! So this now provides extra time to hang out on the boards

 

[Eureka]

I hear ya!! Last night my battery died in my minivan. I was so afraid it was something major electrical that was killing the battery since it's less than 3 yrs old.

I'm hoping it's something simple like that but am not counting on it. We have two professional opinions to bring it back to the Honda place since they did the recall repair, then the liaison person I spoke to today completely denies it being related. Of course! I'm taking it in Friday, we'll see what happens.

On a good note, I got paid today and except for mortgage, set aside money for all the rest of the bills this month. DH gets paid Friday so I'll set aside some for the mortgage, the homeowners assoc. dues coming up and make another payment on the Discover card. He gets an extra check this month which will help get us back where I want us to be.

 

[Eureka]

So far, for it being the Toyota dealer, they've been honest & right on the money with their advice.

Our Toyota dealership has not steered us wrong, ever. Our Honda place, not so much. We really think they have no clue but after this weekend, we plan to not go back there for anything.

Glad you're feeling better!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

No way. Tagalongs and Thanks-a-lots are the way to go!

I know how to settle this: get both!

 

[Deffenm]

Deffenm

It's great news about your truck repairs being lower.

Sorry to hear the news about your DH's Aunt, loved ones should always come before worrying about the Budget.

You will succeed in your goals and Pay everything Off. You can do this...

Thank you for the kind and supporting words. I know we will get there. The first part of the year is always tough as we always get unxpected expenses and DH is not coaching so we don't have any extra funds coming in. Once March gets here, I get my bonus, DH starts coaching again, and we usually get our small income tax refund check. I just need to keep a positive outlook and know that things will get better. This thread has been a huge form of support and I am very thankful!

 

[dayvewc]

As long as you ordered Thin Mints you are forgiven...

No way. Tagalongs and Thanks-a-lots are the way to go!

I know how to settle this: get both!

Well, I can't stand thin mints, so didn't do those.

I got Samoas and Tag-Alongs.

Every year I order 6 of each, and then on the 1st of each month I get 1 box. I can exhibit delayed gratification. It's just not easy.

 

[SpaceGirl]

Well, I can't stand thin mints, so didn't do those.

WHAT

Well in that case " What were you thinking...don't you know those little Girl Scout's are trained to make all adults forgo their budgets and empty their bank accounts. SNAP out of it !!!" "

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

After much consideration I have decided to ditch DR's method of prioritizing debts. I've paid off around 5-6 bills, all now in my snowball. Im reworking The Plan to now jump to the highest interest card. Paying the min on it while paying down a much smaller 0% bill is making me sick. Plus its the largest of all monthly payments so paying it off sooner will really add to our snowball.

 

[PrincessKymm]

Kymm Just had a visualization of you there at work Grinning like the Cheshire Cat Wicked

That's been me all day! Lol that is funny!

 

[SpaceGirl]

Kymm

I really am SO Happy for you, I know how hard all this has been...

 

[PrincessKymm]

I'm hoping it's something simple like that but am not counting on it. We have two professional opinions to bring it back to the Honda place since they did the recall repair, then the liaison person I spoke to today completely denies it being related. Of course! I'm taking it in Friday, we'll see what happens. On a good note, I got paid today and except for mortgage, set aside money for all the rest of the bills this month. DH gets paid Friday so I'll set aside some for the mortgage, the homeowners assoc. dues coming up and make another payment on the Discover card. He gets an extra check this month which will help get us back where I want us to be.

Good luck with the repairs! I HATE dealing with auto repairs...or repairs of any kind for that matter. I wish you the best.

It sounds like you are making great progress. Keep it up!!!! You can do this!!!

 

[Eureka]

I got Samoas and Tag-Alongs.

My two favorites! No will power when it comes to those cookies, so I usually don't order any.

 

[Eureka]

After much consideration I have decided to ditch DR's method of prioritizing debts. I've paid off around 5-6 bills, all now in my snowball. Im reworking The Plan to now jump to the highest interest card. Paying the min on it while paying down a much smaller 0% bill is making me sick. Plus its the largest of all monthly payments so paying it off sooner will really add to our snowball.

While I can see the motivation factor of getting rid of a bill, you'll save more money when you attack the highest-interest debt first. I would do exactly the same as you.

 

[dtr_angel]

We had our appointment this morning with our financial adviser to set up our Roth IRA. We ended up getting life insurance and got that started today as well, so 2 birds with one stone. We will have to go back to sign paperwork but it's started! What we are doing right now is doing one Roth IRA to start. We will likely just be doing the minimum for a while ($300/year)After we pay off my car and the student loans, we will start putting more in it. After we can afford to max it out each year (5500) then we will open a second one in my name. We are also going to start a 529 for DS, but not yet. I don't think it makes sense right now to start 2 Roth accounts AND the 529 when we can't contribute a whole lot right now and stretch ourselves too thin. I hope we are doing the right thing!

DH got a check in the mail for his jury service last month. $30 isn't much but right to the vacation fund it goes! We also set a goal to have my car paid off by June 2015. Our first payment was June 2011 and it is a 5 year loan. That's a year early at least (hoping we can do it sooner!) By next month it will be under $12k. Online though it's showing contract end date as November 2016. That's 5.5 years. My math must be off somewhere.

 

[Sew into Disney]

My goodness you have all been super chatty the last 4 days. It took me part of yesterday and today to catch up.

Congrats to those of you that managed to pay off some debt.

Sorry to those of you that have had unexpected expenses.

It has been a frustrating last few days money wise. Due to the snow days I had in December my paycheck was short four days. I am just barely going to make all of the bills this month. DD3 had to go to the Dr. today for eye infections and an ear infection ... that was $30 I was not expecting. I haven't gone to pick up her prescription yet but I am really hoping it is not more than $20 (I have pretty decent insurance ) I also forgot that my gym (that I do not even go work out at because I am lazy ) charges an annual fee of $25. That hit my account this past week. *sigh*

On the plus side ... I have a little money in savings that will cover me this month. Not what I wanted to spend the money on but I am so happy I have been saving and it's there.
I have a sewing business (on top of my full time job) and I will get paid tomorrow for a job I am going to finish tonight. That will hopefully make up for my DD's appointment and prescription today.
AND my paycheck was $105 more than I expected

Trying to stay positive

 

[dtr_angel]

My goodness you have all been super chatty the last 4 days. It took me part of yesterday and today to catch up.

Congrats to those of you that managed to pay off some debt.

Sorry to those of you that have had unexpected expenses.

It has been a frustrating last few days money wise. Due to the snow days I had in December my paycheck was short four days. I am just barely going to make all of the bills this month. DD3 had to go to the Dr. today for eye infections and an ear infection ... that was $30 I was not expecting. I haven't gone to pick up her prescription yet but I am really hoping it is not more than $20 (I have pretty decent insurance ) I also forgot that my gym (that I do not even go work out at because I am lazy ) charges an annual fee of $25. That hit my account this past week. *sigh*

On the plus side ... I have a little money in savings that will cover me this month. Not what I wanted to spend the money on but I am so happy I have been saving and it's there.
I have a sewing business (on top of my full time job) and I will get paid tomorrow for a job I am going to finish tonight. That will hopefully make up for my DD's appointment and prescription today.
AND my paycheck was $105 more than I expected

Trying to stay positive

I'm sorry to hear about your not so great week. I hope your DD is feeling better! Hopefully the prescription isn't too much. Hoping the rest of the month is better!

 

[dtr_angel]

argh... how did I not notice this?! I was just looking at my last pay stub for 2013. They did not take out any federal taxes out of my checks last year! I'll admit though since my work went paperless I barely look at the stubs because I know about how much it should be (I only work 2 days/month so there is usually only one day per pay on there) Now I am sweating tax time... I'm okay with not getting a refund (I'd rather have the money on our pay checks then let the government borrow it) but I don't want to owe!

I picked up a dayshift on Friday so that will be TWO days on this last paycheck in January. Technically that fulfills my hours for this schedule but I might pick up another shift before it ends since I wasn't planning on working my 2nd day until after I worked on the 24th. As long as my mom is willing to watch the toddler another day. DH goes in at 4pm and I get off at 330 (but not usually done "on time" sometimes it could be 1-2 hours later) so she usually is only with DS for about an hour. That's all she can handle him.

 

[Sew into Disney]

argh... how did I not notice this?! I was just looking at my last pay stub for 2013. They did not take out any federal taxes out of my checks last year! I'll admit though since my work went paperless I barely look at the stubs because I know about how much it should be (I only work 2 days/month so there is usually only one day per pay on there) Now I am sweating tax time... I'm okay with not getting a refund (I'd rather have the money on our pay checks then let the government borrow it) but I don't want to owe!

Is it possible that you didn't make enough on each paycheck for them to take Federal taxes out?

 

[PrincessKymm]

My goodness you have all been super chatty the last 4 days. It took me part of yesterday and today to catch up. Congrats to those of you that managed to pay off some debt. Sorry to those of you that have had unexpected expenses. It has been a frustrating last few days money wise. Due to the snow days I had in December my paycheck was short four days. I am just barely going to make all of the bills this month. DD3 had to go to the Dr. today for eye infections and an ear infection ... that was $30 I was not expecting. I haven't gone to pick up her prescription yet but I am really hoping it is not more than $20 (I have pretty decent insurance ) I also forgot that my gym (that I do not even go work out at because I am lazy ) charges an annual fee of $25. That hit my account this past week. *sigh* On the plus side ... I have a little money in savings that will cover me this month. Not what I wanted to spend the money on but I am so happy I have been saving and it's there. I have a sewing business (on top of my full time job) and I will get paid tomorrow for a job I am going to finish tonight. That will hopefully make up for my DD's appointment and prescription today. AND my paycheck was $105 more than I expected Trying to stay positive

You will get there! I hope your DD feels better soon!

Just remember you can do this and you will be able to rebuild your savings. Good luck!

 

[gracie1]

Is it possible that you didn't make enough on each paycheck for them to take Federal taxes out?

This is what I was thinking too.

You guys are doing a great job! Sounds like we have all started the new year out right!! Even though we have all had some unexpected expenses hit us, and have even thrown us off budget for a bit, it seems were all determined to make this work! Great job everyone

Can't wait to hear all the debt dumping stories over the weekend (I always look forward to them after payday )