Debt Dumpers - 2014

[jenny105]

How did I miss the start of the new thread?

I have $4900 in CC debt. Ugh. I have two cards - one with a $2100 balance and the other $2800. My goal for 2014 is to get one of the cards paid off and also set some money aside for an emergency fund (this is what leads to me using my CCs). Wish me luck!

 

[gracie1]

I'm hoping that 2014 won't see any unexpected expenses like the $22k bill I got for fixing our side sewer to our house. Ouch. I canceled our cable TV and started riding my bike to work to cut expenses.

Ouch!! That is one huge unexpected expense! Hoping for a better 2014 for you!

 

[1andrea]

I think that the fact I don't live in America causes my increased outgoings.

You see I LOVE America and all American foods especially American snacks. English food just compare for me and this is straining my budget!!

When we last visited America I returned with 10kg of hand luggage full of my three favourite things (and I filled DD and my partners hand luggage with other American snacks!

1. Cinnamon Belvita
2. Stacys Pitta Chips
3. Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

My Pitta chips ran out ages ago so I bought some small bags online for $3 per individual bag.

My cinnamon almonds ran out before Christmas and I can't find them online (I've tried to make them but they're not the same)

And I have one last packet of Cinnamon Belvita to savour for New Years Eve. These are sooooo expensive online.

If I lived in America I wouldn't have this issue!!!

NOT FAIR!!!!

 

[Eureka]

We have to take our Odyssey in for repairs this weekend...the Honda place estimates $2000, ouch! But we take it somewhere else so hoping it's a bit less. We have savings to cover it but it will take a chunk of our savings. Every time we get somewhere, I feel like it's one step forward two steps back. I guess I am happy we will not have to put yet more on the cc. On our drive home from MA to MD we talked about the car stuff, the fact that we have more cc debt than we ever have had and how we need to cut spending, so at least DH and I are on the same page. January is going to be a fresh start, and we know we'll be getting a tax refund in the spring to put toward the cc, and/or the final payment for our beach rental and/or more car repairs (the van's 10 yrs old now...). I just wanted to build up savings just a little longer, sigh.

 

[Eureka]

I'm in again. We accrued the same amount of debt as we dumped this past year. We totally misjudged how much travel ball would cost and our DD fell in love with musical theater and was in 5 shows this year. That coupled with a reduction in my pay did not make for some good months. We now have a grip on actual costs so can save more for their activities. We are on board to dump our debt!

I try to set aside something each month so when soccer or swim team signups or camp registrations come along, it's not as much of a shock.

 

[Eureka]

Anyone have any great blogs they read for inspiration? I love The Simple Dollar and Girls Just Wanna Have Funds, but I'm always looking for others.

I read Gail Vaz-Oxlade's blog. Like her a lot. She also posts recipes and book suggestions from time to time.

 

[Eureka]

Welcome everyone! I'm so glad to see how many people have joined the thread already!! I went on a little shopping spree today- and honestly I haven't really bought many clothes or shoes in over a year. I haven't even looked at the receipts yet. I know I have enough in my savings to pay for it when the bill comes in, but I just hate how much clothes and shoes cost!! I fell in love with Clark's shoes a year ago- only had 2 pair of clogs so that was my main splurge today.

Oh, and for those that followed me on the other thread with my major dental expenses- thought you would find it funny that I almost ran over my dentist shopping today! I'm hoping he didn't notice it was me driving when I go to my next visit! Lol.

Good for you! Yes, we are all trying to reduce debt but once in a while you need a little fun. I found out this summer that Clark's shoes are totally worth the price.

 

[gracie1]

Good for you! Yes, we are all trying to reduce debt but once in a while you need a little fun. I found out this summer that Clark's shoes are totally worth the price.

I agree about the Clark's shoes! I just donated all the shoes that hurt my feet to the thrift store today!

 

[gracie1]

I think that the fact I don't live in America causes my increased outgoings. You see I LOVE America and all American foods especially American snacks. English food just compare for me and this is straining my budget!! When we last visited America I returned with 10kg of hand luggage full of my three favourite things (and I filled DD and my partners hand luggage with other American snacks! 1. Cinnamon Belvita 2. Stacys Pitta Chips 3. Cinnamon Roasted Almonds My Pitta chips ran out ages ago so I bought some small bags online for $3 per individual bag. My cinnamon almonds ran out before Christmas and I can't find them online (I've tried to make them but they're not the same) And I have one last packet of Cinnamon Belvita to savour for New Years Eve. These are sooooo expensive online. If I lived in America I wouldn't have this issue!!! NOT FAIR!!!!

What is cinnamon belvita? I love, love, love Stacy's pita chips! Especially the bruschetta flavored ones I get at bjs! Yum!

 

[Eureka]

Had to laugh about the pita chips. My 13 yr old comes home and scarfs down about half a bag after school. I get the extra large bags at BJ's now.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

How did I miss the start of the new thread?

I have $4900 in CC debt. Ugh. I have two cards - one with a $2100 balance and the other $2800. My goal for 2014 is to get one of the cards paid off and also set some money aside for an emergency fund (this is what leads to me using my CCs). Wish me luck!

I'm with you there. I didn't even realize it said 2014.

We have to take our Odyssey in for repairs this weekend...the Honda place estimates $2000, ouch! But we take it somewhere else so hoping it's a bit less. We have savings to cover it but it will take a chunk of our savings. Every time we get somewhere, I feel like it's one step forward two steps back. I guess I am happy we will not have to put yet more on the cc. On our drive home from MA to MD we talked about the car stuff, the fact that we have more cc debt than we ever have had and how we need to cut spending, so at least DH and I are on the same page. January is going to be a fresh start, and we know we'll be getting a tax refund in the spring to put toward the cc, and/or the final payment for our beach rental and/or more car repairs (the van's 10 yrs old now...). I just wanted to build up savings just a little longer, sigh.

I know just how you feel. My Sienna has been great needing nothing but oil changes for 8 years. Last year's Christmas gift $ went to new tires at which time they told me to start planning for new brakes down the road too. I really drive very little since I take the train to work so I've put off the brakes til now. I got a coupon in the mail from Toyota for $199 brakes and $24.99 oil change. When I took it on Saturday I was told it's leaking power steering fluid and I'll need a rack & pinion assembly which is another $1200. Then anytime you mess with steering, you should get an alignment.
Also the engine air filter was extremely dirty which made some throttle thingy dirty & needed cleaning, $40 + $69. I have to admit it does accelerate much smoother and not all herky-jerky like it was before. Sometimes things creep up so gradually you don't even feel it changing.

I never noticed it leaking steering fluid but then again whenever I'm home, my car is in the garage so it hides all the drippy spots. Once my car was gone for the day, I could see all the little spots on my garage floor, much lighter than the color of an oil leak.
Really I can't complain though. Brakes, tires & oil changes are normal maintenance; it has to get done. It's been a great car for me. It's a 2006 and only has 37k miles on it so it should last me a really long time.

I considered for a minute that we should decline the air filter since that's an easy fix dh could do but now we'll know for next time. Siennas also have a cabin air filter (for pollen, dust, allergens, etc.) which needed changing but that will just have to wait for her next doctor visit. I can only choke down so much at a time.

Just wanted to tell everyone so little problems don't turn into big ones: look at the area where you park your car for fluid leaks and change your engine's air filter.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Wow, just checked Amazon for the cabin air filter. This is an easy fix. I don't even think I'd have to bother dh for this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010E1LYY/ref=ox_ya_os_product

Yay!

And I found it just in time to qualify for the $3 rebate.

Finally, a tiny break!

$10 is way better than the $45 Toyota wanted to install one.

 

[Zhoen]

I think that the fact I don't live in America causes my increased outgoings.

You see I LOVE America and all American foods especially American snacks. English food just compare for me and this is straining my budget!!

When we last visited America I returned with 10kg of hand luggage full of my three favourite things (and I filled DD and my partners hand luggage with other American snacks!

1. Cinnamon Belvita
2. Stacys Pitta Chips
3. Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

My Pitta chips ran out ages ago so I bought some small bags online for $3 per individual bag.

My cinnamon almonds ran out before Christmas and I can't find them online (I've tried to make them but they're not the same)

And I have one last packet of Cinnamon Belvita to savour for New Years Eve. These are sooooo expensive online.

If I lived in America I wouldn't have this issue!!!

NOT FAIR!!!!

Ahhh... see, I *LOVES* me some Jellybabies, and *IF* you can find them stateside, they are UNGODLY expensive... so maybe we can work ourselves out a little arrangement... ;D

 

[danielle79]

I'm here, still have debt in 2014!!! Hoping to kick a lot of cc debt to the curb this upcoming year!!!

 

[superme80]

I am in. We don't have a lot of debt, but we do need to start saving more. 2013 had some huge suprise expenses *cough DS #3 cough* So I will be cheering everyone on and hoping for a better financial 2014!

 

[1andrea]

Ahhh... see, I *LOVES* me some Jellybabies, and *IF* you can find them stateside, they are UNGODLY expensive... so maybe we can work ourselves out a little arrangement... ;D

I would love a little arrangement!

I would be so grateful, I'd literally buy you anything you want from here and post it to you!

It would really help me save some money too as I wouldn't have to pay mean Amazon prices!!

X

 

[1andrea]

I would love a little arrangement!

I would be so grateful, I'd literally buy you anything you want from here and post it to you!

It would really help me save some money too as I wouldn't have to pay mean Amazon prices!!

X

And in August when I come to visit I can bring as many Jelly Babies you want and post them to you from the US which will save even more!

:0)

 

[1andrea]

I am in. We don't have a lot of debt, but we do need to start saving more. 2013 had some huge suprise expenses *cough DS #3 cough* So I will be cheering everyone on and hoping for a better financial 2014!

Arrrrr what a lovely (and very expensive) surprise!

Congratulations xx

 

[1andrea]

I am in. We don't have a lot of debt, but we do need to start saving more. 2013 had some huge suprise expenses *cough DS #3 cough* So I will be cheering everyone on and hoping for a better financial 2014!

Arrrrr what a lovely (and very expensive) surprise!

Congratulations xx

 

[gracie1]

I'm with you there. I didn't even realize it said 2014.



I know just how you feel. My Sienna has been great needing nothing but oil changes for 8 years. Last year's Christmas gift $ went to new tires at which time they told me to start planning for new brakes down the road too. I really drive very little since I take the train to work so I've put off the brakes til now. I got a coupon in the mail from Toyota for $199 brakes and $24.99 oil change. When I took it on Saturday I was told it's leaking power steering fluid and I'll need a rack & pinion assembly which is another $1200. Then anytime you mess with steering, you should get an alignment.
Also the engine air filter was extremely dirty which made some throttle thingy dirty & needed cleaning, $40 + $69. I have to admit it does accelerate much smoother and not all herky-jerky like it was before. Sometimes things creep up so gradually you don't even feel it changing.

I never noticed it leaking steering fluid but then again whenever I'm home, my car is in the garage so it hides all the drippy spots. Once my car was gone for the day, I could see all the little spots on my garage floor, much lighter than the color of an oil leak.
Really I can't complain though. Brakes, tires & oil changes are normal maintenance; it has to get done. It's been a great car for me. It's a 2006 and only has 37k miles on it so it should last me a really long time.

I considered for a minute that we should decline the air filter since that's an easy fix dh could do but now we'll know for next time. Siennas also have a cabin air filter (for pollen, dust, allergens, etc.) which needed changing but that will just have to wait for her next doctor visit. I can only choke down so much at a time.

Just wanted to tell everyone so little problems don't turn into big ones: look at the area where you park your car for fluid leaks and change your engine's air filter.

We change our own filters in our cars too. The cost at the dealer is mostly the labor charge! We change our filters about once every 6 months (my dad used to be a mechanic)

You definitely have a long life left in your van!!! I have 140k miles on my car and I plan on running it till 200k About every 2-3 year it seems to cost about $1500-$2000 in maintenance from something unexpected like belts and leaks, but I would rather have that happen than a car payment each month!