Debt Dumpers - 2014

[OhMari]

So I called today to "cancel" my phone, internet and cable. Was thinking of switching as a competitor has incentives to switch. I mentioned this to them and they said since I was such a great customer they would see what they could do ..... Then they came back with a few added bonuses and offered to drop it from $145/mth to $65 for the next 6 mths. So that's $480 over the 6 mths extra to go towards our savings or debt.

I told them I'd think about it. Maybe they will offer me more!

You are lucky you can do this.. In our area we have no competitive cable companies, just one and my cable bill went up $8 in fee's. So when you call you they tell you your internet is still $49 and digital cable is $69. We pay an extra $25 for DVR, plus another $5 for a digital box. I pay over $22 in taxes and fees. We also noticed another channel line change up and some of our favorite channels went into a different tier and we keep seeing a message that says, "upgrade your cable package, press enter now." I could give up cable tv, but my dh could not.

 

[gracie1]

You are lucky you can do this.. In our area we have no competitive cable companies, just one and my cable bill went up $8 in fee's. So when you call you they tell you your internet is still $49 and digital cable is $69. We pay an extra $25 for DVR, plus another $5 for a digital box. I pay over $22 in taxes and fees. We also noticed another channel line change up and some of our favorite channels went into a different tier and we keep seeing a message that says, "upgrade your cable package, press enter now." I could give up cable tv, but my dh could not.

It's funny when you start adding on the little extra's how it adds up! I am thinking of just keeping the dvr in the living room and getting rid of the two in the bedrooms. I think that would save me $10 or $20 per month. I can't remember what I'm paying on them. But that's a savings

 

[momof2gr8kids]

You are lucky you can do this.. In our area we have no competitive cable companies, just one and my cable bill went up $8 in fee's. So when you call you they tell you your internet is still $49 and digital cable is $69. We pay an extra $25 for DVR, plus another $5 for a digital box. I pay over $22 in taxes and fees. We also noticed another channel line change up and some of our favorite channels went into a different tier and we keep seeing a message that says, "upgrade your cable package, press enter now." I could give up cable tv, but my dh could not.

I'd be fine cutting off cable as well. But dh loves his sports. If you could get only a sports package, he'd be fine. But they tier you to death, putting a couple good channels in with crappy ones.

Our cell phone market just opened up and we're almost at the end of our commitment. Gonna see what I can do there too since the company that had the monopoly is losing customers to others now.

 

[dtr_angel]

You are lucky you can do this.. In our area we have no competitive cable companies, just one and my cable bill went up $8 in fee's. So when you call you they tell you your internet is still $49 and digital cable is $69. We pay an extra $25 for DVR, plus another $5 for a digital box. I pay over $22 in taxes and fees. We also noticed another channel line change up and some of our favorite channels went into a different tier and we keep seeing a message that says, "upgrade your cable package, press enter now." I could give up cable tv, but my dh could not.

That's how it is here too, only one cable company. We had one of those triple play with DVR and extra channels... Went from 129 the first year to 155 the second. The third year it hit 175 and I said no way! We tried everything to get a discount no budge. We switched to direct tv for $54 and kept phone and Internet from cable company for $70/ month. Then direct tv went up to 89/year the second year. After our son was born we didn't have time for tv anyway. We got rid of direct TV after the 2 years were up but they at least tried to keep us with great rates but we were done.

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[KaLyn]

So I called today to "cancel" my phone, internet and cable. Was thinking of switching as a competitor has incentives to switch. I mentioned this to them and they said since I was such a great customer they would see what they could do ..... Then they came back with a few added bonuses and offered to drop it from $145/mth to $65 for the next 6 mths. So that's $480 over the 6 mths extra to go towards our savings or debt. I told them I'd think about it. Maybe they will offer me more!

It never hurts to call in! We were paying $750 every 6 months for insurance on 2 cars and a motorcycle. We found another company would charge us $450 every 6 months so we called in and inquired about them price matching. Not only did they match the $450, they cut it in half! We went from paying $750 every 6 months to $225 with no change in coverage!

 

[pryncess527]

I'm back in this year! I dropped off the boards for the end of 2013 so I've been out of touch with everyone, but we have our 2014 budget ready to go and I'm excited to tackle our debt this year!

I'm doubly excited because I got a promotion that came with a nice raise as of Jan 1st. Every penny of the raise is going to debt reduction!!!

DH's contract ends in March and he's so miserable at work, March 31st can't come soon enough. He has a few prospects for a new job that will be much better, so fingers crossed that it works out. I'm eager to have another raise we can throw at debt to make it all go away as soon as possible.

Also really excited to start 2014 with YNAB. We started it mid-way through 2013, so this will be our first full year. We've got all our annual expenses planned out and I'm excited about starting the year with better financial awareness than we've ever had before.

 

[Chelley00]

Grrrr. We've been under a snow emergency since Sunday. DH and I neither one are able to go to work which is unpaid. I can work this weekend to make up for it but DH cannot. It's always one step forward, two steps back.

 

[pryncess527]

I guess it is confusing how I put it!! I have a 401k with work - they will match $50 per pay, so I contribute $100 per month and they contribute $100 per month. I do not do the mutual funds (or stock or whatever it is) I just have it sitting in with a fixed rate (almost like a savings account). Then I was debating on whether just using my regular savings account at the bank for retirement or opening a Roth Ira. I haven't looked at the rates. Or maybe I will do some cd's - that is a good idea and they do have some really good intro rates when you open them. I just didn't think that the interest rate on an Ira is much higher than the interest rate on a savings account. I don't do mutual funds though. I know that you can really make some money off of them, but I just feel like it's gambling and I don't like that!! lol

The interest rates may not be much different, but my understanding is that the tax implications are. When you put money into savings, you paid taxes on that money when you earned it. You will also pay taxes on the interest you make each year.

If you put the money into a Roth IRA instead, you will pay taxes on the money when you earn it, but you will NOT pay taxes on the money when you withdraw it. You will only pay a penalty if you withdraw the principle early, you can withdraw the growth before retirement with no penalty.

Having money in a Roth IRA that you can draw on, tax-free, when you are retired will be more desirable, IMO, than building up an emergency fund where you pay taxes on the growth. I still have an emergency fund of course, but retirement savings are separate.

 

[treeface]

Grrrr. We've been under a snow emergency since Sunday. DH and I neither one are able to go to work which is unpaid. I can work this weekend to make up for it but DH cannot. It's always one step forward, two steps back.

Same here. DH and I were both off yesterday, although I used a vacation day. Today, I am still home because the county where we live lifted the snow emergency but where I work is still under it and we haven't seen a plow yet. DH got a ride to work today in 4wd vehicle, no luck for me. Really hurts the debt dumping and budget after $1000 in car repairs the past 3 weeks!

 

[gracie1]

Same here. DH and I were both off yesterday, although I used a vacation day. Today, I am still home because the county where we live lifted the snow emergency but where I work is still under it and we haven't seen a plow yet. DH got a ride to work today in 4wd vehicle, no luck for me. Really hurts the debt dumping and budget after $1000 in car repairs the past 3 weeks!

Ouch! Car repairs cost a fortune (especially when unplanned!) I was moaning and groaning all the way to work today because it felt like the thermostat was not working on my car. Which is typical - this would be the 4th one I'm just hoping it's because it is soooo cold outside that my car wasn't able to keep up

 

[gracie1]

I'm back in this year! I dropped off the boards for the end of 2013 so I've been out of touch with everyone, but we have our 2014 budget ready to go and I'm excited to tackle our debt this year!

I'm doubly excited because I got a promotion that came with a nice raise as of Jan 1st. Every penny of the raise is going to debt reduction!!!

DH's contract ends in March and he's so miserable at work, March 31st can't come soon enough. He has a few prospects for a new job that will be much better, so fingers crossed that it works out. I'm eager to have another raise we can throw at debt to make it all go away as soon as possible.

Also really excited to start 2014 with YNAB. We started it mid-way through 2013, so this will be our first full year. We've got all our annual expenses planned out and I'm excited about starting the year with better financial awareness than we've ever had before.

Welcome back!!!!!

 

[PrincessKymm]

I haven't dumped any debt really but my car is sneaking close to the 4k mark! I'm planning on paying that off as quickly as possible. I did however get my act together on some other financial stuff. I upped my 401k another percent, I realigned my withholdings for federal and I will be enrolling in short term disability through Aflac. I actually feel like I've got my stuff together!

I did receive one medical bill so I've got to dig out my EOB and make sure they match. I've got medicine to pay for and of course one credit card that I charged new work clothes too. I'm pretty mad I spent so much when now I'll be moving to a new position and need to go buy suits! The position I'm in now is business casual so I'm hoping I can work with some of what I have but UGH! So more money I have to cough up now.

I'm a little behind where I wanted to be for January 2014 but it's my year and it's gonna be great!

 

[southlakejr]

So, the dryer decided to up and quit this last week. Wasn't even considerate enough to give two weeks notice! Luckily for us, my sister purchased a new dryer a year ago, but just moved to a place where they don't have a gas hookup. So, we are "babysitting" her dryer. Three cheers for free! It also inspired me to finally get our laundry area rearranged and organized- previous homeowner had set it up to where you had to reach over the laundry sink to empty the washing machine. Between some shelf brackets and a cabinet we weren't using elsewhere and leftover paint from other projects, we now have a brand new laundry space for less than thirty bucks! Credit to YNAB for encouraging me to stick to our budget instead of just buying new.

Unfortunately, we got some bad news last night. Turns out DH is further away from his AA than we had thought, so three more quarters. Ugh. Especially because his pay will increase by 25% or so as soon as he has the AA. Looking into ways to maybe cut it down to two quarters instead, that extra $ would sure come in handy!

 

[dtr_angel]

It's really hard to explain how my DH's job works so I'm not even going to try to explain. He was marked up on a job off Sunday and Monday. He got bumped this morning. The only job available to him has off days of Monday and Tuesday so yay he is off tonight (its freezing and he works outside ) BUT that means he is going to lose a day's pay I'm sorry to hear other people on here are losing pay due to the weather. I hope everyone is staying warm though!

DH just reminded me that he will be getting a raise in May.

It's too soon to call it for sure, but it looks like we are going to come in under budget for groceries this month (we will only need perishables, have enough now for meals for the entire month!) and I didn't even have to touch Christmas gift cards! I'm saving those for the weeks when we are running short. Now to decide at the end of the month where to direct the leftover money... I'm thinking extra payment to the car. All "extra money" (anything unexpected like rebate checks, or the little bit I get from ebay sales) goes to vacation so I think I'll direct leftover budget money to the car.

 

[danygirl]

I'm in. This is my time and this is the year we will get out of debt.

 

[Sew into Disney]

Just wanted to give hugs hugs to those of you that are losing money because of snow days. I feel your pain and stress at losing work days. I lost 4 work days this last month because of snow. I only work 15 days in the month of December so losing 4 of them is going to be killer on my paycheck.

Keeping my head up though as money always has a way of finding me just when I need it. : This is just a little bump in the road.

Oh and my child support that I thought would be here yesterday is not. In fact the DA's office sent his last payment back to him. : They couldn't tell me when I would get the payment for this month. Good thing I have been saving money since August and I have money to get by until my paycheck next week.

 

[tgeorge0207]

I am back on board for 2014 I fell off the wagon in 2013 after making a good dent in our debt. I am happy to say 2014 has brought new changes to my family as we will be adding baby #4. Baby will be here in August and by then all credit cards should be gone unless something comes up. I am not proud to say we have 15 of them all relatively small amounts and as of right now 6 our paid off.

The only thing I am scared of is a have job that if I can not preform it while pregnant I cannot work and go unpaid so I am hoping for a good pregnancy and no complications. Here is to a wonderful new year.

It sounds like so many have a great start to there new year and for the few that have came across issues many to you!

 

[gracie1]

Glad to see everyone coming on board

tgeorge - congrats on expecting the new little one! I hope that everything goes smoothly and you don't have to miss any work!

sewintodisney - sorry to hear about the child support check - sometimes I wonder what is wrong with our system

So far I am pretty much on track for this month. Hoping to keep it that way, but with this cold weather I have a feeling there will be an increase in my bills

 

[SpaceGirl]

I don't do mutual funds though. I know that you can really make some money off of them, but I just feel like it's gambling and I don't like that!!

Good Morning Everyone

Gracie

I understand about being reluctant to invest in Mutual Funds and I would never recommend you do anything that makes you uncomfortable.

They are for long term investments with money you wouldn't be drawing out for say twenty-thirty years. When I was in my late twenties my company offered us a 401k I funded it to the Max purchasing just my companies stocks, (which is something I would never now advise anyone to do) later they started offering other options with the Mutual Funds so I diversified keeping some investments in guaranteed interest and several Mutual Funds I was able to retire at 49 and have loved every minute. I know that every case is different but there are a lot of safe Funds available. While you are researching just check out your options.

If you are a USAA member or can become a USAA member they offer Free Financial investing advise.

I have been waiting until today to send my bills out for next month, I actually was able to pay my Amazon card with my rewards....

Starting to dump my Christmas Debt ASAP.

 

[SpaceGirl]

I am back on board for 2014 I fell off the wagon in 2013 after making a good dent in our debt. I am happy to say 2014 has brought new changes to my family as we will be adding baby #4.

Congratulations