Debt Dumpers - 2014

[pigletto]

With my pay cut and hours cut, I was able to pick up someone else's hours, because another person quit, and someone else quit this week, so hopefully I can get a few of her hours, since I can easily do a few of her duties. I am back to 30 hours, but at the cut pay. With the extra hours I picked up, the pay is even more of a cut, but at least it is money.

I got a credit card paid off too this month, I have been paying everything extra towards it that I possible could since I knew my pay cut was coming in July. It was my very last credit card.

Congrats on paying off the card!! I'm sorry about your hours but glad for you that you are still getting by.
I do daycare and I'm about to hit my slow season. Everyone takes vacation in the summer and two of my clients are off all summer. If I have money rolling in I have no time. When I have time.. there's no extra money.
Isn't that always the way? My parents bought a family cottage last summer (the only rule is anyone is welcome any time). So for the cost of gas and food we'll have some great trips this summer. So I am grateful for that. And when September rolls around it will be back to busy. So I'll enjoy the time while I have it!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Congrats on paying off the card!! I'm sorry about your hours but glad for you that you are still getting by.
I do daycare and I'm about to hit my slow season. Everyone takes vacation in the summer and two of my clients are off all summer. If I have money rolling in I have no time. When I have time.. there's no extra money.
Isn't that always the way? My parents bought a family cottage last summer (the only rule is anyone is welcome any time). So for the cost of gas and food we'll have some great trips this summer. So I am grateful for that. And when September rolls around it will be back to busy. So I'll enjoy the time while I have it!

My kids both went to family day care and we were committed to paying even when we were off. As long as she was available, we had to pay. That's just how it is around here. Other home day cares were the same way.

She would take 2 weeks off during summer (not consecutive) with no pay but we still paid her if we were able to get those days off work and not have to pay someone else. I just felt that since I get paid vacation time, she should too though not all parents agreed with this and would welcome any chance to not pay her.
I've always felt it's important to keep our day care provider happy/content since she's the one caring for our children for most of their waking hours. If she's happy, she'll continue to do a good job.

 

[OhMari]

Congrats on paying off the card!! I'm sorry about your hours but glad for you that you are still getting by.
I do daycare and I'm about to hit my slow season. Everyone takes vacation in the summer and two of my clients are off all summer. If I have money rolling in I have no time. When I have time.. there's no extra money.
Isn't that always the way? My parents bought a family cottage last summer (the only rule is anyone is welcome any time). So for the cost of gas and food we'll have some great trips this summer. So I am grateful for that. And when September rolls around it will be back to busy. So I'll enjoy the time while I have it!

My parents bought a home on a lake 25 years ago. My parents had the same rule, except my oldest sister kinda made the cottage her cottage. She declared what bedroom was hers, all her kids are grown and married with grand kids, so she is up there almost every weekend. This weekend she invited them all, with no grand kids, and they golfed yesterday and had a fish boil and steaks. My sister paid for the food and golfing this weekend and said this was their Christmas present, since she doesn't know what to buy them. My sister never pays my parents anything. I know the rule which my parents set, but my sister has really taken advantage. They have never taken a vacation anywhere except to my parents cottage. She was bragging the other day as to all the memories she has of her kids growing up at the cottage. Sorry for being off topic here, but it is Father's Day and we usually go to the cottage today, but her family has it taken over. You know what? I wouldn't trade my vacations at WDW than putting up with my cranky sister any day. She is so demanding about keeping the cottage clean, doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, it was never a vacation for me, it was trading my house chores to cottage chores.

 

[pigletto]

My kids both went to family day care and we were committed to paying even when we were off. As long as she was available, we had to pay. That's just how it is around here. Other home day cares were the same way.

She would take 2 weeks off during summer (not consecutive) with no pay but we still paid her if we were able to get those days off work and not have to pay someone else. I just felt that since I get paid vacation time, she should too though not all parents agreed with this and would welcome any chance to not pay her.
I've always felt it's important to keep our day care provider happy/content since she's the one caring for our children for most of their waking hours. If she's happy, she'll continue to do a good job.

I think we just kind of morphed into what we do now. I've had the same families for a long time. For example, one family the kids came here as babies and are now in the second and third grade.. We are all very comfortable together, neighbours and friends. It works well so I don't want to put a contract on it now. I've been doing daycare in my home for 10 years, 7 of which have been in this house with the kids I have now. They are great when I want to go on a trip (usually give them 6 months notice or more). It's kind of a give and take. I did do daycare previously with contracts and pay stipulations but I've found with this group we mesh well, are respectful of eachothers needs and it works without one. Less daycare time is more cottage time so it all evens out in the end.

My parents bought a home on a lake 25 years ago. My parents had the same rule, except my oldest sister kinda made the cottage her cottage. She declared what bedroom was hers, all her kids are grown and married with grand kids, so she is up there almost every weekend. This weekend she invited them all, with no grand kids, and they golfed yesterday and had a fish boil and steaks. My sister paid for the food and golfing this weekend and said this was their Christmas present, since she doesn't know what to buy them. My sister never pays my parents anything. I know the rule which my parents set, but my sister has really taken advantage. They have never taken a vacation anywhere except to my parents cottage. She was bragging the other day as to all the memories she has of her kids growing up at the cottage. Sorry for being off topic here, but it is Father's Day and we usually go to the cottage today, but her family has it taken over. You know what? I wouldn't trade my vacations at WDW than putting up with my cranky sister any day. She is so demanding about keeping the cottage clean, doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, it was never a vacation for me, it was trading my house chores to cottage chores.

Ugh.. I am sorry to hear that. That is precisely what my parents are trying to avoid. My one brother and his wife did lay claim to a weekend by texting all of us a few weeks ago. My dad nicely let him know that it would never ever be that way and anyone was welcome. There are 6 siblings and eventually we will all be married and have kids. We've got to set the sharing precedent now or it will be hurt feelings for everyone somewhere down the line. My parents bought the place with the intention of it being part of our inheritance. We will all own 1/6th. As it stands now it sleeps 14, but I do think at some point we may need to build a few out buildings. The only real issue so far has been the dogs. Everyone wants to bring their dog, but when you get 14 people and 4 dogs on an 1.5 acre island for Thanksgiving it gets to be a bit much. The barking echoes which is LOUD and my lab puppy was the one who tried to steal the Thanksgiving turkey.. I think we will have to board him for the big group get togethers.

Regardless, it's a wonderful place, but as you pointed out, a lot of potential for hurt feelings if we don't establish ground rules right from the start. I'm sorry your sister muscled you out that way.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

Long time no see!

We had a trip to Disney at the end of April through the beginning of May, but shortly before that we found out that we were being transferred... to Minnesota.

So we had a week trip before we left for Disney to house hunt. And then another trip.

We got our house on the market and sold fairly fast for our area. But we had projects to finish up at the last minute first.

Then packing and moving and living in temporary housing. Our house here is supposed to close in a month.

And my aunt that raised me died after a pretty short illness. I just got in Friday from flying back to Georgia for her funeral. I feel lost. We spoke every day. She had the best advice. And now I have no one.

We found out that we were beneficiaries of one of her accounts and so we need to really sit down and see where all our chips are. I've always wanted to be debt free--- but not at the expense of my beloved aunt. I'd gladly trade it all back for just a few more hours with her. I still had so much to learn from her.

Anyways, I just wanted to explain my absence and join back in. Be gentle with me-- I've been to hell and back and still am not quite sure where I am when I wake up.

 

[Eureka]

Long time no see!

We had a trip to Disney at the end of April through the beginning of May, but shortly before that we found out that we were being transferred... to Minnesota.

So we had a week trip before we left for Disney to house hunt. And then another trip.

We got our house on the market and sold fairly fast for our area. But we had projects to finish up at the last minute first.

Then packing and moving and living in temporary housing. Our house here is supposed to close in a month.

And my aunt that raised me died after a pretty short illness. I just got in Friday from flying back to Georgia for her funeral. I feel lost. We spoke every day. She had the best advice. And now I have no one.

We found out that we were beneficiaries of one of her accounts and so we need to really sit down and see where all our chips are. I've always wanted to be debt free--- but not at the expense of my beloved aunt. I'd gladly trade it all back for just a few more hours with her. I still had so much to learn from her.

Anyways, I just wanted to explain my absence and join back in. Be gentle with me-- I've been to hell and back and still am not quite sure where I am when I wake up.

I'm sure you have no idea which way is up after all that. Sorry to hear about your aunt.

 

[Holly Quinlan]

Hello all, its been a while since I posted here. Its been slow progress the past few months. Earlier this year the company my DH worked for closed down and we thought he would be without a job thankfully they were able to move him but his pay dropped $4.00 an hour then that same month I had to change our health insurance around due to the new healthcare laws and it ended up costing me more $$$. So just like that we lost almost $800 a month in income. We have managed to not add anything to our overall debt but have made no progress eliminating any of it either. He has been looking for months for a new job trying to get close to what he was making before. Finally today he found a new job making what he was before and its much closer to home so hopefully within the next several weeks I can start posting our progress.

 

[zy144622]

Well I was prepared for June's wedding expenses but not prepared for $500+ in car repairs. That's the parts only cost as my husband can do the work so it could have been much worse. Yikes! No extra debt but there goes a good chunk of our emergency fund. Looking at the bright side hubby will get an "extra" check in July and I will in August so this hole shouldn't last long. My new challenge is trying to keep money off my mind while not losing sight of the goal. I was doing well managing and not stressing over it but looking at the numbers have been getting to me lately. What do you do to ease your mind?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Long time no see!

We had a trip to Disney at the end of April through the beginning of May, but shortly before that we found out that we were being transferred... to Minnesota.

So we had a week trip before we left for Disney to house hunt. And then another trip.

We got our house on the market and sold fairly fast for our area. But we had projects to finish up at the last minute first.

Then packing and moving and living in temporary housing. Our house here is supposed to close in a month.

And my aunt that raised me died after a pretty short illness. I just got in Friday from flying back to Georgia for her funeral. I feel lost. We spoke every day. She had the best advice. And now I have no one.

We found out that we were beneficiaries of one of her accounts and so we need to really sit down and see where all our chips are. I've always wanted to be debt free--- but not at the expense of my beloved aunt. I'd gladly trade it all back for just a few more hours with her. I still had so much to learn from her.

Anyways, I just wanted to explain my absence and join back in. Be gentle with me-- I've been to hell and back and still am not quite sure where I am when I wake up.

I'm sorry about your aunt.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Well I was prepared for June's wedding expenses but not prepared for $500+ in car repairs. That's the parts only cost as my husband can do the work so it could have been much worse. Yikes! No extra debt but there goes a good chunk of our emergency fund. Looking at the bright side hubby will get an "extra" check in July and I will in August so this hole shouldn't last long. My new challenge is trying to keep money off my mind while not losing sight of the goal. I was doing well managing and not stressing over it but looking at the numbers have been getting to me lately. What do you do to ease your mind?

Oh but you were prepared! That's what the emergency fund is for. Try to look on the bright side; at least the $500 in car parts didn't go on a credit card right?
The only thing that eases my mind is going over The Plan and finding a compromise between pouring everything into the snowball vs. an occasional splurge.

 

[PrincessKymm]

Well, our "free vacation" is over and I'm $800 lighter but that money was budgeted so no new debt from vacation. I think I broke my toe today so as long as it stays the color it's supposed to I won't be needing a doctor.

I've been slipping at home so I'm going to try limiting eating out again. I'm going to bust out my crock pot tomorrow and grocery shop around what we have in the freezer. DBF just had the patio poured (literally just today!) so I'm hoping we can have some cheap fun time at home now that we have an outdoor space to use. Our backyard previous was no good!

Otherwise I have our Disney trip and some other items to pay off so I will be saving like crazy. I'm thinking the gym will be my new hangout. I won a free membership so I won't be spending any money and I can get fit for free!

 

[njmom47]

Last payment thru debt mgmt. All credit cards are paid off.
Now for the small loan through my employer's credit union.
And the dentist: $260. So close!

Oh wait...ds is heading to college in the fall. That debt is probably going to triple or quadruple (or x100 ) what debt I think I have now.

 

[LilacBarries]

This week we've paid off our cruise for September and our bed! Woo hoo!

 

[crazycatstacy]

Well my husband I have fallen off the wagon big time. Our daughter moved out and we might have indulged ourselves a little too much. We also have a four year old nephew who we are super close to (his parents suck!) and we have been able to have him several weekends so we have spent a lot of money doing things with him and buying him summer clothes/shoes to have at our house.

I did save some money by buying some discounted certificates to use on the 4th of July when we always do tourist activities in our area. I would have spent the money regardless but at least I spent half as much by buying discounted tickets.

My student loans finally got all figured out so I have worked that horribly large payment into our budget.

We are now determined to get back on track and be content and satisfied with what we have and what we can do for free. My husband works shift work and when he is on swings or days he works 4 10 hour days but in July he switches to overnight shift, which is 8 hour shifts and he is committed to trying to get $500-$600 in overtime in July and August (they are only on the shift for 2 months at a time) so that will help us out!

As of today, I am back on wagon!

 

[gracie1]

Last payment thru debt mgmt. All credit cards are paid off.
Now for the small loan through my employer's credit union.
And the dentist: $260. So close!

Oh wait...ds is heading to college in the fall. That debt is probably going to triple or quadruple (or x100 ) what debt I think I have now.

Way to go!! Congrats on getting all the cc's paid off! I know you must feel great!! It's an awesome feeling!

 

[ziggystardust]

Hi all,

i'm pretty sure i've posted once or twice on here but today, I'm officially committing. I've been paying off debt for a while now, but some how always managed to stay around the same amount owed. I will be starting a new job in a few weeks which will increase my pay substantially. So those debts should be a thing of the past!

I've already mapped out a payment schedule which includes cutting back on eating out a lot. A huge hurdle for us but definitely worth it. Wish me luck!!!

 

[gracie1]

Hi all,

i'm pretty sure i've posted once or twice on here but today, I'm officially committing. I've been paying off debt for a while now, but some how always managed to stay around the same amount owed. I will be starting a new job in a few weeks which will increase my pay substantially. So those debts should be a thing of the past!

I've already mapped out a payment schedule which includes cutting back on eating out a lot. A huge hurdle for us but definitely worth it. Wish me luck!!!

Once you get yourself on a schedule it will become easier. I was shocked at how much money I was actually spending eating out! It is very rare that I eat out anymore. I don't think I have eaten out since April actually. When I get a craving that hits me, then I splurge
Congrats on the new job and the pay increase

 

[desiree71081]

I've been paying off debt but also watching our credit scores. Just paid off all of DH's (2) credit cards. His credit score dropped 38 points!!!! I'm at the point where being debt free is more important than the credit score but I just think it's ridiculous for the score to drop that much by paying something off. It's like they would rather you have debt than be debt free.

How do you balance being debt free but keeping a good credit score?

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I've been paying off debt but also watching our credit scores. Just paid off all of DH's (2) credit cards. His credit score dropped 38 points!!!! I'm at the point where being debt free is more important than the credit score but I just think it's ridiculous for the score to drop that much by paying something off. It's like they would rather you have debt than be debt free.

How do you balance being debt free but keeping a good credit score?

Honestly I dont obsess over our scores. They are high enough to meet our needs and that's fine for us. It's more important to be debt free than to be a slave to FICO.

 

[PrincessKymm]

I'm rebalancing my budget and I'm missing $50. There are times I just hate math and budgeting and just want to throw my hands up and stop caring.