Debt Dumpers - 2015

[dayvewc]

Off topic, but my travel day in my TR is finished. Post number 2 here.

 

[dayvewc]

I shop like you on some things, I like to stock up. Last month Kroger had my almost $4 cereal on sale for 4@ $8 plus if you bought 4 you got a free gallon milk ($3.69), this was such a good deal & it went over 2 wks, so I eventually got 12 boxes & 3 free gallons of milk. The cereal is good until next year, and I've already been through several boxes.

I'm bad about clothes on a great sale or fun stuff. That's the things I need to reel myself in on.

I think my mom would appreciate it if I fell pray to that bad habit. lol. I've been using the same 3 pair of work slacks for 4 years now. It finally got to the point where she offered to pay half if I would just go get some more. Partly because I'm very picky in what I wear, and (try to) only get clothes that will last. I get most of my stuff from Duluth Trading, and it does last, I find it quite comfortable, but they don't do as good a sales as often as I'd like. Though, I did just order 4 more pairs of slacks this week, got 20% off and free shipping (and mom paid for half) ;-)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

dayvewc,
I just noticed your countdown to Harry Potter. I would HIGHLY recommend staying onsite at a Universal hotel. (Not the new Cabana Bay one though.)
Onsite guests just show their room key to bypass the regular lines. It's like having an unlimited FP for all but a handful of rides. (Only Pteranadon Flyers comes to mind.) They are all deluxe but they do offer a AAA discount if you're a member and their AP discounts are very generous, like $100 per night. Also, like WDW, it's much less expensive if you travel at off peak times of year.
You can buy express passes but they only allow one ride per attraction whereas the room key allows guests to ride over and over.
It instantly spoiled us. Sometimes we literally just walked right onto some rides. (Not in summer of course.)
Anyway, even 1 night hotel stay gets you 2 full days of Express Line privileges. Dh won't go to Universal now without a room key.

Except for Portofino, it's a 10 min walk to the parks. The last time we visited was March 2013 and with a 3 night stay, I bought an AP just for myself and it paid for itself with hotel discounts. I have to warn you though, if you combine it with a WDW park visit, be sure to do WDW first. Once you get a taste of that Express Line, even a 20 min wait at WDW feel like torture.

ETA: Nothing wrong with Cabana Bay but it doesn't offer Express Line privileges which, to me, is worthless.

 

[dayvewc]

dayvewc,
I just noticed your countdown to Harry Potter. I would HIGHLY recommend staying onsite at a Universal hotel. (Not the new Cabana Bay one though.)
Onsite guests just show their room key to bypass the regular lines. It's like having an unlimited FP for all but a handful of rides. (Only Pteranadon Flyers comes to mind.) They are all deluxe but they do offer a AAA discount if you're a member and their AP discounts are very generous, like $100 per night. Also, like WDW, it's much less expensive if you travel at off peak times of year.
You can buy express passes but they only allow one ride per attraction whereas the room key allows guests to ride over and over.
It instantly spoiled us. Sometimes we literally just walked right onto some rides. (Not in summer of course.)
Anyway, even 1 night hotel stay gets you 2 full days of Express Line privileges. Dh won't go to Universal now without a room key.

Except for Portofino, it's a 10 min walk to the parks. The last time we visited was March 2013 and with a 3 night stay, I bought an AP just for myself and it paid for itself with hotel discounts. I have to warn you though, if you combine it with a WDW park visit, be sure to do WDW first. Once you get a taste of that Express Line, even a 20 min wait at WDW feel like torture.

ETA: Nothing wrong with Cabana Bay but it doesn't offer Express Line privileges which, to me, is worthless.

Thanks for the tip. This is a case of decisions I made 10 years ago driving my actions, though. lol. I literally have too much timeshare. The resort I bought into gives me just under 100,000 points per year to exchange. As of Feb 1 (when the 2015 points were deposited) I had just under 200,000 total points. This trip I'll use almost a full years worth, but I'm exchanging in to the Kingstown Reef Resort (it's just next to SeaWorld) for just shy of 2 weeks (10 total nights, 13 total days on the trip).

I have been toying with the idea of getting an AP for Universal, the Deluxe has FotL privileges after 4 pm, and I can pay it out over the course of a year instead of a single lump sum charge. My other option is looking at the FlexTicket, which has 14 days admissions to US, IoA, SW, Aquatica, and Wet 'n Wild, plus the CityWalk. It is a little less than the Deluxe US AP but doesn't have FotL privileges but does include SW admissions.

I looked into staying at one of the Deluxe resorts at Universal, and I might do that on a weekend trip (I'm looking at a 4-day weekend in November) when I will have limited time in the parks, but I'm thinking that using rope-drop over 10 days, I should be able to ride pretty much everything this summer. (And whew!! the Deluxe hotels are expensive on my Taco Bell budget. I'm used to my timeshare giving me a small apartment for a $170 for 7 nights, instead of $300+ per night).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Thanks for the tip. This is a case of decisions I made 10 years ago driving my actions, though. lol. I literally have too much timeshare. The resort I bought into gives me just under 100,000 points per year to exchange. As of Feb 1 (when the 2015 points were deposited) I had just under 200,000 total points. This trip I'll use almost a full years worth, but I'm exchanging in to the Kingstown Reef Resort (it's just next to SeaWorld) for just shy of 2 weeks (10 total nights, 13 total days on the trip).

I have been toying with the idea of getting an AP for Universal, the Deluxe has FotL privileges after 4 pm, and I can pay it out over the course of a year instead of a single lump sum charge. My other option is looking at the FlexTicket, which has 14 days admissions to US, IoA, SW, Aquatica, and Wet 'n Wild, plus the CityWalk. It is a little less than the Deluxe US AP but doesn't have FotL privileges but does include SW admissions.

I looked into staying at one of the Deluxe resorts at Universal, and I might do that on a weekend trip (I'm looking at a 4-day weekend in November) when I will have limited time in the parks, but I'm thinking that using rope-drop over 10 days, I should be able to ride pretty much everything this summer. (And whew!! the Deluxe hotels are expensive on my Taco Bell budget. I'm used to my timeshare giving me a small apartment for a $170 for 7 nights, instead of $300+ per night).

How is this? That can't be your only cost.
We used to own a TS at Summer Bay in Kissimmee and our MF were over $900/yr + fee to join RCI. This is in addition to the cost of buying. It's easy to not add it all up but that's truly what you're paying.

ETA: Yes, the onsite hotels have really gone up in price since they added HP. We usually paid around $139 for weekdays and $159 on weekends. Sometimes we'd splurge and stay at the Hard Rock which was $159/179. HP is a huge moneymaker for USO.

 

[Dentam]

I agree with the idea to spend the house proceeds on the CCs, and the leftovers on the down payment. If you buy a new car, the interest rates are so low right now, that in the long run its cheaper than a promotional rate CC. I'd do it the same way. I feel comfortable with certain debt (of course I'd prefer none, lol) like mortgages & vehicle payments.

Why are good deals so hard to pass up???

Yeah, the only sticking point is that I don't currently have a car payment so I'd be taking that on which would decrease the amount I can pay toward getting the other cc's paid off. I'm leaning toward just doing it though since this car just isn't really working for my needs anymore and at least the rates are low on auto loans and they are considered better forms of debt than cc's.

 

[bcwife76]

What everyone's spending/money pitfalls?

For me it's:

1. I love getting a good deal, I have a hard time passing them up
2. Dining out
3. And the reason we are here, Disney

1. Shopping for the kids, clothes and toys (Disney store, oops!)/ Lego store =0
2. Starbucks I've got a gold card there and as my husband pointed out today, it's looking rather worn out ;-)
3. Justfiying an online purchase by saying "but ebates is offering double cash back!!"

 

[Angeejoe]

1. Shopping for the kids, clothes and toys (Disney store, oops!)/ Lego store =0
2. Starbucks I've got a gold card there and as my husband pointed out today, it's looking rather worn out ;-)
3. Justfiying an online purchase by saying "but ebates is offering double cash back!!"

I'm all about ebates too! Or free shipping, or spending a bit more for free shipping. I love the disney store, I buy the majority of my holiday gifts for my nieces & nephews there, I ordered them each a disney tshirt for Easter that I added to their baskets.

Now I don't like coffee or chocolate, so I'm not a Starbucks gal, but husband occasionally picks them up on his way to work.

 

[dayvewc]

How is this? That can't be your only cost.
We used to own a TS at Summer Bay in Kissimmee and our MF were over $900/yr + fee to join RCI. This is in addition to the cost of buying. It's easy to not add it all up but that's truly what you're paying.

ETA: Yes, the onsite hotels have really gone up in price since they added HP. We usually paid around $139 for weekdays and $159 on weekends. Sometimes we'd splurge and stay at the Hard Rock which was $159/179. HP is a huge moneymaker for USO.

That's not my only cost, but the TS is paid for already, MF run about $750/ year, and RCI is pre-paid for another year on a deal from a while back (pay 3 years, get 1 free). So, yeah, total cost is more than just the $170/ week, but I look at it at as the cost per week (or days) on the exchange. The MF and RCI are fixed costs per year, and then the cost of the exchange, as opposed to paying those fixed costs and then the $300/ night at the hotel. Not to mention the resale on the TS is not worth enough to convince me to dump it.

I may not be as clear as I think. Had to chaperone prom last night, and I'm getting too old for such late nights.

 

[gracie1]

That's not my only cost, but the TS is paid for already, MF run about $750/ year, and RCI is pre-paid for another year on a deal from a while back (pay 3 years, get 1 free). So, yeah, total cost is more than just the $170/ week, but I look at it at as the cost per week (or days) on the exchange. The MF and RCI are fixed costs per year, and then the cost of the exchange, as opposed to paying those fixed costs and then the $300/ night at the hotel. Not to mention the resale on the TS is not worth enough to convince me to dump it.

I may not be as clear as I think. Had to chaperone prom last night, and I'm getting too old for such late nights.

do you work for a school?

 

[dayvewc]

do you work for a school?

Yep. I teach high school mathematics, including Calculus for my day job. My weekend job (job #2) is demonstrating for / representing a dog and cat food in area pet stores. Most summers (job #3) I teach in a 6-week federal program for disadvantaged high school students (but after 10 years, I don't plan to do that this summer), and periodically I'll work for a different federal/state program tutoring after school (job #4).

 

[Ratsmith]

I just joined this forum and gravitated to this discussion because I've been trying my durndest to get rid of my debt for a few years now. At one point I was up to $12000 in credit card debt. This year I finally paid that all off.

Incidentally this year I visited Disney World for the first time and really wish to go back.

So I've made myself a deal. If I pay off my College Loan and Car I will treat myself to another trip to Disney World. Which gives me plenty of time to research ways to make the trip more economical.

 

[Angeejoe]

I just joined this forum and gravitated to this discussion because I've been trying my durndest to get rid of my debt for a few years now. At one point I was up to $12000 in credit card debt. This year I finally paid that all off.

Incidentally this year I visited Disney World for the first time and really wish to go back.

So I've made myself a deal. If I pay off my College Loan and Car I will treat myself to another trip to Disney World. Which gives me plenty of time to research ways to make the trip more economical.

Welcome!

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Popping in - been feeling the pain of going two steps back and one step forward here too with debt always going the wrong way. DH's car broke down ($650) and then our kitty, Simba, is 21 years old and suffering from chronic renal failure (kidney disease) which has been a few ER vet trips ($550). It's like we can never catch a break! I've been trying to pick up extra shifts at my retail part time job, extra work at my salaried job, and tutoring online in my free time. All seems to be pittance in comparison. Just keep swimming, though, right?

 

[dayvewc]

Popping in - been feeling the pain of going two steps back and one step forward here too with debt always going the wrong way. DH's car broke down ($650) and then our kitty, Simba, is 21 years old and suffering from chronic renal failure (kidney disease) which has been a few ER vet trips ($550). It's like we can never catch a break! I've been trying to pick up extra shifts at my retail part time job, extra work at my salaried job, and tutoring online in my free time. All seems to be pittance in comparison. Just keep swimming, though, right?

Just keep swimming is our motto.

I understand where you're coming from though. Those unexpected emergencies can definitely be a wet blanket on the fire of our desire to dump debt. Just look on the bright side - the car is fixed so you (hopefully) will be able to drive it for a while before it will need more work, and now that you know about Simba's condition you can budget for going forward.

Not to encourage additional debt options, but ... have you looked at Care Credit for Simba? I got it initially to use when I was having to take Rose to the vet every 3 weeks for her demodex flare-ups. ($250-$300 per visit for check-up and continuing meds). It offers 0% interest depending on the charge for up to 18 months. It might be something to look at if you think you will have to take Simba back to the vet again.

 

[HubbDave]

Do you have an emergency fund built up for that kind of thing?

Murphy always likes to stop by for a visit

 

[DisneyLifer87]

Just keep swimming is our motto.

I understand where you're coming from though. Those unexpected emergencies can definitely be a wet blanket on the fire of our desire to dump debt. Just look on the bright side - the car is fixed so you (hopefully) will be able to drive it for a while before it will need more work, and now that you know about Simba's condition you can budget for going forward.

Not to encourage additional debt options, but ... have you looked at Care Credit for Simba? I got it initially to use when I was having to take Rose to the vet every 3 weeks for her demodex flare-ups. ($250-$300 per visit for check-up and continuing meds). It offers 0% interest depending on the charge for up to 18 months. It might be something to look at if you think you will have to take Simba back to the vet again.

Do you have an emergency fund built up for that kind of thing?

Murphy always likes to stop by for a visit

We do have Care Credit for him after this last emergency though we've yet to use it. That is kind of our safety net now since emergency funds became depleted with these last two situations as we work to rebuild the savings. I guess the positive is that we are still managing and not scraping by just yet and we have a basically free Disney trip to look forward to in November. We also had a stress removed (even if it's a little sad) because Simba has started to lose his eyesight so we have committed to holding off on the house shopping and continuing to rent for another year which provides more time to work up a down payment.

 

[Angeejoe]

Popping in - been feeling the pain of going two steps back and one step forward here too with debt always going the wrong way. DH's car broke down ($650) and then our kitty, Simba, is 21 years old and suffering from chronic renal failure (kidney disease) which has been a few ER vet trips ($550). It's like we can never catch a break! I've been trying to pick up extra shifts at my retail part time job, extra work at my salaried job, and tutoring online in my free time. All seems to be pittance in comparison. Just keep swimming, though, right?

So sorry to hear that your cat has been ill, we had a sick cat in January that led to a $640 bill. Sending you positive thoughts!

 

[DisneyLifer87]

I'm just curious what software people use to establish a budget and to help work on paying off debt? I've been trying to organize and get a plan implemented, but it seems that everything I try out just doesn't work for us. I've done it on my own and done Mint.com. Any recommendations?

 

[SirDuff]

I'm just curious what software people use to establish a budget and to help work on paying off debt? I've been trying to organize and get a plan implemented, but it seems that everything I try out just doesn't work for us. I've done it on my own and done Mint.com. Any recommendations?

I use (and love) "You Need A Budget".