Debt Dumpers - 2015

[Angeejoe]

That's a great idea! I had 2 yrs of typing in HS and still can type pretty fast. lol! I'll try anything! It's an awful feeling that I want to help but can't. This might work!
Last full day is Friday.

(insert nail-biting smiley here)

Patti,

How was last full day of school? Is he done or have exams next week?

 

[Angeejoe]

House sale closed today!! It will be recorded tomorrow and I should get the proceeds minus the escrow that I need to wait to get from my mortgage company. So excited to pay off my highest interest rate cc!!

Thanks! Yes, I am very glad it is over and can't wait until the payment on my cc goes through later this week. Once I get the escrow money I'll pay off a second cc. Progress at last!

Highest interest rate cc is scheduled to be paid off in full tomorrow!!

Thanks! A second cc will be paid off in full next week once I get the remainder of the funds from the sale. Then I'll add what I was paying on these two cc's to my other payments. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Tamara this is awesome news!!! You must be so excited & feel like a great weight is lifted off of your shoulders!! Congratulations! Now do the happy dance:

 

[Angeejoe]

If I remember correctly, didn't you say that she was about 9 months old? For most breeds, that is a little early to transition to adult food, and especially for large breed dogs - recommendation is to keep them on puppy food until they are 18-24 months old. All dogs will spend about 12 months growing (skeletal system) but then large breeds will spend another 6-12 months "bulking" out to their full size. So, food might definitely be an issue. I am absolutely biased, and admit it upfront, but I'd recommend trying her on Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Puppy for another 6-9 months. PM me your email address and I'll send you a 15% coupon for PetSmarts "Friends and Family" promotion. (Anyone else that wants it can PM me as well).

If all the other stuff is looking good, then yeah, without seeing her in person the only other thing I can think of is when was the last time her nails were trimmed. I know if they get too long it can actually be painful for them to walk. The vet sounds like the next logical step - just hope it is not an expensive visit for you.



Thanks for asking. My back is lots better than it was at its worst. I still have pain in my lower left back, down my left leg, and severe pain in my left knee. The chiropractor has been realigning everything. Apparently, years ago when I first messed up my knee I started walking funny to minimize pain there, which caused both my knee and back to misalign. I have since been altering my walk to minimize pains from both, which actually exacerbated (I think that is the right word) both conditions until finally my back just said "ENOUGH!!!" I spent over a week in a wheel-chair, several days on a walker, and this past week using a cane to get around. Things are getting better, and the chiropractor has said that as long as I take it easy I should have no problems taking my trip (and I have already reserved an ECV to travel with - I needed one of those anyway from my previous knee injury). I have an appointment with an orthopedic this afternoon, and unless he has compelling reasons to stay close by, I will be leaving for my trip on Sunday.


It's not ideal, but ... I agreed to pay for the tickets for my roommate to go, with the understanding that he will pay me an extra $50 per month to pay for them. It will take him a year, but I don't see any other way to get the ECV loaded and unloaded each day at the resort and parks. I have another friend that was already going, but did not want to go to the parks (I offered the same deal and it was turned down), and the roommate has been the one pushing me in the wheelchair and helping me out while I've been down. There were a couple of days at its worst where he had to do almost everything for me - including getting me dressed as I couldn't bend over far enough to put on my underwear, pants, socks, and shoes. (Those were some really embarrassing days, and only because of the amount of pain I was in did they happen).

I'm planning on only doing half-days at a time at the parks, with "down days" to recuperate. Roughly thinking, something along the lines of rope-drop to noon/1 pm at Universal/Isle of Adventure, then back to the resort for a couple of hours, then SeaWorld from 4 to close. Then reverse the parks the next day, and the third day either a full resort rest day, or just a half day (morning probably) at one park (probably US/IoA). My only "Disney fix" will come from visiting Downtown Disney Springs on June 12, when I'm hoping to watch Jurassic World and Avengers: Age of Ultron (and maybe Tomorrowland). Pretty sure I can managed to sit in stadium seating at the movies as comfortably as I can sit in the ECV.

So, sometime this afternoon, if the orthopedic doesn't have major issues, I guess I'll need to start my other trip report.

lol. not sure if cleared for takeoff was quite the correct phrase. I asked about going on vacation (actually, I phrased it as "I plan to leave on Sunday for vacation.") and the doctor asked where I was going. I just said "Orlando." and he replied with "Well la-de-da." Direct quote. I'm not really impressed with this orthopedic doctor. I kind of think he prefers I not go, considering that after I told him I planned to go on vacation next week, he prescribed 3 days of physical therapy. But he didn't say to NOT go.

Being honest, I'm really questioning if I should go, considering how much pain I was in when I woke up this morning (and yesterday morning for that matter). At the same time, I have deliberately not been taking the prescribed pain pills since Tuesday 1) to see if I can deal with the pain; 2) to minimize accidentally overdoing it and causing additional injury and; 3) to save as many of them as I can for while I'm on the trip. I don't want to be loopy and miss things while vacation, but I'd rather be loopy on vacation than loopy at home.

And, for those who just really want to know ...

My Trip Report

Dayv I'm so glad to hear that you're doing a little better & able to go on your trip. Take it easy, go slow & take time to smell the roses! I'm sure you'll have a blast!

You know I'm on board for your TR!!! I think I was also promised live updates.....

 

[Angeejoe]

We'll its June and we have our budget with the added student loan payment. Unfortunately because of our income they supposedly can't lower the payment any. It's so frustrating to continlely look like we make X on paper and being punished for it. My DH is working on getting the interest rate lowered. Hopefully when our income dips when I go PT in the fall we can readdress the issue with salliemae.
It's been really stressful to realize that his student loans have nearly doubled because we haven't been able to pay them and still really can't, I've been a walking anxiety attack for the last week.
We are use the EveryDollar app for the first time, so far I like it. Has anyone on here used it? I know YNAB is the popular choice around here but we're big supporters of Dave Ramsey.

I'm sorry Lilac! I'm sending you some pixie dust

 

[yupikgal]

Hi everyone! Thought I would check in. I really like having this board to be able to post questions, give updates, successess, fallbacks, etc. Thank you to everyone here who is willing to lend a hand/ear and give suggestions/opinions/reviews! I truly appreciate it.

As far as our mortgage, I got complacent and wanted to see what they would be like to work with before I make any decisions in regards to moving to another bank. Besides, I don't really want to go through an appraisal, etc. and with my impending off contract and the wedding coming up, I have decided to let it ride for a while. So far they (Carrington) have been ok~they set up our bimonthly auto pay, which seems to be working fine. I don't really care for their website, it's not as easy to look at the information as BOA was, especially our property tax info (which is included in our payment) but as long as it's being paid, I guess that's what matters.

If any of you have reviews/comments on your experiences with auto/home insurance, let me know who you go through and how you like them? We switched to Geico a couple of years back after being with Allstate for YEARS, we were so disgusted with them after not filing any house claims in 20+ years, then when we tried, they denied it flat out and I switched!! Geico has been great so far, but apparently they don't have a home insurance division, so they use Liberty Mutual. If there is another one that you use that you are happy with, I would be open, just to compare rates/coverages.

Ok onto our never-ending cc payment smackdown! I just transferred $7k over to Discover from Disney Chase. I left a balance of almost $1k which I will be paying in 2 increments, it will be a zero balance before July 15th. Yes it's not a true zero balance since we are just doing a transfer for the majority of it, but nonetheless, it will be @ 0% for 15 months! They do charge a 3% bal. transfer fee, but I figured with the amount we would have paid in interest over the duration, it will be paying off after 2.5 months. I'm glad I held out because having those extra few months to pay it off will be great!

With my husband's job situation, we are hoping and praying that the job he wants opens up for sure next month (heard this from his potential boss) and hoping to know for sure one way or another, what we will be doing (staying or moving) by mid August. He cashed out a bunch of leave he had accumulated, and although it's tempting to pay down the cc's, we will be using it while I'm off in July & for the wedding, as well as living expenses. If there is a good chunk left after that, I will put a portion of it down on the smallest cc balance. We also want to keep some in our savings because if we do move, I may not have a job right away.

Thanks once again for reading my post! I wish everyone peace, financial freedom, prosperity and of course, Disney Magic!!

 

[yupikgal]

Thanks! A second cc will be paid off in full next week once I get the remainder of the funds from the sale. Then I'll add what I was paying on these two cc's to my other payments. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

That's great news!! I can't wait to see the light!

 

[Dentam]

That's great news!! I can't wait to see the light!

You will get there - it just takes a lot of persistence and patience! I am not always so great with the patience part... I daydream about winning the lottery quite a bit and paying off everything in one chunk!

 

[bcwife76]

For some reason I did not get any alerts that there were updates on our thread, catching up now!

Me either, despite 'watching' this thread and requesting email alerts. Grrr....

 

[Angeejoe]

Me either, despite 'watching' this thread and requesting email alerts. Grrr....

I'm not sure why that happens sometimes

 

[bababear_50]

I am thinking maybe I need to post once in awhile as I am not getting any email alert either.

I am swimming,,,,well actually treading water with a wedding (sons) and birthdays and still paying off Christmas here.
My sons destination wedding is at the end of this month and that is what really put me over on the cc debt.

I have decided to pay off my cc by taking a 10 month loan through my credit union, this automatically comes off my pay check
so it keeps me on track (honest). This credit card will be cut up in a few weeks .
I have applied and gotten another cc but this one has a very high interest rate, but good benefits (travel) and will only be used if I have the cash in the bank to pay the exact amount off.
This year has taught me alot about being more organized and budget minded than I thought possible.


Some of the changes I am making:
I am paying myself first
15.00 a week --mad money. I am actually using my mad money to stock piling Starbucks GC for next years trip to Disney.

I have started an emergency fund V.I.P. --each pay a small amount goes into it.
I am tired of appliances breaking down and borrowing money to get new ones.

I have a Christmas time fund--I am using it to pay my DVC dues and a bit left over to cover extra Christmas expenses.

I am saving airmiles and Petro points to buy movie,restaurant and Starbucks gift cards.

I am no longer buying everyone in my family Christmas gifts and making everyone a stocking.
We are picking names--I have to buy for one person only--what a weight off my shoulders this is.

I have cut my Birthday gift giving budget in half.
Again a huge weight off my shoulders.

I am shopping for food more often but wasting less food.
Buying more fresh products.


Sooooo keep swimming everone
BIG HUGS Mel

 

[seb65]

I have been watching this thread. Thank you for all the hints. My goal is to pay off debt. Since December, I have paid off 2/3 of the credit cards. The other 1/3 will be done by mid July. Staying out of stores and not going out to eat helps! Then, I plan to attack the car payment and double up payments. We have begun saving more as well. I hope to get out of living paycheck by paycheck.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Patti,

How was last full day of school? Is he done or have exams next week?

I was off by a little as I was guesstimating based on previous years. The last full day is Tuesday. Then 4 days of exams. After speaking with his GC who is in frequent contact with his English teacher, she assured me that the teacher really does not want to fail him but if he'd just turn in "something" for the 2 papers he still owed, he would pass him, but he can't just create a grade from nothing turned in. This was really being generous I think.
So the first paper (& longer of the 2) was handed in last Wed and I was really hoping he'd jump right on the next one but I didn't want to push; he's been mentally fatigued from the last one so I gave him a break and told him get it done over the weekend.

Well, still nothing. I've even sat in his room, reading a book so not exactly hovering but you know what I mean. Let me tell you, he can stare at a screen for an incredibly long time, then flip from one page to another. I finally had to leave because the whole thing is making me sick to watch. I don't know if he is depressed or what but I made a psychiatrist appt just to be safe. This is so not like himself. He's in an accelerated class and usually can whip this stuff out in no time. It only has to be 2 pages long which is pretty short for 12th grade. Sheesh, he could just write a summary of the book and it would be something.

What is stressing me out most is not just that he won't be able to walk in the graduation ceremony but how on earth will he function in college if he is floundering like this now? Most of college is "free time" with a lot of studying/reading done on your own time. You have to be self-starting & very driven or you won't last long. (at least this was my experience)
The college he chose is very expensive but one of the few that offer a major in software engineering. It's a great field with plenty of jobs but the expense of these student loans is only worthwhile if he finishes & gets his degree. I can't tell him not to try though.

Another dilemma is we have some larger chunks of $ expected in the next few weeks: lots of OT from dh, extra check in July, birthday $, etc. Do we put that toward our debt, even though it's 0% interest until March, though we could have it paid by the end of July/early August, or do we put that toward ds's tuition and reduce the amount of loans he needs? It's too much for him to qualify on his own for; it would be a Parent Plus loan for part of it so even after our cc's are paid, we'll still be paying.....

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I have been watching this thread. Thank you for all the hints. My goal is to pay off debt. Since December, I have paid off 2/3 of the credit cards. The other 1/3 will be done by mid July. Staying out of stores and not going out to eat helps! Then, I plan to attack the car payment and double up payments. We have begun saving more as well. I hope to get out of living paycheck by paycheck.

Yes, it sure does. Also dh & I both pack our lunches for work which saves a lot too. For us, we'll be going almost a year with no vacation which we haven't done since around 2003. We usually go somewhere approx. 3x per year. I find it amazing how much we save by not booking vacations.

 

[Angeejoe]

I was off by a little as I was guesstimating based on previous years. The last full day is Tuesday. Then 4 days of exams. After speaking with his GC who is in frequent contact with his English teacher, she assured me that the teacher really does not want to fail him but if he'd just turn in "something" for the 2 papers he still owed, he would pass him, but he can't just create a grade from nothing turned in. This was really being generous I think.
So the first paper (& longer of the 2) was handed in last Wed and I was really hoping he'd jump right on the next one but I didn't want to push; he's been mentally fatigued from the last one so I gave him a break and told him get it done over the weekend.

Well, still nothing. I've even sat in his room, reading a book so not exactly hovering but you know what I mean. Let me tell you, he can stare at a screen for an incredibly long time, then flip from one page to another. I finally had to leave because the whole thing is making me sick to watch. I don't know if he is depressed or what but I made a psychiatrist appt just to be safe. This is so not like himself. He's in an accelerated class and usually can whip this stuff out in no time. It only has to be 2 pages long which is pretty short for 12th grade. Sheesh, he could just write a summary of the book and it would be something.

What is stressing me out most is not just that he won't be able to walk in the graduation ceremony but how on earth will he function in college if he is floundering like this now? Most of college is "free time" with a lot of studying/reading done on your own time. You have to be self-starting & very driven or you won't last long. (at least this was my experience)
The college he chose is very expensive but one of the few that offer a major in software engineering. It's a great field with plenty of jobs but the expense of these student loans is only worthwhile if he finishes & gets his degree. I can't tell him not to try though.

If this is not his norm, then I think it was a great idea to make the doctor appointment. Ending high school is a big deal, and the weight of the world of an unknown & new future can be overwhelming.

Maybe if he talks about what he's supposed to write in his paper to you it will get his creative juices going. Or offer to type again? Poor guy!

How are you holding up?

 

[Angeejoe]

I have been watching this thread. Thank you for all the hints. My goal is to pay off debt. Since December, I have paid off 2/3 of the credit cards. The other 1/3 will be done by mid July. Staying out of stores and not going out to eat helps! Then, I plan to attack the car payment and double up payments. We have begun saving more as well. I hope to get out of living paycheck by paycheck.

It sounds like you're doing an awesome job on your debt!

 

[bababear_50]

I was off by a little as I was guesstimating based on previous years. The last full day is Tuesday. Then 4 days of exams. After speaking with his GC who is in frequent contact with his English teacher, she assured me that the teacher really does not want to fail him but if he'd just turn in "something" for the 2 papers he still owed, he would pass him, but he can't just create a grade from nothing turned in. This was really being generous I think.
So the first paper (& longer of the 2) was handed in last Wed and I was really hoping he'd jump right on the next one but I didn't want to push; he's been mentally fatigued from the last one so I gave him a break and told him get it done over the weekend.

Well, still nothing. I've even sat in his room, reading a book so not exactly hovering but you know what I mean. Let me tell you, he can stare at a screen for an incredibly long time, then flip from one page to another. I finally had to leave because the whole thing is making me sick to watch. I don't know if he is depressed or what but I made a psychiatrist appt just to be safe. This is so not like himself. He's in an accelerated class and usually can whip this stuff out in no time. It only has to be 2 pages long which is pretty short for 12th grade. Sheesh, he could just write a summary of the book and it would be something.

What is stressing me out most is not just that he won't be able to walk in the graduation ceremony but how on earth will he function in college if he is floundering like this now? Most of college is "free time" with a lot of studying/reading done on your own time. You have to be self-starting & very driven or you won't last long. (at least this was my experience)
The college he chose is very expensive but one of the few that offer a major in software engineering. It's a great field with plenty of jobs but the expense of these student loans is only worthwhile if he finishes & gets his degree. I can't tell him not to try though.

Another dilemma is we have some larger chunks of $ expected in the next few weeks: lots of OT from dh, extra check in July, birthday $, etc. Do we put that toward our debt, even though it's 0% interest until March, though we could have it paid by the end of July/early August, or do we put that toward ds's tuition and reduce the amount of loans he needs? It's too much for him to qualify on his own for; it would be a Parent Plus loan for part of it so even after our cc's are paid, we'll still be paying.....

Hi Hon
Mom of three grown sons here,,
My heart goes out to you and I am sending some hugs your way
~~~Hugs~~~Hugs~~~Hugs~~~
You are doing the best you can for him,just being there,listening,talking is so important. Sometimes they don't say much but believe me they know you are there and that you care. Is there someone else (close family member) aunt or uncle he is close to that would be willing to drop by and have a chat? I think seeking some professional advise is great also, sometimes it helps just being told this is normal or not helps settle your heart and mind. I know my nephew was going through something similar a few months ago--he changed his mind about College but didn't know how to tell my sister and when he did she didn't react well. College and University will always be there is what I told her,sometimes kids need a bit more time to decide what is right for them. My nephew also felt the worry of the financial obligation he was going to put their family under and was scared he might fail and they'd waste all that money. They are talking more openly about the future now and not rushing to make any decisions.
My youngest went into College and graduated with all sorts of awards , he was hired immediately in his choosen field only to realize he hated it. He took a year off and went back to school in a totally different field and now has a job he likes. It was an expensive decision but he made the choice. Reassure him you love him and you are there to help him but believe he will make the right choices. Ok enough of my motherly advise,,I do know that things will get better
HUGS to You
Mel

 

[bababear_50]

Hi everyone! Thought I would check in. I really like having this board to be able to post questions, give updates, successess, fallbacks, etc. Thank you to everyone here who is willing to lend a hand/ear and give suggestions/opinions/reviews! I truly appreciate it.

As far as our mortgage, I got complacent and wanted to see what they would be like to work with before I make any decisions in regards to moving to another bank. Besides, I don't really want to go through an appraisal, etc. and with my impending off contract and the wedding coming up, I have decided to let it ride for a while. So far they (Carrington) have been ok~they set up our bimonthly auto pay, which seems to be working fine. I don't really care for their website, it's not as easy to look at the information as BOA was, especially our property tax info (which is included in our payment) but as long as it's being paid, I guess that's what matters.

If any of you have reviews/comments on your experiences with auto/home insurance, let me know who you go through and how you like them? We switched to Geico a couple of years back after being with Allstate for YEARS, we were so disgusted with them after not filing any house claims in 20+ years, then when we tried, they denied it flat out and I switched!! Geico has been great so far, but apparently they don't have a home insurance division, so they use Liberty Mutual. If there is another one that you use that you are happy with, I would be open, just to compare rates/coverages.

Ok onto our never-ending cc payment smackdown! I just transferred $7k over to Discover from Disney Chase. I left a balance of almost $1k which I will be paying in 2 increments, it will be a zero balance before July 15th. Yes it's not a true zero balance since we are just doing a transfer for the majority of it, but nonetheless, it will be @ 0% for 15 months! They do charge a 3% bal. transfer fee, but I figured with the amount we would have paid in interest over the duration, it will be paying off after 2.5 months. I'm glad I held out because having those extra few months to pay it off will be great!

With my husband's job situation, we are hoping and praying that the job he wants opens up for sure next month (heard this from his potential boss) and hoping to know for sure one way or another, what we will be doing (staying or moving) by mid August. He cashed out a bunch of leave he had accumulated, and although it's tempting to pay down the cc's, we will be using it while I'm off in July & for the wedding, as well as living expenses. If there is a good chunk left after that, I will put a portion of it down on the smallest cc balance. We also want to keep some in our savings because if we do move, I may not have a job right away.

Thanks once again for reading my post! I wish everyone peace, financial freedom, prosperity and of course, Disney Magic!!

Hi Hon
Just dropping by to say
Congrats on paying two big payments on that cc. Best wishes paying off some of the debt during the 15 months--sometimes having that extra time gives you a bit of breathing space.
I was considering switching my MTG over to a new bank but the penalty was just too much ,,although by the time I am able to do this without penalty the rates may go up,,I am hopeful they don't.
It takes steps to reach goals and sometimes they have to be baby steps but YOU are taking steps which is what is important .
Hugs To You
Mel

 

[gracie1]

Hi everyone! Thought I would check in. I really like having this board to be able to post questions, give updates, successess, fallbacks, etc. Thank you to everyone here who is willing to lend a hand/ear and give suggestions/opinions/reviews! I truly appreciate it.

As far as our mortgage, I got complacent and wanted to see what they would be like to work with before I make any decisions in regards to moving to another bank. Besides, I don't really want to go through an appraisal, etc. and with my impending off contract and the wedding coming up, I have decided to let it ride for a while. So far they (Carrington) have been ok~they set up our bimonthly auto pay, which seems to be working fine. I don't really care for their website, it's not as easy to look at the information as BOA was, especially our property tax info (which is included in our payment) but as long as it's being paid, I guess that's what matters.

If any of you have reviews/comments on your experiences with auto/home insurance, let me know who you go through and how you like them? We switched to Geico a couple of years back after being with Allstate for YEARS, we were so disgusted with them after not filing any house claims in 20+ years, then when we tried, they denied it flat out and I switched!! Geico has been great so far, but apparently they don't have a home insurance division, so they use Liberty Mutual. If there is another one that you use that you are happy with, I would be open, just to compare rates/coverages.

Ok onto our never-ending cc payment smackdown! I just transferred $7k over to Discover from Disney Chase. I left a balance of almost $1k which I will be paying in 2 increments, it will be a zero balance before July 15th. Yes it's not a true zero balance since we are just doing a transfer for the majority of it, but nonetheless, it will be @ 0% for 15 months! They do charge a 3% bal. transfer fee, but I figured with the amount we would have paid in interest over the duration, it will be paying off after 2.5 months. I'm glad I held out because having those extra few months to pay it off will be great!

With my husband's job situation, we are hoping and praying that the job he wants opens up for sure next month (heard this from his potential boss) and hoping to know for sure one way or another, what we will be doing (staying or moving) by mid August. He cashed out a bunch of leave he had accumulated, and although it's tempting to pay down the cc's, we will be using it while I'm off in July & for the wedding, as well as living expenses. If there is a good chunk left after that, I will put a portion of it down on the smallest cc balance. We also want to keep some in our savings because if we do move, I may not have a job right away.

Thanks once again for reading my post! I wish everyone peace, financial freedom, prosperity and of course, Disney Magic!!

I have state farm for everything and have never had a problem. Their the only insurance company I have ever used.

 

[dayvewc]

So very glad a have at least a small emergency fund. Ended day one of vacation with a flat tire. And no spare. I don't know what happened to my "donut", but it's gone. So, I need a tow back to the hotel, and then another tow in the morning to either get this one fixed or buy a new one.

But in the plus side, I'm doing better on the trip than I was afraid I'd do. Have pain from sitting stationary, but not as bad as I worried it would be.

 

[Angeejoe]

So very glad a have at least a small emergency fund. Ended day one of vacation with a flat tire. And no spare. I don't know what happened to my "donut", but it's gone. So, I need a tow back to the hotel, and then another tow in the morning to either get this one fixed or buy a new one.

But in the plus side, I'm doing better on the trip than I was afraid I'd do. Have pain from sitting stationary, but not as bad as I worried it would be.

Just saw this on your TR. I'm so sorry. When I was asking for a lively TR, I meant fun stuff at the parks, you're taking it to the extremes. I'm glad you're not alone & have your roommate with you at least. It can only get better, right?