Debt Dumpers - 2016

[Gena001]

@Gena001 , thinking of you and your family and hoping for swift and good answers. Please keep us updated as we'll have you in our thoughts!

It was a tough weekend at my house. Yesterday I put down my first pony that my parents bought me when I was 9 years old. I'd owned him for 18 years, and he turned 31 years old last month. I'm thankful that I was with him and that he didn't suffer long as he got sick yesterday morning and it was clearly apparent to us and to my vet that his time had come. He's very missed already, it's always tough saying goodbye to the furbabies. Even my poor vet was crying!

I'm so sorry about your pony. They sure do get in our hearts, don't they? Best wishes.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

It's it bad to say that I'm thankful it's "only" skin cancer?

I don't want to be an alarmist, but skin cancer can be very serious. My uncle died from melanoma about 30 years ago. Hopefully it is easier to catch it early and treat it than it was back then, but it is an extremely serious and deadly form of cancer. I really hope that is not what your DH has, but the sooner you find out, the better.

 

[Dentam]

I don't want to be an alarmist, but skin cancer can be very serious. My uncle died from melanoma about 30 years ago. Hopefully it is easier to catch it early and treat it than it was back then, but it is an extremely serious and deadly form of cancer. I really hope that is not what your DH has, but the sooner you find out, the better.

I didn't want to make her worry too much either, but one of my volunteers at work passed away from melanoma a couple of years ago. It moved into his organs very quickly.

@Gena001 - sending good thoughts to your family and prayers that it is another type of skin cancer.

 

[Eureka]

I didn't want to make her worry too much either, but one of my volunteers at work passed away from melanoma a couple of years ago. It moved into his organs very quickly.

@Gena001 - sending good thoughts to your family and prayers that it is another type of skin cancer.

@Gena001 if it ends up being melanoma, ask about Keytruda. It's a drug that has recently been approved for (metastatic? Not sure) melanoma. The sister of a friend was in the trial before it was approved and it shrunk the mass in her abdomen to almost nothing. She's healthy, traveling and having a great quality of life.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

So I wanted to give another update about our budgeting progress this month. I was looking over our trend data in Mint and I noticed that over the past 5 months with have been spending an average of $600 more than we have made in income. So that would explain why I was making seemingly big payments on our credit cards, but not really feeling like they were budging at all.

We have about a week left in the month and I only anticipate about another $200 or less in additional spending until the end. Adding in that extra money will result in $1600 less in spending this month than our average over the past 5 months. Which means that is about $1000 less than our paycheck (after taxes, retirement, healthcare, etc.)! This is the least amount of money that I have spent in a single month since January 2014 (when I lived alone and was only making 1 car payment).

And this month was just our first attempt at using YNAB. I am fairly sure that we could reduce that spending a bit further. But even if we didn't shave it anymore, we can easily pay down all of the debt before any 0% interest expires on our cards. I was really stressed about our finances last month. I have to say, this has been such a huge revelation. I love YNAB. I love that DH is more involved. And I love that I now feel so much more informed, focused and less stressed.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hey guys....feeling a bit dumpy. My hubby went to dermatologist a year ago and asked about a spot on his nose. She wasn't worried about it. Fast forward a year, he's back and she removed it. Biopsy did come back as skin cancer so now we are waiting on an appointment with a dermatological plastic surgeon. They will need to go in and dig it all out. He was told to plan on a whole day.

I will be at every appointment with him because this is all I know about the situation. Since they did some analysis, wouldn't they know what type of cancer he has? ...maybe not how bad It is...

Any knowledge you all have is appreciated as well as prayers.

And, June is typically the first month of his plan year for insurance, but for whatever reason they are extending the year by 4 months. Guess, for the first time ever, we'll meet the deductible.

@Gena001- I'm sorry to hear about your DH. Sending prayers!

@Gena001 , thinking of you and your family and hoping for swift and good answers. Please keep us updated as we'll have you in our thoughts!

It was a tough weekend at my house. Yesterday I put down my first pony that my parents bought me when I was 9 years old. I'd owned him for 18 years, and he turned 31 years old last month. I'm thankful that I was with him and that he didn't suffer long as he got sick yesterday morning and it was clearly apparent to us and to my vet that his time had come. He's very missed already, it's always tough saying goodbye to the furbabies. Even my poor vet was crying!

@DisneyMandC - I'm so sorry to hear about your first pony! Many hugs for you!

 

[toystoryduo]

It's been a rough couple of weeks here.

My DH is a sub-contractor and found out that one of his ongoing contracts may not be renewed due to potential budget cuts. We should know for sure in the next few weeks.

As far as my DH's other business goes, sales have fallen off again. We are making some tweaks here and there, and hope and pray that both businesses pick up soon.

In the meantime, we are still trying to save money, even if it's just a few dollars per pay. At the moment, we are still planning on going to Florida at the end of August because the trip is almost completely paid for, but we may have to shorten it by a few days to keep it under budget.

This has been such a stressful year for us so far. I keep praying that life will calm down a bit, but we keep getting thrown these curve balls. Any good thoughts and prayers that you can send our way would be much appreciated.

 

[DnA2010]

@Gena001 , thinking of you and your family and hoping for swift and good answers. Please keep us updated as we'll have you in our thoughts!

It was a tough weekend at my house. Yesterday I put down my first pony that my parents bought me when I was 9 years old. I'd owned him for 18 years, and he turned 31 years old last month. I'm thankful that I was with him and that he didn't suffer long as he got sick yesterday morning and it was clearly apparent to us and to my vet that his time had come. He's very missed already, it's always tough saying goodbye to the furbabies. Even my poor vet was crying!

We've had two oldies go in the last couple years, it is indeed very hard- last year was DD's first pony- thankfully like yours, he went downhill quick and the choice was hard, the year before it was FIL's homebred, she was 33 and the daughter of the horse he had on the farm in Saskatchewan that he rode many miles when the family moved to the city, working 2 jobs to pay her keep. All 4 of the kids in DH's family rode her, it is very sad indeed.

 

[Gena001]

@Dentam and @Jen and Ashwin. I know, I know. I figured there would be a reply like this. I just feel like other types of cancer are so...so...what do I want to say...More apt to be alarmist and have chemo, etc. I SO appreciate your thoughts and well wishes.

But I'm kind of exasperated with him. He worried about it all weekend and mentioned it quite a few times...now we're past doctor hours for Tuesday and he still hasn't spoke to the new office. Now it's not a priority! UGH! Guess I'll have to make some calls myself. Don't know how far I'll get with all the HIPPA laws.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't want to be an alarmist, but skin cancer can be very serious. My uncle died from melanoma about 30 years ago. Hopefully it is easier to catch it early and treat it than it was back then, but it is an extremely serious and deadly form of cancer. I really hope that is not what your DH has, but the sooner you find out, the better.

I was thinking this too. I don't want to be pessimistic but until you know what type it is, don't get too lax about it just yet. Though I think I know what you mean in that of all the types of cancer one could get, it could be a lot worse.

 

[Gena001]

@ruadisneyfan2 Yep, that's exactly what I meant! Thank you.

 

[bcwife76]

So my dad's house sold! It was on the market for less than 10 days; sold $110,000 under asking but considering I thought they would be asking significantly less it's basically $300,000 more than I thought it would go for! They close mid-September so looks like the rest of my inheritance *should* come through before the end of the year (again, early than I was expecting). Now I'm not counting my chickens just yet as I know things can get derailed, take longer, etc, but it's exciting to think that we will be paying off our mortgage in February 2017 instead of renewing it! Still, not counting those chickens until they are in the bank account.....*breathe*

 

[Dentam]

So my dad's house sold! It was on the market for less than 10 days; sold $110,000 under asking but considering I thought they would be asking significantly less it's basically $300,000 more than I thought it would go for! They close mid-September so looks like the rest of my inheritance *should* come through before the end of the year (again, early than I was expecting). Now I'm not counting my chickens just yet as I know things can get derailed, take longer, etc, but it's exciting to think that we will be paying off our mortgage in February 2017 instead of renewing it! Still, not counting those chickens until they are in the bank account.....*breathe*

That's so exciting! 300k more... wow, that must be a pretty swanky area!

 

[bcwife76]

That's so exciting! 300k more... wow, that must be a pretty swanky area!

I'm not sure it's so much swanky as overpriced! Vancouver BC and the surrounding suburbs are one of the most expensive places to live IN THE WORLD. Not the country. THE WORLD. Housing is incredibly expensive here. The house is 32 years old and has not be renovated since it was built. And it still sold for just over $1.7million. Insanity.

When we bought our house at the end of 2011 we didn't realize just how lucky we were; if we were house hunting today we could not afford it. It makes me realize just how very fortunate my family and I are, honestly.

 

[DisneyMandC]

We've had two oldies go in the last couple years, it is indeed very hard- last year was DD's first pony- thankfully like yours, he went downhill quick and the choice was hard, the year before it was FIL's homebred, she was 33 and the daughter of the horse he had on the farm in Saskatchewan that he rode many miles when the family moved to the city, working 2 jobs to pay her keep. All 4 of the kids in DH's family rode her, it is very sad indeed.

Awww. We put down his 35 year old pasture mate about 2 years ago. I knew he wouldn't be here forever, but it sure is tough walking into the barn to feed and not hearing him whinny to me. I never realized how quiet it was without that and him banging on his door for his dinner.

 

[Dentam]

I'm not sure it's so much swanky as overpriced! Vancouver BC and the surrounding suburbs are one of the most expensive places to live IN THE WORLD. Not the country. THE WORLD. Housing is incredibly expensive here. The house is 32 years old and has not be renovated since it was built. And it still sold for just over $1.7million. Insanity.

Wow, I had no idea it was one of the priciest areas in the world! Kind of like here in Denver where 110 year old, 1200 sq ft houses without AC are selling for half a million and up!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

So my dad's house sold! It was on the market for less than 10 days; sold $110,000 under asking but considering I thought they would be asking significantly less it's basically $300,000 more than I thought it would go for! They close mid-September so looks like the rest of my inheritance *should* come through before the end of the year (again, early than I was expecting). Now I'm not counting my chickens just yet as I know things can get derailed, take longer, etc, but it's exciting to think that we will be paying off our mortgage in February 2017 instead of renewing it! Still, not counting those chickens until they are in the bank account.....*breathe*

Wow! That's great! I can't even fathom having no debt and no mortgage. For us that's like hitting the lottery.

 

[bcwife76]

Wow! That's great! I can't even fathom having no debt and no mortgage. For us that's like hitting the lottery.

Believe me, that's how we feel - and what we thought would have to happen for us to pay everything off! Since my dad and I were estranged I just figured I was cut out of the will (thinking he HAD a will because he TOLD people he had one!!). So to die without one means the provincial government dictates who gets what, whether he wanted it that way or not. We will definitely be speaking with a financial advisor to get some ideas of how to handle what is left over once we pay out our mortgage. I mean, it's not like my dh can quit his job, but it does mean we'll have a much better financial cushion when he does retire and gives us more breathing room once we no longer have an $1100 monthly mortgage bill. Think we will pay out our car loan too; we still have 3yrs left on it and it's at 0% interest (yes I know nothing is every truly zero percent) so knock that out and that's another $340/month to sock away.

 

[gracie1]

Believe me, that's how we feel - and what we thought would have to happen for us to pay everything off! Since my dad and I were estranged I just figured I was cut out of the will (thinking he HAD a will because he TOLD people he had one!!). So to die without one means the provincial government dictates who gets what, whether he wanted it that way or not. We will definitely be speaking with a financial advisor to get some ideas of how to handle what is left over once we pay out our mortgage. I mean, it's not like my dh can quit his job, but it does mean we'll have a much better financial cushion when he does retire and gives us more breathing room once we no longer have an $1100 monthly mortgage bill. Think we will pay out our car loan too; we still have 3yrs left on it and it's at 0% interest (yes I know nothing is every truly zero percent) so knock that out and that's another $340/month to sock away.

How exciting! Even if it is 0% interest - if I had the money to pay every single thing off I would do it!

 

[DnA2010]

Believe me, that's how we feel - and what we thought would have to happen for us to pay everything off! Since my dad and I were estranged I just figured I was cut out of the will (thinking he HAD a will because he TOLD people he had one!!). So to die without one means the provincial government dictates who gets what, whether he wanted it that way or not. We will definitely be speaking with a financial advisor to get some ideas of how to handle what is left over once we pay out our mortgage. I mean, it's not like my dh can quit his job, but it does mean we'll have a much better financial cushion when he does retire and gives us more breathing room once we no longer have an $1100 monthly mortgage bill. Think we will pay out our car loan too; we still have 3yrs left on it and it's at 0% interest (yes I know nothing is every truly zero percent) so knock that out and that's another $340/month to sock away.

Oh yay! I figured it would sell quick- was just reading about how Vancouverites are buying up condos for their school age kids crazy stuff! Makes you wonder how long it can last, but until they get a handle on the foreign dollars coming in too right.
$1100 is good for a mortgage but even better for it to go away! Ours up here is more than double that but it is what it is right. I'd drop the car loan too, there generally isn't a penalty for doing it and you are home free