Debt Dumpers - 2016

[Brancaneve]

Guys, I don't know what it is but I feel like things are finally clicking! The snowball is working. I think for too long I deviated from plan trying to throw money at too many debts at once. I'm really sticking to the snowball and I finally feel like we're paying things off and making a dent. ( Still a long way to go.) I also started a diet a month ago and have lost 12 pounds so far. I can't help but to feel the two are related. It's like I've finally decided to get serious and buckle. If this were a Facebook post I'd be adding -- feeling determined!

They are absolutely related! Congratulations on both the snowball and weight loss. I think that some people just indulge in spending, food, drink, etc. Stopping one behavior affects the others. Good job!

 

[ctinct]

I know it's hard, but try to breathe.

Two things stood out to me. You said he may have a rare heart arrhythmia. Well, maybe, but he also may have something easily treatable.

And you said the worst case scenario is that he may have to be on meds and have life long check ins with his docs. Well, I'm guessing you and he can live with that, right?

I think sometimes when docs give us info, they don't stop to think how we will receive it. The info is good, but I think some of us, and I include myself in that group, only hear the worst of it. Is there a friend you can bring to your dons doctor visits to listen, take notes, and ask questions you may not think of? It's hard when hearing things about your child to keep things straight in your mind.

And, although I really have no right to know this, and you certainly don't have to answer, is this by any chance Long QT? The reason I ask is my neighbors had two (grown now) children with this syndrome. They were told the girls would probably need transplants. They never did, and they are both adults now. Yes, they are monitored, but growing up, the one daughter even played soccer.

Hang in there. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Ngwira]

I am freaking out but trying to be strong. DS had an abnormal EKG he may have a very rare heart arrhythmia. One of the tests we can do is a genetic blood test which I of course approved right away. Waiting to find out if the insurance approves. If not, this will cost me $1500. Worst cases...he is diagnosed and will need medicine and lifelong check ins with doctors and geneticists OR we still don't know what's "wrong" with him. I just hate thinking about him having a greater chance of drowning or never being allowed to swim again.

I'm in panick mode and am trying to figure out how I can raise the money if needed. I'm thinking of selling my belongings, having a fundraiser or getting a weekend job.

I just want to sob but I still have to tell my dad and my sister before I can break down. I held strong for DS at the hospital and dropped him off to finish his visit with his grandparents. I filled them in but can only hope they tell DS's father. If I tell him it may end up with me in jail and that is the last thing I need.

I think I'm going to build up my savings and stop debt dumping for a while. I just can't imagine life without DS and I want to enjoy every second I can with him. I want to have the money available to pay for whatever is needed for him to get diagnosed and treated.

How awful. I'm so sorry. My thoughts are with you and your DS.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I am freaking out but trying to be strong. DS had an abnormal EKG he may have a very rare heart arrhythmia. One of the tests we can do is a genetic blood test which I of course approved right away. Waiting to find out if the insurance approves. If not, this will cost me $1500. Worst cases...he is diagnosed and will need medicine and lifelong check ins with doctors and geneticists OR we still don't know what's "wrong" with him. I just hate thinking about him having a greater chance of drowning or never being allowed to swim again.

I'm in panick mode and am trying to figure out how I can raise the money if needed. I'm thinking of selling my belongings, having a fundraiser or getting a weekend job.

I just want to sob but I still have to tell my dad and my sister before I can break down. I held strong for DS at the hospital and dropped him off to finish his visit with his grandparents. I filled them in but can only hope they tell DS's father. If I tell him it may end up with me in jail and that is the last thing I need.

I think I'm going to build up my savings and stop debt dumping for a while. I just can't imagine life without DS and I want to enjoy every second I can with him. I want to have the money available to pay for whatever is needed for him to get diagnosed and treated.

I wish you happy results for your ds. It can't hurt to get a 2nd opinion preferably a big teaching hospital or children's hospital. Usually insurance covers that too. Putting in savings is a great plan. You can always throw it lump-sum at the debt when things settle down and you know what you're dealing with.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Guys, I don't know what it is but I feel like things are finally clicking! The snowball is working. I think for too long I deviated from plan trying to throw money at too many debts at once. I'm really sticking to the snowball and I finally feel like we're paying things off and making a dent. ( Still a long way to go.) I also started a diet a month ago and have lost 12 pounds so far. I can't help but to feel the two are related. It's like I've finally decided to get serious and buckle. If this were a Facebook post I'd be adding -- feeling determined!

Isn't it amazing??!! I wish I had read about it 20 yrs ago. All the time & stress of tossing a little extra at each bill and wondering why we're still running on the hamster wheel all this time. The good part is once you get some of those smaller ones paid off and really watch the snowball grow. All the while your total amount of outgoing bills stays exactly the same each week. You just send it in a different direction.
It's a beautiful thing. Stay strong!
I wish it could be that easy to lose weight!!

 

[PrincessKymm]

I know it's hard, but try to breathe.

Two things stood out to me. You said he may have a rare heart arrhythmia. Well, maybe, but he also may have something easily treatable.

And you said the worst case scenario is that he may have to be on meds and have life long check ins with his docs. Well, I'm guessing you and he can live with that, right?

I think sometimes when docs give us info, they don't stop to think how we will receive it. The info is good, but I think some of us, and I include myself in that group, only hear the worst of it. Is there a friend you can bring to your dons doctor visits to listen, take notes, and ask questions you may not think of? It's hard when hearing things about your child to keep things straight in your mind.

And, although I really have no right to know this, and you certainly don't have to answer, is this by any chance Long QT? The reason I ask is my neighbors had two (grown now) children with this syndrome. They were told the girls would probably need transplants. They never did, and they are both adults now. Yes, they are monitored, but growing up, the one daughter even played soccer.

Hang in there. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Funny you mention bringing someone. Normally my dad comes with us, he's less emotional than I, but I told him not to come this time since he just took a week off when family came to town and he bought a new motorcycle so he needs the money. I thought this was going to be an in and out checkup like last time. Last time we were in and out in an hour! Today was a long day, I'm sorry I didn't ask my dad to come.

Long QT was ruled out a few years ago. They are now thinking he may, or may not, have Short QT syndrome. Less than 100 people are diagnosed world wide. Google it, cuz I did. He has 2 of the 4 symptoms listed and his EKG today was another piece of the puzzle. He has a loop recorder implanted to read his heart beat 24/7. I forgot to ask if they will review his last year of readings for this new puzzle piece. Because there is a history in his dad's family of the men dropping dead of heart failure in their 40's I'm really nervous. I have to circle back and question the family again about sudden deaths in the family.

Thank you all for your kind words! They mean so much.

I live in an apartment so I can't have a garage sale myself but I will ask a couple of people to help me host one if needed.

 

[momtosam]

Sending you lots of positive thoughts and prayers!

I am freaking out but trying to be strong. DS had an abnormal EKG he may have a very rare heart arrhythmia. One of the tests we can do is a genetic blood test which I of course approved right away. Waiting to find out if the insurance approves. If not, this will cost me $1500. Worst cases...he is diagnosed and will need medicine and lifelong check ins with doctors and geneticists OR we still don't know what's "wrong" with him. I just hate thinking about him having a greater chance of drowning or never being allowed to swim again.

I'm in panick mode and am trying to figure out how I can raise the money if needed. I'm thinking of selling my belongings, having a fundraiser or getting a weekend job.

I just want to sob but I still have to tell my dad and my sister before I can break down. I held strong for DS at the hospital and dropped him off to finish his visit with his grandparents. I filled them in but can only hope they tell DS's father. If I tell him it may end up with me in jail and that is the last thing I need.

I think I'm going to build up my savings and stop debt dumping for a while. I just can't imagine life without DS and I want to enjoy every second I can with him. I want to have the money available to pay for whatever is needed for him to get diagnosed and treated.

 

[bcwife76]

@PrincessKymm I'm so sorry, I can't imagine the rollercoaster of emotions you are going through at the moment. And then to have to worry about how to pay for the medical bills on top of it. Sending you both lots of love, prayers and good thoughts.

 

[DisneyMandC]

So sorry @PrincessKymm I'm thinking of you and your DS. Hopefully you get some answers soon

 

[Ngwira]

I was crunching numbers this morning and it looks like I'll be able to throw another $1,000.00 to my car payment this month. I have to wait for my statement to generate, though. Payment is not due until September 5.

Bank of America expedited one of my Amtrak rewards Mastercard and it's sitting on my doorstep now according to UPS. I have to spend $1,000 to obtain the bonus. I will pay my car insurance ($86) and sewer bill ($88) with it tonight. I also plan on paying my 6 month car insurance premium with it which will be around $820 or so (will generate in August). That should take care of the minimum spend.

Then I have to work on the other card..I will switch from using my Starwood AMEX and put all spending on it. After bonuses, I should have 32,000 points which will almost get me round trip family bedroom on auto train for next years Disney trip. DH also signed up for the same card so between the two of us, we should have at least 55,000 points. A family bedroom is 21,000 points one way, so well worth the $75.00 annual fee. The second card has no annual fee so I intend to keep it after the year is up. It also comes with a companion pass so I used DH's pass to book amtrak train to Baltimore for next year's cruise. We are sailing on Grandeur of the Seas in May for my 40th. I haven't figured out what to do with my companion pass yet!

Round trip auto train tickets are $1500.00 a year for us and that's booking 11 months out at the cheapest rate. I've paid it for the past 4 years and am looking forward to using points to save $$.

 

[Ngwira]

I am trying to stay away from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale..lol but boy do they have some good prices on quality stuff. I wear Mac makeup and that stuff can be pricey. Also good deals on Spanx, Patagonia, Sorel and other name brand goods. So far, I've only bought one thing and I used a rewards certificate to buy it. Trying to stay strong...

 

[Gena001]

I am trying to stay away from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale..lol but boy do they have some good prices on quality stuff. I wear Mac makeup and that stuff can be pricey. Also good deals on Spanx, Patagonia, Sorel and other name brand goods. So far, I've only bought one thing and I used a rewards certificate to buy it. Trying to stay strong...

Ohh, I didn't realize Mac was on sale....

 

[Gena001]

@PrincessKymm good vibes, prayers and hugs to you! I hope you receive a quick diagnosis and treatment plan. A second opinion on the treatment may yield some other ideas as well.

 

[Gena001]

All, just an update on hubby's skin cancer. It was the "best" one! Basil cell carcinoma. A dermitological surgeon did a quick office procedure and got it all on the first try (thankful for that as more "attempts" = more $, I'm sure ). So far, so good. We had a hiccup with the first doc, but loved the one we actually used.

His insurance plan has a $2,500 deductible so between this surgery and his recent dehydration visit, I bet we're there. Haven't seen the bills yet. Glad he has a HSA account AND that his employer contributes $1k annually. He's built up a tidy sum that should cover this.

It sucks getting old, but I'm gonna fight natural aging myself.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

All, just an update on hubby's skin cancer. It was the "best" one! Basil cell carcinoma. A dermitological surgeon did a quick office procedure and got it all on the first try (thankful for that as more "attempts" = more $, I'm sure ). So far, so good. We had a hiccup with the first doc, but loved the one we actually used.

His insurance plan has a $2,500 deductible so between this surgery and his recent dehydration visit, I bet we're there. Haven't seen the bills yet. Glad he has a HSA account AND that his employer contributes $1k annually. He's built up a tidy sum that should cover this.

It sucks getting old, but I'm gonna fight natural aging myself.

That's great news! Hoping that you have enough in the HSA to cover most everything. It sure does suck getting old. I recently renewed my life insurance and was shocked by how much it went up.

 

[Ngwira]

Ohh, I didn't realize Mac was on sale....

It was for me since I had a $10 reward certificate. I paid $7 for Mac matte lipstick. I got "ruby woo".

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't know if I got this info for this link from this thread or another or even if I posted it before. Sorry if I did but I am so excited. http://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-bank-account-bonuses/

We signed up for the M&T bank bonus, 1 for me, 1 for dh for $300. Then did the Chase bonus (checking only) for me, dh, & ds19. Of course ds keeps his but just got the $600 to me & dh today.
We also signed up for the Santander bonus which will be another $300. We'll have to wait until the account is 3 months old to get that bonus but it will be handy at Christmas time.
I was just eyeing the US Bank bonus when I started feeling like I need to stop. Payday is getting very busy with direct deposits going in several directions. Dh never knows from which account he can tap an ATM but it's getting easier.
It can be a pain to follow each bank's requirements to have all the monthly fees waived but some are so simple such as "any transactions" so that's easy enough.
This generated $900 toward our Christmas fund with another $300 arriving in Nov. Well worth a few hours of juggling.
BTW, this is not a referral; no bonus for me if you follow any of these offers.

 

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

Well. We shall have to see what happens now.

Took it back to Walmart, and they politely said that I was past the time they can do anything, and I have a $1000 paperweight.

They did keep it and said they would get in touch with a repair shop. I'm not sure if they will cover the cost of the repair or not, I'm guessing not but ...



Wonder if I could start a gofundme page?

Yikes! My dad is in the small engine sales & repair business he use to contract with Wal-Mart then they got silly and he quit mainly because the stuff walmart sales is junk

but since you've already bought the mower I would call around to some repair places. I would get the mower back from walmart or else you might not ever see it again or at least not before fall they like to drag their feet to get it to the repairman.

it could and hopefully will be a simple fix- belt worn/jumped off or something needs cleaned. I kept having issues with my old craftsman and it was the belt kept jumping off. We have 2+ acres to mow so the regular mower took forever we borrow DH grandpa's zero turn right now but that's out big goal next year to get our own. (Of course from my dad he sells a few brands)

that's such a bummer! are ya'll in a dry spell in Ark like we are here in Louisiana? If so good news is that grass is dying so not much to mow now. Bad news for my dad's business and keeps DH running with grass fires lol I hate dry weather!

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I don't know if I got this info for this link from this thread or another or even if I posted it before. Sorry if I did but I am so excited. http://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-bank-account-bonuses/

We signed up for the M&T bank bonus, 1 for me, 1 for dh for $300. Then did the Chase bonus (checking only) for me, dh, & ds19. Of course ds keeps his but just got the $600 to me & dh today.
We also signed up for the Santander bonus which will be another $300. We'll have to wait until the account is 3 months old to get that bonus but it will be handy at Christmas time.
I was just eyeing the US Bank bonus when I started feeling like I need to stop. Payday is getting very busy with direct deposits going in several directions. Dh never knows from which account he can tap an ATM but it's getting easier.
It can be a pain to follow each bank's requirements to have all the monthly fees waived but some are so simple such as "any transactions" so that's easy enough.
This generated $900 toward our Christmas fund with another $300 arriving in Nov. Well worth a few hours of juggling.
BTW, this is not a referral; no bonus for me if you follow any of these offers.

The Chase bonus was so easy. Just one direct deposit and we got the bonus. Then I was able to cancel the direct deposit to that account. I just signed up for an offer I got from TIAA for $200. I will have just one $2500 direct deposit to them this month, then after that I can cancel the direct deposit, keep just $100 in the account (no minimum required!) and call it a day.

 

[Ngwira]

I don't know if I got this info for this link from this thread or another or even if I posted it before. Sorry if I did but I am so excited. http://www.doctorofcredit.com/best-bank-account-bonuses/

We signed up for the M&T bank bonus, 1 for me, 1 for dh for $300. Then did the Chase bonus (checking only) for me, dh, & ds19. Of course ds keeps his but just got the $600 to me & dh today.
We also signed up for the Santander bonus which will be another $300. We'll have to wait until the account is 3 months old to get that bonus but it will be handy at Christmas time.
I was just eyeing the US Bank bonus when I started feeling like I need to stop. Payday is getting very busy with direct deposits going in several directions. Dh never knows from which account he can tap an ATM but it's getting easier.
It can be a pain to follow each bank's requirements to have all the monthly fees waived but some are so simple such as "any transactions" so that's easy enough.
This generated $900 toward our Christmas fund with another $300 arriving in Nov. Well worth a few hours of juggling.
BTW, this is not a referral; no bonus for me if you follow any of these offers.

Wow, that is a nice chunk of change!