Debt Dumpers - 2016

[rnorwo1]

I'm not a thrill rider so I'm not sure if I would want to add another Universal day to go by myself. A lot of my fun there was being with others. But I'd be quite happy snacking my way through resorts, lol.

Then just do that! It really was a nice day, and you can splurge on a few treats since you'll be "saving" (haha!) $120, and you won't have to share the treats with anyone!

 

[DisneyMandC]

Then just do that! It really was a nice day, and you can splurge on a few treats since you'll be "saving" (haha!) $120, and you won't have to share the treats with anyone!

DH and I had a great time just hopping on the monorail and riding around to the resorts, and then stopping at MK and just getting on a bus to whatever other hotels we wanted to see.

Don't know your feeling son Disney Springs/what the construction looks like down there, but you could always drop in there as well.

 

[gracie1]

Rarely get to Florida. We've taken the kids three times within 5 years and like I said, they are ready for other things now, so no trip on the horizon. We also live 874 miles away from WDW (DS#2 was 5 years old when we first went and he was fascinated with the mileage so we remember it) so not like it's around the corner.

When I decided to do this trip, I knew I'd have to buy plane tickets (already bought:first time flying there; we've always driven) and DH and I discussed that I wanted to buy my sister's Universal ticket. I knew I wouldn't have to pay for hotel and turns out I may not have to pay for as many meals as I thought. I also thought I'd have to pay my own shuttle to/from the airport but my sister's company prefers Uber which does not charge per person and she would need to expense that anyway whether it was just her or her and me. So really the Epcot ticket is the only extra expense I hadn't already thought about.

I'm normally the one against splurges - lol! But it's not like you have a trip planned to go back anytime soon - and if you did it wouldn't be with your sister and like you said - you've missed out every time you've been. I would say go for it - and enjoy doing this with your sister!

 

[gracie1]

Stupid TV/internet, I switched internet provider from Comcast to AT&T and saved 80.00 a month. My TV service is DirectTV, since they recently merged with AT&T the rep asked if it was ok to combine billing - no problem. I just checked my checking account to reconcile my YNAB and there was a 428.00 AT&T debit, boo. The "old me" didn't notice that the bill wasn't being deducted, no wonder Christmas didn't seem quite so painful this year. Between that and a 180.00 kitty bill Friday, there goes most of my snowball, that's deflating.

Ouch!! that is a big debit!

 

[rnorwo1]

Oh boy... I know I shouldn't do this but I am so tempted to foster this Bernese mix dog that a local rescue is still trying to find a home for... aaah. They would cover all vet bills, food, etc. But my problem would be that I'm sure I'd fall in love with him and wouldn't want to give him up! Not exactly a good debt dumping strategy.

No, not a good financial decision at all, haha! We adopted two dogs this past summer, they had some behavioral problems from their maltreatment and, long story short one, of them ended up needing three surgeries and a month in the hospital after one of their fights! We had to re-homed the more aggressive one. I cried for a week solid about losing her, but once we found the most amazing family to take her, I had peace. So, maybe if you can keep that in mind you'll be able to part with him? If he's not a good candidate for adoption, could you keep him forever and they continue to cover the vet bills?

I used to think people were insane with the money they spent on pets, but here we are, one of the crazies! After the injured pup healed we got another one so he could have a playmate. We love them, but they are so expensive!

 

[Dentam]

No, not a good financial decision at all, haha! We adopted two dogs this past summer, they had some behavioral problems from their maltreatment and, long story short one, of them ended up needing three surgeries and a month in the hospital after one of their fights! We had to re-homed the more aggressive one. I cried for a week solid about losing her, but once we found the most amazing family to take her, I had peace. So, maybe if you can keep that in mind you'll be able to part with him? If he's not a good candidate for adoption, could you keep him forever and they continue to cover the vet bills?

He is only 18 months old and is said to be a real love bug. My dog is 20 months old and would LOVE a playmate I'm sure. I'd be a bit concerned about them playing in the house while I was at work, ha! The rescue group would cover all vet bills, food, and supplies. I'll probably wait to see if anyone else offers and if it becomes dire I'll jump in. I wouldn't adopt him though - one large dog with her food and vet bills is enough for me! Maybe I could arrange play dates for them with the new owners eventually.

 

[DisneyMandC]

DH and I have been talking about getting a second dog at the end of this year, but it just is such a big commitment! We have a golden retriever now, and I know he would absolutely love another dog. It's just so expensive, on top of feeling bad that he's home alone with the cat all day

 

[Dentam]

DH and I have been talking about getting a second dog at the end of this year, but it just is such a big commitment! We have a golden retriever now, and I know he would absolutely love another dog. It's just so expensive, on top of feeling bad that he's home alone with the cat all day

My dog is home with the cats all day too, although I am able to come home at lunch most every day to let her out in the yard for a bit. She goes to doggy daycare about once a week to get some play time in, but that adds up as well. Definitely a dilemma!

 

[DisneyMandC]

My dog is home with the cats all day too, although I am able to come home at lunch most every day to let her out in the yard for a bit. She goes to doggy daycare about once a week to get some play time in, but that adds up as well. Definitely a dilemma!

We're saving up to put a large fenced in yard around our house this spring for him to be out in during the day, but obviously I'm not going to put him out there when it's too hot or cold. We got him back when DH was working from home, so it was no problem then, but now he's in an office. I wish I could get something from home in my field! Or just be a stay at home dog mom!

 

[Dentam]

We're saving up to put a large fenced in yard around our house this spring for him to be out in during the day, but obviously I'm not going to put him out there when it's too hot or cold. We got him back when DH was working from home, so it was no problem then, but now he's in an office. I wish I could get something from home in my field! Or just be a stay at home dog mom!

I have a fenced in yard and did leave her out there when she was younger, but I don't feel comfortable doing that now. I've had service people come in and then leave the gate wide open when they left (luckily not when she was out there) but I'm too worried she'd be let out or worse yet someone would steal her which happens also. Staying home to be a dog mom would be pretty sweet!

 

[DisneyMandC]

I have a fenced in yard and did leave her out there when she was younger, but I don't feel comfortable doing that now. I've had service people come in and then leave the gate wide open when they left (luckily not when she was out there) but I'm too worried she'd be let out or worse yet someone would steal her which happens also. Staying home to be a dog mom would be pretty sweet!

Oh god, now that opens up a whole new world of fears...

 

[Dentam]

Oh god, now that opens up a whole new world of fears...

sorry...

 

[Shmily1]

Oh boy... I know I shouldn't do this but I am so tempted to foster this Bernese mix dog that a local rescue is still trying to find a home for... aaah. They would cover all vet bills, food, etc. But my problem would be that I'm sure I'd fall in love with him and wouldn't want to give him up! Not exactly a good debt dumping strategy.

That's why I can't foster. I couldn't give them up. DH would not be happy. lol

 

[Eureka]

He is only 18 months old and is said to be a real love bug. My dog is 20 months old and would LOVE a playmate I'm sure. I'd be a bit concerned about them playing in the house while I was at work, ha! The rescue group would cover all vet bills, food, and supplies. I'll probably wait to see if anyone else offers and if it becomes dire I'll jump in. I wouldn't adopt him though - one large dog with her food and vet bills is enough for me! Maybe I could arrange play dates for them with the new owners eventually.

You know you want to....

 

[Dentam]

You know you want to....

Yeah, but I shouldn't... hope someone steps up to foster him so I don't have to make that decision!

 

[AmyAnne]

I have a question for you experts -- should DH and I put extra money towards student loans, mortgage, or retirement? The student loan and mortgage are our only debt. The student loan is about $32,000 at 2.5 percent interest and the mortgage has about $175,000 left at 3.75 percent. Our retirement accounts could use some more funds but we aren't planning on retiring any time soon . . . DH wants to pay off the student loans because of the tax benefit of the mortgage interest, but I'm not sure the higher interest rate (compared to the student loan) is worth it. Any recommendations? If there's no clear best option, I think I will advocate for spreading the money among all three (which seems psychologically less satisfying than making a big dent in something). The additional $ is about $500 a month.

Any thoughts?

 

[bcwife76]

I have a question for you experts -- should DH and I put extra money towards student loans, mortgage, or retirement? The student loan and mortgage are our only debt. The student loan is about $32,000 at 2.5 percent interest and the mortgage has about $175,000 left at 3.75 percent. Our retirement accounts could use some more funds but we aren't planning on retiring any time soon . . . DH wants to pay off the student loans because of the tax benefit of the mortgage interest, but I'm not sure the higher interest rate (compared to the student loan) is worth it. Any recommendations? If there's no clear best option, I think I will advocate for spreading the money among all three (which seems psychologically less satisfying than making a big dent in something). The additional $ is about $500 a month.

Any thoughts?

I'm a big believer in throwing extra cash at the debt which has the highest interest rate, so in this case, your mortgage. How much 'extra' are we talking about? $100? $1,000? If you make a lump sum extra payment on your mortgage that payment goes directly to the principal. Each year, for example, we are able to 'prepay' up to 15% of our mortgage without penalty and that goes directly to the principal.

My other question would be how far away from retirement are you (or retirement age at least)? What is the rate of return on your retirement account right now?

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I have a question for you experts -- should DH and I put extra money towards student loans, mortgage, or retirement?

Depending on your current student loan payments to which you would add the extra $500.00 a month you should be able to pay them off in five years, maybe less. If you pay off the student loan then you could snowball that payment + the $500.00 toward your mortgage in a few years. Another question would be is this house your forever home or would you want to upgrade in the future.

 

[gracie1]

I have a question for you experts -- should DH and I put extra money towards student loans, mortgage, or retirement? The student loan and mortgage are our only debt. The student loan is about $32,000 at 2.5 percent interest and the mortgage has about $175,000 left at 3.75 percent. Our retirement accounts could use some more funds but we aren't planning on retiring any time soon . . . DH wants to pay off the student loans because of the tax benefit of the mortgage interest, but I'm not sure the higher interest rate (compared to the student loan) is worth it. Any recommendations? If there's no clear best option, I think I will advocate for spreading the money among all three (which seems psychologically less satisfying than making a big dent in something). The additional $ is about $500 a month.

Any thoughts?

I would put it towards the student loans. Even though the interest rate is less than the mortgage you will be able to knock quite a few years off!

 

[Alexle2007]

I have a question for you experts -- should DH and I put extra money towards student loans, mortgage, or retirement? The student loan and mortgage are our only debt. The student loan is about $32,000 at 2.5 percent interest and the mortgage has about $175,000 left at 3.75 percent. Our retirement accounts could use some more funds but we aren't planning on retiring any time soon . . . DH wants to pay off the student loans because of the tax benefit of the mortgage interest, but I'm not sure the higher interest rate (compared to the student loan) is worth it. Any recommendations? If there's no clear best option, I think I will advocate for spreading the money among all three (which seems psychologically less satisfying than making a big dent in something). The additional $ is about $500 a month.

Any thoughts?

I would fund your retirement account, especially if you are not contributing at least the max that an employer will match.