Debt Dumpers - 2016

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

Hey at least you're being honest about where you are at and making choices to change it!! CONGRATS!

 

[DisneyMandC]

GOOD LUCK!! hopefully the headache for you will be over soon I have a feeling it's just starting for us

I told DH I didn't care what the next monthly amount was they said I needed to pay, I'm just paying it and not dealing with them anymore! Direct debit and I'm done!

 

[bababear_50]

Exciting news here! I've been invited to give a talk at a conference in Shanghai in early July. My flights and hotel stay will be covered by the group hosting the conference. However, I would love to stay a few extra days and check out the new Disneyland park in Shanghai, which is set to open in mid-June. I'd also love to travel north to see the Great Wall. This feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity - but it will definitely change my debt dumping plans for the year!

Hi Hon
I say it's time to pack those bags and take a trip!
It definitely sounds like a once in a lifetime trip and having the flight and hotel stay paid for is a huge bonus.
Have a great time planning!
Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

Just wondering ,,I guess I am hyper focusing-worrying about retirement which is not for another 8 more years and I was wondering what I can do when I retire to earn alittle income and stay busy. I wish I new how to crochet or was talented at doing something. I guess I just wondered if others worry about retirement finances? Anyone have any ideas of something I could learn to do--home based-kind of craft ideas?
Hugs Mel

 

[momtosam]

Could it be that we are in an "opposite of Murphy" stage? DH still hasn't been called back to work, but over the last week we've picked up extra money in various ways -- a healthcare reimbursement from work, a generous anniversary check from my parents, DH helped a friend plow snow during the blizzard, sold a few things on Facebook. I'm feeling like I can breathe a bit for now!

 

[dayvewc]

Just wondering ,,I guess I am hyper focusing-worrying about retirement which is not for another 8 more years and I was wondering what I can do when I retire to earn alittle income and stay busy. I wish I new how to crochet or was talented at doing something. I guess I just wondered if others worry about retirement finances? Anyone have any ideas of something I could learn to do--home based-kind of craft ideas?
Hugs Mel

I keep thinking I should start a side business as a travel agent. I'm pretty much the go-to guy for anything Disney in the county. lol. It's kind of funny, almost weekly I have someone ask "not for me, but a friend, you know" what they should do to prepare for a trip to Disney.

 

[bababear_50]

I keep thinking I should start a side business as a travel agent. I'm pretty much the go-to guy for anything Disney in the county. lol. It's kind of funny, almost weekly I have someone ask "not for me, but a friend, you know" what they should do to prepare for a trip to Disney.

Me too--except it costs me a fortune right now because I make all sorts of things from invitations-treat notes,restaurant invites,coupons, treasure hunts-welcome letters etc,,by the time I'm finished my printing costs are crazy.
I now run the other direction when a fellow staff member starts talking about Disney.
Sewing is out as I was the only one in grade 8 who broke the singer sewing machine once a week every week for a year.
I do love making special gifts in a jar for people.
I love gardening, but I'm not sure how to turn that into a money making craft.
Atleast I have some time to ponder this.
Hugs Mel

 

[Ava]

Speaking of kid's activity expenses... today I checked on registration for the summer program at our local botanic garden because I remembered that registration is usually some time in Feb. Well, good thing I did because registration opens on Monday. And, here's the kicker... the price has gone up over 50% from last year! Last year it was $275, this year it's $420!! And that's the price for members. They have done several huge remodeling projects over the last couple years (and one is still on going) so I guess they are helping to pay for it by gouging the parents who sign their kids up for these programs. We're still going to sign her up, since she really needs an activity in the summer and two of her good friends also attend this program, but ugh. I was not prepared to shell out $420 right now.

 

[PrincessKymm]

Does your son already have an instrument for band or do you have to pay for that also? It's crazy how expensive it is to keep the kids active now! Remember when it was almost free (except for things like uniforms and the trips?). Lol! And not to rain on anyone's parade - but just think of the senior trips these schools do now!! Wow!!

Yes! Funny story, his dad (who just comes and goes as he pleases) gave him a drum! I was at the store getting ready to buy one and his dad happened to call (to yell at me) and he was somewhat polite and told me he would give DS one. When he actually showed up you could've blown me over with one small breathe! He also gave DS some extra sticks so my only cost for DS's band in middle school has been a practice pad ($12 for my sanity) and new dress clothes for concerts since he outgrows everything. High school is WAY different though.

We only knew about the NY trip in 4 years because this year is the 4th year so at the winter concert the band boosters were talking about it. My dad has mentioned recently he will help pay for this so yay! I might have to join the boosters so I can chaperone! NYC is on my list of places to take DS when he's over 15.

We live in a very mixed income area so if they even do senior trips at my son's school I imagine it won't be anything super crazy. I'm hoping to save enough money for a graduation trip to Maui. I have friends that live there and said we can stay with them so as long as they don't leave in the next 5 years it would be awesome!

College graduation trip is to Europe!!!!! If he gets a Masters I told him I would let him live with me for free rent for 3 years to pay off his loans/save money instead of a trip. Whenever I mention them he seems eager to discuss what he needs to do to get into college!

I'm also very glad I'm not the only one paying all this out. I love my son and will do almost anything for him (I refuse to watch his you tube stars with him!) but seriously, $85 a month just for his activities???? That's one of my student loan payments! That's my electric bill on a high month! That's dinner and a movie for two paying prime prices and not using a coupon! He better turn into a well-rounded, joyful young man!!!!!!! Haha!

 

[Ava]

College graduation trip is to Europe!!!!! If he gets a Masters I told him I would let him live with me for free rent for 3 years to pay off his loans/save money instead of a trip. Whenever I mention them he seems eager to discuss what he needs to do to get into college

I spent almost my entire savings (at the time) to travel around Europe for 6 weeks the summer after I graduated from college, and it was the best choice I could've made. My parents bought me the rail pass as my graduation gift, and I paid for all my lodging/food/entrance fees/souvenirs. I came home with about $400 to my name but it was completely worth it. I will never have that much free time again until I retire!

 

[ashleyasiegel]

I currently have the 6 month 0% offer going on my Disney Visa. It is set to end at the end of March.

If I not able to pay off the entire balance in time, how is the interest calculated? Does it go back and charge me all the interest from the past 6 months or does it start charging interest based on whatever is left when the promo expires?

I have googled high and low and cannot find the answer on this one.

Thanks!

 

[Ava]

I currently have the 6 month 0% offer going on my Disney Visa. It is set to end at the end of March.

If I not able to pay off the entire balance in time, how is the interest calculated? Does it go back and charge me all the interest from the past 6 months or does it start charging interest based on whatever is left when the promo expires?

I have googled high and low and cannot find the answer on this one.

Thanks!

There should be a box at the bottom of your statement that lists the amounts you have under promotional balance offers. This will tell you the amount subject to interest if you don't pay off the promotional balance by the end date of the promotion. I'm pretty sure it's the full balance that you started with, unfortunately.

 

[mrsabbott]

Our electric bill was outrageous last month! I doubled from the month before and that is with me using all those energy saving bulbs and turning all the lights out all the time (I am the light Nazi around here..) I guess it was from that cold snap we had, but I thought our new unit and thermostat was supposed to help save us money! Seems to be about the same. Not seeing the energy efficiency I thought I would. When it gets super cold, would it end up saving us in the long run if we ran an electric heater off and on? I didn't use it because I was trying to save money.. but maybe it would end up saving us money in the end??

So discouraging when our paychecks all post at the same time (woo hoo!! Look at all that money!!) but all of the money is gone in the blink of an eye towards bills and things. One day, that will NOT be the case! That said, I was able to pay our mortgage and utilities, play catch up on one of our credit cards, pay on one of the student loans, pay for my girls' fees for theatre/beta club, and get $150 of groceries at Aldi's!! So, I suppose I really can't complain! I just hate seeing that pile of credit card bills still waiting to be paid..

 

[DisneyMandC]

Our electric bill was outrageous last month! I doubled from the month before and that is with me using all those energy saving bulbs and turning all the lights out all the time (I am the light Nazi around here..) I guess it was from that cold snap we had, but I thought our new unit and thermostat was supposed to help save us money! Seems to be about the same. Not seeing the energy efficiency I thought I would. When it gets super cold, would it end up saving us in the long run if we ran an electric heater off and on? I didn't use it because I was trying to save money.. but maybe it would end up saving us money in the end??

So discouraging when our paychecks all post at the same time (woo hoo!! Look at all that money!!) but all of the money is gone in the blink of an eye towards bills and things. One day, that will NOT be the case! That said, I was able to pay our mortgage and utilities, play catch up on one of our credit cards, pay on one of the student loans, pay for my girls' fees for theatre/beta club, and get $150 of groceries at Aldi's!! So, I suppose I really can't complain! I just hate seeing that pile of credit card bills still waiting to be paid..

I'm dreading ours this month. It wasn't bad last month despite having some super cold days, but we had extremely mild weather before Christmas (our bill runs the 20th to the 20th each month). Have you (or anyone else here) tried using LED light bulbs? My brother told me he switched to LED bulbs and even though they're more expensive upfront, he's seen an incredible savings in his electric bill. We have LED bulbs in our closet, but that's mainly just because we wanted fairly cheap strip lighting and our contractor suggested that when we were redoing the upstairs.

 

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

Me too--except it costs me a fortune right now because I make all sorts of things from invitations-treat notes,restaurant invites,coupons, treasure hunts-welcome letters etc,,by the time I'm finished my printing costs are crazy.
I now run the other direction when a fellow staff member starts talking about Disney.
Sewing is out as I was the only one in grade 8 who broke the singer sewing machine once a week every week for a year.
I do love making special gifts in a jar for people.
I love gardening, but I'm not sure how to turn that into a money making craft.
Atleast I have some time to ponder this.
Hugs Mel

Well as far as gardening do you have the room for a small greenhouse? Maybe you grow plants & veggies to sell if that is an option. I love to garden myself...and I love buying unique plants from small greenhouses vs huge nurseries. I once got a bunch of gorgeous lilies from a small gardener who only grew lilies and it was great all the info they knew.

 

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

Our electric bill was outrageous last month! I doubled from the month before and that is with me using all those energy saving bulbs and turning all the lights out all the time (I am the light Nazi around here..) I guess it was from that cold snap we had, but I thought our new unit and thermostat was supposed to help save us money! Seems to be about the same. Not seeing the energy efficiency I thought I would. When it gets super cold, would it end up saving us in the long run if we ran an electric heater off and on? I didn't use it because I was trying to save money.. but maybe it would end up saving us money in the end??

So discouraging when our paychecks all post at the same time (woo hoo!! Look at all that money!!) but all of the money is gone in the blink of an eye towards bills and things. One day, that will NOT be the case! That said, I was able to pay our mortgage and utilities, play catch up on one of our credit cards, pay on one of the student loans, pay for my girls' fees for theatre/beta club, and get $150 of groceries at Aldi's!! So, I suppose I really can't complain! I just hate seeing that pile of credit card bills still waiting to be paid..

I work for a utility company but we don't live in the severe cold in Louisiana so I don't have a lot of tips for you other than to say make sure you lower your thermostat before leaving the house and if you have any south facing windows open the blinds during the day that will help warm the house a lot from sunshine (granted if there is sunshine). Also call your utility company and ask about level billing if they offer it where you pay the same each month (so say you normally pay way less in summer you would pay an average throughout the year to make up the difference)
Additionally check to see if you electric meter is electronically read to where they could possibly show you usage graphs of when the most energy is being used. That's actually a lot of what I do at my job is research issues like this and help people look at their usage graphs. If you know when you are using the most energy you can make a plan to save more during those times. Hope that helps I know how yuck it is when you get money and then poof its gone again so soon!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Payday today!! Woot!

And it's the first pay of 2016, so I wasn't exactly sure what DH's take home would be now that the deductions are no longer suspended (he maxed out at the end of the summer, so he got more money for the last four months). I did my best guestimate based on last year's numbers and was please to find that I was under by $45.

 

[bcwife76]

Payday today!! Woot!

And it's the first pay of 2016, so I wasn't exactly sure what DH's take home would be now that the deductions are no longer suspended (he maxed out at the end of the summer, so he got more money for the last four months). I did my best guestimate based on last year's numbers and was please to find that I was under by $45.

My dh also maxed out his contributions near the end of September so I was getting used to having that 'extra' money, Do you think we banked it? Nope And now we're in January and back to normal deductions, oh well!

Just got our electric bill too, ugh. Luckily this is always the highest one of the year, next one will be lower. And we're having very mild weather right now (sorry to the snow-bound folks) so the heat has definitely been off a lot more the past few days.

 

[scdak]

I don't think I would know what to do without "budget billing" - it goes by other names for other companies. My electric and gas are on budget billing and I pay the same every month, every once in a while I get a notice that the bill is going up or down (the gas bill) for the rest of the year and once a year I am notified of the change for my power bill for the next year. Its sort of nice for the June bill because if they have over estimated my bill or I have tried even harder than normal to keep my usage down then I will have a credit and won't owe anything for June, sometimes its enough to not pay for July too or pay much less than normal

 

[DisneyMandC]

I don't think I would know what to do without "budget billing" - it goes by other names for other companies. My electric and gas are on budget billing and I pay the same every month, every once in a while I get a notice that the bill is going up or down (the gas bill) for the rest of the year and once a year I am notified of the change for my power bill for the next year. Its sort of nice for the June bill because if they have over estimated my bill or I have tried even harder than normal to keep my usage down then I will have a credit and won't owe anything for June, sometimes its enough to not pay for July too or pay much less than normal

Our budget billing can't start for a YEAR after we move! Ugh! We moved in October, so it'll be a while before we get it. We've just been estimating a number each month right now for our budget. Fortunately with a small house it's not too bad anyways, but I'd like to see the same number every month!