Debt Dumpers - 2017

[ruadisneyfan2]

My main goal is to dump a lot of debt in 2017!

Pay off and get rid of 2 credit cards and pay down the rest.

I also have a lot of medical bills I need to get rid of

I'm in too! One daughter started college, another two heading that way, so I need to get serious about saving as much as possible. Need to stay focused and cut unnecessary spending (I'm not a spender, but my husband is a bit more, so have to work on him!)

Hulloo,

I'm new to this, but I'm hoping at least putting my goals down somewhere will help motivate me this year. Technically I've just got my student debt that I'm chipping away at (So far I've managed to get the 10 years down to 9 ), but DH has a car and shiny new "consolidation loan" that was step 1 in digging us out of a tight spot. No credit cards because of it, which has already made a huge difference.

In 2017 I want to:
Keep up with my current increased student loan payments
Start saving for a house
Help with Consolidation Loan repayment

Not super ambitious, but it's a start.

Happy New Year, everyone.

I'll report soon with my total cc debt. We'll call it my starting line, but I know that knowledge is power.

Like the old saying goes, The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step.


Good luck to all of you!

 

[kleph]

I now have 4 crockpots (got a new one for Christmas) and should be able to knock out meal prep in one day (but I won't).

mix in slow cooker freezer meals. make one big grocery run and spend a day prepping meals for the rest of the month. there are a TON of these meals out there (just enter "slow cooker freezer meal" in google) to choose from. while surviving on these alone might be too much to ask, it's an economical weapon in your overall food preparation arsenal that can save you a few bucks now and then.

 

[*3*Mouseketeers]

mix in slow cooker freezer meals. make one big grocery run and spend a day prepping meals for the rest of the month. there are a TON of these meals out there (just enter "slow cooker freezer meal" in google) to choose from. while surviving on these alone might be too much to ask, it's an economical weapon in your overall food preparation arsenal that can save you a few bucks now and then.

Another thing I do to save time and money, I buy hamburger meat in bulk when it's on sale (locally it's every Wednesday). I buy about 10-12 lbs. and brown all of it (I usually don't season it other than put frozen onions in when I'm browning). I drain it and when it's cool I put in individual ziploc freezer bags 1 - 2 lbs. each and put in the freezer. This makes really quick meals like spaghetti, tacos, sloppy joes, chili, etc. Just take out a bag and pop in microwave for a minute or two then put in pot with whatever you are making. I also take some of the meat and put in my food processor and chop it up fine. I like fine chopped hamburger meat for chili and tacos.

On another Wednesday I will buy more and make up 3 - 4 meatloaves and freeze them. I wrap the loaves in that Press N' seal wrap and put in a loaf pan and freeze them.

 

[Ngwira]

If you are currently contributing to a retirement fund, you might just want to consider rolling over the $1,000 and just reducing your contributions for over the next few months by $1,000 instead. Then you won't take the tax and penalty hit at all. And then if you pay off the loan ahead or have money extra left over towards the end of 2017, you still add $1000 later to your retirement.

ETA: But might change the picture if you would end up foregoing an employer match. Just would need to figure out what makes the most sense.

I discovered that reducing my current contribution by $1,000.00 will forgo the match. So back to the drawing board, again. Also the entire $1,000 is technically "found money" as it's all money contributed by my former employer, I didn't add a dime to this fund..

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I discovered that reducing my current contribution by $1,000.00 will forgo the match. So back to the drawing board, again. Also the entire $1,000 is technically "found money" as it's all money contributed by my former employer, I didn't add a dime to this fund..

Forgoing an employer match would not help you come out better in the long run, so it would make more sense to just take the penalty then.

 

[Ngwira]

Forgoing an employer match would not help you come out better in the long run, so it would make more sense to just take the penalty then.

That's what I thought. Thank you .

 

[LisaSunshine]

Some good news from our end...DH just got offered a new job! It's only part time, but he'll be able to keep his other part time job and it's pretty flexible if he needs to change his hours for the summer (his other job really ramps up in the summer and we don't want to miss out on that income). Plus, it's experience in a different field so it' ll be easier for him to find a full-time job somewhere down the line. He's stoked to finally have stable work after looking for so long!

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

mix in slow cooker freezer meals. make one big grocery run and spend a day prepping meals for the rest of the month. there are a TON of these meals out there (just enter "slow cooker freezer meal" in google) to choose from. while surviving on these alone might be too much to ask, it's an economical weapon in your overall food preparation arsenal that can save you a few bucks now and then.

I looked at some yesterday. I need to make time for the grocery store very soon. I have a very small freezer, but it is practically empty at the moment.

Another thing I do to save time and money, I buy hamburger meat in bulk when it's on sale (locally it's every Wednesday). I buy about 10-12 lbs. and brown all of it (I usually don't season it other than put frozen onions in when I'm browning). I drain it and when it's cool I put in individual ziploc freezer bags 1 - 2 lbs. each and put in the freezer. This makes really quick meals like spaghetti, tacos, sloppy joes, chili, etc. Just take out a bag and pop in microwave for a minute or two then put in pot with whatever you are making. I also take some of the meat and put in my food processor and chop it up fine. I like fine chopped hamburger meat for chili and tacos.

On another Wednesday I will buy more and make up 3 - 4 meatloaves and freeze them. I wrap the loaves in that Press N' seal wrap and put in a loaf pan and freeze them.

That is a good idea. I usually do grocery shopping on weekends, but I can see when it is on sale locally. Thank you.

 

[Dentam]

First day without a fever this week. Lucked out with a snow storm overnight that closed my work for today, so instead of using another sick day, I get a paid snow day instead. Other than that, not much happening other than a lot of netflix binging. lol

 

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

Hi all joining back in from 2016.

Let's recap the nonsense I have going on then lay out the goals for this year!

The short & dirty list
DH Truck owe $18k @ 4% interest
My Car owe $25k (new Camry) @ 0% interest for life of loan
DH VISA owe $1400 at 16.24% interest
MY VISA owe $1500 at 0% interest to Jan 2018
We both also have total about $40k in student loans but we are on the income based repayment plan & are both getting signed up for the Federal Loan Forgiveness program since we both work for Nonprofits/govt. I'm already 4 years in on mine and he's about 3 1/2 years on his.

So last January we traded in DH paid for truck for a bigger truck with a note but at the time I said we were being smart. My SUV was paid off in Feb so we really weren't taking on any extra debt. We live on a farm, we camp with a travel trailer so having an F250 seemed essential.

Fast forward to summer 2016 replacing 2 broken phones for me costing over $300 out of pocket and BTW I now have a stupid phone financed thru Verizon and I hate them ugh. Then the car trouble started. I spent about $1100 total before we called it quits and traded it in for the new Camry in October.

During this time we managed to drain our savings thru stupid spending and unexpected expenses.
We built a porch on our house to the tune of $2200. DH grandpa financed us at 0%. But grandpa got sick in the fall and now DH is working off the debt helping with the farm (where we live, part is his part is ours) and cleaning house for him.

Lastly credit cards yikes...we had a few rough months in the fall...medical visits. DH battery dying the same week my car started having issues, and my best friend's wedding expenses as I was MOH. Well that racked up debt on DH card. We have a plan to hopefully get it paid off by April.

I took out a CC to help cover Christmas and some more unexpected expenses as we have like $4 in our emergency fund. Well that got maxed out too as we went overboard at Christmas. Plan to have it paid off come August.

And we're not starting off too great with the New Year eating out all last weekend and just a bunch of stuff.
But I'm trying to get us focused and on track with a cash budget.

Praying we can get it all together this year!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Well it's not much, but yesterday my husband got a check for $20 from a settlement. Apparently a place he applied to years ag when we were in college was conducting illegal background checks on applicants! Small victories, right? We did well this week! My husband has been dying for the Star Wars blu ray collection- but it's $100 at target and I just couldn't justify it! I found it at Amazon and was able to price match it-after my 10% employee discount and redcard, I paid $57! It will be most of his present for Valentine's Day but he's fine with that! I wil definitely be price matching more from now on!

 

[kleph]

Another thing I do to save time and money, I buy hamburger meat in bulk when it's on sale (locally it's every Wednesday). I buy about 10-12 lbs. and brown all of it (I usually don't season it other than put frozen onions in when I'm browning). I drain it and when it's cool I put in individual ziploc freezer bags 1 - 2 lbs. each and put in the freezer. This makes really quick meals like spaghetti, tacos, sloppy joes, chili, etc. Just take out a bag and pop in microwave for a minute or two then put in pot with whatever you are making. I also take some of the meat and put in my food processor and chop it up fine. I like fine chopped hamburger meat for chili and tacos.

On another Wednesday I will buy more and make up 3 - 4 meatloaves and freeze them. I wrap the loaves in that Press N' seal wrap and put in a loaf pan and freeze them.

my super duper protip is to pick up a ham bone from Honeybaked Hams. these are the remainders of hams they used the meat for catering and they usually have a good amount of ham left on them (the end portion where the bones limit the spiral cut). usually they sell for about $10 apiece but around the holidays you can get them 2 fer 1 as they have too many on hand. i can typically get a week of ham sandwiches for lunch out of that and then use the bone and the rest in red beans and rice or a similar dish. soooooo dang good when the weather gets cold.

 

[hmack]

Starting this month, my husband's pay periods change so now instead of getting paid on the 15th and 30th of each month, he is paid every other Friday. (we end up on opposite Fridays of each other). Not a huge deal, but whenever pay periods change it means a bit of shuffling. It also seems like a good time to redo the budget and align the bills.

I'm actually feeling kind of optimistic about crushing some debt.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Starting this month, my husband's pay periods change so now instead of getting paid on the 15th and 30th of each month, he is paid every other Friday. (we end up on opposite Fridays of each other). Not a huge deal, but whenever pay periods change it means a bit of shuffling. It also seems like a good time to redo the budget and align the bills.

I'm actually feeling kind of optimistic about crushing some debt.

I used to love when my husband and I were on opposite Fridays! I felt like we constantly had money coming in

 

[s3058]

Well it's not much, but yesterday my husband got a check for $20 from a settlement.

Every little helps! I found money in an old christmas card from 2 years ago today I really need this thread and the decluttering one!

So currently i'm at:

1900
-180 (last years savings)
-50 (Found cash)
-----------------------------
1670

 

[Shmily1]

my super duper protip is to pick up a ham bone from Honeybaked Hams. these are the remainders of hams they used the meat for catering and they usually have a good amount of ham left on them (the end portion where the bones limit the spiral cut). usually they sell for about $10 apiece but around the holidays you can get them 2 fer 1 as they have too many on hand. i can typically get a week of ham sandwiches for lunch out of that and then use the bone and the rest in red beans and rice or a similar dish. soooooo dang good when the weather gets cold.

That's an awesome idea!!

 

[Ngwira]

Old employer sent me 2 referral fee checks..only $200 or so but every little bit helps Also saved $54.00 on our Amtrak train to Montreal...forgot I had a companion fare coupon so once applied the total trip cost went from $388 to $338.00 roundtrip for 2 adults and 2 children.

 

[dclpluto]

Hi all joining back in from 2016.

Let's recap the nonsense I have going on then lay out the goals for this year!

The short & dirty list
DH Truck owe $18k @ 4% interest
My Car owe $25k (new Camry) @ 0% interest for life of loan
DH VISA owe $1400 at 16.24% interest
MY VISA owe $1500 at 0% interest to Jan 2018
We both also have total about $40k in student loans but we are on the income based repayment plan & are both getting signed up for the Federal Loan Forgiveness program since we both work for Nonprofits/govt. I'm already 4 years in on mine and he's about 3 1/2 years on his.

So last January we traded in DH paid for truck for a bigger truck with a note but at the time I said we were being smart. My SUV was paid off in Feb so we really weren't taking on any extra debt. We live on a farm, we camp with a travel trailer so having an F250 seemed essential.

Fast forward to summer 2016 replacing 2 broken phones for me costing over $300 out of pocket and BTW I now have a stupid phone financed thru Verizon and I hate them ugh. Then the car trouble started. I spent about $1100 total before we called it quits and traded it in for the new Camry in October.

During this time we managed to drain our savings thru stupid spending and unexpected expenses.
We built a porch on our house to the tune of $2200. DH grandpa financed us at 0%. But grandpa got sick in the fall and now DH is working off the debt helping with the farm (where we live, part is his part is ours) and cleaning house for him.

Lastly credit cards yikes...we had a few rough months in the fall...medical visits. DH battery dying the same week my car started having issues, and my best friend's wedding expenses as I was MOH. Well that racked up debt on DH card. We have a plan to hopefully get it paid off by April.

I took out a CC to help cover Christmas and some more unexpected expenses as we have like $4 in our emergency fund. Well that got maxed out too as we went overboard at Christmas. Plan to have it paid off come August.

And we're not starting off too great with the New Year eating out all last weekend and just a bunch of stuff.
But I'm trying to get us focused and on track with a cash budget.

Praying we can get it all together this year!

You have a good plan. First I wouldn't worry about the truck payment 4 percent is. Nothing to worry about. Your Camry at 0 percent of course don't worry about that.Your student payment loans just pay the minimum since it might be forgiven. Good luck

 

[MrsTurnerLovesDisney]

You have a good plan. First I wouldn't worry about the truck payment 4 percent is. Nothing to worry about. Your Camry at 0 percent of course don't worry about that.Your student payment loans just pay the minimum since it might be forgiven. Good luck

Thank you! Our main goals this year are getting those 2 credit cards paid off and having our booked Disney trip paid for in cash by the time we go end of November.

Also not take on any fresh debt.

We plan to start snowballing truck payments come 2018.

 

[jbcheerchick93]

Hi everyone! I'm an avid YNAB user and I live for the net worth graphs. I just posted in the crushing debt challenge over on their old forums, but figured every bit of accountability helps right?

I have about $65k in students loans, and that is my only debt. I use a paid in full credit card for my groceries and my gas, which I'm looking to switch to a Disney Visa for, since I hardly get any cash back through the Discover card I'm currently using.

My goal is to pay off $15k of the student loans (including interest) and if I hit that by september i'm going to be upping it to $17,500. Right now I have really cheap living arrangements and expenses so I'm trying to put 1/3 of my income towards debt.

Then that income will go towards saving for a house and wedding and vacations etc.