Debt Dumpers - 2017

[Jen and Ashwin]

Well, the good budget news this month is I still don't have an electric bill thanks to our credit! Our electric "bill" was only $68 last month, so I still have a $26 credit leftover for next month. I'll start paying the remainder leftover after the credit then, which I expect to be even lower since May is historically our lowest month for electric bills. So we rode that credit out for about 5 and a half months! Our budget billing will pick back up after that at $92/month.

Bad news- the horse show DH and I run will have to be canceled this weekend due to rain in our area. While we won't really be "out" a lot of money, we usually count on our first show to make back all our expenses for us. So we'll make it back with our second show, but our profits will just be down overall. Frustrating, but we always know weather is a possibility to derail our plans.

So instead of making money at the horse show, I'm going to go clothes shopping To be fair, I am not a clothes shopping kind of girl. I usually get a twice yearly bug to go shopping, and this is one of them. I really do need some new clothes considering I wear the same three dresses and two skirts to work every week... I call it a "capsule wardrobe," but I don't think anyone is buying it

I am also not a big spender on clothes, but I just bought some maternity work pants. I am not quite needing them yet, since I am still not really showing, but I have a bunch of work travel coming up in the next 1-2 months where I need to look presentable. Good thing Old Navy sells pants for just $20. I got black and light grey, which should carry me through most conferences/meetings without issue. I am trying to keep the maternity wear purchases to a minimum and only buy items that are truly necessary. We will see what that means going forward.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Checking in...
We are kicking ars on the Parent Plus loan. It's down to $2300 from $15k last summer.
Dh is working OT this weekend so this will be gone if we can stick to The Plan.

 

[OhMari]

I joined a Budget-Dept Dumpers on Facebook-the group showed up probably because I posted on this forum.
At first it was fun, but it got really overwhelming.
There had to be 10 posts a day with people asking how to get out of debt-serious debt.
Crazy world we live in.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I joined a Budget-Dept Dumpers on Facebook-the group showed up probably because I posted on this forum.
At first it was fun, but it got really overwhelming.
There had to be 10 posts a day with people asking how to get out of debt-serious debt.
Crazy world we live in.

Wow, why can't they just look at some of the previous posts?

 

[OhMari]

Wow, why can't they just look at some of the previous posts?

I think the group gets suggested to them, (how I found it) and they feel they are unique and wonder how to get out of their struggles.
Many of them, have gone to college-but quit-and feel like they don't have to pay their student loans.
Now they are strapped with rent, food, child-care and they have found out the student loans do not go away-they just keep adding interest/upon interest.

 

[dayvewc]

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AARRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I really am getting to where I HATE insurance. Medical, auto, homeowners, life, you name it. Although, my big complaint today is with auto and homeowners.

I called just before my spring break trip to see about changing my homeowners insurance. I got a really good rate quoted, and an even better if I switched my auto. Because of pay dates and when the current policy expires, I called to see how to get it changed over to start today. I was told that I needed to call back this morning to get it all finalized. I did. They lost the "saved" quote. So, I had to go back through the 'get a quote' process, and now the auto quote is 1/3 higher than it was a week ago. When I tried to check the homeowners online, it was "gone" also and when I tried to get a new quote the website "hit a glitch - come back another time".

At this point, let us just say that my verbal language is in fluent cursive.

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[javeyloveschelsi]

Update--DH went for the interview the other day and I went today with him to meet with the interviewer and have any questions answered since this job possibility would be him basically becoming self-employed and after a lot of research and thinking about it, I think we are going to take the risk and go for it. But, with being self employed, coming from a salaried position, I am trying to figure out what I need to set up to cover everything...I am already looking at healthcare--I've looked at BCBS and the ACA, but honestly not sure what to put for the expected yearly income on ACA--I know the goals, but there is a big price difference between every $10,000 put in in the "estimate", so any and all advice would be appreciated as well as what else I need to set up (we will be putting aside a certain amount for taxes as well, of course). Anyone else self employed and care to share what I need to look at and get into, especially this first year when there will be unknowns?

 

[pblack]

Update--DH went for the interview the other day and I went today with him to meet with the interviewer and have any questions answered since this job possibility would be him basically becoming self-employed and after a lot of research and thinking about it, I think we are going to take the risk and go for it. But, with being self employed, coming from a salaried position, I am trying to figure out what I need to set up to cover everything...I am already looking at healthcare--I've looked at BCBS and the ACA, but honestly not sure what to put for the expected yearly income on ACA--I know the goals, but there is a big price difference between every $10,000 put in in the "estimate", so any and all advice would be appreciated as well as what else I need to set up (we will be putting aside a certain amount for taxes as well, of course). Anyone else self employed and care to share what I need to look at and get into, especially this first year when there will be unknowns?

Wish I could help, just wanted to wish him/you good luck!

 

[javeyloveschelsi]

Wish I could help, just wanted to wish him/you good luck!

Thank you! It is really appreciated!

 

[MEM]

I usually travel either by myself or with 1 other person, so yeah, I had forgotten about the sofa bed. Although ... I wouldn't have enough room to pull it out with my ECV. I don't like parking it in the "entrance" hallway in front of the bathroom, cause it is in the way there. If I park it at the end of the bed, it completely blocks the path through there, so I park it between the small table and coffee table, but I have to push the coffee table next to the sofa so there is room to get around. As I said, I love my DVC, and almost always stay in a studio when I go, but the rooms are small compared to other timeshares. I would not recommend them for more than 2 adults, and not really sure I'd recommend one for families with more than 1 child. (I'm sure 2 kids could sleep on the pull out, but just thinking luggage for 4 people total, especially if one is an infant/toddler with extra care needs - diapers, stroller, etc. - would pack a studio pretty full).

I can understand your restrictions with the ECV but for those who do not use one, the DVC studio can be "just right". I'm biased because we own four DVC contracts but we make a studio work for four adults (two of them are my children). We stack the suitcases in front of the connecting door. My husband and son sleep on the sleep sofa and my daughter and I in the bed. Eating in the room is a little tight but my son and daughter like to eat out on the balcony. Having said all of that, for our vacation next month, its just DH, DS and I in a one BR - split stay at BCV and AKV. I do love having a washer and dryer and full kitchen. However, to save points, a studio is fine too.


I went a couple of years ago. Personally, given a chance I'd go back again just to watch the Headless Horseman ride, the night parade, shows, and fireworks. If you like the meet & greets with the characters, it's a great time to do so and there are a lot of rare ones that are out then, especially villains. Also, the park is usually less crowded so you can get on more rides faster - but a good touring plan will let you do that also. I would say go, as we all know the price won't be any cheaper in the future, but really unless you are just super involved in meeting characters, it probably isn't worth paying that much.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think the group gets suggested to them, (how I found it) and they feel they are unique and wonder how to get out of their struggles.
Many of them, have gone to college-but quit-and feel like they don't have to pay their student loans.
Now they are strapped with rent, food, child-care and they have found out the student loans do not go away-they just keep adding interest/upon interest.

Ah, this is why we are paying off this Parent Plus Loan ourselves. Ds20 has another much smaller loan that is in his name alone; he can pay it down himself. The parent plus loan is in my name and I can't rely on him 100% to pay it. I didn't mind so much helping him out when he was planning to become a software engineer but he only attended one semester.
I must say though, at least with federal loans, they make it crystal clear that no matter what, it has to be paid back. (with exceptions for death, complete disability, or school closure) I don't see how that could come as a surprise to some.
I can't wait to be done with it!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

</vent font "ON">

AARRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I really am getting to where I HATE insurance. Medical, auto, homeowners, life, you name it. Although, my big complaint today is with auto and homeowners.

I called just before my spring break trip to see about changing my homeowners insurance. I got a really good rate quoted, and an even better if I switched my auto. Because of pay dates and when the current policy expires, I called to see how to get it changed over to start today. I was told that I needed to call back this morning to get it all finalized. I did. They lost the "saved" quote. So, I had to go back through the 'get a quote' process, and now the auto quote is 1/3 higher than it was a week ago. When I tried to check the homeowners online, it was "gone" also and when I tried to get a new quote the website "hit a glitch - come back another time".

At this point, let us just say that my verbal language is in fluent cursive.

</vent font "OFF">

That is so annoying. I hope you're able to get your good rate again.
We all speak fluent cursive at my work; it's never ending frustration.

 

[bcwife76]

Renewed my car insurance yesterday for the year. Great. No problem.

Went to meet a friend for coffee this morning and on the way there I got into an accident I was in a roundabout and the cars that have not entered must YIELD to cars (like myself) that are already in the roundabout. Well this *expletive* driver drove right in front of me, I wasn't going fast obviously as it's a roundabout. I honked (because HELLO you cut me off!) and he stopped short and I rear ended his trailer. FFS. And the insurance company says it's 100% my fault as I can't prove he wasn't already IN the roundabout. ARE you kidding me??!!!

I called my local Mazda dealership and they recommended a nearby bodyshop that they highly recommend. They set it all up for me, the bodyshop called me back immediately and I have an appt on Tuesday to take my car in. Courtesy car will be covered by insurance and I will just need to pay my $300 deductible. If it's found to be my fault 100% my insurance will go up $33 a year for the next three years. Not horrendous thank goodness. And of course since I just renewed they won't be getting any more money out of me until the end of April 2018. So there's that at least. Waaah.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Renewed my car insurance yesterday for the year. Great. No problem.

Went to meet a friend for coffee this morning and on the way there I got into an accident I was in a roundabout and the cars that have not entered must YIELD to cars (like myself) that are already in the roundabout. Well this *expletive* driver drove right in front of me, I wasn't going fast obviously as it's a roundabout. I honked (because HELLO you cut me off!) and he stopped short and I rear ended his trailer. FFS. And the insurance company says it's 100% my fault as I can't prove he wasn't already IN the roundabout. ARE you kidding me??!!!

I called my local Mazda dealership and they recommended a nearby bodyshop that they highly recommend. They set it all up for me, the bodyshop called me back immediately and I have an appt on Tuesday to take my car in. Courtesy car will be covered by insurance and I will just need to pay my $300 deductible. If it's found to be my fault 100% my insurance will go up $33 a year for the next three years. Not horrendous thank goodness. And of course since I just renewed they won't be getting any more money out of me until the end of April 2018. So there's that at least. Waaah.

Aw that stinks. Here in the US too if we rear-end someone, we are 100% at fault.

This happened to dh in his 20’s. While accelerating on an on-ramp to a highway, an elderly driver in the car in front of him was about to merge onto the highway but instead stopped dead and dh rear-ended him. Why anyone would do that is beyond me but dh was still considered at fault.


The good part is you were not injured.

 

[dclpluto]

Aw that stinks. Here in the US too if we rear-end someone, we are 100% at fault.

This happened to dh in his 20’s. While accelerating on an on-ramp to a highway, an elderly driver in the car in front of him was about to merge onto the highway but instead stopped dead and dh rear-ended him. Why anyone would do that is beyond me but dh was still considered at fault.


The good part is you were not injured.

Because the driver was old and shouldn't of been driving.

 

[dayvewc]

Checking in for the rest of everything:

Debt dumping is not going great this month. My checks have been short due to the number of days I've had to miss for doctor appointments, and thanks to some identity theft, one of my roommates did not receive a paycheck at all this month so they didn't pay me - which makes my income really short. On the plus side, though, I've managed to reduce some of the other expenses so I didn't add to my debt either.

I got my "Intent to file" filed with the VA to begin the process to claiming disability. I got to thinking with all the back/joint problems I've been having that I might qualify. If I do qualify, then that will be helpful long term as things get worse. I met with a Advocacy Agent to figure out what to do next, and have filed to get my military medical records released to me. I also dropped off the medical questionnaire with my chiropractor, and have another one to give my general practitioner when I see him today. *UPDATE* Saw the doctor for the annual "Wellness Visit for Insurance Discount" and he informed me that the clinic will gladly forward and provide any records, but that they don't get involved in filling out any of the paperwork.

I changed my Homeowners Insurance from that Mutual friend of Liberty to a different Nation Wide insurance company. Went from paying about $2700 a year to just under $1200 a year. Tried to move my car insurance over also, to save an additional $300 a year, but their rate was more than double what I am currently paying with Flo as my agent, so my auto insurance is just Progressive(ly) rising, hopefully at a slower rate.

I went to the doctor and got the first round of having the nerves in my spine killed off. I can tell some difference in the pain level, but not great amounts. It seems like the pain level is about the same, but is more spread across my entire back instead of centered on my spine.

In other activities, I get to chaperone the Junior/Senior prom tonight - and the weather is predicting 85 - 100% chance of rain/hail/thunder storms. Which the weather wouldn't be a problem except that prom is held on a riverboat. So, I get to stumble around in the rain. Yay fun.

@MEM
"I can understand your restrictions with the ECV but for those who do not use one, the DVC studio can be "just right". I'm biased because we own four DVC contracts but we make a studio work for four adults (two of them are my children). We stack the suitcases in front of the connecting door. My husband and son sleep on the sleep sofa and my daughter and I in the bed. Eating in the room is a little tight but my son and daughter like to eat out on the balcony. Having said all of that, for our vacation next month, its just DH, DS and I in a one BR - split stay at BCV and AKV. I do love having a washer and dryer and full kitchen. However, to save points, a studio is fine too. "

I generally think of my ECV as a non-responsive adult (Or two). It takes up space and I have to work around it. I think that is really what I was trying to say. Studios don't have a lot of extra space in which to "sprawl" out, and with multiple people you kind of have to do the "maneuver around the room ballet". They are great, and I will be staying in them again (just over a month to Grand Californian), I just recognize that they aren't spacious and that I have to consider where everything will need to go - unlike a 1 bedroom or larger (or even a studio off-site) that has more room available for all my travel needs and accessories.

 

[Ngwira]

Dishwasher officially died today. Thank goodness for our extended warranty. We were able to upgrade from our Frigidaire to a brand new Samsung stainless steel model for only $57.00 out of pocket. I added a three year warranty for an additional $66.00 so $123 total. Installation was included in our warranty so that saved $200. All in all, a bad situation turned out great.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I can't believe I forgot to mention the best budget news the other day... we FINALLY found out how much DH's raise is for his promotion! He got 15%, which his boss said it's basically unheard of getting that much! I am very happy for him, not just because it's more money for us but because he does work really hard. Funnily enough, this raise puts us exactly back at the annual salary we were bringing home when I was working in my old (miserable) job before I took a paycut for my new (wonderful) job last year. So, less than a year later, everything has worked out to bring us exactly back to where we were.

We did have to cancel our horse show today due to rain, but the good news is we were able to move the date to two weeks from now for a make-up date. Hopefully we will have good weather then and can recoup our money.

We did go shopping today, but I was happy with our purchases. I've become a lot more mindful the older I've gotten on what I'm realistically going to wear. DH loves to shop for me and is always picking up stuff he wants to see me try on, but 90% of it I tell him "no" on because I know it's not something I'll wear often or be comfortable in. DH did find me a fantastic heavy jacket today for only $30 though. Not real leather, but a very warm jacket that will be great when it gets cold again.

 

[ctinct]

Because the driver was old and shouldn't of been driving.

Okay, I'm sorry, but I am of the age where blanket statements like this are beginning to get under my skin. How do you know this person shouldn't have been driving? I don't even think the op stated the driver's age. Being old, or for that matter, very young, does not necessarily have any bearing on one's ability to be a safe driver. Can it be a contributing factor? Of course. But age alone is not the sole determinant. My mom was once hit by a young driver who was backing up on a highway exit that my mom was exiting, but I don't think all young drivers shouldn't be driving.

I'm curious how old you might be. Do you plan to stop driving when you reach a certain age?

I'm 61, as of two days ago. I work at a job that can be physically demanding at times. I've been bitten, had several hanks of hair pulled out, and have had my nose broken by a student. The other day, the only male adult in our classroom commented to me that he would have much rather have me as a partner during a physical restraint of a student than our thirty-something coworkers. I'm wondering if you think I need to stop driving because I'm old?

Whatever your age now, you will someday, God willing, be old, whatever age you consider that to be. I do hope that before that happens you will reconsider making the kind of blanket statement like you made earlier.

ETA: I neglected to say that there could be a number of reasons someone would stop on an entrance ramp. Someone stopping in front of him, a large obstruction in the road that he couldn't get around, a mechanical malfunction, etc. We weren't there, so we don't know.

 

[dclpluto]

Okay, I'm sorry, but I am of the age where blanket statements like this are beginning to get under my skin. How do you know this person shouldn't have been driving? I don't even think the op stated the driver's age. Being old, or for that matter, very young, does not necessarily have any bearing on one's ability to be a safe driver. Can it be a contributing factor? Of course. But age alone is not the sole determinant. My mom was once hit by a young driver who was backing up on a highway exit that my mom was exiting, but I don't think all young drivers shouldn't be driving.

I'm curious how old you might be. Do you plan to stop driving when you reach a certain age?

I'm 61, as of two days ago. I work at a job that can be physically demanding at times. I've been bitten, had several hanks of hair pulled out, and have had my nose broken by a student. The other day, the only male adult in our classroom commented to me that he would have much rather have me as a partner during a physical restraint of a student than our thirty-something coworkers. I'm wondering if you think I need to stop driving because I'm old?

Whatever your age now, you will someday, God willing, be old, whatever age you consider that to be. I do hope that before that happens you will reconsider making the kind of blanket statement like you made earlier.

Yes the op stated the driver was elderly. I didn't say 61 was old. I'm not far from it