Debt Dumpers - 2018

[mommy2mrb]

The AG website says the dolls are for 8+ and this is probably around when I got my first doll, but honestly I feel like this is a little on the older side for a doll. I was very into my doll, but maybe only for a few years. Once I got to 5th or 6th grade (10/11 years old), I can't remember playing with it anymore. Is there any reason that a 6 year old couldn't have one?

I don’t think so. Maybe get one with shorter hair for younger girls.
We waited mostly due to cost. DD really wanted one so she had to save half for first doll. Want her to realize how expensive they are and with saving her own money made a big impact on her.

 

[mco65]

The AG website says the dolls are for 8+ and this is probably around when I got my first doll, but honestly I feel like this is a little on the older side for a doll. I was very into my doll, but maybe only for a few years. Once I got to 5th or 6th grade (10/11 years old), I can't remember playing with it anymore. Is there any reason that a 6 year old couldn't have one?

Pretty sure my DD had one (maybe 2) at 6. At one time she had 5... 2 were gifts from cousins/grand parents.. 3 my wife bought as Christmas/birthday presents. 1 is more than enough and 6 year olds should be able to take care of it.... just don't LOSE IT! done that once... but alas, we found it.. but i bet she couldn't tell me where it is today!?

 

[SmallMama]

Well, i have been watch this post and the credit card one since i joined. So, i thought this will be the year i will start posting. My 2018 debt stopper goal is:
$3,577 - cc (no interest) that is really tuition, but needed to reach the spending requirement to get the bonus
$2,577- DCL vacation for October
$1,185.78 - Get three months up on my car payments
$1,022- I pay my car insurance every year with tax return
Last, i plan to increase my savings by $1,000

 

[Aurora_Australis]

Spent the weekend reviewing health insurance and utilities, renewed our utilities plan as it is on a discount (although the new plan has prices for peak/off peak usage whereas the last one was a flat rate so will call and see if we can switch to that too) and switched health insurance to my union one, saving $30 a fortnight and getting one month free as a signing bonus. Have to look at all the car and house insurance details over the next week.

Booked internal flights for our US trip in 4 months, Vegas to Seattle then Seattle to LAX for a good price and now have free Seattle accommodation with friends so just have to book something in Vegas and Anaheim. Aussies have a 4 day hopper for the price of 2 deal available too (and I have a code for $20 off for each of us on top of that) so will get them this week and pay off my balance at the end of the month.

 

[seb65]

The AG website says the dolls are for 8+ and this is probably around when I got my first doll, but honestly I feel like this is a little on the older side for a doll. I was very into my doll, but maybe only for a few years. Once I got to 5th or 6th grade (10/11 years old), I can't remember playing with it anymore. Is there any reason that a 6 year old couldn't have one?

My mom got my daughter a bitty baby when she was born. When my daughter was 2, my son wanted a boy American Girl doll, and at the time, I could only find it a boy in a set of bitty baby twins. He got one twin and my daughter got the other one. When she was 5, I saw Jill's Steals and Deals on the Today show, and got a steal on a Caroline doll for her. She is almost 10 and has gained a couple of more through the years as presents (choosing a big gift over a birthday party). She loves them!

 

[isabellea]

The AG website says the dolls are for 8+ and this is probably around when I got my first doll, but honestly I feel like this is a little on the older side for a doll. I was very into my doll, but maybe only for a few years. Once I got to 5th or 6th grade (10/11 years old), I can't remember playing with it anymore. Is there any reason that a 6 year old couldn't have one?

I have a 8yo and a 5.5yo daughters. My oldest never had any interest in dolls growing up but when she saw her first AG last May she decided she wanted one. DH and I were very skeptical so we told her to save her money if she wanted one. Well she saved her allowances and birthday money and last November she bought herself Tenney Grant and some clothes. When my 5yo saw the doll (she always loved playing with baby dolls) she asked for one for Christmas. Personally I find the classical AG girls (18 inches) too big for younger kids so she received the 5+ AG doll Willa from the Wellie Wishers doll collection (14.5 inches) and she loves it! At Christmas my 8yo received the AG guitar and AG gymnastics set and they both play with the accessories with their dolls.

I have to say that both my girls play a lot with their dolls. Together and with friends. Now my oldest is saving her money for more accessories and a new doll. If AG teaches my girls to save money, I'm all for it!

 

[ariel1025]

Just cancelled our big cable package. We bought Roku devices over black Friday and we already have Netflix and Hulu, which we will keep for now. The plan is to use the trial periods of DirecTV Now, Playstation Vue and Hulu Live Stream to see which we like best and add on one of those. This will take our "cable" bill from $199 a month to under a $100 (varies slightly depending on which provider we choose) total for TV packages. Small steps

 

[Dentam]

Just cancelled our big cable package. We bought Roku devices over black Friday and we already have Netflix and Hulu, which we will keep for now. The plan is to use the trial periods of DirecTV Now, Playstation Vue and Hulu Live Stream to see which we like best and add on one of those. This will take our "cable" bill from $199 a month to under a $100 (varies slightly depending on which provider we choose) total for TV packages. Small steps

That's an excellent step to take! I think more and more people are starting to do this. My parents are planning to get rid of their DirectTV altogether and use a Roku to watch Netflix also. They'll change their Netflix subscription to online streaming only as well. For me, I haven't had cable in years and don't miss it at all. There always seemed to be a bunch of stuff on that I had no interest in watching. I just have an antenna to get the main networks, along with an online streaming subscription to Netflix. Looking forward to the Olympics starting soon!

 

[Eureka]

Both CCs paid off! Then we dropped $100 (cash but unexpected) on copays and meds with DS14 having a fever, sinus infection and pinkeye. This kid always seems to get sick on a weekend or holiday, ever since he was little. Were at urgent care Saturday night and thought all was good, he was feeling better yesterday and then the goopy eyes started last night. DH took him to his regular doctor today. He (DS) normally loves a day off but can't go to school or swim practice until Wed. because he's still contagious, and he's "salty."

The one "regret" (and I can't even call it that because it's not really) about having two boys is that I never got to buy American Girl dolls. Sigh. I loved looking at all that stuff. DS17 had a baby doll when he was about a year old but that was it.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

I learned something over the weekend that is really awesome and I had to share for all the new moms/moms-to-be/grandparents. Someone on a local Facebook mom's group mentioned that you can use the rebate checks from Similac and Enfamil at Costco towards the Kirkland brand formula. I went today and tried it out. I had 5 $10 rebate checks and they allowed me to apply one rebate check per can of formula. So I saved $50 overall and spent just $6.99 per can! It cost me just $35 for over a month's supply of formula! This will really be helpful savings over the next several months.

ETA: I just signed up at Gerber's site to hopefully get rebate checks from them as well.

 

[Dentam]

Both CCs paid off! Then we dropped $100 (cash but unexpected) on copays and meds with DS14 having a fever, sinus infection and pinkeye. This kid always seems to get sick on a weekend or holiday, ever since he was little. Were at urgent care Saturday night and thought all was good, he was feeling better yesterday and then the goopy eyes started last night. DH took him to his regular doctor today. He (DS) normally loves a day off but can't go to school or swim practice until Wed. because he's still contagious, and he's "salty."

I got ear infections all the time growing up - always on a Saturday night. I also remember one NYE that I had an eye infection in both eyes and ear infections in both ears. Fun times!

Congrats on paying off the cc's!!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I learned something over the weekend that is really awesome and I had to share for all the new moms/moms-to-be/grandparents. Someone on a local Facebook mom's group mentioned that you can use the rebate checks from Similac and Enfamil at Costco towards the Kirkland brand formula. I went today and tried it out. I had 5 $10 rebate checks and they allowed me to apply one rebate check per can of formula. So I saved $50 overall and spent just $6.99 per can! It cost me just $35 for over a month's supply of formula! This will really be helpful savings over the next several months.

ETA: I just signed up at Gerber's site to hopefully get rebate checks from them as well.

Oooooh I'm so glad I came on and saw this before DH takes out the reclying! I have 3 Similac rebates in there I'm gonna dig out! Thanks for posting!

 

[Aurora_Australis]

Both CCs paid off! Then we dropped $100 (cash but unexpected) on copays and meds with DS14 having a fever, sinus infection and pinkeye. This kid always seems to get sick on a weekend or holiday, ever since he was little. Were at urgent care Saturday night and thought all was good, he was feeling better yesterday and then the goopy eyes started last night. DH took him to his regular doctor today. He (DS) normally loves a day off but can't go to school or swim practice until Wed. because he's still contagious, and he's "salty."

For my youngest, it's impetigo. 2016, finding a walk in centre open on Christmas Day 5hrs from home, same this Christmas, while we were in the US last year... never when we are home!

Also, I'd love to get rid of our cable, we only really have it for the sports and DH feels he needs to be able to watch every single game of everything despite more than enough (IMHO...) being on free to air anyway... a battle for when our current contract expires next month...

 

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

My daughter in Virginia actually gets Enfamil $5.00 checks in the mail every month...sometimes it is 2-$5.00 checks and sometimes she gets $8.00 checks and sometimes 4 or 5 $5.00 checks--mostly every month...only problem is that she is single and only has 4 dogs...I keep asking her, is there anything you need to tell me about grandchildren (would love them along with grand dogs and she told me that I would be the first to know!!)--Anyway, I currently have sitting on my desk, 4-$5.00 so if anyone would like me to send them to either their house or work, just let me know. I just hate to throw these away if someone could actually use the $20.00. If not, they go in the garbage. Just PM me and I will mail them out to you (monthly is you want!!)

 

[ariel1025]

For my youngest, it's impetigo. 2016, finding a walk in centre open on Christmas Day 5hrs from home, same this Christmas, while we were in the US last year... never when we are home!

Also, I'd love to get rid of our cable, we only really have it for the sports and DH feels he needs to be able to watch every single game of everything despite more than enough (IMHO...) being on free to air anyway... a battle for when our current contract expires next month...

Look into Playstation Vue. Not sure what you pay for your current cable package, but the Core package through Vue is roughly $45/month and comes with multiple ESPN stations, multiple FOX Sports channels, Big Ten Network, NBA network, MLB channel and I'm sure a few others I'm forgetting. Here is the link to look at the different packages and channels included https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/channels/ (NOT a referral link or anything). I do think the channels vary slightly based on area, there's a fine print area somewhere, but if I recall correctly it's only the local channels that are affected. DirecTV Now is slightly cheaper, but I don't recall it coming with as many sports channels. That was a big hurdle in our agreement to cut the cable cord as well

 

[Aurora_Australis]

Were in Australia hence the (mostly) Cable only for US sports. Just as the NFL season ends, our football starts so he never has down time when I can take our sports pack off for a few months.

I'd like to just have netflix and he can have most NFL games on free to air but he wouldn't get *all* the Seahawks games... our basic home Internet is $100/m for unlimited data and a basic cable pack and decent speeds, next lowest down is $80 for 100GB (which would be enough) but at speeds in the evening where you'd have trouble streaming Netflix anyway... So it all gets too hard and I just keep what I have.

 

[Eureka]

I got ear infections all the time growing up - always on a Saturday night. I also remember one NYE that I had an eye infection in both eyes and ear infections in both ears. Fun times!

Congrats on paying off the cc's!!

Lol I feel your pain, one Christmas Eve when he was 5 we had to take him to the ER in a snowstorm bc nothing else was open, and another year we were waiting for urgent care to open on New Year’s Day because he had a sinus infection. And then there was the time a couple years ago when we were at the beach and my oldest got pinkeye the night we arrived. Another ER visit and then I picked something up there (but luckily it was only a 24-hour bug).

 

[Dentam]

Lol I feel your pain, one Christmas Eve when he was 5 we had to take him to the ER in a snowstorm bc nothing else was open, and another year we were waiting for urgent care to open on New Year’s Day because he had a sinus infection. And then there was the time a couple years ago when we were at the beach and my oldest got pinkeye the night we arrived. Another ER visit and then I picked something up there (but luckily it was only a 24-hour bug).

Oh yes, I remember waiting in excruciating pain with those ear infections for the doctor to see us and then for the pharmacy to fill the prescription. I'm so glad kids grow out of those infections! I also got really sick right before Christmas during my freshman year of college. First test that came back positive was for hepatitis and the doctor thought she was going to have to hospitalize me for Christmas, which was upsetting to her and to my family and me! Then the mono test came back positive and she was very relieved. Hepatitis is apparently sometimes a side effect of mono so I just had to rest for days on end. Did a LOT of sleeping. Man, I'm realizing that I have not been the healthiest person, lol.

 

[MamaBelleRN]

Getting a late start, but jumping in nonetheless! I popped in at the beginning of last year, but quickly fell off the wagon when I had our fifth baby in March. We started off 2017 with zero credit card debt and had sworn off ever using credit cards. BUT, three months of unpaid maternity leave last year and numerous unexpected expenses, our resolve was shaken and we now have $6k of credit card debt to pay off this year

So my goals for 2018:
1. Pay off CC debt
2. STAY on budget
3. Attempt to save for a trip to WDW at the end of this year. We haven’t been since 2015, but we may have to wait until 2019
4. Get ahead for holiday/birthday/Christmas savings- We got WAY too tight this Christmas and only pulled it all off because my unit was super short staffed (I’m a nurse) and I picked up six shifts all at time and half in the three weeks before Christmas. We got lucky and I want to be better prepared for 2018.


And a random health insurance question for those with a high deductible plan-
We have been fully funding our HSA so we save our entire deductible each year. Our deductible is $5k, so we put $200/DH’s paychecks into our HSA (he gets paid bi-weekly). We are considering decreasing this amount as any large or unexpected hospital/health bill allows you to put it on a payment plan. We have about $2.5k in our HSA right now as we completely depleted it last year. Would you decrease HSA contributions to pay off CC debt? It makes me a bit nervous as with a large family, we ALWAYS seem to need medical care of one type or another. I feel like we have enough to cover random visits and prescriptions for the time being. BUT I also know we will need it at one point or another. Thoughts and advice?

Thanks for letting me join and I hope 2018 is a great year for all

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Getting a late start, but jumping in nonetheless! I popped in at the beginning of last year, but quickly fell off the wagon when I had our fifth baby in March. We started off 2017 with zero credit card debt and had sworn off ever using credit cards. BUT, three months of unpaid maternity leave last year and numerous unexpected expenses, our resolve was shaken and we now have $6k of credit card debt to pay off this year

So my goals for 2018:
1. Pay off CC debt
2. STAY on budget
3. Attempt to save for a trip to WDW at the end of this year. We haven’t been since 2015, but we may have to wait until 2019
4. Get ahead for holiday/birthday/Christmas savings- We got WAY too tight this Christmas and only pulled it all off because my unit was super short staffed (I’m a nurse) and I picked up six shifts all at time and half in the three weeks before Christmas. We got lucky and I want to be better prepared for 2018.


And a random health insurance question for those with a high deductible plan-
We have been fully funding our HSA so we save our entire deductible each year. Our deductible is $5k, so we put $200/DH’s paychecks into our HSA (he gets paid bi-weekly). We are considering decreasing this amount as any large or unexpected hospital/health bill allows you to put it on a payment plan. We have about $2.5k in our HSA right now as we completely depleted it last year. Would you decrease HSA contributions to pay off CC debt? It makes me a bit nervous as with a large family, we ALWAYS seem to need medical care of one type or another. I feel like we have enough to cover random visits and prescriptions for the time being. BUT I also know we will need it at one point or another. Thoughts and advice?

Thanks for letting me join and I hope 2018 is a great year for all

HSAs are better than FSAs in that you get to carry the money over year to year. With my FSA, I have to spend whatever I have saved in it before March of the next year or else the money goes poof. If I had an HSA, I would always max it out because of the carry over and the great tax benefit. The tax benefit alone might outweigh credit card interest, but you really have to run the numbers on it. There is a lot of information that I have read saying that fully funding your HSA is a really good way to save towards retirement as well, since that money continues to grow in your account and you can use it for health expenses in retirement, when most people have the highest health care expenditures in their life. I would try to keep it fully funded if you can while still working towards paying off the CC debt. Can you get a 0% transfer offer with an existing card or get a new card with 0% to help decrease interest while you work to pay it down?