Debt Dumpers 2020

[pblack]

Glad your friend/family member is ok @StacyStrong.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Our debt took a huge jump in the wrong direction this weekend, but I"m happy about it. We bought a new van. Our old Odyssey was a 2008 and had just under 200,000 miles on it. We've been spending tons on car repairs lately, so we started looking a few weeks ago. We narrowed our search down to a Subaru Ascent and a new Odyssey. I really loved the Ascent, but it just didn't feel as comfortable as the Odyssey. This is the first time I've ever owned a brand new vehicle. We financed it for 72 months at 1.9% interest, but I'm definitely going to pay extra on it and try to knock it out in about 4 years - I can't imagine paying on this van for 6 years.

 

[FQLover]

@DisneyHardin Congrats! Enjoy your new vehicle!

 

[pblack]

@DisneyHardin sometimes you just gotta take the leap. Congratulations!

 

[Nettlelondon]

Update from the UK, in case you are interested in a different point of view.

We had a trip in April cancelled because of Covid, had to come home early from one to Belgium in August because of Covid and have just had a trip to Portugal cancelled because of Covid. Can you see a pattern here? We have decided to not bother booking a replacement trip to any of the places that remain on the "yes, you can go there without quarantining on the way back" list as we just know what will happen.

We only booked the trip to Portugal very recently and I think I was never really convinced we were going. DH on the other hand is desperate for a break (he was working during the trip to Belgium so didn't get much rest then) so was more excited. The day Portugal was put back on the quarantine list he was not a very happy person. I persuaded him to go out for a walk, partly to keep him out of my way while he calmed down and partly to help him calm down. He was gone for 2 hours! He needed calming down but by the time he got back he was much better.

We have now decided he will take the week off as planned but we will do some touristy things from home - we live only about 20 minutes on the train to central London and if we choose our times wisely we don't encounter anyone else on the train so it is as safe as we can make it. We tend to walk when we are in London anyway so don't have to worry about the Tube being crowded. There are lots of free museums in London so we have plenty of cheap options and places like the Tower of London are so empty right now that it is worth paying the fee to go. We are going to Harry Potter World (or whatever it is called) - an expensive day out but we have been able to get tickets which is rare. Usually they are booked up months in advance but obviously with international travel almost stopped there are plenty of options.

All of this is great for the bank balance and a partial release of an inheritance has allowed us to pay off about 10% of our remaining mortgage balance. For various reasons linked to my brother being not great with money an inheritance that is split between us is being released in random chunks when he has a specific need for money, and I get the matched amount at the same time. This is slightly frustrating for me as the total of my share would wipe out nearly all my mortgage but it is what it is so there is no point in my getting upset about it. The interest rate on the mortgage is under 1.5% and the balance isn't huge so I am not too concerned overall.

We could take more from my husband's business but doing that would push us into a different tax band meaning we would have to pay 40% tax on the amount taken as opposed to 20% if we stay under the tax band threshold. That makes a big difference and isn't worth it at present.

I suppose all tax systems have their little quirks.

 

[jen7233]

Our debt took a huge jump in the wrong direction this weekend, but I"m happy about it. We bought a new van. Our old Odyssey was a 2008 and had just under 200,000 miles on it. We've been spending tons on car repairs lately, so we started looking a few weeks ago. We narrowed our search down to a Subaru Ascent and a new Odyssey. I really loved the Ascent, but it just didn't feel as comfortable as the Odyssey. This is the first time I've ever owned a brand new vehicle. We financed it for 72 months at 1.9% interest, but I'm definitely going to pay extra on it and try to knock it out in about 4 years - I can't imagine paying on this van for 6 years.

Enjoy the new van, congratulations! I have heard of the long term car loans as in 72 to 84 months, that does seem a long time. I haven't seen the Ascent, but the Odyssey, yes, and I've test driven one. They are very nice vehicles, especially to keep for the long haul.

Update from the UK, in case you are interested in a different point of view.

We had a trip in April cancelled because of Covid, had to come home early from one to Belgium in August because of Covid and have just had a trip to Portugal cancelled because of Covid. Can you see a pattern here? We have decided to not bother booking a replacement trip to any of the places that remain on the "yes, you can go there without quarantining on the way back" list as we just know what will happen.

We only booked the trip to Portugal very recently and I think I was never really convinced we were going. DH on the other hand is desperate for a break (he was working during the trip to Belgium so didn't get much rest then) so was more excited. The day Portugal was put back on the quarantine list he was not a very happy person. I persuaded him to go out for a walk, partly to keep him out of my way while he calmed down and partly to help him calm down. He was gone for 2 hours! He needed calming down but by the time he got back he was much better.

We have now decided he will take the week off as planned but we will do some touristy things from home - we live only about 20 minutes on the train to central London and if we choose our times wisely we don't encounter anyone else on the train so it is as safe as we can make it. We tend to walk when we are in London anyway so don't have to worry about the Tube being crowded. There are lots of free museums in London so we have plenty of cheap options and places like the Tower of London are so empty right now that it is worth paying the fee to go. We are going to Harry Potter World (or whatever it is called) - an expensive day out but we have been able to get tickets which is rare. Usually they are booked up months in advance but obviously with international travel almost stopped there are plenty of options.

All of this is great for the bank balance and a partial release of an inheritance has allowed us to pay off about 10% of our remaining mortgage balance. For various reasons linked to my brother being not great with money an inheritance that is split between us is being released in random chunks when he has a specific need for money, and I get the matched amount at the same time. This is slightly frustrating for me as the total of my share would wipe out nearly all my mortgage but it is what it is so there is no point in my getting upset about it. The interest rate on the mortgage is under 1.5% and the balance isn't huge so I am not too concerned overall.

We could take more from my husband's business but doing that would push us into a different tax band meaning we would have to pay 40% tax on the amount taken as opposed to 20% if we stay under the tax band threshold. That makes a big difference and isn't worth it at present.

I suppose all tax systems have their little quirks.

I like to hear different view points. It's interesting to me how things are across the world. I'm sure you can tell our viewpoints and experiences in the U.S. vary greatly from place to place here, also our "news", or information outlets, that's some other topic entirely. DH and I look at things through different lenses, he's definitely the positive one and thinks everything is always fine and nothing is abnormal, but I'm the skeptic, flip something to see all sides what might be hidden type of outlook. Likely a difference in background and experiences. It's probably good one of us looks at the glass is half full here!

 

[Nettlelondon]

I like to hear different view points. It's interesting to me how things are across the world.

I have to admit that one of the reasons I follow Disboards is the insight the forums (and this thread in particular) give to "real world" America, rather than information that has gone through a number of news media filters / adjustments / selective reporting or from dramas. I know when I watch British dramas shows the difference between fiction and reality so I have to assume that the same thing happens with US drama, but I don't know the specific ways it varies.

Mind you, I have to admit I was genuinely surprised a few years ago when I was in New York and went to my first baseball game. All the things I had seen on TV and in films like people walking around selling hot dogs & beer, the 7th innings stretch, and numerous other traditions - really did happen. I know that sounds silly but I really didn't expect it. I loved the whole experience and we always make sure to go to at least one game during any trip during the season.

We have also been to basketball, football and ice hockey matches on subsequent trips but I still prefer baseball. American football is a complete mystery to me still.

The friendly supportive nature of this thread is such an antidote to so many forums that I hope no one minds me "snooping" from London.

 

[disney-inspired]

Hello everyone!

I had surgery in March of this year. I received the first bill of $125,000 in May.
I had to call my insurance and the billing dept of the hospital.

In August, I received a revised bill of $25,000. Nope, still wrong! I was told to wait for another adjusted bill.

Finally, this week I got the correct invoice for $1,256.18. Thank goodness for insurance!
Next week I'll be calling the hospital's business office to set up a payment to be taken out of my health savings account each month - it gets paid off I don't have to adjust my monthly budget.

Payday is on Tuesday, plan to pay a big chunk off my MacBook Air installment plan as well as saving money for my sinking funds.
I've found that the 50/30/20 method is working better for me - at least, mentally. 50% to debt (since I have no real needs while I'm living/working from my parents' house) 30% to savings and 20% wants/spending money.

 

[pblack]

Hello everyone!

I had surgery in March of this year. I received the first bill of $125,000 in May.
I had to call my insurance and the billing dept of the hospital.

In August, I received a revised bill of $25,000. Nope, still wrong! I was told to wait for another adjusted bill.

Finally, this week I got the correct invoice for $1,256.18. Thank goodness for insurance!
Next week I'll be calling the hospital's business office to set up a payment to be taken out of my health savings account each month - it gets paid off I don't have to adjust my monthly budget.

Payday is on Tuesday, plan to pay a big chunk off my MacBook Air installment plan as well as saving money for my sinking funds.
I've found that the 50/30/20 method is working better for me - at least, mentally. 50% to debt (since I have no real needs while I'm living/working from my parents' house) 30% to savings and 20% wants/spending money.

that first bill is just crazy ridiculous! So glad you were able to get it worked out to a much more reasonable amount.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Well I got my Halloween dishes from Pottery Barn yesterday and did not love them as much in person as I did online.

Was it the Mickey Mouse ones?

 

[disney-inspired]

that first bill is just crazy ridiculous! So glad you were able to get it worked out to a much more reasonable amount.

When I opened that first bill, my heart jumped into my throat!

 

[DLgal]

that first bill is just crazy ridiculous! So glad you were able to get it worked out to a much more reasonable amount.

The bill for my c section was like $90k, back in 2004. I was floored. My portion was thankfully $0.

 

[barkley]

The bill for my c section was like $90k, back in 2004. I was floored. My portion was thankfully $0.

back around the same time my oldest had to have surgery for a bone cyst in her humerus. she was in the hospital from check to check at just under 24 hours. the hospital flaked and sent us one of the bills instead of billing insurance-JUST FOR THE HOSPITAL (not surgeon, anesthesiologist, lab work....) $60,000 i was never so glad to have an hmo w/ a $25 all inclusive co-pay in my life.

 

[disney-inspired]

The bill for my c section was like $90k, back in 2004. I was floored. My portion was thankfully $0.

This was for a total laparoscopic hysterectomy and an overnight stay for pain mgmt - thankfully my max out of pocket for the year is $5000. Thankfully I've been able to pay all my medical bills in real time. I'm upgrading my insurance in November during open enrollment so I can lower my deductible for 2021. I will pay more per paycheck but I can adjust my HSA contribution to hopefully break even.

 

[DisneyMandC]

DH's student loan is now under $2000! It'll be paid off before the end of the year, especially now that my student loan payments are suspended through January 1. It's been an expensive September so far, but we're doing ok. Just had some extra expenses like more hay for the horses for the winter and I also did some cosmetic work on my teeth and got a retainer.

I've also decided to get started on some Christmas shopping! I'm not usually an early Christmas shopper, but I've just seen a couple things that are good deals and am going ahead and getting started.

Hope everyone is hanging in there!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Update from the UK, in case you are interested in a different point of view.

We had a trip in April cancelled because of Covid, had to come home early from one to Belgium in August because of Covid and have just had a trip to Portugal cancelled because of Covid. Can you see a pattern here? We have decided to not bother booking a replacement trip to any of the places that remain on the "yes, you can go there without quarantining on the way back" list as we just know what will happen.

We only booked the trip to Portugal very recently and I think I was never really convinced we were going. DH on the other hand is desperate for a break (he was working during the trip to Belgium so didn't get much rest then) so was more excited. The day Portugal was put back on the quarantine list he was not a very happy person. I persuaded him to go out for a walk, partly to keep him out of my way while he calmed down and partly to help him calm down. He was gone for 2 hours! He needed calming down but by the time he got back he was much better.

We have now decided he will take the week off as planned but we will do some touristy things from home - we live only about 20 minutes on the train to central London and if we choose our times wisely we don't encounter anyone else on the train so it is as safe as we can make it. We tend to walk when we are in London anyway so don't have to worry about the Tube being crowded. There are lots of free museums in London so we have plenty of cheap options and places like the Tower of London are so empty right now that it is worth paying the fee to go. We are going to Harry Potter World (or whatever it is called) - an expensive day out but we have been able to get tickets which is rare. Usually they are booked up months in advance but obviously with international travel almost stopped there are plenty of options.

All of this is great for the bank balance and a partial release of an inheritance has allowed us to pay off about 10% of our remaining mortgage balance. For various reasons linked to my brother being not great with money an inheritance that is split between us is being released in random chunks when he has a specific need for money, and I get the matched amount at the same time. This is slightly frustrating for me as the total of my share would wipe out nearly all my mortgage but it is what it is so there is no point in my getting upset about it. The interest rate on the mortgage is under 1.5% and the balance isn't huge so I am not too concerned overall.

We could take more from my husband's business but doing that would push us into a different tax band meaning we would have to pay 40% tax on the amount taken as opposed to 20% if we stay under the tax band threshold. That makes a big difference and isn't worth it at present.

I suppose all tax systems have their little quirks.

We have been to England twice since 2017 and thoroughly enjoyed our visits. I have to say I would LOVE to be walking around not so crowded London right now. Maybe you can find some B&B to visit? Just a change of scenery and sleeping in a hotel is a nice change of routine.
I do enjoy your input from across the pond. Our issues are basically the same but sometimes we have different names for things.



Hope everyone is still swimming along! Things are dull and routine here. FL is still too high with covid numbers to visit for our anniversary. I can't make any real plans until the very last minute, if we do. Then there's the other half of my brain that says to put that money toward the mortgage and hold off going to FL until spring. After a long, cold winter a warm location is so much more appreciated.

 

[jen7233]

I have to admit that one of the reasons I follow Disboards is the insight the forums (and this thread in particular) give to "real world" America, rather than information that has gone through a number of news media filters / adjustments / selective reporting or from dramas. I know when I watch British dramas shows the difference between fiction and reality so I have to assume that the same thing happens with US drama, but I don't know the specific ways it varies.

Mind you, I have to admit I was genuinely surprised a few years ago when I was in New York and went to my first baseball game. All the things I had seen on TV and in films like people walking around selling hot dogs & beer, the 7th innings stretch, and numerous other traditions - really did happen. I know that sounds silly but I really didn't expect it. I loved the whole experience and we always make sure to go to at least one game during any trip during the season.

We have also been to basketball, football and ice hockey matches on subsequent trips but I still prefer baseball. American football is a complete mystery to me still.

The friendly supportive nature of this thread is such an antidote to so many forums that I hope no one minds me "snooping" from London.

Absolutely! Never went to England, yet. Hope to make it there some day.

 

[RamblingMad]

Absolutely! Never went to England, yet. Hope to make it there some day.

I prefer Scotland. But I did go to London to see the Harry Potter play. It was great. I highly recommend it.

 

[crazycatstacy]

Was it the Mickey Mouse ones?

It was the mickey ones

 

[jen7233]

I prefer Scotland. But I did go to London to see the Harry Potter play. It was great. I highly recommend it.

Perhaps, one day, would like to go to Ireland also. Came close to a London trip, had it booked actually when I was stationed overseas in the 90s, happened to be the same weekend Diana died, and the tour company cancelled the trip something about the hotel shutting down for the death and same with the bus transport they hired. Never had another opportunity to rebook, for one reason or another.