Debt Dumpers 2021

[slightly_obsessed]

Do you use disposable type pans? I have only glass Pyrex 8x8 and 13x9 pans, so getting together a list of items to buy for freezer prep meals that can right into the oven to heat.

I really like to use the heavy duty aluminum steam pans and lids in the half size for freezer cooking. I get ours at Sam's Club and I assume places like Costco or BJ's probably have something along the same line. The pans and lids are sold in separate packages for about $7-$8 each but there are 36 in each, so if you have the space to store them it isn't bad pricewise and they are sturdy. I always seem to manage to rip the aluminum foil moving stuff around in the freezer if I don't having any matching lids. They are a bit smaller than 9x13 but for the most part it doesn't seem to make too much of a difference as long as you don't overfill. I would definitely skip plastic lids if you can - I have found the plastic lids break or fall off fairly easily in the freezer.

 

[barkley]

Do you use disposable type pans? I have only glass Pyrex 8x8 and 13x9 pans, so getting together a list of items to buy for freezer prep meals that can right into the oven to heat.

one thing i've found for doing freezer meals is to get aluminum pans at the dollar store-they are the least expensive and some come with paper(foiled on one side so non stick) lids. to save space in my freezer though-if i make an extra meatloaf i will let it cool in the pan, pop it out and then put it into a ziplock bag (i get the walmart brand with zippers b/c you can zip to the very end and then get the last bit of air out). i've currently got a meatloaf and a whole mac and cheese i prepared/froze this way in the freezer.

i have to say-one of the best investments for freezing meals and such is an air sealer. it can compact items so much it really maximizes freezer space.

 

[jen7233]

I appreciate the tips on freezer meal storage. We did get a stand alone freezer finally about two months ago I think it was, after looking hard to find one. Have been filling with freezer food from the store, but want to do make ahead meals. DH likes meals with some type of meat. The kids like most things with rice or noodles base, and especially my older teen likes individual freezer meals like Trader Joes Mac n Cheese. I'm motivated now to try do a few make ahead freezer meals and see how it turns out.

 

[barkley]

Trader Joes Mac n Cheese

ds loves the pepperoni pizza mac and cheese from there. i get their steak and ale pies and we've gotten addicted to both their burrito and cuban bowls. it took us years to get a t.j.'s localy and i missed them badly (when we would visit back home i would go to t.j.'s and get non perishables to either pack or mail to myself).

one time saver is to do larger batches of what you're cooking already w/plans to freeze part. i will make double what we need for a meal/leftovers of something like manwich or stew and freeze half. i had a coworker who would cook up 10 pounds of ground beef at a time and then break it into 1 pound bags to freeze for easier prep (and it let her take advantage of sales)-i cook up 3 or 4 pounds of ground beef and season it with taco seasoning (love those huge bottles from costco). i break them into 1 cup freezer/microwavable containers (from the dollar store-3 for $1 and reusable for ages) b/c i've got a son who would eat mexican food daily if able to. i keep tortilla chips on hand, tortillas in the freezer, individual microwavable nacho cheese cups-the meat can just be pulled from the freezer and put directly in the microwave so it's done in a couple of minutes.

 

[colormegreen]

Joining as I’ve been following along and really getting the motivation to wipe this debt off.
We file through turbo tax and the extra $600 for unemployment and my husband’s severance pay took us over the $$$ that we won’t qualify for the next stimulus. It sucks, but he was desperate for me to do complete turbo tax, I usually wait until April to fix, but it is what it is...

Anyways this is my debt...

Car Balance: $8,793.96, this is scheduled to be paid off by Sept. 2022 which does not concern me. I do send more then the monthly payment and the interest is not high, so this is a low priority to me.

Chase Card; $7,039.27, I don't know how it got that high if we are being honest, but since I already know what I am getting back in taxes, this will be paid off with that money. We won't have anything else left from taxes, but the balance will be paid off and that is good enough for me.

Capital One: Husband owes $2,669.57 I am debating if I should touch our savings (really tempted, but not sure) to pay off this card.

Wells Fargo: $4,973.00, I am waiting for this card to actually transfer to another card with no interest for 18 months. I will be paying what I pay now in payments to pay it off on time. This one does not concern me at this point. Just waiting for the transfer to go through.

Best Buy: $1,843.51-I had to use it; however, Best Buy does give you 12 months interest free. I will be paying my balance off in less then 12 months as I already did my budget for this card. Do NOT want to pay interest as I have been.

My balances look scary, which is why I deterred many times from forming a plan, but now that I have a budget I feel good about it.
I am looking to pay off everything by the time Sept. 2022 comes around the corner. I am hoping that once I pay off the chase card, I can use that money to either continue building our savings or if I do not decide to dip in on the savings to pay off the capital one to increase the payments. Unfortunately, the hubby has not found another job at this time, therefore I really do not want to dip into the savings for that card, as I do not know what to expect, we've been submitting applications, but no luck. My mother was never good at managing money, and I can say I inherited/learned that from her. However, I have paid off 4 cards since the pandemic hit, and have learned that if I can't pay for it off my debit card then I simply cannot afford it. I will say this, recognizing this helps, as it is me who misspends the money. I tell the hubby he should manage the money, but he doesn't want to do it. But I am ready to eliminate debt and I actually feel good about this.

 

[jen7233]

ds loves the pepperoni pizza mac and cheese from there. i get their steak and ale pies and we've gotten addicted to both their burrito and cuban bowls. it took us years to get a t.j.'s localy and i missed them badly (when we would visit back home i would go to t.j.'s and get non perishables to either pack or mail to myself).

one time saver is to do larger batches of what you're cooking already w/plans to freeze part. i will make double what we need for a meal/leftovers of something like manwich or stew and freeze half. i had a coworker who would cook up 10 pounds of ground beef at a time and then break it into 1 pound bags to freeze for easier prep (and it let her take advantage of sales)-i cook up 3 or 4 pounds of ground beef and season it with taco seasoning (love those huge bottles from costco). i break them into 1 cup freezer/microwavable containers (from the dollar store-3 for $1 and reusable for ages) b/c i've got a son who would eat mexican food daily if able to. i keep tortilla chips on hand, tortillas in the freezer, individual microwavable nacho cheese cups-the meat can just be pulled from the freezer and put directly in the microwave so it's done in a couple of minutes.

My favorite items from Trader Joe's are the French Vanilla ground coffee and the organic pizza crust, and yes one of mine likes the pizza mac and cheese also. It took me years to go into a Trader Joe's despite having one in close driving distance. Precooking seasoned ground beef will add that plan to freezer meal prep thanks.

Joining as I’ve been following along and really getting the motivation to wipe this debt off

Welcome!

 

[slightly_obsessed]

one time saver is to do larger batches of what you're cooking already w/plans to freeze part. i will make double what we need for a meal/leftovers of something like manwich or stew and freeze half. i had a coworker who would cook up 10 pounds of ground beef at a time and then break it into 1 pound bags to freeze for easier prep (and it let her take advantage of sales)-i cook up 3 or 4 pounds of ground beef and season it with taco seasoning (love those huge bottles from costco).

I second this! I find it so much easier for me to double up on what I am already cooking than to find the time/energy to do a full day of meal prep. It takes longer to stock up though, so there is that.

My mother was never good at managing money, and I can say I inherited/learned that from her. However, I have paid off 4 cards since the pandemic hit, and have learned that if I can't pay for it off my debit card then I simply cannot afford it. I will say this, recognizing this helps, as it is me who misspends the money. I tell the hubby he should manage the money, but he doesn't want to do it. But I am ready to eliminate debt and I actually feel good about this.

Congrats on paying off the 4 cards!

 

[imbatman]

Joining as I’ve been following along and really getting the motivation to wipe this debt off.

 

[crazycatstacy]

Got a call last night from my nephew's stepdad. He said he is really struggling and depressed and he was hoping maybe I would be able to visit. He lives in Florida and we are going to Disney in December but now I am going to try to take a weekend trip in June to see him. I usually try to see him every year but thanks to Covid I didn't see him last year and I haven't seen him since Disney in March 2019. My brother is his dad and totally worthless and his mom isn't the greatest either so it breaks my heart for him to be sad and lonely.

 

[FQLover]

(((Hugs))) to you for being a great aunt! Do you think you could set up weekly Facetime meetings with him to keep him going until you see him in June? I have been reading about how the pandemic is causing higher levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, etc. in kids and teens, young people etc. If he is hanging by a string, he might need some help and intervention right now. I am so sorry for you and him. Maybe his stepdad is one parental unit who is looking out for him? Hope so!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

(((Hugs))) to you for being a great aunt! Do you think you could set up weekly Facetime meetings with him to keep him going until you see him in June? I have been reading about how the pandemic is causing higher levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, etc. in kids and teens, young people etc. If he is hanging by a string, he might need some help and intervention right now. I am so sorry for you and him. Maybe his stepdad is one parental unit who is looking out for him? Hope so!

Well said. June feels like an eternity if he is really struggling. Maybe there are some other pick-me-up things you can send him. Cards, photos, etc.

 

[crazycatstacy]

I talk to him as often as I can and I send him something every month, whether it be a gift or a card with some money or something. Just to let him know we are thinking about him. I made a 33 page Shutterfly book yesterday and sent it with pictures of him since he was a baby with us and the trips we have gone on together. He has been in Florida since 2015 (they moved a month before he turned 5). I included pictures of my visit to him in Florida, our three Disney trips, our trip to Wisconsin Dells with him and our trip to Cincinnati to see him when he visited his dad.

I texted his mom about a YMCA membership or something I could pay for that would allow him to do things and get out and be with other kids. He is currently doing school from home and I believe pretty isolated so getting him out of the house would be a big help.

 

[FQLover]

He is so lucky to have you in his life! Those are great ways to let him know how much you love him and care about how he is feeling. I hope that you guys have a ton of fun together in June.

 

[pblack]

Credit Karma finally opened up our state taxes, so I just finished submitting our taxes. We'll be getting back just over $2000. I'm not sure what we want to do with this money yet. Originally we were going to use it as a down payment on a new car since our Camry lease is up in May, but I think my DH has decided to keep his current Camry. So we plan on refinancing that loan. We could use the money towards it or the Highlander, but I don't think we will. I have a couple calls in to get prices for replastering our pool, so depending on what those quotes come back as maybe we'll use it towards that.

 

[imbatman]

Headed on a trip to surprise my sister! Had to buy snow chains for my car, but they can be returned if not used. And we're leaving soon to try to not use them.

This trip makes me so happy because we are so close to being debt free that I don't feel like I need to nickel and dime every.little.thing. And I'll be snowed in with my sister! I'm going to walk into her work with hot cocoa and whipped cream. No snowman making for these freezing sisters!

 

[barkley]

Headed on a trip to surprise my sister! Had to buy snow chains for my car, but they can be returned if not used. And we're leaving soon to try to not use them.

This trip makes me so happy because we are so close to being debt free that I don't feel like I need to nickel and dime every.little.thing. And I'll be snowed in with my sister! I'm going to walk into her work with hot cocoa and whipped cream. No snowman making for these freezing sisters!

stay warm and safe wherever you are traveling to-that arctic air mass some of us are experiencing is psycho! we are projected to get a wind chill factor of as low as 20 BELOW

 

[Tygerlilly]

stay warm and safe wherever you are traveling to-that arctic air mass some of us are experiencing is psycho! we are projected to get a wind chill factor of as low as 20 BELOW

We're projected at -30 here in Oklahoma. On day 3 of ice storms with several more days coming, followed by a foot of snow over the weekend.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Fun fact: while browsing Amazon for things I need for baby, I realized that breast milk storage supplies, pumping supplies, and pretty much all children's OTC medicines can be purchased with your HSA card. So I bought all the stuff for pumping yesterday and checked that off my list without any out of pocket costs (we have a pretty good chunk in our hsa because we never really need to use it).

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We're projected at -30 here in Oklahoma. On day 3 of ice storms with several more days coming, followed by a foot of snow over the weekend.

Yikes! Your weather usually moves on toward the east coast. I hope it skips us!

 

[pblack]

I feel like I shouldn't say this....but it was 70 degrees here in Sacramento today...