Debt Dumpers 2021

[StacyStrong]

I don't really have anything to report on my goals for March. However, I do get vaccinated tomorrow! I'm pretty anxious about side effects, but also really wanted to get it ASAP. There's no winning.

Also, my friend and I booked a WDW vacation for Feb 2022. I'm ALSO still nervous about traveling and going somewhere as crowded as Disney, but a lot can happen in 10+ months, I'll be fully vaccinated, and hopefully most other people are as well.

We are staying in a 1 bedroom villa at Boardwalk from Feb 5-12. We are doing 2 days at Universal, but we are driving this time so we will be driving over. 17 hour car ride! But, looking forward to it. Cheaper than flights, paying for a rental car, or multiple Ubers, etc. The room is free-to-me because we are using her families DVC points so parking will be free too. It just works out better this way. I'm both excited and nervous!

 

[pblack]

so..........after watching the 2 most recent episodes of 'hoarders' i've come to the conclusion that it's a great resource to discourage spending money. neither of the last 2 homes featured were nausea inducing filthy but rather just piles and piles of newly purchased items most still in the original bags and boxing they arrived in. the amounts of money the homeowners wasted away was staggering. i think keeping an episode on the dvr and referring back to it if the urge to buy something pops up might be beneficial.

This is the show I watch when I think to myself "my house is really messy right now" and then I realize that's its really not.

 

[dayvewc]

Does anyone else suffer from SSDD every day? Cause that’s what it feels like for me lately.

My financial goals are:

• Buy a house.

I know the one I want, just need about 4 2 2 more months saving for the down payment
Fingers crossed it will still be on the market come April. Almost lost it, it was listed as "Pending Sale" for 6 weeks, but the realtor called yesterday and the buyers backed out last minute, so fingers crossed. Ok, heard back from my mortgage broker that I am qualified for the loan, and they have started processing, but that is the last I heard 2 days ago.
Ideally, would like to close mid-May, so that I can use the last 2 weeks of May to move.

• Sell my old house.

Preferably before I buy my new house, but honestly just as long as it sells. Talked to the people currently planning to buy. They are still planning to buy, but the time-table to purchase has been thrown off due to COVID and they are not sure when they will be able to close.

Still no news from the renters on when they are going to buy my house. They just have to buy before July 1.

• Increase my savings by at least $5000 (above the down payment) Up by $800 $1000 (RRFCU Dec $500, Jan $100, Feb $100, March $100, FB&T Jan $100, $100)
• Pay off my last credit card Starting balance $11453.12 Current balance $9067.82 $7525.94

Personal goals:

• Lose 50 pounds. This is more of a dream than a goal. Not sure how I'll manage this, but it is an interim goal. No change No change
• Take at least 2 cash vacations this year. 1 mini vacation down
• Get the VA to approve my shoulder for disability (and backpay) <-- this is big Still working on this No change
• Get the VA to approve the other remaining items I've filed for Still working on this No change
• Find a life partner (without having to use duct-tape) Still looking Change, I’ve moved backwards. I’d been talking to someone for a while, and we’ve decided to just be friends instead.

 

[barkley]

Ideally, would like to close mid-May, so that I can use the last 2 weeks of May to move.

have you checked how far out movers or renting moving truck is booking? there have been stories on the news where some regions are booked out months and months. it might be worth it to look into it sooner vs. later just so you can seek out alternatives if needed.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I don't really have anything to report on my goals for March. However, I do get vaccinated tomorrow! I'm pretty anxious about side effects, but also really wanted to get it ASAP. There's no winning.

My DH and I both managed to get last minute vaccination appointments yesterday. My parents had appointments for themselves and one of my sister's at their local pharmacy and the pharmacy mentioned having a few slots still open so she called me. We got in for yesterday afternoon and were pleasantly surprised to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so just the one shot needed. I was nervous as I'm the queen of side effects with medicines (though to be fair I've never had an issue with a vaccine). We both felt very sore and tired this morning, like got hit by a truck and bruised all over sore. By noon I felt completely fine again. It took until this evening for my DH to feel better, but all things considered we count ourselves lucky. I checked with my parents and sister and my Dad had no side effects, and Mom and sister only had headaches. My other sister got both of her Pfizer vaccines already and she had similar side effects to us, very sore and tired the next day but that's about all. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, it may suck the day after, but it doesn't seem to last long and it's so much better than getting COVID-19!

 

[dayvewc]

have you checked how far out movers or renting moving truck is booking? there have been stories on the news where some regions are booked out months and months. it might be worth it to look into it sooner vs. later just so you can seek out alternatives if needed.

I have not, but the local U-Haul store has lines of trucks available every day, so I don't think that is an issue here. Movers might be more of a problem, but I need to know if I am closing in May or June first.

 

[barkley]

I have not, but the local U-Haul store has lines of trucks available every day, so I don't think that is an issue here. Movers might be more of a problem, but I need to know if I am closing in May or June first.

i need to call my local uhaul and get one reserved for early in the last week of may. dd is getting a couple of bookcases from us that i need to get out before we have a closet reno done starting june 1st and i want to make sure i don't miss out on getting a small truck with the traditional rush of college students moving out memorial day week/end.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

There's no winning.

The "winning" is that you don't get covid.
I work with around 20 techs. Some are mammo techs, some ultrasound techs, and some are lead techs. All except for 3 of them were vaccinated in January. Two of those who were vaccinated have husbands now with covid. Neither of the 2 got covid, nor do they need to quarantine because of their spouse's covid. One of those 2 has a 9 year old son who started developing symptoms. She took him to Rite Aid for testing and they handed her the swab. It made him cough terribly and he couldn't turn his head away from her while she was swabbing his nose, so he pretty much coughed right in her face. She said phlegm was "flying all over the place". His test was positive for covid but still, she hasn't gotten it. That is AMAZING!

Also now one of the 3 who refused the vaccine has covid, as does her daughter, son in law and 2 grandchildren. Now her elderly parents need to be tested and they also refused the vaccine. Ugh.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

This is the show I watch when I think to myself "my house is really messy right now" and then I realize that's its really not.

Sometimes I think I'm a little crazy. Sadly, so many of that show's episodes feature people with mental illness and the hoarding is just a symptom. Then I realize I'm pretty normal; maybe just a little bit quirky sometimes. I feel bad for those people. Usually they can name some traumatic event in their life such as a death of a child or something else horrible, that started his/her downward spiral.

 

[pblack]

Sometimes I think I'm a little crazy. Sadly, so many of that show's episodes feature people with mental illness and the hoarding is just a symptom. Then I realize I'm pretty normal; maybe just a little bit quirky sometimes. I feel bad for those people. Usually they can name some traumatic event in their life such as a death of a child or something else horrible, that started his/her downward spiral.

Some of the stories are definitely sad and I totally agree with you. But their houses still make me feel better about mine lol.

 

[jen7233]

Back from WDW and back to business as usual. I thought WDW was much more crowded than December. Disney Springs seemed worse than the parks to me. Went well, minus day one as family's military tickets needed activation, and they had a long line wait over 45 minutes at ticketing, and then issues at the window as the ticket person was trying to remember how to do it all after being fresh back at work after a hiatus for a long time and probably our family member was confusing to attempt to do it at the window, bringing out old magic bands, updating it, etc. (though we did tell family to do it the night before at Springs or TTC, but anyway, they wanted to do it day one at the park).

We used DHs CSR for most of the trip so we were able to do the Pay Yourself Back points on all the dining, which was awesome, since our points have just been sitting there, and the redemption rate was good in our opinion and perfect reason to use points. I played with Apple Cash adding funds and using it on all my coffee and a few snack counters, so I felt pretty high tech, lol. No more WDW plans on the agenda until some of the new rides are completed and open, and the train is back. We need to look at using our 5 nights certificate with Marriott by November, so probably will be reading about some places for a couple weekend trips we can drive to. Likely Hilton Head, Surf City NC, or Virginia Beach.

I got the Pfizer vaccine, have to do round two when I get the email. Injection area was sore by night and more sore all the next day, no other issues. Pet peeve of the term "needles in arms" on government briefs, just say vaccinate!

 

[Tygerlilly]

My mom showed up with some stuff for baby yesterday. Some of it was a duplicate of what I had already gotten. Other things were extremely pink and girly looking (we're having a boy). While I don't mind things that lean in the girlish style for him, pink stripe and heart receiving blankets and sleepers just aren't it. I told her I needed to exchange the duplicates and returned the 2 pink things as well and was able to exchange sizes and get the last three things on my list for him for $0 out of pocket.

We're debating on shortening our October trip to Disney by a few days. Right now we're booked for 11 nights and 9 days of park tickets. With 3 younger kinds, we aren't planning on doing rope drop or going from open to close. The plan was to get there whenever and stay til the kids get crabby then head back to the hotel to nap or swim or just generally chill out. Have an early dinner somewhere like Disney Springs and then maybe go back to the park or just head back to hotel. However, I'm wondering if 11 days (plus 2 days of travel each direction) is going to be *too* much for a 6 y/o, 4 y/o and 4 month old. If I cut the trip, it will be 8 nights and 6 park days instead and we'd actually save over $1000 in package price, plus less food cost. I just don't want to feel rushed thinking we *need* to get our tickets worth since we lose 3 days of tickets.

 

[jen7233]

My mom showed up with some stuff for baby yesterday. Some of it was a duplicate of what I had already gotten. Other things were extremely pink and girly looking (we're having a boy). While I don't mind things that lean in the girlish style for him, pink stripe and heart receiving blankets and sleepers just aren't it. I told her I needed to exchange the duplicates and returned the 2 pink things as well and was able to exchange sizes and get the last three things on my list for him for $0 out of pocket.

We're debating on shortening our October trip to Disney by a few days. Right now we're booked for 11 nights and 9 days of park tickets. With 3 younger kinds, we aren't planning on doing rope drop or going from open to close. The plan was to get there whenever and stay til the kids get crabby then head back to the hotel to nap or swim or just generally chill out. Have an early dinner somewhere like Disney Springs and then maybe go back to the park or just head back to hotel. However, I'm wondering if 11 days (plus 2 days of travel each direction) is going to be *too* much for a 6 y/o, 4 y/o and 4 month old. If I cut the trip, it will be 8 nights and 6 park days instead and we'd actually save over $1000 in package price, plus less food cost. I just don't want to feel rushed thinking we *need* to get our tickets worth since we lose 3 days of tickets.

We didn't go with babies or young children, but for me I was tired after the fifth park day! I like the flexibility of having six or seven days in case of a really rainy day. We didn't do rope drop but once, but did go in the morning. October of course is going to look different than comparisons of right now.

 

[Tygerlilly]

We didn't go with babies or young children, but for me I was tired after the fifth park day! I like the flexibility of having six or seven days in case of a really rainy day. We didn't do rope drop but once, but did go in the morning. October of course is going to look different than comparisons of right now.

I went ahead and just changed it to the shorter package. We're going to skip HS and just do 2 days each at the other 3 parks. Ended up saving $900 on the package and I'm guessing at least another $300 on food costs. That will definitely be worth it.
I'm 100% fine with the slow easy days. I just don't want DH to feel like we spent a ton of money and didn't get to experience what we "should" have.

 

[StacyStrong]

My DH and I both managed to get last minute vaccination appointments yesterday. My parents had appointments for themselves and one of my sister's at their local pharmacy and the pharmacy mentioned having a few slots still open so she called me. We got in for yesterday afternoon and were pleasantly surprised to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, so just the one shot needed. I was nervous as I'm the queen of side effects with medicines (though to be fair I've never had an issue with a vaccine). We both felt very sore and tired this morning, like got hit by a truck and bruised all over sore. By noon I felt completely fine again. It took until this evening for my DH to feel better, but all things considered we count ourselves lucky. I checked with my parents and sister and my Dad had no side effects, and Mom and sister only had headaches. My other sister got both of her Pfizer vaccines already and she had similar side effects to us, very sore and tired the next day but that's about all. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is, it may suck the day after, but it doesn't seem to last long and it's so much better than getting COVID-19!

I'm glad you are all doing well and didn't have any crazy reactions!

The "winning" is that you don't get covid.
I work with around 20 techs. Some are mammo techs, some ultrasound techs, and some are lead techs. All except for 3 of them were vaccinated in January. Two of those who were vaccinated have husbands now with covid. Neither of the 2 got covid, nor do they need to quarantine because of their spouse's covid. One of those 2 has a 9 year old son who started developing symptoms. She took him to Rite Aid for testing and they handed her the swab. It made him cough terribly and he couldn't turn his head away from her while she was swabbing his nose, so he pretty much coughed right in her face. She said phlegm was "flying all over the place". His test was positive for covid but still, she hasn't gotten it. That is AMAZING!

Also now one of the 3 who refused the vaccine has covid, as does her daughter, son in law and 2 grandchildren. Now her elderly parents need to be tested and they also refused the vaccine. Ugh.

That's a great anecdote! Definitely...the winning is not getting COVID, you're right.

My first shot went well. I had had a very very faint "whoosh" feeling right when they poked me, but it went away immediately. Other than that, my arm hurt, but nothing more than if I were weight lifting. I can still feel it today, but super faint. Fingers crossed my second shot goes just as well!

 

[Eureka]

We‘ve gotten fence and tree removal estimates (still waiting on yard cleanup/haul away) and it’s a good thing it was less than I have anticipated, because DH’s car had the check engine light on. It’s something to do with the emissions system and very pricey. Plus we needed two tires and a couple other things done, so we are talking into the thousands. Ugh. But, it should last a good long time since we are not driving much.

Other than that, the boys and I are all getting vaccinated within the next few days, so yay. Hoping DH will have an appt soon. Weird thing is both kids got called before we did. Whatever, as long as it all happens, right?

 

[Eureka]

My mom showed up with some stuff for baby yesterday. Some of it was a duplicate of what I had already gotten. Other things were extremely pink and girly looking (we're having a boy). While I don't mind things that lean in the girlish style for him, pink stripe and heart receiving blankets and sleepers just aren't it. I told her I needed to exchange the duplicates and returned the 2 pink things as well and was able to exchange sizes and get the last three things on my list for him for $0 out of pocket.

We're debating on shortening our October trip to Disney by a few days. Right now we're booked for 11 nights and 9 days of park tickets. With 3 younger kinds, we aren't planning on doing rope drop or going from open to close. The plan was to get there whenever and stay til the kids get crabby then head back to the hotel to nap or swim or just generally chill out. Have an early dinner somewhere like Disney Springs and then maybe go back to the park or just head back to hotel. However, I'm wondering if 11 days (plus 2 days of travel each direction) is going to be *too* much for a 6 y/o, 4 y/o and 4 month old. If I cut the trip, it will be 8 nights and 6 park days instead and we'd actually save over $1000 in package price, plus less food cost. I just don't want to feel rushed thinking we *need* to get our tickets worth since we lose 3 days of tickets.

I would think 11 days just being away from home with three small kids would be too much. The first time we went with the kids, they were five and seven and by the end of the week, even though we had had a great time, I was ready to go home.

 

[Tygerlilly]

I would think 11 days just being away from home with three small kids would be too much. The first time we went with the kids, they were five and seven and by the end of the week, even though we had had a great time, I was ready to go home.

Yeah, I definitely went ahead and just cut a few days off the trip. We're doing 7 nights and 6 park days now.

 

[jen7233]

Yeah, I definitely went ahead and just cut a few days off the trip. We're doing 7 nights and 6 park days now.

I think that's a good amount of time to enjoy the parks, and you saved money on the shorter package. We went on our most recent trip with no big expectations except to hope to get a boarding group on RotR, and that's it. We even adjusted our thoughts as we went, dropping several dining reservations and adjusting our ideas on when to go or come back from the park. I just relooked my calculations on the cost after doing the points redemption on CSR. We spent more frivolously I think knowing we were going to redeem points. For dining/food, shopping, memory maker, dog boarding, airport parking, transport, and tips, (and not accounting for lodging and park tickets cost in this calculation), we spent just a little over $1400 for 9 nights, 7 park days.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think that's a good amount of time to enjoy the parks, and you saved money on the shorter package. We went on our most recent trip with no big expectations except to hope to get a boarding group on RotR, and that's it. We even adjusted our thoughts as we went, dropping several dining reservations and adjusting our ideas on when to go or come back from the park. I just relooked my calculations on the cost after doing the points redemption on CSR. We spent more frivolously I think knowing we were going to redeem points. For dining/food, shopping, memory maker, dog boarding, airport parking, transport, and tips, (and not accounting for lodging and park tickets cost in this calculation), we spent just a little over $1400 for 9 nights, 7 park days.

How did you redeem points for CSR? We used to be able to book Disney hotels with Chase Ultimate Reward points but of course, they had to stop that. I don't know why they care if they get paid by us or by Chase. Either way they get paid.