Debt Dumpers 2024

[huggybuff]

I encourage you to find a free budgeting app to use. I know where every penny goes and still use EveryDollar every day, many years after becoming debt-free. It also helps easily "reassign" dollars if you should happen to overspend in one area.

Yes, I will look for a free one when the time comes. I tried EveryDollar before YNAB. I didn’t love it, which is why I kept searching for a better one. I do like the zero based budgeting though. I’ll figure it out…maybe give EveryDollar one more go now that my finances are more stable.

 

[trenty]

Yes, I will look for a free one when the time comes. I tried EveryDollar before YNAB. I didn’t love it, which is why I kept searching for a better one. I do like the zero based budgeting though. I’ll figure it out…maybe give EveryDollar one more go now that my finances are more stable.

I get it. I actually tried YNAB briefly after using EveryDollar and liked EveryDollar better. We probably just like what we get used to - change is challenging sometimes.

I just signed up for the trial "premium" EveryDollar and not sure that I like it - LOL. I will probably keep it past the trial because I do like aspects of it - but as I said change, even minor change, sometimes can be a challenge.

The point is that it could be very easy to lose track of things without a proper budgeting/tracking.

 

[huggybuff]

The point is that it could be very easy to lose track of things without a proper budgeting/tracking.

Agreed!

 

[CinderEmma94]

End of July update!

Financial:
1. Pay off card #1 (starting balance $11,600) Current balance: $250 - this card will be paid off on the 1st!
2. Pay off card #2 (starting balance $6,500) Current balance: $4,345 - this will be the next priority, should be paid off by the end of October if everything goes as planned
3. Grow emergency fund to $15,000 (currently at $7,500) Paused, debt is taking priority right now.

Personal:
1. 30 minute workout at least 5 days/week
On track. Nothing really new this month, just keeping up with my routine. I got a spot in the Princess 5k for next year this morning, I am looking forward to Springtime Surprise themes being released so I can plan for that registration as well!

2. Read 100 books
292 books read so far this year (added 46 this month)

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

That's awesome news about your cards. I'm trying, but it's so tough. As soon as pay one down some, I charge it back up becuase we're in a bind because we don't make enough money to live. But how in the world do you read 46 books in a month? That's 1-1/2 per night. Also, what kind of work out do you do? Just at home? I don't have any workout apparatus or anything like that. So just curious.

End of July update!

Financial:
1. Pay off card #1 (starting balance $11,600) Current balance: $250 - this card will be paid off on the 1st!
2. Pay off card #2 (starting balance $6,500) Current balance: $4,345 - this will be the next priority, should be paid off by the end of October if everything goes as planned
3. Grow emergency fund to $15,000 (currently at $7,500) Paused, debt is taking priority right now.

Personal:
1. 30 minute workout at least 5 days/week
On track. Nothing really new this month, just keeping up with my routine. I got a spot in the Princess 5k for next year this morning, I am looking forward to Springtime Surprise themes being released so I can plan for that registration as well!

2. Read 100 books
292 books read so far this year (added 46 this month)

 

[CinderEmma94]

That's awesome news about your cards. But how in the world do you read 46 books in a month? That's 1-1/2 per night. Also, what kind of work out do you do? Just at home? I don't have any workout apparatus or anything like that, and I don't want to buy any cause my wife gets upset when I work out. I tried walking, but she didn't like me doing that either. Said I was wasting my time and smelled back when I got home form it.

Thanks! So, it really depends on how long the book is. If I am reading a standard paperback that's 350-ish pages I can typically finish one per day (I read physical books slower). When I read on my kindle I read faster. Some books are novellas, so 100-200 pages, and I can typically read 2-3 of those in a day. It really just depends on how much time I have available and what book is next on my list. I use Kindle Unlimited and only buy the books I want to re-read (authors don't get paid for rereads on KU so I want them to get the most $ for their work if I plan to reread). The physical books I buy are typically special editions and/or favorites. Limited shelf space

Some days I don't even finish one book, some days I read 3. I am a stay at home homeschooling mom so it's not like I have a ton of extra time after taking care of the kids and house but I do have pockets of time and I use (almost) all of them to read (nap time/rest time, before the kids get up, after they go to bed, while I'm on the treadmill). I don't really watch tv/movies/whatever. My husband and I switch off kid duty on the weekend so we both get alone time - we both work full time so we both get time off on the weekends.

I walk, run and bike for cardio and then I do peloton weights classes as well. I participate in many 5k and 10k races so I am usually working on improving my times and just general fitness. I have a treadmill and peloton bike, you won't catch me working out outside in the summer, I live on the surface of the sun lol, even though I prefer running on the road to the treadmill.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Thanks! So, it really depends on how long the book is. If I am reading a standard paperback that's 350-ish pages I can typically finish one per day (I read physical books slower). When I read on my kindle I read faster. Some books are novellas, so 100-200 pages, and I can typically read 2-3 of those in a day. It really just depends on how much time I have available and what book is next on my list. I use Kindle Unlimited and only buy the books I want to re-read (authors don't get paid for rereads on KU so I want them to get the most $ for their work if I plan to reread). The physical books I buy are typically special editions and/or favorites. Limited shelf space

Some days I don't even finish one book, some days I read 3. I am a stay at home homeschooling mom so it's not like I have a ton of extra time after taking care of the kids and house but I do have pockets of time and I use (almost) all of them to read (nap time/rest time, before the kids get up, after they go to bed, while I'm on the treadmill). I don't really watch tv/movies/whatever. My husband and I switch off kid duty on the weekend so we both get alone time - we both work full time so we both get time off on the weekends.

I walk, run and bike for cardio and then I do peloton weights classes as well. I participate in many 5k and 10k races so I am usually working on improving my times and just general fitness. I have a treadmill and peloton bike, you won't catch me working out outside in the summer, I live on the surface of the sun lol, even though I prefer running on the road to the treadmill.

Hi, I think we're the same person living in two places. I'm also a stay at home homeschooling mom who likes to read, bike, and run. (Although I did just get a little part time gig at a toddler Playhouse that my kids can come with me to)

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

End of July update!

Financial:
1. Pay off card #1 (starting balance $11,600) Current balance: $250 - this card will be paid off on the 1st!
2. Pay off card #2 (starting balance $6,500) Current balance: $4,345 - this will be the next priority, should be paid off by the end of October if everything goes as planned
3. Grow emergency fund to $15,000 (currently at $7,500) Paused, debt is taking priority right now.

Personal:
1. 30 minute workout at least 5 days/week
On track. Nothing really new this month, just keeping up with my routine. I got a spot in the Princess 5k for next year this morning, I am looking forward to Springtime Surprise themes being released so I can plan for that registration as well!

2. Read 100 books
292 books read so far this year (added 46 this month)

Maybe it's just me but I'd take the savings and pay off both cards tomorrow, unless they're 0% interest. Then work on building the EF up again by saving whatever amount you were using to pay the debt.
It feels so wonderful when the debt is gone.
JMHO.

 

[CinderEmma94]

Maybe it's just me but I'd take the savings and pay off both cards tomorrow, unless they're 0% interest. Then work on building the EF up again by saving whatever amount you were using to pay the debt.
It feels so wonderful when the debt is gone.
JMHO.

It's definitely tempting and can totally work for a lot of people. My husband works in tech and is our only income earner, if he gets laid off we'd be screwed and unable to pay rent (it's not like I can put it on a credit card if we don't have sufficient savings) and I don't want to be evicted with three little ones. Paying two more months(ish) of interest isn't a big deal in the long run, it comes out to be around $140. If I worked full time as well I would feel more comfortable with that plan, but that isn't our situation currently.

I agree that it will feel amazing when the debt is gone! After the credit cards we will only have about $19k in student loans and then we will be completely debt free.

 

[barkley]

It's definitely tempting and can totally work for a lot of people. My husband works in tech and is our only income earner, if he gets laid off we'd be screwed and unable to pay rent (it's not like I can put it on a credit card if we don't have sufficient savings) and I don't want to be evicted with three little ones. Paying two more months(ish) of interest isn't a big deal in the long run, it comes out to be around $140. If I worked full time as well I would feel more comfortable with that plan, but that isn't our situation currently.

I agree that it will feel amazing when the debt is gone! After the credit cards we will only have about $19k in student loans and then we will be completely debt free.

i totaly get what you are saying-it's that 'just in case' peace of mind. even if someone is eligible to unemployment or (in the case of an illness or injury) disability insurance-it can take months on end to get a first check issued so having that 'just in case' emergency fund, esp. when you've got littles is very important.

 

[Nettlelondon]

That's awesome news about your cards. I'm trying, but it's so tough. As soon as pay one down some, I charge it back up becuase we're in a bind because we don't make enough money to live. But how in the world do you read 46 books in a month? That's 1-1/2 per night. Also, what kind of work out do you do? Just at home? I don't have any workout apparatus or anything like that. So just curious.

Have a look on YouTube for home workouts with no equipment, there are plenty out there. A lot are based on variants of walking on the spot but at different speeds and with different arm variations. Pop on your favourite tv show, have the video on your phone or computer and multi-task.

Or just walk on the spot in front of the tv if you can't sort anything else out. It may not achieve huge results but it is going to be more exercise than just sitting in a chair watching.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Have a look on YouTube for home workouts with no equipment, there are plenty out there. A lot are based on variants of walking on the spot but at different speeds and with different arm variations. Pop on your favourite tv show, have the video on your phone or computer and multi-task.

Or just walk on the spot in front of the tv if you can't sort anything else out. It may not achieve huge results but it is going to be more exercise than just sitting in a chair watching.

I'm a huge fan of Fitness Blender on YouTube. They have a ton of solid free videos and many are bodyweight only.

 

[pblack]

End of July update:

2024 Financial Goals:

• Add at least $2000 to my main emergency savings on top of my auto contributions - Honestly keep forgetting about this goal lol. So I just added an extra $100. $300/$2000
• Get our home equity loan down to $20k (currently at ~$26.5k) - This always gets paid mid-month for me. Paid an extra $175 mid-July. Current balance is ~$25,800.
• Increase my contributions to my other savings goals by at least $25/each pay period - This has now been completed.
• Look into a living will/trust (We have friends that keep telling us to do this and with everything going on in my life at the moment, I feel like I should actually look into this more.) - This has now been completed

2024 Personal Goals:

• Exercise at least 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes - I used my elliptical for 10-15 mins at a time a few times over the last month, but once again I still need to get back into this. Summer is always a hard time for me to find motivation. It's too hot and I don't want to get even hotter by working out.
• Travel as much as possible - Camping weekend coming up and then we leave for 10 year wedding anniversary cruise in about a month. Trying to figure out a trip over Thanksgiving, but no progress on that.
• Replace the patio cover in our backyard - No progress.
• Finally do something with our side yard - not sure exactly what at the moment - No progress.

Not too many major updates for me. Hope everyone is still plugging along! I feel like this thread has been kind of quiet lately.

 

[amalone1013]

authors don't get paid for rereads on KU so I want them to get the most $ for their work if I plan to reread

I did not know this and will definitely be buying more.

 

[ariel1025]

i totaly get what you are saying-it's that 'just in case' peace of mind. even if someone is eligible to unemployment or (in the case of an illness or injury) disability insurance-it can take months on end to get a first check issued so having that 'just in case' emergency fund, esp. when you've got littles is very important.

THIS! When my husband had his brain surgery it took 6 weeks to get his first disability check. In addition, it was only paid once per month, which was a change for us. And on top of all that, it was only ~30% of his normal take home pay. Had we not had our emergency fund I don't even want to think about what would have happened. We had almost 3 months worth of income in savings and still ended up having to use way too many credit cards to make up for the gap, as my husband was out of work for twice that long!!

 

[goofytinkerbell]

1

 

[pblack]

Soooo I warned my husband that if I found this Mickey pumpkin arch in store at Costco I was going to buy it. Well....I happened to find it in store at Costco today. I reasoned with my husband that I saved us money by buying it in store ($440) vs online ($550). Yes i'm fully aware that it's a ridiculous price, but I'm so in love with it lol. I told him he doesn't need to get me an anniversary gift since I bought it. Now fingers crossed that once I put it together and put it up that it will actually fit nicely in my front yard, that's my only concern. It'll be a pain in the butt, but I will take it back if absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing if it will work until I actually get it put together and put out.

For anyone who may be considering buying it (in store), make sure you have a big enough vehicle to get it home in! The box *just* fit in the back of my highlander. Some would say it was meant to be with how well it fit.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Soooo I warned my husband that if I found this Mickey pumpkin arch in store at Costco I was going to buy it. Well....I happened to find it in store at Costco today. I reasoned with my husband that I saved us money by buying it in store ($440) vs online ($550). Yes i'm fully aware that it's a ridiculous price, but I'm so in love with it lol. I told him he doesn't need to get me an anniversary gift since I bought it. Now fingers crossed that once I put it together and put it up that it will actually fit nicely in my front yard, that's my only concern. It'll be a pain in the butt, but I will take it back if absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing if it will work until I actually get it put together and put out.

For anyone who may be considering buying it (in store), make sure you have a big enough vehicle to get it home in! The box *just* fit in the back of my highlander. Some would say it was meant to be with how well it fit.

View attachment 882141

I love your house!

 

[princesscinderella]

Soooo I warned my husband that if I found this Mickey pumpkin arch in store at Costco I was going to buy it. Well....I happened to find it in store at Costco today. I reasoned with my husband that I saved us money by buying it in store ($440) vs online ($550). Yes i'm fully aware that it's a ridiculous price, but I'm so in love with it lol. I told him he doesn't need to get me an anniversary gift since I bought it. Now fingers crossed that once I put it together and put it up that it will actually fit nicely in my front yard, that's my only concern. It'll be a pain in the butt, but I will take it back if absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing if it will work until I actually get it put together and put out.

For anyone who may be considering buying it (in store), make sure you have a big enough vehicle to get it home in! The box *just* fit in the back of my highlander. Some would say it was meant to be with how well it fit.

View attachment 882141

I may have to get this too it’s so awesome!!

 

[Tygerlilly]

Soooo I warned my husband that if I found this Mickey pumpkin arch in store at Costco I was going to buy it. Well....I happened to find it in store at Costco today. I reasoned with my husband that I saved us money by buying it in store ($440) vs online ($550). Yes i'm fully aware that it's a ridiculous price, but I'm so in love with it lol. I told him he doesn't need to get me an anniversary gift since I bought it. Now fingers crossed that once I put it together and put it up that it will actually fit nicely in my front yard, that's my only concern. It'll be a pain in the butt, but I will take it back if absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing if it will work until I actually get it put together and put out.

For anyone who may be considering buying it (in store), make sure you have a big enough vehicle to get it home in! The box *just* fit in the back of my highlander. Some would say it was meant to be with how well it fit.

View attachment 882141

That's amazing!! Maybe it's a good thing I don't have a Costco membership.