Debt Dumpers 2024

[ctinct]

I finally paid my student loan off today. Interest was less than 3% so it was never a huge concern. But I really wish these places would make the page rain confetti when you finally pay that big balance off for whatever loan or cc it was. It's very anticlimatic.

Congrats! I know what you mean about wishing places would give you a little bit of a “way to go!” when paying something off.

I specifically went inside the bank when I paid off my mortgage a little early. I was hoping for at least a congratulations from the teller. Nope. Nothing. Just we will be sending you the paperwork in the mail. I went home and cracked open a to celebrate.

 

[Nettlelondon]

I vary rarely order food for delivery (mainly because there are a lot of options within a 10 minute walk of my house and it seems rude to make someone bring it to me) but last year when I was on chemo there were times when I didn't have the energy or inclination to cook and DH was out. These times often overlapped with an overwhelming urge for 5 Guys. The frist couple of times I ordered with one delivery company and my £15 food order ended up as £30, then I found 5 Guys on another delivery company and it totalled on £20. Didn't feel so bad then!

But it did seem a lot of money to bring a burger & fries less than a mile!

 

[Tygerlilly]

It is stupid - to you.

As with most things, it depends on what you value. For example, my mom and I go out to eat (or usually take it home) every Saturday night. It is our treat at the end of a week, a bonding activity, and something that we both look forward to. For me, the cost is 100% worth it and not something that I'm willing to give up. If I have to work an extra hour each week to afford it, I'm going to.

Everything in moderation...

I more meant it in the way that the costs for eating out are stupid. Meals that used to cost $7 are $15 now and mostly just aren't worth it.

We still go out, just not at the rate we used to. And I'd say doing that as a standing date with my mom is 100% worth it. We still go out for date night dinners once a month, but try to go to actual restaurants instead of fast food places where quality at least is close to what we'd expect for what we're paying.

But I'd also assume you budget your meals out into your planned spending, not just spending money on food out all willy nilly.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I really appreciate that. Yes, people are harsh. I see in my groups on Facebook too. But it's alright. I don't get worked up about it. Lots of things more important to get worked up about. I just let it roll off my shoulders. I love this site and the ideas and help.

As far as runDisney, no I'd never do that. I don't get to exercise much. Early in the year, I made it a goal to start walking every day. I did well for 2 months (walked almost 40 miles during the month of March). But my wife would complain every time I went out by saying I was wasting time and it was doing no good. Or I'd com in and she'd say I was stinky and sweaty, and she wished I didn't do it. Eventually I gave in and stopped, and I haven't walked since the end of April. Plus, it's now 100+ in DFW. So I don't.

I know there are other "goals" I can make up in advance of a trip or experience we have planned. I haven't thought about it to be honest. I'd love to pay off 1 of my cards (the lowest has a $300 credit limit, which is 1/4 of my bi-weekly paycheck, and I've paid it down to $225). I haven't used it in 3 months, and I've made the minimum payment each time. But, I think that'd be an achievable goal as I usually put $25/month on it, which is the minimum. I could see myself trying to pay that paid off before Disney by upping it to around $60/month.

And I agree with others about eating out. It can be cost prohibitive. When we go, we don't typically do fast food because you usually get 1 meal out of it. We try and go somewhere we can get multiple meals out of it. For example, we had a $25 gift card to Saltgrass, and we used it last week for our birthday. We spent $25 additional ($50 total), but we were able to get 6 meals out of that 1 trip. That's what our goal is when we go out.

Our goal is once on either Friday or Saturday night then Sunday after church with friends from church, and it's our time to be around people from church, catch on the week and just have a good, cheap time. So when we eat out, we go with purposes, either making multiple meals out of 1 trip or enjoying time with friends since we have no family within 3 hours.

I usually just lurk, but let me say that you are doing great! It sounds like you are making sustainable changes and moving in the right direction. Good for you! And if you ever start to doubt your progress, look back to your first post on this thread.

And I also want to give you a for coming back. Some people here have been pretty harsh/judgmental/nasty to you. And usually this is such a nice and supportive thread. The fact that you keep chugging along is impressive.

I hope that you enjoy your trip. I know that, for me, I'm more focused on my goals when I have something specific that I'm working towards. Do you have something that you would like to accomplish in advance of your trip?

P.S. Have you ever thought about a runDisney event as a future exercise goal? They definitely aren't cheap (and it is very easy to get sucked into doing more and more of them), but they are a lot of fun.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

It truly is sad. Customer service is a lost art. My wife works at a bank and tries so hard to be friendly and attentive and appreciative of the customer. After all, if it weren't for customers, she wouldn't have a job. But I can't tell you how many others there don't hardly say a word when you go in. To them you're just another number.

Congrats! I know what you mean about wishing places would give you a little bit of a “way to go!” when paying something off.

I specifically went inside the bank when I paid off my mortgage a little early. I was hoping for at least a congratulations from the teller. Nope. Nothing. Just we will be sending you the paperwork in the mail. I went home and cracked open a to celebrate.

 

[goofytinkerbell]

1

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Congrats! I know what you mean about wishing places would give you a little bit of a “way to go!” when paying something off.

I specifically went inside the bank when I paid off my mortgage a little early. I was hoping for at least a congratulations from the teller. Nope. Nothing. Just we will be sending you the paperwork in the mail. I went home and cracked open a to celebrate.

That is sad.
When we made our final mortgage payment, I did it online. It did show $0 balance but I didn't hear from them for a while. I did get a Congratulations! email but it was a generic, canned response. A few weeks later I got a more personalized letter from a human but not really to congratulate us, more along the lines of in case you ever need proof that your mortgage is paid off, you should save this letter.

 

[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 thought the house in the picture was your house. I didn't realize it's the picture on the box til I looked on Costco.com. I'm a bit dense sometimes.
This is really cute but it would cut into our cruise budget which has a much stronger pull on me. Cruising is my one weakness.

This $40 lantern is also cute but I have become so thrifty these days, I feel like I'd regret it in a day or 2.
https://www.costco.com/.product.4000259869.html

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Just a small, but very positive, update since we've reached the end of July. I have been focusing really hard on getting our budget/finances in control. So here we go.

Credit Cards
We've kept paying down the credit cards and haven't used them in probably 2 months. However, our annual fees ($99 on 1 and $79 on the other) hit in July. I forgot about those, so that's not good. But it didn't hurt too bad, and we'll overcome that. Want to continue to pay these down. My goal is to have 1 card paid off by November.

Budget
Been keeping a budget for the past 2 months. Right now, our budget is redone every 2 weeks as we get paid. Need to tighten up the screws on it just a bit. But it allows us to see how much money we have to spend on eating out (we take cash out and put it an envelope and only use cash to eat out), at the grocery store (again cash in envelope and use at the store), on gas/tolls and on extra stuff (wife getting nails done, etc). Even tough money is tight, and we haven't used our CCs, we've been able to stay within budget for those weeks. Also, I've started keeping an eye on my Experian account to try and stay on top of things (CC debt, school/car loans, etc).

Cars
Got DW's car fixed from the wreck and paid out of pocket (insurance wouldn't cover it). We went out to go to work Wednesday, and the same car wouldn't start. Battery went out, so we replaced that as well (the battery was 2 years and a week old cause I remember the exact day we replaced in July 2022). That's probably the 6th problem with her card we've had just this year (it's been in the shop 5 times this year alone). Got to love unexpected expenses. But hopefully after my CCs get paid off, we can start building our emergency fund to handle those unexpected expenses.

Also, I have been trying to find someone else to move my car loan to since my APR is 26% (I know, kind of high, that's why I'm trying to lower). I found 2 places that were recommended by Experian, but I've never heard of either of them. So I need to do some research before I contact them. The registration comes up in November for DW's car, and we're thinking about trading it in before then since it's paid off and we've had so much trouble with it.

Eating Out
This has been our biggest change and probably the biggest reason we've been able to get on top of our finances. We've cut back to eating out 2 times per week, and both times are with a purpose in mind. Usually either Thursday, Friday or Saturday night then Sunday after church with friends. When we go out, we don't typically do fast food because you usually get 1 meal out of it. We try and go somewhere we can get multiple meals out of it. For example, we had a $25 gift card to Saltgrass, and we used it last week for our birthdays. We spent a little over $25 additional ($50 total), but we were able to get 6 meals out of that 1 trip.

And doing Sunday after church is time to spend with our little group of friends from church to visit, catch up, pray and talk together, etc. With our families being 3 hours away, that group has become our family. But we've also started carrying our lunches to work more. I have started going to the store and buying a couple of things of tuna fish and some peanut butter, chips, cookies and peach tea Crystal Light packets to keep in my desk to eat daily. I also keep a loaf of bread in the freezer and replace every week and a half or so just to keep it fresh.

 

[barkley]

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

at least costco is VERY GOOD about returns so if you don't put it together for a couple of months and there's a problem it's not an issue like it would be at lowes or such.

you better stock up on candy-that sucker is going to attract allot of trick or treaters!

I finally paid my student loan off today. Interest was less than 3% so it was never a huge concern. But I really wish these places would make the page rain confetti when you finally pay that big balance off for whatever loan or cc it was. It's very anticlimatic.

i felt the same way when we paid off our mortgage-thought of those old movies where people have a mortgage burning party and burn up the loan papers. nope, nothing sent to us except an electronic notification from our homeowner's insurance company saying they had been notified.


congrats on the payoff of the student loans

 

[afan]

at least costco is VERY GOOD about returns so if you don't put it together for a couple of months and there's a problem it's not an issue like it would be at lowes or such.

you better stock up on candy-that sucker is going to attract allot of trick or treaters!




i felt the same way when we paid off our mortgage-thought of those old movies where people have a mortgage burning party and burn up the loan papers. nope, nothing sent to us except an electronic notification from our homeowner's insurance company saying they had been notified.


congrats on the payoff of the student loans

Thanks! Truly debt free now, but I never considered the student loan bad debt, just something that was there. Money is already allocated to various savings accounts starting next month. Used to not having it, no reason to add it to what I spend.

 

[Bellex917]

Just a small, but very positive, update since we've reached the end of July. I have been focusing really hard on getting our budget/finances in control. So here we go.

Credit Cards
We've kept paying down the credit cards and haven't used them in probably 2 months. However, our annual fees ($99 on 1 and $79 on the other) hit in July. I forgot about those, so that's not good. But it didn't hurt too bad, and we'll overcome that. Want to continue to pay these down. My goal is to have 1 card paid off by November.

Budget
Been keeping a budget for the past 2 months. Right now, our budget is redone every 2 weeks as we get paid. Need to tighten up the screws on it just a bit. But it allows us to see how much money we have to spend on eating out (we take cash out and put it an envelope and only use cash to eat out), at the grocery store (again cash in envelope and use at the store), on gas/tolls and on extra stuff (wife getting nails done, etc). Even tough money is tight, and we haven't used our CCs, we've been able to stay within budget for those weeks. Also, I've started keeping an eye on my Experian account to try and stay on top of things (CC debt, school/car loans, etc).

Cars
Got DW's car fixed from the wreck and paid out of pocket (insurance wouldn't cover it). We went out to go to work Wednesday, and the same car wouldn't start. Battery went out, so we replaced that as well (the battery was 2 years and a week old cause I remember the exact day we replaced in July 2022). That's probably the 6th problem with her card we've had just this year (it's been in the shop 5 times this year alone). Got to love unexpected expenses. But hopefully after my CCs get paid off, we can start building our emergency fund to handle those unexpected expenses.

Also, I have been trying to find someone else to move my car loan to since my APR is 26% (I know, kind of high, that's why I'm trying to lower). I found 2 places that were recommended by Experian, but I've never heard of either of them. So I need to do some research before I contact them. The registration comes up in November for DW's car, and we're thinking about trading it in before then since it's paid off and we've had so much trouble with it.

Eating Out
This has been our biggest change and probably the biggest reason we've been able to get on top of our finances. We've cut back to eating out 2 times per week, and both times are with a purpose in mind. Usually either Thursday, Friday or Saturday night then Sunday after church with friends. When we go out, we don't typically do fast food because you usually get 1 meal out of it. We try and go somewhere we can get multiple meals out of it. For example, we had a $25 gift card to Saltgrass, and we used it last week for our birthdays. We spent a little over $25 additional ($50 total), but we were able to get 6 meals out of that 1 trip.

And doing Sunday after church is time to spend with our little group of friends from church to visit, catch up, pray and talk together, etc. With our families being 3 hours away, that group has become our family. But we've also started carrying our lunches to work more. I have started going to the store and buying a couple of things of tuna fish and some peanut butter, chips, cookies and peach tea Crystal Light packets to keep in my desk to eat daily. I also keep a loaf of bread in the freezer and replace every week and a half or so just to keep it fresh.

I'm really proud of you. I love that you are utilizing your freezer to keep the bread fresh. Your past posts about food killed me bc I knew you could save so much $ if you embraced your freezer and reduced food waste. You're doing great... keep it up!

 

[bababear_50]

Congratulations afan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

This $40 lantern is also cute but I have become so thrifty these days, I feel like I'd regret it in a day or 2.
https://www.costco.com/.product.4000259869.html

Now you've done it! LOL
I have to get that lantern now. lol lol lol
but yeah I love it!
Hugs Mel

 

[goofytinkerbell]

1

 

[DawnM]

We are debt free. No mortgage, no car loans.

We have a bit of a loan for tuition for the boys, but they are going to pay it back, it is in our name though.

It is very freeing to be in this place in our lives. I never thought we would get here, but we were so frugal for a long time and I still tend to be quite frugal so I can spend on the things that are really important to me, like travel. But even travel is done rather frugally.

 

[goofytinkerbell]

1

 

[fofinia]

And to top all the things off, hubby is 10000% fed up with his job. He's been there 18 years next month and new hires are now making more than he is. They're going after all the veterans for silly things just to get rid of them. If he brings up something they brush it off. And then make up rules that contradict each other and don't follow written policy. So, once his dad's house finally sells and we see the money from that, I think it's time for him to look elsewhere for a job.

He works for Walmart right? We have a friend who worked in receiving for Walmart for 20+ years. He worked the overnight shift. Had to stay long because the guy on the next shift would show up late. And he felt like he had to do the work of the shift prior to him. He worked really hard. Then they opened a Whole Foods nearby. His wife encouraged him to switch. Now hes been there about 15 years. He is much happier. He still works really hard. And you do have to cover other people's laziness sometimes. But the company is much more appreciative to their employees. When they need shifts covered at the Warehouse (now Amazon Warehouse) they give food gift certificates for travel. And provide food for employees on shift. He's always able to take vacation when he wants to.

Just a thought. If you have a Whole Foods nearby. And he wants to stay in the same line of work. Maybe check it out.
Good Luck!

 

[Tygerlilly]

He works for Walmart right? We have a friend who worked in receiving for Walmart for 20+ years. He worked the overnight shift. Had to stay long because the guy on the next shift would show up late. And he felt like he had to do the work of the shift prior to him. He worked really hard. Then they opened a Whole Foods nearby. His wife encouraged him to switch. Now hes been there about 15 years. He is much happier. He still works really hard. And you do have to cover other people's laziness sometimes. But the company is much more appreciative to their employees. When they need shifts covered at the Warehouse (now Amazon Warehouse) they give food gift certificates for travel. And provide food for employees on shift. He's always able to take vacation when he wants to.

Just a thought. If you have a Whole Foods nearby. And he wants to stay in the same line of work. Maybe check it out.
Good Luck!

He works at the warehouse and unfortunately there's not much else around in his pay scale.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Well, we're in a bit of a pickle at the moment. The last statement from my mom's IRA account said she still had a bit in there. I must have been looking at an old statement because I got a notice today that she has 2 deposits left and the account is empty.

It's been almost 2 years of me telling her she can't afford the house and it's going to blow thru her money. She refused to listen. Drug her feet on moving somewhere more affordable. I repeatedly tell her not to spend a bunch of money and later that day she spends $300 at Walmart. I've asked her many times to look into things that help seniors financially (food assistance, meal assistance, utility assistance). She doesn't do it.

I told her I found a cute little apartment complex that she could afford an apartment in while we get the house sold, but she can't take the dogs. She outright refused. I asked what she was going to do, sleep in her car with them and she said yes. She's being unreasonable. And I'm at a complete loss.


Hubby and I have very briefly discussed it, but I'm considering going back to my old job. It means we no longer have days off together again and the stress of that comes back. But, if I do go back, my pay can cover her mortgage and most bills for a few months while we sort out some kind of housing situation.

We also considered doing like a home equity withdrawal? Is that the right term? She owes 80k and the original loan was 130k. Even if we do it for 20k out, that gives us enough wiggle room to work out a new house and do a few projects in this one to get it ready to sell.

I'm stressed y'all.