Debt Dumpers 2025

[LoveDaisy]

Can’t credit scores also impact rates? Because they use it to get an idea of your ability to pay your premiums and deductible? Or did I mishear that?

Credit scores cannot be used for auto insurance rates in Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts. Nevada put a temporary ban on it during Covid, that they have not made permanent or canceled. Maryland, Oregon, and Utah have some restrictions around using them.

Sadly I read about insurance my free time. I can’t get it all done during work.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Even if they did, we've been using the same company for years. And we've always gotten it taken out of our account automatically with no issues. So I'd think that would mean more than some random credit score.

Can’t credit scores also impact rates? Because they use it to get an idea of your ability to pay your premiums and deductible? Or did I mishear that?

 

[Tygerlilly]

Even if they did, we've been using the same company for years. And we've always gotten it taken out of our account automatically with no issues. So I'd think that would mean more than some random credit score.

Your credit score impacts a lot more than if you use the same company or have Automatic withdrawal. The company doesn't give 2 toots how long you've been with them or if you set up the auto pay.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Even if they did, we've been using the same company for years. And we've always gotten it taken out of our account automatically with no issues. So I'd think that would mean more than some random credit score.

I’m sure they do periodic reviews, especially as they are being hit with so many claims in some states due to natural disasters.

 

[comicguy]

Even if they did, we've been using the same company for years. And we've always gotten it taken out of our account automatically with no issues. So I'd think that would mean more than some random credit score.

I wish it did, but unfortunately customer loyalty means less to the companies (especially insurance companies) year after year! They may see you as a risk now after your two claims (even when they were not your fault), so they are starting to price accordingly. Like someone said earlier call an insurance broker and have them run their program for offers based on your driver history, I hope that you would see some offers that have savings for you.

 

[jackers]

2025 Goals:
1. Pay off mortgage.
2. Max out 401K.
3. Max out HSA.
4. Continue reduced discretionary spending
5. Get healthier

I don't post updates very often, but I just had to announce that number 1 on this list is DONE! As of this morning, the mortgage account says "Paid in Full." When I set this plan in action a few years ago, my goal was to have this done by the time I turned 50, and I actually squeaked in a few weeks before my 49th birthday. This means we are entirely debt free - no house, no cars, no CC, no other loans.

And I am on track for all other 4 goals as well. Particularly happy about finally getting my rear in gear on getting healthier. I've lost 23 pounds in the past couple months. I still have another 40ish to go, but I already feel SO much better physically and mentally.

Other than having a cold, it's a good day.

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

Wow that is a huge accomplishment!

 

[Gr8t Fan]

I don't post updates very often, but I just had to announce that number 1 on this list is DONE! As of this morning, the mortgage account says "Paid in Full." When I set this plan in action a few years ago, my goal was to have this done by the time I turned 50, and I actually squeaked in a few weeks before my 49th birthday. This means we are entirely debt free - no house, no cars, no CC, no other loans.

And I am on track for all other 4 goals as well. Particularly happy about finally getting my rear in gear on getting healthier. I've lost 23 pounds in the past couple months. I still have another 40ish to go, but I already feel SO much better physically and mentally.

Other than having a cold, it's a good day.

Congratulations on paying off your mortgage!!!! It's an amazing feeling, isn't it?

And congrats on being on track for all your other goals too! Your hard work is paying off.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I don't post updates very often, but I just had to announce that number 1 on this list is DONE! As of this morning, the mortgage account says "Paid in Full." When I set this plan in action a few years ago, my goal was to have this done by the time I turned 50, and I actually squeaked in a few weeks before my 49th birthday. This means we are entirely debt free - no house, no cars, no CC, no other loans.

And I am on track for all other 4 goals as well. Particularly happy about finally getting my rear in gear on getting healthier. I've lost 23 pounds in the past couple months. I still have another 40ish to go, but I already feel SO much better physically and mentally.

Other than having a cold, it's a good day.

Congratulations!!!
I know that sweet feeling. I’m so happy for you!
I used to log in just to see the balance showing $0. I still have the email the bank sent to me back in 2021.

 

[pblack]

I don't post updates very often, but I just had to announce that number 1 on this list is DONE! As of this morning, the mortgage account says "Paid in Full." When I set this plan in action a few years ago, my goal was to have this done by the time I turned 50, and I actually squeaked in a few weeks before my 49th birthday. This means we are entirely debt free - no house, no cars, no CC, no other loans.

And I am on track for all other 4 goals as well. Particularly happy about finally getting my rear in gear on getting healthier. I've lost 23 pounds in the past couple months. I still have another 40ish to go, but I already feel SO much better physically and mentally.

Other than having a cold, it's a good day.

 

[Tygerlilly]

I don't post updates very often, but I just had to announce that number 1 on this list is DONE! As of this morning, the mortgage account says "Paid in Full." When I set this plan in action a few years ago, my goal was to have this done by the time I turned 50, and I actually squeaked in a few weeks before my 49th birthday. This means we are entirely debt free - no house, no cars, no CC, no other loans.

And I am on track for all other 4 goals as well. Particularly happy about finally getting my rear in gear on getting healthier. I've lost 23 pounds in the past couple months. I still have another 40ish to go, but I already feel SO much better physically and mentally.

Other than having a cold, it's a good day.

Congratulations!!!

 

[barkley]

I don't post updates very often, but I just had to announce that number 1 on this list is DONE! As of this morning, the mortgage account says "Paid in Full." When I set this plan in action a few years ago, my goal was to have this done by the time I turned 50, and I actually squeaked in a few weeks before my 49th birthday. This means we are entirely debt free - no house, no cars, no CC, no other loans.

And I am on track for all other 4 goals as well. Particularly happy about finally getting my rear in gear on getting healthier. I've lost 23 pounds in the past couple months. I still have another 40ish to go, but I already feel SO much better physically and mentally.

Other than having a cold, it's a good day.

great feeling, greater still next month when you can put that payment towards whatever you desire.

if you have not set it up as yet give your homeowner's insurance company a call to explore an umbrella policy cuz you have one stinking big assett you want protected.

 

[huggybuff]

Congrats @jackers !!!! You are life goals

I know I haven't posted this year but I've been following along in spirit. I kind of went off the rails, spending wise, in preparation for our cruise last month. I've buckled back down since we've returned and have paid off a credit card with a small balance just to get rid of it. I'm going to do the same for 3 more cards over the next few months because I'm tired of paying such small minimum payments every month. It's annoying. So next month will be my Capital One card with a very small balance.

I also paid my last payment of my last remaining settlement from my old debt (AmEx) last month. That's another almost $250 a month going to other debt. My advice is not to default on an AmEx card. Their settlements are decidedly not generous. I totally admit it was my fault in accruing the debt and then defaulting on it during a couple of hard years for me, but AmEx is apparently notorious for being very stingy in their agreements. So keep paying your minimums on your AmEx accounts if at all possible if you're in a bad financial situation.

With the old debt (closed cards) being 100% paid off, now I can tackle the current ones full force. I'm aiming for total payments of around $2500 a month. $2000 to the card my husband and I share and $500 or more to my cards.

Continued luck to everyone with their financial and personal goals! I love reading all of the updates

 

[disney-inspired]

I'm currently in credit cycle - pay some off, spend some - rinse & repeat. I'm trying to get out of it asap.

I'm trying to decide when to move to Texas - my sister closes on her house this Friday. I'm flying out with them first week of June to help them get settled (likely as a kid watcher) as I had SW flight credit that was due to expire.
I'm trying to decide if I want to move before our big WDW/USO trip or after it.

Initial moving in costs seem to be much lower than that of CA as these places don't require a big security deposit (or any at all if your credit is good).
My biggest expenses would be furnishing the place but I'm only buying essentials at the start (bed, sofa, work desk, desk chair and a couple of lamps). I'm keeping detailed notes on apts I want to see, furniture I plan on buying (with prices), and expected monthly budget. I'm planning on scheduling apt tours the last day I'm there in June to finalize my decision - it's really only between 3 places and one is at the top because it's super close to my sister's house (like I could walk there).

I'm still saving for the big trip - just saving for my WDW park ticket (BIL is getting military tix from SOG), food money and souvenirs. I don't tend to buy a lot souvenirs since I go pretty often but since we're going to Epic, I wanted to make sure I had some cash for anything that really stood out to me.

 

[barkley]

I'm currently in credit cycle - pay some off, spend some - rinse & repeat. I'm trying to get out of it asap.

I'm trying to decide when to move to Texas - my sister closes on her house this Friday. I'm flying out with them first week of June to help them get settled (likely as a kid watcher) as I had SW flight credit that was due to expire.
I'm trying to decide if I want to move before our big WDW/USO trip or after it.

Initial moving in costs seem to be much lower than that of CA as these places don't require a big security deposit (or any at all if your credit is good).
My biggest expenses would be furnishing the place but I'm only buying essentials at the start (bed, sofa, work desk, desk chair and a couple of lamps). I'm keeping detailed notes on apts I want to see, furniture I plan on buying (with prices), and expected monthly budget. I'm planning on scheduling apt tours the last day I'm there in June to finalize my decision - it's really only between 3 places and one is at the top because it's super close to my sister's house (like I could walk there).

I'm still saving for the big trip - just saving for my WDW park ticket (BIL is getting military tix from SOG), food money and souvenirs. I don't tend to buy a lot souvenirs since I go pretty often but since we're going to Epic, I wanted to make sure I had some cash for anything that really stood out to me.

not to Texas but having moved from California to another State-if you want to get a bit fuller picture of your budget in the new state give a call to the utilities around the apartments you are considering. I know it was a huge positive shock for us on how much less expensive power costs (I still pay less per month than I paid back in the 2000's in California despite higher usage ). insurance was/is allot less (my oldest's renters insurance is less than I paid for less coverage in the 90's and my auto is nowhere near what I was paying even years ago). if nothing else you will end up saving by virtue of no income tax and lower sales tax

 

[disney-inspired]

not to Texas but having moved from California to another State-if you want to get a bit fuller picture of your budget in the new state give a call to the utilities around the apartments you are considering. I know it was a huge positive shock for us on how much less expensive power costs (I still pay less per month than I paid back in the 2000's in California despite higher usage ). insurance was/is allot less (my oldest's renters insurance is less than I paid for less coverage in the 90's and my auto is nowhere near what I was paying even years ago). if nothing else you will end up saving by virtue of no income tax and lower sales tax

Yes, I am very much looking forward to the small pay bump each pay period haha but I'm really looking forward to my annual bonus that won't be as taxed to hell.

It's crazy how many options there are for electric in Texas - I have to shop around for the right provider.
One of the apt complexes includes internet in the rent, which is perfect because setting up internet is such a pain and they waste so much time with their giant service window timeframes.

I did the math and all in getting ALL the furniture at the same time, plus move-in costs is looking to be about $5k.
If I do it bare bones - just apt move-in costs, bed and desk for work - could cut it down to $3000. I'm not trying to rush things either, I want the lowest possible rent so playing around apt availability dates and prices.

 

[Tygerlilly]

We're really trying to do a "90s summer". More time outside, free/super low cost things to do, etc. Thursdays we have an hour in between gymnastics and softball practice. Usually we pick up dinner from somewhere fast food and hurry and eat it at home. Today I packed up homemade lunchables and we went to a playground and ate and they played for 25 mins between. It was amazing and I don't know why we didn't do it before now. We'll definitely do it again.

I also splurged on a $300 giant blow up slip n slide that we've used a couple times already with our neighbor friends. We're about to be the neighborhood fun house this summer. Lol

For our son's 4th birthday we're going to go over to Springfield and Branson for a week. Hotels for 5 are insane. Like $1200 for 5 nights. I found several condos for rent for $600 for 5 nights and it gives us a full kitchen where I can make meals and save money on eating out. I'm so excited for that. We're planning a lot of fun free/cheap things to do there along with some more pricey things. Overall, I think we can keep it under $2000 for all 5 of us for the week.

 

[Cfabar1]

So proud of the amazing progress so many people are making! It is not easy!

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

We had a big talk about our spending habits and how it seemed like when we both made less money we saved a LOT more easily and I think we figured it out--we used to only use the credit card for big purchases like vacations or home improvements and use the debit card for monthly payments and anything else we'd need according to how much money we had. But when we got a credit card with points we started using it for...everything and basically as an unlimited resource. This meant that we lost sight of how much money we actually had because we'd spend on the credit card regardless of anything and then just end up throwing all our money at it for a payment every month.

So we're going to try not doing that. It might mean a couple of months of just making a little over the minimal payment and getting hit with interest while we figure things out, but I think going forward we need to use our debit card instead. Go back to keeping money in checking for things (right now we pool it in a money market account) and get a real handle on what we should be spending monthly. This should help us stick to a budget. No more going to Target for one thing and spending $200 on stuff we just see.

Now I need to go through and see what recurring payments we have on there!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

No more going to Target for one thing and spending $200 on stuff we just see.

This is where online shopping helps us. I don’t go browsing through stores because that’s their goal, to get us in there to make impulse purchases.
I unsubscribed to all stores’ weekly sales emails.

Most importantly, we weigh in mind every purchase, whether it’s in store or online, with “Is this a need or a want?”
Not that all wants are bad but it reminds us that a lot of wants may be unnecessary spending.