Debt Dumpers 2025

[Nettlelondon]

Which one did you go with? I am in desperate need of a new mattress myself.

ÅKREHAMN​

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I started a part time job last week. It's only one day a week for 4 hours a day, and I make $100 per day. I'm trying to take on a second day. Going to put everything I make toward debt and hopefully pay it down some before the job winds down in November.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We ended up canceling our cruise for November. I was having a hard time getting an appointment for our passports on a day we could do it and now I feel like it's cutting it too close. I'm just not comfortable doing it with just birth certificates with the kids. The last thing I need is a kiddo getting horribly sick or hurt and needing a hospital and being trapped in another country with no passport. I know it's probably worrying for nothing, but it's fine. We're going to spend the week at Great Wolf Lodge in Houston and just explore the area and do NASA and the zoo and museums!

Do what works for you.
Now you can get their passports at a more leisurely pace so you’re not shelling out for 3 kids at once. When you have another opportunity to cruise, it will be one less thing to stress over.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Do what works for you.
Now you can get their passports at a more leisurely pace so you’re not shelling out for 3 kids at once. When you have another opportunity to cruise, it will be one less thing to stress over.

That's exactly what we were thinking. We don't have ours either so it would have been doing all 5 at the same time and at this point, adding on the faster delivery and processing fees. It was going to be ridiculously expensive.

We'll probably do one next year. We really want to do Alaska, so maybe we will plan that instead.

 

[firefly_ris]

Summer proved incredibly busy. I made a little progress on some stuff. Now quarterly taxes are due and that always bums me out. Early in the summer the engine seized on our 1995 golf cart so we spent half the summer tearing it apart and rebuilding everything. We spent probably a total of about $300 on parts but everything seems to be back in order now. I also learned a lot about small engines!

- Max out 2024 IRA contribution before tax season

- Max out 2025 IRA contribution - 0/$7000

- Lose 10 pounds 4/10 -- I'm still at 4 but got my husband on board and want to really try to knock out the rest by the end of this year. Then work on some toning and stamina. Summer parties, vacations and weekend camping trips did not help.

- Continue regular purging and de-cluttering -- I started a new project in the basement. My youngest child has not touched any toys in the playroom for about 6 months so we decided to be done with the playroom and convert it into more of a teen hangout space. This involved a lot of purging -- we sorted allll the toys into donate, garbage, as well as keepsake totes. All toys that are keepsake for the kids to pass down were taken out to our 2 story shed and stored away. I'm also using this time to go through the back room in the basement and purge more stuff. Then the entire basement is getting a fresh coat of paint, some new runner rugs and so on.

- Regularly re-examine and reduce discretionary spending -- Always a work in progress but didn't change much this summer, status quo.

- Sell off remainder of bins of eBay stuff in the basement - 0/3 -- Sold 1 lousy lot so far, I will plan to put more attention into this once the weather is bad and I'm inside all the time.

- Put $1,000 into personal brokerage account -- Exceeded this by quite a lot because I decided to move a bit of funds away from the HYSA. But it was existing cash and not newly earned cash. Bought more VOO and VTI with it. Long term stuff.

- Add $500 to each child's custodial brokerage -- Done, actually added slightly more than that.

- Read 1 book per month at least 4/12 -- Still behind on this, but got a couple more in at least.

- Add money monthly to children's recently opened 529 accounts (better late than never I guess...), whatever I can make myself spare -- $2190/???

Overall good, not leaps and bounds and that late start 529 feels sad when I open it since my oldest is in 11th grade already, but I guess it is better than nothing at all! I guess the custodial brokerages count for part of that too. Whatever helps.

My real wish is to start being able to throw extra payments at our mortgage. We did a cash-out refi a few years ago to invest in a real estate project that didn't pan out and it looms over my head, especially knowing what our balance used to be. Regretful move and trusted someone we shouldn't have, but such is life. It's not an unbearable monthly amount but being very debt-averse it would clear my head to at least get it paid down to half even.

 

[barkley]

We'll probably do one next year. We really want to do Alaska, so maybe we will plan that instead.

so....love alaska-the most visually stunning cruise ever. that said-not sure what cruise line you are are looking at but with little ones REALLY pay attention to the kid's programs on individual cruises (and read reviews) b/c the weather is not such that the pools and traditional outdoors activities will always be attractive options. also-take into consideration options on where the cruises arrive/depart from b/c if you don't do one that deals with Canada then you won't need passports (so long as you/your dh have the enhanced driver's licenses or id's from your state/the kids are not required to). plan ahead and as you go through your kid's winter clothes around now save any that the older have outgrown but the younger could fit into in a year. you will need some warm clothes if you go visit a glacier and better to save on buying/trying to buy out of season.

Now quarterly taxes are due and that always bums me out.

mailing my quarterly estimated taxes off today. not my favorite thing to do but it hurts a bit less than writing a check out for 4x the amount the following spring

 

[afan]

also-take into consideration options on where the cruises arrive/depart from b/c if you don't do one that deals with Canada then you won't need passports (so long as you/your dh have the enhanced driver's licenses or id's from your state/the kids are not required to

I don't think there's are any that avoid Canada. They'd have to be a us flagged ship to do that. The one's that leave from seattle stop in Victoria which is why if I ever did one I'd go up to Vancouver. I've been to Victoria and to me it's a waste of a day.

Not all states have the enhanced drivers license and it doesn't work for flying into Canada everyone would need a passport.

I think only border states offer the enhanced, everywhere else it's just the real id. A friend, not in a border state, was so confused when I was talking about our enhanced license vs the real id etc. It's really confusing to those that don't know about it. Their state only had real id.

 

[barkley]

I don't think there's are any that avoid Canada. They'd have to be a us flagged ship to do that. The one's that leave from seattle stop in Victoria which is why if I ever did one I'd go up to Vancouver. I've been to Victoria and to me it's a waste of a day.

Not all states have the enhanced drivers license and it doesn't work for flying into Canada everyone would need a passport.

I think only border states offer the enhanced, everywhere else it's just the real id. A friend, not in a border state, was so confused when I was talking about our enhanced license vs the real id etc. It's really confusing to those that don't know about it. Their state only had real id.

that's too bad. I thought that celebrity was still doing some round trip out of seattle that avoided any international stops (or gave you the option to just stay on board for the handful of hours they stop in Victoria or Vancouver thus avoiding the need for a passport).

 

[afan]

that's too bad. I thought that celebrity was still doing some round trip out of seattle that avoided any international stops (or gave you the option to just stay on board for the handful of hours they stop in Victoria or Vancouver thus avoiding the need for a passport).

I haven't looked at them but generally the only ships that are ever US flagged are the one's in Hawaii.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I believe for land border crossings, you can show a passport card which is a little bit cheaper than the book. This might work if you fly to Seattle, then drive to Vancouver. I'm not 100% sure on this.

We did Alaska the only year that DCL sailed out of Seattle. It was easier for us because flights to Vancouver were long and not non-stop and I couldn't take extra time off in summer due to high demand at my work. I never packed so much stuff in my life! I had clothes for warm weather, slightly cool and bitter cold plus rain jackets and rain pants. (Excursions are super expensive and we didn't want to miss any if it rained.) Plus all the formal wear. So Southwest was perfect for us with back then getting 2 bags pp free.
Our boys were 12 & 15 then. Our 15 year old loved it (still says it's our best ever) but our 12 year old got bored at times. After sailing up Tracy Arm Fjord which was gorgeous, it ends at a glacier and as it calves and the whole ship is cheering, ds12 says, "Is this all we're gonna do all day? Just sit here and look at this ice?" He ended up going back to the kids club for some "real" fun.

I'd love to do it again.

 

[pblack]

Well my hubby didn't get the job where I work. We're both pretty bummed by it. In better news now that we've had a few months with his paychecks from his new job, we should be ok as far as bills and spending is concerned. Even though he's technically making less money per hour, I feel like because he gets paid weekly it almost feels pretty comparable to his old job. At least for now, since we still need to figure out if he can pay extra into his pension plan (this job is union based unlike his other job) or if we should start paying money into his 401k. Honestly, at this point that will probably be a problem for the new year. He is still looking for a different/new job since this job isn't exactly what he thought it would be and while it's fine, he doesn't see himself there long term.

I lost my engagement ring at the beginning of last year and my husband has been wanting to get me a replacement, I've just wanted to hold off because of the cost. I'm considering purchasing a new wedding ring set from Sam's Club - both rings are lab grown diamonds which doesn't bother me. But I've never purchased jewelry from Sam's Club so I don't have any idea on if I'm able to get like a protection plan or where I would take the ring to get cleaned when needed. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[afan]

where I would take the ring to get cleaned when needed. Anyone have experience with this

Can only answer this part. I've been able to take my emerald ring to any jeweler to get it cleaned. Emeralds are soft so it doesn't get put in a cleaning machine so it's really not something I can't do at home. Argued with the last guy that cleaned it, he didn't believe me that it was a lab emerald, was convinced it was real.

They'll also check the setting for free, which is mostly what I need done given the type the ring has. I don't go in if they are busy, but really outside of holidays you can find one at the mall that isn't busy a lot of the time.

 

[pblack]

Can only answer this part. I've been able to take my emerald ring to any jeweler to get it cleaned. Emeralds are soft so it doesn't get put in a cleaning machine so it's really not something I can't do at home. Argued with the last guy that cleaned it, he didn't believe me that it was a lab emerald, was convinced it was real.

They'll also check the setting for free, which is mostly what I need done given the type the ring has. I don't go in if they are busy, but really outside of holidays you can find one at the mall that isn't busy a lot of the time.

This is good to know, thanks!

 

[barkley]

At least for now, since we still need to figure out if he can pay extra into his pension plan (this job is union based unlike his other job) or if we should start paying money into his 401k.

if his union pension plan is anything like mine request the information on it NOW so you can make an educated decision. some plans have pretty decent info on their websites but with others (like mine) they want to do a personalized report for you so they can let you know if you might qualify to buy time in the plan for other employment that they are willing to count (military service time was a biggie for mine). in any case-it can take months to get this information if it's not available on a website.

 

[disney-inspired]

Hello fellow debt dumpers!
I've returned from a 2 week Universal & WDW vacation AND moving into my new apartment in Texas.

The past 3 weeks have been a whirlwind.
The trip was great - it was hot but we knew it would be and we only got seriously rained on twice in our trip. I came back under budget, so I threw the remaining money into my apartment fund.

My dad picked up my keys on 9/9 and was able to receive my bed, desk and office chair. My mom bought me a bunch of stuff - wash cloths, hand towels, some cute Halloween decor and the basic cleaning supplies. My sister gave my dad a few rolls of paper towels and toilet paper to get me started. My sister was so sweet to gift me my first grocery order so I could have a stocked fridge. They have all been so wonderfully helpful and I want to mail out thank you cards for that extra thanks.

I arrived last Thursday night and Friday was spent going to buy my sofa, which won't be here til the 26th but its in budget and what I wanted, and going to Ikea for bits and bobs. Saturday was last minute errands with my dad until they had to leave for the airport to go back home. I didn't buy a TV and am using a projector I bought a few years ago to watch TV or play my PS5. Once we make a screen for it, it'll be perfect.
It is SO weird living alone but it's also been really nice. I don't have a car at the moment (parents are driving mine over in October). This is VERY good for saving money as I can't really go anywhere to spend it. I do have Walmart+ and Target circle for same day delivery but I don't have a ton of space for cardboard/packing trash (this apt is valet trash) so I'm being very conservative in online ordering. I will be putting in an order today for some needs - bath mat, broom/dust pan, mop, utensil organizer.

Other than that, I'm working CA hours so 10am - 7pm central time. I do need to schedule my day so I can get more exercise as I can walk the immediate area but I've just been bad about staying up late.

 

[thegash35]

That's exactly what we were thinking. We don't have ours either so it would have been doing all 5 at the same time and at this point, adding on the faster delivery and processing fees. It was going to be ridiculously expensive.

We'll probably do one next year. We really want to do Alaska, so maybe we will plan that instead.

Disney Alaksa cruises depart from Vancouver, and other cruise lines even if they leave from Seattle will stop in Canada because of the PVSA. So you're either going to need passports for that anyway.

 

[thegash35]

Summer proved incredibly busy. I made a little progress on some stuff. Now quarterly taxes are due and that always bums me out. Early in the summer the engine seized on our 1995 golf cart so we spent half the summer tearing it apart and rebuilding everything. We spent probably a total of about $300 on parts but everything seems to be back in order now. I also learned a lot about small engines!

- Max out 2024 IRA contribution before tax season

- Max out 2025 IRA contribution - 0/$7000

- Lose 10 pounds 4/10 -- I'm still at 4 but got my husband on board and want to really try to knock out the rest by the end of this year. Then work on some toning and stamina. Summer parties, vacations and weekend camping trips did not help.

- Continue regular purging and de-cluttering -- I started a new project in the basement. My youngest child has not touched any toys in the playroom for about 6 months so we decided to be done with the playroom and convert it into more of a teen hangout space. This involved a lot of purging -- we sorted allll the toys into donate, garbage, as well as keepsake totes. All toys that are keepsake for the kids to pass down were taken out to our 2 story shed and stored away. I'm also using this time to go through the back room in the basement and purge more stuff. Then the entire basement is getting a fresh coat of paint, some new runner rugs and so on.

- Regularly re-examine and reduce discretionary spending -- Always a work in progress but didn't change much this summer, status quo.

- Sell off remainder of bins of eBay stuff in the basement - 0/3 -- Sold 1 lousy lot so far, I will plan to put more attention into this once the weather is bad and I'm inside all the time.

- Put $1,000 into personal brokerage account -- Exceeded this by quite a lot because I decided to move a bit of funds away from the HYSA. But it was existing cash and not newly earned cash. Bought more VOO and VTI with it. Long term stuff.

- Add $500 to each child's custodial brokerage -- Done, actually added slightly more than that.

- Read 1 book per month at least 4/12 -- Still behind on this, but got a couple more in at least.

- Add money monthly to children's recently opened 529 accounts (better late than never I guess...), whatever I can make myself spare -- $2190/???

Overall good, not leaps and bounds and that late start 529 feels sad when I open it since my oldest is in 11th grade already, but I guess it is better than nothing at all! I guess the custodial brokerages count for part of that too. Whatever helps.

My real wish is to start being able to throw extra payments at our mortgage. We did a cash-out refi a few years ago to invest in a real estate project that didn't pan out and it looms over my head, especially knowing what our balance used to be. Regretful move and trusted someone we shouldn't have, but such is life. It's not an unbearable monthly amount but being very debt-averse it would clear my head to at least get it paid down to half even.

You should really be maximizing retirement savings and paying down debt before putting money away for your kids. It's nice, and unselfish, but if you're not prepared for retirement they're going to be put in a difficult situation anyway. A year of private college is up to $90,000 a year now, so a few thousand bucks isn't really going to make a dent.

 

[firefly_ris]

You should really be maximizing retirement savings and paying down debt before putting money away for your kids. It's nice, and unselfish, but if you're not prepared for retirement they're going to be put in a difficult situation anyway. A year of private college is up to $90,000 a year now, so a few thousand bucks isn't really going to make a dent.

We do about 25% of annual income in retirement, not counting personal brokerage and other stuff, but yes I get what you're saying! We don't have any consumer debt, just the mortgage.

I'm also going to try verrryyy hard to steer my children way away from private colleges, that is crazy town. 2 years of CC and transferring to a public 4 year to finish is what I did.

 

[MattB2G]

It is nice to have the private school name on your resume...... but only for getting your first job. After that your work experience is what matters more.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

It is nice to have the private school name on your resume...... but only for getting your first job. After that your work experience is what matters more.

Eh, as an employer I don’t really care what type of school you went to or what the name is. I care that you graduated and what your internship history looks like.