Debt Dumpers 2026

[AliceandPete]

It went really well! They want to go to the next stage; so I could possibly be employed by the end of the month.

Congratulations!! Sending good wishes your way !
Dh felt good about the interview. That isn’t something he says unless it went really well. We didn’t hear anything though and doubt was starting to creep in, but they reached out this morning asking for some info they would need to proceed with an offer.
So .. looks like an offer is coming !

 

[LadybugsMum]

Congratulations!! Sending good wishes your way !
Dh felt good about the interview. That isn’t something he says unless it went really well. We didn’t hear anything though and doubt was starting to creep in, but they reached out this morning asking for some info they would need to proceed with an offer.
So .. looks like an offer is coming !

Yay!! I hope it's a good one!

I now have meetings set up with team members from company 2 for Weds. If it works out to have offers from both companies, it's going to hard to chose. But, I need to wait to see what happens.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Well our Pickle puppy isn't doing any better and honestly, I almost think she's kind of worse. We've been spoon feeding this like sludge I made out of canned pate dog food and some puree dog food I found and like, dumping it down her throat. And we're syringe dropping water and electrolytes. She still doesn't want to eat or drink on her own or get up and move. We're heading back to the vet in an hour. Hopefully the can do *something* for her.

 

[mmbrad02]

Well our Pickle puppy isn't doing any better and honestly, I almost think she's kind of worse. We've been spoon feeding this like sludge I made out of canned pate dog food and some puree dog food I found and like, dumping it down her throat. And we're syringe dropping water and electrolytes. She still doesn't want to eat or drink on her own or get up and move. We're heading back to the vet in an hour. Hopefully the can do *something* for her.

I'm so sorry your fury friend is still struggling. Pets being ill is frustrating

 

[mmbrad02]

A little financial update for us:

• I scheduled the final Capital One Venture One payment this morning, for next week. That pays that card to $0 and it will just sit now. Sadly half of this was for a repair on my car that....
• We no longer have! We purchased a new car last weekend. I'm not sure what came over us, I've never ever bought a new car on the first day we look. I've never bought a brand new car period for that matter. But 1) we knew we did not want to sink any more money into our Ford Escape, and above everything else she had going on, she was desperately in need of tires and 2) we had done some research, new the maximum we were willing to spend, the make/models we did not want and the ones we thought we would like to try, etc. So we now own a 2025 Mazda CX-5. She is a lot of fun and I love the safety features and hopefully she lasts us a long long time. Now that darn payment....
• I scheduled the final payment on our Wells Fargo card - a 0% purchase we had on furniture
• One of my financial goals was to save for a new car this year - kind nipped that one in the bud but I am figuring out ways to pay extra to my payment because I do intend to pay off faster than we financed.
• HELOC - balance has dropped the amount of one monthly payment (both the required interest payment and the amount we have always paid to the principal). Unfortunately the car purchase will probably slow down increasing our payment to that for now.

I was starting to dabble in the idea of a vacation this year outside of the extended family trip we have loosely planned.... but today it is confirmed my dad will have open heart surgery on February 10. With my moms mental issues, my sister and I will likely have to do some round the clock assisting for the first couple of weeks. I live too far to do it while commuting to work at all, so I will need to do mine in 2-4 day chunks. Before I book any vacations I'll need to see how much PTO time I end up needing to use. I'm more scared of his recovery time and efforts than I am for the actual surgery. But I know we are not the first to face this, nor will I be the last!

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Here's an update:
Financial
- Stop the late fees!
I have caught up to date on electric, school and internet. Am paying the Jan. 11 car payment tomorrow (just paid the Dec. 11 today). After that ALL bills will be caught up and void of late fees ... for now.
- Keep adding to my newly created Fidelity retirement plan!
I have now set up automatic transfers of $25 per paycheck ($100/month) into the account. I know it's a small amount, but something is better than nothing.
- Building our EF to $2k!
Opened the Ally account and deposited $25 into there last week. Just did another $25 deposit today. Again, small steps until we're caught up on all bills.
- Set up sinking funds!
Haven't started this.

Personal
- Continue to meal plan!
We are continuing to meal plan and trying to stick to said meal plan.
- Eat out less!
Halfway through the month, we've spent less here than the $800/month we averaged last year. On track for $400 this month, so we've cut it in half.
- Step, step, step!
Did a couple of days with 4k steps. But that's it. Going to a baseball card show this weekend, so I should be able to hit 5k or even 6k steps.
- Attend more card shows and buy to flip.
Going to a 3 day show starting tomorrow after work. It's always been $35 to get in, but I was able to get a media pass this time since I have my Youtube channel. So I get in free all 3 days. Means every dime can go to cards I can flip. Excited about this one
- Read the Bible completely through!
Did well the first 2 days then fell off.

Home
- Purge items not used!
I've gotten rid of 23 items from around the house. I have sold 15 of them for $122 that I am putting on debt.
- Get the green thumb going!
Too early for this. Won't start until April.
- Just do what we can!
Everything above.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

A little financial update for us:

• I scheduled the final Capital One Venture One payment this morning, for next week. That pays that card to $0 and it will just sit now. Sadly half of this was for a repair on my car that....
• We no longer have! We purchased a new car last weekend. I'm not sure what came over us, I've never ever bought a new car on the first day we look. I've never bought a brand new car period for that matter. But 1) we knew we did not want to sink any more money into our Ford Escape, and above everything else she had going on, she was desperately in need of tires and 2) we had done some research, new the maximum we were willing to spend, the make/models we did not want and the ones we thought we would like to try, etc. So we now own a 2025 Mazda CX-5. She is a lot of fun and I love the safety features and hopefully she lasts us a long long time. Now that darn payment....
• I scheduled the final payment on our Wells Fargo card - a 0% purchase we had on furniture
• One of my financial goals was to save for a new car this year - kind nipped that one in the bud but I am figuring out ways to pay extra to my payment because I do intend to pay off faster than we financed.
• HELOC - balance has dropped the amount of one monthly payment (both the required interest payment and the amount we have always paid to the principal). Unfortunately the car purchase will probably slow down increasing our payment to that for now.

I was starting to dabble in the idea of a vacation this year outside of the extended family trip we have loosely planned.... but today it is confirmed my dad will have open heart surgery on February 10. With my moms mental issues, my sister and I will likely have to do some round the clock assisting for the first couple of weeks. I live too far to do it while commuting to work at all, so I will need to do mine in 2-4 day chunks. Before I book any vacations I'll need to see how much PTO time I end up needing to use. I'm more scared of his recovery time and efforts than I am for the actual surgery. But I know we are not the first to face this, nor will I be the last!

Perhaps it might help to apply for FMLA?
We used to be able to take it unpaid or use our time and get paid but they changed it to only use our time which stinks.

My FIL had triple bypass surgery in his early 80’s. (He would be 94 if still alive, but did not die from his heart.)
When I walked in his room that night I was expecting him to be knocked out still. Nope. He was sitting up in bed sipping water through a straw. He was a little giddy and couldn’t answer the doctor’s questions such as what year is it and who is our president. They said that was from the anesthesia.
His recovery was amazing. Nurses that I’ve worked with say it’s almost instant cure , of course some post op pain, but their heart finally gets the blood flow and oxygen it needs.
I hope your father does as well.

 

[barkley]

We no longer have! We purchased a new car last weekend. I'm not sure what came over us, I've never ever bought a new car on the first day we look. I've never bought a brand new car period for that matter. But 1) we knew we did not want to sink any more money into our Ford Escape, and above everything else she had going on, she was desperately in need of tires and 2) we had done some research, new the maximum we were willing to spend, the make/models we did not want and the ones we thought we would like to try, etc. So we now own a 2025 Mazda CX-5. She is a lot of fun and I love the safety features and hopefully she lasts us a long long time. Now that darn payment....

curious-did your insurance decrease at all? when we got rid of our old escape and bought a new vehicle at the end of 2024 we were happily surprised at a nice decrease in our premiums due to all the newer safety features and such.

 

[disney-inspired]

I just knocked out two credit cards, my iPhone installment plan and paid 1/4 off my 3rd credit card!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I just knocked out two credit cards, my iPhone installment plan and paid 1/4 off my 3rd credit card!
View attachment 1039076

 

[Tygerlilly]

We had to put our puppy down. Over $500 between the two vet appointments. Plus hubby had to take today off unpaid since the appointment to put her down was after he would have gone in and I couldn't take the kids with me (they have a 2 person limit on who can go in the room because the office is so small).

I'm a little stressed about money, but we've decided I'm going to do my deliveries in the bigger city all weekend. Having the option to deliver from 4 different stores instead of fighting for 1 seems like it will be worth it. We'll see how much I can earn over the weekend.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

We had to put our puppy down. Over $500 between the two vet appointments. Plus hubby had to take today off unpaid since the appointment to put her down was after he would have gone in and I couldn't take the kids with me (they have a 2 person limit on who can go in the room because the office is so small).

I'm a little stressed about money, but we've decided I'm going to do my deliveries in the bigger city all weekend. Having the option to deliver from 4 different stores instead of fighting for 1 seems like it will be worth it. We'll see how much I can earn over the weekend.

Oh no. I'm so, so sorry to hear this. We don't own any pets, so I've never understood putting one down. But I'm extermely sorry to hear this.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Oh no. I'm so, so sorry to hear this. We don't own any pets, so I've never understood putting one down. But I'm extermely sorry to hear this.

She had fluid in her lungs and around her heart and was suffering. There was nothing we could do so the humane thing to do was to euthanize her.

 

[Nettlelondon]

She had fluid in her lungs and around her heart and was suffering. There was nothing we could do so the humane thing to do was to euthanize her.

Even if you know it is the right thing to do, it doesn't make it any easier. Big hugs.

 

[DanceDisney23]

She had fluid in her lungs and around her heart and was suffering. There was nothing we could do so the humane thing to do was to euthanize her.

It’s one of the hardest decisions to make. And even though you know you did the right thing, it might not always feel that way.

I am so sorry.

 

[firefly_ris]

We had to put our puppy down. Over $500 between the two vet appointments. Plus hubby had to take today off unpaid since the appointment to put her down was after he would have gone in and I couldn't take the kids with me (they have a 2 person limit on who can go in the room because the office is so small).

I'm a little stressed about money, but we've decided I'm going to do my deliveries in the bigger city all weekend. Having the option to deliver from 4 different stores instead of fighting for 1 seems like it will be worth it. We'll see how much I can earn over the weekend.

So so sorry to hear this. I'm sure this has been emotionally wracking for your children as well.

Not to sound cold but does your local SPCA offer any kind of 30 day health "warranty"? I know you said pneumonia but at the dog's age it almost sounded like Parvo but guessing he tested negative for that. I'm just wondering if the SPCA has any kind of 30 day insurance or something. I know most don't but there are a few out there I think. If so maybe some kind of reimbursement or replacement is possible....?

 

[Nettlelondon]

A productive morning has saved me some money. I thought I had some boots and trousers that would be useful for our ski trip but they weren't where I thought they would be. I have spent this morning clearing the underbed storage in pursuit of the boots. This is actually far more of a challenge than it might sound as this bit of storage can only be reached after moving half the furniture in my side of the bedroom - hence why it is only used for things not needed very often.

I found the boots and two pairs of shoes I thought had gone long ago. All have not been relocated. And whilst doing the relocation I found the trousers and they still fit - double bonus.

I wanted to try and locate things today or tomorrow as our local outlet centre has some great reductions on this weekend so we are off there on Sunday to see what we can get but obviously it is always cheapest to utilise what you already have.

 

[DisneyMandC]

We had to put our puppy down. Over $500 between the two vet appointments. Plus hubby had to take today off unpaid since the appointment to put her down was after he would have gone in and I couldn't take the kids with me (they have a 2 person limit on who can go in the room because the office is so small).

I'm a little stressed about money, but we've decided I'm going to do my deliveries in the bigger city all weekend. Having the option to deliver from 4 different stores instead of fighting for 1 seems like it will be worth it. We'll see how much I can earn over the weekend.

I'm so sorry to hear this, thinking of you.

 

[LadybugsMum]

She had fluid in her lungs and around her heart and was suffering. There was nothing we could do so the humane thing to do was to euthanize her.

I am so sorry. My elderly cat had a similar issue and it was a hard decision even though it was the right decision. Your dog had years of love from you and your family. Cherish those memories.

 

[Jsharp13]

It's early in 2026, and I checked this board for 2025 and learned some tips, and mostly, motivation! I think I'm going to try to check in here at least once a month with some personal goals this year.
I am not struggling financially, but there are definitely areas that I want to do better in, and not be so wasteful and just be more conscientious with my spending and work more towards saving instead of spending every penny.

1) One of my biggest pitfalls is Amazon shopping! It is so easy. I tend to order so many things. I also return a ton of stuff. I'm that person going into the UPS store every week or so with a dozen packages to return. While I do a pretty good job at returning what I don't want to keep, I know I am not perfect. I am trying to think of ways to curb the spontaneous buying. When that Amazon bill comes at the end of the month, I can cover it, but I'm shocked at how high it is... and wonder, what did I even get??
How can I improve this? I am thinking of setting a budget or tracker system. Every time I want to place an order, I should go right to my tracker and mark it down. That may help me refrain from unnecessary buying and seeing how it adds up each month. The problem is... I do buy stuff that I really need sometimes. So when that happens, I feel sort of justified in buying all the "other stuff" too. I need to think about this!

2) I also just have too much excess. Clothes is a big issue. I want to sell some things. Ebay used to be great but it's harder now, and hardly any return. FB marketplace is only OK; it's not that active by me for just general women's clothes. During football season, my weekends are dedicated to that. But in a couple weeks that will end, and I want to make a plan to spend a couple hours every weekend at least trying to list some things on Ebay and see if I can even make a few dollars.

I hope to update on these goals each month!