Debt Dumpers 2026

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

As I shared earlier this month, we did buy a new car. First payment goes out on February 9. She is fun but that payment hurts after not having one for several years Paying $60 extra toward the principal and hope the increase that amount as time goes on.

The lease on my husband's car (which is technically meant for both of us but I never drive it) runs out in August of this year but we have always assumed we'll extend it for 6 months that the dealership allowed for. We only got a leased car because my husband was in an accident in 2023 that totaled his 2010 car (long since paid off) and the interest rates at that time made no sense to buy another car vs lease. I'm not exactly looking forward to potentially looking at a car again. My car is an old beater of a car.

Did you find the interest rates decently favorable for you? Not asking you to disclose the rate but just how you felt about it.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I went to Academy tonight after dinner because DW is taking part in a youth event at church (DNow for any of you familiar with it). I don't ever shop for clothes, shoes, anything like that. For example, I've had the same 3 pairs of jeans for 8 years, the same polos, button downs and tee shirts for just about that long (minus the ones we've gotten for or at Disney). And I haven't bought new tennis shoes in probably 12+ years (my father-in -law was a coach, and he'd order me a pair of coach's shoes when he did his orders).

But I went to Academy because I had a gift card I'd gotten for Christmas, and OH MY! I thought I'd get a new pair of shoes since my blue ones have a hole in them. I didn't. The prices on stuff were outrageous. Tennis shoes were $100+ for Nikes, and I don't think I saw a pair for under $60. For a pair of shoes. Levi jeans were $60, and don't get me started on Nike, Under Armor and Addidas polos. Like $40-$50 for one polo. I don't know how anyone can afford to go shopping, especially if they have multiple kids. I hear people talking about shopping for the start of school, and now I see why they're freaking out.

Anyway, I bought a new Texas Rangers polo. It was originally $70, but it was marked down to $54.99. And it was on a rack that said take an additional 50% off price. So I got it for $27 and some change. So I was able to get that and two 2-pound dumbbells for my walking I've started doing.

 

[afan]

I went to Academy tonight after dinner because DW is taking part in a youth event at church (DNow for any of you familiar with it). I don't ever shop for clothes, shoes, anything like that. For example, I've had the same 3 pairs of jeans for 8 years, the same polos, button downs and tee shirts for just about that long (minus the ones we've gotten for or at Disney). And I haven't bought new tennis shoes in probably 12+ years (my father-in -law was a coach, and he'd order me a pair of coach's shoes when he did his orders).

But I went to Academy because I had a gift card I'd gotten for Christmas, and OH MY! I thought I'd get a new pair of shoes since my blue ones have a hole in them. I didn't. The prices on stuff were outrageous. Tennis shoes were $100+ for Nikes, and I don't think I saw a pair for under $60. For a pair of shoes. Levi jeans were $60, and don't get me started on Nike, Under Armor and Addidas polos. Like $40-$50 for one polo. I don't know how anyone can afford to go shopping, especially if they have multiple kids. I hear people talking about shopping for the start of school, and now I see why they're freaking out.

Anyway, I bought a new Texas Rangers polo. It was originally $70, but it was marked down to $54.99. And it was on a rack that said take an additional 50% off price. So I got it for $27 and some change. So I was able to get that and two 2-pound dumbbells for my walking I've started doing.

You shop sales like you did or outlet stores, tj maxx, Marshall's, target, walmart etc. Academy wouldn't be a place I'd go for any of the things you are looking for.