Financial questions

OP, really, you need to get your priorities straight.

CANCEL the dang Disney trips.

We're lucky because in the past 5 years we have racked up somewhere around $700,000 in medical bills BUT we have insurance so we have only paid around $90,000 OOP in teh past 5 years. (between $15,000 and $20,000 per year)

As soon as we began to get hit with the bills, we strated a budget.

We take my dads yearly salary and break it up into mortgage, car payments, insurance, food, electric bill, water bill, medical bills, etc.

Luckily, we come out in the black every year...If we were coming out in the red with a budget, no way in heck would we be going to Disney this summer. We all have different priorities about what our "luxury" things are and it is Disney for us and we do it by giving up other things like the newest TVs, expensive cars, designer clothes, eating out, etc but if giving up those things did not work and we did not have the money in the account to go to Disney,we would not go. It is not a NEED, it is a WANT.

Medical bills is one thing, but having that much consumer debt and going to Disney is extremely ireesponsible.

I don't know how my parents have done it but we have managed to pay all our medical bills + the household bills (mortgage, car payments, etc) and we have no credit card debt because we dont use them. If we don't have the money, we don't buy it.

I have to say, in the past 5 years, I have learned a lot from my parents about how to manage money. It's definitely a lesson I will always remember.
 
So not true, and no you don't have to get secured credit cards either. It may take some time, but generally people who declare bankruptcy are back to normal credit within 18-24 months, getting car loans, mortgages, and yes credit cards (if not sooner)

Absolutely. In fact, people who file bankruptcy are often inundated with credit card offers.
 
This is all that the OP said with regard to her situation before getting pounced on...

"I am in a terrible position and I need to do something. I'm exploring my options regarding debt settlement, debt consolidation and bankruptcy. Does anyone have any experience with any of these that would be willing to give me some advice/pointers, without going into too many details? Thanks in advance for your help."

So, it's complete speculation on everyone's part as to how she got herself into this mess. Most of the "advice" she got was..."you shouldn't have gone to Disney so much and you need to cancel your upcoming trip."

I would think that the OP probably grasps that concept.

I would bet that there are people in this thread who are carrying consumer debt (including car payments), not saving 20% for retirement (which is where you should be), and who do not have at least 3 months of expenses in cash in savings for an emergency fund.

I'm just saying.....

Like I said, I used to be tougher on these people, and I used to get angry when thinking that I'm really taking care of my business, and others are possibly irresponsible. But what I know, is that the real "punishment" for those purely irresponsible folks is going to be that they are in for a big downsizing in lifestyle, and will likely need to work long into retirement...probably as long as they can.
 
I am in a terrible position and I need to do something. I'm exploring my options regarding debt settlement, debt consolidation and bankruptcy. Does anyone have any experience with any of these that would be willing to give me some advice/pointers, without going into too many details? Thanks in advance for your help.

Ok, I'm going to stick to the question asked because it does annoy me when I ask one question and get every other question answered but the one I asked.

I've never done bankruptcy probably more of a mental thing than any thing else, it had such a bad stigma associated with it when I was growing up.

Now, not so much. We have done debt consolidation but we used a home equity loan to do it so I don't think we we're in dire straights, just had a lot of credit card debt that we wanted to get rid of.
I would counsel that if you go through the credit counseling route that you investigate thoroughly. there are so many companies out there that do more harm then good.

Good luck
 

This is all that the OP said with regard to her situation before getting pounced on...

Like I said, I used to be tougher on these people, and I used to get angry when thinking that I'm really taking care of my business, and others are possibly irresponsible. But what I know, is that the real "punishment" for those purely irresponsible folks is going to be that they are in for a big downsizing in lifestyle, and will likely need to work long into retirement...probably as long as they can.

:thumbsup2

Well said DVC, (we need a hand clapper smilie).

I think a lot of judgement is perception. We always hear the "I'm living in a teenie tiny house while Joe irresponsible is living high on the hog" line I've never understood #1 why it bothers folks so much, unless they are living on your dime and #2 How do we know how anyone is living outside of what they are telling us.

No one plays for free, if Op is blowing all her money on disney trips or tiddlie winks sooner or later it will catch up to her. That's her decision.

I know many senior citizens who are very happy that they spent their money in their youth, most are old and have health problems and are extremely happy they took those expensive trips even if it means they are living it what I would probably consider poverty. :confused3 Could I do it? No

I really don't get mad at anyone, most of the time I feel sad for them but as the saying goes "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink"

Lastly,
I certainly can't throw stones at anyone. I've done vacations and paid with them on credit cards, I wasn't a big saver until after my kids were born and right now my savings is taking a big hit with a new roof and a big IRS bill. I have every intentions of taking my Paris trip next month, so who am I to judge. I'm sure Dave Ramsey would have me cancelling my trip. After 16 months of saving for it sooo not gonna happen. :laughing:
 
:thumbsup2

Well said DVC, (we need a hand clapper smilie).

I think a lot of judgement is perception. We always hear the "I'm living in a teenie tiny house while Joe irresponsible is living high on the hog" line I've never understood #1 why it bothers folks so much, unless they are living on your dime and #2 How do we know how anyone is living outside of what they are telling us.

No one plays for free, if Op is blowing all her money on disney trips or tiddlie winks sooner or later it will catch up to her. That's her decision.

I know many senior citizens who are very happy that they spent their money in their youth, most are old and have health problems and are extremely happy they took those expensive trips even if it means they are living it what I would probably consider poverty. :confused3 Could I do it? No

I really don't get mad at anyone, most of the time I feel sad for them but as the saying goes "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink"

Lastly,
I certainly can't throw stones at anyone. I've done vacations and paid with them on credit cards, I wasn't a big saver until after my kids were born and right now my savings is taking a big hit with a new roof and a big IRS bill. I have every intentions of taking my Paris trip next month, so who am I to judge. I'm sure Dave Ramsey would have me cancelling my trip. After 16 months of saving for it sooo not gonna happen. :laughing:


I won't throw stones at you. :) I have taken trips on credit cards. I always had a plan to pay them off though. You have been saving hard for your trip so who cares what Dave Ramsey says.

The difference is you are being responsible for what you owe. Stones are being thrown at the OP because she has been spending recklessly for years on her Disney vacation addiction and is looking into bankruptcy. I have seen people rack up so much consumer debt and cannot handle it so they file and it is like a get out of jail free card. They do not learn anything and years later are filing again. The OP obviously cannot handle her debt that she has now yet is not taking responsibility in canceling her upcoming trip. You are not the same as that because you are not thinking of filing bankruptcy. The loss that the credit car companies and others take due to her actions gets passed on to all of us, which is why people are upset. There were some posters who suggested bankruptcy as if that were the only option. It should only be a last resort. Anyone remember that poster here who was filing and right before she filed charged a trip to WDW and then after she was done with the process bragged that she was debt free? Wonder how her debt is now.

I think the OP should not even go to creditboards.com as suggested but go to http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com and also sign up for Financial Peace University.
 
I won't throw stones at you. :) I have taken trips on credit cards. I always had a plan to pay them off though. You have been saving hard for your trip so who cares what Dave Ramsey says.

The difference is you are being responsible for what you owe. Stones are being thrown at the OP because she has been spending recklessly for years on her Disney vacation addiction and is looking into bankruptcy. I have seen people rack up so much consumer debt and cannot handle it so they file and it is like a get out of jail free card. They do not learn anything and years later are filing again. The OP obviously cannot handle her debt that she has now yet is not taking responsibility in canceling her upcoming trip. You are not the same as that because you are not thinking of filing bankruptcy. The loss that the credit car companies and others take due to her actions gets passed on to all of us, which is why people are upset. There were some posters who suggested bankruptcy as if that were the only option. It should only be a last resort. Anyone remember that poster here who was filing and right before she filed charged a trip to WDW and then after she was done with the process bragged that she was debt free? Wonder how her debt is now.

I think the OP should not even go to creditboards.com as suggested but go to http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com and also sign up for Financial Peace University.

how do you know she has been spending recklessly for years just because she went on vacations:confused3
Everyone has judged her and doesn't even know her. thats sad.
maybe they lost a job or had a catastrophic event???? you all assume that she is just irresponsible because she had lots of trips. :sad2:

innocent before proven guilty? give the benefit of the doubt? She is a fellow Dis'er...how about some compassion and understanding...are we that kind of board???? She hasn't been back and probably is scared. How can anyone think its ok to be this way to someone:headache:
imho....:rolleyes1
 
Wow, every time someone reaches out for help on this board, the same sanctimonious crowd comes out and tells the poster it's all their fault and they should be lined up in front of a firing squad. Are any of you judgmental folks close enough to the poster to know their personal situation? What if they did pay cash for "all those trips" and are suffering due to job loss or a medical situation? How do any of you know if they have been spending their time trying to work the situation, instead of changing a sig line for an already cancelled trip? None of you know anything about the specific situation, but it is easier to criticize and play judge and jury, rather than offer help or ignore the post. YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE POSTER SO EITHER OFFER CONSTRUCTIVE COMMENTS TO THE QUESTION ASKED OR MOVE ON! Just because your FICO is above 700 does not give you the right or require you to answer every post on this board. They are trying to figure out how to pay the debt back, and the above comments are not offering anything constructive so they can do so.

:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 Well said!!! I get so tired of the tar and feathers coming out everytime a person says they have cc debt and :scared1: have a trip in their signature!! As for the FICO being above 700--I really have to wonder how many are as "perfect" with their credit as they preach for others to be.


OP, you have gotten some really good advice; especially the poster who was talking about doing a budget, keeping up with every dime spent, etc. In fact we are starting back to the writing everything down that we spend. We have been trying to get some things paid off but keep getting side tracked with other things so I think its mainly needing to get absolultely honest with the budget. Too many little things don't get put in there and can really make a difference. You don't really know how much money you have to pay down debt until you know where it is all going and what you can or cannot cut back on or cut out.

People talk about which way (bankruptsy or credit counceling) will hurt your credit more but I am not sure its always the same in every situation. My sil has filed bankruptsy more than once and has continued to get financing for cars and a home (no credit cards though), we paid off our credit card debt (we are working on other debt now) using In Charge Debt Solutions. Our credit score wasn't perfect when we finished but it is good and we built our home while in the program and bought two cars after finishing the program all with good interest rates. Maybe you can talk to someone that is more in the know about credit ratings and how they are effected.

Cancelling your trips or not is your business and only your business. If you can do what you need to to straighten out your problems and still go to WDW--go for it. We went twice while paying out the cc's and will go again 3/2011 while paying off some other debt. Its not like it can't be done. Some here really believe in the "live like no one else" as gospel. I think it needs to be a bit more of a moderation, after all we never know if we will still be around for the "so you can LIVE like no one else".
 
First off, lets cut the OP a little slack. She could have just gone and filed bankruptcy and never posted on the DIS that she had done so. Instead, it seems that she is looking at all of her options, the first two she listed would have her pay back what she owes. Listing BK last, I'm going to assume (since we're all doing a lot of assuming here) that she feels it's a last resort and is not her first choice. What she is looking for is advice on how to pay off her debt, and only if it turns out that it isn't possible (and it isn't always) would she then turn to bankruptcy.

Her situation may be 100% her fault, only partly her fault, or she could be completely blamless. It really doesn't matter how she got into this mess, what matters now is how she gets out of it. If her situation is due to overspending, then the only bearing that has on her future is to curb her spending and changing her habits while she is digging out.

If after doing everything she possibly can to pay it back, she finds that it is truely impossible (and that can happen...even cutting everything to the bare bones and eating mac and chesse 3x a day, income only goes so far. You can't get blood from a stone) then I don't have a problem with bankruptcy as a last resort, even if the situation is mainly of the person's own doing...as long as they learn from the process. The only people I have a problem with are those that do BK and then go right back to their old habbits, racking up debt as fast as they can and doing yet another BK down the road. Those people make me ill.

The fact that the OP came on the board looking for advice on several options, most of which would have her pay back her debt, leads me to believe that she is likely to learn from her past errors rather than just walk away with out a care in the world. As such, I believe she is worthy of our time in trying to get her going in the right direction.

Sooo....OP if you are still reading this, without exact details of your situation, here is some general advice.

1) As other's have stated, CCCS and only CCCS is the way to go if you want to do credit counseling. While for the most part everything they do you can generally do on your own, the fact is that not everyone has the time, ability, or will power to do it on their own. If that describes you then I'd call them ASAP and get the ball rolling on it. It will lower your interest rates and set you up on a payment plan that will have you pay back every dime in a reasonable amount of time (I think the average is about 3 years, as always YMMV depending on the amount of your debt, your income, and your other obligations).

2) If you want to take a shot at doing it on your own, here is what I would do in your shoes:

-Call up credit card companies and ask to have your interest rates lowered. If they won't, ask to speak to a supervisor. If you have been late on the account, ask to speak to their hardship department. Not all CC's will play ball, but even if you can only get a few of them to lower rates, that's more money you have to pay your debts with each month. That's the one thing CCCS can do that we can't do on our own, they have ways of making even the most stubborn of CC's lower their rates when nothing else does the trick. If you find that no matter how hard you try, most or all of your cards won't lower your rates, call CCCS and do the debt counseling.

-If you are going to be late on any other of your bills (mortgage, utilities, car payment, etc.) then call their respective hardship departments and let them know what is going on. It may or may not help but it can't hurt and may just buy you some time before the wolves come to your door.

-Now...sit down and figure out where all your money is going. Pull out past credit card statements, bank statements, old bills, receipts, anything that tells you how you've spent you money in the past. Don't forget annual or semi-annual bills like AAA membership or insurance premiums. Look at your current bills/spending as well. This should give you a picture of what you've been doing in the recent past. Now, look at what your take home pay is. Subtract what you are spending to what you take home. You'll find one of three things - that you are spending more than you take home, that you are spending exactly what you take home, or that you are spending less than you take home. Odds are that it's either senario one or two, or you wouldn't have posted.

This gives you a snap shot of how things stand, which is exactly what you need before you can decide on how to proceed. Needless to say, you need to get as much of your take home pay free as possible to put towards your debt, so in turn you will have to cut back on spending to do that. Some things you can cut, some things you can't...only you can decide what your sitation is. For some a cell phone is a luxery, for other's it's a requirement of their job or they need it for urgent personal reasons, like a sick relative. Only you know in your heart which is true. For things that are truely a need, you can often find less expensive alternatives by shoping around, so just because it's a need, doesn't mean you can find a way to cut at least some of the cost out of your budget. Food is great example. Food is a need, but that doesn't mean the grocery budget can't be cut. Transportation is also a need, but there are tons of ways to cut that down, from selling a car with a payment and taking the money and buying a good-running-but-otherwise-beat-up vehical for cash, to shoping around for lower auto insurance premiums, to just driving less to save on gas, there are a lot of things you can do to reduce this "fixed" expense.

-Now that you have your first budget (I say first because budgets are not a static thing, you often need to revise them. I do mine monthly!) in place, you know know how much money you have to put towards your debt. If it isn't very much, at this point you need to consider several options to raise more cash. To get more money on a regular basis, extra jobs or a higher paying job would be your best options, though in this economy it's easier said that done. For some one-time cash to get you going, look around your house and start finding things to sell (craig's list, ebay, garage sale, or even all three!). As Dave Ramsey says "sell so much stuff the kids think they're next".

-Savings. Before starting to pay off debt, you need to get a few thousand dollars into savings ($1k minimum, $3k maximum). Why? Murphy's Law is why! Your car will break down, the roof will leak, the kid breaks an arm and you need money for co-pays, you name it - it could happen. This is now your safety net instead of your CC's! When your in hole, the first thing to do is stop digging. A small emergency savings account lets you do that. So, sell stuff to get that going, or save your new-found "extra" money until you get an amount your comfortable with. Only then do you start paying it all down. In fact even if you do the CCCS route, I'd stash some emergency cash first, since CCCS will require you to close all your CC's as a part of the program.

Okay, so - You've called all your creditors and done what you can to lower rates and payments. You've made a budget and cut all the fat. You've put some $$$ into savings for a rainy day. Now you are ready to tackle your debt! There are two schools of thought on this. One is to pay the smallest balance first, working up to the largest balance. The second way is to pay the highest interest rate first, working down to the lowest. Paying the higher interest rate first usually saves you money, paying smallest balance first lets you knock some small bills out of the way, freeing up more money to tackle them faster while shrinking the list of bills you need to track each month. Both have advantages and disadvatages. I am of the opinion that it doesn't generally matter much, as long as you have a plan and stick to it - you'll eventually reach your goal! You should do what makes sense to you.
 
I want to encourage the OP to read the Dave Ramsey books.

Our only debt is our mortgage and my student loan debt (undergrad, grad, and law school = $$$ in loans). We started Dave Ramsey and it has been so liberating! By budgeting every penny, we feel like we each got a raise :eek: In reality, we just plan where our money is going.

We are taking a trip to Disney in a couple of weeks. Dave Ramsey mentioned on his radio show that someone like me could do a vacation. My student loans are with the government (the best lender since they LOVE prepayments and don't raise the rates as long as you pay on time!). Do I feel bad about going? No. I am going to pay off my loans really, really, really early ;) I don't think the other posters are saying that you can't go on a vacation ever. The OP just lists so many and some coming up! That comes across as someone asking for advice but not really wanting to hear it.

OP, do a written budget ASAP. Find out where you can trim your budget. It does take sacrifice. Bankruptcy is a major life event that some people regret. You don't want to be one of those. Do your research and avoid it if possible.
 
OP -

No. There really isn't a way we can give solid advice without seeing a breakdown of your financial picture. Until then, as you can see reading the replies here, it is all speculation.

I will tell you that I find that often the biggest obstacle to overcome when paying off debt is changing your own lifestyle. Drastically.

I went from having close to $27K in debt to being down to $15K in the span of a year. I wasn't missing payments, but I was sick of seeing my money go to debt every month.

First, I looked at my take home pay vs. what I owed to everything in a month. I realized how much $$ I had left over. Then I decided to cut back on everything that wasn't needed and only spend that $$ on needs.

I cut back on driving, fancy food, wine, going out with friends, buying clothing that was not needed, buying $$ gifts for people, EVERYTHING. Sometimes it was hard... friends ask to go out and you say NO. Real friends will understand though. ;)

Any extra money I get from bday, gifts, tax returns etc. goes towards savings so I don't have to charge emergencies.

I could not find a suitable second job so I decided to make extra $$ while de-stashing and sell most of my belongings on Ebay. So far, over $400 a month. Every month. Since last December. That money all goes in savings as well.

While I cut my debt in half, I also managed to save up $6000 in cash. And I do not make a high income by any means. I make lower than average for my HCOLA.

I also managed to save up $1200 cash to take myself and my FI on a cash only, very budget trip to WDW.

But the point is, IT CAN BE DONE. You don't always have to walk away. Unless it really is something catastrophic like a medical emergency, you probably just need to change your lifestyle and make a budget. If it is an emergency, try talking to your creditors and see what they say. You can't get thrown in prison for late medical bills. If you can pay anything on them do so. If you can't, then talk to CCS and/or an attorney who can guide you further.

To everyone else...
As for the person who said that people with a 700 credit score have no right to judge... two things. 1. 700 is an average credit score. Over 750 is generally considered great. Not 700. and 2. in some ways, a person who has attained a great credit score DOES have a right to judge because they are clearly doing something CORRECT. Would you prefer to take financial advice from someone with a score of 700 or a score of 500?

I also don't think there is a problem taking trips while you have outstanding debt. As long as you are paying cash for the trip and making more than the min payments, that is. A vacation can be a nice reminder of what you are aiming to get out of debt for.
 
how do you know she has been spending recklessly for years just because she went on vacations:confused3
Everyone has judged her and doesn't even know her. thats sad.
maybe they lost a job or had a catastrophic event???? you all assume that she is just irresponsible because she had lots of trips. :sad2:

innocent before proven guilty? give the benefit of the doubt? She is a fellow Dis'er...how about some compassion and understanding...are we that kind of board???? She hasn't been back and probably is scared. How can anyone think its ok to be this way to someone:headache:
imho....:rolleyes1

Well said!:thumbsup2 I think it's disgraceful how people come on here and chastise and scold people, or actually spend the time to research their previous posts and look at their tickers or recent trips!! Give me a break!
 
Well said!:thumbsup2 I think it's disgraceful how people come on here and chastise and scold people, or actually spend the time to research their previous posts and look at their tickers or recent trips!! Give me a break!

Which is more helpful, coddling or tough love?

There has been some fantastic advice given here. I hope the OP chooses to take it.
 
Shew just read thru all this. Sorry no advice OP never been in your shoes to give it. But one thing people, I thought they changed the bankruptcy laws so people couldn't keep filing all the time. I forget the year that happened I'm thinking early 2000's...so are you guys saying it's not tough to file bankruptcy?? I thought those laws made it so. If not they need to re-work them. People shouldn't be able to file multiple times. I'll give ya one freebie, after that you're on your own.
 
I've also noticed- the people who always say bankruptcy is so wonderful are rarely the ones who have had to do it themselves. BUT, those folks aren't likely to speak up here, because they too get roasted.
 
Not saying her trips are being paid for by other people… BUT some wealthy people are only tangible gift givers.

My parents are, to be blunt, LOADED. They have more money than they know what to do with. They still spend thousands on us every Christmas & bday. I'd personally rather have the money to build my savings and pay down debt. My wealthy parents could care less about my savings or my debt. To them, that is MY responsibilty. It is their choice to give tangible gifts. They don't even like giving useful gift cards. I've requested grocery cards before and gotten iTunes instead. That is just how my parents are. And I'd reckon that that is how some gift giving parents are.

One year I actually flat out asked for money for my bday. I told them I really needed money to pay off debt. They gave me a check for $100. Which was very generous HOWEVER… every year prior and since they have given tangible gifts valued at far more than that.

I don't ask for cash anymore. Quite frankly, I think ASKING for cash instead of gifts is tacky. No matter who the gift giver is.

Granted you don't always have to take a gift. I was comp'd a trip to WDW because of a scary bad stay last time I was there and I have no plans to use it anytime soon because I can't afford airfare right now, and I don't want to spend the $$ on food and drinks while I'm there. The comp trip is good for 30 years so I'll take it when I get around to it. Sure, WDW is paying for 3 nights at a deluxe (I picked YC) and 2 3 day park hoppers. But I still have to get there, buy food there, and I'd rather wait until I have the funds to not have to pennypinch.

So not all free trips have to be taken and most free trips aren't 100% free…
 
I skimmed through the responses.
OP, I am sorry you are facing financial hardship. I love to travel and have been a die hard WDW fan for years. I do understand the desire to go to WDW. When my marriage ended and I went from a SAHM to a full time single parent, I struggled with changing my lifestyle and having to curb my spending habits.

It is great that you recognize that you have a problem. That can be a big step for some people. The hardest thing for me when money was tight was not going to WDW. I could do the day to day budgeting but giving up mickey for a bit was really tough.

As you can see from my signature, I sometimes traveled multiple times in a year to WDW. But because I needed to adjust to being a single parent, living on a budget I had to give up WDW for a few years. I was lucky that I didn't have much debt (except my home) but my income was very different than when I was a SAHM.

I would suggest working on a budget, canceling any trips that will be costing you anything and promise yourself to re-evaluate in 12 months. The first few months are the most difficult but you will find a new freedom in being more financially secure.

The first trip you make after your problems are resolved will be sweeter and more liberating than any trip you have ever had!
 
I skimmed through the responses.
OP, I am sorry you are facing financial hardship. I love to travel and have been a die hard WDW fan for years. I do understand the desire to go to WDW. When my marriage ended and I went from a SAHM to a full time single parent, I struggled with changing my lifestyle and having to curb my spending habits.

It is great that you recognize that you have a problem. That can be a big step for some people. The hardest thing for me when money was tight was not going to WDW. I could do the day to day budgeting but giving up mickey for a bit was really tough.

As you can see from my signature, I sometimes traveled multiple times in a year to WDW. But because I needed to adjust to being a single parent, living on a budget I had to give up WDW for a few years. I was lucky that I didn't have much debt (except my home) but my income was very different than when I was a SAHM.

I would suggest working on a budget, canceling any trips that will be costing you anything and promise yourself to re-evaluate in 12 months. The first few months are the most difficult but you will find a new freedom in being more financially secure.

The first trip you make after your problems are resolved will be sweeter and more liberating than any trip you have ever had!


Very good and compassionate advice! I am a lot like you, except I was not a SAHM and always worked in my career. I went to Disney in May 1999, May 2000, and May 2001, and then got divorced and had a child to raise. I went back the first time since 2001 last year in April 2009. That is eight years between trips. In 2001, I would have told you I would be back sooner, but more pressing matters took the forefront. I am leaving again tomorrow morning for another trip. :goodvibes I do understand the "addiction" of Disney and when one comes back they want to go again immediately. It is such a wonderfully magical place where all the cares in the world seem to disappear, but really what good is that if one has to come back to a financial mess. Nothing, not even Disney, feels as good as being debt free.
 
I have PM'd the OP and have some additional information. I will not share it because she has chosen what she wishes to share, but I can say that we do not have all of the information (she stated in her first post she wanted to give minimal details).

I think all of us can be judged by our siggies, but our siggies are our "bragging rights" too. What our siggies do not tell us is the WHOLE story.

For Example - Indiana Rose Lee's siggie says that she has 9 months until homeschool days. One could say "What is Indiana Rose Lee doing on the internet all day when she should be homeschooling her kids?" What we do not know is that Indiana Rose Lee's kids are at Grandmas, or are done their lessons or are doing whatever....What I am saying is that we really do not have all of the information.

Mine is the same. I have openly admitted to debt and have a future trip to Hawaii in my siggie. But what you do not know is that I have a plan and a scrimping and saving every penny so I can do both - pay my debt and go to Hawaii.

(Indiana Rose Lee - I DO NOT feel that way about you, I am just using your siggie as an example. Please do not take it personally, I really do not know your situation and will not pass judgement on you!)

All I am saying is that after talking with the OP, we really do not know. I am hoping we can put this whole thread to rest. She is doing what it takes to get back on track. And, her first step was the brutal reality check those of us at the DIS gave her (I am guilty too as I gave my opinion too).

Anyway, off my soapbox now.....
 
Since when are screen names personal info?

ETA:

Some more tools for the OP.
Sign up at mint.com to track your spending. Set up a budget there. The site is free.
 


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