Debt Dumpers 2020

[RamblingMad]

oh for sure! i just need to figure out where to get the best deal, i don't know anything about cars lol

I've had good luck at Costco and Discount Tire.

 

[MrsTomMorrow14]

2020 Financial Goals:
Pay off credit cards: 6,000
Pay off student loan: 3,000
Save: 10,000
Start to pay extra on the 401K loan we took out.

2020 Personal Goals:
Help hubby build his disney travel business
keep on keto and get healthier for my kids
try to have more patience

 

[westcoastfldisneygirl]

2020 Financial Goals:
-Pay off remainder of kitchen rebuild/remodel-flooding (due to no fault of my own) caused a whole kitchen remodel/rebuild. I have about $3000 to pay off after what insurance covered for the mold remediation/rebuild. It's a 0% interest for 12 months, goal is to knock this out.
-Save up and pay in cash for new tires for my (paid off) car.
-Get retirement contributions back up to 15% (it's at 7 right now until I pay this kitchen off)

2020 Personal Goals:
-Promote my book once the official release date hits in March
-Get better at wearing clothes I already own instead of wanting to buy more
-Get more adventurous with cooking
-Organize and finish my office

 

[Donaldswife]

My snowball and I had a lunch date. Because if this drags out longer, I won't sleep. That's how I roll.

I have an UBER conservative snowball charted out. We aren't sure how soon DH will be scheduled for surgery. Also in the mix, youngest starts driving in April. This is a good/bad thing. Good as in I am no longer a chauffeur. Bad as in have to either fix old, high mileage car ($800 minimum) or buy a newer one for me and let her have mine. We have zero public transportation here. She has been trying to apply for jobs but no one will hire 15-year-olds. It's pathetic. So, the conservative snowball is where I'm leaning for now for sanity. This plan doesn't allow for a pay-off by March. So if that happens, it'll be a huge win for me!

Even with the conservative snowball, I'll be CC debt free by year's end. Woot!

And I feel like I can breathe with a plan, even if it's not where I'm supposed to be.

Received a Christmas bonus at work. Immediately paid it toward the one card that I'd run up before Christmas, so it has a zero balance before 1/1/20.

Oldest sent me a message. She has over 9 hours left to fly and says that her rear already hurts.

Do you have a Chick Fil A in your area? My daughter worked there at 15 and it was a good experience, her first job just a couple of years ago. Also, if she will be 16 by summer she could get certified and work as a lifeguard at a local pool...just some suggestions! Good luck to her in her job search!

 

[MantaRider]

What do you impulse spend on?

Most people tank on their plan during the holidays. No big deal.

This year didn't go according to plan for me. I ended up doing a cross country move in the fall that I had not planned to do. The opportunity came up, so I took it. I spent at least $20k on the move that I would have otherwise invested. I also had to dump another $25k into a down payment on a new home while my other one stayed on the market longer than I expected. That's $45k that brought me no joy. I also spent about $10k getting my old home ready for sale. Now, I need to spend probably another $5k on minor household repairs for my new home. None of this was planned for. It was a whole lot of suck.

I mostly impulse spend on going out to eat, or buying small things for myself like clothes or household items. I also tend to buy games or books if I'm bored. I'm going to try and ride out January a little better, and then see how i'm shaping up. If I'm not saving enough, I'm going to consider a second job to help me pay off my 401k loan.

And wow - I have no money saved right now. I couldn't imagine being able to do any of that. We are planning to move this year, either to an apartment up in Pennsylvania to stay around Family, or taking the plunge and moving to Florida. My MIL is going to help us buy a house, but it doesn't feel real yet. Until we actually have that money I don't feel like I really have a future, right now.

 

[afan]

I mostly impulse spend on going out to eat, or buying small things for myself like clothes or household items. I also tend to buy games or books if I'm bored. I'm going to try and ride out January a little better, and then see how i'm shaping up. If I'm not saving enough, I'm going to consider a second job to help me pay off my 401k loan.

And wow - I have no money saved right now. I couldn't imagine being able to do any of that. We are planning to move this year, either to an apartment up in Pennsylvania to stay around Family, or taking the plunge and moving to Florida. My MIL is going to help us buy a house, but it doesn't feel real yet. Until we actually have that money I don't feel like I really have a future, right now.

Do you have a decent library nearby that you could get books, dvds, cds etc from? I read a ton, at 63 books for the year, and get almost all of them from the library. I only bought 3 books this year and ironically they are the three that I haven't read yet because I keep getting more library books.

Also look to see if your library has any movie apps. Mine has 2, hoopla and kanopy, that they partner with to get so many movies from a month. They aren't new blockbusters but do have new movies, old movies and independent movies.

Mine also has ebook loans.

I'm a huge proponent of the library both because it's free, though I realize taxes pay it, but id no one uses them then they'll go away and that's not something I'd want. Plus if I had to pay for books I wouldn't have enjoyed reading and learning as much this year.

 

[MantaRider]

Do you have a decent library nearby that you could get books, dvds, cds etc from?

I have a library, but we live in a rural area and it's not that great. However I am listening to Anansi Boys which I got from there right now and that's been fun! It's more just the tedium of living in a rural place, in someone else's house, that is getting to me

 

[imbatman]

@imbatman you asked me to let you know the next time i saw the family size Stouffers lasagna for $5...they will be on sale at Raleys on Monday the 30th for $5 Monday

Sweet, thanks! My family loves their lasagna! I don't, so I just eat a salad.

-Promote my book once the official release date hits in March

From one author to another, good luck! Marketing is a time-consuming monster. I switched to an Excel spreadsheet this time and it's working better.

Do you have a Chick Fil A in your area? My daughter worked there at 15 and it was a good experience, her first job just a couple of years ago. Also, if she will be 16 by summer she could get certified and work as a lifeguard at a local pool...just some suggestions! Good luck to her in her job search!

Chick Fil A is under construction. She already said she'd love to work there, so we'll keep our eyes out on the website for applications to come open. And I'll tell her about the lifeguard, thank you!

 

[dprincessmom]

First time participating and like others have mentioned been lurking for a while.

2020 Financial Goals:

1. Finish settling husband's affairs and move retirement/pension to my plans
2. Focus on living within a budget - lots of behind the scenes factors have caused this plan to go by the way side the last several years, but 2020 is the year.
3. Decrease outflow by making smarter day to day choices (review cable/internet/insurances, etc)

2020 Personal Goals:

1. Lifestyle changes to result in lost weight and better health overall
2. Be "present" more! It's so easy to get locked into the digital world we live in today and I'm finding the need to unplug more often.
3. Purge! We have way too much stuff tucked here and there and it's time to reclaim the house, stop holding onto some things and live for today.
4. Food costs/wastes: stop buying what we don't need and limit eating out expenses.

So now that these are out there, I guess it's an actual goal now - wish me success!

 

[barkley]

I have a library, but we live in a rural area and it's not that great. However I am listening to Anansi Boys which I got from there right now and that's been fun! It's more just the tedium of living in a rural place, in someone else's house, that is getting to me

check to see if your rural library has any borrowing associations with other libraries. i live ruraly-SUPER rural so we also have a very small library but they are hooked up with some HUGE libraries such that we can request books, movies (including newer) and e-books from a wealth of sources (a couple different big library systems as well as at least 1 university's-and by virtue of the university connection we get access to all the other associations they have).

 

[amalone1013]

Sweet, thanks! My family loves their lasagna! I don't, so I just eat a salad.

I'll have mac and cheese when I get frozen lasagnas...

 

[rosegoldmonorail]

made a budget on google sheets using a template i found on reddit. it was kind of hard to figure out the exacts, since my paycheck changes every week (i don't work set hours, and i'm a waitress so my tips change every day.) i underestimated though that way if i have anything leftover i can use it towards savings or CC #1 debt.

also, anyone have any luck with lowering your credit card interest rate? i heard if you call they'll usually knock a percentage or two off.

 

[imbatman]

also, anyone have any luck with lowering your credit card interest rate? i heard if you call they'll usually knock a percentage or two off.

I've never called for that. It may depend on your credit score and how long you've been with them. Wouldn't hurt to call and ask, but make sure to ask if it'd affect your credit.

 

[crazycatstacy]

I am in for 2020. I would like to say I am super motivated and ready to do this, but I feel like I say that every year and then I lose traction! Came back from Disney on budget and didn't charge anything! YAY for that! Ended Christmas on budget as well. I have some upcoming medical expenses I am annoyed about. My potassium remains too low despite being on potassium. As a result, I have been having blood tests constantly ($$$$ drain) and then they decided I should have a CT scan (all was clear so now I'm even more annoyed I have to pay for a CT scan when there was nothing lol). Now they are referring me to a specialist. Health is important and I am going to follow through, but it bums me out to think of the upcoming expenses associated with it all.

Husband is hopefully going to be able to pick up overtime again and we are going to file our taxes separately to reduce my student loan payment.

When we were at Disney we did a DVC Tour and were so tempted to buy but decided to be smart and not (we were surprised and impressed with ourselves for making such an adult decision LOL). We have a big family trip in 2021 so our goal is to get stuff paid and be able to buy it before that trip.

 

[jen7233]

I am in for 2020. I would like to say I am super motivated and ready to do this, but I feel like I say that every year and then I lose traction! Came back from Disney on budget and didn't charge anything! YAY for that! Ended Christmas on budget as well. I have some upcoming medical expenses I am annoyed about. My potassium remains too low despite being on potassium. As a result, I have been having blood tests constantly ($$$$ drain) and then they decided I should have a CT scan (all was clear so now I'm even more annoyed I have to pay for a CT scan when there was nothing lol). Now they are referring me to a specialist. Health is important and I am going to follow through, but it bums me out to think of the upcoming expenses associated with it all.

Husband is hopefully going to be able to pick up overtime again and we are going to file our taxes separately to reduce my student loan payment.

When we were at Disney we did a DVC Tour and were so tempted to buy but decided to be smart and not (we were surprised and impressed with ourselves for making such an adult decision LOL). We have a big family trip in 2021 so our goal is to get stuff paid and be able to buy it before that trip.

I'm feeling motivated in 2020. Why, I don't know! But hey, I'll go with the feeling. I'm going to attempt to track expenses better in 2020. One area was hard to figure and busted budget lines continuously was DHs travel expenses for work. I keep thinking he spends more than is made, though he says no, but just initially on paper it looks like it as I reconcile costs and putting those costs under our restaurant category and misc categories.

We front a lot of his work travel expenses on our personal card and wait for travel settlement, and though I hate that feeling it does increase cc points. I suppose it isn't a major deal but hasn't hurt either when it's time to do personal travel plans and more points are available to use. A lot of his travel is sporadic and can't be predicted, and is all over the country and international, so nothing is ever the same. But now I put a line item in the budget simply "TDY expenses" on the budget site I use, and put all his expenses from travel there rather than say our personal restaurant use line, travel line, misc., then match that up with the amount after his travel voucher is settled. So, will have more clarity next year on that budget area.

I've often been tempted with DVC, but we don't go enough and also use other sources for lodging, so it isn't a scenario we'd get use from. We go once a year currently, prior it was every other year. We have one trip to WDW planned this year upcoming in 2020, and I hope our extended family can join us for a trip in 2021.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Just finished up the last of my budget for December. We are over budget for December, but not as bad as I thought. We always tend to go a little over in December as we use this time to stock up on clothing/household goods/etc as there are always really good sales. I also bought $300 worth of horse feed this month since it was on sale for buy 2 get 1 free, which is a great deal. My net worth in YNAB looks tragic since we bought DH's car in cash, but that's ok. Totally worth it to not have that car payment due next month.

Next month is a three paycheck month for both DH and I, and I'm looking forward to getting that money and beefing our savings back up and a couple other categories in our budget. I am also finally receiving the $250 I was owed by work for my conference last month. I felt bad having to bug our budget lady on it again because she has had a lot going on, but I paid $100 in parking alone and really wanted that money back.

 

[pblack]

For my WDW peeps....we're currently booked at all star music and im wondering if it would be more beneficial to book at pop? I see that pop has the skyliner which would be beneficial on our epcot day. We don't plan on going to HS. I know nothing about WDW transportation, but from research i know that busses take quite awhile, especially for the value resorts. Pop would be a little more than $100 more.

 

[StacyStrong]

For my WDW peeps....we're currently booked at all star music and im wondering if it would be more beneficial to book at pop? I see that pop has the skyliner which would be beneficial on our epcot day. We don't plan on going to HS. I know nothing about WDW transportation, but from research i know that busses take quite awhile, especially for the value resorts. Pop would be a little more than $100 more.

I love POP on general but am not a fan of the all stars at all. I loved the skyliner in October. Personally, even though I don’t spend much time in the room, the upgrade to POP will always be worth it to me.

 

[azdisneylover]

I’ve stayed away for over a week because I told myself it was the holidays. I reasoned that people on this board think I have it all together and am nearly debt-free, so why admit the train wreck that I have become?

Massive medical bills have caught up to us. Tie rods broke on DH’s truck. DH will be reducing hours for an upcoming surgery that may cut his income in half.

Yes, I paid off that craptastic debt my brother gave me last year. Yes, I paid off the CC debt. Yes, I overspent at Christmas this year because for the first time ever, Christmas didn’t feel festive, no matter how hard I tried or the money I threw at cashiers. I’ve never spent like I did this year, desperate to catch that magic that usually fills me with joy.

Please, don’t preach at me: if you don’t have it, don’t spend it. I knew I didn’t have it. And I knew I’d feel this terrible.

Where does this venting of “woe-is-me” leave me today? In CC debt. Looking at impending 2020 medical bills.

But…

There is hope. Our mortgage is still paid every month. I can afford groceries. My car will be paid off in March. Oldest kid is currently in an airport and going to Japan (courtesy of not my CC or wallet). Youngest is overcoming some personal battles. And DH will have a massive surgery next year, but he will get to keep his foot. I will more than likely be losing my father to his battle with cancer, but I had him for years more than we had DH’s dad. I’ll be facing some giant medical issues of my own, but I have a book coming out that reminds me of how hard I can work.

Back to the drawing board for me:

2020 Goals
Financial:

1. Pay off Discover card. – I should, in theory, have this done by March. That said, with medical stuff going on, I’ll strive for that goal. (will post balance update later)
2. Pay off Sapphire card. – That’ll be after Discover. (will post balance update later)
3. Shift purchases to CC’s after balances are paid. – This has always been my goal after reading about CC churning last year.
4. Continue Roth contributions. – I will be dropping that to $25/week. It makes me sad to drop it, but I’d rather go into retirement (13 years from now) debt-free.
5. Continue vacation fund. – While this may not make sense, it’ll also be a $25/week contribution, as we have pre-paid for the Star Wars convention in August. Still need to pay for the hotel.
6. Get that snowball spreadsheet updated and started. – Rolling with a January 1st date. Can I pay everything down in a year? We shall see…we shall see.

Personal:

1. Maintain weight. – Through stress, I dropped over 10 lbs. this year. Not so healthy, even if it was my weight goal. I need to manage my stress better so it doesn’t lead to more health issues.
2. Finish two manuscripts. – My agent is asking for one, but I’d like to push through for two.
3. Carve out family time. – Oldest is moving to Arizona for college next fall. (When did that happen? I just brought her home from the hospital.) I’d like to go to our family cabin a few times (free!) and take local day trips. We are all busy, so I should probably plan those ASAP.
4. Breathe. – Things will happen. I can’t stress out waiting for the genetic results on my dad’s cancer to see if I’m a carrier. I can’t hold the anger when my oldest’s boyfriend manipulates her and I want to bury him (would like to say that I’m joking…). I’m learning to say “no” to some things and “yes” to others. But I have to keep reminding myself to quit clutching onto the things I cannot control.

That’s it for now. I don’t need a pep talk or a shoulder to cry on, but let’s admit it, that’s part of the reason I’m on this board. I’m one of those who had to see it in front of me to confront it.

And here is the ugly truth: I messed up. But I can fix this.

Here to give you a big hug (((BIG HUG))) and if you were in close to me (AZ) I would give you chocolate.

 

[McMealue18]

UGH! Thank goodness 2019 is OVERRR! For 2020 I am keeping it simple! I got a new job a few months ago so I am still transitioning to a one paycheck per month system (HATE!)

2020 Financial Goals:
- Pay off $5000 in credit card debt
- Save $4000 for Disney World trip in September (It will be my first trip to WDW! So excited!)

Personal Goals:
- Get answers on my fertility (hopefully leading to pregnancy!)
- Read 12 books

I will probably re-evaluate at the half way point and add some things in. Good luck to everyone in the new year! Fresh start! Yay!