We have a lot of debt. We have a mortgage, a 401K loan, a solar loan, and one ginormous credit card.
The credit card is the one that stresses me out the most and keeps me up at night. We have been credit card debt free only two times in our adult life and both times we paid off our debt with an unexpected windfall and both times we vowed never to go back into credit card debt. Yet, here we are.
We took out a 401K loan to help us buy a house about 3 1/2 years ago. It is a 5 year loan and we have about 18 months left to pay on it. It is automatically deducted every paycheck.
After having $725 utility bills in our new (to us) home, we decided to get solar. We took out a 10 year loan and are 2 years in, so 8 to go, before that is paid off. That is also on auto pay, but we are hoping to pay if off a little early.
We don't currently have any auto loans, but I don't know how long that is going to last. My car is almost 11 years old with 160,000 and The Husband's car is almost 6 years old with 93,000. Added to that we added a driver this year and plan to add another one next year.
Our most stressful debt to me is our credit card. We have $13,000 in credit card debt. This is actually an improvement. In January we owed $21,000 so we are making progress. Our goal was to have less than $10,000 in credit card debt by the end of this year. I don't know if we are going to make it, but we have made decent progress. This time getting out of debt we have actually been digging our way out one month and payment at a time. In the past, we used "windfalls" to get out of debt. I'm hoping it sticks this time because we are actually putting in the work.
Debt
October 8th, 2020 at 06:44 pm
October 8th, 2020 at 07:27 pm 1602185262
1. Look at all your monthly bills (landline phone, cell phone, gas bill, trash bill, car insurance, etc.) and find out if there is any way to lower them by going to a different company, a lower level of service, etc. For non-electric bills, is it possible to get on a level payment plan? Remember to pay for basics first: house payment, utilities, food, and gas for your car(s).
2. After #1, create a budget based on your expenses. Use bank statements, receipts, etc. to establish the amounts, not just memory. The first month or so will be rough, because you may "discover" other expenses you forgot about. I personally have my real budget on my computer, but I keep a skeleton version of it on an index card in my wallet. I make notes when I have bought something in a category. It helps me to know if can afford to buy something or not.
3. Establish an emergency savings account if you don't already have one. Part of your budget should be to put something in there every time you get paid, even if it is only $5.00.
4. List your debts with minimum payment amount and interest rate. If you are behind on any debt payments or any other payments, bring those to current first. I personally like to make the high interest ones a priority, but others advocate for the highest balance. Either way, you make progress. Any extra funds I throw at the priority debt.
5. Make a grocery list and stick to it. Try to create some meals based on what you already have in your fridge and cupboards. Stow the savings into a savings account or throw it at debt.
6. Do you qualify for refinancing your mortgage?
7. I have 8 sinking funds for the irregular expenses that occur, such as property tax, car registration, home maintenance, appliances, etc.
8. Can you get any kind of extra work and throw the money at your debt?
These are just a few of my thoughts. Take them or leave them. Others may have additional ideas.
October 9th, 2020 at 01:01 am 1602205313
- decide and communicate now that this is a low spend/no spend holiday season. No big gifts. Practical, needed items if you must. Give gifts of time, or write heartfelt notes, share beloved books or other items you have that someone else might enjoy. Tell friends and family now. Will keep you out of stores in the time of covid...and save money.
- while looking for things to give, look for things to sell. Or give away. Or use up. De clutter and organize so you know what you have. Set a goal of one drawer or cupboard per day, or two hours every Saturday, or whatever. Doing it in small chunks will inspire you.
- if you are eating takeout regularly, cut the number of times in half. Have breakfast for dinner one night per week. Clean out your refrigerator, then make a goal to have no food waste
- replace any soft drinks or fancy coffee you are drinking with tap water/home brewed tea or coffee. Buy a Britain’s filter and locate reusable water bottles to stop buying water if you need to. Stop buying single serve snacks at convenience stores. Carry snacks you buy in bulk, single size or not.
Good luck and best wishes!
October 9th, 2020 at 01:15 am 1602206137
October 9th, 2020 at 12:43 pm 1602247427
October 9th, 2020 at 03:14 pm 1602256454
October 9th, 2020 at 05:35 pm 1602264909
October 10th, 2020 at 12:24 am 1602289470
October 10th, 2020 at 12:43 pm 1602333787
write up a budget....and stick to it...have everything in it
Have an emergency fund a good starting point is $2000
menu plan and only shop for those things...cook from scratch more you can prepare meals and freeze them...etc.
I'm not sure what kind of "windfalls" you are talking about or if you would get anymore but it would be nice if you could use that to pay off your debts to get rid of them ASAP
add your hubby and kids int othe budget and cooking process...it is great for all to be involved and see if you can get them to things of ways to save extra money...it will also teach your kids how to budget etc.
Good luck it can be hard and many have been there...I have been now we are debt free and saving for a house...good luck
October 10th, 2020 at 02:44 pm 1602341068
October 11th, 2020 at 05:10 pm 1602436202
October 14th, 2020 at 10:39 pm 1602715193