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My Story - Maybe Some Of You Can Relate...

Date: Fri, 07/23/2010 - 13:28

Submitted by Jennifer Dickinson
on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 13:28

Posts: 63 Credits: [Donate]

Total Replies: 12


I have a story, heck, we all have a story. I am wondering if anyone else can relate to this story, so here goes. When I was a kid, I was a saver. I saved all my allowances, hid them and used them on our family vacations. We were mid-upper middle class people in a working neighborhood in a little town with a population of roughly 4,000. I had to work for what I wanted, and that included contributing money towards my class ring, prom dress and subsequent limo ride. I worked my tail off from the age of 16 until now, however my money habits and saving went right down the tubes. My father got very sick between Dec. 2002 and the fall of 2004. I coped by spending, charging and borrowing to support my spending habits. I continued to take out loans, and as he got better, my spending didn't cease. Instead, I continued to dig us into debt more deeply. I say "us", because it's my husband, our 2 kids and me. As 2004 turned into 2005, and I continued to spend, I realized by the fall of 2005, that we were going to have to file Chapter 7. We ended up filing in June 2006. We went to court in August of 2006 and were discharged of our debts in October 2006. It was a very stressful time in our marriage. My father passed away in September of 2006, so, that didn't help matters, either. Let's fast forward to now... I have now racked up $7500 in credit card debt and am currently working with a company to pay them off ONCE AND FOR ALL. I have the "one monthly payment" thing going on and in four years, the debts will be paid. I have to stop living outside of my means, and that's the long and the short of it. My question is, how do you "cut corners" and not spend money when you're accustomed to a certain lifestyle? Are there tricks? Do I just sacrifice all the things in life I'm accustomed to? Help~!


Hello Jennifer

The trick to saving is not to trick yourself! get it? well you have to be realistic and face the truth, write down your payments, debts, bills etc. then you'll realize how much you have left to treat yourself with something you want. Did you get in debt to help your father? or to buy yourself unnessary stuff? Don't answer to me, answer to yourself and then you'll realize what you have to change in your thinking. There are many people that get into debt because of illness, afford bills, they lost jobs, over spending at the mall, etc. we're not here to judge anyone so you don't have to explain yourself, think foward and positive, what have you been doing that got you into over spending and living beyond your means? In my case, I was ignoring the facts and what I could really afford in my life, once I did that, I cut off one cell phone, gym, cable, car wash memership, all those things that made my life unrealistic and I realized that once I got off those bills, I was still satisfied and happy with my boy and husband! whatever you do, don't get into more debt, rememeber how you felt when you were younger and saved. you can still treat yourself but not overtreat yourself sacrifying bills and savings. I wish you the best and keep us posted!


lrhall41

Submitted by Paulie on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 15:08

( Posts: 146 | Credits: )


I am hoping that I don't have to cut too many corners. We have two cell phones in this house. Our bill is $145.00/month. From what I can understand, that's a bit high. Of course, we have our "contract committment" with Verizon, so I don't want to break that, or more fees will incur. We have the "package deal" for cable, internet and landline. I have questioned whether we REALLY need a landline or not. My husband, being the chief of police in our little town, says we do. We live check to check. I am really tired of that, Paulie. I currently have $140 in our checkbook, and THAT'S IT. I am really sick of not knowing how we'll "get through". Our taxes (village?) came last month to the tune of $1500. We haven't paid those yet, so they'll get relevied when the county taxes come in January if we don't pay them now. SO FRUSTRATING.


lrhall41

Submitted by Jennifer Dickinson on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 17:43

( Posts: 63 | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennifer Dickinson
I am hoping that I don't have to cut too many corners. We have two cell phones in this house. Our bill is $145.00/month. From what I can understand, that's a bit high. Of course, we have our "contract committment" with Verizon, so I don't want to break that, or more fees will incur. We have the "package deal" for cable, internet and landline. I have questioned whether we REALLY need a landline or not. My husband, being the chief of police in our little town, says we do. We live check to check. I am really tired of that, Paulie. I currently have $140 in our checkbook, and THAT'S IT. I am really sick of not knowing how we'll "get through". Our taxes (village?) came last month to the tune of $1500. We haven't paid those yet, so they'll get relevied when the county taxes come in January if we don't pay them now. SO FRUSTRATING.


Hi Jennifer, cheer up! don't get overwhelmed, do it for your children, find things tha you don't mind living without, In my case I cut the cable and I thought I was going to miss it alot since I couldn't live without it!! but now its like I really don't miss it, I go out and play with my boy, then on the weekend my husband and I rent a movie from red box and have movie night!! its fun! I get to do things, I had no intention of doing and I was mising out on my baby! Well, start reducing those little things and you'll start noticing the difference at least for now, you can pay the taxes first, then take care of debts, then you'll be back to getting your cable and little by little, you get back on track! its jsut for a little while that you might have to sacrifice them don't worry, even at the worst situation there's always something good that comes up!as for the phone well I guess wait until the contract is up and switch to another plan because phones are really necessary though, but if you have a landline also well that's 3 phones already, do you need 3 phones? think about it.can you deal without internet for now? don't worry and whatever you do, don't get another loan, whatever happens. Thank god your husband has a job, think about other people that are in worst situations and don't have jobs. There's always hope but you have to be realistic and look at your expenses, start deciding what to back off a little and you'll get back on track with your debts and taxes, you'll start feeling better!! Good luck and don't give up!


lrhall41

Submitted by Paulie on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 07:20

( Posts: 146 | Credits: )


oh also, start writing down your debts in a paper, from top priority to least, I would say the taxes are the top priority, then you'll know what to start knocking down as you go by. If the payday loans are already taking your check, then I would start with those since you need your money in order to pay other stuff. If you need help with them, then start listing the companies, state, online or storefront, amount you owe, interest, how much have you given and start a new thread so that the experts can see it and help you faster! Good luck!


lrhall41

Submitted by Paulie on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 07:27

( Posts: 146 | Credits: )


Coupons, coupons and more coupons. If I am going shopping I always google for stuff on my grocery list and for any other shop I might be heading too. Old Navy, JCP, Bed Bath and Beyond, Michaels and Joannes. I use The Coupon Clippers to get the coupons i need multiples off (dog food) and The Coupon Diva for other hints and links to maximize savings. Last week I got socks at michaels for 20 cents a pair...red white and blue. Got a ton after christmas at 10 cents a pair.

Clothing...thrift stores. Other than undergarments and bathing suits, all clothing comes from a thrift store/consignment store/goodwill. I could not afford the clothing I am getting there. Books second hand...tons of other stuff too.


lrhall41

Submitted by SOAPLADY on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 07:56

( Posts: 17315 | Credits: )


I stay out of stores unless absolutely necessary. If I don't go into the stores, I won't spend money. I buy what is absolutely necessary (what I need, not want). I use a tracfone and pay only $19.99 a month. I use it for keeping in touch with family while I'm at work/on the road. I use my landline for long conversations with friends. We need a landline because we live in semp-rural area (for emergency use).

I bought some christmas gifts on E-bay last year. and since I work at Kohls I get gifts, clothes for my grandsons on clearance and with my discount. I pay cash for everything. Rarely eat out; borrow books/movies from the library. We've kept the cable because my husband's disabled and he watches a lot of stuff on it.

One good way to see where you money goes is to keep receipts for everything you buy; groceries, gas, coffee, snacks, lunches, etc. You'll be surprised how that adds up.


lrhall41

Submitted by aubrey on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 11:04

( Posts: 1203 | Credits: )


yeah! I noticed when I started keeping receipts I would see where my money was going I also avoid stores and malls, there are other great places to go as family and have a good weekend! I also packed snacks and water for us to drink and not having to buy at the mall for unhealthy snacks, we ate before we left and we rarely eat out too! hey Aubrey what is that tracphone you mentioned? I'm looking for a cheap phones with cheap service, I just want to use just in case for emergency on the road or something, I used to have cricket and payed only $30 month but not good signal!!thanks! this info can also help Jennifer :)


lrhall41

Submitted by Paulie on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 12:41

( Posts: 146 | Credits: )


Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie
yeah! I noticed when I started keeping receipts I would see where my money was going I also avoid stores and malls, there are other great places to go as family and have a good weekend! I also packed snacks and water for us to drink and not having to buy at the mall for unhealthy snacks, we ate before we left and we rarely eat out too! hey Aubrey what is that tracphone you mentioned? I'm looking for a cheap phones with cheap service, I just want to use just in case for emergency on the road or something, I used to have cricket and payed only $30 month but not good signal!!thanks! this info can also help Jennifer :)


Go to www.tracfone.com
When I got my phone, it was free with signup and came with some minutes. I don't use internet. I have a recurring "value plan" where I get 100 minutes a month for $19.99 but it is doubled (200 minutes) because I got a promotional double minutes along with it. It's a good deal for occasional use. (but not if you talk 1000 minutes + on cell phone).
I never run out of minutes.


lrhall41

Submitted by aubrey on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 12:49

( Posts: 1203 | Credits: )