Debt Dumpers - 2018

[ruadisneyfan2]

Timing. My mom told me earlier that my grandma isn't doing well. She had a fall a few months ago and had a concussion. Recently, she fell again, and this time had a fairly bad stroke. My mom and her siblings have decided she isn't in the mental or physical health to live alone anymore and are having her moved to a nursing home.
I'm going to start picking up crazy hours and saving every penny the next several weeks. I'm hoping and praying that she can hold on a few more months so I can build up enough sick time and money to spend a week up there (I get 3 days paid for it, but it's in PA and I'm in OK and that's a long drive). So, for now, I'm trying to price out a hotel, the dog kennel, food, and gas for a trip I hopefully won't need to make for a few months.

I need wine.

 

[Dentam]

Yes I agree, sometimes it’s unavoidable to go into the next tier in one of the catagories.
I use FB messenger with my Mom & husband, saves a lot of text charges. I FaceTime on WiFi with my grandkids & that saved on the charges as well.
You must use your phone a lot!

Doesn't using FB messenger increase your data usage? I don't use many minutes each month, around 300 or so, but the data and texts add up.

 

[Dentam]

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother, @Tygerlilly.

 

[belle032]

Timing. My mom told me earlier that my grandma isn't doing well. She had a fall a few months ago and had a concussion. Recently, she fell again, and this time had a fairly bad stroke. My mom and her siblings have decided she isn't in the mental or physical health to live alone anymore and are having her moved to a nursing home.
I'm going to start picking up crazy hours and saving every penny the next several weeks. I'm hoping and praying that she can hold on a few more months so I can build up enough sick time and money to spend a week up there (I get 3 days paid for it, but it's in PA and I'm in OK and that's a long drive). So, for now, I'm trying to price out a hotel, the dog kennel, food, and gas for a trip I hopefully won't need to make for a few months.

I need wine.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother! Believe me, I understand the feeling of not being "ready" in that situation to drop everything and travel, especially for such a hard reason.

Here is where I would usually recommend Capital One 360, a wonderful online bank with checking & savings (and investment stuff) but they allow up to something like 30 savings accounts, all under one log in, and you can give each one nicknames such as Vacation, Car Insurance, Escrow, Christmas, New Car, just some of the ones I have.
It has been a lifesaver for keeping me organized. Their interest rate was something like 1% which is still like 50x what my local bank offers for savings accounts.

Then someone on the bank account bonus website recommended Ally.com which I opened a checking account with around a year ago but just couldn't warm up to the feel of their website. I was used to Cap One and it's so simple but visually makes it easy to see what is where and transfer as needed.
Well recently I saw that Ally's interest rate was 1.60 so I made the switch. Ally also lets me set up all the savings accounts with nicknames and just recently the interest rate jumped again to 1.75%. That is almost double the Cap One rate. I know I could do a lot better with CDs or a Vanguard mutual fund as far as earning potential but these savings accounts are short term, 6-8 months, just a safe place to park some money that is set aside for future expenses.

I use Ally exclusively for my bank accounts (checking, savings & a joint account for DH and I) and really like it. A lot of people are iffy about the whole online only thing, but I've really only had great experiences. And yes, my savings interest rate just jumped up to 1.75% too. I believe Ally has some of the highest interest rates available actually. I plan I'll switch some money around in my accounts so I can take better advantage of it. Enjoyed getting that notification!

 

[StacyStrong]

I use Amex Personal Savings currently. I might get another account once my CC debt is cleared and I have more available for savings

 

[StacyStrong]

Delete

 

[jimitrout]

We got rid of Verizon wireless and switched to Ting almost 2 years ago. Our cell bill for 2 phones used to be over $100 month. Now it has been $40 or under every month. The average is $ 37.40. That’s total for two phones. Coverage is the same as VW, great! I’m never switching back!

We switched to Ting 5 or 6 years ago when my wife was laid off. Funny how you c an find a lot of money savings when you have to...Was paying that same amount about $40 a month 2 phones. Coverage was basically the same as Sprint, a little spotty but pretty good. Kept reading that coverage was so much better with Verizon in our area, so we switch to Verizon. it is a little bit better, but we have found not worth the difference we pay $85 now with verizon. Just a couple more months and the verizon phones will be paid off and we plan to switch back to Ting or possibly Staight talk.

 

[Lynn CC]

Doesn't using FB messenger increase your data usage? I don't use many minutes each month, around 300 or so, but the data and texts add up.

It would yes, but I’m usually at work on WiFi when I text them so for me it’s better than using my cell’s text.

 

[Lynn CC]

How much do you guys keep in your checking versus your savings? Obviously not looking for exact numbers here, but curious how you all handle things.

I have about 2.5 "old" paychecks sitting in my checking account at all times to cover expenses in the event that a bill comes due before a paycheck is deposited in a month. Everything else sits in savings.

I budget for my income monthly so technically that money isn't 'needed' in my checking account, but I like having the buffer so that my account doesn't get super low when I make large payments at the beginning of the month.

Am I missing out on interest by doing this? Or is it smart to have that cash on hand? Can I consider that money in my checking account savings or would you categorize it as something else?

I think it’s good to have a buffer, although if your bank has an app if a bill comes due you could make an easy transfer from savings to checking. This way you can earn a bit of interest. Probably not enough interest to worry about if you feel better having it in your checking. It’s up to you

 

[Sadeesmom]

How much do you guys keep in your checking versus your savings? Obviously not looking for exact numbers here, but curious how you all handle things.

I have about 2.5 "old" paychecks sitting in my checking account at all times to cover expenses in the event that a bill comes due before a paycheck is deposited in a month. Everything else sits in savings.

I budget for my income monthly so technically that money isn't 'needed' in my checking account, but I like having the buffer so that my account doesn't get super low when I make large payments at the beginning of the month.

Am I missing out on interest by doing this? Or is it smart to have that cash on hand? Can I consider that money in my checking account savings or would you categorize it as something else?

Paid bi-monthly - I get paid, pay all my bills, go grocery shopping, fill up my gas tank, and then transfer all but $100 into my savings.
Night before I get paid again-transfer all but $1.00 into my savings account.

However, my credit union also has a feature where if I overdraw my checking, it will automatically transfer funds from my savings - I've only done it twice, but I think it was a $3.00 fee both times.

I don't do this for the interest; I do it because if it's available in my checking, I'll spend it....

 

[amalone1013]

How much do you guys keep in your checking versus your savings? Obviously not looking for exact numbers here, but curious how you all handle things.

I have about 2.5 "old" paychecks sitting in my checking account at all times to cover expenses in the event that a bill comes due before a paycheck is deposited in a month. Everything else sits in savings.

I budget for my income monthly so technically that money isn't 'needed' in my checking account, but I like having the buffer so that my account doesn't get super low when I make large payments at the beginning of the month.

Am I missing out on interest by doing this? Or is it smart to have that cash on hand? Can I consider that money in my checking account savings or would you categorize it as something else?

I have my paycheck split up for my direct deposit. My 'regular' pay goes into checking, and then the rest goes straight to savings, because it is typically from ot/bonuses. What I send into my checking is typically enough to cover my bills for the month with a buffer, and if it gets kind of high after a bit I'll move some to savings. But we're working on making big payments on my car, so when I'm ready to make that payment with the ot/bonus money I'll move it back to checking. I found that overall I move less back and forth that way, vs my whole check going into checking then deciding what to move out.

 

[Eureka]

Timing. My mom told me earlier that my grandma isn't doing well. She had a fall a few months ago and had a concussion. Recently, she fell again, and this time had a fairly bad stroke. My mom and her siblings have decided she isn't in the mental or physical health to live alone anymore and are having her moved to a nursing home.
I'm going to start picking up crazy hours and saving every penny the next several weeks. I'm hoping and praying that she can hold on a few more months so I can build up enough sick time and money to spend a week up there (I get 3 days paid for it, but it's in PA and I'm in OK and that's a long drive). So, for now, I'm trying to price out a hotel, the dog kennel, food, and gas for a trip I hopefully won't need to make for a few months.

I need wine.

I'm so sorry to hear this. But please find a way to go sooner. I don't know how old your grandma is but once there is a trauma, the decline can be very quick. My grandpa was 94 when he died. He had had some dementia in varying severity for about three years. He broke his hip and died a few days later. I had seen him fairly recently but still wish I had seen him one more time.

 

[Eureka]

How much do you guys keep in your checking versus your savings? Obviously not looking for exact numbers here, but curious how you all handle things.

I have about 2.5 "old" paychecks sitting in my checking account at all times to cover expenses in the event that a bill comes due before a paycheck is deposited in a month. Everything else sits in savings.

I budget for my income monthly so technically that money isn't 'needed' in my checking account, but I like having the buffer so that my account doesn't get super low when I make large payments at the beginning of the month.

Am I missing out on interest by doing this? Or is it smart to have that cash on hand? Can I consider that money in my checking account savings or would you categorize it as something else?

We each have a comparatively small portion of our paychecks going into a savings account. DH's goes into our short-term savings and mine goes into our long-term savings (emergency fund/nest egg). The rest goes into checking from which we pay bills and use debit cards for day to day living. With interest rates the way they are, you are probably not missing out on much at all. We barely get any interest each month.

 

[Tygerlilly]

Here is where I would usually recommend Capital One 360, a wonderful online bank with checking & savings (and investment stuff) but they allow up to something like 30 savings accounts, all under one log in, and you can give each one nicknames such as Vacation, Car Insurance, Escrow, Christmas, New Car, just some of the ones I have.
It has been a lifesaver for keeping me organized. Their interest rate was something like 1% which is still like 50x what my local bank offers for savings accounts.

Then someone on the bank account bonus website recommended Ally.com which I opened a checking account with around a year ago but just couldn't warm up to the feel of their website. I was used to Cap One and it's so simple but visually makes it easy to see what is where and transfer as needed.
Well recently I saw that Ally's interest rate was 1.60 so I made the switch. Ally also lets me set up all the savings accounts with nicknames and just recently the interest rate jumped again to 1.75%. That is almost double the Cap One rate. I know I could do a lot better with CDs or a Vanguard mutual fund as far as earning potential but these savings accounts are short term, 6-8 months, just a safe place to park some money that is set aside for future expenses.

Do either of those have a credit requirement? I'm still working on fixing my credit, so right now it's still pretty grim looking. But this sounds exactly like something I need to get my funds organized.

 

[amalone1013]

We each have a comparatively small portion of our paychecks going into a savings account. DH's goes into our short-term savings and mine goes into our long-term savings (emergency fund/nest egg). The rest goes into checking from which we pay bills and use debit cards for day to day living. With interest rates the way they are, you are probably not missing out on much at all. We barely get any interest each month.

It depends on your accounts and balances. I keep $2k in my bank savings account, so I can get it quickly. That's only earned 13 cents in interest this year. But I keep the rest in an Ally savings account, which has gone from $15k to $20k this year, and I've earned $140 in interest on it.

 

[amalone1013]

Do either of those have a credit requirement? I'm still working on fixing my credit, so right now it's still pretty grim looking. But this sounds exactly like something I need to get my funds organized.

I'm not sure about credit checks with Ally. I got my account 4 years ago with nothing but $50k in student loan debt and a credit card I'd had for just 4 months, but I didn't have any issues. I love that you can have multiple accounts so easily, and then interest is great!

 

[Tygerlilly]

I'm so sorry to hear this. But please find a way to go sooner. I don't know how old your grandma is but once there is a trauma, the decline can be very quick. My grandpa was 94 when he died. He had had some dementia in varying severity for about three years. He broke his hip and died a few days later. I had seen him fairly recently but still wish I had seen him one more time.

I just don't see any way to make a trip happen in the next month. She's 84, had a fall and broke her hip and had a concussion and the new diagnosis is that She's having a lot of cognitive problems. I'm preparing for my next trip up to not be a happy one. We just laid my paternal grandfather to rest in December. She's my last grandparent alive.

 

[imbatman]

Seems like a lot of us here are going through family issues. As my dad succumbs to stage 4 cancer, his frailness is more prevalent now. Yesterday, my sister called to let me know he was working on outdoor water systems without letting me know. It was 107 yesterday and he was being stubborn. I don't want to take that away from him, the ability "to do," but it scares me that he will have something happen and I won't know. He and mom were supposed to go on our WDW trip in December, but they cancelled, no matter how hard I tried to talk them into it.

Need to sit down with my weekly spreadsheet update. Just not feeling it. @Tygerlilly, I hope there is some miracle that'll let you go sooner rather than later. @belle032 I am sorry for your loss.

 

[dayvewc]

So, I haven't been posting in few weeks. Thought I'd check in and account for myself.

On the debt front - I'm losing. Almost ready to just surrender.

On the fiancee front - Still getting married. But he's still unemployed which is contributing to my losing the fight against debt. He said he was on board with dumping debt, but hasn't been working with me to stay on the budget. It's going to cause problems between us if we don't come to some understanding soon.

On the final front - About a month ago, I started feeling like I was coming down with a summer cold. Used all of my home remedies for a week and it never got better, so I went to the doctor. Two visits in 3 days, no improvement, reached a point where I could not breathe so wound up on an ambulance to the ER room. Official diagnosis was bronchitis. Spent a week in the hospital (which, even though I have insurance, it doesn't pay much, so contributing majorly to my losing the debt fight), and the pulmonologist that was assigned to me said she is confident that I actually have COPD. So, Monday I go in to be evaluated for that. Two weeks after I was dismissed from the hospital, I finally got the medicine that the specialist prescribed. It took that long for insurance to agree to pay anything, so instead of paying $450-ish each for 3 different scrips, I wound up paying $10 for 1, $80 for the second, and $150 for the third. Definitely better than it could have been, but wish it was better. Also, not helping the debt fight.

I've also been on a super emotional roller coaster since I was admitted to the hospital. Not sure if it is stress, the medicines, I was on, reaction to all of the above or what. But I can be sitting on the couch and everything is ok and a butterfly will go by the window and I start crying just because. 5 minutes later, there is an extra commercial in the break for the show I was watching will send me into a murderous rage. But 10 minutes after that, I'm perfectly fine.

Then, this past Monday, I was sitting on my front porch and like a switch was flipped, and I was really hot and sweating and there was a pulsating, stabbing pain at my sternum. I got up to go inside and my vision went white and everything looked bleached out. When I got in, I passed out for between 30 seconds to a minute. Freaked my roommates out. They called 911 for an ambulance. The paramedics stayed until I was recovered, but I didn't go back to the hospital. No way to pay for it. Went back to the doctor two days later, and he's sending me to a cardiologist just in case.

Ok. I'll try to stop my pity party for the moment. I just had to unload a little bit.

 

[Ngwira]

So, I haven't been posting in few weeks. Thought I'd check in and account for myself.

On the debt front - I'm losing. Almost ready to just surrender.

On the fiancee front - Still getting married. But he's still unemployed which is contributing to my losing the fight against debt. He said he was on board with dumping debt, but hasn't been working with me to stay on the budget. It's going to cause problems between us if we don't come to some understanding soon.

On the final front - About a month ago, I started feeling like I was coming down with a summer cold. Used all of my home remedies for a week and it never got better, so I went to the doctor. Two visits in 3 days, no improvement, reached a point where I could not breathe so wound up on an ambulance to the ER room. Official diagnosis was bronchitis. Spent a week in the hospital (which, even though I have insurance, it doesn't pay much, so contributing majorly to my losing the debt fight), and the pulmonologist that was assigned to me said she is confident that I actually have COPD. So, Monday I go in to be evaluated for that. Two weeks after I was dismissed from the hospital, I finally got the medicine that the specialist prescribed. It took that long for insurance to agree to pay anything, so instead of paying $450-ish each for 3 different scrips, I wound up paying $10 for 1, $80 for the second, and $150 for the third. Definitely better than it could have been, but wish it was better. Also, not helping the debt fight.

I've also been on a super emotional roller coaster since I was admitted to the hospital. Not sure if it is stress, the medicines, I was on, reaction to all of the above or what. But I can be sitting on the couch and everything is ok and a butterfly will go by the window and I start crying just because. 5 minutes later, there is an extra commercial in the break for the show I was watching will send me into a murderous rage. But 10 minutes after that, I'm perfectly fine.

Then, this past Monday, I was sitting on my front porch and like a switch was flipped, and I was really hot and sweating and there was a pulsating, stabbing pain at my sternum. I got up to go inside and my vision went white and everything looked bleached out. When I got in, I passed out for between 30 seconds to a minute. Freaked my roommates out. They called 911 for an ambulance. The paramedics stayed until I was recovered, but I didn't go back to the hospital. No way to pay for it. Went back to the doctor two days later, and he's sending me to a cardiologist just in case.

Ok. I'll try to stop my pity party for the moment. I just had to unload a little bit.

Here's a virtual hug, Dave. I'm so sorry you are having these issues. I hope things get better. Sounds to me like you are a bit depressed. Emotional stress when not handled properly manifests into physical harm to the body. Stress kills. Can lead to all kinds of physical ailments.

Your fiance needs to get it together. Marriage is a partnership. It's not 50/50 but 100/100. Each partner needs to at least TRY to give 100 percent to a relationship to make it work. If he sees that him not working is contributing to stress which is leading you to have health issues, he should be applying to ANY place that will have him. I just don't agree with him still being "unemployed" after all this time. He can even work under the table to help you out. Just not ok.

I'm sorry to sound harsh but it boils my blood to see you in this position. Hang in there, I'm praying hard for you.