Lori63's Debt Cutter Thread

[Lori63]

How much debt do you need to reduce?

$54,000 total-I'd like to pay at least 14,000 this year.

How did you get in debt?

Spending money we didn't have
CC interest
Helping oldest son with college

You've accrued debt. What are the main factors that keep you from reducing it now?

Low paying job that I LOVE
One son in college,Another starting college next year, another son (14)
Job Furloughs (weeks without pay), pay freeze.

What is your plan to get out of debt?

Throw every single penny we find at it. We can make the monthly payments; Extra:Sell stuff, coupon money, any reward checks, any extra little checks that come in, rebates.

What kind of support do you need from fellow Debt Cutters to help keep you on track?

Just the usual positive reinforcement I always get on here!

[Lori63]

Also:

We've been doing Dave Ramsey-have been cash only since August.
I work in an elementary school and I LOVE what I do, but don't make much. I am currently looking to pick up something part-time, and hopefully do something more full-time during the summer.

[nirwin24]

I thought I "recognized" your screen name! Aren't you excited about HCW starting this thread? I mean I know our other one is great, but it has been taking time away from HCW and now I'm glad I have another reason to hang around the boards!

[nerdy]

To cut down on your college costs, have you considered the local community/junior college? Tuition is a lot cheaper and you save more money by living at home. Make sure the classes transfer to the university. Even if your kids only take 1-2 classes there (such as summer break), that can add up to big savings!

[Lori63]

I thought I "recognized" your screen name! Aren't you excited about HCW starting this thread? I mean I know our other one is great, but it has been taking time away from HCW and now I'm glad I have another reason to hang around the boards!

Yes! I have to be Lori63 everywhere I go so I don't confuse myself I do love the other one to-

[accmom]

Luckily I don't have college expense as my oldest is not ready yet at age 21 and my oldest son,19, joined the Navy as a medical corpsmen to pay for his college.
I don't have any advice but it is so nice to see that I am not alone and have others here at this wonderful site to go to without judgment, feeling down, and helping along the way!
Best of luck as you reach your goal!

[Lori63]

We also have $67 in restaurant gift cards and aren't eating out at all unless we use only those. Plus of course my restaurant coupons to match the GCs :)
I am not buying lunch at work. It really is a bad habit I fall into at times. I work in an elementary school, and the food is not all that great, but the mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and tater tots do tempt me at times!

[shelleyf]

We also have $67 in restaurant gift cards and aren't eating out at all unless we use only those. Plus of course my restaurant coupons to match the GCs :)
I am not buying lunch at work. It really is a bad habit I fall into at times. I work in an elementary school, and the food is not all that great, but the mashed potatoes, mac and cheese and tater tots do tempt me at times!

Hi Lori I will be praying for you to do this. I am in the same boat. On a side note, my husband works for the school systems and gets free lunch, you don't? He likes the food and he is picky, LOL He said they try really hard at his school to make the kids want to eat the food.

[Lori63]

Hi Lori I will be praying for you to do this. I am in the same boat. On a side note, my husband works for the school systems and gets free lunch, you don't? He likes the food and he is picky, LOL He said they try really hard at his school to make the kids want to eat the food.

Our lunch is not good, or healthy in my opinion. And, it's not free! It's $2.75 for the same size portions as the kids. I do get the salad sometimes, and I'm friends with the lunch ladies so they always make sure it's a nice one.

On another front, I've entered a contest at Curves. Everyone puts $10 in the pot and whoever loses the highest % of weight gets it. It goes until Apr.2-I'm hoping the $$ will motivate me. I have DS1's college graduation and DS2's HS graduation and I need to lose the weight.

We are chipping away at the debt-very slow but steady.

[bugweena]

DSO and I take our lunch to work each day. One a month or so we each go out with co-workers or friends to break the cycle of leftovers, frozen meals, and sandwiches. I think since most of our co-workers also bring their lunch from home it is easier to not be tempted to run out to a restaurant for lunch. Good luck!