Layout:
Home > Updated sidebar

Updated sidebar

October 1st, 2009 at 01:13 am

Well, I updated my sidebar...unfortunately we are currently $2,930.35 more in debt than we were one month ago. That is because we had an income tax bill come due and I paid it with a "courtesy check" with 1.9% financing. The total of that was $3,581.33. Had we not had to pay that we would have had $650.98 less debt. That was the only time we used the credit for the month.

I did let my husband know what we had for debt. He wasn't mad, but he was sad to know that we were going to be working for a long time to pay this debt off. I offered to get a job on weekends (seasonal) to help, and although he was appreciative, he said to hold off and we will sit down and find the root of the problem. (To me, that's easy. We don't bring in enough income to meet our expenses. He's not as black and white as that when it comes to money.) I'm more of a "jump right in and do what needs to be done" kind of person. He's concerned that I'm going to burn myself out too quickly, which is a valid concern, but if I need to work 60+ hours a week to help get rid of the debt, why not? Especially if it's only for a few months? I think I should take advantage of the opportunity while the stores will be hiring extra people.

I've been trying to be very cautious of our energy usage. I was talking with a friend about ways to cut back on electricity, and it helped remind me to unplug things like my computer modem at night (the plug heats up, so I know it's drawing electricity while I'm sleeping!). I've also begun hanging my laundry in the basement. It was humid for a month and the laundry wasn't drying very well and started to smell musty, so I had been using the dryer. I noticed a $30 increase in my electricity bill! Neither of us mind the stiff clothes, although I do end up ironing some things that I wouldn't normally need to do if I had used the dryer. Then again, if I didn't take the clothes out of the dryer in time, they would be wrinkled and I would be ironing them anyway. I actually don't mind ironing. I find it soothing in a strange sort of way.

I was able to stock up the freezer with some on-sale meats. I got a nice ham, some bottom round (for pot roasts) and chickens. Even though there is only 2 of us, we still do like to have a Sunday dinner together. We also do like to have leftovers during the week, and I can my own stocks, so none of it goes to waste. I wonder if that's part of the reason he doesn't want me to work weekends? He'll miss out on the feasts during the winter. I would miss them too. Maybe he's right. But I'm not going to tell him that.

8 Responses to “Updated sidebar”

  1. creditcardfree Says:
    1254356555

    It is great that the communication about your debt has begun. You might be surpised at how quickly it can be paid off! Good luck on the journey.

  2. Digging out of the hole Says:
    1254356891

    Thanks - I am glad it went as easily as it did. I'll keep you all posted on the progress. It certainly does help by making it "public." I feel more accountable, as I've said before.

  3. HouseHopeful Says:
    1254359737

    Good luck! I also hang almost all of my laundry. I have a set up in my basement and in my spare room. I find that it not only helps with the electric bill, it helps keep the clothes from wearing. Definately a benefit!

  4. ceejay74 Says:
    1254360278

    Hey, now you know the worst of it. It will get better from here, most likely. And at least your husband is willing to face it with you; a lot of couples have trouble just getting over that hurdle.

  5. merch Says:
    1254401701

    Getting spouse on board is big. Get teh budget going with your husband and get that baby EF done.

    I noticed you had 3 more months of car payments. That and a couple of months on a budget should free up some cash. This should give you and your husband a feeling of control.

    For me, I took a few months to shake out a budget and truly believe in it. Thn it took a couple more months before the snowball took hold.

    Hang in there and I think in the next 4 months you will see things starting to break your way.

  6. Ima saver Says:
    1254406180

    I have an electric hot water heater. I keep the hot water turned off except right before we take a shower or run the dishwasher. It really saves electricity.

  7. Jerry Says:
    1254514890

    Communication definitely leads to progress with money matters, and there is no doubt that failing to do so is a big reason that people's relationships struggle. When my wife and I were stressing out about our health insurance premiums a while back, the thing that helped us through it was being on the same page and having the same goals for our family. Good luck on getting through this financial challenge!
    Jerry

  8. LuxLiving Says:
    1254753845

    Here's hoping for a good October for you with progress on your goals.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]