Women in Red Racers - South Region

[nasagreen]

jdnstl - thanks

[cleanslate09]

Paynointerest - I missed the smiley face section.

Suz I hope you are still lurking and will come back to us! I loved your humor and your motivation! People are mean - experienced it first hand on another thread - but the South - well we are Southern Bells.

freshnewday - Great update! It inspires me to keep chip, chipping away.

Nasa - I am glad that you are in a better place and how exciting on a little girl! I keep telling my brothers they need to give me a niece to spoil. I love the name too!

Yesterday I took the advice of hear and the other thread to try a generic version of Zyrtec. I'll take my first one tonight, so hopefully it works!

[alphayankee]

Nasa - I'm just popping in to say congrats! I'm a fan of old-fashioned names too and I LOVE the names you picked out. My short list for girl names was Clementine, Cordelia, and Emmeline. DH wouldn't go for any of them. We had finally settled on a version of Amelia, just incorporated his love of the name Emily and my family heritage and spelled it Emilija. Then we found out we were having a boy and had to start over!

Anyway, congrats and good luck! I'm looking forward to seeing how close to my birthday you deliver.

[nasagreen]

alpha - i knew you were my twin so sad those DH's don't know what is really cute. Clementine has that song about the miner's daughter, and we are both from mining families (mine WV, DH's in the phosphate industry in Florida), and he still poo-pooed it. So sad.

[speechchick71]

Nasa: All of my family has the middle name of Marie. When my mom is angry at us, we get the First-and-Middle name treatment (ie Speechchick Marie!). I've also gotten in the habit of doing that and just add Marie to everyone's name. I had a boy that I worked with and I would get so frustrated because I couldn't get him to do anything, thus: Jeffrey Marie! And a co-worker who used to get so worked up over little things: Shoshanah Marie! Those names really stuck with the other people around them and they still get called it. Marie is a good name and Amelia is always so feminine in my head....love it combined.

My conference is at a hospital near Sea World and Universal on Feb 19. I am going to register for it today. I might make a weekend out of it, go up there Friday night and leave Sunday early afternoon. Might be nice for me to get away before I'm on FT Mom-duty. Do you have Suz's email address?

Anyone else in FL that wants to meet us at some point that weekend? My conference is from 8:30-4...other than that, I'm free and flexible (don't write that on the bathroom walls though, please).

[nasagreen]

Ok, so we should get a list together of who might be available Feb 19th. I would say 5:30 pm would be a good time to meet, have an early dinner and talk and then we can head back. I'll try to see about suz's email, hopefully she gave it to me during the switch.

Anyone else want to meet on 2/19 at around 5:30 in the Universal area of Orlando for a meet & greet???

[speechchick71]

So annoyed at my dad right now. I stayed home from work today because I'm sick and I think he's thinking that I'm slacking off. I don't take time off "lightly" because I don't have sick days so when I'm home, its over $300 out of my paycheck. I asked him about his hearing aid and he said he doesn't have it on because the batteries wear out so quickly and they are expensive..."Once you start working for a living....". I didn't even give him the chance to end that sentence..."ME? You don't think I work for a living?". I knew he was going to say that you have to watch how you spend your money and not to waste. Well then he shouldn't be eye-ing that Dunkin Donuts coupon for 2 dozen of donuts for $9.99! No one in the family needs them and that is almost the price of a battery! I told him that he has no idea how I scrimp and save. I didn't tell him how much money I've paid off in the past 13 months but maybe I should have shared.

For the love of PETE! When I start WORKING FOR A LIVING!!!!!!!!!!?? I don't know what he thinks I do all day long when I'm not in the house but I can assure you, I'm not playing (well maybe a little...). UGH!

[nasagreen]

speechchick - omg, I would have blown a gasket!! I'm glad you didn't rant off on him though. You're right, most people don't know what we have been doing or killing ourselves for, and we are still on the road to recovery so to speak.

[Elderkind]

Pay-No-Interest: Many thanks for all of your hard work keeping up with the Southern updates!
SuzWantsToBeFree: Well, you already know that I echo everyone's sentiment on here that you stay... pretty please...
NasaGreen: I love the name Amelia! Earhart has always been one of my favorites too...
FreshNewDay: Great Update and congrats for paying down 25%!
CleanSlate: Good luck the generic! It took about a week for it to kick in with me but it was fine after that...
Shoutout to AlphaYankee!
SpeechChick71: So sorry that your Dad is behaving badly... When mine does that, I threaten him with the "Happy Trails Care Home". Jokingly of course but all I have to do now is hum the tune and the noise stops...

[urdoingit]

CarolinaCat: Thanks! I'm still in a state of shock that I actually finished Race 1! Now I have to gear up for Race 2 which will be mortgage and HELOC -- zoom zoom!

[paynointerest]

Carolina Kat and CleanSlate - thanks for letting me know you weren't present in the smiley list! I guess when I copied and pasted from the list Nasa sent me, for some reason it didn't include the names above Crafty Sarah. I've fixed the smiley list and you are on there now

[car-chick]

Please don't spill the beans anywhere else - I changed my login (so I don't get anymore hateful PM's) and suzwantstobefree is now - accountant4christ.

I am a little hot headed, but realized that I was only punishing myself. However, I will not venture out from our little board Thanks everyone for letting me be a big fat baby and for supporting me through this all.

Nasa Oh My Gosh a little baby girl - how exciting is that? Amelia Earhart is totally my hero and I read everything I could about her growing up. I still love to read the stories about the possiblilities of what happened to her on the final flight. What an inspiring woman and a great story for your little girl I was pregnant once and even though I didn't make it through the first trimester I convinced myself it was a little girl. The name I picked out was Amelia Rose. ('course her initials would have been ART and I wasn't sure if I was crazy about that. Kids can be cruel with the nicknames and ART -Fart, well lets just say someone would have said that at some point and hurt my baby's feelings, lol.)

Speech Oh My Gosh for you too!!! Your Dad, gosh he just doesn't understand how hard you have worked and the sacrifices you had to make to get where you are at now. Needless to say, you can always count on us to make you feel better when he says something like that. Am I still invited on the 19th even if I am a big fat cry baby? ;D

Clean Fingers crossed your new medicine will work for you. I guess even though they were mean to you at least maybe this suggestion will help you save money, help out your budget, and take a little sting out of one of the OMG (Original Mean Girls) statements. he-he Don't let them get to you - you are awesome and have done awesome, especially considering what you have overcome. We you and (most importantly) understand your situation. Even if we haven't had to contemplate BK, we all have had to make big sacrifices, work more/harder then we think we should have to, and have made a lot of mistakes along the way while doing it. However, we all agree that this is about supporting each other first, not judging one another, and helping each other on their journey towards debt free living.

Sword Guy You were right as usual and you make me laugh out loud. ;D

Who else did I miss? I cannot figure out how to look back at the postings while typing my post so I will probably have a few more posts to get caught up with everyone. Does that make sense? But in the meantime, I am sorry I overracted and am glad to be back, but just with my gals and guys on the WIRR - South board (don't tell anyone, he-he)

[speechchick71]

Gee, I sure wish the big crybaby would come back on.

ANYONE can join us on the 19th. I sure hope she gets the message

[debtheaven]

Speech WOW you have moved full speed ahead!!! You are SO CLOSE! I'm so sorry about your dad's comment GRRR!

[car-chick]

Jan 26, 2011 18:36:06 GMT -5 speechchick71 said:

Gee, I sure wish the big crybaby would come back on.

ANYONE can join us on the 19th. I sure hope she gets the message

Was someone looking for the cry baby? Where did she go?

[Deleted]

Jan 26, 2011 18:09:33 GMT -5 car-chick said:

Who else did I miss? I cannot figure out how to look back at the postings while typing my post so I will probably have a few more posts to get caught up with everyone.

Yeah right! Admit it - you're just trying to get your fancy pants stars back ;D

(See - everything is better in the South. When we tease, it is out of love)

[car-chick]

Jan 26, 2011 18:48:43 GMT -5 @craftysarah said:

Jan 26, 2011 18:09:33 GMT -5 car-chick said:

Who else did I miss? I cannot figure out how to look back at the postings while typing my post so I will probably have a few more posts to get caught up with everyone.

Yeah right! Admit it - you're just trying to get your fancy pants stars back ;D

(See - everything is better in the South. When we tease, it is out of love)

Trust me - the stars aren't worth the drama . Crafty - the cat story was cute. You know though I have never had a cat fall in and I have had a lot of cats And luckily I don't have to keep my cat from drinking from the potty

[car-chick]

Although, my cat has now gotten shut in the master bedroom closet for the millionth time. Every time it opens she runs in, and I should know that by now. Tonight I was changing clothes and she got in again. About an hour and half later I heard her meowing and knew to go straight to the closet. Why oh why must we do this? You would think she (and me) would learn by now not to get shut in (or shut her in) the closet.

[exyankee]

I hope this works. This is my first post on the new board.

exyankee: 1/26/11 $75,000 (5/30/07 $342,416.71 N99, SU442)

Well I am still unemployed. But now it is official, I signed up for unemployment on Monday. Had to go out of state to help my parents out. My mother had her knee replaced and my father needs assistance these days. But it was a really good trip and it made me appreciate the warmth of Texas.
I hope everyone is doing well.

[forwardwego]

Jan 26, 2011 11:26:39 GMT -5 nasagreen said:

Ok, so we should get a list together of who might be available Feb 19th. I would say 5:30 pm would be a good time to meet, have an early dinner and talk and then we can head back. I'll try to see about suz's email, hopefully she gave it to me during the switch.

Anyone else want to meet on 2/19 at around 5:30 in the Universal area of Orlando for a meet & greet???

coincidentally, DH & i will celebrate our 28th anniversary on Feb 19th (and our ceremony was at 5:30 so i'll have to miss...enjoy yourselves!
Very nice paydowns exyankee and freshnewday!!

[redracerris]

I came a little late to the drama, but I'm glad the cry baby didn't leave us completely We would have missed her too much.

nasa glad you've calmed down a little about the news, but you know there still is a chance that it's not a girl

crafty Great cat story. My cats hate water, they run when the shower turns on.

[freshnewday]

accountant4christ: I'm so HAPPY you are here. It would NOT be the same without wonderful you! Thank you so much for joining us.

[urdoingit]

Speedchick71: Thanks! I am still super-happy that I made it to the finish line - DH doesn't know yet (he works a different shift) and I can't wait to tell him. I hope to have the numbers crunched and ready to post to start Race 2 next week.

[CarolinaKat]

Accountant I'm so happy you came 'home'. We would have been very without you. I think your Kitty must be related to my Dragonfly. She runs into the pantry every time I open it. Luckily the shelves fight tightly against the door so she's 'stuck' on the lower level with the sealed catfood bags and the dogfood for when my parents drop their 4 dogs off for a visit. She's run in several times before I leave for work and I have found her there in the evening! You would think she'd learn as well. Don't even ask about the linen closet, I have shut all of my housecats in there at one time or another.

Nasa and payno Thank you so much for taking care of our smileys

Speech Sorry you dad was annoying. I think sometimes people don't realize what they imply when they just start talking. We all know how hard you work and are so proud of you

nasa So glad I could make you smile. Congratulations on the little girl! Girls are fun, I enjoy my cousin's little girls so much. (I enjoy the boys too but they are EXAUSTING!) Amelia is a lovely name. I always like it when last names and middle names have the same initial, that way in monograms it's less confusing ;D

[CarolinaKat]

Oh I remembered this speech should appreciate it: I was talking to my dad on my way into work this morning and I casually asked how his day was going. He told me that he had an appt at the bank to refi a property they own to a 15 year morgage. I now know enough to say something along the lines of "with the interest rate reduction won't it be about the same payment?" He said it would and I felt so smart.

Then he said "Have you paid off that car yet?" and I felt less smart

[jdnstl]

Jan 27, 2011 9:22:35 GMT -5 CarolinaKat said:

Oh I remembered this speech should appreciate it: I was talking to my dad on my way into work this morning and I casually asked how his day was going. He told me that he had an appt at the bank to refi a property they own to a 15 year morgage. I now know enough to say something along the lines of "with the interest rate reduction won't it be about the same payment?" He said it would and I felt so smart.

Then he said "Have you paid off that car yet?" and I felt less smart

[procras108r]

I always think I'll catch up, but I never quite get there.
So instead I offer an opinion piece, from someone who's won her consumer debt race, and is now working on the mortgage...

TIME FLIES

We say it because it’s true. It seems like just last month I started racing my debt, yet it’s already been almost three years ago! While it’s not always presented as a positive thing (where did those years go?), for those of us racing debt, it can certainly work to our advantage. While there are many money skills I lack, I personally am a master of the strategy of putting things off until another day (hence my username).

For instance, there is a long list of things I want to have done at my house. Three rooms still just have painted linoleum for floors. While I want nicer floors, I don’t want to spend that money yet. I use inexpensive rugs for camouflage, and put it off for later. The years go by fast. Each year I don’t spend money on cosmetics for the house is another year I’ve paid down debt or added to savings. I’ve been putting it off for 8 years now, and you know what? Those floors may not be the prettiest, but no one really cares and they’re still working fine. Time flies.

Hair maintenance was a recent topic. We all have different priorities and styles, but regardless of that - if you make an appointment for 6, 8, or 10 weeks; you’ll go to that appointment and spend the money. Instead of scheduling it ahead at your previous cut, if you wait, and call to make the appointment when you notice you need it; you may find it’s longer than you think. Time flies.

When my dishwasher died, I WANTED it replaced immediately. The end of my race was in sight though, so I put it off. Then I put it off a bit longer. Then I read the manual, bought a replacement part, and got my Dad to fix it. lol I did not enjoy those months of washing dishes by hand while I was doing it, but now the memory is already hazy. I don’t even remember how long it was I did without. Time flies.

When I was racing hard, I REALLY didn’t want to cut my TV. I love my TV shows. I finally decided that cutting it for just one year was worth it, to use that money on my snowball. Well, I’m past that year, I’ve won my (1st) race, and I still haven’t reconnected my TV. I found in the meantime that I could watch pretty much any of ‘my shows’ online; and now I think it’s crazy that I was wasting $60 a month for something I now get for free (or for the cost of the Internet, which I pay for job #2 anyway.) I don’t even remember how long it’s been since I dropped my TV. Time flies.

I’m certainly not saying we have to cut out all of our ‘extras’ in life while racing our debt. We’ve all got certain ‘treats’ we’re no good without (I never gave up paperbackswap.com); and we’ve all got different priorities and timelines - we might race together, but it’s still a personal thing. I’m just pointing out that time really does go by fast, so why not use that to your advantage?
Sure, it’s a bit painful at the time to give up something you really like, or not do something you enjoy for a while. Five years from now though, you may not even remember that deprivation; but the money you would have spent (on stuff likely forgotten) will have instead been spent to buy your financial freedom, which is ever so much more enjoyable than whatever it was you gave up. Really. It is. Not having debt hanging over your head is worth even more than what I cut out to get there.

Put it off.
Procrastinate.
Pay it off!

[Elderkind]

Accountant4Christ & SpeechChick71: Oui! I emailed you both before I checked the board and didn't know we had our girl back with us! YeeHaw!
ExYankee: Fantastic Update! Sending good juju's that you land a fabulous job and that your Mom recovers 100% from her surgery! ;D

Then he said "Have you paid off that car yet?" and I felt less smart

CarolinaKat: LOL! ;D Dad's sometimes have a knack for making us feel less smart, don't they?
ProCras108r: Hola Chica! I have missed your posts and love your opinion piece.

[procras108r]

Elderkind - So Sorry to hear about all the recent housing drama. Do you play the “What Would I Do For Dollars?" game? I play it when we have a bad day at the office. 'Is putting up with crazy boss worth the pension money I'd lose if I left?' Is putting up with bad LL worth the $500 a month you'd lose by moving? It's good to know what your backup options are; but I hope you're going to be able to stick it out where you are now, so you can buy your house that much sooner. Try to keep that long term perspective!

Any tips on buying a house?

redracerris - Sorry, but my tip would be "don't." If your primary reason is 'rent is 500 and a house payment would be 400' don't do it. If you had the cash on had to buy the house outright, I'd be all for it; but in your current situation I'd be more hesitant. You're just starting a new job - in your field which is awesome - CONGRATULATIONS!; but better to wait 'til you've been there a bit to make big purchases. The rent payment vs mortgage payment never really works out. Alas, this is experience talking. You mentioned about $30K? That sounds like a fixer upper?
When I initially bought my house, I did about $2000 in basic repairs.
Since then, I’ve had (off the top of my head): new stove (700) and dishwasher (300) (lightning), a new roof ($6000) and replace flooring (1500) (storm), pump went out (220), water line broke (Dad fixed), air conditioner broke ($37,brother fixed), dishwasher broken ($42, Dad), shower not working ($400). Just those items break down to over $100 a month in the 8 years I’ve lived there, and that's just what comes to mind at the moment - not counting so many other expenses (A/C filters) that pile up and add up. There's also a lot more work that should be done that I'm still putting off.
For a 30,000 loan at the current 4.85, 30 years; you could pay 26,989 in interest - so your 30,000 house could actually cost 56,989. (depending on how you financed)
Also, you added housing insurance and property taxes to your monthly mortgage payment, yes? Will you have a 20% downpayment? If not, add another $25-50 a month for private mortgage insurance. Are you familiar with closing costs? They bite.

Yikes, okay, I wasn't intending to post this to be all negative. I just want to be sure you have as realistic a picture of the costs of home ownership as possible before you take the plunge. Honestly, if I could talk to my younger self, I'd tell myself to rent - and I'm not even upside down or anything, just the basics drain a LOT of cash. The more you can save up before buying, the better.

To swing this a bit more to the positive side, $30K would be a great price! Here's a good site for information on buying a home.
portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/buying_a_home

[freshnewday]

procras108r: Awesome post on using procrastination to our favor! Thanks so much for sharing! I loved it. Your words really encourage me because my dishwasher died, we have been without cable for 4 years, and I hate my horrible floor! It seems that we have a lot in common and have made similar sacrifices. I wouldn't wish anyone to make the sacrifices we have, but it sure is nice to know someone understands and has made the very same choices for a better financial future. We are both racing our mortgages now too. Thank you again for a great post and keep them coming!