Women in Red Racers - South Region

[deepintx]

** UPDATE ** deepintx(2): 10/1/13 $0 (5/3/2013 $12,369.94 PB156)

	5/3/13	9/3/13	10/1/13
CC #1 (0.0%)	$4,741.94	$-	$-
Home Depot (0.0%)	$7,628.00	$2,028.00	$-
		$-	$-
Balance Total	$12,369.94	$2,028.00	$-
Difference/month			$2,028.00
Difference Total			$12,369.94
EF	$700.00	$800.00	$825.00

[deepintx]

Welcome GeorgiaMama!

I'm glad you found this place!   It has really helped me stay focused and knock out my debt.  We have been using the Dave Ramsey plan for our debt paydown.  We started with a $1000 EF and then started busting away at the debt.  As you can see we had to use some of that and we are slowly building that back up again as we agressively pay down our debt.  We just finished our second race which was a loan for our HVAC that died last year.  We were hoping it would last until this summer so we could have saved up for it but it had other plans and died last summer just before we finished our first race.  We won our first race about a year ago which was just over $53k which we paid off in just over 2 years.  I recommend reading Dave Ramsey's book, The Total Money Makeover.  It changed my life!  Good luck to you and best wishes!

[forwardwego]

YAHOO  Party Time for deepintx!
Congratulations on winning race#2

I'm celebrating your win with a mimosa (white wine with ruby red grapefruit juice)

speaking of ruby and red, where are you redruby , how are you??

[3jsmom31]

deepintx, that's awesome!!!! I was looking at your numbers thinking did she pay that off? Is she done? Then I saw your zeroes Good job and a nice sneak attack, lol.

Georgiamama, I agree that using cash is a major help in curbing spending. Some people have had great success with keeping a spending journal. It's just a little list of what you spend. That's a really good way to track. Write down everything, like gas, lunches, repairs, as well as target stops and groceries. I have used it and realized the stops for a fast food "treat" were costing us almost $800 a year, just going out once a week and cheaping it for $15. I don't spend $15 on anything I cook at the house, unless it's steak dinner or lasagna that will last for 5 meals, lol. I wouldn't trade steak for chicken nuggets when I realized we were doing just that, lol. I agree that you should fund your emergency fund, and learn to leave it alone unless it's a real emergency. Pizza doesn't meet the criteria for emergency, even if my kids say it does . When you are getting started, and have your emergency fund, then use everything extra to get out from under the debt. It's challenging, and can be fun to think in a different way, like how can I save that. If you can find the book at the library, "Your money or your life" by vicki robin/joe dominguez has a perspective on money that I haven't seen anywhere else. Their investing ideas probably don't work anymore, but the perspective is worth reading about.

forward, speech, red, carolina, everyone? "Eh, what's up, doc?"

[bramoney]

Congratulation deepintx!!!!
Welcome Georgiamama! You are in good company!

[speechchick71]

Deepintx....I"m like 3js: um...is that a TEXAS SIZED ZERO??  Fantastic!  We've had 2 winners in a short amount of time.  GO FIGHT WIN!

I'll do an update this weekend as I don't think one has been done in a while and we have new numbers to put in the boxes! 

My personal news:  I submitted my resignation for both of my jobs.  The home health job will be done on Nov 22 and my office based job will be done on Nov 28.  I already spoke with my old recruiter and she has me set up for an interview next Tuesday for a job in Baltimore...and I'm very excited about the facility.  I also sent my resume in for a (permanent) job that is also in Baltimore, working as a sales consultant for a speech device that is very popular and super functional.  I might also send my resume in for a seasonal job in the hospital in the town where my dad lives.  I feel confident that I will have a job when I'm ready to leave here.  I'm really excited about both jobs that are in Baltimore.  There is also a job in (*gasp*) Detroit.  Like downtown, near a university that is there.  My friend works at the university and said that particular area is actually quite nice and she has never felt unsafe so I told my recruiter to present my resume for that one too. 

The (sort of) problem is that our company may not even be in business that long.  We are bleeding money faster than we can make it and I don't know how the owner has kept it afloat for this long.  This week has been a really poor week of billing, too.  I am going to start working on getting basically all my possessions up for sale.  I don't want to store any furniture and plan to get rid of anything that does not have a special meaning or memory attached.  I have to start hitting the dumpster and goodwill shops.  If my furniture doesn't sell by the time I'm ready to leave, I'm going to donate it.  It would not even be worth it for me to move it somewhere.  I hate it all anyway and can't wait for someone else to have it.  My ad will read something like "Buy my life...please...". 

Welcome to Georgiamama!  We'll have you on the list this weekend or early next week. I agree with everyone else:  Emergency Fund is a great start.  Feel free to ask questions as much as you want.  This is a great group, always with an encouraging word, and great advice!

[forwardwego]

UPDATE forwardwego (2): 10/6/2013 $12,440.00 (6/19/2011 $36780 SPT64, PB154)
 
Well there's my little October with higher hopes for November

Speechchick Glad you're getting off that boat and going for more familiar waters, and hopefully much smoother sailing

[bankergurl]

Hello Ladies! I will be taking over the $50K - $100K Club! I plan to do the updates every other Sunday the same as I do with the $100K List. I see many familiar faces so hopefully you are used to, and like my update format. I am doing one update this week, just to get all my sheets together, and then I will do another one next week and every 2 weeks after that. Please let me know if you need me to change anything. Race on ladies!
$3,540.86 paid off since the last update!
One Leapfrog, Wudnit from the Northeast jumping 3 spots!!
www.notmsnmoney.proboards.com/thread/11190/wirr-50-100k-club?page=4#scrollTo=1738787

[dimplesnlj]

ATTN CAPTAINS: UPDATE DIMPLESNLJ $31,437.94 (1/2/2010 $46,431 SU21, SU26)

Hi all, I just realized that I didn't provide an update last month, so please use the one above.  Haven't been on in awhile since things at work have been super busy.  Some of the credit card balances have gone up, but I am on track to pay off Discover next month and Home Depot (0% ending in Feb. '14) in December.  Lots of changes have occurred in the past 15 months.  My dad passed July of last year and it was difficult dealing with all of the firsts, especially the holidays.  I LOATHE work but am kind of stuck right now, so I am trying to make the most of it.  One of the ways that I am "dealing with it" is that I adopted a dog this past May.  He's such a sweetie--he was already potty-trained and housebroken so spending time with him gives me a reason to rush home from work and leave all of that craziness behind .  Anyhoo, individual balances are below:

Discover $820 13.24% APR (balance in January of '13 was $3561.63) *Have been sending in ~$300/mo.  Will do that for next month as well and then pay off the balance w/my savings, so I will FINALLY have my 1st zero next month.

Home Depot $255 0% APR (hadn't been racing b/c of the 0% APR).  Balance in January of this year was $975. Have been sending in $85/mo., so that will be paid off in December (October pymnt not due 'til the 25th)

AMEX $8620 11.99% APR

Wells Fargo $10,868.20 9.65% APR

Citi $11,139.74 14.25% APR

Needless to say, I am excited about the end of the year.  I know that conventional wisdom says to take that extra money and put it toward the next bill immediately, but with my November and December paychecks I plan to save the money I had been sending to Discover. I only get paid once a month, and the December check has to last almost 6 wks. until getting paid again in January. So, beginning in January, Citi will be getting an extra $200/mo. and then I can see how things go from there. Also, I am thinking about applying for a Chase Slate credit card. It has a 0% APR for 15 mos. and NO BALANCE TRANSFER FEE. If I wait until March to apply, I can definitely have it paid off by June of 2015. I apologize in advance for such a long post, but I just wanted to share what had been going on.

Hope everyone has a great evening

[speechchick71]

Dimplesnlj:  that is an awesome update!  Can't wait to see your first ZERO!  And you'll also have that unofficial zero to also motivate you along.  Those other balances will start disappearing:  you know how to do it, you have a plan in place, and I'm sure you want them gone.  Have you thought about throwing the money at the AMEX?  I know it's a lower APR but it's also a smaller balance.  Or how about splitting that snowball up a little bit?  I, personally, like to have less bills to worry about so I'm willing to pay off a smaller balance even if it has a lower APR.  Everyone has their own method that works for them and you know it.  Great job!

[trojen3]

Update: Trojen3: 10/8/13 - $64,183.18 (8/24/12 - $99,479.89)

Name of Debt	Current Date	Current Debt	Starting Debt	Total Paid	% Paid Off
Car Loan	10/8/13	$0	$2201.08	$2,201.08	100%
SL #1 - Sallie Mae	10/8/13	$0	$1491.42	$1,491.42	100%
SL #2 - Grad PLUS	10/8/13	$39,993.54	$46,338.33	$6,344.79	13.69%
SL #3 - Grad PLUS	10/8/13	$24,189.64	$28,852.49	$4,662.85	16.16%
SL #4 - Private	10/8/13	$0	$20,596.57	$20,596.57	100%
Total	10/8/13	$64,183.18	$99,479.89	$35,296.71	35.48%

I'll hopefully be making a significant payment within the next few weeks. We had a meeting with our accountant and for some reason, DH has been withholding far more than he has needed for the Navy Reserves. A good chunk of my saved tax money can be allocated soon to SL #2! Can't wait!

I hope all of you are dong great. Welcome GeorgiaMama to the group! I hope you find motivation and learn the secrets to success that all these hard working women have to offer!

[speechchick71]

Ok y'all, I did an update today thru Trojen3's update.  I'm having some computer issues though so I won't be able to post it until tomorrow.  Part of it is user error as I think I'm too tired to even save things correctly.  Look for it tomorrow, ok?  We had so many updates, I think the only ones that haven't done an update in roughly 2 months include two of your captains:  me and nasa!  CarolinaKat and Classof2015, we haven't seen you in a while so come back!  We've had 2 winners:  Deepintx and FFFlex.  Lots of good news to post about!  Until tomorrow...

[deepintx]

Thanks for all the shoutouts everyone!  It feels great to finally have that debt paid off.  Now we are going to go to work on the kitchen remodel debt and hopefully that will be gone soon. 

There have been some great updates lately!  Way to go!

Speech - I'm glad to hear you are leaving those jobs and going back on the road again.  You made so much more money that way without the living expenses and you will be able to knock out your debt in no time.  I just wish that things would have worked out better with those jobs because it seems like you worked so hard and now have debt to show for it.  That is so wrong!  I'm glad things are turning around for you and it is going to be a great 2014 for you!

Dimples - I totally understand your feeling about your job situation.  I have been struggling with what to do with mine for some time now.  It is a decent job but there is no growth potential unless I get my degree.  I have been toying with the idea of going back to school part time to get my degree in accounting.  What does everyone think about getting a degree at age 42?  I will need to work full time while going to school so I may be 50 by the time I actually get my degree.  That thought depresses me too but it seems like even admin jobs out there require a degree so I need to hang on to the job I have and try to better myself.  I put my husband through college and the plan was that he would put me through school when he graduated.  Well we had student loans, car payments, and all the other trappings that we couldn't afford for me to quit my job to go back to school.  Plus by that point I really wanted to start our family.  Now that our boys have started middle school and high school I feel like I can start focusing more on me and what I want to do with my career (or lack of it).  What do you think?  Is it worth it at this point in my life?

[forwardwego]

speechchick yea, looking fwd to the group update. I'm curious to see how much closer we are to the $5 million mark.

deepintx If you WANT it, then it is worth it. If it's more a feeling of something you "should do", hmmm then maybe not so much?

Congrats on your paydown dimplsnlj! The Chase Slate Visa looks like a good strategy!

Nice update trojen3 over $1K more eliminated. And looking fwd to your big power punch against SL#2.

Missing CarolinaKat, Classof2015, and that crafty CraftySarah
 

[dimplesnlj]

speechchick 71, deepintx, and forwardwego:  Thanks for the encouraging words.

speechchick71: I had thought about directing some of that to AMEX, but b/c the Citi balance and APR were higher, i just decided to stick with that plan .

deepintx: I am of the mindset of if that is what you are positive that you want to do, then by all means do so.  Do not let your age be a hindrance.  Plus, think of the example that you will be setting for your sons.

forwardwego:  I will definitely be applying for that Chase Slate in March.

Take care everyone!

[speechchick71]

GOAL UPDATES
New GOAL for 2013: $5 Million dollars. The date to meet this goal is 9/30/13 (end of the 3rd quarter) and we have $282,855.36 left to payoff! Good job everyone!

SOUTH ACTIVE MEMBERS
Bolded lines mean members are in danger of going inactive.

Updated: 10/8/2013 through page 163

= $100, = $500, = $1,000, = $5,000, = $10,000, = $25,000, = $75,000, = $100,000, = $200,000, = Location Needed

3jsmom31(2): 9/15/2013 $38,750.00 (10/3/2012 $67975.18 PB142, PB154)
Bra Money: 9/19/2013 $10,022.00 (7/20/2007 $33441 N321)
DebtFreeRedux: 9/4/2013 $195,458.46 (1/30/2012 $282500.50 SPT114, SPT121)
deepintx(2): 10/1/2013 $0 (5/3/2013 $12369.94 PB156)
dimplesnlj: 10/6/2013 $31,437.94 (1/2/2010 $46431 SU21/SU26)
Ffflex: 9/5/2013 $0 (6/29/2010 $27320 SU352/SU372/STP26)
forwardwego (2): 9/13/2013 $12.440.00 (6/19/2011 $36780 SPT64, PB154)
Georgiamama: 9/29/2013 $7064.00 (9/29/2013 $7064 S162)
Goalofzero: 9/14/2013 $6876.79 (3/14/2011 $28150.97 S78/S93/S349/STP31)
jdnstl: 9/1/2013 $5,300.00 (1/9/2008 $48042.26 S34)
muffy in the red: 9/15/2013 $79,452.70 (9/9/2008 $128662.37 S373/S385/SU395/SPT77, SPT81, PB86, PB92, PB150)
nasagreen: 8/13/2013 $79,269.81 (7/20/2007 $144371.69 N312/S108/S180)
Pay-No-Interest: 9/1/2013 $99,500.00 (5/16/2007 $369884 N23/S25/SU359)
Red Racer Ris: 9/1/2013 $96.399.00 (3/20/2010 $134409 Su220)
speechchick (3): 8/19/2013 $15,737 (1/6/2013 $14380 PB149)
Trojen3: 10/8/2013 $64,183.18 (8/24/2012 $99479.89 138)

Shoutouts:
CleanSlate: we welcomed you back and you are already inactive. Come on, girlie! Jump back on board and will push you along!
3jsmom31: you're almost half way there!
RedRuby, Classof2015 and CarolinaKat: COME BACK!!
Dimplesnlj: your your head up with the job.  It always amazes me how dogs (and cats..or at least my cat) get so excited just to see us at the end of our day?  They just rely on us so much and we really rely on them as well. They are such a good form of stress reduction.
goalofzero: That was another awesome payoff! You might be our next winner!
muffyinthered:
nasagreen: Sister, we need to get on the stick and post our updates. Mine is sad, as usual, but yours should be rocking!
Trojen3: you are on a huge roll! Keep your eye on the prize!
debtfreeredux: awesome update! And welcome back.
Deepintx and FFFlex: CONGRATULATIONS again!
Deepintx: are you going to race your kitchen remodel debt? Or isn't there debt from that yet?  I'm a fan of schooling.  Even if you don't get a degree, the extra knowledge/classes might make a difference in your work.  Plus, it's a nice way to get away from your life. I'd be a permanent student if I had the funds to do it.
RRRis: check the dates in your tagline. Your garden sounds interesting. I had never heard of yarrow before. What is it like?
Georgiamama: don't forget to keep posting your numbers monthly. I think most, if not all, of us would agree that it really helps to keep you accountable. Welcome and don't be shy...we like questions and offers of suggestions!



Please let me know if I missed any updates or made any mistakes.

[deepintx]

** NEW RACE ** deepintx(3): 10/11/13 $12,211.75 (10/11/2013 $12,211.75 PB163)

Ok, here is our debt from our kitchen remodel.  I told you it wasn't pretty.  I need to race it though so we can be accountable for this.  It will probably be slow going through the end of the year with all of the holidays and birthdays and travel plans we have but we should still be able to make some progress.  By the start of next year though we should really start to pay this down and get rid of it for good.

Thank you all for the comments about going back to school.  It really would be a personal goal of mine to have a degree but it is just hard for me to justify the expense right now.  I am trying to see if I can get work to reimburse me for part of it through our tuition reimbursement benefit but their benefits are old school where you go to a brick and mortar establishment and can't take more than one or two classes at a time and you are reimbursed after you get your grades depending on what you score.  The school I am most interested in is an online university because it offers more flexibility and it has a lump sum cost per 6 months, not per credit hour or class and is self paced so you take accessments as you pass them so it doesn't align with our company benefit policy.  It is much cheaper than other online facilities because it is a state school but still more than going to a community college and onto a state school from there.  It is about $3000/six months plus the cost of books.  Depending on how long it takes me to get through the program, it could still be pretty costly.  Plus my time is already pretty tight with my full time job and family and long commute.  However, it would give me something positive to focus on as well, so I am torn on what to do.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

[bramoney]

Update: 10/11/13 $9,992.00 (7/20/07 $33,441.00 N3848)

Greeting WIRR;
There it is......in all of its glory! Under $10,000.00 dollars!!!
I am not sure what to say, I finally broke the barrier, it's a good day!
Can you believe, I am at a loss for words, me, of all people.
Have a good weekend everyone!

Speechchick71: Good luck on your job interviews.
Forwardwego: Here’s to your higher hopes for November!!
Bankkergurl: Thanks for taking over the $50K – 100K Club, you are the best!
Dimplesnlj: Great pay down plan!!
Trojen3: Great Update and your 0’s look great on you!
Deepintx: Looking forward to seeing what your remodeling race car looks like!
Shout Out to all my WIRR! Let's battle debt to the death, are you with me??!!

[paynointerest]

Pay-no-Interest Update!  10/12/13:  $99,000

Amount paid since last post:  $500
%paid on mortgage: 47.3%

Still chugging along.  I just got my letter announcing the pay increases.  I received a 4% raise! This is much better than I anticipated.  I figured I'd get about 2% at the most.

Bramoney:  Congratulations on getting under $10K!

It looks like everyone is having a lot of good success with their debt paydown!

[Maryland Monroe]

Congratulations on your win, deepintx!

[deepintx]

paynointerest - Congratulations on your raise!

bramoney - Great job getting below 10k!  I love reading your posts!

[3jsmom31]

UPDATE
3jsmom31: 10/13/2013 $36,800.00 (10/3/12 $67,975.18 S142, S154)
Start:.......................................Current:
$41,033.19................................$30,000.00
$12,954.00................................$ 6,800.00
$ 9,809.38.................................*Zer *
$ 4,178.61.................................*Zer *
$67,975.18................................$36,800.00
paid $1,950.00 since last update
paid $31,175.18 to date.

Hey guys.  Hope all is well.  I'm enjoying reading about your success and trials.  We are doing all we can with debt right now, but I'm probably going to take it easy from now until the end of the year.  I want to keep working on the lesser debt, but the mortgage will keep for a few months.  The automatic payment will keep rolling.  

[forwardwego]

3jsmom Happy WIRRversary  ...lovely update

paynointerest congrats on your update, and 4% raise   

bramoney breaking that barrier, under $10K, yes I can believe it. I believe you can!!!

deepintx Welcome aboard for race 3, you're pretty close to where I am, maybe we can spur each other on

speechchick thanks for the updates, smilies and shoutouts

Anyone heard from nasagreen? She's due next month. Hope she's doing well

[speechchick71]

bramoney:  Breaking the barrier to get under 10k is WAY better than breaking the barrier other ways:

Warning!  It's juvenile!  But funny as I'm sure we've all been there..... 

(it's the first thing I thought of when you said you broke it....but CONGRATS!)



My news:  I turned down the travel job (in Maryland!) and accepted a seasonal position at the local hospital where my dad lives.  The pay is good, I can live with my dad and keep an eye out for him, and still make good money.  Maybe I can even reverse my debt back to ZERO...or at least close to it.  And just about the best part is that I get to maintain my snowbird status.  I guess I'm not a true snowbird because I don't necessarily go north in the summer but I have been known to do it!  My friends are happy, I get to spend some time on the beach, I get to ride my bike!  I'm excited for that too.  I hope to report only good news in the next 6-8 months.

[goalofzero]

** UPDATE ** goalofzero: 10/14/13 $00,000.00 (3/14/2011 $28,150.97 STP31)

	3/14/11	9/14/13	10/14/13
AE	$171.60	$0.00	$0.00
Amazon	$375.90	$0.00	$0.00
Belk	$702.59	$0.00	$0.00
BOA	$3,892.21	$3,505.02	$0.00
Capital One	$596.30	$0.00	$0.00
Children's Place	$290.22	$0.00	$0.00
Discover	$2,057.26	$3,371.77	$0.00
Gap	$466.59	$0.00	$0.00
HSBC	$528.29	$0.00	$0.00
JC Penney	$266.09	$0.00	$0.00
Pampered Chef	$305.49	$0.00	$0.00
Paypal	$697.88	$0.00	$0.00
VS	$176.61	$0.00	$0.00
Loan#1	$11,583.42	$0.00	$0.00
Loan#2	$3,500.00	$0.00	$0.00
MedicalBill#1	$250.00	$0.00	$0.00
MedicalBill#2	$743.13	$0.00	$0.00
MedicalBill#3	$1,547.39	$0.00	$0.00
Balance Total	$28,150.97	$6,876.79	$0.00
Difference/month			$6,876.79
Difference Total			$28,150.97
	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Well there it is..............ZERO ZERO ZERO ZERO!!! I'm super excited to make this post.

[goalofzero]

Welcome GeorgiaMama! I raced from smallest balance up just so I could get some quick zeros and make me happier  However I do agree you need to watch the deadline for the 0% on Best Buy & an ER is a great idea as well. Best of luck on your race…..YOU CAN WILL WIN!!!

Deepintx congrats on winning race #2…….awesome job!!!! I love how you jump right back in with your next race. You got this all the way 


Being under $10K is looking good on you bramoney! Keep up the nice progress.

Great updates, forwardwego, dimplesnlj, trojen3, paynointerest, & 3jsmom31. Keep up the great race everybody!

[speechchick71]

So excited for you GoalofZERO!  You did it!  Congratulations!

[forwardwego]

Congratulations GOALOFZERO!!!

A Musical tribute to Goalofzero,
to the tune of "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler


It must have been dark there in debt's shadow,
it blocked the sunlight from your face.
You were afraid you'd never find...the way,
To be free from the bind

So you joined WIRRs and told your story,
and each new zero gave you strength.
A determined racer, you ran long and strong,
to the finish line & victory lane.

And you paid it all off Goalofzero,
18 big zeros for all to see.
Now you fly higher than an eagle,
You won your race, and found your wings.

WIRRs is the wind beneath our wings.




Hope all the WIRRs have a Happy Hump Day!!!

[seahorse]

Deepintx: Congrats on winning your race and I hope the new race goes super fast!

Goalofzero: You have made your goal!

bramoney: yay for getting under 10K. I've been watching your posts and it's so exciting to see that extra digit from the left gone .

Speechchick: Thanks for posting about the new winners!!

I love peaking in on this board to read the conversations and see the updates!

[speechchick71]

Great song, Forward!  You should write personalized greeting cards!