Women in Red Racers - South Region

[Elderkind]

MAJOR VENT: I just have to vent about this or I will explode... Some of you who have been on the board for a long while will remember that my landlady HATES to do any repairs to her properties which has caused periodic trouble throughout the 10 years that I have rented. She was also a friend which made it extra touchy.... Well she has crossed the line and I am seriously considering moving. I have had a water leak behind the tub for years which started to rot the wall and hardwood floor in the bathroom. I called her office to let them know (she told me a long time ago not to tell her about the issues, tell her office) years ago and they did nothing but ignore the call so I gave up. I was hoping I could be out of debt and have enough of a down payment saved up to buy a house before the situation became extra dire. Unfortunately that did not happen as the bathroom wall was covered in mold (I sprayed bleach on it continueously but it kept coming back) and there was a huge hole in the floor. The roach problem was hideous as a result. I was afraid that the tub and/or toilet would fall through the floor when in use (ok, that is a little humerous from a Three Stooges perspective) and finally told my landlady in hopes that it would at least be looked at.

Said landlady owns a construction company and two employees did show up in November to check out the problem. They were horrified and said they would give me a new tub and fix the wall & floor. They planned the job the last two weeks of December since I would be out of town. So, the week before I left for vacation the foreman of the company stopped by unannounced while I was not at home and went in to see if he could cheap out the job (the guy is a real loser who has been cheating on his wife with the office manager for years). My dog Asta was in the house and he gets very nervous when strange men are around. He messed the floor when they came in and so the foreman took a pic and sent it to the landlady. She was very upset with me and told me Asta might have to go if I couldn't potty train him. I assured her I would work on that promptly. We went to dinner one night and I told her that her crew would find a few cobwebs in the house as I have not had time to clean properly due to my little business I am starting. I told her I would hire someone to come in and professionally clean the house when I got back. She was totally ok with that and even mentioned having a few cobwebs herself...

Flash forward to the Holidays - I am visiting my parents and DF's family trying to have a lovely time but can't because I am getting all of these text messages from LL who is letting me know how tough the job has become and how she is going to have to pay overtime to fix the bathroom. She was also mad because she had to pull men from another job to help with the renovation. She asked if she could put a shower stall in instead of a bath tub and build me an extra closet. It's her house and I could use the extra storage so I said sure.

Flash Forward to first night home: The house is a disaster! There is an inch of sheetrock dust over everything (they didn't tarp anything) and the floor is utterly disgusting. The shower & closet were no where near done either. Note: The closet turned into several a couple of shelves by the shower made with the cheapest plywood ever. I called the LL and told her about the mess... she told me it had to be until the crew was finished. So, now I have to throw the cats outside every morning and take Asta to work with me since the construction crew will be in and out of the house all day.

Second Night Home: LL calls and stops by the house. I thought she wanted to see the progress and I am trying to remain upbeat about it all. LL proceeds to tell me that they found a piece of doggie poo (I saw this when I came home and was confused as Asta was with me at work). She tells me that she thinks he has to go. Then she tells me that my house is filthy and wants to know how I can live in such squallor. She tells me that the way I keep the place is beyond disgusting and that the work crew is surprised a woman lives in the house because it is so gross. She states "Well if you want to live like that it is your business but it is horrible". She then gets on her broom and leaves the house.

I was dumbfounded and livid at her accusations and cruel words. It took every ounce of self control not to tell her off and chuck her out. The house is cluttered (very, very small one bedroom home) and there were cobwebs in the corners but it wasn't a squallor! The majority of the dust and dirty floors were due to her crew... Anyhow, I want to move badly even though I love this little house. What is stopping me is that I don't have enough saved up for a down payment yet and the rent is only $475. I have just started saving in earnest and should have a nice downpayment ready in about 18-24 months. If I move, my rent will go up and it will take an extra 3-4 years to save. I have been looking at other places just in case because if she says Asta has to definitely go that will be a deal breaker and I will be out ASAP. As far as I am concerned her insults were the dealbreaker on our friendship and I want nothing more to do with her... I hate that I live across the street from her right now.... I have to shower at friends houses and coincidentally (or not) my water heater pilot light went out yesterday and it has not been relit (old, old heater that has to be lit manually)even though I called early this morning while the crew was at my house. DF and my folks totally understand if I choose to leave but they think I should stick it out and get my downpayment. They also don't like the idea of anyone "chasing" me away and neither do I. Btw, I have been a 10 year renter and the LL would never let me sign a lease... It was my first rental and I didn't know to ask for one...Right now I feel like a sucker who is living in a bad situation... Thanks for letting me vent....

[Elderkind]

CleanSlate09: Just look at this update as a minor setback! You will get on track in no time! ;D
LookingForAnswers: Welcome to the Southern Board!
Shoutout to Jdnstl!
TXRacer81: Welcome Back!
NasaGreen: I am so sorry to hear about the extra time with the in-laws! I would grab a calendar and start a countdown...
Pay-No-Interest: Great update and kudo's on funding DH Roth IRA!
CarolinaKat, Procras108r & RedRacerRis: Fantastic Paydowns, ladies!
FreshNewDay: Wow! I am so sorry to hear about your father's actions! Would it be inappropriate to let your local police know that your Dad has been harassing you and might come to your house uninvited? If you could establish a written record of his bad behavior there would be less of a chance of his seeing your kids! My prayers and well wishes are with you! Please keep us updated... Hugs
SuzWantsToBeFree: Wonderful Update and congrats on your ZERO!

[mom2-4monkeys]

Hi everyone, I recently joined WIRR (North region) but have lurked on all of the regions while on MSN. I just wanted to say thanks for all of the advice you have given me with out even knowing it. I could not post on the MSN boards but i can now! Everyone here seems so close to each other and the support that you give is great so thanks again. FYI i will pop in from the north alot! Hope that's ok!!

For what it's worth Freshnewday in Massachusetts (not sure about any other states) there is a law that states that grandparents have the right to see grand children. It was written to protect the grandparents in the event of divorce. I don't know if you were to prove that your Dad was not so good to you, if they would grant him rights.

[forwardwego]

$5500 club have room for one more?
UPDATE forwardwego 1/7/11 $5474 (3/21/10 $9559 SU223)
Paid to Date $4085
EF was $1140, now is $730. Max has been sick. Vet says probably IBS (irritable bowel) or possible lymphoma( please no).

the tables and codes are too much for me at the moment. Since my debt is a single loan (credit card consolidation) this freestyle update should be ok i hope.
i have a 12:30 appt, but will be back later this weekend to get over my new board phobia and send some shouts!

[speechchick71]

Elderkind: I completely understand your housing situation as I've been thru bad situations not once, but twice! I actually had to sue a landlord for my security deposit back! It was a similar situation but in a different state.

1. She has no say in how clean or dirty you keep your home and she cannot make you leave because of it. She CAN charge you a cleaning fee if it is not clean when you leave. She can't even kick you out if your dog leaves a pile and a puddle every day, all day long. She CAN charge you if there is excessive cleaning because of it once you move out.

2. She cannot make you leave immediately. Check for a renter's handbook for your state (TX, right?). Because you have a verbal agreement, its usually a 30 day notice on either end (yours or hers).

3. Repairs are supposed to be done in a timely manner.

4. You might be able to withhold rent (in an escrow type account) being that they have made the house unliveable. You can discuss that with her. I'd check out that one though, the renters handbook will have the steps to go thru on that one. They might even have an office that gives legal advice for free or a nominal fee.

It stinks that a friendship has been ruined over this. I'm sure there might be more issues that you are having that are covered under the Renters Handbook. I would also keep looking for places to live; you might be able to find something with cheaper rent, maybe not as cheap as what you've been paying, and still be able to save.

Like I said, I had to take a landlord to court. I won and I never saw the money. He never even finished the place I was renting. When I moved in, I didn't even have a light source! When I was gone, he went in without my knowledge (probably something that made him lose the case) and took pictures of a dirty dish and cup in the sink and then told me I was a slob. The judge thought he was a nut I'm sure. He owes me over $1100 but I'm writing it off on my taxes this year. I learned a lot from my experience with him but obviously not enough because I had a 2nd bad experience!

Those workers or the LL are responsible for cleaning up the mess, maybe not to the point that you might clean but it should be reasonably clean when they leave.

Keep your chin up....but protect your rights!

PS: I DID think her mode of transportation was great (her broom...great one!)

[Elderkind]

SpeechChick71: Thank you so much for your advice and support! I will definitley check out the Renters Handbook for Texas and see exactly what my rights are. I have a feeling that as soon as I say NO MORE, my LL will be asking me to leave. I would love to and have been looking for another place but with a dog and three cats, it's tough. This is a college town, however, so hopefully something will open up after the spring semester ends.

I can't believe your LL didn't even put a light switch in your place! That's crazy! And then to not pay you for the judgement??? What a JERK! A couple of my friends who are experienced former LL's were shocked by the state of the house and the behavior shown to me. They said if they had had a 10 year tennant, they would have been estatic.

[jdnstl]

elderkind - i had to study up on texas renters rights with the last place we were in. you need to start dealing with her & your place in a more professional manner, so to speak.

1. make all contact in writing - emails or certified mail to her office. if you receive phone calls, tell them to contact you in writing, or document well the conversation with every detail down to the exact time the phone call happened. document all past events best you can. when you previously tried to get the water leak fixed is there a way to track phone calls made, if you spoke to anyone, etc.?

2. for serious issues like a water leak, LLs have 14 business days or a "reasonable amount of time" to complete. it sounds like this is not being performed in a reasonable time frame so you can write a letter that documents when contact was made, when work began, any delays you were told about, and when you expect it do be completed. if they can't complete it within your timeframe you can terminate the lease (verbal or not) immediately because they have broken the "warranty of habitability" - which means the premises are guaranteed to be habitable. you can't bathe so the premises are not habitable & she has taken too long to make it habitable.

3. i can send you a copy of the texas renters rights in PDF if you want. it has the details of when you can deduct cost of repairs & all that jazz. it also talks about how verbal agreements are handled. i can send you my cell # as well & you can call me if you need to discuss more.

[jdnstl]

elderkind - i would suggest you look for a new place too. start now, it's the beginning of a new semester & you might be surprised at what you can find. use a realtor too. landlords that are out of the area will use realtors & management co.s to find tenants. also, take a saturday morning & drive around the area you want to live looking for "for rent/lease" signs. i walked around the several blocks near one of my former employers to find the first apt i rented in houston. those are your best bets for finding a place that will accept pets. big apartment complexes usually have high fees for pets but individuals are willing to work with you on lower pet deposits.

[redracerris]

nasa to do a scrolling you just do [*move]word you want to move[/*move]. Just take out the * and it'll scroll.

[redracerris]

elderkind That is such a horrible situation to be in! You have my sympathies. I've only had one really bad LL, having to deal with carbon monoxide poisoning, but we were able to get out of there, luckily. I wish I had some advice for you.

[speechchick71]

Jan 7, 2011 12:45:18 GMT -5 Elderkind said:

I can't believe your LL didn't even put a light switch in your place! That's crazy! And then to not pay you for the judgement??? What a JERK!

Its not that he didn't have a light switch, I had no lights PERIOD. He put in a very hot halogen work light until he found a gooseneck light that I could put in there. The whole thing was a nightmare, from him telling me it wouldn't be ready for another week when it was promised to me on the first of the month, to him telling me he didn't know I had a cat (it was in my first email to him), to finally leaving. If I were still in Paradise, I would have found a way to get that money, even if meant putting a lien on his house (which is something you can do). I had all my local friends put hexes on the LL. One of them even said he could have the local "mafia" types teach him a lesson. THAT'S good friends! ;D

JDNSTL is totally correct in doing everything very by the book and professionally now. Its a CYA thing! I was insulted that he thought I was a slob so I know how you're feeling. I was second guessing everything I did. I had witnesses come in when I moved out to verify that the place was clean and did not smell (which he claimed later, in court, it did) and had the document notarized that it was their signature...didn't help much as I didn't take them to court but at least he knew I was serious.

If you find a place on Craigslist, be sure to take someone with you when you look at the property. You'll find something...there are animal lovers out there who are willing to rent!

[speechchick71]

forwardwego: you and I can "walk" into the $5500 and under club with elbows locked! I scrimped just to squeak under the threshold!

redracerris: I started updating weekly because I'm getting paid weekly now and because I was itching to look at my numbers. Its been so exciting to see them drop the way they have.

[suzwantstobefree]

Elder, I am sorry your are having such a difficult time with your LL. It sounds though like everyone is giving you great advice.

[suzwantstobefree]

Update: SUZWANTSTOBEFREE 1/18/11 $493,092.15 (1/1/10 $515,627.40 SU11) Florida

Loan	Starting	Current	Paid Off
Home Mortgage (4.25%)	$163,465.93	$163,465.93	$0
Rental Home Mortgage (3.5%)	$215,185.45	$215,185.45	$0
Rental Home HELOC (2.5%)	$112,049.94	$112,049.94	$0
Furniture Loan 0% (Expires 3/13)	$2,390.83	$2,390.83	$0
Total	$493,092.15	$493,092.15	$0
Emergency Fund #1	$410.64	$410.64	$0
Emergency Fund #2	$1,186.67	$1,186.67	$0
Totals	$1,597.31	$1,597.31	$0

Ok, so that wasn't so bad! I don't have an update but wanted to see if it worked

[forwardwego]

speechchick i gladly accept your escort into the $5500 club. ;D This milestone feels so good; winning the race WILL B AWESOME! i'd looked fwd to this payday SO MUCH, then my poor old Max got sick again, which made me sad for him and sad my big anticipated paydown was shot. Then it sunk in... "this is an emergency...i have a fund for this!" Hooray for EFs!!! BTW it looks like you could be the next race winner...really looking fwd to your "winner's reflections".

[swordguy]

UPDATE SwordGuy: 7-Jan-2011, $20,205 ( 31-Jul-2010, $63,749, SU380 ) in NC ATTN CAPTAINS, change of starting total

Loan	Was	Current	Paid Off
PFCU CC 12.49%	$3,900	$2,300	$1,600
PFCU Loan 8.88%	$6,687	$6,687	$0
House	$0	$0	$0
PFCU Car 2.99%	$11,218	$11,218	$0
Taxes	$6,650	$0	$6,650
Totals	$28,455	$20,205	$8,250

I've added in the taxes that I had that I didn't know about. Just because I didn't know about them doesn't mean they weren't debt that had to be paid off. Besides, I just paid them off, so it makes me feel better!

I decided to just pay the IRS now and shed the stress that goes with owing money to Uncle Sam. So, I'm current on taxes and won't be underwithheld this coming year. That's $6,650 in underwithheld taxes that I coughed up this fall and winter. Blech. I hope the lazy bums on welfare (as opposed to the deserving poor) enjoy it less than I enjoyed paying it. I had originally planned to pay off the PFCU loan by the end of last year. I would have been able to do it, too, if not for this.
I pretty sure I can pay off the PFCU CC by the end of April though I'm aiming for March. At that point, I can start cranking the PFCU Loan down to zero. Even taking a nice vacation this summer, we should be able to pay it off by December. That will still be a year early on a three year loan.
By the end of December, the car balance should be about $8,700 if I don't pay extra on it. With the CC and the PFCU Loan gone, it should get knocked down by the end of July, 2012. That would be 1 1/2 years on a 3 year loan. So, July, 2012 is my new debt-free target.
Thanks to all of you for the good company while I slog thru this debt elimination process!

[swordguy]

Jan 5, 2011 11:44:32 GMT -5 redruby said:

I'm ready to tackle 2011, but I need to add a goal for the year. NOT TO BE SO ANAL about money to my family. Yes I am going to be frugal. BUt I found myself get way too upset and wordy when one of my children asked for money or DH went to the store to buy Diet Coke. I think all they will remember is "It's not on the list" and " I don't have any money". So I got to be better and come up with better words.

How about:

"It is STILL not on the list." or "I STILL do not have any money." or "You spent that money last year. We have to pay it off first."

Or, for a more positive approach:

"Saving money makes me randy."

Wouldn't try that last one with the kids, though. Stick with DH.

[swordguy]

Jan 6, 2011 13:39:40 GMT -5 freshnewday said:

My physically and emotionally abusive dad is threatening to take us to court for visitation rights regarding my kids.

There's nothing that would prevent him from taking you to court other than an ethical lawyer would tell him he's SOL. I don't believe grandparents have any statutory visitation rights, so in any rational world, they wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

If they can prove you're not a competent parent, that's a different story, because then the court can intervene.

That doesn't mean you might not have legal expenses fighting it off, though hopefully you could force him to pay for them. Collecting is, sadly, another matter.

You might want to consider relocating farther away if that's an option. A lot farther away. If not now, then when the opportunity presents itself. Driving up the time and dollar cost to do it is one way to minimize the unwanted visits to your home.

Plus, it puts you in a different state, so he would have to file suit in another state, which is yet another burden.

Frankly, from your description, it sounds like the less your kids have to do with the fellow, the better. He may be becoming less stable.

[Elderkind]

mom2-4monkeys Welcome and please join us anytime! ;D
ForwardWeGo: Great Update and congrats on making the $5500 Club! Sending prayers for Max that it's nothing serious!
Jdnstl: Thank you, thank you for your expert advice and yes I would love a copy of the Renters Handbook! I would love to chat with you and will send you my cell #!
SpeechChick71: Wow! Your ex-LL sounds much worse than mine! LOL! ;D I do like your friends though!
RedRacerRis & SuzWantsToBeFree: Many thanks for your support and well wishes!
SuzWantsToBeFree: Your table looks great!
SwordGuy: I know how your feel about the taxes. DF and I are currently working on his taxes right now and it is quited involved since he is self employed. You can be sure that we will be taking every legitimate write off that we can find. This is just off the top of my head but you might consider putting that extra 2% from the Social Security kickback toward your PFCU loan.

Housing Update: Still no hot water or shower but a young man who happens to be the LL's grandson is taking over the job. I have known him since he was a teenager and he stopped by this evening for a visit and apologized profusely for the job not being done yet. He promised it would all be fixed by Wed next week and I am pretty confident that he will follow through! However, this does not change my feelings over the ruined friendship and I am still on the lookout for a decent place to move to. I am also not holding my breath about the job being finished by Wed, but I am much calmer about the whole thing now and am ready to move on with life!

[muffyinthered]

I am not happy about my next update. I guess I spent more at Christmas than I thought I did. So my first goal for 2011 has been kicked to the curb.
If it is OK with everyone since my updates are always on the 15th or the previous month, I am going to consider my update on Jan. 15th as for the month of Dec. and I can still keep my goal for the following months until next Jan. 15th then I will have met this goal. Is that OK with everyone. I really wanted to keep this goal, that is why I made it #1. I hate to have screwed up my goals already. And my total will be going up on the 15th. I love Christmas and definitely gave too much to my husband, grandchild and son and DIL. I have to stop that and probably should add that to my goal for 2011. Cut down on Christmas shopping. I am trying to save up for DH and I to go to WI for grandson's 2nd birthday but airfares have really gone up.

[suzwantstobefree]

Muffy, it is your race and your goals. I think you should do whatever makes most sense for you

Perhaps you should set aside some money each month for gifts so that it is easier on you next year.

[dizzleisdone]

Thanks for the kind words everyone! Here's another update.I'm beyond excited that by next month I'll be out of the 4ks and then on to knocking out the 3ks in my race ..enjoy your weekend everyone!


Update 1/8/11 $4,149.19 ($8400.95(S)553
Hi there ladies Great job everyone. Here's another quick update.The numbers below are just me tracking my progress Congratulations on all the updates and paydowns everyone and ttyl!
1/8/11 $4149.19 1/1/11 $4,724.19 11/15/10 $5316.00 10/14/10 $6,112.36 08/10/10 $7,236.66 07/16/2010 5494.75 06/24/10 5726.50 05/24/10 5730.88 04/19/10 5892.29 03/09/10 $6066.60 02/08/10 $6218.29 01/13/2010 $6399.22 12/17/09 $6569.72 11/16/09 $6749.02 11/01/09 $6921.77 9/21/09 7064?? 9/5/09 $7277.92 8/11/09 $7587.70 7/4/09 $8181.89 6/6/09 $8425.18 5/8/09 $8400.15 3/26/09 $7829.05 3/2/09 $7966.54 1/29/09 $8061($8400.95(S)553

Read more: notmsnmoney.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=wir&action=display&thread=182&page=3#ixzz1ATNMTHhb

[forwardwego]

ElderkindI am so sorry that you are under this stress. Your "friend"/landlady seems to have her priorities backwards. She risked losing a loyal friend and dependable tenant all through these 10 years as she let the maintenance slide, and then instead of finally facing up to her responsibility she attacked you verbally. I am the sorriest of all that your dignity was attacked and your feelings hurt & disregarded. I agree with the advice given to document everything from this point forward. And though the affordability of this house facilitates your financial goals, it probably wouldn't hurt to look around at your other options. Elder, i am sorry she was not your friend. (She sure missed the boat.) She was your "friendly business connection" but only until the road was not perfectly smooth, til it became less than convenient and forced her to face up to her responsability. And thank you for the support and friendship you offer me and the other WIRRs.
looking for answersWelcome aboard!!
clean slate 09 & TXRacer81Welcome back!!!!
Shout out to mom2-4monkeys! your screen name is a hoot!

[suzwantstobefree]

Wow Dizzle - great update

[coloradobound]

Just trying out the table

Colorado_Bound 1/09/11 $29,158.69 (5/5/10 $35,641.03)

Account	Original Balance	12/21/2010	1/9/2011	% Paid
Express	$460.46	$-	$-	100.00%
Victoria's Secret	$613.29	$-	$-	100.00%
Chase	$803.07	$-	$-	100.00%
Student Loan	$902.88	$-	$-	100.00%
OSU-OKC	$884.70	$1,117.22	$1,117.22	-26.28%
Dell	$2,133.24	$1,549.24	$1,489.24	30.19%
Chase	$4,182.25	$4,268.52	$4,222.14	-0.95%
Lexus	$25,661.14	$22,258.30	$22,330.09	12.98%
Total	$35,641.03	$29,193.28	$29,158.69	18.19%

Total Paid Off $6,482.34
% Paid Off 18.19%
Amount paid since last update $34.59

[debtheaven]

Elder
I am STEAMING for you!!! It is DEFINITELY your friend's loss! I hope your friend's grandson fixes things up well and quickly but I second those who suggest scouting around to see what is available. At least you'll know what your options are. If you've been there for over 10 years you may want to check out current options / prices just to see. But you will soon be out of there, one way or another, and in your own home. I agree that's a priority for you. MANY HUGS!

PayNoInterest
Thanks for stopping by, and for your "vote of approval" LOL. I was JUST thinking of you because the NYT had an article on "recasting" your mortgage this weekend. That is what you did with your mortgage after you sold the rental property, and what we did on our rental reno loan after the second insurance payout. I am debating whether to start a new thread on it, I think I probably will.

[jdnstl]

elderkind - you have email!!

[reducemydebt]

Updated: 1/8/2011 thru pg. PB6


SOUTH REGION ACTIVE




aintnoeasywayout: 12/27/2010 $27,832.00 (6/3/2010 $33,378.00 SU327,SU390)

CarolinaKat: 1/6/11 $19,772.00 (3/5/10 $26,019 SU189)

CleanSlate09: 1/5/11 $33,787.38 (1/16/09 $32,236 S564)

Coloradobound: 1/9/11 $29,158.69 (5/5/10 $35,641.03 SU296)

CraftySarah: 12/17/10 $3,887.99 (2/10/2010 $14,784.50 SU126)
DeepInTheRed: 11/27/2010 $82,990.00 (12/8/2006 $180,462.00 33,S934,SU112)

deepintx: 12/17/10 $43,855.92 (7/12/10 $53,089.66 SU365)

dimplesnlj: 12/22/10 $41,568.00 (1/2/2010 $46,531 SU21,SU26)

dizzleisdone: 1/8/11 $4,149.19 (1/17/09 $8,400.95 SU553)

Elderkind: 1/1/11 $4800 (1/1/11 $5000)

exyankee: 12/16/10 $90,000 (5/30/07 $282,416.71 N99, SU442)

Ffflex: 12/15/10 $23.070 (6/29/10 $27,320 SU352, SU372)

ffhope: 12/20/10 $62,664.09 (8/14/10 $67,906.08 SU394)

Forwardwego 1/7/11 $5474.00 (3/21/10 $9,559.00 SU223)
freshnewday: 12/31/10 $17,789.00 (1/19/10 $41,981.59 SU63)

jdnstl: 1/4/11 $25,312.14 (1/9/08 $48,042.26 S34)

JerseyGirlinFlorida: 12/21/10 $13,965.00 (6/18/09 $26,597.00 S794)

lula110: 12/1/10 $94,924.30 (11/2/06 $135,504.74 SU479)

muffy in the red: 12/16/10 $91,633.37 (9/9/08 $121,227.00 S373, S385, SU395)

nasagreen: 11/18/10 $107,111.67 (7/20/07 $144,371.70 N312, S108, S180)

Nckls4603: 1/1/11 $7,506.83 (1/4/10 $11,089.47 SU25)

Pammy831: 11/7/10 $81,960.73 (8/29/07 $121,681.34 SU465)

pay-no-interest: 1/4/11 $133,537.30 (5/16/07 $369,884.00 N23, S25, SU358,SU359)

ProCras108r: 1/6/11 $67,511.80 (3/1/10 $69,896.89 SU178)

rdy4blck82: 1/6/11 $17,698.11 (1/28/10 $25,166.93)

Red Racer Ris: 1/6/11 $126,694.00 (3/20/10 $134,904.00 SU220)
Red RUBY: 12/29/10 $137,332.11 (1/20/09 $156,570.04 S561)

ReduceMyDebt: 12/12/10 $30,624.65 (1/2/10 $39,768.00 S20)

ridmydebt1: 12/27/10 $154,665.50 (12/30/09 $194,819.99 SU9)

Roxy in Red: 12/30/10 $24,592.58 (3/21/08 $52,359 S141,SU37)

speechchick71: 1/6/11 $4,971.00 (12/31/2009 $25,073.00 SU16)
SuzWantstoBeFree: 12/18/2010 $493,092.15 (01/01/10 $515,627.40 S101)
Sword Guy: 1/8/11 $20,205.00 (7/31/2010 $63,749.00 SU382, SU466)

[reducemydebt]

Hello Everyone! As you can see, I have posted the latest updates and was not able to copy the smilies that nasa put up earlier this week --- sorry about that! I'm still learning this and trying to get used to the posting, so we'll try to correct this for future updates.

Everyone is doing such a great job in your personal races. Some have had a minor set back as a result of Christmas, but the good thing is we realize it and can make adjustments to our monthly budgets so that we can get on track. A good item to add to the budget is preparing for next Christmas by setting aside money. I know it is harder than it sounds/looks, but we can all experience a greater freedom if we budget money for Christmas and spend accordingly to prevent us from sliding further back into our old habits.

As we all get used to this new format, I hope everyone has a great week!

[Elderkind]

MuffyInTheRed: I have the same problem of spending too much at Christmas because it is sooooo darn fun! I like Suz's idea of setting aside monies each month for Christmas spending and think I will try that! Want to join me?
DizzleIsDone: Fantastic Update! You are going to be debt free in no time! ;D
ForwardWeGo & DebtHeaven: Thank you so much for your support and kind words! You are absolutely right, my landlady is not my friend and I absolutely don't want anything to do with her now. DF thinks she must have stroked out but she has always been this way with me and at the end of the day, it's the almighty dollar she puts above everything else, including human decency. I have been looking around but have not found anything that would allow pets for under $1K a month...
ColoradoBound: Great Paydown!
ReduceMyDebt: Many thanks for the updated debt totals! ;D