alicesfreedom
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Post by alicesfreedom on Oct 21, 2012 23:23:35 GMT -5
Hi. everyone.
Hope everyone is doing good and welcome akagrace.
Been a horrible start to the school year for both kids. The youngest has to deal with 2 teachers until March when the orginally hired teacher comes off of maternity leave which still leaves her with 2 teachers. She does not deal well with Change and for grade 1 this is just too much. So all the skills she learned last year does not seem to be working. Will know more after parent teacher interview tomorrow.
The high schooler ( grade 9) was suspended for 10 days 3 weeks into school for drinking. Her and her friend ( that got she got into trouble with last year for skipping out) decided to sign themselves out. The kids are allowed to sign themselves out, just by saying they have an appointment. Paid some guy at the liqour store to buy them a bottle. The other kid had the money.
So they went drinking, some of their other friends told the vice principal and he looked for them, then called me. I asked for a HUGE favour of my friend, if she would take my youngest while I dealt with the high schooler.
So I asked some of the moms here for some ideas on what to do. Going to get her into kickboxing maybe after school if her friend goes even if her friend doesn't I'm going to put her in it. and maybe the youngest too. Have another mom who is teaching her how to work with her horses. Most of the mom's here has boys, so the moms said let me think about it and they gave a few ideas.
So budget has plain just gone out the window. Mainly on gas and fast food because I am 45 mins from town. Will try and get an update in the next few days.
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zsdebt
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Post by zsdebt on Oct 22, 2012 21:27:29 GMT -5
Sorry everyone! October has been nuts. We had to rewire our house as insurance called to cancel! So we've been w/o power since the beginning of the month!! I am sitting on my couch on my desktop as I write this. lol. Here's my update! I have a new zero!  ZsDebt: 10/22/2012, $(1/7/2010, $59,198.18, IU16) | Starting debt (1/7/2010) | Current (08/31/2012) | | Loan 1: 8,381.28 | 0 | | CC 1: 1,935.71 | 0 | | CC 2: 3,312.03 | 0 | | CC 3: 2,948.52 | 0 | | CC 4: 5,926.85 | 0 | | CC 5: 0 | 6,945.59 | | LoC: 9,928.32 | 0 (NEW ZERO!) | | Student loan 1: 19,852.79 | 15,291.98 | | Student loan 2: 6,912.68 | 5,550.65 | | Total: $59,198.18 | 27,688.22 |
Total paid: $31,509.96    After I pay off that last CC. I have to start saving for the wedding!! Just 10 more months to go! Yikes! Hope everyone is doing well. |
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ldawngirl
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Post by ldawngirl on Oct 23, 2012 9:45:25 GMT -5
Hey everyone! And a big welcome to akagrace! Sorry for not posting recently - DH and I were out of town last week. I will post an update soon, but right now the credit card looks crazy due to a bunch of big charges that will be paid for by insurance, so I want to wait for those to clear first.
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bankergurl
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Post by bankergurl on Oct 27, 2012 20:36:17 GMT -5
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akagrace
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Post by akagrace on Oct 28, 2012 8:11:53 GMT -5
As horrible about reading everybody's misfortunes is I can't help but feel glad I am not alone!! What a few weeks! Ai yi yi!!! Usually I take $450 cash every paycheque and use that for all of my discretionary purchases (gas, groceries, school lunches, etc). It seems to have worked okay the past month and a half, well until these past two weeks. My daughter (age 8, grade 3), came home with lice. And the caring, sharing girl she is decided to pass them on to me! Because of all the laundry my washing machine broke ($167 to repair), then I had to use the laundromat ($120), plus the cost for numerous weeks of lice treatments ($120) my $450 has gone straight out the window. My only saving grace is that I have a fully stocked freezer and pantry to use so I can keep the grocery bill down. Oh yeah, plus she told me she had pinworms yesterday so there is another $30 for that medication!! I do have an emergency fund but I want to save it for a true emergency. I'm seriously considering adding a 'Life' savings fund for these crappy times that don't quite constitute a true emergency. Despite all of that I have still managed to chip away at CC#2. That card is my daily credit card because I get AirMiles. I have all of my pre-authorized payments go to it. I have been really good lately at paying off the charge as soon as it applies. I also round my payment up to the nearest $5. I figure even if it is only and extra $2 it will still add up and help chip away at that debt. My bright moment on the horizon is I know CC#1 will be paid off in full on Thursday!!! Hooray!! My first 0!!!!!! Once I have some time (hopefully after our newest 'pets' are eliminated) I will post my budget. I look forward to hearing tips on areas I can rework. I have looked and looked at it and sometimes those fresh eyes and different perspectives help find money you couldn't see previously. Alice - good luck with your daughter. If I may offer an opinion, it sounds like she wants power and control of her life and acceptance in her life. I hate to use the phrase 'typical teenager' because that seems to legitimatize the behaviour, but she is exhibiting the base behaviour normal for her development. How she is choosing to act on those base behaviours is completely inappropriate. Is there something you can do to help her fulfill those base needs of power, control and acceptance in a more positive way? Perhaps giving her control of the family's meal planning and grocery shopping for a week (with a preset budget of course), giving her the power of choosing a family activity, not reacting to any physical changes she makes with her appearance (hair dye, etc) to let her know she is accepted. I like the idea of kickboxing as that will instill self-discipline and a strong ethic of working towards a goal. You are already doing the best thing though, and that is being a concerned parent. Right there she is further ahead than many other teens. Even when you are at the end of your rope, you can tie a knot in it and hold on with the knowledge that you are already doing the best thing you can - being her MOM. Hugs and prayers (and patience!!) to you ZsDebt - What an inspiration! Congratulations! Seeing all those zeros on your chart (how did you do that anyways?) gives this girl hope for my own race! Everyone - Thanks for the welcomes! I was worried there for a bit. |
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Oct 31, 2012 13:53:04 GMT -5
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akagrace
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Post by akagrace on Nov 1, 2012 18:49:56 GMT -5
I have an emergency fund question for anyone and everyone who would like to answer.
I currently have an emergency fund just over $2100. I have never touched it as when I think of 'emergency' I think of something extremely serious. After reading a few other boards, I am starting to question my hesitance on accessing that fund. From what I have gathered, the emergency fund is there for any expense out of the norm.
My question to everyone is what is your guideline for accessing your emergency fund? Do you have various savings for varying degrees of emergencies?
Thanks!
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ldawngirl
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Post by ldawngirl on Nov 1, 2012 19:00:10 GMT -5
I have an emergency fund question for anyone and everyone who would like to answer. I currently have an emergency fund just over $2100. I have never touched it as when I think of 'emergency' I think of something extremely serious. After reading a few other boards, I am starting to question my hesitance on accessing that fund. From what I have gathered, the emergency fund is there for any expense out of the norm. My question to everyone is what is your guideline for accessing your emergency fund? Do you have various savings for varying degrees of emergencies? Thanks! We have an emergency fund that we're adding to slowly each month (currently about $1250 and adding $100/mth). For me, the emergency fund would be used if one of us lost our job, got injured or there was a need for a sudden trip (i.e. death in the family). In terms of other "e-funds", we put aside money each month for our "car fund". This money goes towards our insurance and licence registrations each year, as well as money for any car problems that may arise. Although right now the car is still under warranty, so more of a safety net for later on. We also have pet insurance, so any large vet bills would not be a concern (20% is what we'd have to cover over $100). If we didn't have these in place, I would use the e-fund for those as well. However, I see these things as expected issues (i.e. I know the car will eventually need repairs and I know the cats will unfortunately get ill from time to time - this is just part of life and as they're "expected", we set aside money specifically for them). In addition, we do have disability and life insurance, so a job loss due to illness or disability would not be horrific for us financially. I think the only other time we would have to use it is if DH is sick with a flu or such. Then we may have to pull from the e-fund to supplement his income (he doesn't get paid sick days). However, we also don't budget his whole pay cheque, so unless he's sick for a week or so, there's usually enough, if not extra. Hope that helps! |
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Rocky Mtn Saver
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Post by Rocky Mtn Saver on Nov 1, 2012 19:04:15 GMT -5
Grace, I'm not in this region, but I am going to chime in on your question. It depends on your goals, your financial situation, and your comfort levels, I think. I am personally not quite as tight-fisted about my EF as some are. I consider my Roth IRA as my true OMG-I'm-Bleeding-From-A-Head-Wound emergency fund.
So I am a little bit looser about what I take from my regular EF. I don't use it willy-nilly, though. First I try to put off an expense until I can save for it. Then, I try to find room in my monthly cash flow, perhaps over the next month as well. If neither of those two approaches can work, and I have to pay the expense, I cover it from my EF. This year, for example, I took out $60 to cover a medical expense that I couldn't avoid (but couldn't use my HSA for), and $60 when my computer broke and had to be serviced.
ETA: I have funds I contribute to for variable or irregular expenses so that they are covered. I have a car repair fund, a medical expense fund, a travel fund, etc. So when those expenses come up unexpectedly, I can usually use the designated fund and not take from the EF.
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akagrace
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Post by akagrace on Nov 2, 2012 15:23:38 GMT -5
UPDATE 11/02/2012 $38,591.23 (10/17/2012 $39,706.99)
Hooray!! I have my first zero's!!! And have made my first payment on my LoC!
CC #1 - $0!!! (starting $125)
CC #2 - $0!!! (starting $650.76)
LoC - <$400>, Balance $28,711.23 (starting $29,111.23)
CC #3 - $9,820 (will have a payment next week)
Yippee!!!
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ldawngirl
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Post by ldawngirl on Nov 2, 2012 17:07:55 GMT -5
Congrats on the zeros akagrace!
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bankergurl
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Post by bankergurl on Nov 4, 2012 20:50:21 GMT -5
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Minnesotagirl7
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Post by Minnesotagirl7 on Nov 10, 2012 12:14:30 GMT -5
akagrace- Congrats on your first two 0's, that's awesome!!  
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redruby
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Post by redruby on Nov 11, 2012 10:12:26 GMT -5
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bankergurl
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Post by bankergurl on Nov 11, 2012 13:19:54 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2012 20:01:33 GMT -5
Alice
How are things going with your DD? I hope things are looking up.
Grace
Welcome, and way to go getting those two zeros!
Minnesota
You are rocking it girl! Thanks for the shout-out.
We've had a very hard time of it recently. DH's first op went fine, but his second didn't. His hand infected and he ended up in the hospital again for nine days. At the same time our boiler died and we had no heat or hot water. They couldn't fix it (it's only 3 years old). They tried for four days, the manufacturer finally diagnosed the problem, we needed a new part that would take two weeks to order.
Our plumber felt badly for DH so after seven days without heat or hot water he installed a new boiler instead. I'm guessing he is covering the cost of that under guarantee but that he will charge us for labor. Frankly, I didn't ask. I figured, get heat and hot water first, ask questions later. So we have another new boiler, and DH is home. But, he's on sick leave again till end of Jan. He has a hospital superbug infection so he's on MASSIVE doses of antibiotics, he can barely function. It's been pretty rough.
It's hard to get my head around the fact that 15 months after his accident DH nearly lost his hand again, and could still lose it if the antibiotics don't work, Gd forbid!
We were supposed to go to England for his aunt's 80th BD but DH was hospitalized the day before his aunt's party, so obviously, we didn't go.
On a more positive note, DH is in the process of getting a preliminary settlement. We have decided to use some of it (which I will match) to shorten the newly extended term on our rental loan. It was 40 months before we refi-ed, it went up to 84 months (now 82). Hopefully by next month it will be down to about 63 months.
DH and I have talked A LOT about priorities. Our goal is still to pay that loan off by summer 2016 when DS3 finishes HS, if possible. This will get us halfway there. The money is in escrow at his lawyer's, it will take about three weeks for it to come through.
I hope you are all well.
ETA: Part of the reason that I stopped posting here is that I had a bunch of "extra" jobs lined up for this year. Then my main job gave me yet more hours. I was worried about handling all of it, so I gave up two of those "extra" jobs, and I felt really guilty about it. I know I made the right decision though, especially in light of DH's recent setback. If I hadn't backed out of those extra jobs, I would have had to work two extra days while he was in the hospital.
However, I am doing anything and everything extra at my main job.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 13:53:00 GMT -5
Posting here has brought me good luck! My school fired one of their teachers last week, and two of the other teachers divided up most of her classes. I was a tiny bit miffed at not being asked but since those classes are "very heavy marking classes", I was more relieved than miffed.
Today they asked me to take over her last class, which has almost no marking! So, I'll have nine more hours this semester (450e) and nearly no more marking! Yay!
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Saving4Norway
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Post by Saving4Norway on Nov 12, 2012 15:42:53 GMT -5
Great news, debthaven!!!  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 17:16:41 GMT -5
Thank you Norway! <3
Hopefully something will come through for next semester too.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Nov 14, 2012 11:26:42 GMT -5
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murphath
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Post by murphath on Nov 15, 2012 12:40:23 GMT -5
Debthaven2:
You have a PM.
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ldawngirl
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Post by ldawngirl on Nov 20, 2012 13:25:23 GMT -5
Finally an update!
ldawngirl: 11/20/2012, $3,726.04 (07/11/2012, $8,328.57, IU48)
VISA (1.9% balance transfer until April 30, 2013) - $3,726.04
Mastercard (18.99% interest) - $0
$4,602.53 paid
We had a ton of money going on the Mastercard that we had to wait for reimbursement (insurance, health stuff, etc.), so now that that is finally paid back, I feel better.
I'm still waiting for some freelance cheques, which will put a big dent in that Visa. I know this company will always pay, but it's frustrating to wait.
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bankergurl
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Post by bankergurl on Nov 25, 2012 13:30:54 GMT -5
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Nov 28, 2012 11:32:03 GMT -5
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Minnesotagirl7
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Post by Minnesotagirl7 on Dec 1, 2012 17:35:50 GMT -5
debthaven- Good news! Idawngirl- Awesome update!
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zsdebt
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Post by zsdebt on Dec 2, 2012 23:30:01 GMT -5
Congrats FFinBC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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zsdebt
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Post by zsdebt on Dec 2, 2012 23:39:59 GMT -5
ZsDebt: 12/02/2012, $25,887.11 (1/7/2010, $59,198.18, IU16) | Starting debt (1/7/2010) | Current (08/31/2012) | | Loan 1: 8,381.28 | 0 | | CC 1: 1,935.71 | 0 | | CC 2: 3,312.03 | 0 | | CC 3: 2,948.52 | 0 | | CC 4: 5,926.85 | 0 | | LoC: 9,928.32 | 5,219.70 | | Student loan 1: 19,852.79 | 15,149.43 | | Student loan 2: 6,912.68 | 5,517.98 | | Total: $59,198.18 | $25,887.11 |
Total paid: $33,311.07 Sorry for not updating in November. I still haven't gone Christmas shopping yet.. yikes!! On to good news - my goal was to get below $25K by the end of the year. I think I might be able to reach that goal so I'm pretty happy about that.
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zsdebt
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Post by zsdebt on Dec 2, 2012 23:44:58 GMT -5
akagrace - here you are asking about zeros and you have two already! Congrats!! It's been tough.. I was hoping to pay off all my debt by the end of this year but I had a few set backs. I always allow myself to buy something nice for myself (I budget about $100 - some months I don't even use the full $100) But this way I don't binge later. ;D
Just keep at it and you'll be done in no time! I also find it helps when I see and update my balances all the time. It's so satisfying seeing the balances go down.
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ldawngirl
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Post by ldawngirl on Dec 7, 2012 22:59:56 GMT -5
Sooo.....my office may be going on strike in the next month or two. Our contract was up at the end of September and in October, we rejected the company's offer, which saw us getting no raises for the first 2 years, and then small ones for years 3 and 4. There were a few other perks added, but none of those would start until 2015 either. Since the rejection of the original offer, the union and company have been bargaining some more, but the company refuses to budge on that primary issue. I won't go into the details of their rationale for not giving a raise, but IMO, it makes no sense and the employees are POed.
They brought in a conciliator and he made a proposal, which the union and company presented to us this week. It still has no raises and the changes to the contract are those things that should have already been in place (i.e. bereavement leave for step family members). So it was kind of a slap in the face and many people are mad at the union for even presenting it to us.
So, we'll have to vote on whether or not to accept this new deal, which based on the reason behind our initial rejection, will likely be rejected as well. That will take place sometime after the holidays. After that rejection, a strike vote will be held and if the majority of employees vote to strike, it can go one of two ways. The union either uses that strike vote as a way to get the company to give us something more or we do in fact go on strike.
Many people are saying it won't last for long if it does happen, or the company will cave at the last minute or that the government will step in at some point, but the company seems pretty f'ing stubborn about all this, so I don't know what will happen.
To prep for a potential strike, I've started saving some cash that I'm getting from freelance instead of putting it on the credit card. With the interest being only 1.9%, I'd rather have the cash to pay for essentials and I can just pay the (small) minimum payment for the time being.
I also alerted the editor that I do freelance for and asked her for extra work. Even if the money doesn't come in while we're on strike, it will give me something to do and help replenish our savings or pay off debt afterward. I've been putting out some feelers for part-time or temp work if a strike does indeed happen.
Not sure what else I can do right now, but hopefully it's something that I don't need to worry about after all. And if a strike does happen, we may do a rolling strike, so we are only striking for a day or two every week or so, rather than a full-on strike. This way I'd still get paid the majority of my paycheque...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 17:48:38 GMT -5
Great updates Zs and Idawn!
Idawn, that must be scary with the strike. I hope it works out the way you want it to.
DH put 1.5K towards the mortgages (we used his other 1K towards the boiler, unfortunately the manufacturer would not accept to put the repair under guarantee. I know our plumber tried very hard, he was furious. So, for 800e we got a brand new boiler with a new guarantee.)
So in the end our prepayment of 4K knocked 12 months off the loan. So, with December's payment, it went from 82 months in Nov to 69 months in Dec. Our goal is still to pay it off early (in 42 months) but I'll be honest and say we aren't actually DOING anything to work towards that goal, just planning on putting any future windfalls towards it.
I finished my semester on Thursday and I am now on a reduced schedule for five weeks (with a TON of marking.) I am looking for more work elsewhere for second semester. I have nearly enough hours but not quite. I have to admit I'm rather disappointed, I didn't think I'd be scouting out more hours for the first time in over 18 months, but I guess I was overly optimistic.
Hope you are all doing well. DH's infection is healing, thank Gd, but he is going stir crazy with being on sick leave again, and life is rather difficult. He is still on his massive doses of antibiotics but he is coming towards the end of his treatment.
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