Women in Red Racers - West Region

[DVM gone riding]

femalesam no worries SBS emailed it to me, I am trying to edit it now

BUT you are SO far ahead of me now maybe I won't post it You were the one I was always trying to stay in touching distance now I will have to find someone else to be my personal motivator, I won't be done until 2013-2014 with the little ones and not sure when with the big one and look at you planning to be done by the end of the year!!

[dragon2008]

Hang in there, Mcreal - we are rooting for you!

You have aggressive plans for the year. I hesitate to say this (being on the aggressive side of paydown myself), but would just maintaining where you are now for a couple of months help take the pressure off with everything else going on with your life? Although, I also see (and live) the other side, where debt paydown is the most positive thing you do when the sea of life is swamping your boat.

You are in my thoughts through this difficult time. I sending you my best!!

[dsunshine]

RESTART

After a bit of thought the last couple of days I have decided to restart my race. I am posting today, instead of Thursday, so that I can get credit for payments that will be made this week on my next post. I know I will lose my smileys but I would have anyway with just an update. I was planning on having such a wonderful update and then I got some (somewhat) bad news, hence the restart. Looks like I am not a legal part of the business I am trying to get bought out of. That I have helped run for the last 6 years and incurred personal debt to help it survive. The only slightly positive thing is I may still get "bought" out months from now....long story. Now I am stuck paying the bill for the business debt out of my own pocket, leaving me $72 for food and gas each month.

In the spreadsheet below CC1 is the business debt.

Debt	Starting Value	Current Value	% Paid off
CC 1	$14,428.14	$14,428.14	0.00%
CC 2	$1,453.99	$1,453.99	0.00%
DiscPL	$19,799.28	$19,799.28	0.00%
Total	$35,681.41	$35,681.41	0.00%

dsunshine 1/30/2011 $35,681.41 (1/30/2011 $35,681.41 WPT8)

[dsunshine]

For those of you that are trying to figure out the table and other things and doing multiple posts.....if you click on the modify button of your post you can modify and preview the post many times before actually posting it to the list. I found that this works very well and you actually have typical word options like buttons for bold, italics and lots of others.

I know we are all trying to figure out the boards so I thought I would post this just in case it will help somebody.

I'll get back to studying anatomy and physiology now.....

[mtntigger]

You were the one I was always trying to stay in touching distance

No kidding! I remember crying (and of course cheering when FemaleSam passed me, then Stormysix passed me and I was determined to pass Nasagreen, but she put on a burst of speed and won't slow down. Arrrgggh!!
to you all for keeping me motivated for even a short time.

For those of you that are trying to figure out the table and other things and doing multiple posts.....if you click on the modify button of your post you can modify and preview the post many times before actually posting it to the list. I found that this works very well and you actually have typical word options like buttons for bold, italics and lots of others.

Also, if you hit reply, you could preview your message too.

[FemaleSam]

dvm07 and SlowbutSure

You guys are too funny! All I can say is don't worry. I have so much debt that I will be on this site forever. I'll win a race and then start another race over and over again so at some point I will be behind both of you again multiple times. I do love (and miss) the clubs. There was something about them that made it easier to sacrifice just a little bit more so I could move up a spot.

[startsmart]

Dragon - kinda! Right now I do scheduling, admin and customer service for three online businesses. And work 10-14 hr days. So I'm building a business that serves my clients better by taking on apprentices, whom I pay, and billing for their time. Full disclosure to the clients too. So I am building the business from the ground up right now.

It's a bit different than managing a department on the client's behalf because it's structured so that I will make money by having other people do the work. This is great because I have 7-10 more people who want to hire me but I don't have the time. So I'm going to build it slowly and bring on new clients as I grow.

One of the reasons I'm not so worried about paying off this loan is that my income has gone up considerably. To give you an idea, I earned 25% more in the last four months of 2010 than in the first eight months. In the beginning of the year I had a 32 hr/wk job "full time" plus three part time jobs. Now I just do freelance contract work.

[dragon2008]

That sounds great, Start! From working for others to employing others in one year - priceless!

Now you just need to bring your employees up to speed so you can take a vacation!

[dragon2008]

Need your help:

On the MSN boards (either Your Money (where I was a lurker) or here), in December I read a thread about what divorce took from you. One of the posters (from California, I think) said her exH took her longaberger baskets in the divorce and sold them (which is very mean-spirited!). Do any of you remember the poster?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - Thanks!

[mcreal]

Why do my deleted posts still show up on the page? I can see that my spreadsheets posted with all the code, sorry all for the ugly entries. I thought I had deleted them.

[dsunshine]

No need to apologize mcreal. We are all still trying to get used to this new system. That is weird that your posts didn't delete.

For those of you more experienced with this site.....I finally figured out the New, Junior and Full member but what does the Karma mean? And, how do people get Karma?

Just curious because I already have three and I don't know what I did.

[DVM gone riding]

you get Karma by other people "exalting" you I don't think it means anything. At 50 posts you will get "junior" member status at a 100 "full" member I don't know what it takes to get "senior" or the "I post a lot " member status

[salserabarby]

Debt	Date	Current Debt	Starting Date	Starting Debt	Total Paid	% Paid off
Student Loan	2/1/2011	$12,972	7/1/2010	$17,226.21	$4,254.28	24.70%
HSBC	2/1/2011	$0	7/1/2010	$2,973.87	$2,973.87	100.00%
School Loan	2/1/2011	$2,600	7/1/2010	$5,706.02	$3,106.02	54.43%
Total		$15,572		$25,906.10	$10,334.17	39.89%

I got myself a party hat smiley!!!!!

I might have some additional expense in February and March. February is mine and my boyfriends birthdays, so you know we have to celebrate, even if it's just with a little something. And in March........We are going on our long waited cruise. 7days to Mexican Riviera. I've been saving for this for over 6 months. I am absolutely terrified and so very excited.

[dsunshine]

Can it get any worse?

I am trying so hard and this year just keeps slapping me in the face. My renter gave notice today and I have absolutely no savings to make the mortgage payment on my own. I don't know what to do because I figured out that I will have a -$250+ month and that does not include food or gas. I may actually have to pay my utility bills with my credit card.....I can't believe I am thinking that way.

[ambellamy]

Update:

All my debt is gone sans my mortgage again! hopefully this time it stays that way...

Name of Debt	Current Date	Current Debt $	Starting Date	Starting Debt	Total Paid	% Paid off
Condo	1/20/2011	$114,480.21	10/3/2009	$117,826.00	$3,345.79	2.84%
Empire Today		$0.00	10/3/2009	$4,345.00	$4,345.00	100.00%
Home Depot		$0.00	10/3/2009	$4,397.48	$4,397.48	100.00%
David's Bridal	2/1/2011	$0.00	10/3/2009	$607.92	$607.92	100.00%
Total		$114,480.21		$127,176.40	$12,696.19	9.98%

Ambellamy [2]: 2/1/11 $114,480.21 (10/03/09 $127,176.40) W760 W783 WU198

and now i turtle as i prepare for the wedding!

I also updated my blog address... Its now www.Southcountygirl.blogspot.com instead of the old addy.

[mcreal]

dsunshine - Sorry for the bad news! I wish I had some words of wisdom. All I can say is that I have found creative ways of surviving the tough times. Is there anything you can do to avoid charging these utility payments?

[stormysix]

Name of Debt	Current Date	Current Debt $	Starting Date	Starting Debt	Total Paid	% Paid off
jcp	2/2/2011	$0.00	12/8/2007	$276.00	$276.00	100.00%
CC1	2/2/2011	$0.00	12/8/2007	$2.54	$2.54	100.00%
CC2	2/2/2011	$2,199.30	12/8/2007	$2,235.01	$35.71	1.60%
CC3	2/2/2011	$0.00	12/8/2007	$4,406.30	$4,406.30	100.00%
CC4	2/2/2011	$18,785.22	12/8/2007	$13,528.72	($5,256.50)	-38.85%
cons	2/2/2011	$0.00	12/8/2007	$25,829.03	$25,829.03	100.00%
cl	2/2/2011	$16,584.55	12/8/2007	$37,039.61	$20,455.06	55.22%
sl	2/2/2011	$52,550.65	12/8/2007	$60,152.03	$7,601.38	12.64%
Timeshare	2/2/2011	$0.00	12/8/2007	$15,000.00	$15,000.00	100.00%
Tutor	2/2/2011	$0.00	12/8/2009	$5,000.00	$5,000.00	100.00%
CC5	2/2/2011	$6,897.34	12/8/2007	$10,000.00	$3,102.66	31.03%
Storecard 1	2/2/2011	$2,857.77	12/1/2009	$5,000.00	$2,142.23	42.84%
Store Card 2	2/2/2011	$0.00	7/1/2010	$1,500.00	$1,500.00	100.00%
Total		$99,874.83		$179,969.24	$80,094.41	44.50%

Stormysix $99874.83 2/2/2011 (143469.24 12/8/07 N837) Total diff 43594.41
Except I added about 35k in debt, still managed to stay out of the 100k club and really paid 80094.41-
My goal to become CC debt free by 2012 may still yet come to pass

[stormysix]

So, I am finally working on my master bathroom- SO far I have spent 5000.00- I know I still have about 4 k to go. I've waited and saved a long time for this.

I am scared to death about starting a new job in admiistration at my current work place. I have never worked dayshift, mon-Fri, I am not sure how much of a paycut I will be receiving (haven't seen the contract yet). And, I have no clothes!!!
I have lived in scrubs for 22 years, I have no fashion sense and I hate the idea of spending money on clothes (other than for my boys). I don't even know where to start
I will not even invest in anything until I lay eyes on a contract. I love what I currently do, but feel the timing is perfect for this opportunity. I hope I am right and hope even more I can find reward in this role. Right now, I go home everyday, knowing I made a difference. Now, the difference I make will be not on a daily patient/family relationship, but in creating more of my kind for that role and hopefully, implementing many ideas to make patient care better quality.
With the pay cut, I will be turtling. I still have not much in savings (besides ample retirement) but cannot find it in me to save when my credit card bills are taunting me to pay them off- Each bill I open is a personal challenge screaming, "pay this mofo off-!"

[stormysix]

I was wondering, did everyone make it over?

[stormysix]

Congratulations AmBellamy! What a way to start off a marriage!! You are credit smart and consumer debt free!
I'm not worthy

[stormysix]

dsunshine- I am so sorry for the trouble you are having. I hope you find renters soon!

[stormysix]

salsera! happy birthday and have a great time!!

[stormysix]

Startsmart! Sounds great! I am glad you are doing so well!

[stormysix]

Slowbutsure and dragon2008! YOu guys are too funny. I am sorry I passed you on the 100k club (well, not really) but I am sure you will be passing me by if you haven't already. Especially, with all my debt now up except for my mortgage!
Keep racing strong!!
I do miss the list too, I think there was a 50-100k list. I would love the challenge to leapfrog somemore!

[dsunshine]

I am sure you have found creative ways mcreal. I know you have been through a lot this last year....you are in my thoughts a lot. In answer to you your question.....yes. That is the simple answer. The harder answer is that I may have to charge my food, but I spend less on food than I do utilities in a month.

I have spent part of the day today moving my numbers around and trying to figure some "what-ifs".

So, here is my situation. Note that this does not include food or gas. I spent $65 last night on food that I hope will get me through most of this month and I walk to work so I am hoping to not spend any money on gas. There is only one major grocery store in my county (Safeway)...all others are privately owned and charge a lot for stuff. So food deals are hard to come by in my area. Good thing is I live 2 blocks from the store and usually stop by on my way home to grab fruit or veggies if I need them. I did just realize that I need to buy the cats some cat food this week....expensive when I buy it but tends to average out to only $5/month/cat. So, that will be about $60 later this week.

Bills	Monthly
Mortgage	$584.79
Auto Ins	$54.60
Netflix	$9.99
Phone/TV	$124.23
Power	$120.00
City	$57.00
Rent	$300.00
CC1	$295.00
DiscPL	$370.41
CC2	$50.00
DellLOC	$55.00
Sub-Total	$2,021.02
Avail Cash
Income	$1,909.00
Savings 1	$399.00
Savings 2	$255.00
Total	$2,563.00
Remaining	$541.98

I am better off than I thought I was. I will have money to buy food this month. The Phone/TV I am on contract and will call Direct TV to see if I can put it on hold for a couple of months. The power bill I don't know until around the 12th of the month (last month was $140). This is mostly my heaters...I am keeping it at 58 degrees in my house right now when the outside temps are down to 10 at night. There is no way to cut this anymore. I usually pay $200 on the Dell because that is at 0% right now and will go up to 21.99% in May (only owe $948).

I was getting $650 for rent on the house which paid the mortgage and city bills.

The "what-ifs" I was thinking of today were...

1. What if I moved in to the house? I currently pay for power, phone, TV, and have free internet, water, sewer and garbage. If I move I will pay higher 'rent', water, sewer, garbage, internet, phone, power, TV, heating oil, car fuel (36 mile RT/day) NOT a good idea.

2. What if the renter stays until end of March? That would work better for me....she is now leaving at the end of Feb. DAMN!

3. What if the business doesn't buy me out this month? I will see if the business can pay the $295 bill this month and play it by ear for next month. It the business can pay I will be alright...if not then I will struggle for a couple of month. If I do get bought out this month, then I will pay off CC1, CC2, and some of DellLOC.

Well, for now I think for now I will survive this month. I hope to hear, this week, from the person trying to buy me out. That way I will have a better grasp on my monthly situation.

Have a good evening all.

[nooccar]

UPDATE:

nooccar(2): $72520.01 (11/4/2010 $73475.09 WU197)

[dragon2008]

dsunshine - I'm sorry to hear about your renter situation. How long until you know about the buy-out? You're in my thoughts - hang in there!

[dragon2008]

Yeah - rub it in Stormysix that you are no longer in the 100K+ club with SBS and I!! Maybe someday we'll catch up with you!!

[dragon2008]

Congrats on your consumer-debt-free life, ambellamy! Enjoy the turtling as you spend your energy on wedding-related issues!

[dragon2008]

Happy Birthday, salserabarby, and have a great trip!

Great update, nooccar! You'll be winning this race PDQ!