Hoping Dave's plan will set me free.

**Surilda** · 08-10-2009, 03:36 AM

I found Frugal Village by googling "Debt Reduction". I have spent alot of time reading here, but have been avoiding why I am here to begin with. I think "Big Tony" was an inspiration.

I have read "Total Money Makeover", and I only wish I had known about Dave a few years ago.

I have always had credit card debt, it seems. I have a fairly good job, and never had a problem paying the bills as I could work overtime almost every weekend. Those days are gone now. The overtime has been reduced dramatically, although I still get days here and there. I can usually get at least 4 hours a week.

I went through a depression for several months and during that time didn't work as much as I should have. I paid the bills, but was charging everything else like groceries, gas, etc. So it was alot of money added to my balances.

I have stopped using the credit cards completely since May.

I think Dave's plan is the only way I will ever get out of debt. Baby step one is going to be very hard for me, but I plan to sign for overtime EVERY day. So far, I have a whopping $14.00 saved toward my $1000.00.

At this stage in my life, 6 years from retirement, should be the best years of my life, but financially, it has never been this bad. I do have motivations though.

1. If I don't get this debt paid off, I won't be able to retire when I want too.

2. My landlord has offered to sell me the house I am living in.
I have been here 9 years. It is a small one bedroom & he
will sell it to me for $35,000 if I choose to buy it.

I will have $25 extra on my paycheck in a couple of weeks as my 401K loan will be paid off. I plan to add that to my emergency fund.

My truck will be paid off next August and that is when I can really start to snowball. That payment is over $400.

I was going to list all my debts, but will wait to do that after I get my emergency fund completed, since it will be a while before I can start to snowball.

I am living very frugal now. I only buy what I need. I do not feel deprived at all. I rather enjoy the lifestyle.

I don't think there is anywhere I can cut back more. No cable or cell phone bill. Dial up internet. Very basic groceries. Never buy new clothes; use Ebay usually, but don't buy much as I am a homebody and never go anywhere usually except to work and my Moms. Work furnishes uniforms.

Debt drains you and makes you feel trapped. I am hoping that Dave's plan will set me free...

Sorry this is so long....

**Ceashels** · 08-10-2009, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Surilda

I have read "Total Money Makeover", and I only wish I had known about Dave a few years ago.We wish we found him earlier too.

I have stopped using the credit cards completely since May.

Awesome! Sometimes I think this is one of the most difficult things to do.

I think Dave's plan is the only way I will ever get out of debt. Baby step one is going to be very hard for me, but I plan to sign for overtime EVERY day. So far, I have a whopping $14.00 saved toward my $1000.00. You can modify that big number to $500 to begin with. Are there items you can sell to help add to the EF?

At this stage in my life, 6 years from retirement, should be the best years of my life, but financially, it has never been this bad. I do have motivations though. Those are very good motivations. I wonder if your Landlord would be willing to use part of your rent as a growing down payment on the house... rent to own type of deal?

I will have $25 extra on my paycheck in a couple of weeks as my 401K loan will be paid off. I plan to add that to my emergency fund. Excellent!

My truck will be paid off next August and that is when I can really start to snowball. That payment is over $400.

I was going to list all my debts, but will wait to do that after I get my emergency fund completed, since it will be a while before I can start to snowball. You can still put them in your signature. By paying the minimal, you are still chipping away at the debt.

I am living very frugal now. I only buy what I need. I do not feel deprived at all. I rather enjoy the lifestyle. I think the minimalist lifestyle would be very freeing and very frugal... its just taking me a long time to get there. hehehe

I don't think there is anywhere I can cut back more. No cable or cell phone bill. Dial up internet. Very basic groceries. Never buy new clothes; use Ebay usually, but don't buy much as I am a homebody and never go anywhere usually except to work and my Moms. Work furnishes uniforms.

It sounds as though you have a good working plan. It can be very invigorating and empowering at this stage of the game. Do you have your plan written down and posted so they can reinforce why you are living so frugally? It serves Greebo and I as a reminder of why we are taking this journey.

**Surilda** · 08-10-2009, 12:45 PM

Are there items you can sell to help add to the EF?

I have been working at Mom's on the weekends helping her get things ready to take to the auction. I will be taking a few things too. As I have been decluttering here for several weeks, I don't have alot to take, but every little bit will help.

I wonder if your Landlord would be willing to use part of your rent as a growing down payment on the house... rent to own type of deal?

I'm not sure I want to buy the house yet. The landlord is in his seventies, so he may think he is too old for that arrangement. Should I decide to buy the house though, I will certainly ask him.

You can modify that big number to $500 to begin with.

That will be my mini-goal, but in my situation, I really need the $1000 for unexpected bumps in the road.

Everything financially related is on excel forms on my computer. I have my bill payment log, my credit card log which shows balances and how much they have come down every month, another credit card log that has due dates, limits, etc, updated with each bill as the credit card companies are sneaky these days!! I have a snowball chart which I am looking foward to using. I keep myself VERY aware of everything financially related.

I don't use a traditional budget. My bill log shows my paydays. Each bill is entered as it comes in with due date, and what payday it will be paid, the amount, and then the date in red that it is actually paid.
Money not used for bills that payday goes for groceries, gas, etc. and what is left, stays to be added to the money from the next payday. It is NOT extra money that I can spend. It would be hard for me to do the traditional budget as my checks are usually never the same. Some have varied overtime, some may be short if I get sick, etc. This works very well for me.

I just wish I didn't have to think about money so much! lol

**Greebo** · 08-10-2009, 12:56 PM

Is an extra job for the short term an option for you? Just to increase income to get the BEF and maybe 1 or 2 early smaller debts out of the way?

**Surilda** · 08-10-2009, 01:41 PM

Greebo,
I couldn't get a "traditional" part time job. I need something I can set my own hours. I need to be able to work when the overtime is available.

I am going to the bank to finally get a debit card and while there I am going to ask my banker about mowing jobs that may be available at foreclosed houses. I mow my very large yard and my Moms 2 very large yards and field every week.

What I would really like to do though, is advertise to help people with big projects that are hard to do on your own. Such as cleaning/organizing basements, garages, etc. As a "helpmate", so to speak. I have done some very big projects before and many times wished that I had some help! That could include painting, and many other things that could be overwhelming for one person.

Hoping to get something I can set my own hours though.

**Greebo** · 08-10-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Surilda

Greebo,
I am going to the bank to finally get a debit card and while there I am going to ask my banker about mowing jobs that may be available at foreclosed houses. I mow my very large yard and my Moms 2 very large yards and field every week.

What I would really like to do though, is advertise to help people with big projects that are hard to do on your own. Such as cleaning/organizing basements, garages, etc. As a "helpmate", so to speak. I have done some very big projects before and many times wished that I had some help! That could include painting, and many other things that could be overwhelming for one person.

Hoping to get something I can set my own hours though.

Those sound like a set of GREAT ideas!

Hey, you're not around Baltimore, are you? We need a new lawn person for our rental property...

**MaryCarney** · 08-10-2009, 07:41 PM

Great idea. Fox news online just had an article about people who are making a lot of money reaming out and cleaning up foreclosed homes. This would be such a great idea for you, esp. since it could be done when you have no OT.
Good luck on your journey - it's Soooooooo worth it!!

**Monner 1** · 08-10-2009, 08:00 PM

It sounds to me like you are well on your way to figuring this thing out. Best of luck and keep doing what you have planned to do and I think you be okay.

Monner :nails

**CouponShelle** · 08-10-2009, 09:33 PM

The mowing lawns and organizing/cleaning is a GREAT idea!!! Write up an ad and put it on www.craigslist.com right away. I'm sure you'll have hits before the weekend.

BTW, welcome to the village. I'm relatively new here and have also found so much inspiration and encouragement. I'm excited to watch/read your journey!

**Surilda** · 08-12-2009, 02:27 PM

$27,847.69

5 credit cards and a truck balance.

My goal is 3 years. The last payment
on the truck will be August 14, 2010.
$400.00 added to the snowball amount.

That will leave me 3 years to save more
money for retirement.

Ceashels, I will put information in my
signatures soon. Balances- updated
monthly, overtime- updated weekly.
EF- updated monthly.

I will take a second look at the things I
felt I had to keep during my decluttering
that are in the basement, and reevaluate.

I got 2 1/2 hours overtime so far this
week.

I have to buy a new answering machine
this weekend for my part time endeavors.
$20.00.

I think I am ready....If I have overlooked
anything, please advise.

Thank you!

p.s. Greebo, No, I don't live near you, but if I did,
I would be honored to be yours and Ceashels
lawngirl....lol

Speaking of lawns, a new girl moved in across
the street. Her grass is looking a little high.
Maybe she doesn't have a lawnmower! Will
leave her a nice note on her door offering my
services....