I think I'm finally ready. Maybe.

**krbshappy71** · 02-28-2010, 06:01 PM

Today I cut up the credit card I'm going to pay off, and I cut up my debit card. I think I am finally ready to make that shift off the plastic. I have been selling things to build up my EF, and this month gave it a small chunk of money to kick-start it. I have been listening to DR, thanks to this site, and that has been helping me.

I have a question. I'm supposed to have a braces consult with an orthodontist this month. My dentist begged me to get braces because of issues I'm having. Should I be putting that off until credit card is paid off or is it ok because its medical? (I am having dental and headache problems due to severely crooked teeth that I have delayed fixing all these years) Is it ok as long as I fit the payments into my budget and don't throw it on a credit card? He's concerned that the longer I wait the worse things are going to get. He isn't the first dentist that's implored to me to get braces. Its just the first time I've felt like I could fit a payment in for it. I'll be getting a 10% discount for using the ortho I chose because my daughter went to that office.

**Mom2-3** · 02-28-2010, 06:13 PM

Do you know how much the ortho will be? Do the payments have any finance charge? Personally braces are medical for me. We took longer to pay off our credit card, so that our kids could have the ortho that they required.

Could you pay minimum to your debts and save a small EF, then pay off the braces? Is there any way to increase your income for a year to pay the braces off faster?

Congrats on cutting up the cards and thinking of a plan!! It's a huge start

**krbshappy71** · 02-28-2010, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mom2-3

Do you know how much the ortho will be? Do the payments have any finance charge? Personally braces are medical for me. We took longer to pay off our credit card, so that our kids could have the ortho that they required.

Could you pay minimum to your debts and save a small EF, then pay off the braces? Is there any way to increase your income for a year to pay the braces off faster?

Congrats on cutting up the cards and thinking of a plan!! It's a huge start

I wont know the cost or payment options until the consult, which is the last week of March. I do have plans to work extra hours but I have to be chosen by my department to do so. (there's a pool of people that want to work) Hm. You have some good ideas thank you.
At this time I can pay, and am current, on all four-walls bills and am only paying minimum on credit card to try and build up the EF.

**Ceashels** · 02-28-2010, 07:36 PM

Call the office and find out if there is a discount for paying cash. Some Drs and Dentist will knock a percentage off the cost if they don't have to deal with insurances or the long wait to get paid back by insurance companies.

**Greebo** · 02-28-2010, 07:36 PM

The DR plan is essentially NO NEW DEBT. Period. It doesn't matter if it's credit card or just "I owe you" - you don't do it.

So what DR would tell you is to put your snowball on hold, just keep current on your minimums, and pile up cash for the orthodontics as FAST as you can - and pay in full when you have the money.

**krbshappy71** · 02-28-2010, 08:17 PM

Ah thank you for the advice, all of you. I am going to call ahead and find out how much the consult will be to ensure I can pay cash for that as well. Sad how I stopped doing little things like calling ahead just because I threw everything on a credit card so didn't care. Time to stop the lazy behaviors like that. Thanks for the tip that they may give a discount for cash, I wouldn't have asked.

I really hope I get chosen for extra hours, if I do then that could go to the braces and if not then I need to find a part-time job for the summer. I wont find out until closer to the end of May, most likely.

**dcompton** · 02-28-2010, 08:20 PM

What you say is true, Greebo, but this is a medical issue, not a cosmetic one. It is causing, as she says, dental problems and headaches, and it won't get any better without intervention.

Would DR tell her that it doesn't matter if she has to continue to suffer physically? If so, I'm not too impressed with DR. Full steam ahead on debt reduction is grand, but health and physical well-being are important too. I would look for a balance and try to find a way to take care of the problem sooner rather than later. It has already been delayed against professional advice for a long time it sounds like.

**mauimagic** · 02-28-2010, 08:24 PM

Donna - I agree. Medical issues tend to mutliply if you don't take care of them - and dental issues are nasty that way as I am unfortunately learning.

Please let us know what you decide!!

**Saydee** · 02-28-2010, 08:27 PM

Congrats on cutting up your credit cards. If it's affecting your health then I would consider making payments if that is possible.

**MaryCarney** · 02-28-2010, 08:52 PM

I also respectfully disagree with Greebo. If your doctor had told you that you had a slowly bleeding ulcer - would you wait and pile up cash? Of course not, you'd get it fixed, and then pay for it ASAP.

**Mom2-3** · 02-28-2010, 08:53 PM

With our orthodontist, you can make payments (no interest) for the length of the treatment. Most treatments are 18-24 months and a full set would be around $4500. That could give you an idea of where to start. Also if you have a FSA account that would help. Of course you usually have to start on the first of the year and it sounds like you need this sooner than that.

**Palooka** · 02-28-2010, 11:24 PM

Congrats on cutting up the CC.

Most Ortho's here will take monthly payments with no interest. I think even if you can put a certain percent down it might be cheaper.

Your health is important.

**TigerGirl1226** · 02-28-2010, 11:35 PM

As someone who has had teeth issues associated with headaches, I implore you to heed the advice of your dentist and see the ortho. Being in pain is miserable and I doubt that DR's intention is for you to suffer while you save up the money.

I am having surgery on the 11th that I know will produce a bill that will add to our debt. As much as I hate having debt or adding to it, my health is more important than debt reduction.

**a.nonymous** · 03-01-2010, 03:42 AM

First off, congratulations on taking the big step! I'll be rooting for you.

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

I really hope I get chosen for extra hours, if I do then that could go to the braces and if not then I need to find a part-time job for the summer. I wont find out until closer to the end of May, most likely.

Don't wait on anything. Take an active approach in money matters.
I know you meant to, put it takes a bit to get out of comfortable old habits.

Try to line up something for the summer right now. The sooner the better since you'll have more options than if you started looking around the end of May.

And don't stop at that. Look to line up something that'll pay (way) better than working extra hours at work.

**krbshappy71** · 03-01-2010, 10:33 AM

Quick update, I called and the ortho consult is free and they will look at my insurance at that time and discuss all payment options at that time. I am glad that part is free, at least and I scheduled it during spring break so I would not have to take off work for it.

Today, as my first day going to work without the debit card, I thought I would feel relieved at not having the temptation of swiping through the drive thru. Its simply not an option, there's no card to swipe. Instead I feel very anxious and trapped. So sad how bad habits have become comfortable. Thank you all, this site is so important to me, I have such bad habits to overcome and I couldn't do it without all of your support and information.