Now into our 6th month - are you where you want to be on debt reduction?

[homesteadmamma]

We are now into our 6th month of 2006 and rapidly coming to the end of June.

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction?

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt?

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments?

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt?

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing?

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt?

If you can answer any of these questions, how about sharing with all of us. It's always so neat to read how others are doing in bringing down there debt. I know it's always an encouragement to read what others are doing to GET RID OF DEBT!!

Remember it's going to be party time come Dec. 31st and we see how much debt we've gotten rid of. DON'T GIVE UP OR GET DISCOURAGED. We didn't get into debt overnight and we won't get out of debt overnight. It's a work in progress, yet it can be done.

[Mom23boys]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? I am getting close.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? Yes.

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? No.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? Lately, yes due to DH getting a raise and getting bonuses.

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? Yes, finally!! So far this year I have paid off 2 CC's, one outrageous clinic bill, and another charge account. It may be a slow process, but it is moving forward instead of stalling. I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish so far.

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? Yes, I do the scoreboard for the little league baseball games. I also participate in surveys and rebates. I take all those little earnings and put them toward debt.

[littlemotherhaywood]

For us, we're only three months into our debt reduction, but I'll post how we're doing anyway.

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? Of course I would love to be further but with what we hve, I think we're doing well.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? Absolutely. Dh and I both have picked up some odd jobs here and there and I'm pinching most of our pennies

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? Not anymore, but I would certainly like to have even more to put towards the debts.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? Periodically. I've been monitoring our grocery spending little better and cutting back our electricity usage as much as I can. I've been doing most of my errands at once to save gas money which eventually means more money for debt.

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? Not yet, but hopefully, but the end of the year. We have one debt we're trying to knock out and then we can snowball that to the others.

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? Yes. Aside from the odd jobs we're also selling stuff on ebay and craigslist.

[miss_thrifty]

We are now into our 6th month of 2006 and rapidly coming to the end of June.

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? no but will get ther by christmas

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? yes already am just started to pay off some credit cards

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? iwas, put plan down on paper this week, and evry month from July 1st to december three C.C. will be paid off.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? no more money but i have 4180 left off my family allowance, so it will have to do

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? maybe

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? no, hubby is thinking of still going out west this fall to work, that will pay off everything in a few months.

[frugalnana]

We are now into our 6th month of 2006 and rapidly coming to the end of June.

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? No. We would have been except dh had to have some procedures done to his back and I had some health issues. So the medical is up again, I just haven't posted it yet. All other debt is going the way we planned.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? Yes. Rebates, surveys, cashing our pop cans in, more meals within meals. Turning off and unplugging what we don't use. Less trips to store.

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? No. Paid on time each month.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? Sometimes when the electric and water aren't what I budgeted for (being less) then I add that to debt. Sometimes dh gets a few extra hours. But I am forever trying to cut the grocery bill down.

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? We have been doing that.

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? Just as I mentioned above. Surveys, rebates, cashing in cans, taking items to thrift store to sell on items we no longer wear. Plus sometimes dh gets a few extra hours. We also expanded our teams for softball, so that brings in a little more for summer. We host touraments in the summer. It doesn't bring in what everyone thinks after you pay for balls, fields, lights, concession but it does give us a few extra thousand a year.

[Valerie in WA]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction?
Pretty close. I've diverted some debt money to the EF in anticipation of possible surgery later this year. That's slowed things down a bit, but I think it's the wisest course. If I don't need surgery, I can make a bulk payment on the debt. I'll be out the extra interest, but that's all I can do.
2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? I am always looking for more ways to save money!

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? No, haven't for a couple of years now, praise God!
4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? A bit. Tee hee. Dh didn't like 'paying' the household $1550 a check (out of his business). He wanted to make it $1500 - a round number. I suggested $1600 - and he agreed!

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? Yes, I'm paying on a CC, the van loan, and the mortgage. In 2004 or 2005, I was also paying on a furniture loan, student loan, and a HELOC.

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? I don't do this. When my feet were healthier, I sometimes picked up extra shifts, but I found that had associated costs (increased income tax, dh goes shopping and buys junk food, kids watch lots of tv, convenience foods, maybe ording lunch in while at work...). Mostly I focus my efforts on cutting back spending, rather than earning more.

[Start-Living]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? Not really, we just started trying to be debt free almost 2 months ago.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? Yes, all the ladies in there are so helpful, I have found so many ways to cut my spending, and still learning. Thanks LADIES

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? It's getting better, Now I know exactly how much we have at the bank, and how much we will have after bills are paid.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? Yes..... again...thanks to all of you gals in here...all your advices,tips helps me reduce my spending and put towards my debt.

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? Not yet, It will probably take another 4 to 5 months before we can start snow-ball (maybe sooner, if I'm more strict on our budget, but we're taking it 1 day at a time)

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? Yes, we sold 1 of his extra car ($1800), he still have 2 more cars that I'm convincing him to sell. Also, I'm selling some of my junks on ebay. (brought in $78 for some shirts that I no longer wear, $40 for a NAME-BRAND umbrella that I never use, $7 for some tanning lotions that I never use, and still have more clothes on ebay, fingers cross---hopefully I will get some more $$$ out of them) I have way too many clothes (I was one of those people that buy way too many clothes...some of my clothes still have tags...and I don't even like them anymore, so I'm downsizing my closet, and will just wear what I have left to wear.....after looking at our FINANCE, my perspective on styles/clothes totally change.... I no longer urge to buy clothes for myself)

[EmilyD]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction?
This is my first official month and yes, I think I have made a lot of progress so far.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt?
Yes

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments?
No, and I have gotten rid of several monthly bills to help keep us under the monthly income line if he loses his overtime again.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt?
I gave up $50.00 a month from grocery budget, we shut off cable, phone, Internet when we move, coupons, change jars, funnelling all extra monies into FA/CF/Retirement/ plus $100 a month to debt reduction as long as the OT stays

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing?
Yes, I have been snowballing for the last couple of months, I will be putting one more item on a card for the move and then I won't be using it any more (hadn't used it for several months)

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt?
Yes, see above plus we are going to hold a garage sale before we move to make what we can off out unwanteds .. the rest goes to charity. I am medically unable to work so I can't help out that way, so I do what I can in saving money other ways. Next to go are my meals out and that makes me sad, but it does help to come here and get motivation for you all

[Mamaw]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction?

Unfortunately no.....was almost done with one debt and DH added another 2000 to it. So....we are having serious discussions in my house! I intend to get it down again as much as I can but frankly am getting a bit discouraged

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt?

Yes but mainly by trying to cut down on spending. I am watching the grocery budget, driving less and working on trying to cut electricity costs and the like. Am a salary employee and already work 50 hours per week so a second job will not pay for me. Also trying to really focus on it an item is a need or a want....

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments?

No but am struggling to pay extra each month!

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt?

A bit...again from cutting back on buying more than anything else. Also putting any refund or survey dollars toward debt

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing?
No

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt?

A second job would not pay in my situation. However I am decluttering and hope to have a big old yard sale to see what I might be able to make. Any monies from it are going straight to debt.

[Libby]

We are now into our 6th month of 2006 and rapidly coming to the end of June.

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction?

No...Im still in debt and thats only b/c I incurred more debt when I bought bf some lumber for his house and a few other things - that ONE month I had managed to pay off $2000 and then racked it RIGHT back up - Im sooo mad that I STILL cant even talk about it.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt?

Always, until Im out of debt I will be. When Im out of debt, I still will be - I want to put those methods into place so I can start accumulating savings.

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments?

No...I pay more then I currently have to and feel great about it! (ie way more then monthly payment due and I pay weekly)

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt?

Yes, I have cancelled my old cell phone plan which they dont have anymore and my phone with the company. I have been with them for about 8 years and now have realized that Im starting to get crap reception/customer service. That ridiciously high bill payment - for something I barely used - will now get snowballed!

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing?

YES!!! Since I dumped my old cell I can snowball that payment in with my min goal set for debt payment. So my goal of trying to pay $1,000/month min on my debt will now be $1,075 minimum I can do it!!

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt?

No just ways not to increase it.

[starsapphire]

We are now into our 6th month of 2006 and rapidly coming to the end of June.

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? Yes right now I'm on track to having my debt paid off by the end of November. I am DETERMINED to do it. I am SO tired of being in debt!! However, I had some medical stuff done in March and the bills for that are starting to roll in. I'm waiting for my other insurance co. to finish processing all the claims then I will have a better idea about what I'll owe.

Trying to find the extra money for the medical bills will be tough as almost all my extra money already goes towards CC payments. I think I can swing $50/month towards med. bills. The largest bill(s) will be from one doctor/clinic so I'm thinking if I can talk them into accepting that amount until November I'll be good because I'll be able to get them paid off quickly once all the CC's are paid off.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? Yes by reducing spending. Very little clothes shopping, no more online shopping, trying to spend less at the grocery store, eating at home at lunchtime instead of eating out, cooking from scratch more.

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? No

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? Yes by reducing spending and putting less money in the EF and more into paying off the CC's.

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? I've been snowballing since April

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? No. I already work full time and no overtime is allowed where I work (otherwise I'd be all about overtime! ) I'm focused on reducing spending rather than increasing income.

[christina33]

We are now into our 6th month of 2006 and rapidly coming to the end of June.

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction?
No but I am getting a lot better at it. I have paid off some smaller bills and next month I can start to use the extra money to snowball.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? I am pretty much maxed out of extra money right now and will not get a raise until next July.

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? I am struggling to make more than the minimum payment to speed up the elimination of the debt. I am now able to pay all ultilites on times and have cut back on electricity etc and still trying to sort the food budget out.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt?

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing?
I will be starting with this month paycheck.
6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? It is not possible with my current job because I work long hours and weekends also. I have thought about babysitting for folks in my complex.

[autumnlynn]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? No, but I just started my plan.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? Yes. I am constantly looking for ways to be frugal.

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? No.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? Yes, Instead of putting all extra in savings, I am putting it toward debt.

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? Yes, Yeah!!!

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? No, just cut expenses.

[dwallyfam]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction?

I am doing good, but I thought I would be further along than I am. I will get this down.

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt?
Always, Always, Always.
3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments?
No. I can always make the minimum. It is the extra that is the problem.

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt?
No. Everything seems to be breaking, so there has been no extra

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing?
Yes, I have been doing that.

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt?
Yes trying to work OT and doing various odd jobs.


Kellie

[treeluva]

1. Are you where you want to be when it comes to debt reduction? I have instituted a workable plan that is managable for me, which is leading me on the right path!

2. Are you looking for more ways to find those extra dollars to pay down your debt? I am looking at the money I have, and what my limitations are. The biggest thing for me is stop the excess spending. That frees up a lot of money to pay for past excess spending

3. Are you struggling to even make your minimum payments? No

4. Have you been able to find more $$ in your budget to put towards your debt? Definitly. More than I really ever thought I could pay, but after tracking every purchase, and really looking at all the ins and outs, and wants versus needs, I have found more dollars to put towards my debt

5. Are you to the point yet where you can do some snowballing? No

6. Have you found or are you looking for more ways to bring in more income to pay down debt? No