finances may change (long)

**227melissa** · 06-28-2011, 01:02 PM

Back in Oct 2010, I was hurt on the job in a car accident, been out ever since shoulder/ neck injury that will not heal completely. I have been released from the doctor with a partial disability no activity above the shoulder. I'm afraid that my checks will stop and even though I have a lawyer that will be suing the driver that takes time. At the same time my Dh's company is cutting salaries and benifits for employees over 50 or it seems like the target group. We already went from 50000 to 37000. I had us 100 percent out of debt, but we needed a new roof, repairs on auto, new tires on both cars, which depleted our EF plus another 9500 on credit cards.

I have 6000 in savings and I am scared to touch it, here are a list of my bills help me cut.

Morg 307
lot rent 215
elec 168
wat/sew
garbage 70
cable/ph
internet 187
cell 72
life ins 49
health ins
for me 210
car ins 94
min cc
boa 57 bal 5600 no int for 12 mo
citi 20 bal 1000 no int 6 mo
citi 25 bal 1500 10 per int
visa 44 bal 1400 19 per int
home ins 50

total 1577
living exp

groc 140 2 people
supp 25
cat 25
pers supp 10
cigs 140 I know quit already
allowances 80
meds 80
copay 15

total 615 grand total 2192
income 2329 left 137

my income 982 on wc lasting ? save pay down debt what????

**alotofgooddeals** · 06-28-2011, 01:09 PM

Sorry i am of no help to you but love reading how people decipher these and figure out how to say you all money.... can't wait to hear what you all have to say....and sorry you are going through this...

**lotsadebt** · 06-28-2011, 01:34 PM

Phone/internet/cable seem a bit high. Also a cell phone. We ditched the home phone 2 yrs ago in lew of a cell phone.

Look at the internet plan. Do you need so much on it? Analyse how much time you are on it.
Cable: can you cut channels down to basic service? How many tv's?

Cell phone, look at the plan. Companies are not going to just give you a cheaper plan. If you really need need it consider a pay as you go.

**lotsadebt** · 06-28-2011, 01:35 PM

Electric: Look around your home, what is constantly running that is sucking power and may even be generating heat.

**sunshine** · 06-28-2011, 07:10 PM

You already know to ditch the cigs - easier said than done, though.

Allowance of $80/month - for what? Cut it back or eliminate it.

Meds - have you checked out local pharmacies/Walmart/etc. for the $4/month prescription plans? I was amazed at how many medications are on those lists.

Where is the $137 left , currently going?

**craftypam** · 06-28-2011, 07:17 PM

Melissa;
This is only if you are interested. . . . . .. . . . . My ds quit smoking with Wellbutrin. I never thought he'd be able to quit as I believe he has a very addictive personality. But it worked the first time he tried it.

I also agree with the get a cell phone pay as you go (I think the prices are way cheaper). You could get rid of cable too! I have not had cable for over 30 years. What did we do before cell phones? They are good for emergencies, but personally I do not like the fact that anyone who wants to get ahold of me can at any minute at any time of day. Do they have a budget plan in your state for electric. Your bill is the same every month (must easier to budget for). Then the last month you make up the difference. Do you have a Costco or Sams club? If you have a membership at Costco you can get an additional discount by filling out a paper in the pharmacy.

Anything you can cut can go toward getting those cc balances down. That would be my main goal.

**227melissa** · 06-29-2011, 10:06 AM

thanks for all your comments, meds already from Walmart, cell phone that's for 2 and under a 2 year contract stupid I know. Electric on a budget plan I live on the gulf coast and when I say HOT I mean hot a/c uses most of the juice already hang clothes to air dry, don't use my oven in the summer. The Internet, phone and actually direct tv not cable and under a year contract with them could drop the home phone though. The 137 is for saving right now, but going to put toward debt. No costco here only sams. I do coupon rarely pay for toothpaste etc. No extreme couponer though.

Should I put my WC checks towards debt or save for uncertainty?

**227melissa** · 06-29-2011, 10:09 AM

Oh tried wellbutrin and chantix already had a really bad reaction to both drugs. bought an electric cig and that will be my next attempt, the only thing is we both smoke and that's tough hope we are still married at the end lol.

**craftypam** · 06-29-2011, 06:45 PM

It's not stupid to be in a 2 year contract with a phone; they rope you in to get your phone for free. If you have to pay a cancellation fee; how many months of your plan will it be. If cancellation is $200 you'd be done. That is 3 months of your current plan and you'd be done with them to get the cheaper phone. Just a suggestion.

I would definately have some of the money in savings for back up. My dh has always had a seasonal job and I've always had money for back up.

**alotofgooddeals** · 06-29-2011, 07:09 PM

do they pay until you are able to return to work or does it stop eventually? My budget always looks doable on paper....strained but if i could keep to it it would work..no extras and would have to do without etc...however for some reason something always always comes up before i have enough in the fund to pay for it so i have to take money from another account to pay for it...ugh!

**sunshine** · 06-29-2011, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by alotofgooddeals

do they pay until you are able to return to work or does it stop eventually? My budget always looks doable on paper....strained but if i could keep to it it would work..no extras and would have to do without etc...however for some reason something always always comes up before i have enough in the fund to pay for it so i have to take money from another account to pay for it...ugh!

They pay until you can return to work - however, periodically he'll have to reprove that he's still disabled.

**227melissa** · 06-30-2011, 11:08 AM

I have 2 lines with my cell will I have to pay 2 cancellation fees? I don't know why I keep hanging on to my home phone, I think it has to do with Katrina no electricity after, but my home phone worked.

**craftypam** · 06-30-2011, 12:44 PM

I have both too. My dh uses our minutes for business too. If I talk to my sister too long I use up too many minutes. I like the clarity of home phone better too.

**shoiji** · 06-30-2011, 01:24 PM

If you want a home phone just get a really stripped down basic service. See how much it will cost to cancel any contracts you currently have. You may find it cheaper to pay the cancellation fee than to stay in the contract.

**Anna43** · 06-30-2011, 08:25 PM

Did you have a Work Comp attorney or work with the insurance company yourselves? If you dh was injured on the job and has a permanent injury, he should be compensated for the % of loss from the injury in ongoing payments or a lump sum in a settlement. Also, your agreement should include ongoing medical expenses related to the injury. Ongoing loss of income as a result of the injury if he has to take a lesser job due to the injury. Tell your dh not to sign off until he's sure everything is covered. Men are always anxious to get back to work -- too soon.