Bummed....need some advice

**rachelMcK** · 12-28-2006, 05:02 PM

Ugh, it always happens this way. We recieved a lot of money for christmas, and I was so stoked because we could do away with alot of our first student loan. Then, as it always does, reality set in. I found out today that in order to complete my last semester of my degree, I owe the school $650. There goes half the money. DH just spent some on a memory card for our new camera and a thing for his computer, plus we need new tires on the car. Why does this always happen at once.

Things are really tight now. We will be going into our overdraft this month because we didn't plan effectively for christmas and overspent (well, that was DH, but that is another thread). I also plan on writing my license this month ($100) and taking drivers ed ($500) but i guess that isnt happening now.

I'm so frustrated. Just when I thought things were really looking up.

So, any advice on how to really make this frugal, I need tons....

thanks

**bumplett** · 12-28-2006, 05:41 PM

I don't know if you have this option in your area, but I have purchased 'pre-owned' tires for my car before - they are still perfectly safe & are at least 1/2 the cost of new -

I'm thinking .... hopefully we can help you think of something that will help ....

**rachelMcK** · 12-28-2006, 05:43 PM

Thanks bumplett, I'll have to look into that tomorrow. Right now we have a little snow, and DH tried to drive yesterday morning and almost spun out twice....i can't imagine what could happen if we get more...eek

**Michelle68** · 12-28-2006, 06:25 PM

Although you had other plans for the money, one way of looking at this is at least you had the money available to cover the tires, the money for school, etc. Looking into buying used tires sounds like a good idea and maybe you could work out a payment plan with school?

--Michelle

**Cricket1** · 12-28-2006, 07:51 PM

Can DH take the camera & computer thingy back? Did you get anything for Christmas for each other that you really don't NEED--if so, can any be returned.

We also have used tires in our area.

Can you do any sort of payment plan for school or can one of you get a part-time job for a few months (if you have time) to make extra money? Babysitting, dog walking, any misc jobs?

**rachelMcK** · 12-28-2006, 08:12 PM

Michelle, good point! I really should be thankful that i had the money in the first place.

Cricket, I have a job already as well but I can't spare much time for extra hours and so on. The camera was a gift and I adore it, I couldn't think of returning it...but DH said he would return his computer part though! Thanks for the idea!

**stacyz** · 12-29-2006, 07:55 AM

I just wanted to share my recent tire experience.

I had set aside $250 for tires. We looked around online for the best price etc. We settled on a small locally owned shop. Total came to $270 (mounted and balanced etc.) and dh said "I don't have that much right now." The manager said "what do you have to work with?" dh told him and he said he could do it for 250, Merry Christmas! Of course we prayed about it beforehand. But it doesn't hurt to ask, although I think you will have better luck with a smaller shop, and it being Christmas Eve helped! lol

God Bless,

**rachelMcK** · 12-29-2006, 08:12 AM

Thanks stacy for that story. I don't know when we'll do the tire thing. DH's brother may do it if we ask him nicely...lol. He doesn't like to do things for family (I don't blame him from his past experiences). The computer part has been returned so we have an extra $100. I'm gonna try to cut our food budget down. I'm also cutting out our allowances. That gives us $20 extra. DH teaches guitar for an hour a week and makes $20, so that can be his spendng money. I don't need any cause I got a whole bunch of stuff for christmas.

What frustrates me the most about this entire situation is that I had this sorted out 3 months ago (or so I thought). I was only supposed to owe 150 which I paid and I was actually supposed to get 100 back this semester. But of course, being a government funded student loan, i guess they can say whatever they want and get away with it. I was literally shocked when I saw that I owed $650. I'm going to go talk to them about it, but I know there is nothing they can do since the actual document has my amount on it. They can't change that now.

The only good thing that comes out of this is that my debt will be $650 less then I originally expected at the end of the year...

Thanks for all you advice.

**mnmarty03** · 12-29-2006, 09:49 AM

Look on the brightside, like someone else said - at least you have the money to cover it!! Last August I had to get new tires on my car, which I had the cash for.. then in September I had tuition to pay (about $800 bucks) and a different $200.00 repair on my car to pay..both had to go on my credit card, and I'm still paying it back. Now here comes January and almost all of my $915.00 bill will be going on my credit card too... I'm not complaining (well, maybe a little) but your situation could be much worse!

**peanut** · 12-29-2006, 10:18 AM

(sigh). Have you been talking to dd#1? She and her dh are both in university this semester. They moved into our basement to afford to go. Got wads of money for university for Christmas presents.

Then, to celebrate their first anniversary, SIL orders a meal from the most expensive restaurant in town, with the champagne they had on their wedding night, and buys a $100 plastic figure of a dragon! (who would have thought they'd charge that much for a piece of plastic?)

DH and I just cringed and stayed silent when he excitedly told us all he'd done. We had a discussion upstairs afterwards. We're thinking there's either compulsive spending here or mental health issues. We're not sure which. In either case, he needs a talk with a good psychologist. He's not staying grounded in the reality of their situation. They have three more years of university and are looking at $90,000 in debt combined. Not pretty.

**pecunierrant** · 12-29-2006, 12:31 PM

what a blessing the cash gifts were, one could say it was great timing. I do know how you feel though, it doesnt feel as productive having to pay for tires as opposed to paying off debt.
Tires are a safety issue so count it as important especially if you drive in snow, etc.
Can you make payments on the school loan, or defer it for a bit with no penalty?

I give your DH kudos for taking back the computer item, good going! good luck, I think you'll get through it ok since you seem to be on the right track.