Back and doing much better!

**acox68** · 01-08-2008, 02:28 PM

Hey everyone,

I haven't posted in a very long time.....I'm going to make every effort to stop by daily and to participate! The year 2007 was full of ups and downs, but right now, things are looking up.

My husband and I were in really bad shape this time last year.....I was handling the money, my husband was laid off, we were spending more than we earned each month, and we were digging ourselves deeper into credit card debt (over 100K).

In February, DH took over the finances. Oh my goodness, I thought he would have a heart attack when the bills started rolling in! I didn't even know what our monthly expenses were, and we paid over 2K a month in interest alone. It was dire straights. I'm glad he took over the finances when he did...we were on our way to financial ruin.

DH set a budget in a spread sheet and used the bank's system to pay bills online. This was to ensure that everything would be paid on time and that we would never again get hit up with late fees and higher interest due to late bills.

The other thing that helped us was we got loan from my mom to help pay off the bulk of the CC bills. When this happened my parents were very disappointed in us for our spending habits. It was unfathomable to all of us. We were really on the verge of bankruptcy. If it hadn't been for the loan, we would not have escaped it.

Since then, we have changed our ways. I borrowed every frugal book I could find from the library and found many ways from this and other sites about living frugally and within our means. We make our own laundry detergent now and use lots of other tips like menu planning and grocery shopping with a list. We are not "perfect" all the time by any stretch, but we are doing much better with our finances. I went almost an entire year without buying any clothes, shoes, handbags, etc. When I finally did buy some, it was on clearance or with great coupons. We were and are very happy living the frugal lifestyle.

My DH found a job that paid pretty well and I am happy to say that we repaired our garage with cash last summer, paid off my car (which saved $400 a month), and paid off one of our last 4 credit cards. He is not planning on keeping this job because he is going to go to school full time. The sooner he can get out of school, the more quickly we can start earning even more money. He decided to go into finance.

Very sadly, my mom passed away last year in October.....she had terminal cancer which could not be cured. We talked to my dad about the money and had a plan to pay him back within 5-8 years. However, he told me to only pay back a certain amount, but that the rest was an early inheritance. I couldn't believe it! Now when my father passes away, my other two siblings will get what I got and we'll split whatever is left over. I never expected that, but it sure has been a financial relief to us. I feel so bad that mom will not be around to see how much we have changed. Well, I believe she still sees us and knows, but I won't be able to actually talk to her about it in person. I miss her terribly....

We are now left with a few credit cards which will be paid off next year. Then we can start putting much more towards our equity line of credit and mortgage. By the time we get out of school, we will be in good financial shape and will be able to afford paying back our student loans. We can survive on one income now (mine) and things are looking up for once in a VERY long time!

Well, that's about it.....I'm sorry for the extremely long post...I had a lot to catch up on....

I will be around more to exchange ideas and offer support....I think it is vital to our continued survival....

Andrea

**FrugalMomof3** · 01-08-2008, 02:52 PM

Sorry for the loss of your mother

but I am glad you are back and managed to get yourself out of a hole.... some people think it cant be done but YES it can... you and I are livig proof and so are all the wonderful people here on Frugal Village!

**kaykwilts** · 01-08-2008, 03:00 PM

It's good to hear that you are on your way to changing your spending habits. I'm sorry to hear that your beloved mother passed. I know you must miss her a lot.

**MirandaK** · 01-08-2008, 03:00 PM

Wow...you've had a roller coaster year! Welcome back.

**acox68** · 01-08-2008, 03:05 PM

Thank you, Tracy....if it weren't for this site and a few others, I would be
lost on how to live frugally!

Andrea

**sdrjeolsen** · 01-08-2008, 03:05 PM

Welcome back, so glad to see you posting again! Sounds like you have made some really great strides, congrats on that. I'm so sorry for the loss of you mom, how hard that must be.

I'm glad your folks were there for you and that you are being responsible to work at paying it back.

**acox68** · 01-08-2008, 03:06 PM

Thanks Kay and Miranda! I hope 2008 is a little better with the ups and downs.....

**lwlynch** · 01-08-2008, 03:59 PM

I am sorry for your loss.. And welcome back to the village..

**Marie78** · 01-08-2008, 09:22 PM

I am sorry for your loss and I am happy you are back.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 01-08-2008, 10:05 PM

Welcome Back!!!!

**Royal** · 01-09-2008, 08:07 AM

Hi and welcome back to FV! Sorry for the loss of your Mom.

**Scattymum** · 01-09-2008, 09:05 AM

welcome back, you sound like things are going well!!! Im really sorry to hear about your mum, my father passed in Nov, its hard isnt it
good luck!

**bclements514** · 01-09-2008, 09:44 AM

WTG on bouncing back. It much feel so good. Sorry to hear about your mom.

**pinetree** · 01-09-2008, 01:53 PM

Welcome back, I am so sorry about your loss.

**frugalchick** · 01-15-2008, 10:15 AM

I am so sorry for the loss of your dear mom.....I lost my father when he was only 57.......too young. I do want to pat you on the back and tell you how proud I am of you, for getting life in order.....now stick with us here!