Same old story

[LuxLiving]

Re: Same old story

cycle = how many days between the billing periods. Many CC companies are shortening these down. Look at the fine print.

what about car insurance? do you pay it?

I'm w/Jen payoff some of those CC! unless that money is what you're holding back for the next car payment? Give yourself some blow money 5-20 dollars and send the rest to get those others off your back. Once you've done that pick the one card that you think you'll want to keep active and ask them if they are willing to scale the interest rate back a scmidgen now that you're current? If they say no, ask to speak to their supervisor. Tell them you are now budgeting. If that doesn't work, ask to speak to someone else even higher up. Keep trying. If they say no, wait a month and ask again! Try to get your rates rolled back in case you need to use these again in a future EMERGENCY - you are laid off or high priced car repair - ONLY before you get your Emergency $$'s put back.

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Diva you are right. I need to add in there 25.00 to a lawyer (for one of the judgements and 50.00 to SSI for an overpayment) but that is it.

One of the reasons I've been having such a hard time is because I'm playing catch up because I've been so lax with my bills...obviously. Looking forward I'm probably in better shape than I think...what is wonderful about coming here is that I'm finally thinking about it.

What prompted me to come? My one year anniversary was on the 15th on this job...looking back, nothing has changed as far as my finances...so that is one year of working my butt off and nothing to show for it...I simply do not want to go another year like that.

The cell phone bill has to be paid this week or they are closing the account and I will have a 450.00 charge for the phones...I can't afford to do that, I just paid one car payment (July) and need to pay August and September by the end of September in order to get caught up...so that car payment is actually 978.82


Because I will only have 865.00 on Thursday and I've already paid 489.91 (July car payment) and have to pay 337.71 (cell phone) I will only have 37.38 left this payday.

September 7th I will have 1,424.00 out of which I will have to pay

489.91 (August car payment)
400.00(Credit cards because I can not pay them this payday)
150.00 (For Lawyer and SSI because I can not pay them this month)
177.00 (Cell phone)
200.00 (two weeks worth of food)

1,416.91 is the total leaving me about 8 bucks (have to figure out gas)

This is why it has been hard to come up with a budget, I can't really budget anything because I'm playing catch-up...

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Lux, car insurance is paid by dh. Every now and again he will ask for a portion of it but for the 16 years we've been together he has taken care of it, and yes, I am playing catch up with the car and now everything else (see previous post) so I have to hang on to as much as possible to get the car in order.

[LuxLiving]

Re: Same old story

Uhhh...Time to Save - your plan here is what is called a budget/spending plan. Being proactive in your financial life instead of reactive. Well, you're a little reactive because of being behind, but The Plan you've outlined is a budget.

Once you get caught up you can go all anticipatory and PLAN AHEAD what kids will be needing clothes/school/activity wise, what you'll need next clotheswise for work, what amounts can be upped for your retirement and what can be put aside for college funds, etc. Each month may change a little depending on circumstances, but by thinking ahead, executing your plan you'll eventually even out the cashflow!

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Uhhh...Time to Save - your plan here is what is called a budget/spending plan. Being proactive in your financial life instead of reactive. Well, you're a little reactive because of being behind, but The Plan you've outlined is a budget.

Once you get caught up you can go all anticipatory and PLAN AHEAD what kids will be needing clothes/school/activity wise, what you'll need next clotheswise for work, what amounts can be upped for your retirement and what can be put aside for college funds, etc. Each month may change a little depending on circumstances, but by thinking ahead, executing your plan you'll eventually even out the cashflow!

You made me smile Thank you for that...this is overwhelming to say the least.

Ok, even though I'm working in yesterday and getting caught up tomorrow it is still considered a budget...lol...good to know.

I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I see that I do indeed bring in more than I pay out and that with some discipline I will be able to overcome this and get ahead...I'm even saying saving by the end of the year. I am hoping that by the end of September I will be at least caught up on all bills (except payoff cards of course).

would you suggest in October I start paying off judgements or save the money to be able to pay one off entirely at once? I know...slow down and get through August...

[LuxLiving]

Re: Same old story

If judgement is small enough then do that and get it behind you and good riddance, but don't forget Christmas is around the corner as well as likely birthdays coming up so plan some for those holidays. Don't forget layaway if you think that would work for you.

Nope, I don't think it's too early to start planning ahead. That is what is going to save you in the long run. Just don't get TOO locked on target. Be a bit flexible as something may come up, but do think about getting a tiny bit put back in your starting emergency fund.

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

I completely forgot about Christmas... and dd's bday is on the 4th of November...not to mention Thanksgiving...will it ever end...

[debtfreeme]

Re: Same old story

Please send me your email address through a private message and i can email it to you today. It is ready for you to work on. Should take you no time to set up. Just change the categories to match you pay.

[Great to be Debt Free]

Re: Same old story

According to a Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) study, 56% of those surveyed who called and asked to have their credit card interest rate lowered were given their request. Because the cost of obtaining new credit card customers is expensive, most credit card companies will work very hard to keep your business.

This was one of the questions in the credit card quiz on the home page. I just thought it might be easier for you to consider requesting a reduction of your interest rates if you knew that there was a good chance it would pay off. It worked for me and the worst they can do is to say "no," right?

I'm crossing my fingers and toes for ya if you call!

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Oh believe me I am taking your advice, I will wait until I've paid this upcoming payment (past due)...nothing shy about me...

According to a Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) study, 56% of those surveyed who called and asked to have their credit card interest rate lowered were given their request. Because the cost of obtaining new credit card customers is expensive, most credit card companies will work very hard to keep your business.

This was one of the questions in the credit card quiz on the home page. I just thought it might be easier for you to consider requesting a reduction of your interest rates if you knew that there was a good chance it would pay off. It worked for me and the worst they can do is to say "no," right?

I'm crossing my fingers and toes for ya if you call!

[Great to be Debt Free]

Re: Same old story

That makes perfect sense! I am so happy for you, Timetosave. You really seem to have settled into a new way of thinking about things. Having a plan is so much better than just living in dread!

By the way, I still have my final credit card statement when I finally payed off the $20+thousuand off. It's framed in a pretty goldtoned frame and sits on my dest to remind me how far I've come and where I never want to go again. It's a da*n pretty picture, if I don't say so myself!

And it won't be long before you'll have some of those statements to frame, too!

[LuxLiving]

Re: Same old story

Okay Time To Save --I haven't reread the thread but on those judgements. These are charge offs? How old are these? Is someone actively trying to collect them?

If they are charge offs - then someone else on this board maybe able to address more clearly the point I'm going to try and make --- seems to me that before you get any activity started back on these : if you haven't paid in awhile is to negotiate with them that any payments that are made will go to clearing up the credit report. In other words talk before you pay. Get it clear and in writing that when you pay they will consent to wipe it off your record. Then make sure it's done!

I mean why wake a sleeping dog until you are ready to deal with it head on and on your turf and to your advantage, right??

Can someone else who has been thru this process help her out with specifics??

[Great to be Debt Free]

Re: Same old story

I only ever had one chargeoff for a $30 doctors bill and honestly, I had moved and I don't think the PO forwarded the bill. I only found out about it when trying to rent a new place. The landlord told me that he needed proof that I had taken care of that charge. I didn't even know about it (b/c I never checked my credit report of course). So I took care of it and gave im a copy of the receipt and got the apartment.

Having recently checked all 3 credit reports, I found that one still has the chargeoff listed as unpaid, although the other 2 credit bureaus have it showing paid. I have sent a certified letter to get it cleared up.

That's the extent of my knowledge of chargeoffs -- anyone else??

[greedy4chips]

Re: Same old story

We almost did not get approved for our first home purchase, because we had an outstanding hospital bill for $65.03. I presented photocopies of cancelled checks several times to the hospital and then the collections agency. Eventually it went away, until we applied for the mortgage. Countless phone calls and visits to the hospital we found out why we had the outstanding debt. Apparently the hospital had split the bill from 2 departments and we were sent bills for the same exact amt. Sheesh!

When you are ready wake up 1 dog at a time and deal with it. Move onto the next and use the knowledge from the previous one to help you.

[timetosave]

Re: Same old story

Hi guys...I'm still here, just haven't had an opportunity to get online this week...crazy at work.

Well, I made that payment to GMAC, that covers July, I will pay August and September in September then I'm all caught up...well almost, I still have the late payments to do but they can wait.

The cell bill is paid but I did not get to pay the cc's on time. DDs sax broke and she needed it fixed...OMG that sax is soooo expensive.

So I now have the cc companies calling (one day late and they call) I've told them I will be paying on the 7th...I will get a handle on this, really I will.



As far as the charge off's, the majority of them are 6+ years one is 5 yo. DH is going to give me money for ds back to school (finally seeing that I am making an effort to get my insanity under control I guess...lol) so that will be taken care of.

OK, I have to get dd up for riding lessons.