Debt Is A Four Letter Word

One Year Anniversary

2008-09-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in a while but I haven't stopped my journey to becoming debt free. I realized this morning that it is one year today since I started so I really wanted to update my progress. I started this journey owing $220,880 and today I owe $206,659 for a reduction of $14,220. Not bad for a year. Could I have done better? Absolutely. But I think the important thing is that I am going in the right direction. I am going to try harder in year 2.

Tax Rebates Start Landing Today

2008-04-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

The federal government started sending out the tax rebates today, four days ahead of schedule. See the updated list of when your rebate will land.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=181972,00.html

My Cars Are Killing Me

2008-04-25T18:35:00.001-07:00

Last month, I had to pay $1200 to have my husbands car fixed. It was a big job and he couldn't do it.This month, my transmission went. It is a 1991 Ford Windstar. I had taken over a lease in 92 and bought it when the lease was up. At that time, I took out an extended warranty which is good till 7/08 or 76000 miles (I have 72,000). I was told the other day that the warranty company would not cover it unless I could produce receipts that I had the transmission serviced at 30,000 miles and 60,000 miles. First off, I don't remember if I had this done. I get my oil changes etc done at the local service station who isn't computerized. Secondly, even if I had it done, who keeps car records for years? I wouldn't even know where to look. A new transmission is anywhere from $2600-$3600 (I was looking online). so... Thirdly, how do I pay for this?

One of My Favorite Websites

2008-04-24T20:24:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite websites is The Frugal Village. Their message board is filled with thousands of postings of how to save money, paydown debt and so many other useful topics. I read it everyday and it has helped me so much. Check it out!

http://www.frugalvillage.com/

A Way to Save on Papertowels

2008-04-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

I don't know about you but my family uses tons of papertowels. Two months ago I took the papertowels off of the papertowel holder and put them under the sink. I left a dishcloth in its place. I cannot begin to tell you how much this has saved. Try it. When they have to dry their hands after using the sink, they now dry them on the dishtowel. If they have to wipe up a spill, they use a sponge. They still use papertowels but not nearly as many. It says money and is good for the environment.

WOW I Can't Believe I Did This!

2008-04-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

On 9/26 when I began my journey to living debtfree, I set up a spreadsheet on my computer that listed exactly what I owed, to whom, when everything was due etc. It had formulas in it so that once I changed a number, all the totals would change. I spend a long time setting it up.

Guess what I did! I accidentally deleted it. That is what I get for talking on the phone while working on it. I can set up another one but the new one won't have my beginning totals on it. I enjoyed not only seeing the numbers go down but also seeing the numbers that I started with. What a dope. I didn't have a backup and I never printed it out. Oh well. Back to the drawing board.

Thank Goodness for Medical Insurance

2008-04-20T18:59:00.000-07:00

I can tell you from a personal standpoint how important it is to have medical insurance. I have a blood disorder called ITP which basically is that my body kills by blood platelets which you need in order to clot. So if I get cut, it would be hard to control the bleeding.
This year my blood platelets have been running very low. I have had to sit on iv's for many days. I received infusions of gamma gobulin which cost approx $15,000 a dose. I have had 2 doses this year. I have also had Rituxan which costs approx. $15,000. The total for my medication alone since Jan 15th is $45,000 and that does not include the numerous doctor visits, needles etc.
No matter how hard it is to carry medical insurance, I wouldn't go a day without it

The Cost of Gas

2008-04-19T20:38:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the gas station. Gas here is now $3.75 a gallon. That is ridiculous! Instead of giving everyone back a tax rebate, they should reduce the price of gasoline. And this isn't going to be the end. How high will it go? I bet it will go to $5.00. This is going to effect everything. Groceries will be going up, the cost to travel will go up etc. The tax rebate is like putting a bandaid on a major wound.

Welcome!

2008-04-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hi and welcome to my new blog! After reading hundreds of blogs, I decided to do one for myself. I think that I will be more focused on debt reduction having a blog. I actually started reducing my debt on Sept 26, 2007. I don't know why but that was the day that I reached my boiling point and had to do something about all of the debt that I had. I was doing real well but I have fallen off of the wagon in the last month because I was so sick. It is kind of hard to stay focused when you don't feel well. But, I feel better now and want to get back on track again and I think this blog will help me do that.