One Year Anniversary

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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