Bill Paying day...

[MLM77721]

Dang I hate this day!

I just finished paying my bills and looking at my current financial situation.....


ARRRRRRGGGGGG! Let me scream into my pillow a few times!

I HAVE SO MUCH DEBT! Don't get me wrong, I have a squeaky clean credit history. I always pay over the minimum payment, Never late, no creditors calling me, etc. Its just that I have a LOT!

I guess moving out on your own when you are 18 with no parental assistance in college and life really can add up the debt!!!

I am kinda nervous about having a teachers salary in month or so .......

[chendric126]

I hear you. I also don't get any assistance from my parents. I actually don't know anyone out my friends who pays for everything themselves. It must be rough for them, you know...having unlimited use of a credit card with their parents receiving the bills

[MLM77721]

my mom would laugh hysterically if I sent her my credit card bills....

either that or faint!!!!

[cata5]

You should be proud that you have made it on your own! Just make sure you live within your means and allow a little extra payoff on your bills.

I paid for my college, too. It took me longer to get done because I had to work all the time. I look back and feel quite good about it. I think it is a great way to learn about life and survival.

[Darster]

I try to make a habit of always working on paying bills on Fridays...I mean, even if I can't PAY it right then, at least I am mentally more aware of what is due or overdue or coming due...! It really does help, and it will help you control your spending too.
I'm putting myself on a 'money diet' for the next two weeks. No spending except necessities.

Keep whittling those credit card balances, even if you can only pay a DOLLAR over the minimum amount, do it. I've been totalling up my bills and then subtracting out the amount we'll need for groceries, etc, and then sending all the rest to the credit cards. Also, check with http://lowermybills.com or http://bankrate.com to see if you can change some of your bills or transfer your credit card balances to a better deal for you.

Good luck!!! You can do this!!!


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[3tbear]

Bills, ugh, just wait 'til you get a house! It's like there's never enough money at the end of the week.

I was paying my college tuition on my own, then I found out the company I work for will pay the tuition for 2 courses each semester. That's a big help.

Maren, a couple of times I had my credit card balances down to $500.00, and for me, that was really good. Then I thought, well, it's low enough so I guess I can charge a few small things. Well...before I knew it, it was way up there again. Maren, don't let yourself be tempted by things you don't need, if you use your card just for necessities, it should be more manageable. I hope you get your balance down soon. Believe me, it felt good when I did. Now I'm working on doing that again. It just seems to take forever to get it down.

[MLM77721]

thanks for all the advice everyone

Yes, I know about the little things here and there 3t... what I have always been good at is not using those things. I haven't used my credit cards for a LONG TIME. I am just getting the balances down.

The majority of the cost is school loans (18,000) and loan taken out to pay for my wedding that was cancelled (5,000). The loan was originally 5500, and I have been paying about $200 per month but the finance charges on that sucker are so high it is still hovering around 5,000!

I only have a few credit cards, one which was used to put some of the wedding costs on (decorations and the dress) so I am still paying on those. If I could get rid of all that, I would be set! I am really good at financing and budgeting however, and I have set aside $800 in a few months for the move to FL. With all the buying of packing supplies and shipping costs, I have paid cash for EVERYTHING which is a great thing.

I am on a SUPER strict budget right now and I am hoping I can keep expenses down on the move to FL and use all the money I have set aside (should be around 2000) to pay off some debt.


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[3tbear]

Maren, I only use one credit card, cancelled my other ones. Well...I do have another, but I never use it. I cancelled my department store cards too.


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[mayfly]

Maren, I tell ya what, you are one smart lady. I have a lot of respect for you. Sounds like you are really on the ball about money. I know its hard, but it will get paid off soon.


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