Boomeyers's Digging Out of Debt

Well, it has been an interesting week back to work. NOTHING got done at home while I was gone. Geeze! People, do dishes, do laundry, vacuum, UGH! Anyway...

My to do list is not as organized as Househopefuls or Lux's, mine is in my head which is a BAD place to keep it!!

The "new" bathroom: tore out vanity, painted, laid new peel n stick looks like ceramic tile floor. Bought new baseboards at Habitat for Humanity, three 6 foot sections for a big $5!!! Love their prices. Looked for the plumbing lines I needed for the pedestal sink, but they didn't have them there, so went to Walmart and paid $5.87 apiece. Hopefully will get the whole thing wrapped up tomorrow. Looks like the whole project will end up costing me around $60. Will try to post pics soon.

German student arrives on Friday (hence the "new" bathroom). Need to put up Halloween deco and steam clean all the carpets tomorrow too.

Oh, and I want to do the van too.

DD1 turned 17 today! Wow! She can legally see rated R movies. She is very excited about this!

Back to work is going fine. Learning how to pump the car seat again. Those things are heavy! Mainly, feed the baby, change the baby, rock the baby, rinse, repeat!

Can't wait for my first check this weekend, so I can go open my own savings account at the credit union!

Well, tomorrow I go back to work. (The nanny job). Instead of focusing on how uptight the mom is, I have decided to focus on the kids. When I went to visit on Friday to get the run down on the routine from mom, the three year old ran up and hugged me so tight. She missed me so much! I can't wait to spend time with her again! And the baby was really good.

I am still working weekends at the real estate office too, so I guess I am working two jobs! And in November, my friend is opening up his Christmas Store at the mall and I will be working there too!

Still have a few things left on my "to do" list that I did'nt get to. Will try to squeeze in finishing them up. Mostly getting the girls bathroom finished before our German exchange student gets here in two weeks. I took before picks, so I will post when I am all done! The pics of this bath are in my archives. How quickly the kids can tear up a bathroom, it was only two years ago!

That's it. Just, I'm eating M&M's. I guess, to make it financial, I could say I splurged on some M&M's, but whatever. They are good. I love chocolate!

Made about another $80 today. Have a few things that did'nt sell that I will put on Craigslist.
Have a cleaning job tomorrow. Will use that money for gas/groceries.
Have to go to the dentist too, have to get a tooth fixed. Not sure how much that will cost, but fillings before were never more than $35.
I am depressed it is back to work on Monday. Really dreading it. Must get back into the "happy to have a job" mindset. Just bummed out now....

Because having the birthday parties was'nt enough , DH and I had a garage sale last Saturday, made about $80. He really wants to sit outside with the leftovers tomorrow, so we will see what we get. I am sick and tired (literally, a head cold), so he may have to handle it by himself!

September and the beginning of October are a landmine of birthdays here!
Managed to get away pretty easy. Bought DD3 a $15 phone card and a Reeses. She was thrilled. DD1 will be getting her own printer/scanner/copier I got on sale at Target for 28.88. Bought and stashed. DD2 wants Phantom tickets. This will be trickier. Expensive. Ugh. For Mom's bday, I bought 2 GC's for the price of one ($25) for a bbq place and took her to dinner. Ahhh, done for another year!

Well, you guys would be so proud!

To give anyone who doesn't know (and may care), a large part of our financial problem was that I was always in charge of finances and I am VERY bad at telling anyone in my family NO. I have been TRYING to hand over the bill paying to DH, even suggesting we pay them together, but it fell on deaf ears.

So last Monday I told DH that when he was paid the next day, I would NOT be paying the bills. I told him I would show him how, but I am stepping away from all finances pertaining to our joint account. I told him when my job starts again, I would give him half of each of my checks ($420 per week, so $210) and keep the other half, out of which I will pay for my gas, food for the family, the girls and my cell phone bill, and any other bills pertaining to the girls like doctor visits, clothes, school lunches, etc. I told him I would open a new account just for these at the credit union, so that when we go to buy a new car, we can get a good interest rate. He kicked and screamed about this saying that he would like to give HIMSELF $210 a week just to spend. Ugh! I told him he was in charge of the other account and if he wants to "give himself that" then go right ahead, as long as the bills are paid. I will do heavy driving for my job when I go back, so LOTS of gas will be used!!

Anyway, I also have to squeeze other payments out of this that he is not aware of, like for paying back my mom, my daughter and our new washer!

His first foray into the payment world was ugly. He FINALLY got the idea that we are in TROUBLE!! And that we need a PLAN for this. Now, can he do it????

Boy, we are poorer than dirt, but I love being a SAHM again! I believe that is my true calling in life! The weather has been gorgeous, DH is home during the day, so we get to spend more time together, and I have been getting TONS done around the house!

I have proposed to DH another payment plan that includes borrowing from the 401K and turning all the bills over to him. Still waiting for his answer.

Of course, I am speaking of Chase and Citi! I learned the secret ingredient of "the hardship" department and may wonders never cease!
Chase: lowered us to 12% with a set monthly payment for the life of the loan. Better than nothin and I'll take what I can get.
Citi: 0% and a set payment for the life of the loan.
Of course, barring no payments are ever late and yada yada.
With Citi, I had to let them automatically deduct it from our checking account. This makes me CRINGE!! However, I am thinking about opening a new checking account at a credit union and can just leave this payment coming out of the old account. We'll see. I am excited every penny will be going to principle!!

This is insane! Our local Hummer dealer could'nt sell his autos any more. So he has become an ARMS DEALER TOO!! Hummers on one side, automatic rifles on the other. I guess its whatever it takes in this economy, but OMG! Got Glocks??

I waited my 2-3 business days and called Citi today to see if they had lowered my interest rate. Guess what? The request for reevaluation of my account was NEVER TURNED IN BY THE REP! Figures - right? So now it is turned in and I have to wait what?? Yes! 2-3 business days and call back. UGH! And my payment is coming up, so they better get their act together quick!

As BA spoke of business karma, I received an email from Citi asking about my customer satisfaction on my last call. Well, I told them what I thought. I was told by the current rep on the phone today, that it will reflect back on that particular customer service rep, so GOOD! She was polite and nice, but just failed to do her job.

The friend I baby sit for had her baby today, a little early. A healthy little girl.

I had figured up the bills hoping to get two more checks in August. Am hoping to still be able to do some sitting this week so that I still get my check Friday. Will try to sell some stuff on ebay to make up for some of what I will miss from the one on the 28th.

I had applied at the school district for subbing, I just have to drop off my background check form and a $9 money order for them to send it in. Picked up two cleaning jobs that will help out some.

We have a $75 rebate Mastercard coming. Am hoping to use this for food.

I have been thinking about this post for a week or so. We got hit by one of the big ones, they "did'nt receive" our payment on time. I paid it electronically, but some how it did'nt go in their system on time. We were jacked up to 29.99. DH hit the roof, screaming and yelling, and it was just ugly. I have called them twice (this being Chase). The first time the "customer service rep" and I use the term loosely, would'nt move me on to a supervisor. It is bad enough, they don't speak English, but they are also rude. The second time they did move me onto a supervisor but with a comment of "There is nothing they will do about it". She told me "Chase negotiates with NO ONE." Kinda made me feel like a terrorist, instead of a customer. Will try them again.

Then came the second hit, we owe a HUGE amount to Citi. We are paperless. They send a reminder once a month that your bill is coming up to pay, but no date or amount, just a reminder. My payment has always been the 4th. I ALWAYS make sure to pay this on time so that nothing happens. Guess what?? Yep, my payment was moved to the 3rd. BAM! 29.99%. Oh, and your payment due is now something like 847.00! Their customer service was kinder and she said it could be reversed after she talked to a supervisor to call back in 3/4 business days. We'll see. I have'nt told DH yet, because I am waiting for their response.

I can only begin to describe how this made me feel. HOPELESS is the first word that pops into my mind. Frustratingly hopeless, that my government gave my money to these banks and they do NOTHING but help the American people. And HELPLESS is another one. Yes, I entered into a contract with these people, but nowhere did I state that I was perfect. I always pay on time and try to pay over the minimum due. Ugh!

I cried when I found out, I cry myself to sleep, I wake up with a feeling of dread and a little despair. Where will the money come from. Where can I get a second job, HOW will I pay all this?? The cards are cut up, yet they will be with me for years. This is what happens when you try to live off of credit cards. I am already desperately teaching my children how to save for what they want and NEVER be a slave to credit.

No, I will not kill myself over this, only learn from my mistakes and try to pass on a little knowledge learned, but I can see where these feelings might push another right over. Your life insurance could pay off all of your families bills and they would never have to worry about it.

Will let you know what happens with Citi. And I will try Chase again! I will fight even if it is useless.

I think the day I finally get out of this, we will all sing "Glory Hallelujah"!!
Basically, the last year or so I have just been juggling, but when I came clean with DH I stopped robbing Peter to pay Paul (for the most part), so now we are really living in the doodoo! Still trying to work out with DH exactly what "our" plan is. Most of the time he is still yelling and accusing, so it is taking time. My job will be on a six week hiatus when my friend has her baby, so am trying to make plans for that time as well. DH wants me to take a new job and put in my two weeks notice after 4 weeks, but I can't do this for 2 reasons: 1)ethically speaking, it is wrong 2)it is nearly impossible to find a job still! We'll see what happens. I am still going to apply for subbing and try middle school in hopes of getting a better chance. So many out of work teachers are subbing right now, not sure what will happen.

$112 dollars later and 3 medications, it looks like our dog did not have a stroke, but has a bulging disk perhaps? The vet can only guess. She has steriods, antibiotics and pain killers. We could have gone for the $2100 spinal work up, but hey, I will be unemployed soon. So we try the cheap route and hope for the best!!

We leave for vacation on Thursday. We rented a condo at "The Lake". If you are from Missouri, you know exactly where we will be! Trying to keep this as frugal as possible, we will probably only eat out once at our favorite restaurant there and maybe one fast food time. Planning on a little boat time, lots of pool time and some family game time! :-) I will search the outlet malls and see if I can find any awesome bargains that I can resell on ebay.

So, have been being pretty disciplined with my little babysitting charges. Their momma was not giving me money to take them out anywhere, so I stopped spending my own money. It takes a lot of discipline on my part, because mom is VERY strict and she has been working from home. Pretty hard to maintain your sanity when you are only allowed to play dollies or make art. These sweet little ones have mastered the art of WHINE and sometimes you just need a break! So I like to get them out and away from the house, but the parks have been off limits since the little one broke her leg. We have been doing the free movies a lot and I stock up on snacks from home before we leave. I fill up a backpack full and off we go! I took my kids and the baby sitting kids to the zoo last week. Our zoo is free and I packed a lunch from the babysitting house, so no cost to me. It was hard not to just run out and buy them all Lunchables or something, but I resisted! You have no idea how big that is for me.

Have a great day everybody! Looks to be a rainy one here! Having our bbq. Not too expensive as everyone pitches in. I guess the most expensive will be the hamburger and brats. I already had the hot dogs.
Anyway, enjoy, whatever you are doing!

DD2 asked to come home from camp one week early. We went ahead and pulled her as she had endured 100 temps all week with heat indices over that. Ugh! Poor baby is so grateful to be home! Yeah , mom is a hero - this time!

There are just those moments in a girls life when you can't get between her and chocolate, ya know??
Took DD3 up to Walgreens and we picked up the 3/$3 special. Yum! :P

Took DD2 to camp last Sunday. I couldn't sleep Sunday night thinking about her in this heat! Right now it is 93 degrees and it is 11:45 at night!! I will get to pick her up Sunday for a short "home" visit and then take her back. I hope she is having fun despite the heat, but I have'nt received any letters from her yet. Will keep you posted!

Hope all you fantastic Dad's out there on the blogs have a spectacular Fathers Day!!

I will start with the frugal things I managed to do this week. I took the kids to the free movies and we brought our own snacks. On the day I took all 8 kids, I bought a large popcorn, got the free small bags to go with it and used the free refill option, so popcorn for all was just 6.50. We swam at the subdivision pool and we ate lunch at the house.

On the spendy side, I have been getting DD2 ready to go to camp for two weeks and for a "service" trip. I have been getting most things at the dollar store, but even then, that adds up! I have my goodies ready for fathers day, gc's to take DH to dinner, something for my sisters birthday and something for DD3's best friends birthday. Did have to buy DD2 new shoes for camp. Compromised, bought $45 shoes and made her pay $10 for it. Still way to expensive!!

I blew it as well. Took the littles to McD's yesterday, to the water park today and bought them lunch there. Ouch. Turns out their mom reimbursed me, but I took DH out on a date, so that is gone. Shelling out $10 for friends sons birthday, $25 for a graduation party tomorrow and had to buy allergy medicine, yuck, expensive. Just feel like a wasted too much money and ONCE AGAIN, completely ignored my beautifully planned budget like a selfish teenager. Ugh.

The littles mom is going to start working from home more. She is uncomfortable in her pregnancy and they are letting her do this, which is a great option. But...this is tough, because she has rigid rules on how she wants the girls raised, and I have to admit, I do slack on a few for the sake of sanity!! This will be a tough few months. I am happy to say I get July 3rd off and the 9th and 10th off, so shorter weeks will help! Will be interesting to see if she can make her own rules stick when she is with them 24/7 when she is on maternity leave. The fall will be interesting as she has them scheduled for this and that and I will be running them here and there and everywhere dragging a newborn. Ugh.

I am in one of those boo hoo, poor me, hate my life kind of moods. Somebody smack me and tell me to grow up and be an adult! I am NOT going to list all my whining, just ask for some "suck it up" help!

On the plus side, my little babysitting charge has a waterproof cast, so swimming is not out for the summer!

Any suggestions would be helpful! Assuming my position stays as is, this is what I have come up with:

More play doh!
Legos! the girls don't have any. Will look for some in garage sales.
Free movies. Two theaters show them!
She has dollys and a doll house.
Library?
Baking/cooking

Bring em!!!

Just found out one of the little girls I babysit for broke her leg over the weekend. No weight on it for 6 weeks. No swimming, no Six Flags, no park, no playplace. Ugh. My own kids have been in casts in the summer time and I am okay with that part. I am just concerned because mama is waiting to see if she will get the ax for her job and taking more time off to go to the specialist and etc. will not look good. She also came home early on Fri. because she did not feel good, so they had sent her home from work.
Will keep you posted.

On a better note, had a great weekend! Got taken to the winery for my belated "going away party" from my old job. Then we have had graduations and graduation parties! Fun! Tomorrow we are going to an awards ceremony for DD1's Girl Scout Gold Award. This award will help with scholarships! Yeah!

Yep, already. I haven't been told by my friend, but she may get laid off! I have only had this job a month and half! I guess I will spice up my resume and wait to see if the ax falls! This thought was actually floating through my mind when I took this job! I won't tell you how I found out about it, but it kind of makes me mad that she did not warn me up front. Then again, they have been generous and any job is risky these days.
So, I may have to blast into the past and go back to retail or something. YUCK! I can substitute teach again, but that won't start for another couple of months, so I would have to find something else in the mean time.
I will keep you posted!

On a positive note, having this new job has been so good financially! I have been excited to see our balances TRICKLING down! Two of our cards will be back below $10,000 in the next couple of months!! Excited!

I was buoyed by my two payoffs, but am now back in draggin' land. Seems like the "I need" emergencies keep popping up like crazy with the end of the year festivities. Barely able to juggle and rob Peter to pay Paul. We are still eating in and the cupboard is getting a little bare. We are going to start reaching the freezer burn yum yums soon. June should be a little better as far as the money, but I think that and the "I need" emergencies pop up again!

Enjoying the new job as much as I can. I already got a raise and they have begged me to continue in the fall when the baby comes. I will tell them yes, as prospects of a "real job" are still extremely slim right now. I will tell them we will reassess at Christmastime.

DD1 is doing a German exchange student program. Our student comes in October. I am pleased to say, besides spending money, which she has saved for, all it will cost is the plane ticket. What a relief! We will start fundraising soon!

While my friend Ray is off on her lovely Mexican holiday, I am going to stay at home and catch up on well, lots of stuff! I get a nice vacation this weekend. I am off from Fri to Wed!! And it is a paid vacation. My little family that I nanny for is off for a Florida vacation, so that makes a vacation for me! Today I checked a few of those pesky things off my list that have been staring at me. We had some really dusty air return vents. My daughters dresser needed a nice fresh coat of paint and the office, well, is a mess! I have a lot more cleaning and touch up painting to do, plus some organizing as well. But I am going to do it at a leisurely pace and hopefully spend some fun time with family and friends too!

Have a fun holiday weekend!

Wow! Two in one month! I paid off the brakes for the van. It was 90 days same as cash, so we are paid off before they can start charging us interest!
Can't wait till I can post about another victory!! Amazing what having a little more money can do!