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Home > Coming Clean about Debt

Coming Clean about Debt

November 2nd, 2012 at 09:53 pm

So I have mentioned before - stupid spending, being on medical leave, medical expenses, a 2nd medical leave and more medical expenses have left me with some serious credit card debt. It was stupid on my part because I continued to spend when I should have been much more frugal.

So I am saying now that the dent I made in debt in the last 2 years has been revoked with the new debt. I finally have my head on straight again.

For the last 2 months, I have been completely not using credit cards - with the exception of my car insurance, gym & weight watcher's memberships going on a $0 balance card & paid off monthly. I have a paydown plan for the debt and am finally sticking to my budget.

In my staycation this week, I was lucky to escape Hurricane Sandy with no destruction or loss of power. Monday & Tuesday were no spend days though Smile

Wednesday was Halloween and I spent $2.28 for lunch and $25 for drinks at the local bar with my boyfriend.

Yesterday, I spent $20 for lunch with my parents. I paid a portion of their tab as they picked me up from the dealership where I was getting my oil changed. It's covered under a membership that I have with them.

Today was errands and spending:
$29.99 for cat food
$4 dollar tree (tape, batteries, fries & plastic dishpan to be used for cleaning purposes. (this is covered in the grocery budget)
$44.12 groceries
$5.32 take out salad bar (HUGE - 1/2 for lunch and 1/2 for dinner)
$14.91 KMart for personal care products. This was with a $10 credit from ShopYourWayRewards bonus. The purchase will be shipped to the store for free.

For entertainment this week - it was mostly a free jigsaw puzzle, soduku books, Kindle, dvr, Netflix (due to the storm). Last night I rented Redbox movies for free (thanks free promo codes) - a suspense movie 388 Arletta Avenue and Dark Shadows. When I returned them today, I rented The Hunger Games. I saw it in the theater already, but I love the book/movie and am excited to see it again!

Tomorrow, I will be doing more errands, finish organizing the house, making food for the upcoming work week and tomorrow night is Date Night. My boyfriend is coming over for dinner and a movie night in. He will be starting to bring stuff over to the house to move in little by little this month. I am so excited!

Sunday, we are having brunch with friends. In the evening, it is Sunday night dinner with friends. We rotate making a main, a side and a dessert with 2 off weeks in between each round. This week is my off week, so all I have to do is show up Smile

6 Responses to “Coming Clean about Debt”

  1. scottish girl Says:
    1351893682

    Glad you're safe Smile Exciting to have your boyfriend move in!
    Your dinner with friends sounds good.

  2. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1351910969

    Good for you realizing that you were delving into dangerous territory with the credit card spending. Don't look at the past, but look towards the future. You can do it (as demonstrated by previous successes, not to mention the 2 months of no CC use!) Big Grin

  3. Looking Forward Says:
    1351959782

    What a relief you didn't have to deal with Sandy.
    With a payoff plan I know you'll get rid of that debt! Smile

  4. snafu Says:
    1351999001

    Having watched the devastation & wreckage left by Sandy on news reports, you are indeed lucky to have escaped damage. I hope you and BF have worked out a plan for handling rent/food/utilities/entertainment finances to avoid unmet expectations. Will you each pay 1/2 of the cost or contribute based on income if one is much higher than the other? I think it's also important to divy up chores so that each of you are contributing to the work involved in meals, laundry, cleaning and bathrm chores.

    I've noticed that many couples who blog here open a joint account for joint expenses and contribute based on their plan.

  5. Jerry Says:
    1353333614

    You are fortunate, indeed, that storm did lead to an incredible amount of damage. I can relate to additional medical costs (especially stuff not covered by insurance) and how they lead to a budget-buster if not managed carefully. Unfortunately, when people are ill or feeling lousy, that is precisely the time that we do NOT want to cut back! I hope that you are able to dig out of that debt smoothly and swiftly. Good luck!
    Jerry

  6. Amber Says:
    1353791336

    I too am glad you're safe and good for your for recognizing what was happening a creating a plan

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