Paid off 3 little CC, still overwhelmed

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Paid off 3 little CC, still overwhelmed
1
Sat, 02-26-2005 - 1:35pm

HI

We got our refund back. I've paid off QVC, Macy's and Tiger Direct. I'm happy about those but they are easy to pay off, so I still have the big ones looming over me.
We have 32,000 in debt--lowe's, home depot,3 major cards, a car and braces. Our car needs
some repairs. I still have some money to put towards something, I just don't know where it should go.

How can I get more motivated and get DH with to get this stuff paid off. We have no savings, nothing for emergencies. I've read Dave Ramsey's book. I get all gung ho, then overwhelmed, then back to being unmotivated.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Dana

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2004
Sun, 02-27-2005 - 12:15pm

Hey, that's awesome that you got three cards off your back! You should be doing happy dances in the streets! lol

Anyway - my suggestion (although I'm not exactly in a terrific spot re:debt anyway!) would be to do that Dave Ramsey baby step that gets $1000 into savings ASAP. I tell you, it feels weird to be putting that money into a 1% or less savings account, but it also felt really good when we realized we had to get a new water heater...and we didn't have to put it on the cc, because we could pay cash. If I have to get emergencies on the cc, I automatically figure, "well, if we have to put the $800 for the water heater on there, I might as well put this and this on, too - it won't make any difference."

I know, stupid. But I get really overwhelmed when I think of our debt, too. And I need periodic reminders that we aren't perfect, but can work on stuff a little bit at a time. Plus, having people around who have been there (or are there) really help me focus some.

So maybe - the emergency $1000 first? Then, perhaps, do another happy dance for the fund, and then get back on track with the debt.

Good luck!