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| Thu, 11-20-2008 - 12:57pm |
Hello all, I'm a long-time lurker, on and off. I decided that it would be best for me to try to become active on this forum..as debt support is something I definitely need, desperately!
A couple years ago, I remember hearing that the majority of couple's arguments were over money and scoffing. I was raised that material things are unimportant, and through my teen years I stood by that. I'm extremely uncomfortable borrowing money or accepting gifts, I have always been. My parents weren't very well off, but we always made ends meet.
I was free of credit card debt when my fiancee and I started dating in June of 2006. As our relationship progressed, I saw he was under a very heavy burden financially. He had accrued a good amount of debt while in college, and helping his father through some rough times. He was paying a ridiculously high interest rate so I offered to transfer some of it to my name, I had great credit and could get better rates. I also bought expensive gifts, a computer, an xbox 360. I liked being in a position to help.
A bit over a year ago, we made the decision to move to Florida which ended up being even more costly. My credit bore the weight of the gas, hotel, security deposit, and buying a cheap car for myself once we arrived.
I started feeling the pinch by now, we were sometimes charging groceries and gas, our paychecks just didn't extend far enough after paying our bills. So, I shifted focus to the debt. I consolidated 3 credit cards with Cambridge because my low intro rate was coming to an end and Cambridge was able to keep my rates low. I got a little bit of money in savings (which was difficult to do, living paycheck to paycheck..but I managed to put about $800 away)
As soon as I felt like I was making progress, and would start to see a dent in my debt.. disaster struck. April of this year, my mother passed away. A thousand miles away. We drove all night to be with my family, and I ended up making a very difficult decision to spend the summer in Pennsylvania. Now between the plane tickets, gas, and time out of work, the savings we had managed was gone..and then some. I needed to be up north to know that my father and family were okay, but financially it was another blow.
I feel like I'm right back where I started now that I've returned to Florida. Luckily, my old employer offered me another position upon moving back, without a decrease in pay. (When I moved, I thought it would be permanent.. when my fiancee was unable to transfer I ended up moving back)
We're in a position where we want to get married and start a family, more than anything. This debt makes that impossible. The marriage not so much, we don't plan on anything big.. but I don't want to have a child when I feel some days that we can hardly take care of ourselves.
Sorry for the long intro..lol
And I am not sure why this is marking it as High Interest..
I didn't check anything like that. Gotta find my way around these boards a bit better..sorry
Edited 11/20/2008 1:01 pm ET by nikki0610


Welcome to the board. I am sure the trouble times will be over for you guys soon. And for the rest of us poor souls.
Only advice I can give you is this cut back cut down and if it is only 5.00 you are saving put it somewhere either in a saving account or on a bill Most people say to themselves a little money can do no good well it can If it weren't for the little money I wouldn't have my debt paid off as much as I have.
Because most of the time I don't have two pennies to rub together.
Take it one day at a time and keep on top of things and your eyes open
Mary Ann
Welcome to the board!!
So far for me I'm finding ING one of my best friends.
Becky
CL of 4th, 5th & 6th grade Scoliosis