Here are the numbers...

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-09-2008
Here are the numbers...
3
Sun, 04-05-2009 - 12:14pm

I went over all of the numbers with our bills and debt. Combined we are bringing home $2404/monthly after taxes and medical insurance. There are a couple of items that I didn't list b/c we haven't been paying on them as of yet. I owe $1000 to the hospital here for a biopsy I had to have done-this is what I owe after insurance. I have a bill-me-later acct in collections with a balance of $1149. I owe the IRS $649 for employee taxes from a business I had, and $700 also in collections from tuiton. What a mess this all is! If anyone has any feedback on the best way to tackle this that would be great. I open for suggestions! I know $100/wk seems like

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2007
Sun, 04-05-2009 - 12:57pm

I would start with the car insurance. I would shop around and see if I can get that down by at least 30.00 or 40.00 a month.


Then I would cut back on the cell phone. Go to a card phone for a while. Don't call them and discount it because they will charge you but tell them you are going to be out of country and have them discontinue it for up to three months until you can get some of this stuff back on track.


You got to get that food bill down by another 10.00 a week. As old Dave say rice and beans beans and rise. We take the sale papers on Sunday and plan our meals around the meats that are on sale. This helps.


If you do that much then you should be able to make arrangements with the IRS for the taxes.


The cable does it have your Internet service on it. I hope. It might be a good idea for a little while to go back to a modem and also to cut that down to the basic service and get yourself a land line. and leave the cell go all together for a while People do live without cell phones.


If you got any limit left on the cards you now owe on. I would see if you can get those over limit cards at least paid down enough that you are not charged with over limit fees. That would be a big help.


And lastly maybe put up some signs that you will clean house or something in the evenings to pick up some money. Summer is coming maybe cut grass a night

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Mon, 04-06-2009 - 10:28am

megpie - hugs!


I don't know your background (job hours, etc) but is there any way you can get a second job for a few months? Just to get you current? OR think about summer months and people taking vacations - could you be a dog walker or something? Anything to get extra income?


Maybe consider getting rid of cable until fall/winter? That would save you $67/month and in the summer wouldn't we rather be outside anyway? I know my DH would be hard pressed to get rid of that but it seems like a luxury sometimes especially if you are behind on bills. I'm not trying to nitpick - just being honest.


I'll think of any more ideas but hugs to you! We do our best and that's all we can ask.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
Tue, 04-07-2009 - 12:00pm

Hi,

I don't have a lot of ideas but here are a few as to what I see.

You seem to be a little disorganized? Do you have a spread sheet with dates and minimum amounts listed. Over the limit fees and late fees hamper success with paying off cards. Make a list of priorities according to date and getting those fees tacked on first. Then when things settle down you can pick and choose what to tackle with extra money.

You must stop using the cards. I am sure you know this. Credit card companies love revolving balances.

What about both of you getting more money coming in and part time jobs? Debt is about two people. And you won't need cable because you will be soooo busy.

Good luck. I know it seems over whelming but concentrate on one thing at a time. Your balances are many but not anything that isn't doable over time. You guys can do this!