Scared

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2006
Scared
10
Sat, 04-11-2009 - 6:52pm

For the last two months when I have been paying bills I have been battling a sinking feeling inside we. We have not been late with any bills and we are "making it" but barely.

The credit demons of our three cards are the devil I battle most. It seems we cannot get through the month without putting SOMETHING on credit. New brakes, emergency surgery for the dog...etc. I am not talking frivolous items.

We have a savings account that would cover about 1 month of bills if one of us were to get laid off). I know we need to grow that. I know we should have an e-fund (separate from savings). I know everything I should be doing to grown my safety net and pay down my debt but i can't seem to make any headway that matters.

With my husband and I not getting raises this year and my also not getting my bonus I am scared. I am very worried about where we will be in 6 months trying to keep up with the growing costs of everything.

I love our house that we bought last year and we budgeted carefully to make sure we can make the mortgage and bills and as I said right now we are.

I have been having some serious anxiety attacks and random crying spells over all of this and I am starting to feel out of control of being able to manage it.

One step at a time I know but it feels so unrelenting and impossible to navigate, never mind overcome.

Sorry I really needed to "get it out there" to folks who understand. My husband is great and picked up a second job. I hate worrying aloud about it because that won't make any of it better.

One day at a time right. The economy has to turn around at some point right? I paid off all my debt before and I can do it again right?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2008
In reply to: smoochdog
Sat, 04-11-2009 - 7:17pm

Hi Smooch,


I think you speak for us all collectively...it is a spooky time.


Anxiety attacks suck.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-1999
In reply to: smoochdog
Sat, 04-11-2009 - 7:28pm

Hope things get better for you. I agree with you that your primary goal right needs to be growing your savings as much as possible.


Worrying never paid a bill but it's sooooo hard to not do it! I've been there and will likely be there again at some point. My DH is self employed and it's a week to week roller coaster. Right now we're good but it can change in a flash!


Try to stay positive....cyber hugs to you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
In reply to: smoochdog
Sat, 04-11-2009 - 8:07pm

Hey smooch!


I'm so sorry to hear that your financial situation is weighing on you so much.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-13-2009
In reply to: smoochdog
Sat, 04-11-2009 - 10:23pm

Hang in there, I have days like this. Hubby and I have a huge amount of student loan debt to tackle that I have not been concentrating on right now. We are taking it one bill at a time.

We have been working on NOT borrowing for anything and NOT using CC's. Dave Ramsey is doing something called something like Town Hall for Hope and will be broadcasting through churches. Go to his web site and click on Town Hall for Hope and it will give you a church that will be hosting it and you can attend. It is all about NOT getting overwhelmed with what is going on with our economy. Hubby and I are attending a church here in MI together and are looking forward to it.

I know it can be very scary, but hold on, I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Take as you said, one day at a time.

~~Maggie~~

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-10-2008
In reply to: smoochdog
Sun, 04-12-2009 - 10:45pm

Isnt is frustrating?!?! I am in the same boat, but I am a single mom. Since you paid off your debt, you can do it again.

I have also picked up a second job to help supplement my income. I have not having enough money to make my bills each month, and I would like to get out of debt soon rather than later, so I have been working as much as I can around my schedule, at night, once my son is asleep to try to make more to get this paid off... it is soooo frusterating, but it will happen (eventually) !!

I always say "one day at a time, one dollar at a time".

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com! . . .
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
In reply to: smoochdog
Mon, 04-13-2009 - 9:20am

One day at a time right. The economy has to turn around at some point right? I paid off all my debt before and I can do it again right?


If it is any consolation, the economy has already turned the corner:


-Mortage applications are up


- Sales of existing homes are up


- Factory inventory is down, so factories will be starting to order at the end of Q2, based upon purchasing managers report


The boat industry has been hit really hard - over 50% of the industry is laid off - but there is good news this week in that sales are up, dealer profits are edging up and inventory of new boats is going down (which means they are selling what they have and will have to order new at some point.)


Employment lags the rest of the economy, so we might see 2 more months of job losses, but last week the figures were brighter than expected.


Stop watching all the bad news and just do what you need to do.




iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2008
In reply to: smoochdog
Mon, 04-13-2009 - 1:01pm

Hey Smooch,

I am sorry you are having the attacks. I had one about a month ago. I have not had one since thank goodness.

You said you have gotten out of debt before right. Of course you can do it again. And I bet you won't let it happen a third time!

Here is my advice. You must make a plan to knock out one of those cards! It is the revolving credit that is making your crazy. You know this already Smooch. Crunch the numbers and make this happen! A plan will make you feel better.

Good luck!



iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
In reply to: smoochdog
Mon, 04-13-2009 - 1:27pm

We both got our houses at a point mortgages were starting a major rollercoaster ride!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2006
In reply to: smoochdog
Mon, 04-13-2009 - 2:10pm
I think you are so right about taking things in small chunks. It IS when I add it all up that I get overwhelmed. One bill at a time I can manage. Good luck with planting. I find working in the yard to be very relaxing - I love it. Now if the weather would just get a little warmer here so I can be outside!
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2003
In reply to: smoochdog
Mon, 04-13-2009 - 7:55pm

I know I hemmed and hawed about taking the tax rebate on the house purchase, because in a sense it really is a no interest loan( and I AM keeping that idea