Let's Brag

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2008
Let's Brag
10
Fri, 11-13-2009 - 9:29pm
I love success stories, no matter how big or small. They keep me so motivated to keep going. So, post a few of your financial accomplishments! Don't be shy, tell us what you are proud of and how well you have done. There's been a tonne of sacrifice, hard work, focus and determination by people on this board. And, dealing with debt and finances is scary and stressful. But, people on this board have tackled their difficulties fearlessly and have even taken the time to encourage others who are going through similar situations. Take a few moments to ponder how far you have come, and post it so that others can revel in your success!


Edited 11/13/2009 9:31 pm ET by sillycanadian





iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2008
Fri, 11-13-2009 - 11:29pm

Success stories inspire me too and I hope those who have paid off even $200 of debt realize they are a success!!


Since July 2008 my DH and I have paid off about $27,200. We only owe $800 on one final credit card. We haven't charged one thing since July of 2008.


We went from having a few hundred dollars to now having $3,800 and growing. I put in at least $40 / month to savings if not more. Once our last credit card is gone I will be able to put a few hundred into savings.


And all during this I got laid off from my job of 8 years. Change CAN happen and life CAN get better even during what seems like the darkest of times!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2006
Sat, 11-14-2009 - 2:33am

I started here on DSG back in '05. Looking back I felt like a train wreck, having a history of wracking up CC debt during compulsive shopping sprees.

Oddly, I was also always good about saving for my future investing well in mutual funds, go figure.

Now, I'm balanced. I don't go on weird shopping sprees anymore. I posted religiously in the weekly check in section gaining control over my addiction to charging.

I've cleaned out all my closets and drawers of all the kooky crap I was hoarding as well. Now when I go to my closets they make sense full of lovely, unembarassing clothing. I think I just made up a word. Anyway my home and garage are no longer cluttered and neither are my CC statements.

When I shop now I come away with an item or two that I really need and use. I also lost about fifty pounds. I set out to be a softer, gentler, more responsible woman who wears age appropriate clothes as I went into my forties. And I did it, with all of your much needed help. Thanks.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-02-1999
Sat, 11-14-2009 - 6:13am

Great idea! Sometimes it's way too easy to wallow in the "debt self-pity" (I know it is for me), and it is so good when we can remember what we have accomplished and focus on that for just a little while.

1. We've paid off a little over $11,000 in debt this year. WOW. (I had no idea until I went back and added up all the numbers -- I'd only been seriously tracking since August when I joined the board -- feels good!) By the end of December, that number will be closer to $12,200!

2. We knocked out one debt completely (a small one, but an accomplishment nonetheless), and are on track to have four more paid off by mid-next year. (And one is a big one, which was over $10,000 when we started a payment plan in July 2008.)

3. We've seen two of our loans reach the point where more of our payment is going to principal than to interest. :)

4. We have not added to our debt this year, and this year will be our THIRD cash-only Christmas!

5. DH and I have finally gotten on the same page in terms of spending, and are firmly entrenched in a cash-only system.

Hey, this feels pretty good! A nice way to start off the day. :)

Steph










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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Sat, 11-14-2009 - 8:27am

I started on the boards about 2 years ago and, in that time, paid off

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2008
Sat, 11-14-2009 - 2:18pm

Wow, Gal Audry - that is a lot of success in one little post.




Avatar for sohappilyme
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 11-14-2009 - 9:33pm

In many ways, this has been one of our hardest years. I've repeatedly said I have NO idea how we made it before with any organization, but I think it might have been less stressful. Starting each month vividly aware of how much in the hole we are is unpleasant, LOL. That said, we've gone places.

1- Had a loan payment reduced from $618/mo to $420/mo by asking for and getting a lower interest rate

2- Refied another loan which did extend the payment period BUT when our goal is affording the month, we lowered that payment by $30/mo and will pay it off completely w/ our tax return - a full two years ahead of schedule.

3- Reduced our car insurance by $80 a month by shopping around.

4- Cut way down on bank fees. I hate that we pay any, but it's honestly the lesser of two evils at the time when we do it.

5- Cut down on pay by phone fees. If we use online bill pay, it's free. Usually we have to set up a payment "or else" so we bite that stupid $15 phone fee. Again, lesser of two evils.

6- We beat our goals with a stick. Lowered debt by almost $25,000 (will surpass it by the end of the year), flaked over 20k (goal was 6k), and the ONLY time we added to our debt all year was the copay for my doctor, and while the pregnancy is OBVIOUSLY our fault, lol, I did have surgery to prevent it. Still, only $450 so not a bad bump for the year.

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FIVE KIDS.

Sarah
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2006
Sat, 11-14-2009 - 10:38pm

Thank you for your words of encouragement.

I am so happy for YOU and all you have done!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2008
Sun, 11-15-2009 - 8:47pm

In the two years that I have been on this board I have:

1. Paid off my line of credit, about $9 000. I did not have credit cards that I carried a monthly balance on.

2. Stopped using my line of credit to get me through to my next pay cheque. I was in a terrible cycle where the first thing I did when I got paid was pay my line of credit back to a $0 balance. But then, I would have to use my line of credit again because I would run out of money. For a long time I didn't see it as a problem because it wasn't costing me much in interest, just a few dollars per month. I now realize that I wasn't very smart.

3. I use my credit much less than before. I can't say never. But a lot less, and usually with more thought than a few years ago. However, I always know I have cash to pay it. It's more about being to lazy to get to the bank to get cash.

4. This is our second all cash Christmas.

5. With cash we have renovated our living room, had a new roof installed, and purchased a new dishwasher.

6. We have made a decision not to go on a trip to the Carribean this year so that we can purchase some of the furniture and complete home improvements that we would like.

7. Although it is something we have always done, we contribute 15% of our income to RRSPs. As well, we are paying extra on our mortgage. If we are able to continue, or mortgage will be paid off in 8 years. That means we will have paid it in 13 years and we will have it paid at least one year before either of our kids start university. Also, we do contribute every paycheque to a post-secondary fund for our kids.






iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Mon, 11-16-2009 - 9:35am

2009 has not actually been a bragging year for our household.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Mon, 11-16-2009 - 10:21am

Some little brags really:


I increased my salary by almost 12k by getting a promotion in May. I now have more responsibility and am happier in my new job.


I consolodated my debt by moving a car payment to a lower interest CC.


I did increase my debt slightly by doing a buy now pay later for the appliances when they crapped out. I'm happy to report that of the 2k initially borrowed, I have paid off $775 with only $125 left to go for the first half (important because half starts accumulating interest in March, the other half next november and if its not paid off infull, interest accumulates from the day I borrowed)


My efund is only at $435 BUT my planned spending accounts are well funded (over $500 in total) and my "rainy day" mutual fund (read wedding or down payment for new house) is at $500. So I have access to $1500 if poop hit the fan.


I started a second job at a grooming salon. Although I'm not averaging the $100 a week that I would if it was fully booked, every dollar I've made has gone to debt.


This is my first all cash Christmas. I have $350 left in CASH in my jar to buy remaining gifts. Sis will pay me back around $100 for her share of the gifts which I am going to use to pay for food and other expenses that pop up. In addition, I still have $210 in my planned spending account (gifts) that I can access if I need it!


All in all I am doing much better then I was this time last year. Most importantly though I can see an end to it all. If things keep on this pace, I will have the last CC paid off by the end of 2010!


Bex -


"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift -thats why its called the present."


Bex -