Yes, I'm really here...

I am sorry I have not updated sooner. Things have really been crazy since Hurricane Ike. I am glad to say things are starting to calm down a bit and get back to normal. I have been working on getting our finances caught back up since the hurricane. I have decide that I am going to start saving all our change in a change jar. I will be giving you an update as I add to the jar. All this money will go toward pay down my debt. Tomorrow I will post how much money I actually have already in a jar. I have had a change jar but I never really made a conscious effort of adding all my change to it. I know a person that actually saves over $1000.00 a year in change. I should have done this a long time ago but never took the time to actively take advantage of this cost savings. With tough times and the economy growing worse I feel I need to do everything in my power to save and reduce my spending. Hence the Change Jar!

I had to take my daughter to the doctor this week which cost me a $20.00 co-pay plus the medicine was $193.00. I almost had a heart attack!!! These pharmaceutical companies know they have you backed into a corner. What is a parent going to do......not buy the medicine for there child? Although ,I am sure some parents would have to go with that as they really don't have any extra money to spend on things like medicine. Not that I have extra money, I just will have to cut spending elsewhere or do without a few things to allow our money to stretch. It is amazing what a person can do when it involves their children.

I sent a check off for $895.00 to pay for the generator we had to buy during the hurricane. It was so hard to part with that money. But at least I had the money to pay for the generator. I just hope I don't have to use that thing for a long time.

I still have not had that garage sale like I planned. I have just had too much going on with the hurricane to even focus on a garage sale. I am going to buckle down and plan on doing it soon. I am trying to decide on a date to schedule it. If I can get it scheduled then that will force me to follow through with my plans.

Tomorrow plan on seeing my Change Jar update.

DLD

Making a Plan

I have been scouring my brain trying to find ways to earn extra money to begin paying off my debt. Today I called a Plasma donor location. I checked online for a location close to me. I did locate one but the website did disclose how much you can get paid to do this. I am going to make a phone call to them to find out more details.

I am also going to list some things on eBay. I did try to do that Sunday but I must have done something wrong because on Monday when I tried to check my eBay selling status there was nothing listed. That totally confuses me because I even received the confirmation phone from eBay once I listed the item. I am going to work on this tonight.

If any one else have any suggestion of ways I can generate some quick income please let me know. I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks,
DLD

Opening the Wound....

I am opening the wound.....I am $35,000.00 in credit card debt! I could just kick myself in the behind. I knew better than to allow this to happen. I really don't know what has allowed me to even let this happen. Other than just being plain stupid! My interest rates are in the 20% and I have so many cards it is hard to kept track of them all. I am working on trying to consolidate them into one or two lower interest resources. Once I can get them consolidated I will start a payroll deduction account at my credit union so the amount I pay each month can be directly deposited into an account to strictly pay only my credit card debt. I am going to divide the amount I will be paying by 4 and have that amount direct deposited to the credit card debt account I am opening at the credit union. I will then set up an reoccurring bill payment for those bills to be automatically paid each month. The biggest hurtle I have right now is to get the bills consolidated. If you have any suggestions please comment as I can use all the suggestions possible.

Laying It All Out...

OK, I have made a decision to lay all my debt out there for all to see. I have been having a hard time at doing this. I think in the back of my mind I keep thinking that if I don't post it then it's not really there. I know.....this is a bad way to think. I realize that in order if me to become debtless I have to take this steps. I have been reading a blog by Twigger. She has really inspired me to jump in with both feet. In the coming days expect to see a post with all my debt listed.

I will also be working on purging all my stuff at home and listing it on eBay. Everything I sell on eBay will be put on my debt.

Later,
DLD

My Journey....

Came along with me on my journey of paying off a large amount of debt. I have said so many times....Why did you let this happen. You know better than to use credit cards. So my first step is in taking responsibility of my actions. The second step is to vow not to use any more credit cards.

I am going to be looking for ways to produce income while still working my full time job. I am exploring ways of producing income via the Internet. The first thing I am going to do is go through all my stuff. Isn't it amazing the amount of stuff we collect and don't really need? Then start listing it on eBay. I have never sold anything on eBay so this will be a learning experience. I am chronicling my journey by keeping this blog which will help keep me accountable. I am not really ready to disclose the amount of debt I am in at this time. I am very ashamed!! Just starting to keep this blog and admit as much as I have is a huge step for me. I come from a family that has always kept their finances private. So, with that said, I am taking baby step in this confession process. I do feel a little over exposed and naked. However, I have a strong belief that this is the right step, admitting my own short comings. This is a journey of healing.