NSD Tuesday…Almost and a ramble

[North Georgia Gal]

I managed to get through Tuesday without spending any money…almost. I didn’t spend any cash or on my debit card. I registered for classes which made me debt until my grants come in. I am going to a technical school near me for medical coding and billing. I started as thinking it could be a side hustle but if it works out I might be able to make it my full time job. Time will tell.

I joined this 12 step program for debting about a year ago. It has really helped me focus on paying off debt and not obtaining any unsecured debt. I’m not perfect but better. I try every day to control my spending. It is a daily battle for me. The real reason I moved in with my family friend is because I had gotten into so much debt(around 5k, not including my car but including a payday loan) that I couldn’t afford to get an apartment. Plus you have to make 3 times the rent and I was having a hard time finding a safe environment meeting that criteria. 5k may not seem like a lot but when you barely make enough to make ends meet, it is a lot. The medical bills I have left are from since I moved in here. The 5k I moved in with has been paid off. I am supposed to be paying $750 in rent plus utilities. But when I came clean with her, my family friend put rent on hold until I got myself straightened around. Not that I won’t pay it, just not right now. We sit down every payday and figure the best plan. Thanks to her I have 3k in the bank and am learning how to smartly spend my money. I have never had that much in the bank for more than couple of weeks before and only after getting some windfall. I have almost completely stopped eating out, which was a nightly ritual for me, and I have lost weight!

sorry to ramble and if you’re still reading, Thank you for your support!

[bjl584]

sounds like you are making progress, so good work.

[myrdale]

The Dave Ramsey approach would be to put $2,000 of your $3,000 towards the $5,000 debt today, leaving you only $1,000. I am personally of the opinion that you should keep building up you're savings as quickly as you can, and then when you reach a point you feel relativity secure at, throw all additional money towards the debt. Twelve months from now, I would expect your situation to be significantly improved.

[disneysteve]

Sounds like great progress, especially paying off that 5K of debt and accumulating 3K in savings. That's huge! Having that friend working with you so well is terrific.

What's your current work situation? Do you have a full time job? Any opportunities to earn more there, or have you explored any ways to increase income on the side?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Do you pay your friend for living with them? Is it that it's cheaper to share?

[North Georgia Gal]

DisneySteve…I work full time. I just changed jobs in August for a 7k increase in income. It’s just not enough. I have looked at second jobs but due to a bad back I can’t stand for very long. Trying to find a data entry job that I can do in the evenings and weekends.

LivingAlmostLarge…I am not paying rent right now. We are keeping track and I will start paying her back after the first of the year. She charges me half of what an apartment would be.

[crazyliblady]

The Dave Ramsey approach would be to put $2,000 of your $3,000 towards the $5,000 debt today, leaving you only $1,000. I am personally of the opinion that you should keep building up you're savings as quickly as you can, and then when you reach a point you feel relativity secure at, throw all additional money towards the debt. Twelve months from now, I would expect your situation to be significantly improved.

She already said it is paid off.

[disneysteve]

DisneySteve…I work full time. I just changed jobs in August for a 7k increase in income. It’s just not enough. I have looked at second jobs but due to a bad back I can’t stand for very long. Trying to find a data entry job that I can do in the evenings and weekends.

Have you considered online reselling (ebay, Etsy, Mercari, Poshmark, etc.)? Those are great options because you can totally work at your own pace. I know a number of disabled people who sell very successfully on ebay.