Changes are coming.

[Radiance]

I reduced the cell plan to 300 min, it wil be down to 39.99 (from $81) on July 23th.
This is a drastic change from 1200+ minutes.
When I am conflicted I will try journaling, meditating and praying before I pick up the phone. I can call at nights when it is free.

I am cutting cable this weekend, billing cycle is the 14th.

I called and cancelled the sponsorship to Alexandra. I trust in God she will be ok. This one made me shoke, please keep her in your thoughts/prayers. But I realize that I need to be free before I can pretend to save others. The monies I had been sending her was not my money, it was the creditors'.
When I have some of my money to give away, I will be back. My account with Compassion was kept opened. They just stopped the automatic deductions. They were very understanding and non-judgemental. I didn't even have to explain why.

More to come.

[Radiance]

Ha! Some good news

I didnt' even know (or didn't realize) that basic cable is provided through my hefty 287 HOA fee.
So, I keep channels 2-78, which includes nickelodeon = spongebob!!
I also keep comcast on demand...

the $40 was for 'premium' discovery, history and music channels.

[zetta]

Good first steps! Don't forget to ask your landline provider about measured rate service. They don't usually advertise it, and you don't have to be low-income to have it. I get an allowance of something like 200 local minutes on mine, and without even trying to cut back I've almost never gone over.

[DebbieL]

Radiance,

You are doing great! I hope you will have a renter soon and take some of the financial burden off of you. I have a personal message for you re: your sponsor child if you feel comfortable contacting me through a private message. I would like to help you out a bit with that. I FELT how much it breaks your heart to have to do that. Please contact me if you are comfortable and I will send a little help for you to contribute to the child.

Much love,
Debbie

[disneysteve]

That's great, especially the cable thing. So you were paying for it all along and didn't even know it.

As for the sponsored child, I know that had to be a tough decision but, as you said, it really wasn't your money that you were giving away. I'm sure that you will be back in shape and sponsoring again in no time.

[graceful]

Great news!!

Hooray for free (or paid for already) children's cable. Makes you wonder if you shouldn't have called earlier, huh? $40 is a LOT to pay for a few extra channels you don't always watch.

RTB & Debbie - very nice sentiment and thoughtfulness.