nothing seems to work...

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Is that the minimum payment on the credit card? Is your sister living with you? Can you find a more responsible roomate? That is a lot of gas for the car! Can you do anything to make it more efficient? Keep the tires inflated properly, make sure you aren't carrying around extra weight. Are you an aggressive driver? Do you use the cruise control?

Your taxes still seem high. Did you get a large refund last year? Are there other deductions from your paycheck like healthcare? I have a similar income and after taxes I'm left with 74% of my gross income.

If you found a salaried job that didn't require all of the driving & the cell phone, then you could get a job paying $6k less and still have the same amount after paying the bills.

The credit card minimum is about $80.

I got a $1200 refund last year. I do have healthcare deducted ($175/mo) and 6% going into my 401k as that's about the only savings I can do right now.

The salaried jobs I've been offered pay more like 20 grand less!!

My car gets good mileage. It's just that I drive 120 miles in all directions for work (since I meet clients at their homes.) It's nearly a new car and is in perfect tune, although I will check the tires-thanks for the tip.

My sister is in worse shape than I am. I was the only one she could turn to.

[Kris10Leigh]

Re: nothing seems to work...

This is personally something I would have resorted to as a last resort, but it sounds like this is a last resort for you. What about asking your girlfriend to move in with you, especially since you are planning to marry anyway? Start your financial future together now and share expenses?

[autoxer]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I got a $1200 refund last year. I do have healthcare deducted ($175/mo) and 6% going into my 401k as that's about the only savings I can do right now.

Try the witholding calculator, just to see if you can get that extra $100/month now, instead of in April. http://www.irs.gov/individuals/artic...=96196,00.html

You might want to consider reducing the 401k witholding until you get out from under those payday loans. Or find out if you can get a loan from your 401k.

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Try the witholding calculator, just to see if you can get that extra $100/month now, instead of in April. http://www.irs.gov/individuals/artic...=96196,00.html

You might want to consider reducing the 401k witholding until you get out from under those payday loans. Or find out if you can get a loan from your 401k.

Already took a 401k loan. Can't take another one. That was before the bankruptcy but I have another 18 months to pay on it. It's 242 a month BTW. But since that comes out of my net, my take home of $3000ish is after that comes out. And it's money I borrowed from myself.

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

This is personally something I would have resorted to as a last resort, but it sounds like this is a last resort for you. What about asking your girlfriend to move in with you, especially since you are planning to marry anyway? Start your financial future together now and share expenses?

Eventually, sure, but we live 200 miles apart right now.

[lillyb]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Phew! Sure got a lot on your shoulders. Good advise given already. All meant in kindness, though some gets lost in cyber translation.

I feel for you. My dh makes the same as you, and works a ton of hours so a second job is out of the question, just like your situation. We've learned to just live below his income. Still, your take home seems kind of low, we bring home about 74%, as well.

Like you said, one good commissioned check would break the bottleneck, so maybe the answer is to work like a dog this month to bring in a good check.

Not sure what kind of advise I can give you for this month, though. Is there anything you can sell?? Is there cheaper plans for your cell, cable/internet/phone? The gas bill will go down when you pay that deficit (3 months you said, right?), you just gotta make it until then. After that's done can you put it on some average-monthly-billing thing so next winter won't cause such harship?

Maybe consider stopping your 401k contributions until this mess is cleaned up. It won't be forever and will allow you to have some breathing room. You can start it back up (and contribute even more) when this is paid.

An emergency fund is vital for you. It catches your lesser months so you don't fall into the trap of the pay-day loans again. Maybe a month or two of expenses worth.

The car... yes, it's expensive for you. You use it a lot, too. If you love it and are determined to keep it just pay it off like a mad dog, your payments and full coverage insurance is crippling you right now.

Here's my two cents on the engagement ring... If you plan on marrying this girl, then there's no reason why you can't go to her with what you are doing. Maybe explain that you've got a mess you need to clean up before you can afford to buy her the right ring. You don't want to start your lives out this mired down in debt, it's just asking for problems. Surely she would understand that. If I were in her shoes I would respect the guy who's willing to sacrifice to make sure our lives won't be sucked under in debt. Or, does it have to be that expensive? Have you looked into alternatives?

If you're serious about getting out of this, the fun may take a backseat for a while. Sacrificing now will pay off! Best of luck, I know this is hard!!

[34saving]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I literally cannot believe I'm saying this, but what about your landlord? Most of Ohio is a buyers market right now, right? Would she be legitimately concerned that she would be unable to find a replacement tenant if you move out? (Have you been paying reasonably on time?) (Have you been keeping her place in good condition?) (Does she have some extra cash?) There are lots of creative ways this could be done (you're in the refi. business, you're probably more creative than I am), but here's one possibility: Borrow $2100 from landlord at 12%. Sign a one year lease for 650+2100/12+((2100*.12)/12) = $850 per month. If you don't pay she evicts you and you've got an eviction AND a bankruptcy on your record. In other words, you're living on the street, so she has some security. In the meantime, she has some motivation since 1) She knows if she doesn't do this you'll probably start to default and/or move. 2) She'll be stuck with the back utility bills. Legally this particular solution probably has some issues that vary state-to-state, but there are probably legit work-arounds if she wants to play ball.

[PrincessPerky]

Re: nothing seems to work...

A big task looks hopeless, so I skipped it and went to little bills.

I picked one a month and triued to cut it down.. I cut as far as was 'slightly uncomfortable' then I moved on, when I was done I went back and started at the top..

I would look at the phoine first, cause 130 is high, I only have one phone and it is about 50 a month, I could add a second line for less than that..and you are paying nearly triple for one person? Lets assume you do need it for work..do you really need all the 'extras' that are making it 130 a month? if the contract is up you can prolly find a better deal.

I would also look at the home phone/cable/net..how much time do you spend watching tv when you could be trying to earna bit extra? in a sense cutting those three would give you over 100 to use for debt..not just the cost cut, but also the money earned during that time...(and try a firends house for the shows you just 'have to watch')

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

I literally cannot believe I'm saying this, but what about your landlord? Most of Ohio is a buyers market right now, right? Would she be legitimately concerned that she would be unable to find a replacement tenant if you move out? (Have you been paying reasonably on time?) (Have you been keeping her place in good condition?) (Does she have some extra cash?) There are lots of creative ways this could be done (you're in the refi. business, you're probably more creative than I am), but here's one possibility: Borrow $2100 from landlord at 12%. Sign a one year lease for 650+2100/12+((2100*.12)/12) = $850 per month. If you don't pay she evicts you and you've got an eviction AND a bankruptcy on your record. In other words, you're living on the street, so she has some security. In the meantime, she has some motivation since 1) She knows if she doesn't do this you'll probably start to default and/or move. 2) She'll be stuck with the back utility bills. Legally this particular solution probably has some issues that vary state-to-state, but there are probably legit work-arounds if she wants to play ball.

I have been reasonably on-time. Sometimes go as late as the 15th which is my single monthly payday, but she has several houses and never hits the bank until mid month anyway even if I send it earlier.

Actually one possibility is buying the house from her dirt-cheap. She's talked about retiring (she's 73) and basically selling it at a major discount and giving me credit (with zero interest) for all the rent I've paid. If that were done, I could walk in to instant equity of about $35000, and have a lower payment than I do in rent. However, would still need to get caught up first!

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

A big task looks hopeless, so I skipped it and went to little bills.

I picked one a month and triued to cut it down.. I cut as far as was 'slightly uncomfortable' then I moved on, when I was done I went back and started at the top..

I would look at the phoine first, cause 130 is high, I only have one phone and it is about 50 a month, I could add a second line for less than that..and you are paying nearly triple for one person? Lets assume you do need it for work..do you really need all the 'extras' that are making it 130 a month? if the contract is up you can prolly find a better deal.

I would also look at the home phone/cable/net..how much time do you spend watching tv when you could be trying to earna bit extra? in a sense cutting those three would give you over 100 to use for debt..not just the cost cut, but also the money earned during that time...(and try a firends house for the shows you just 'have to watch')

I looked at a better phone plan, but with all the daytime minutes I use at work, there really wasn't anything better. The actual "contract" price is $69.99 but there is so much CRAP added on to my bill (useage charges, taxes, BS) that it ends up $130.

I'm a Fox News Junkie and that's why I have the cable primarily. However, it was only a few bucks more than just my high-speed internet and phone so I said why not? I'd forego the landline but can't get a signal on ANY cell phone in my house.

[lillyb]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Do you have a written budget? Of importance. Like say your make only 'x' this month, you absolutely have to pay this, this and this. (like, housing, food, transportation, electricity). If you have some left over it goes to the next important thing on your list, and then the next. Those months you get all of them paid on the list and have some left over is when you start tackling your debt list. And follow the plan!

Have you read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book? He has some budgeting sheets in there for people on variable incomes, it might help you, as well.

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Do you have a written budget? Of importance. Like say your make only 'x' this month, you absolutely have to pay this, this and this. (like, housing, food, transportation, electricity). If you have some left over it goes to the next important thing on your list, and then the next. Those months you get all of them paid on the list and have some left over is when you start tackling your debt list. And follow the plan!

Have you read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover book? He has some budgeting sheets in there for people on variable incomes, it might help you, as well.

I can't really let anything go. I am trying to rebuild my credit, and being in my line of work I know that once you have had a bankruptcy, a late payment on credit has 10 times the negative effect and is pretty much a death sentence.

My written budget is above...trying to find how to prioritize it.

It's frustrating because in the mortgage business these days, in a company that still does 75% refinances, I feel like I'm trying to sell ice to an Alaskan in this market!!

[PrincessPerky]

Re: nothing seems to work...

honey, I am going to be cranky and rude.

I said pick a bill then gave the one I would pick, you pick one! picka sacrifice you are willing to make! Life is full of sacrifices...make ONE!

and if you work so much how are you home to see fox news?

[DivaJen]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Reading through the replies and your input, it seems like you need a second job. There doesn't seem to be anything you can or will let go or cut back on, so the only other option is to make more money. If that isn't an option either then I don't know what to tell you. You've filed bankruptcy, gotten a fresh start and are right back to the in over your head state. It doesn't make sense to me, honestly.

[joesixpack]

Re: nothing seems to work...

Reading through the replies and your input, it seems like you need a second job. There doesn't seem to be anything you can or will let go or cut back on, so the only other option is to make more money. If that isn't an option either then I don't know what to tell you. You've filed bankruptcy, gotten a fresh start and are right back to the in over your head state. It doesn't make sense to me, honestly.

I know. I just think I have better odds making more by working more HERE than another job. As I said earlier one good month does it. I could easily gross $10,000 in a single month with just a couple more loans closed (I'm a mortgage loan officer) because I hit a higher "tier" in my commission.