It’s been a week since I last posted? WOW, time flies. This week has really not been a good week. The cold weather is long gone but my neck pain is still there. My shoulder and my neck are hurting bad and the pain is not going away. My husband thinks it is from being too tense and worked up at work combined with sitting all day. It is true-work has been very tense with my boss jumping down my throat every other minute. I am staying focused though. My bankruptcy is almost discharged. The sad thing is, I have already started looking for a job online and in the meantime, there is nothing out there. It is scary.
They keep having these job fairs here in South Florida and a lot of people that go to them are college educated and hold all these degrees yet can’t even get an $8 per hour job. It is not too motivating to go back to school and further my education when I see this. I just hope it all turns around and soon.
We took our Pre-Discharge Debtor Education Course online yesterday. It was longer than the first course and a lot more detailed. We had to go over our monthly income and make a budget. We then had to go over our short and long term goals. Sitting down doing this was kind of interesting. We’ve spoken about a lot of things but never really said this is what we are going to do and stick to it (we seem to do that a lot). We wrote down a few goals at first so we don’t get overwhelmed.
Since we have decided to keep the car-our first goal is to pay it off. Once we catch up the payments we will owe $12k. I am not happy with making payments but I also know we have no choice but to keep the car. To lessen the blow of making payments-I want to double them up so we pay it off faster and not pay interest. I think we are currently at 6.5% on the loan.
We also want to save $300 per month towards moving out of South Florida summer of 2011. We have decided-we need to do it. We chose $300 because that should be “doable” if we have no major issues come up. If we can put more, even better. Our oldest graduates at that time and our youngest will be going into middle school. We do not have a good middle school in our area so it seems to be the perfect time to move. They both right now go to awesome schools and I will not pull them out of either right now.
So having the car paid off and money saved up for a new place in a new area are 2 great goals and I am excited about them. Now with hubby working, saving can be possible.
If you haven’t written down some of your goals, now is a perfect time to do it. I know for many, it is hard to think about saving when you are already having a tough time putting food on the table. But, if you can just write down one goal and stick to it, it will make you feel so much better. It doesn’t even have to do with money either. Just something that will keep ya motivated.
Have a great week. I am off to put an ice pack on my neck and get ready to watch the Space Shuttle take off.
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Tags: Bankruptcy, goals
Writing down goals is a great idea. It keeps you focused as long as your goal does not change.
Moving out of South florida is a great one – it certainly is not what it was when I moved here 11 years ago. That happens to be one of my goals too! Perhaps in the same year also. lol
You will be sooooo relieved when the bankruptcy is finally over. I am just in the beginning stages and can’t wait myself. If my accountant ever sends me my stuff back, I will make an appointment and pay her fee and hopefully get the ball rolling!!
I sure hope your neck feels better soon – stress can play havoc with your health and I am sure you know that!!
Keep us informed as to all your proresses please!
I meant progress as I am sure you know. lol
Wow, it really sounds like you both have a plan and something to work for towards the future. That is really something I need to do and keep in the forefront, define my short term goals – 2 – 5 years and then put a plan into action! I’ll start really thinking about these. I am glad with your DH working you will now not only be able to meet your bills but also save money each month for your moving expenses! Keep up the good work! Oh and just keep looking for another job, might take awhile but at least you can just keep looking.
Yes she is really working towards her goals and has really given me the courage to do the same.
I have decided NOT to take any more money out of my IRAs and to just stop paying the credit cards. This is hard for me – really really is, but….. my daughter has told me not to pay and from all the research I have done, I know it is the right thing to do for me.
The first one not to get paid is Discover and I feel bad because they have not raised my interest rates at all unlike BOA and ATT. But……. I just have to remain strong here and face the music rather now than later.
Not going to be fun but I will do it!! I HAVE TO DO IT!!
Thank you so much!
Keeping goals is not always easy but I am sure trying. Jai-talk about motivation-you were one of the first people I met on my debt journey and you have helped me so much! You motivated me and I am glad because now I can motivate others! It is amazing how that cycle works. 
Lois, I am glad you are not pulling out any more $$$. You are so close to retirement. You are going to need it. I am so glad you have your daughter for support through all of this. Don’t feel bad about the creditors. I also felt really bad. If you read my first blog post where I missed my first credit card payment-I was a wreck!
I also felt bad when I stopped paying Discover. They actually were the nice ones too when I called them and told them I was having money problems. But, once I missed a payment-they were no longer nice to me. You’ll be fine. I just hope that accountant of yours gets you your “stuff” so you can get working on it.lol
Thanks so much for the pep talk – lol
I have not called ANY of them and do not intend to. I just am trying to avoid them = lol. Everyday is another experience – like yesterday tried to get my car insurance lowered so went online and got some quotes. To be honest, I am sick of it all. But I did get a lower quote so guess it was worth it but trust me, every day there is some new problem to attack. Guess it keeps my mind young – lol -but I actually want to “throw up”! STRESS STRESS STRESS. I am just thankful I can get up every day and go to work – it helps to keep my mind occupied.
I took your advice and changed my work number to my cell but just in case, they do get me at work, I will just say “she no longer works here” as I am the one who answers the phones!! LOL
Hey at least we can keep our sense of humor or try – because that is important during the “stressful” time.
Also I have never become so interested in politics as I have these past few months. I also add my “comments” or two cents on every political blog! LOL
Not that it helps, but at least I feel better which is all that matters!!!
Again you have been a great source of information for me and also a great inspiration! Some day, some way it will be “over” for us!!!!
Well yesterday was the day my Discover was due and no payment. Have to admit I was and am a bit nervous but I have to stick to this now. My accountant is seeming to take his sweet old time in getting my tax return back to me – geez! lol – of course he has no clue that I need them NOW!
We shall see what happens.
Lois,
It should be a while before they start calling with a “friendly” reminder that your payment is past due. I remember how nervous I was when I stopped paying my creditors too. It is hard-especially when you are so use to paying your bills on time. I know I was so proud of my high credit score and how upsetting it was going to be to see it all go down. Oh, how my outlook on credit has changed!
I know you will stick to it. You are determined and know what you want. I have no doubt you will get there! You like me, read financial and political articles and blogs. That is a very good thing when your going through all of this. Not only do you realize that you are not the only one dealing with this financial stress but you can learn from others experiences.
You are absolutely right on every count. You know with what is going on in this country of ours, it makes it easier. Sad to say but it does. There is no justice for the poor -lol or the middle class or whatever we are called these days.
I know this is what I have to do and I am sticking to it. I know in the end it will be beneficial to me as I am sure to you also!
Yes I read and read and also put my two cents on the news websites = LOL – not that it matter, but it makes me feel better!! LOL = venting I guess it is called!!
Anyway you are closer to your goals than I am but……… trust me with your help and the help of others, I will BE THERE TOO!!
Have a great Saturday!
I’m just starting to get into debt… first it was living paycheck to paycheck… then the overdraft fees… with accumulation of my student loans.
And voila! I am officially a girl in debt. I’m so scared, but its comforting to know I’m not alone in this… Thanks.
Hi Sony!
Yes, unfortunately you are not alone! So many of us are dealing with debt and it is a hard thing to do. It is very comforting having others to talk to about it though.
I kept my debt problems bottled up for a while and it ate at me. I starting reading blogs and forums and finding people to talk to about it and I felt 100% better just doing that. Obviously it didn’t make my debt issues go away but it helped me deal with it a whole lot better!
Don’t feel alone and don’t let it eat at ya. I think I aged myself by worrying about our debt so much and it didn’t help the situation at all anyway.
It took a long time but I learned to just relax and deal with it. That is all you can do. We all just deal with it in different ways. You just gotta find the best way for you to get out of your situation with your students loans and those darn overdraft fees (oh I know those).
I wish you all the best in your journey!
Hi Lois!
Happy Saturday to you too! Where did all this rain come from?lol