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Home > Extra debt payment etc. (many other rambles)

Extra debt payment etc. (many other rambles)

February 6th, 2014 at 06:11 am

I was so impatient to make extra debt progress (I haven't sent any extra payments since December), I rejiggered the budget slightly so I could send my $500 extra payment to AS's loan now instead of waiting for the 2/14 paycheck.

It hit today, with $493 going to principal. This is the first extra payment to this particular loan. With a 3.25% fixed interest rate, there were always loans that needed paying off before it. But now, with NT's 3.4% loan not accruing interest (federally subsidized), this is the next debt in my sights. Smile

That takes February progress to $1277 down, $123 to go. I can't tell if this payment wiped out the regular payment at the end of the month, but I'll make sure we pay the amount we normally would so we can meet the goal.

Yay!

On the down side of finances, temperatures are dropping again; 8 am will be -13, feels like -30. That's weather I don't feel comfortable walking a mile to daycare in, so we'll be taking a cab again unless the forecast is wildly off. This is I think the 6th time this year; we didn't take any cabs the two winters before! I'm getting sick of shelling out $10-$30 per day (depending on whether we need 2 cabs and where the parent is going after daycare). Trying to focus on how little we pay for transportation costs overall. But still, knowing I'm in danger of not hitting our annual goals, it does gall me.

NT ordered his smartphone from Ting last night. His prepaid minutes are almost used up on his old phone, so soon he'll transition to Ting. I'm interested to see how it works out! I'm so used to T-Mobile coverage, I hope Sprint isn't significantly worse. But, we'll keep our T-Mobile phones and could always go back to that if necessary.

Yesterday was a crappy day, both in my personal life (FB spat with a friend) and at work (corporate BS and feeling underappreciated). AS gave me lots of pep talks, and today I took action on every single thing that was bothering me. Even if my first steps to resolution don't turn into anything, I'm at least proud of myself for pulling out of my defeatist attitude and trying to change things.

Later today, however, I started feeling achy. I went home a half hour early and slept for 3 hours. I really hope this doesn't turn out to be anything, because our daycare lady is keeping our kids for a sleepover this Friday, and we have a fun date night planned! Also, we have our vacation coming up in less than 2 weeks. C'mon body, hang in there!

I've been very careful with my personal spending money so I could pay for comedy tickets I bought in December and my web hosting fee this month. If I don't spend any personal money tomorrow, I'll have made up the last amount and be back to getting my regular amount every week! I think that should be pretty easy; we have plenty of cereal and bread for breakfasts and plenty of leftovers for lunches.

Also, if we manage to not buy any more groceries between now and Saturday, we'll be on budget. We had about $5 left in this week's budget, and today I bought some cold medicine just in case, which wiped it out. I don't think we have any needs that can't wait until Saturday.

I'm thinking about attending my condo's finance committee meeting Monday. Apparently you can go and sign up to try and get on the committee. I'm very interested in finding ways to cut down on expenses so maybe our fees won't go up as much. And just learning what it's like to take part in the condo; I've never even attended a meeting and we've lived here over 10 years.

I can't remember if I mentioned it, but I canceled another credit card. We're down to 19! I'm still waiting for one of NT's cards to confirm cancellation, and I've got the rewards check for another, so as soon as I deposit the check I'll cancel that card too.

Here's what we have left to spend:
NT Cap One 300.85
AS Citi 500
NT BOA 500
AS BOA 366.93
NT Citi 500
CJ Citi 221.13
CJ Discover 135
AS Chase 168.87
CJ BOA done
CJ Cap One done

In total, 2692.78 more spending needed. I've got home insurance premium coming up ($234), and bday restaurant expense ($500+). Also NT's hospital bill if we can get that paid ($483). That will only leave $1475 we need to spend. We could use some for bday gifts, and/or take a couple of the cards on our vacation as long as there won't be foreign transaction fees.

I know I said this would be our last round of CC rewards cards for a while, but if the Citi ThankYou reward is still there when we're done with these, I'd be tempted. Amazon gift cards will always come in handy! And we've got the bathroom reno coming up which will mean thousands of dollars in charges. We'll see.

4 Responses to “Extra debt payment etc. (many other rambles)”

  1. ThriftoRama Says:
    1391708867

    First, I have no idea how you managed 19 credit cards. We have 3 and I am itching to cancel one.

    Second, it's frustrating to have to spend the money on the cabs, but remember this has been a totally freaky winter in the midwest. It's the coldest and snowiest I remember since when I was a kid (when there were lots of blizzards). Sometimes, it can't be helped. we have had to drive our son to school instead of walking because the temps have been below zero. It's half a mile, and feels like such a waste in gas and resources, but what can we do? Stick us all outside in -30 below? We all do the best we can with the situations we're given.

  2. bluesfemme Says:
    1391709704

    I understand the anticipation of paying off debt - I'm always looking fwd to my next paycheque and what I will get paid off - I have to remind myself not to wish my days away!

    Would encourage you to go to your condo meeting and consider joining the committee - I joined my strata council of owners this yr, which is i think the Aust equivalent - and it is an eye-opening experience! I get the monthly expenditures, rather than just the proposed budget for the next yr (which creates the subsequent strata payments), and it really makes me understand where the money goes.

  3. snafu Says:
    1391709824

    atWhile you express impatience with your debt pay-off process, I'm in awe. How fabulous that the remainder of NT's loan is now interest free. I feel so sad for new graduates who expect to pay at 8% for the next 20-25 years. That seems more like a mortgage than a student loan. Horrid albatross

    CC bonuses: You haven't listed deadlines but I'm guessing you could buy materials for your bthrm upgrade from any of the large suppliers like HD, Lowes etc. using your contractor's discount and your CC for the ultimate discount.

    Smart to attend boring Condo meetings but if you can influence spending it's worth the time. If you want to sell in future, buyers are influenced by condo fees. Our fees have nearly doubled in 6 years mostly due to legislation which increased reserve requirements, insurance rates due to higher property values, increase in KWH electric rates for common areas, and the extra we pay after basic snow removal services. aargh.

  4. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1391744540

    I hope you feel better!

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