That's how much we paid off this past week! I updated our side bar with the figures, and am pleased to announce we don't have too much further to go!
It was such a strange feeling to only pay towards one credit debt this month, as opposed to the MANY we've paid previously. All of our cards will be paid by the end of June [except for Dell], so that means I do not have to make minimums - just the full amount.
Our monthly budget is getting sooo skinny! Love it!
"Don't count your snowflakes before they fall..."
I am too excited NOT to! I am waiting on two major snowflakes this month! Those, including my snowball, will eliminate all but ONE final creditor.
Here's the breakdown...
Snowflake 1: $4165
Will melt away American General [$2400] and Kay Jewelers [$1169]
Snowflake 2: $1470
Will melt away Orchard [$680] and Capital One [$727]
Snowball for the Month: $1190
Will kill Best Buy MC [$690]
Will pay off a bill that came in this month [$142]
Trip to Hoover Dam & 1 Night in Las Vegas [$350]*
Once those all clear, we will only owe $2400 to Dell. DID YOU READ THAT? That motivates me so much! We will spend July and August paying off Dell. I am due another snowflake of $1470 at the end of August, so I KNOW it will be a goner by then for sure!
* Every year, for vacation, we got to Mexico for a few days. It's close, it's cheap, it's the BEACH! We decided to save some money, and take the kids to Hoover Dam, and then stay in Vegas for a night. We, as a married couple, totally agree on the fact that it's NEVER to young to start teaching children how to gamble. Okay, I am kidding about that part. We actually found a hotel that doesn't have a casino inside. Crazy, but true. We haven't been to Hoover Damn since the older were younger [much!], and we thought Nic would love it! Or, at least, we'd love it for him!
What's after Dell, you ask?!
Well, I have to admit... we have a few medical bills that are in collections. As I think I've mentioned, Nic was born 3 months premature, and while most of his bills were paid for, I was in the hospital at least three times following his birth. With our other bills about to be paid off, I went ahead and pulled our credit reports [scores up an average of 60 points from 3 months ago!] and created a spreadsheet of our accounts that need to be paid.
With one last scheduled snowflake of about $2200 coming in, plus Snowballs for Sept, Oct, and November - we will really be done. Kinda. :)
We will have the Van payment and my Student Loans [which are deferred].
Starting in Jan, we will put money away for the house down payment, as well as pay an extra $400 - $500 on the Van each month.
See what I mean about counting snowflakes - it gets me ahead of myself. So, as long as we stick to the plan, and so does the rest of the world [no surprises, thankyouverymuch] - we will be sitting pretty by New Years!
Well, snowflaking. I am due for a snowflake sometime next week of $4165.00 [yeah!]. This will pay off 2 bills; Our personal loan [$2800] and Kay Jewelers [$1100]. Doesn't seem like a lot, but the minimum for both of those bills together is $380 a month [!]
Our monthly snowball is getting bigger! Love it! I am due for a few more snowflakes this summer [July has a 5th paycheck for us & tuition reimbursement]. I sincerely believe we will be debt free [except for the car and student loans] by December [including old medical bills]. Our snowball will be about $1500 a month come September... we will be throwing snowballs at Honda and the Student Loans [take that, you interest chargers]. I think we will be house shopping before we know it!
In a related, but sad note: I just found out three of my family members will be losing their houses. :( It's horrible; a position I never want to be in. I am just so glad my cousin turned me on to Dave Ramsey. At first, I thought it was a very religious program - it isn't [or it doesn't have to be]. I love the baby steps... and following them has been great for us.
Well, off to start dinner!
While it comes as a shock, secretly I am pleased:
With my new title, I am going from Exempt to Non-Exempt [overtime eligible]. I know I won't be securing any overtime - but there is something else that will change...
I will now be paid every other Friday [instead of 2x a month].
What does this mean, you ask? Well... gosh darn it, I am going to have to re-do the budget. [love it!] I am also going to have to watch, very carefully, our automatic payments. [eh.]
So, starting soon [wonder how my pay will be affected for May], our household will receive a paycheck every Friday [snowballs!!] My paychecks, because there will be more, will be a bit smaller...so I will have to wait and see what number I will be working with before I can make up my budget in ink [as if!].
