A Dime at a Time

Technology, Hulu, and Rainy Days

August 27, 2017 By: Lucy4 Comments

I know, quite the combo!

After the sticker shock yesterday’s research, I am continuing to look into other cell phone options. When I told Hubby how much AT&T wanted, I think his jaw all but hit the floor. It is easy to forget how much these contracts can cost when you haven’t had one for several years. Of course the reps you speak with always try to upsell their plans by suggesting you add TV, etc. Not going to happen. I refuse to get locked into a two-year contract with a crazy monthly payment. I’m not a huge television watcher, and there are far cheaper options available for when I do want to watch. [Read more…]

The high cost of technology and remote living

August 26, 2017 By: Lucy10 Comments

Technology+remote living=ouch!

With it looking more and more that my work provided cell phone will be coming to an end, I am now researching other options. The new director of my seasonal job hasn’t been happy that I have this benefit and she is doing everything in her power to end it. Given that it was never a written benefit, there is little that I can do to fight it. Yesterday she informed me that the phone at work was changing from a landline to a cell phone and with that, they are canceling the additional cell phone plan that is currently in place. Only having one cell phone is not going to be very inconvenient for anyone on grounds. I am thankful that I do a fair amount of my work from home. [Read more…]

Little by little we, are making progress

August 25, 2017 By: Lucy6 Comments

Continuing to see some progress! Success is ahead!

Little by little, we are making progress with our financial goals. Thanks to M-Turk, I was able to send another $40 to our Visa card. As I’ve mentioned before, this is the credit card we are working vigorously hard at paying off so we can take full advantage of a balance transfer offer. With the pending transfer of $1500 to a zero percent card and the $40 from yesterday, the balance will be down to $2266. Although the offer is good through November 17, I would like to see this transfer happen sooner than later. Every day we delay, we are paying that much more in interest. [Read more…]

Taking the bull by the horns

August 23, 2017 By: Lucy8 Comments

I’m coming after you!

Are sleepless nights making me even more aggressive towards our debt? I think so!

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I have been experiencing a lot of sleepless nights over the amount of interest our debt is costing us. I spent several daylight hours focused on how fast we could eliminate $3,806 worth of debt to take full advantage of a balance transfer I received in the mail. Doing so would save us a small fortune in interest. Being a bit of a numbers nerd, I even ran some loose figures as to how much these balance transfers will save us. Between the transfer of a few days ago (giving us 21 months of zero percent interest) and the transfers pending paying off the $3,806, we will be on track to save over $300 worth of interest each month. Holy cow! It’s no wonder I can’t sleep at night thinking about this. The faster we can make this happen, the better off we will be. [Read more…]

Getting the biggest bang from a payment

August 22, 2017 By: Lucy10 Comments

My quest to reduce the interest we pay.

Lately, the interest we are paying on our debts is keeping me awake at night. In particular, our large balances are what I am finding the most troublesome. It is beyond sickening to pay a few hundred dollars of minimum payments only to see the balance barely budge. I can’t help but wonder if we would be better suited for the avalanche method of paying off debt opposed to that of the debt snowball method. With my analytical self, I am beginning to think so. [Read more…]

The crazy ups and downs of paying off debt

August 19, 2017 By: Lucy14 Comments

How an impulsive move is again changing our debt snowball.

Crazy how just a few clicks of a mouse can change an entire plan, but yesterday that is exactly what happened! On a bit of a whim, I decided to apply for a new credit card that was offering balance transfers with zero percent interest for 21 months. Although it also charged a 3% fee for making a balance transfer, it was the 21 months of interest-free that pushed me to click submit on the application. Not even 60 seconds later, an approval of $10,900! [Read more…]

Keeping your eyes open

August 14, 2017 By: Lucycomment

Looking for more ways to earn and save.

With my seasonal job at a snail’s pace, I am on the lookout for money earning and money saving opportunities. Here are a few things I have done so far this month: [Read more…]

When you’re feeling down about your debt

August 13, 2017 By: Lucy4 Comments

There are days the journey feels long.

Today was one of those days for me. I was feeling down about our debt. I can’t say there was any one particular reason I was feeling this way. I was just feeling the blues, and that is all there was to it. This being in debt is getting old! [Read more…]

Being mad won’t change what happened

August 12, 2017 By: Lucy6 Comments

The day spent on my side business was a good day until I saw what someone did to my car. Not entirely sure where it happened as it could have been any number of places. As you can see by the picture, someone damaged the front bumper of my car. So kind of them to take personal responsibility by leaving a note. Yeah, right. That didn’t happen. [Read more…]

Because of goals

August 10, 2017 By: Lucy6 Comments

Reminders of why I set goals.

Yesterday I made it through a long 14 hour day working as an election inspector. Given the relatively low-key proposals on the ballot, we still had a steady stream of voters. I was thankful because had we not, the day would have felt even longer! Every so often I’d look at the clock and think “I’ve now worked enough hours to pay our semi-annual garbage bill or the auto tags, etc.” When the clerk offered to let a few of us leave early, it was in knowing I was helping to jump start our sinking fund that I stayed put. I had a goal, and I was bound and determined to see it through, and I did! [Read more…]