Dumping (obvious and hidden) Debt

Wednesday, May 7th, 2008

I constantly search for new ways to dump debt and I’m currently facing a changing point in my life to where I need to start going to the basics. Basically, I’ve come to the realization that there’s obvious debt and hidden debt.

For instance, I have no obvious debt in my Yukon because it’s completely paid for.  However, the maintenance and upkeep along with constant rising gas prices is making it become a debt problem to drive. So here’s my solution…

As I’ve said before, I think I can get $15-$17K out of my car (I paid $19K 3 years ago). I’ve realized that I don’t need something other than a dependable older car that will get me to point A & B with as much comfort as possible. I think I can reach that comroft level within a $8K budget.  So considering, I sell the Yukon for $15-$17K, That’d leave me with $7-!0K to put invest or save.

Not only will the lump sum monetary gain be obvious, but the better gas mileage/ less expensive car will also pad the savings account that much more.  That extra $10K will go a long ways towards my wifes $30K student loan debt (still a ‘09 goal - $288/month).

Considering we’re going to be paying $1400/month in daycare, that aligns us to be able to pocket or invest $1000/month once 2 of my 4 children are in public schooling. In the process, that means that once the student loan is paid off & daycare is no longer an issue, we’d be able to put $2500-$2700/month total towards a house payment (we’ll add our current payment of $1000/month). 

That $2500-$2700 monthly payment puts us in a very nice middle to middle upper class neighborhood in a Kansas City suburb.

I can’t wait.

BTW: It’s official! The Nebraska Furniture Mart bill is PAID OFF IN FULL! $524 more to go on my student loan.

 

Paying off debt.

Friday, April 25th, 2008

Well during my downtime (laid off) I’ve been contemplating paying off 2 bills or keeping my cash stash for a raindy day.

If you’ve read my initial blog entry “My RDL introduction - Financial breakdown” you’re aware of my 2 debts I’ve been wanting to pay off.

Nebraska Furniture Mart (Wife just HAD to have a new washer & dryer set) and my (investment in myself) student loan. Those debts totaled $5500.

With the help of my budgeting program I’m now going to pay those 2 bills off IN FULL by May 30th of this year. If I get my stimulus check ($2100) early, I will be able to pay them off earlier than that.

Paying off those 2 bills will leave us with 3 debts left. My Wife’s student loan ($30K) Our mortgage ($97K) & our rental mortgage ($57K). This will also allow us to save $280/month which was going towards paying those 2 bills off.

My next hurdle will be to payoff the wifes student loan which will allow us to save $288/month. It’s a long hurdle but I think it’s attainable within 2 years. I’m reaching for a goal of end of ‘09. Realistically I’m thinking middle of ‘09

YEAH ME!

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