Good news: I realized I deserve to be treated with respect and I kicked him out.
Bad news: he left me in /horrible/ debt.
I make $2000/month after taxes. Keep in mind I just got this job at the start of the year. Things were not always so rosy.
RENT: 650
ELECTRICITY: ranges from $65-250 depending on whether heat or AC are needed.
INTERNET: $65/mo (total monopoly for local internet and they hose you. This is even after I got rid of cable TV!) Need it for work so it isn't a luxury
Adobe Illustrator: $20/mo, needed for work
I am super fortunate to have an awesome family who keep me on their cell plan.
So, on to the debt.
Left former employer and they nailed me with a $950 fee to be paid throughout this next year because of PTO I'd used. Paying $86/mo starting next month.
$127 in collections for medical bill, $84 owed not in collections.
Chase Slate, 23.24% APR, $1969.82 balance, $25/mo minimum payment. I opened this to transfer balance from the other credit card cause it had no charge for balance transfer and 0% APR for 15 months. Thought I could pay it off by then. Sigh. Which brings me to...
TJX Platinum MasterCard, 27.24% APR, $2214.95 balance, $109/mo minimum payment.
I worked 3 jobs to support us because he sat on his ass for 18 months. Never again!
I always pay cards on time. My credit score tanked from 720 to 590 due to all this.
He left me with a dog and a cat, both rescues I'm not willing to give up. My family helps with vet bills when needed because, again, they are beautiful people who also love these animals, and the dog in particular was so hideously abused and has become so attached to me he seriously wouldn't emotionally survive my giving him away.
I know pets are a luxury and I'd never have been so foolish as to sign myself up for this given the situation we were in. My ex was the one who brought them home, trust. But I would (and have) gone hungry to support them. None of this is their fault, please don't suggest I give them up. That said, I do pay about $70/mo for their food because the dog has serious skin issues and the cat has allergy issues so they need it special.
Car/gas a non issue, $0.
I want to have an emergency fund of 3 months, pay down my debt, and begin saving for my retirement. Those are my goals this year. Can anyone help? Thank you for your time.
Submitted January 07, 2017 at 09:33AM by Werewolfbathtubs http://ift.tt/2jeRA5Y
