So we lost a home in 2013 after failed short sale. Now, I'm now on Social security income and hubby is retired from Navy, so steady guaranteed income.
1 big debt leftover on Discover, $13000. Minimum payment plus 250 extra every month to chase the debt down. No longer using the card but keeping the account to improve credit score. We did get another cc from Chase, zero interest for 19 months. We use it to pay utility bills which gets paid at end of month fully. That's helping to build our credit score back up. Since January we have improved by almost 30 pts. I just got April update and I am at 649. Considering last year I was 575, I would say that's a big jump.
Using budgeting apps to keep me on top of spending. Which now that we have adopted a frugal, minimalist lifestyle, has become 2nd nature. Shopping is of need not want, and even then, we employ the waiting period to see if we change our mind. Which we usually do end up not needing.
I never thought that mindless shopping would put us in so much trouble! Now I see commercials that are blatant traps for the masses. What an eye opener. It's amazing how I never saw it as a trap but is exactly that, luring me into its evil snare.
Trying to be smarter than we were when we got into this mess, and it is working. Hope by 2019 to be totally out of debt. Learning new things, even at 62, still empowers us. And it is fun!
Cloth towels & napkins, not paper. Real dishes, not paper. Bar bath soap not liquid. Making my own jewelry saves tons. Shopping only at thrift stores if clothing needed. Again, only if needed.
I have enough emotional baggage all my own that I don't need trappings to add to the stress. Unloading the useless to keep only what we absolutely need to survive day to day. It has made frugal living easy and, yes, fun.
May 18, 2018 at 03:20PM
