Dumping the Debt

So I'm looking at my totals left to pay, and I have to say: It's the first time I've actually tallied it in several months. And it's both motivational and embarassing to see it: $16,139.

For you Dave Ramsey listeners, I'd be one of those people who Dave beats up, by saying, "You've got a big shovel to clean up this mess (meaning the income) -- you can clean this up in three months." Now, if I lived somewhere else, yeah, he'd be right. But that shovel I've got doesn't go as far where I happen to hang my hat...

But realizing that my debt amounts to just $16K is really kind of uplifting, and has given me a second wind. We've had some "expense creep" in recent months -- we re-upped the Netflix subscription (though at the $4.99 plan, the lowest possible), and I had to increase my cell phone minutes because I'm using the phone more...But I can probably cut in other areas - and yes, I'm still working on ways of increasing the income. Those will come in the next few months, so I should stop stressing.

Just ruminating -- thanks for listening, and thanks for all being in there, fighting the good fight!

Hi all: Thanks again for the recs on the surveys. I've registered for some, and taken some surveys -- We'll see how it goes, but I'm not really optimistic that it'll yield much of an income stream.

A suggestion someone made to my earlier post was to stretch the dollars we currently have coming in, and I'm pretty good about doing that. We eat at home, buy thrift store clothes and Craig's List furniture, and we sell stuff on Craig's List -- so we're doing what we can...

Doesn't it drive you nuts, though, when you see what's going out to pay debt -- and you think: "Oh, I could invest that money into my family's future, rather than squandering it on a Visa payment!" Oh well, we're moving in the right direction

Sometimes it's tough when the progress doesn't come as quickly as you'd like, tough. Oh well. Hang in there, everyone! Hope everyone has some fun weekend plans!

Hi everyone -- I've been reading this site for about a year now, and I've posted some replies to some of your blog entries -- thought I'd take a shot at it.

As you see under author info, I live in LA, which has a pretty expensive cost of living, so even though we have a decent household income, getting rid of debt is slow going, though I keep at it!

I currently use NO credit cards at all - instead, I have a debit card, and I track each and every cent I spend.

I have about $9500 on two credit cards that I am trying to kill off, along with about $7500 on a personal line of credit. Then I have the ridiculous home equity line of credit (ouch) and a silly interest-only adjustable rate mortgage (the rate doesn't adjust upward for 2 more years, so I have time to re-fi). I discovered Dave Ramsey by accident about a year and a half ago, and he's changed my life...

Question for all of you: I have a pretty busy full-time job, so I can't really take another job. My SO is building a business right now, so there's not income from there yet (but there will be in the future)

Here's the question: Can any of you recommend some of those survey companies that pay you to take surveys? Seems like an easy way that I could pick up some extra cash....but I do NOT want to be scammed. I've heard a lot of these things are scammed. Who's had good experiences with particular survey programs?

thanks - I love reading all your blogs, so I appreciate your help!