Anonymous
04/15/2025 11:55
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:Bankruptcy. Chapter 7. It’s a no brainer. With a fresh start you can really improve your life and mental health.
no this isn't 1982. DO NOT CLAIM Bankruptcy.
Anonymous
04/15/2025 11:53
Subject: How to get out of debt!
This entire thread is one giant waste of time. Several posters (including myself) have asked sincere questions or made sincere suggestions only to be rebuffed time and time again by OP.
OP either needs to reduce her spending or increase her income. Preferably do both. But every inquiry for more specifics on how to break down her budget goes no where (how can you know what to reduce if you can't give real detail, you can't). Furthermore every single suggestion on how to raise income also has an excuse (but I'm tired, I'm fat, I am now single, etc).
So Jeff can just shut down this thread. It's a joke.
OP either needs to reduce her spending or increase her income. Preferably do both. But every inquiry for more specifics on how to break down her budget goes no where (how can you know what to reduce if you can't give real detail, you can't). Furthermore every single suggestion on how to raise income also has an excuse (but I'm tired, I'm fat, I am now single, etc).
So Jeff can just shut down this thread. It's a joke.
Anonymous
04/15/2025 11:47
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Op, can you do uber during the evening times? Not sure who good it is in Gettysburg, PA but that might give some rest to your feet and make extra money too.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 17:04
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Op here. For me, $200/mo for medical is low since I take ozempic, pcos medication, anti depressants, other vitamins, co-pays, regular lab work. I am very tight on groceries too and never eat out.
I am cutting down on my miscellaneous and household stuff but that’s minimum because I need to buy basic items, toiletries, etc.
I am cutting down on my miscellaneous and household stuff but that’s minimum because I need to buy basic items, toiletries, etc.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 13:41
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:Bankruptcy. Chapter 7. It’s a no brainer. With a fresh start you can really improve your life and mental health.
You don't really "start fresh". You will have trouble renting a place to live for 7 years with a bankruptcy. And if you don't change your financial spending habits to ones you can afford, she will be back here in a year or less.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 13:40
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ok, here is my expense list:
1.$2700/mo all debt payments including car loan
2. $950/mo rent
3. $200/mo utilities, internet, etc
4. $100/mo gas
5. $250/mo groceries
6. $200/mo - medical, co-pays etc
7. $100/mo - car insurance
8. $150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc.
9. Miscellaneous -$200/mo
My take home with overtime is about $4800-4900/mo.
Credit score is 675
Needs to be broken down much more. Every kind of debt, every type of utility, every kind of medical, every kind of household item, every kind of miscellaneous.
You’re not taking this seriously; stop wasting people’s time. EVERY SINGLE LINE ITEM in detail.
Yeah not buying:
$200/mo - medical, co-pays etc (how often are you going to the doctor?!)
$150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc. (NOT A CHANCE!!!)
Miscellaneous -$200/mo (NOPE!!!)
Where really is this $550 going? You want help but you're lying. When will you post your actual ledger? Let's really see what's going on.
That $200 medical could include medical insurance as well
But yes, the $150 household items and $200 Misc need to go to about $25/month combined
OP--we know this will not be easy. You have to fully change your financial mindset. It will not be easy to get out of debt. Any time you think "but I can't do that" you need to change your mindset and say "yes, I have to do that. Otherwise I will always be in debt and miserable".
Anonymous
04/14/2025 13:07
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Bankruptcy. Chapter 7. It’s a no brainer. With a fresh start you can really improve your life and mental health.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 12:54
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ok, here is my expense list:
1.$2700/mo all debt payments including car loan
2. $950/mo rent
3. $200/mo utilities, internet, etc
4. $100/mo gas
5. $250/mo groceries
6. $200/mo - medical, co-pays etc
7. $100/mo - car insurance
8. $150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc.
9. Miscellaneous -$200/mo
My take home with overtime is about $4800-4900/mo.
Credit score is 675
Needs to be broken down much more. Every kind of debt, every type of utility, every kind of medical, every kind of household item, every kind of miscellaneous.
You’re not taking this seriously; stop wasting people’s time. EVERY SINGLE LINE ITEM in detail.
Yeah not buying:
$200/mo - medical, co-pays etc (how often are you going to the doctor?!)
$150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc. (NOT A CHANCE!!!)
Miscellaneous -$200/mo (NOPE!!!)
Where really is this $550 going? You want help but you're lying. When will you post your actual ledger? Let's really see what's going on.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 12:32
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ok, here is my expense list:
1.$2700/mo all debt payments including car loan
2. $950/mo rent
3. $200/mo utilities, internet, etc
4. $100/mo gas
5. $250/mo groceries
6. $200/mo - medical, co-pays etc
7. $100/mo - car insurance
8. $150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc.
9. Miscellaneous -$200/mo
My take home with overtime is about $4800-4900/mo.
Credit score is 675
Needs to be broken down much more. Every kind of debt, every type of utility, every kind of medical, every kind of household item, every kind of miscellaneous.
You’re not taking this seriously; stop wasting people’s time. EVERY SINGLE LINE ITEM in detail.
I think OP's level of detail is fine. OP, I would suggest you start tracking everything you spend in more detail. It helps to look back at this over a month or more. That is where you can really see what you want to cut. For example, your household items and miscellaneous are prime targets. Do you really need $150 per month on shampoo, soap, toilet paper? What else is that? I don't know. You may not know. Track and find out. Same with miscellaneous. We all understand things come up, but when one is working one's way out of debt, or saving for a big purchase, something has to be cut. You need to be able to decide if you want to get out of debt more than you want whatever these purchase are. It may not be easy but it is simply a matter of priorities and trade offs. Best wishes to you.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 10:54
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My car is Camry hybrid XSE. I am selling my stuff and not buying anything new. I am becoming a minimalist. I could hv done uber but there are not a lot of uber opportunities in my town. I don’t eat out and don’t spend money on nails, hair etc. my expenses sometimes are for my medications, co-pays, etc.
OP, I’m so sorry to hear not only are you going for that through this but that so many people on this thread are just terrible human beings. I hear you standing on your feet all day is exhausting. Maybe you could get some overnight caregiving through a company that provides respite.
That sounds like a really tough situation but hang in there.
People are NOT "terrible human beings". We are simply pointing out that she is in MASSIVE debt and really needs to A) find a way to generate more income and lower expenses to begin to get out of this mess. Along with that, she needs to adjust lifestyle so she can live within the budget now and in the future, and that budget should include a plan for paying off that debt.
None of that will be "easy or fun". But she got into this mess, she needs to find a way out. Doing so will not be a trip to Disneyworld. Nor should it be. People who live within their means dont' get into these messes. And that starts with knowing you cannot afford $700/month car payments when you make only $65K/year.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 09:25
Subject: Re:How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:OP, you are 42 years old. That isn't old enough to be decrepit, but it is old enough that you need to take your physical condition into account in looking for jobs.
I think you may need to try to find a less physically demanding job. I don't know all about nursing though. I know many nurse positions do require a lot of stamina - but others could be easier on the body. So you need to think about those.
You are probably going to need to stay employed until at least age 67 or so. So start thinking about that now. What jobs can you keep working at for at least 20 more years?
You ABSOLUTELY need to look into Disability Insurance. If something happened to your ability to work, what would you live off of? You need to buy a policy.
You may need to move to a job with a large employer in order to find a disability insurance policy you can afford. A large hospital system? County/State/federal government work? I don't know what is out there.
But that is step #1 in my book. You need a sustainable job, and you need disability insurance as well. You may need to move to find it - and you may need to move away from family for a while.
You don't have anyone to move in with (like parents, family) if you lose your housing. That's the only reason I don't think you should file for bankruptcy. Otherwise, I would do that. But you need a place where you can live, and if you credit is shot you will have a hard time being able to rent.
Focus on finding a job that puts less stress on your body.
OP has said that she is overweight. Her job would put a LOT less stress on her body if she lost weight.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 07:09
Subject: How to get out of debt!
This seems like a situation where you need more money, not fewer expenses. Your budget already seems very tight - and it's hard to see how cutting $50 there or $25 here is going to make the difference. How can you bring in more money? That's what I'd be looking at here.
Anonymous
04/14/2025 06:56
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Anonymous wrote:Ok, here is my expense list:
1.$2700/mo all debt payments including car loan
2. $950/mo rent
3. $200/mo utilities, internet, etc
4. $100/mo gas
5. $250/mo groceries
6. $200/mo - medical, co-pays etc
7. $100/mo - car insurance
8. $150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc.
9. Miscellaneous -$200/mo
My take home with overtime is about $4800-4900/mo.
Credit score is 675
Needs to be broken down much more. Every kind of debt, every type of utility, every kind of medical, every kind of household item, every kind of miscellaneous.
You’re not taking this seriously; stop wasting people’s time. EVERY SINGLE LINE ITEM in detail.
Anonymous
04/13/2025 23:35
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Can you save money on gas by riding the bus to and from work while the weather is nice? Or better yet, bike to and from work even some of the time? The $150 for household items and $200 for miscellaneous aren't huge amounts, but they seem like places you can reduce. Even if you could spend nothing in those categories for a month, that is $350! Do you need internet at home? A lot of cell phones have internet and you could likely connect to your employer's network while you are at work. Good luck!
Anonymous
04/13/2025 23:18
Subject: How to get out of debt!
Ok, here is my expense list:
1.$2700/mo all debt payments including car loan
2. $950/mo rent
3. $200/mo utilities, internet, etc
4. $100/mo gas
5. $250/mo groceries
6. $200/mo - medical, co-pays etc
7. $100/mo - car insurance
8. $150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc.
9. Miscellaneous -$200/mo
My take home with overtime is about $4800-4900/mo.
Credit score is 675
1.$2700/mo all debt payments including car loan
2. $950/mo rent
3. $200/mo utilities, internet, etc
4. $100/mo gas
5. $250/mo groceries
6. $200/mo - medical, co-pays etc
7. $100/mo - car insurance
8. $150/mo - household items such as shampoo, soap, etc.
9. Miscellaneous -$200/mo
My take home with overtime is about $4800-4900/mo.
Credit score is 675