I’ve mentioned before how it can be a motivator to add up all of your minimum monthly payments to debt. For me, seeing that number helps me realize how much money could be available for other things in life, like saving for retirement. That’s something I hope to be able to start soon.
I’ve added up the April payments, and here they are:
Mortgage: $337
Auto Loan: $258
School Loans: $208
Credit Cards: $950
The grand total $1,753 / month. That’s 52% of our monthly gross income.
Assuming those minimum payments did not change (but they will as the balance on the debt is reduced and as I obtain lower interest rates on the credit cards) that would be over $21,000/year.
What an eye-opener!!!
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My Debt
- Original Debt: $38,495.86
- Paid: $19,149.13
- Remaining: $19,346.73
- Broken Down
- Auto Loan 1: $0
- Credit Card: $0 Woo Hoo!
- Student Loan: $9,501.52
- Auto Loan 2: $9,845.21
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Posted: May 18th, 2006 at 10:50 am
$950 in minimum credit card payments? Eeek. No wonder you’re motivated!
Back in the day when my car and student loans weren’t paid off, I was shocked to find that it all totaled up to about $18K a year. There are some folks who live on that as their entire annual income. That was a shocker for me.
Good luck Tricia!
Posted: May 20th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Thanks mapgirl! I appreciate the words of encouragement
There is so much more that could be done with $950/month that I would love to do. And to erase all debt and have $1700+/month – wow. It really is a motivator to make it happen.
Posted: December 4th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Tricia,
I’m so proud of you for pulling through those times. A 52% debt ratio would’ve sent many to the bankruptcy attorney looking for the easy way out.
Your blog is an inspiration that it can be done the hard way. Nothing is harder to change or more important than behavior.