by Matt Fildes
Happy Tuesday everyone!
I want to discuss what our upcoming plans are for mid-Spring into Summer:
- The biggest one by far is going to be a week long trip to Disney World in mid-July. It’s always been a tradition in our family to head to Disney World on a bi-annual basis, ever since I could walk. This was going to be the first time that I was going to opt out. While more than one reason weighed into this decision, the biggest reason, by far, was cost. Disney World can be the most magical and amazing vacation you can take, especially with a large group or family, but it is so freaking EXPENSIVE!!! Also, being 28, there was no way I could let my parents swing my vacations anymore. So for the past year or so I’ve been dead set on no expensive vacations for me until I’m debt free- Disney included. And I must have told my mom this 2-3 a week, at least. Well… during a cold night in February, I was up in Buffalo visiting, and being semi-intoxicated, we started sharing stories about our past vacations. One thing lead to another and, just like that, I agreed to go. BAM! The next morning, it was final. I woke up to my mother telling the rest of my family how excited she was to have her whole family going together. So here’s about what it’s going to cost for me and GF to go- 1) We’re driving, since GF will not get on a plane, so the cost of gas 2) my folks are in the Disney Vacation Club so the room is paid for with their membership 3) The Disney Dining Plan (meaning food has been paid for in advance) and park tickets were already bought. 4) Boarding our dogs for the week (GF’s mother has told us she could watch them for the week; I plan on paying her $200) 5) Since my parents graciously paid for our dining and tickets I have a couple of ideas to thank them (pay the tips, buy the booze, etc…) while on the vacation.
- GF and I have really got into good health and fitness regimens in the past couple weeks. To rewards ourselves for going to the gym 5 or more times a week, we’re going to have date nights every weekend. Every other weekend will be one where we spend money (dinner, movies, etc) and the other weekend we’ll have non-spendy dates (picnics, walks, drives, etc).
- Me and my brother are going to Cedar Point on May 9th (the day they open). Me and my brother were always extremely close up but had a bit of a falling out, recently. We both love roller coasters and this place is amazing, so I plan to treat him.
- We’re hosting a couple of family parties at our house to get our families together. Memorial Day and Labor Day are the two big ones. We’ve had great success in the past doing a potluck deal where we buy the hot and hamburgers and do the cooking and everyone else brings a side.
Does anyone else plan out their summer’s? It may just be a northern thing since our summers are so short, lol.
As for my debt totals, my automatic Navient payment was made on the 21st. It didn’t post until the 22nd so it wasn’t on last week’s update:
| Loan Name | Interest Rate | Original Balance- May '09 | Current Balance | Total Paid Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sallie Mae 01 | 5.25 | $27,837.24 | $23,996.52 | $3,840.72 |
| Sallie Mae 02 | 4.75 | $22,197.02 | $18,830.11 | $3,366.91 |
| Sallie Mae 03 | 7.75 | $20,692.10 | $0.00 | $20,692.10 |
| Sallie Mae 04 | 5.75 | $10,350.18 | $7,420.39 | $2,929.79 |
| Sallie Mae 05 | 5.25 | $6,096.03 | $2,198.58 | $3,897.45 |
| Sallie Mae 06 and 07 | 4.75 | $6,415.09 | $0.00 | $6,415.09 |
| Sallie Mae- DOE 01 | 5.25 | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | $5,000.00 |
| Sallie Mae- DOE 02 | 5.25 | $3,000.00 | $0.00 | $3,000.00 |
| AES | 6.8 | $9,000.00 | $0.00 | $9,000.00 |
| TOTALS | $110,587.66 | $52,445.60 | $58,142.06 |
I hope everyone has a great week!
