Blogging Away Debt

Hope’s Debt Update – May, 2024

Starting to see and feel the progress. But I didn’t hit my goals exactly. Here are the current numbers.

Debt Description	October, 2023 Total	Interest Rate	Minimum Payment	Current Total	Payoff Date (Est)
CC - Amazon	$1,497	29.99%	$48	$743	June, 2024
Personal Loan #1	$2,500	0%	$500 (beg April)	$1,000	July, 2024
Personal Loan #2	$2,500	0%	$500 (beg April)	$1,500	August, 2024
CC - Wander	$1,630	29.24%	$75	$1,605	September, 2024
Dad - New Furnace	$2,600	0%	$500 (beg July)	$2,600	December, 2024
CC - Frontier	$3,857	29.99%	$131	$3,530
CC - USAA	$5,000	19.15%	$135	$2,742
Car Loan	$19,581	12.69%	Gymnast Pays	$16,038
Student Loans	$22,121	2.875%	In Deferrment	$22,541
CC - Apple**	$500		Paid off every month	$0
CC - AMEX	$894	29.24%	$0	$0	Mar, 2024
CC - Sams	$1,106	29.99%	$0	$0	April, 2024
Total	$61,186		$1,389	$52,299

The Details

I realize it doesn’t look like I did too much this month. However, there are somethings that these numbers don’t tell you.

My USAA CC was paid off in it’s entirety, so no interest charged. But then turned around and used it, thus the balance is lower but still significant. But it didn’t cost me anything this month. Woot, woot! Details: My auto insurance is set to auto-draft from this account which is how it’s been for a long time, and takes care of the monthly payment too.

I had a list of car maintenance I needed to do which I have been slowly chipping away at. It has new filters (did it myself so no labor,) had the coolant service, the transmission service, the serpentine belt replace, and just have a couple more things to do. Hopefully by June, all the 100K maintenance things will be ticked off. Just a sidenote: always check your mechanics bill. I am supposed to get free tire rotations since I purchased the tires from them (a couple years back.) They charged me for it this time and I didn’t catch it. It’s a pain to try to get a refund especially since an hour’s drive there so dealing with it over the phone.

Focus on Savings

Beauty and I had some money talks this week. She’s itching to get a car again, get out on her own again. Thankfully she’s slowing down and trying to make better decisions this time around. She’s more willing to listen. And she’s savings, albeit forced by me. But I believe she’s seeing how easy it is and how much confidence it gives her. And how it doesn’t hurt to save. You’ve just got to do it. I’m so proud of her.

On the other hand, I need to take my own advice, and slow down too. I’ve got to save better!

Princess and Gymnast (and the twins even) were forced to save 10% of all their income growing up. And as of right now, I would say that lesson has stuck a bit, especially with the younger two. They are doing so well on their own with their money. I can honestly say, they both know more about money at 18 and 19, then I did at 30-40. Giving myself a pat on the back for that. Their eyes are wide open. And this case knowledge truly is power.

But, back to me…

For the last couple of months, my focus has been digging out of my hole from the last year. And I’ve failed miserably to save.

But that stops now. With my next income…June, I plan to implement the same rule on myself. 10% of all income will go right into savings, not to be touched. This means, my debt pay off will slow down just a little bit. But I will build that cushion/safety net back up.

That’s where we are at now.

Work

Work is holding steady. I absolutely LOVE both of my jobs. And I’m feeling pretty confident that my 6 month contract will get extended. The owner asked me last week what I was wanting to go full time. So we shall see!? Keeping my fingers crossed.

Glasses – Are the online shops worth it?

by Hope

My eyes are terrible. Now granted I can still drive without glasses (even according to the DMV test you take when you renew your license.) But I rarely do.

And forget seeing anything on my phone, a book, or my computer screen. I literally went into a panic when my glasses broke earlier this year and I had no money.

With all our prescriptions well past expiration, and my recent panic moment about my glasses. I knew that getting an eye exam was a priority for me. And it turns out it was for both my daughters as well. Yes, we all NEED glasses, but only I need, need them. They can function without.

I started calling around for quotes on eye exams, and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the Sam’s Club exams start at $67. They go up from there if you want dilation or need a exam with contacts in mind, etc. but for just the basic exam. It was doable. I booked our appointments for a Sunday, when everyone is off work and school, and we met half way between our house and Princess’ apartment at college. (Not all Sam’s Clubs have a doctor, so that made choosing a place to go relatively easy.)

After our exams, we all left with new prescriptions, but no glasses ordered. And then enjoyed brunch before heading our separate ways.

Sidenote: I met Princess and her boyfriend a few weeks back at a different Sams because she needed something from the house. She’s now been added as the second adult (free) on my membership since Sea Cadet and his girlfriend switched to Costco. He was the second adult. I digress. The three of us went into Sams and all ate for less than $15 – pizza and sodas. It’s a steal to eat there at their little dining area. Just saying.

Ordering Glasses

Here’s where it gets tricky. Glasses can get expensive quickly. Especially when you are like me and half 3 pairs. I have a pair of single vision glasses for my computer work, a pair of sunglasses (they are about 2-3 prescriptions old, I don’t update their lenses often,) and then my daily wear bifocals/trifocals, I’m not really sure. These daily ones are the ones I broke in January.

I knew I couldn’t afford new glasses yet, but I’m prepared with prescription in hand when I can.

But the girls moved forward with ordering theirs already.

Princess went back to her local Sam’s Club and ordered hers. Nothing fancy, a black plastic frame with single vision lenses. Because of our Plus membership, she got 20% off but they were still a couple of hundred dollars. (Her old frames were in need of replacement.) They took about a week to come in.

Beauty ordered hers online at Zeelool.com and I believe she got a BOGO offer because she ended up with two pairs and I think they cost her between $20-40.

Sea Cadet has been using online glasses providers for several years and has been really happy as well. But his are also single vision.

Here’s my question, for people with BAD EYES, meaning you require bifocals, trifocals, whatever. Have you had luck with these online places? As I hope to be able to order some new ones for myself in the next month or so, I want to hear from people who have more complex eye issues. I know if I use somewhere local or Sam’s Club I can reuse my same frames. All three of my frames are in great shape which would save me at least a hundred on each pair. But online…maybe cheaper and get a new look? I’m torn.

But my glasses are key to my daily life. So do you have more complex eye prescriptions and have you ordered your glasses on line? From where? Results? Give me all the good and the bad feedback?