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I feel really terrible for essentially throwing my parents under the bus. They're fine. Their debt isn't that great.
I might be delusional to some but I won't apologize for the way I feel and my beliefs. Call me names, stop replying to this thread, whatever. It is what it is. I promise I can take it.
If you don't have any other suggestions besides getting rid of tithing and life insurance, then it might be best for you to just stop replying.
385 *6 = 2310 but were not talking about why donating almost the same cost of helping her parents keep a roof over her head is more important than her ability to care for herself. Life insurance in this case is a waste of money but $25 life insurance isn't really hurting her at all.
That is my point...it's like foregoing the gummy worm due to calories and instead eating an entire cheese cake. Maybe you aren't talking about it but many did, including myself.
Thank you all for your responses. It may seem like an easy solution for you guys, but it isn't for me. I really have a lot to think about and you all have given me some great advice. I really appreciate it even if it seems like I don't.
I feel really terrible for essentially throwing my parents under the bus. They're fine. Their debt isn't that great.
I might be delusional to some but I won't apologize for the way I feel and my beliefs. Call me names, stop replying to this thread, whatever. It is what it is. I promise I can take it.
If you don't have any other suggestions besides getting rid of tithing and life insurance, then it might be best for you to just stop replying.
Math is math. You can try to make your budget add up differently but it won't happen. You are similar to my mother in law who truly believes she must send good thoughts out into the universe for her to get good things back. She is unwilling to make structural changes and face reality.
Math is reality. You can wish in one hand and **** in another and see which hand fills up first...
I feel really terrible for essentially throwing my parents under the bus. They're fine. Their debt isn't that great.
I might be delusional to some but I won't apologize for the way I feel and my beliefs. Call me names, stop replying to this thread, whatever. It is what it is. I promise I can take it.
If you don't have any other suggestions besides getting rid of tithing and life insurance, then it might be best for you to just stop replying.
Those are the only two things within your budget that can be cut. The rest seems extremely reasonable given today's world. So the only other option is to increase your income which will require you to put in a lot more effort than simply cutting your tithe.
So since cutting your tithe isn't an option. How are you going to go about getting additional income? Some ideas are Uber, MLM schemes, new career/job. Surely with a college education you can get a job paying you more money, especially at your age.
I recommend you open a new thread asking how to go about getting a higher paying job. In the opening post present us with your degree/college and experience as well as your location and any thoughts around what you enjoy and what you hate about your current job. I'm sure you will be able to learn something that way.
I've actually applied some of the advice that I've been given and my debt is down to about $30,500. Also, I haven't been behind on bills since the start of this thread.
However, it's been really discouraging because I've worked really hard this year and it seems like I've barely made progress.
My current debt total is $30,439.90 as of this morning and my yearly take home pay is roughly $34,400.
I have a little in retirement and I also have a small emergency fund. I still live with my parents and I'll probably stay with them until I'm married. Debt free or not.
I've applied to a ton of restaurants to be a waitress/hostess and haven't heard anything. Not a single call back. This, too, is discouraging. I'm going to focus on applying to only retail for now until the end of the year.
Monthly expenses:
Tithes: $385 Rent: $400 Car Insurance: $120 Gas: $160 Food: $160 Cell phone: $44 Life Ins: $25 Gym: $11 Car Loan: $374 Student Loan: $191 MISC: $250
*MISC includes household items, women hygiene items, parking fees, etc...
Tithing is important to me. I know you guys are going to give me grief about this. I think life insurance is also necessary. You just never know what's going to happen. These are the only two items that I'm unwilling to budge on.
I'm currently 33 and it would be nice to be debt free by 35.
What kind of shape is your church in, financially? Do you realize that the average giving, whether Catholic, or Protestant, is around 2%? If your church is in decent shape financially I would take a serious look at reducing your tithing. I applaud you for giving but you could look to cut back.
Not much else to cut unless your parents will give you a break on the already generous $400.
Seems like you are working hard and trying to do the right thing -- Kudos...
I feel really terrible for essentially throwing my parents under the bus. They're fine. Their debt isn't that great.
How is canceling the life insurance policy "throwing your parents under the bus"? Do yo have plans to kill yourself (while making your death look like an accident) so they will get a payout? Because that's the ONLY way they will benefit from that policy. As long as you stay alive, that policy is worthless to them. And I'm pretty sure your parents would prefer it if you stay alive.
How is canceling the life insurance policy "throwing your parents under the bus"? Do yo have plans to kill yourself (while making your death look like an accident) so they will get a payout? Because that's the ONLY way they will benefit from that policy. As long as you stay alive, that policy is worthless to them. And I'm pretty sure your parents would prefer it if you stay alive.
I agree with this!!! Parents don't typically plan to out live their kids so a insurance policy on you for the benefit of your parents makes no sense. Also we all get that for whatever reason you're not going to cut back on the tithe so coming up with a plan to increase your income is where you are after 30 pages of comments.
iShine, I have been really impressed with your responses to some pretty tough questions and criticism.
For the student loans (and sorry if this has already been mentioned somewhere in the last 30 pages), have you signed up for automatic payments (usually results in a small interest rate deduction, as does a good run of paying on time), looked into refinancing (are these private or fed loans), and/or added additional funds over the minimum (even just rounding it up to $200 would count toward the principle and help).
See also if there is something you can do on that car loan: https://www.investopedia.com/how-to-...ayment-4685810. And next time, don't ever buy new. You can get a great, reliable used car. I bought a 4-yo Toyota, and today it is 17 years old and runs (and looks!) great.
Does your job offer any reimbursements for gas, mileage, or cell plans?
Not necessarily. Start watching Marisa Peer on YouTube. Then implement. She's excellent. Gives very actionable advice. No psychobabble.
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