Back to Basics

Ok, I miss blogging, I really do. But every time I think about sitting down to post, I decide it's too much work, and I don't want to spend the time uploading photos, blah blah blah. I feel so pressured to do home updates and yet I always forget to take before photos.

So let's do this. This sort of started off as a money blog, and because its been 2 years since I joined the WIRR, let's do a two year review! I'll get to the house some other day. Maybe once EVERY room is done, then I'll be much more excited to do a thorough home tour.

Ok - on 6/11/2007 I had the following debts:

CC: 713.47
CAR: 11,834.89
Undergrad SL: 15,539.84
Graduate SL: 19,648

TOTAL:
$47,736.20

For my one year anniversary on 6/11/2008 I had the following debts:

CC: 0
CAR: 3,339.37
Undergrad SL: 15,396.83
Graduate SL: 17,000.00

TOTAL: $35,736.20
TOTAL PAID OFF: $12,000!!! I averaged $1000 a month in debt payoff.

Now, fair warning, my third year was focused more on liquid savings and saving for a home purchase, and once I paid off my car, I didn't exactly snowball that onto my SL payments because they are low, fixed rates and government loans.

Two year anniversary: 6/11/2009

CC: 0
Car: 0
Undergrad SL: 14,739.32
Graduate SL: 15,519.17

TOTAL: $30,258.49
TOTAL PAID OFF: $17,477.71

I sooo desperately wanted to have my total debt below $30k on my second anniversary and was going to take 258.50 out of savings and put it toward a student loan, but two days before my anniversary Thomas lost his job and I suddenly became the sole provider. Not that I provide for him, but he does give me some support and pays half of daycare. (Also, the kids' health insurance is through him.) So instead of having met a debt payoff goal, I was very thankful that two years prior I had found the WIRR and learned the importance of having an EF. And not just a $500 or $1000 EF, but a full six months of expenses tucked away. Luckily, my time with the WIRR also taught me to keep my committed expenses down, and while money will be tight until Thomas finds a new job, I shouldn't have to dip into savings too much, (other than paying for COBRA for two months). I can still take the kids home to Dyersville over the 4th of July, we already have a zoo pass and a children's museum pass, the sprinkler provides a good hour of free entertainment, and with the house, they have ample room to play.

My only worry is that when Thomas is employed again and we need to go back to daycare, they won't have room for Max & Will. That thought makes me sad because the boys have friends there that they really like and we really like our daycare. I'll just keep my fingers crossed.