Our tax return is almost gone, but we have 1 of 2 options to use the rest up.

Option 1:
Use what is left and pay down some cc debt, or

Option 2:
Use what is left and get out of the house for a night, to an indoor waterpark with the kids.

We are all stir crazy and wanting to get away, but at the same time I really want to get the debt gone (it is massive right now).
I can see both sides, but dh wants to get out of the house. If we don't do it with the tax return, I know he will still want to go and he will end up charging it, because according to him we need to get out once in awhile to preserve our sanity. Right now my sister is driving us both nuts (she lives with us). I have tried talking to her, and she just says ok, and continues doing whatever she wants. We need a break, but the frugal part of me says we can't afford it.
Help.

Could you some how do both, in a way....?

Like put half of what you have left over towards debt and use the other half to do something fun but less expensive?

I don't know what is in your area or how many children you have or anything like that but maybe find a cheaper alternative to have fun as a family.

As to your sister, why is she living in your house? If she is and if she is not living by your rules or your requests then something should be done about that. It is YOUR house isn't it?

Tawnya

Well, I think it depends how much you have left over. If you are talking $100 and a $20,000 credit card debt - go out and have fun! That $100 will not have a huge impact on the debt, but going out will have a huge impact on your family. However, if it's more like $2000 and we're talking a $5000 debt, take out $100 for a super fun family day and put the rest toward the debt. It's hard to say without knowing the figures. But you can have some family fun and not spend much money!

Well, I think it depends how much you have left over. If you are talking $100 and a $20,000 credit card debt - go out and have fun! That $100 will not have a huge impact on the debt, but going out will have a huge impact on your family. However, if it's more like $2000 and we're talking a $5000 debt, take out $100 for a super fun family day and put the rest toward the debt. It's hard to say without knowing the figures. But you can have some family fun and not spend much money!


I agree, I know it helps my dh and I to get out even if we don't spend a lot.

The total debt is around $30,000, the left over is $250. The indoor waterpark for all 5 of us will be very close to the $250.

My sister is living with us, because she told the truth to someone and my parents and other sister wanted her to lie, she refused and they made her life unbearable with them. I am not sure why she thinks she doesn't have to live by our rules except for she might be thinking she is an adult so she doesn't have rules anymore. I have tried to explain that while, yes she is an adult, she is living in our home and is an example to my children while she is here. I am going to have to sit down and talk with her again. I just hate to, because every time I do she ends up crying and I feel like a heel.
I think we will end up going to the waterpark, there isn't a whole lot around us that we all enjoy, but we do all like the waterpark.

Oh, wow. Well, unfortunately, I don't think that $250 will have a big impact on $30,000. Go have fun with your kids!

You know, just as I typed that I had a thought:
Maybe not. Maybe don't go to the waterpark for $250. Maybe spend $20 on stuff for an ice cream party or something. Put the rest toward the debt. I think that maybe that attitude of "this little bit won't hurt" (for purchases) or "this little bit won't help" (for payments) is what gets people stuck in bad situations. So, maybe it's a change in thinking. Yes, you deserve fun times with your family. But, your family deserves to get out from under the stress of that debt!

I would seriously try to find something cheaper, even if it was $100, and this way kind of compromise or split the difference. Pay some debt down (every little bit counts!) and have some fun (also important!).

However if your dh really has his heart set on the waterpark, I'd go for it and enjoy yourselves and don't feel guilty. It's probably more important for your dh's long-term morale in paying down the debt to do something fun once in a while so it doesn't seem so spartan. However, if this is a habit of his and you've done stuff like this or spent money on extras a lot recently (what did you do w/the rest of the tax return?), I would then consider telling him it is time to reign it in and do something cheaper. Yk? It's hard to decide without knowing your personal situation.

Good luck whatever you decide, and good luck in the bigger goal of paying off that debt!

The rest of the tax return went to paying for a whole house generator (which is a need for us, whenever the electricity goes out the basement floods, which gets the furnace, freezer, water softner wet, with the electricity on the sump pump stays on and keeps the basement dry.) Paid off dh's motorcycle, which he got to save on gas (his truck is a hog and can only have the premium fuel due to the turbo engine), paid off his brother for a mower, and paid a small cc off.

Dh really has his heart set on the indoor waterpark, 1 because it gets us out of the house, away from the house, and 2 everyone really has a good time when we go (at least once a year). We usually take his bonus money, or a couple days of overtime and go, but this year we made the pact that all overtime money goes toward debt and the bonus goes toward debt. So this little bit of tax return is it, unless I can make some money with my 2 ventures (cloth napkins, and jam).

Honestly, it sounds to me like you have already made up your mind. Since you have been really good about paying off debt go ahead and go. We only go on vacation a couple of times a year and one of those times is taking out $500 out of tax returns to go. Uncle Sam got his portion all year long, I say make hubby happy. Or u can be really mean and tell hubby that you think you should pay off debt and do a surprise vacation for him...lol.

We are going to go. I found a deal on-line to a place we haven't been before. The one we usually go to was going to cost $300 by the time you added taxes. The rate we are paying is $170! So we will still be able to put a little toward debt. I am just hoping that we like this place as well.

What kind of water park is that fantastic to charge that much? Is it like an indoor disneyland or something? I feel ripped off paying $12.50 for our family to go to the wave pool. LOL

Kerri

this is the one we are going to:


http://castawaybay.cedarpoint.com/public/waterpark/


This is the one we usually go to (and really like):

http://ohio.greatwolflodge.com/default.aspx?page=waterparks


We have also been to this one (but we were not comfortable there):

http://www.kalahariresort.com/OH/Waterpark.aspx

My boys do not travel well, and it takes almost 3 hours to get there, so going up, paying for a day pass, and coming home the same day would not work for us, since that would b 6 hours in the car. The do not usually fall asleep, little guy screams and screams.

So, you are talking about going and staying at that hotel there or something?

Go, and enjoy it! :monkeydan ;)

So, you are talking about going and staying at that hotel there or something?


Yup, we are going to stay there. We will leave when ds gets home from school, get up there, stay the night, and be able to stay there as long as we want the next day even after check-out (till the waterpark closes).

We are going to go. I found a deal on-line to a place we haven't been before. The one we usually go to was going to cost $300 by the time you added taxes. The rate we are paying is $170! So we will still be able to put a little toward debt. I am just hoping that we like this place as well.

Hey he wants to get away for a day..that'll work. Go have fun At least this way you are not paying interest from a cc charge for this trip. It's not putting you further into debt either.


HAVE FUN !!!!!

not the popular opinion here, but I would spend $30 for ice cream and a movie rental and then put the rest in my checking account for a cushion. This will help build up for a bigger payment on CC's when the bills come due.

not the popular opinion here, but I would spend $30 for ice cream and a movie rental and then put the rest in my checking account for a cushion. This will help build up for a bigger payment on CC's when the bills come due.

I totally agree! I really think the key to getting out and staying out of debt is a change in attitude. The "we deserve this instant gratification" thing is dangerous. However, the "we deserve financial freedom and security" is freeing!

I couldn't justify it either. But I hope you guys have a wonderful time.

Kerri

I'd put it on the debt and not, under any circumstances charge anything and do all I could to keep dh from charging the trip.

Then find something free to do that will de-stress.

However, take this in light of how I'm feeling more and more about debt and the struggles my family is having......it totally directed how I answered this question! :)

Michelle

I think right now, it is best for us to get out of the house for a night. We are all on edge, going for ice cream isn't going to cut it. I know my dh, if we stayed home, he would end up going shopping (he is worse than I am) and spending alot more that what this trip will be. I am going to take our own food and drinks so that cuts down on costs.

Well, it does seem that you've made up your mind about this already. It doesn't seem to fit in the "thrift" forum, honestly. I do hope that you and your husband can see the long term impact of the attitude surrounding your debt. I don't mean to sound rude, but money is such an emotional thing and I think it's important to admit that it's about entitlement and personal value more so than numbers on a credit card statement. Good luck with your long term goals!

Seeing how long it is taking us to pay off what we owe, especially as things around us keep breaking and needing repair, I'd not go, and do something much, much cheaper to relax.
I think the comment you made about your dh wanting to spend if you stay home, is an issue you need to address if you ever want to get out of debt and stay out of debt. Maybe he doesn't realize the seriousness of a large debt, and the impact it will have on his ability to be prepared for the many costs of the future (for the kids as well as for the both of you).

I can make some money with my 2 ventures (cloth napkins, and jam).
Where do you sell your cloth napkins and jam? How much and what are the details? Not sure I'm ready but both things I've been thinking about.

Dh and I have talked more about this, and have decided that we are not going to go, and we are going to put the $ toward debt. I have taken all cards from him, and when he needs gas for the truck he will get the $ from me. That way the temptation to spend is not going to be realized. I have also changed passwords to ebay, and amazon so that he can't go that way. We are going to look into going camping this summer. It doesn't help in the short term in getting away from the house, but we can look into going to the park on warmer days just to get out. I so want to get out of debt, and I do realize that the more we can put towards it the better, I just get into these funks as well as dh and just want to get away from the house.

Mamatanya---I don't have a site, I just sell here and another forum that I go to. I post for sale lists with them.

Is there a local park you could go to and spend the day and have that "out of the house" feeling? How about any vistors centers or museums that are free?
I know how it can be to feel "couped up" and you want to get away.

But really getting out of debt will be the best feeling.

an idea about gas...

We purchase prepaid gas cards from our local gas station. They give you 3 cents off per gallon when you use the cards- you can use them at the pump like a credit card, except it's all prepaid.

We find it easier to do it that way then dh is always having to ask me about gas money, we stay within our budget and no checks get bounced because he spent gas money I didn't know about.

You can also do prepaid, or gift cards to several stores. You could do that too, to give your husband or yourself an allowance and still stay within a budget.

Getting out of debt will be such a good feeling!

Tawnya

Have you considered selling the truck to help your debt? If dh can use a motorcycle for work, would it help your debt to sell the 3rd vehicle?

He still needs the truck for hauling firewood. Where he goes to cut (for free) he needs the 4 wheel drive to get in and back out, so that is not an option. Also there is no way that he could drive the motorcycle in the winter, he has said that unless it is an absolute emergency he is not going to leave me without a vehicle, since calling 911 around here doesn't help, I need to be able to get to the fire house if needed (closer than the hospital and they could then transport if needed). The truck would still be used on his days off during the summer to get wood, so it wouldn't just be parked.

He did try to sell it over the summer, but no one wanted to buy it. He was going to buy an older truck for hauling the wood if someone would have bought it. We have about a year left on the payments, so we will keep truging along and then when that payment is gone, we will have that much more to put on debt, which will really snowball it.

On the pre-paid gas card, how would that work with gas discounts that you get at the pump? We usually end up getting at least 10 cents off per gallon. So that ends up helping.

On the pre-paid gas card, how would that work with gas discounts that you get at the pump? We usually end up getting at least 10 cents off per gallon. So that ends up helping.


Our local circle K/Citgo gas stations have a deal where you go in and pay cash for a gas. The clerk activates the card with how ever much money you give them. Then you use the card at the pump like a cc. When you swipe the card it reads it then it shows the price per gallon at a lower rate.

I don't know if they have a program like that in your area.

I just know it helps us. Keeps us out of the store and pay at the pump. Stay with in a budget. If there is left over on the card at the end of the month we save it for a month when we may have an extra trip to the big city or something....

Tawnya

As hard as it was to make the decision not to go, I think you did the right thing! Baby steps are exactly that: baby steps. I don't know if your debt is health care (societal problem and unfair) related , or job loss related (everyone's fear), but the only way to get out of debt is to pay it as one can. Sometimes debt is because of baby steps misspending, and not catastrophic issues of health or job loss. Either way, every dollar does matter. I think what you're doing is wonderful! Good luck!

Dh and I have talked more about this, and have decided that we are not going to go, and we are going to put the $ toward debt. I have taken all cards from him, and when he needs gas for the truck he will get the $ from me. That way the temptation to spend is not going to be realized. I have also changed passwords to ebay, and amazon so that he can't go that way. We are going to look into going camping this summer. It doesn't help in the short term in getting away from the house, but we can look into going to the park on warmer days just to get out. I so want to get out of debt, and I do realize that the more we can put towards it the better, I just get into these funks as well as dh and just want to get away from the house.

Mamatanya---I don't have a site, I just sell here and another forum that I go to. I post for sale lists with them.

One more suggestion from where we are in our debt-repayment (we've done really well in the past nearly 6 months)......cancel all the credit card accounts and destroy the cards.

If you can't do all of them.....then only keep one card and freeze the sucker (or suckers if you have more than one card for that account) in a block of ice so you have to think it over long and hard if you want to charge something while the ice thaws out.

The temptation will be gone if you don't have any credit cards at all!!

Pay cash for fuel from a set amount for each month. (same for groceries, household and a bunch of other things)

If you don't have a set monthly spending plan already in place, I think you should do it. There are many great methods to follow. We follow Dave Ramsey. (but "tweaked" a little bit)

My dh and I use to feel "entitled" to treats every now and then and once we started to look at what money meant to us emotionally and what our goals for the future were....well, our viewpoint changed drastically. (but with the help of reading some good books on finances)

Ok....I probably repeated what others have said since I last checked on this thread.

Good for you for cancelling the trip and putting the money on debt. Every single penny matters!!!

Michelle