OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2012

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Debt Free Journey Update #1

 While visiting some of my favorite blogs, I found this particular post by Melissa at "Mom's Plans."
She is posting weekly about her debt free journey and how she is becoming Gazelle intense about eliminating her debt.  Her post motivated me to "borrow" her idea and do the same since my husband and I are dedicated to getting rid of our Stupid Credit Card Debt by the end of 2012.

This last week has been nothing short of a life altering experience. With the discovery of my mom's brain cancer and subsequent hospitalization I have had little time to think about bills, debt or debt repayment.  Heck, I have only been to my house one time last week.  

But, even with all this stuff with my mom going on I still need to keep my focus on my bills and debt if for nothing else, just to keep my sanity.  My recent unemployment ended two weeks ago when I accept a position as an ultrasound instructor.  Well, that job only lasted a little over a week.  I am now a full-time caregiver for my dad while my mom is recovering.  My husband and I are living here with my dad.

While we are living here we are able to reduce our living expenses considerably.   For instance our electric bill at the house   will be extremely low, since we are not even there.  I contacted the cable company and put our account on temporary status for the next three months.  We will pay a one time fee of 39.00 to suspend services for the next three months but still have an account when we get back to our home.  

Our fuel bill for the cars will be less.  I don't hardly drive anywhere during the week and my husband is now about 5 minutes from work.  Oh... I almost forgot about the tolls.  We will use to spend about 80.00 dollars a month for tolls.  That will definitely be reduced.  

My dad is providing money for groceries, (he insists) so there is another reduction in our expenses.  All of these reductions are a great thing, since I will not be able to claim unemployment and I had to quit my new job.  I am also closing my Ebay store since all my inventory is out at my other house.  It is just not feasible to leave it open and try to pack and ship items in a timely  matter.  I will just have to kick up my blogging and increase my income with that. 

I still have a baggie full of change in my car.  I was going to cash it in on Monday, but with my mom getting sick I just have not yet had time.  Maybe this week I can get to it.  Maybe.  I am still trying to process all that is going on with my mom, as is the rest of my family.  But, it is getting better.  Little by little. 
 



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15 comments:

Jane said...

Life does go on even in the midst of a crisis. You're smart to reduce your living expenses right now especially since you're living with and caring for your dad. I'm glad to hear things are getting better, even if its just tiny steps forward. At least you're going in the right direction.
Take care Lisa:)

judy said...

Please know you and your family are in my families prayers.

Contactdoctorstock said...

Best wishes to you as you get rid of that credit card debt... I hope your family recovers well too.

Niki said...

Wishing you and your family the best right now. I think it was a smart move to lower your expenses right now, so many people get caught up in the crisis and finances get pushed to the side and forgotten. This will undoubtedly make things less stressful too. Thinking of you and your family.

Miss T said...

Hoping for the best for you and your family right. I also just recently had a family member in hospital. It is very stressful. Concentrate on making sure you look after yourself so you have the strength to manage all that is going on.

Newlyweds on a Budget said...

Wow, it seems that everything came crashing down around you. I hope that by this time next year, you will look back at this post and say "wow , look how far we've come." big hugs to you--for both your family and your journey to being debt free.

Marissa said...

Oh my goodness. I am hoping for the best for your family.

Frugal Toad said...

Hope everything works out for you Lisa!

The Jenny Pincher said...

Sorry to hear about your mom, I'll keep you in my prayers!

Andrea @ SoOverDebt said...

I'm glad you had some options to save money while caring for your parents. That's stressful enough as it is; the fact that you don't have to worry (as much) about finances will help tremendously. Just remember to focus on YOU when possible - with all you're dealing with, it's easy to forget about yourself in the process. Hugs and prayers to you!

laura said...

Thinking of you and your family Lisa x

John@moneyprinciple said...

It's good that you will be able to save a bit but looking after your parents is not easy for you or for them. So allow them to pay for things and keep smiling. And make some time for yourselves.

YourFinancesSimplified said...

I wish you best with your personal situation.

Shaun McCarthy said...

We take our health and that of our families for granted sometimes, it must be really tough trying to balance everything. Wishing you, your mom and the rest of the family well and for a speedy recovery.

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