Seeing my balance creep HIGHER these past couple of weeks has been scarier than Halloween was. Even more scary is that I am now carrying a credit card balance again! Yes, I know. 😦
For my 2018 trip, I have most of my big ticket expenses (airfare, hotel) booked already, hence the card balance. But there is more to go. First order of business is paying the card off, of course.
I started having some tooth discomfort and was back in a quandry about whether I should go back to my old dentist, even though you guys told me to ditch him and find a new dentist. Well, as it turns out, I discovered that my old dentist recently retired and sold his practice. The new person there doesn’t have any skill or accomplishments presented that make me want to stay. I feel free, like I’ve escaped a bad relationship. LoL. I don’t know why I stayed for so long.
I’ve already found a new dentist. I’ve seen him a couple of times so far and he seems open and knowledgeable. The good thing about him is that he explains everything, is conservative in his approach to dental care (only drilling when necessary), and gives ME the choice of what can be done for my teeth with the pros and cons of each. NO scare tactics or pressure. Big thumbs up so far.
But the dental visits cost money, which totals $191 so far. Another expense that’s already on the credit card. The laptop is still sitting on the card too.
Right now my credit card balance is $2,618. Ugh, this is not good. 😦
But the card will be paid off and buried again before I take my trip, so it’s only temporary.
Well, that’s it for now. I start my tango with Visa again…
And thanks, for the encouraging comments after my last post. You guys are great. Travel is just too important for me to put off any longer. I recently found out that two of my cousins, who are both younger than me, have become very ill and one of them is now in a wheelchair. So, good health tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us.
I know that a few of you who read this blog are writing about your own struggles right now. My thoughts are with you.
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“Debtor’s prison is real, and opportunity cost is a bitch.” (DDSW Archives)
Double Debt Single Woman 
Oh no, the credit card…..
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Oh yes, the credit card…. 🙂 😦
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You have been making great progress on your student loans and making so many sacrifices. I think a temporary credit card balance will not deter you or cause any major setback in your financial goals. You have to enjoy your life even while paying off debt.
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Thanks, Michelle
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Re the travel, you have to live your life. As you said, you might get some bad news as have others in your life, and you don’t know how much more time you have here on this earth. Yes, getting out of debt is important but not to the point where it makes you totally miserable and feeling like you are missing out on so much in life. Balance is key. When you die, I doubt you will look back and say “oh I wish I had paid off that debt that one or two months faster, instead of going on that awesome trip with my family, building memories that would last a lifetime.” No one does that. You’ve done it before, you can pay off the credit card balance again. 🙂
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Thanks, Terri 🙂 My thoughts exactly.
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Luckily, the credit card balance can’t be that high — and the $1700 payment to the loans this month ought to get you down to $62000 or so, right? It’ll be ok. Just keep plugging.
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Well, it depends on what you mean by high… heh
It is in the $2,000+ range currently.
Thanks, C!
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Seeing that credit card debt is a little unsettling. I feel for these people with these huge student loans. It is a colossal mistake to go into that kind of debt for education. There are other ways, and I know of what I speak. But sometimes I feel that deep down in that person’s psyche, they have not really come to grips with what has to be done. Case in point–Ashley at “Blogging Away Debt.” She was doing so well for so long, and then when there was a bit of financial relief, she slid right back into trouble with inflated lifestyle. I know that you say you have a plan for this credit card debt, but will it be the beginning of a downward slide? I surely hope not after all your hard work.
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That is certainly not my intention.
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We just moved into our new house last weekend. I have about $3,000 on my credit card now. I was trying to keep it below $1,000 or pod off. Needless to say I’m attacking it!
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Good! And congrats on the new house!
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I trust that you have found the right balance for you. That trip will give you many good memories.
And I’m glad you now have a dentist with an approach you prefer! Quite a difference.
I’m with you on the balances going higher. All told, this dental stuff will cost me roughly $7000, but my pain will be greatly reduced. I have to focus on that.
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Thanks ZJ.
Yikes on the dental bill. 😦
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I am trying to focus on how much better I feel, but yikes is right!
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