Debt Dumpers 2025

[428mom]

Week 2 update. I'm doing a no spend January. We had a couple school expenses come up but I took money from our kids school envelope.

Finance

• Pay off $3500 credit card- 82/3500
• Add $5,000 to our emergency fund 192/5000

Personal

• Read 100 books 4/100
• Lose 20 lbs 0/20
• Finish the 75 hard challenge ( I decided to modify and just track my food since I've been sick)

HOME

• Clean and organize the backyard (Spring project)
• Seal our driveway (Spring)
• Get 2 tree stumps removed (Spring)
• Meal plan 2/52

Travel (these mostly are on pause until February/March

• Save for Italy plane tickets and spending money (We will be doing the 100 envelope challenge for this. 5/100
• Save for weekend trip for my nieces graduation in Indiana $600
• Birthday getaway for my kids (birthdays are 6 weeks apart and we started last year doing an experience instead of a party) $500
• Weekend camping trip $300

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Week 2 update:
Financial:
- Continue budgeting/tweaking budget and stay on track with it;
(We went way over our food budget for the first 2 weeks as we made 5 trips to the grocery store over the first 9 days of the year. So we'll have to adjust our budget going forward)

- Get EF up to $1k and keep it there (unless an emergency arises of course);
(Had to take away from the EF addition we budgeted over the first 2 week due to our food budget being out of whack. So nothing new added here)

- Pay off my credit cards and keep the revolving balance at $0 (not going to close them at this point because it'll help me credit score to keep them open);
(Paid off CC #1. It was the one with the lowest balance and highest APR, but it didn't have an annual fee. I kept it open since there's no fee to lower my CC usage and up my credit score. Only minimum payment made on CC #2.)

- School loans ($18k) - keep paying minimum payment on those and move CC payments to the school loan once CCs are paid off;
(Payment not due until the 15th. Nothing new here.)

- Up EF to eventual goal of $3k (would require $116 per paycheck to have that done by end of the year);
(Nothing new here.)

- Keep paying minimum payments on car loan until backup EF reaches $3k (then push everything we can at that since APR is 24.9 percent);
(Payment not due until the 15th. Nothing new here.)

Personal
- Lose 20 pounds before summer trip to Chicago (I was up over 280 last week for the first time ever);
(Nothing new as I'm scared to get on the scale)

- Cook more fresh items at home instead of eating out or buying precooked stuff;
(The food balance blew up due to us eating at home more);

- Exercise 60 minutes per week (with 30 of that outside);
(Snowed in DFW and still some snow on ground here. So nothing new).

 

[afan]

Lose 20 pounds before summer trip to Chicago (I was up over 280 last week for the first time ever);
(Nothing new as I'm scared to get on the scale)

This goes for everyone that doesn't like a scale. Use how your clothes fit. Regardless of whether I step on a scale I know how things are going by how my jeans fit. It'll at least help you know which way the number is going.

 

[Nettlelondon]

This goes for everyone that doesn't like a scale. Use how your clothes fit. Regardless of whether I step on a scale I know how things are going by how my jeans fit. It'll at least help you know which way the number is going.

When I was having chemotherapy the weekly weigh in was the thing I hated most - even though I knew it was just so they gave me the right dose and no one really cared about the number. As it was my weight was exactly the same within a pound or two the whole way though. Way too high, but steady.

But I really hated stepping on the scale.

Since finishing treatment I have dropped a size in jeans and need to wear a belt with the smaller ones now as well so another size down soon I feel.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Got blindsided today a bit. Wife had been having trouble with her tooth. Went to the dentist today, and she needs a root canal on one and a crown on the other. The total job came out to about $2,500 total. And insurance is paying 30% of that, so we have to come up with $1,700 out of pocket. They said if we have good credit (they do a credit check), we can pay it out in installments. If we don't, then we have to pay it all up front. So we're going to have to start thinking of that now. So much for a budget. I guess this is why most folks don't budget. Cause you can't budget for this type of crap.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Got blindsided today a bit. Wife had been having trouble with her tooth. Went to the dentist today, and she needs a root canal on one and a crown on the other. The total job came out to about $2,500 total. And insurance is paying 30% of that, so we have to come up with $1,700 out of pocket. They said if we have good credit (they do a credit check), we can pay it out in installments. If we don't, then we have to pay it all up front. So we're going to have to start thinking of that now. So much for a budget. I guess this is why most folks don't budget. Cause you can't budget for this type of crap.

Actually I believe most people do budget to varying degrees.
People who know they have insurance with high out of pocket deductibles or copays would have an HSA to use to pay those bills or use an EF.

I know it’s frustrating but don’t give up. I hope your wife is able to get her procedures done soon.

 

[CoP Luv]

Got blindsided today a bit. Wife had been having trouble with her tooth. Went to the dentist today, and she needs a root canal on one and a crown on the other. The total job came out to about $2,500 total. And insurance is paying 30% of that, so we have to come up with $1,700 out of pocket. They said if we have good credit (they do a credit check), we can pay it out in installments. If we don't, then we have to pay it all up front. So we're going to have to start thinking of that now. So much for a budget. I guess this is why most folks don't budget. Cause you can't budget for this type of crap.

We have sinking funds for these kinds of things. Other people have a fully funded emergency fund they contribute to that they pull from.

We just had two $500 vet bills less than two weeks apart. Then we had to get our dog groomed and buy new special food that was more than twice what we usually spent. We budget/contribute $100/month to our pet fund. We only use it for grooming, food, and vet visits. That has more than covered it until now. While we had a few hundred saved up for her normal expenses, we had to pull the remaining out of our emergency fund. So yes, we budget/plan for unexpected things. Now that we have to build up our emergency fund again, we are not going out to eat, buying less expensive food, and spending less so that we have more money to put back in our funds.

Don’t throw the budget out the window because you had an unexpected expense. This is WHY you budget. Keep working at it. You have made huge progress from when you first posted and it’s going to be a rollercoaster. You have a plan for an emergency fund. Keep at it. Create a line item in your monthly budget for Misc. or Health Care - we do a certain amount every month even if we have no healthcare expenses because we KNOW one is coming.

I would also encourage you again to search for a Financial Peace University class near you. We are starting ours up at our church (I am a leader) next month. We have people come from all over, faithful or not, members of our church or not. I think it could really plant some wonderful seeds for you, and especially your wife.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

I appreciate that. We won't give up. Just frustrating to do all of that work and then have something like this happen. DW hasn't been to the dentist in probably 8-10 years, so she had no idea it would cost so much. She did say after we pay this, we won't have to pay anymore for the rest of the year because her out of pocket max is $1k. So that's good news (if she has to have more work done).

Actually I believe most people do budget to varying degrees.
People who know they have insurance with high out of pocket deductibles or copays would have an HSA to use to pay those bills or use an EF.

I know it’s frustrating but don’t give up. I hope your wife is able to get her procedures done soon.

 

[trenty]

Got blindsided today a bit. Wife had been having trouble with her tooth. Went to the dentist today, and she needs a root canal on one and a crown on the other. The total job came out to about $2,500 total. And insurance is paying 30% of that, so we have to come up with $1,700 out of pocket. They said if we have good credit (they do a credit check), we can pay it out in installments. If we don't, then we have to pay it all up front. So we're going to have to start thinking of that now. So much for a budget. I guess this is why most folks don't budget. Cause you can't budget for this type of crap.

I can echo the others - don't give up.
If you stick with it, there will come a day in your life that this type of situation will just be an inconvenience and not a stumbling block.
I second the idea to look for a FPU near you. Having a support network can really help. You would have mentors to walk you through these tough times - and cheerleaders when things are moving along in the right direction.
If you put all payments on hold and only pay minimums on debt for the time being, how long would it take for you to save up the $1700?

Another idea - are there any dental clinics near you that might be cheaper? Or a dentist that will arrange payments?

And finally - you can "budget for this type of crap." But others have already responded to that.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Thank you for the words. I'm not sure what an FPU is. But I will check and see if I can figure out what that is. And I'm not sure. She just picked a dentist that had lots of ads on roadside banners around the DFW metroplex. We're still kind of new here (been here less than 2-1/2 years), so we're having to find new doctors and dentists, etc. So she just picked up she saw that advertised well.

I can echo the others - don't give up.
If you stick with it, there will come a day in your life that this type of situation will just be an inconvenience and not a stumbling block.
I second the idea to look for a FPU near you. Having a support network can really help. You would have mentors to walk you through these tough times - and cheerleaders when things are moving along in the right direction.
If you put all payments on hold and only pay minimums on debt for the time being, how long would it take for you to save up the $1700?

Another idea - are there any dental clinics near you that might be cheaper? Or a dentist that will arrange payments?

And finally - you can "budget for this type of crap." But others have already responded to that.

 

[trenty]

Thank you for the words. I'm not sure what an FPU is. But I will check and see if I can figure out what that is. And I'm not sure. She just picked a dentist that had lots of ads on roadside banners around the DFW metroplex. We're still kind of new here (been here less than 2-1/2 years), so we're having to find new doctors and dentists, etc. So she just picked up she saw that advertised well.

FPU is Financial Peace University.
Definitely shop around for a dentist.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Preventative care is important to catch things while they’re still small issues vs waiting for a bigger problem.

I used to hate to floss and even though I thoroughly brushed twice/day, I only flossed a few times per month. When I reached my 50’s it hit me like a brick that I really want my teeth and gums to stay as healthy as possible. I don’t ever want dentures so these teeth need to last me til I’m 100.
Now I do it faithfully every night. I started using Act fluoride rinse after brushing since our kids were little and I haven’t had a cavity since.

ETA: I do grind my teeth in my sleep sometimes so I have cracked a few molars from that and currently have 4 crowns over the past 10-15 yrs.
I was with my dentist since I was 19 so she let me make payments and my cost was around $5-600 oop per crown.
One of those was needed the same time as dh did too so it was a big whammy at once.

 

[afan]

Got blindsided today a bit. Wife had been having trouble with her tooth. Went to the dentist today, and she needs a root canal on one and a crown on the other. The total job came out to about $2,500 total. And insurance is paying 30% of that, so we have to come up with $1,700 out of pocket. They said if we have good credit (they do a credit check), we can pay it out in installments. If we don't, then we have to pay it all up front. So we're going to have to start thinking of that now. So much for a budget. I guess this is why most folks don't budget. Cause you can't budget for this type of crap.

I would echo seeing if another dentist has the same costs. Also, are these things causing her issues or not. Some dentists will tell you x should be done and the next dentist doesn't understand why the first said that. If it's not all urgent, not causing pain etc, it doesn't all have to be done immediately. If there's pain or issues then that's another story. But dentist pricing does vary a lot.

As for the out of pocket, are you talking about her dental insurance? I'd double check that. The ones I've recently had have a max they cover for the year so I wouldn't just go by the oop max. It would also go under dental ins not medical which is where my mind goes with what you said. I have a high deductible but once I pay it for the year I only have copyays. We also have an hsa due to our high deductible plan.

 

[barkley]

I'd double check that. The ones I've recently had have a max they cover for the year so I wouldn't just go by the oop max

that's the way our dental has worked for decades. no oop max-it's a max yearly payment for THEM so on something like a $2500 TOTAL cost once I meet my deductable then they will pay their 'share of cost' but only up to the yearly max (which is some horribly low amount around $1800). it is VITAL to find out if the dentist is a preferred provider with your insurance company (and verify it WITH the insurance company not just the provider) b/c if not the best case scenario is they may cover a lower percentage/worst case they wont pay any of it as 'out of network' (and the cost may be higher for the consumer b/c they negotiate pricing with insurance companies that are much lower than what you pay without insurance).

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

They do cause her some issues from time to time. But it's not all the time. She said she was going to try to get through it a couple of months until we can get our tax return. That said, this was the orthodontic surgeon. She went to the dentist earlier this morning, and this is the surgeon they referred her to for the work. She said she chose the dentist becuase they have branches all over DFW and they advertise everywhere "so they must be good."

Anyway, I will get her to check with the surgeon to make sure they are in network for her. But she said she could wait a couple of months, maybe until summer, to get the work done. So that gives us time to add that into our monthly budgets in addition to our emergency fund.

I would echo seeing if another dentist has the same costs. Also, are these things causing her issues or not. Some dentists will tell you x should be done and the next dentist doesn't understand why the first said that. If it's not all urgent, not causing pain etc, it doesn't all have to be done immediately. If there's pain or issues then that's another story. But dentist pricing does vary a lot.

As for the out of pocket, are you talking about her dental insurance? I'd double check that. The ones I've recently had have a max they cover for the year so I wouldn't just go by the oop max. It would also go under dental ins not medical which is where my mind goes with what you said. I have a high deductible but once I pay it for the year I only have copyays. We also have an hsa due to our high deductible plan.

 

[princesscinderella]

Got blindsided today a bit. Wife had been having trouble with her tooth. Went to the dentist today, and she needs a root canal on one and a crown on the other. The total job came out to about $2,500 total. And insurance is paying 30% of that, so we have to come up with $1,700 out of pocket. They said if we have good credit (they do a credit check), we can pay it out in installments. If we don't, then we have to pay it all up front. So we're going to have to start thinking of that now. So much for a budget. I guess this is why most folks don't budget. Cause you can't budget for this type of crap.

If she needs a root canal on the tooth, that tooth will also need a crown after the root canal is completed. Are you seeing an endodontist for the root canal? If not and just your general dentist is planning on doing it please go get a second opinion with an endodontist who’s only job all day is root canals.

 

[princesscinderella]

They do cause her some issues from time to time. But it's not all the time. She said she was going to try to get through it a couple of months until we can get our tax return. That said, this was the orthodontic surgeon. She went to the dentist earlier this morning, and this is the surgeon they referred her to for the work. She said she chose the dentist becuase they have branches all over DFW and they advertise everywhere "so they must be good."

Anyway, I will get her to check with the surgeon to make sure they are in network for her. But she said she could wait a couple of months, maybe until summer, to get the work done. So that gives us time to add that into our monthly budgets in addition to our emergency fund.

I am in the dental field just because they advertise everywhere doesn’t make them a good dentist at all, in fact sometimes it can be the opposite because they don’t have a lot of repeat business and customer referrals to support their practice. I highly recommend looking at google reviews, even good dentists will have a few bad ones but if they are overall 5 stars you should be in good hands. One of the biggest dental advertisers down by us got busted for care credit fraud signing up patients for huge treatment plans and charging it right away without doing the work and leaving the patients on the hook for crazy interest rates and paying for treatment they never started.

Like others have stated above your insurance may only cover a maximum amount of $1000 a year out of their pocket the rest will have to come from your pocket. Dental insurance works nothing like medical insurance, they have an annual maximum benefit which ranges from $1000-$3000 depending on the plan to help cover a portion of your dental expenses. Very rarely does a policy cover 100% of everything, it’s usually only preventative care like cleanings and exams that are covered 100% but that money they pay is also deducted from your annual maximum. I would definitely check to see if the dentist’s are in network with your plan as it can save you hundreds because in network doctors have a set fee schedule they are allowed to charge patients with that certain insurance company. If you have a PPO plan you can get work done from any dentist but the reimbursement from the annual maximum is usually less and the fees are more as they aren’t required to give you the “in network” fees.
Example:
In network dentist A: crown is usually $1000 but you can only be charged $725 since they are in network and your benefit for coverage is 50% from the $1000 pot of money the insurance is willing to pay. So your out of pocket is most likely $412.50 due to a normal $50 deductible that needs to be paid before they will dip into the $1000 insurance fund.

Out of Network dentist B: you are paying their normal fee of $1000 and you said that your insurance will only cover 30% (coverage percentages for out of network doctor’s can be reduced depending on the plan and insurance company) so you would be looking at paying $750 because you are still having to take the $50 deductible into account. That’s more than in network dentist A was even allowed to charge you for the procedure.

I also want to add that some dentists (in network and out of them too) will nickel and dime you to death over coding. For example we never charge a patient extra for the application of anesthetic to numb the area even though there’s a dental code to bill for it. If you see a bunch of codes then you know they are trying to milk you for everything.

We recently saw a treatment plan from a patient that was getting charged more to have “second stage implant surgery” than to have the actual implant. This second stage is just literally cutting away the tissue that grows over the implant if a healing cap comes off or one was purposefully left off. That fee is never charged in our office as it’s part of doing business as a dental specialist to uncover it when it’s ready for the crown to be put on by their general dentist. Too much nickel and diming and dentistry becomes unaffordable and it’s not ethical to treat others that way. Private equity doesn’t feel the same way and they have been gobbling up dental offices and milking them for every dime they can get. Best of luck to your wife I hope this helps.