Brushes & Budgets

Well!!! It’s been over two months and I have yet to give an update to what’s been going on. To be honest, life has gotten a way from me. When I began this blog, I was waiting to be treated for TMJ. I had lockjaw at the beginning of December 2022. By the end of January the lock was finally released. It was due to my muscles tensing up. Yay me.

Things seemed to be getting better with my jaw. However, in early February, I almost had my car towed at my friend’s house which cost me $195. I also took a trip to the Dominican Republic late February. I came back and…broke my foot less than a week after my return. Only I’d do something like this.

Anyhow! Let’s chat a bit about my debt for the end of January & February:

January: Starting balance $25,110.24. Ending Balance $29,257.04.

I paid $1,386.04 towards debt this month.

The hefty increase is because of receiving treatment for TMJ. It is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE to treatment and you have to submit the claim directly through insurance. Next, I made a very large purchase for my plane ticket to the DR. That will be prevalent in February’s budget. I’m trying to build up my savings and I have initially decided to use my HELOC to cautiously pay the balance down.

February: Starting Balance $29,257.04. Ending Balance $31,470.26.

I paid $1,820.24 towards debt this month.

$1,200 has been applied to my HELOC that I’m planning on paying $100 monthly with my travel sinking fund for DR. It sits in a high yield money market at 3.5% APY. I also have charges for car repairs. I do not have a sinking fund for car repairs yet so…oops. I may just pay it all off because it feels crazy to hold a balance and pay for something that continues to accrue interest. We’ll see what it all brings and what makes the most sense. When I type it out…something is telling me to just take the L and pay it all off and not owe anything extra. I’ll still have money available but I will have to rebuild my travel sinking fund. On the other hand…I’ll have $1,200 less for my debt…soooo….

As of today, March 12th, I have $9,957 in credit card debt, and $30,485.26 in overall debt. I will be BACK below the $30k mark this month and the plan is to never go back over it. I’m still waiting for insurance to pay for my TMJ claim which was the reason I went back over $30k in the first place. I paid $5,736 using my care credit credit card to the dentist helping me through these challenges. I’ve actually saw paint dry faster than waiting for insurance to pay out a claim that I’ve had to submit directly too them. Don’t get me started on the terrible customer service I’ve received.

Since I’ll be home bound because of my foot. I’ll get used to what it means to blog my journey. I’m looking forward to a bit of consistency and hopefully can get used to being a worker, business owner, and content creator because I can’t say it’s not overwhelming. Until next time!