Title says it. I was a heavy drinker and made some really dumb financial decisions over the last 20 years, mainly credit card usage.

    Heres where I sit now:

    Income: 2580 every 2 weeks after deductions and retirement savings

    2600 / month VA compensation

    Expenses:

    Mortgage/escrow $1400

    Utilities: average for all utilities is about $400

    Vehicle payments: 3 vehicles total $1200

    Credit card debt (27k @ 18%) right now paying $800

    Financed home improvement: payment is $250

    Insurance for vehicles: $129

    Savings: $250 per paycheck (new since sober)

    Savings: $100 per month each for both kids: $200 (new since sober)

    Phone plan $160

    Internet: 80

    Groceries: $1200-1500 (includes diapers one kid and dog food for 2 large dogs)

    I try to limit dining out to once a week= about 400 for the month. Life is hectic and sometimes that may end up being 5-600 a month

    Leaving me with about $800-$1000 to cover random shit that pops up like vehicle / home maintenance, when one of the kids comes home needing money for school/extracurriculars, dog vaccinations, and hobbies.

    Credit card usage has dropped to zero: I was litterally the guy who would drink all my money away and just put stuff on the card, even alcohol; then pay the minimum payment.

    My vehicle payments will reduce by $425 next February and then another $260 in June of 2027, and the remainder will be paid by December 2027. I cant really sell one, 1 vehicle is for wife and kids, one is a commuter car for me, and the truck I use to pull trailers quite often, almost on a weekly basis.

    How should I prioritize the money I no longer spend on drinking, and the future reduction in vehicle payments?

    1 option I was thinking is to split the difference into credit card payments and savings 50/50. Is this a solid plan?

    Another option I was thinking about is cashing out a 401 I have, that is sitting at 45k, paying everything off that I can, then maxing out retirement where I can after the fact. (Im 37, have a pension plan through my employer, plus 451b plan, and VA compensation). I would prefer not to do this option if avoidable.

    Im not in danger of losing anything, repos, foreclosures etc.. everything is paid on-time.

    Thanks for reading my ramble.

    8 months sober after being a drunk for over 20 years
    byu/AardvarkNo7642 inpersonalfinance



    Posted by AardvarkNo7642

    1 Comment

    1. TyrconnellFL on

      Do you have any savings?

      The standard is to build a minimal emergency fund and then pay off 18% credit card debt. That is itself a financial emergency. Once that’s gone you can built a six month savings buffer.

      Leave your retirement accounts alone. Just the 10% penalty for early withdrawal makes it not worth touching.

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