When I checked my Capital One card this morning, I noticed that the balance transfer request had finally cleared. I wanted to get a good idea of what exactly I was looking at in terms of Credit Cards and payments this coming pay period, so I ran through my usual account checking procedures. This resulted in that lovely total debt figure you see over there on the right hand side. Yeah, not thrilled. In any case, the numbers as they stack up today:
Card Balance APR Amount due When?
Citi Card $9931.35 21.24% $244.46 4/21
AT&T Universal $2247.08 21.76% $78.77 5/2
Capital One $264.40 25.9% $0 4/28
Bank of America $2036.13 4.92% $0 4/14
US Airways Visa $481.98 29.99% $0 4/27
Chase Amazon.com $85.57 29.99% $0 4/15
American Express $7470.19 14.24% $0 4/3
J Crew card $1475.03 20.99% $0 4/19
Gap Card $687.47 21% $0 4/9
Old Navy card $450.40 21% $0 4/28
Upromise Visa $20.50 11.99% $0 4/4
US Bank $22,820.67 0% $0 4/16
As I mentioned, not terribly thrilled by it all. I can’t believe how financially stupid I’ve been. Regardless, I do have a pretty solid plan in place to get the Capital One card, the US Airways card, the Chase card, the UPromise card and the Old Navy card all paid in full over the next 2 pay periods. After that, things get a lot more interesting.
I’ve been operating under the idea that its going to be ok to just keep using the credit cards for the next few months, until BF and I move in together in September, and I get a better idea of what the financial picture is going to be. I had the realization today, though, that continuing to use the cards just isn’t going to work. I’ve figured out that I need approximately $850 a month to cover my basic, non-credit card and student loan expenses – including $235 for a monthly train pass, $44 a month to park my car at the train station, and $100 a week to feed myself and pay for social activities. However – my grand get get out of debt by December 2010 doesn’t really account for this extra $850. So, I need to make the part time job thing I’ve been dithering over for a few months a reality, particularly now that the summer is coming. And, honestly, having a part time job will help in other ways too, because it will mean less time for going out and spending money.
