u/mangosie

Hi. Mechanic did some vacuum line cleaning today and fixed my code 71! Yay.

Now he’s saying some front end suspension work, new shocks, idler arm and maybe some tie rods.
What would you do? How many dollars? Make it more capable for off roading?

30F. I feel so weighed down by all of this… it’s been a tough couple years. I know I have a spending problem. I am working on it, I track every time I spend any money. My budget is very clear and I’m reading, writing and doing everything I can to help my brain change and not spend money all the time.

At this point, I need to catch up… this year I had to move(again) and then a month later my grandfather passed, all chaos has ensued and I’ve gone further into debt.
I’m tired of being in debt. But I cannot catch up.

Here’s what I have:

Monthly income: $2700
Other income: $200-400 plasma donations

Bills:
$1300 for rent
$700 for debt
$50 in subscriptions
$90 phone bill
$200-300 gas/food

I have $20,000 in debt. It’s all credit cards. This is the most debt I’ve ever had in my life. This is the most motivated I’ve ever been to change my habits and build a better future.

I own two trucks, boat and trailer outright. I could sell one of those items. But only get about $5k for each of them. At the end of the day selling them doesn’t change my spending habits and I know that. I also enjoy using all of these things and don’t want to sell them.

I have $12,000 in my 401k. I have a very stable job that I received a promotion for and will most likely receive another raise from by the end of the year.
Right now, borrowing against my 401k would help me catch up and change the payment for my debt, I have no savings. Advice? Is this a bad choice?