I live, write, and garden in the PNW with my husband of 27 years, disabled daughter, college-aged son, and my 84-year-old mother. We have paid off $250,000.00 worth of debt (if you include the interest) in the last fifteen years and as of 6/12/2020 are 100% DEBT FREE!!!!I received the statement for my medical debt balance today. I am now at $146,322.80 left to pay off from a beginning balance of $155,000. Out of the last payment $702.13 went to interest and $208.24 went to principal. Well, at least principal has finally hit the $200 point. It seemed like that day would never come. I am grateful this debt is at 5.75% and that at least progress is being made now, no matter how little. Of course, when I see that YTD interest has been $4227.57 it makes me feel awful.
I know this debt was a necessary debt. I know that I am lucky to be alive today. I am grateful that the insurance did cover some of the three and a half year ordeal and that the hospital cut the remaining $310,000 in half. But some days when I see that balance and how much is wasted on interest it makes me want to cry. It is hard. I get so angry at my body for betraying me the way it did, for not staying healthy and strong.
It is overwhelming. It makes me want to scream. Or punch my hand through the wall. Or some other destructive thing like go on a shopping spree with a credit card. I won't do that. But the fact that I want to is a major red flag.
I try very hard to maintain a positive outlook in my life. Some days it is obviously easier to do so. This isn't one of them.
Medical Debt Update--Having a Hard Time
June 12th, 2007 at 05:15 am
June 12th, 2007 at 12:07 pm 1181650053
June 12th, 2007 at 02:22 pm 1181658156
Hang Tough Girl!! You can do this!
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!
June 12th, 2007 at 02:29 pm 1181658576
June 12th, 2007 at 03:26 pm 1181661989
June 12th, 2007 at 03:58 pm 1181663938
It's in their best interest to negotiate with you, as the last thing they want is for you to go belly up and stop paying anything.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:35 pm 1181687712
June 14th, 2007 at 10:55 pm 1181861754
This probably won't make you feel any better, but my ex has 130k in student loans, and she has yet to finish her masters. But unlike your debt, that one WAS avoidable (a large portion of it anyway) because she had a bad habit of taking out the maximum and spending the rest on things she didn't need.
I also wish the very best for you. You have always been sweet to me, and I've always appreciated that. I hope that there will be many brighter days for you soon.