So Seriously Overloaded

[ASB.Immortality]

**SIGH** I am almost heartbroken. We are so seriously overloaded with bills it isn't even funny. Our new baby has broken the bank. We are having to get rid of our horses. We will be more or less horseless. GOD I HATE THIS!! Everything is priced for a pretty quick sale. We are just in such a bind, they HAVE to go. I just have no idea what to do except for this. :cry:

I guess I just needed to rant. Sorry everyone.

[JennLM]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Is there a way to get a second to get rid of those bills to help out?

We have been there before and are selling the house for one of those reasons, to use part of the money to pay off bills so we have none in the new place.

I hope you find something to help, I know it would be hard on you to have to part with some of your horses.

[Barbwire]

Oh, Starr, I am so sorry to read this, I can't imagine what you must be going through. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts.

[motorgypsy]

So sorry to hear that. Life is not fair. If you can perhaps you can free lease at least your favorites for a year or so or until you get on your feet. At least you would have no expenses. You might PM Hollis aka Red Ryder and see how he went about free leasing his horses.

[Brigitte]

So sorry to hear that..

[Linda Y]

Before you make a decision you may be sorry for later, go talk to a credit counseler. I don't know what your horse keeping situation is, but selling them may be only a temporary fix. You have to first find out WHY you are in such a state, and then see what you can do about it. Been there, done that.

[ASB.Immortality]

Here is just the regular bills I am looking at a month & I just can't do it.

Daycare: 400
Horse Board: 1300
Gas: 400 +/-
Electric: 300
Truck: 600
House Phone: 100
Cell Phones: 150

That doesn't count food, vet bills (if they arise), resets, working, loafing money, or the tv, etc. Getting rid of the horses & the truck will put me in the right. I only about 4500 on credit cards & a total of 18000 to the credit union. Those are my only things I owe on.

[cowboy ed]

well, if you are paying that much each month to board horses, i think you are making a wise decision.

[CarolU]

Wow...you are paying as much in board as I do a house payment, which includes property where I keep my own horses. No board. I think you might find either a cheaper board situation, or sell your house and buy horse property where you can keep them at home. A lot cheaper for sure!

I agree about the credit counsellor. Maybe lease the horses out for a year or trade for lend some out in exchange for board.

Good luck.

[Terry Wallace]

Sounds like you are thinking clearly to me! $1300 for horse board has got to go. Children change everything... and for quite a while to come. BTDT... ;-)

[Pasogirlz]

:hug

[Linda Y]

Unfortunatley, I agree with everyone else on the horse board. That is almost more than I make on retirement! ACK!
You could also get rid of your land lines if you HAVE to have the cell phones.
Gas...do you mean for the house or the cars?
Yep, get rid of the truck. If you let the horses go, you won't need it anyway.

I did what CarolU suggested when I started finding I was boarding too many horses. Final straw was getting Pep, the stallion, and the stable first wouldn't take him, then kept him stalled 24/7. We went out and found a reasonably priced piece of ground and built a house. Just for Pep.

[PASOFAN]

So sorry! I am glad to see you are a member of a credit union though.. They are there to help to ya know. I work for one now.. :)

$1300 a month board is terrible, I wish there were a way fro you to buy a place instead, but I know how it can be. Good luck and (((hugs)))).

[TrueStepPaso]

I'm so sorry to hear that...it must be heartbreaking to have to sell your horses. I hope you find them all wonderful homes, so its one less thing you have to worry about.

[Rusel]

You can save your horses and not have the bills.... Hollis had a great idea with the free lease and they have found great homes. I have done similiar except I did partnerships. I gave the mares in a partnership and provide the stallion services, marketing and sales. We split the sale of the foals. On some young fillies they own her after a couple of foals. this allowed me to convert over to Tiger Horses and not loose my pasos.

It takes a while but you can put them out for a number of years and still have them back when you can find a place of your own.... there are individuals out there that will allow you to buy from them at a cheaper price than you pay for board and you can own your own home...

Think about it. I know how hard it is to sell something that you have waited a long time for.....

Good Luck....

[Abejita]

I agree too..I dont even take home 1300.00 a month unless I put in some serious overtime..also looking at your phones..100.00 a month for a land line? maybe you need to look at your long distance and if you have services like caller id etc can you live w/out them?And the cells..do you use all your minutes?
Whatever you have to do..chin up..

[Terri]

I am so sorry you are going through this. $1,300 a month for board is more than I could do. How many are you boarding on that?
But I do know how you feel. I had a beautiful 1/2 arab when I had my 1st baby. I used to trail ride him everywhere. I couldn't stand to part with him even after the baby even though money was tight and I had no time to ride him. By the time the 2nd baby came, the poor horse had had so little use he had become pretty rank and was scary to mount. I ended up having to give him away. :cry: I still regret waiting so long to find him a good home. But things happen in their correct "seasons" 2 more babies came along and with 4 kids and little money I had no time for horses. I did enjoy being a mom and loved those early years. That 1st baby is now 19 (it happens very fast) and 4 years ago my passion for horses rekindled and I bought Mico. I now have 5 horses in my barn and my season for horses is just beginning again. Enjoy your early years with your wonderful baby. They will fly by. The horses will be waiting for you when you are ready again. And if you ever find your self visiting the Boston area please let me know and we will make sure you ride.

[Mellifluous]

You are still keeping the special ones, right? Turbo isn't leaving I hope. :shock: It looks like the ones in the sales forum are recent aquisitions except for Buster. One of those is Ken's fault, right?

I think that you guys need to relocate to a place where you can keep them on your own property...before the powerline comes!

[Jasfino]

I would be looking for property where I could keep my horses with me. I cant imagine life without horses. It's possible that you could find a home/property for sale somewhere in your area...cheaper than what you pay for boarding... :shock:

Hubby and I were driving around our area last Sunday and found at least 6 homes sitting empty with real estate signs in their yards. The real estate market in my area is hurting.. and there are alot of bargains to be found. A friend is visiting this week from South Bend Indianna. She said its the same up there. Its a buyers market right now.. in many places.

I wish you luck.. and pray something works out for you to where you can keep your horses.

[GeorgeGuns]

Wow, different perspective...

Food for thought: your daycare bill is my feed bill average for 12 horses. Ours are at home. Granted I have a marevellous hay guy.

You don't say now many horses you have - if its over 2 I'd cut back and look for property. There's plenty of moms with horses out there. Depending on what area you are in, (and if you are payig $1300/mo for just a few horses, it doesn't sound like a suffering area) your own house may be worth more than you think. Mortage companies can work wonders.

I agree with the credit counselling idea, just selling out is not always the answer or the only answer. Talk to someone, try to find someone that has experience with horses and knowledge about the real estate market, get your ducks in a row and then decide what to do.

[ASB.Immortality]

We have 6 horses. 3 in training barns, 2 at a boarding barn, & 1 in the pasture (no cost). I am looking to get ride of two of the ones in training barns & 1 at the boarding barn. That will leave my grouchy old man, Turbo, and my hubby's high dollar Breeder horse.

If everything stays going well, they are expecting him to win his class at the Celebration this year. If someone comes along & wants him, we will sell him. The price is high on him. We will just see what happens.

Oh, on the house phone... Alltel is a ripoff. Just basic phone services with the is over $60. They are a monopoly in our area so we don't have a choice. We just have our long distance with AT&T. Unlimited for $25 a month. So with the DSL, it makes it around $100 a month.

[jodiTowne]

Yep...6 horses is too many with a new baby. Enjoy being a MOM! And don't rush out to buy horse property. It will be a long time before what i spent on barn, equipment and fencing will make up for what I save on board. And I am forever needing someone to watch my young kids while I get a load of hay, fix fence, etc. What you are doing sounds very appropriate although leasing is a very good option if you have one you can't part with.

BTW...when are getting pics of your new baby????

[Mellifluous]

BTW...when are getting pics of your new baby????

We NEED pics of little Starlet! :D

[ASB.Immortality]

LOL!! I will post some when I get home this evening. I have a couple of goods ones. ;-)