I'm not even sure if I should be posting this because I feel I already know what the answer is going to be...

If I get a job, even a part time one.. do you think it'd be better for me to just try and work at putting the money I make toward paying off debt, putting some of it toward debt and saving the rest for braces, or just saving it for braces?

From what I remember bracse (for myself) will be around $7000. I definitely can't pay all that in one shot so, I'd be making payments (yay, more debt?) and insurance should cover part of it though. I'm just wondering what I should do, and if I should wait till more debt it said off the get braces.

Really, I've wanted/needed them for a long time and my parents never got them for me or my sisters, though they probably couldn't afford it anyway. I've wanted them for years, if for no other reason than well... it'd look a whole lot nicer. But I also found out at an orthodontist appiontment that... I have an overbite, which is why I grind my teeth when I sleep. While having braces I shouldn't grind my teeth, and braces will fix the overbite, and thus stop me from grinding my teeth (so they say). I almost feel like by not getting them... I'll be spending more money later down the road at the dentist.

Well the smart thing would probably be to pay off all your debt first and that is normally what I would recommend to people. However I think your situation is a little different. If your teeth currently hurt your self esteem, then I'd vote the split half and half. I just made my LAST orthodontia payment yesterday (YAY!!) and I was paying I think about $265 per month. All the people I know who do orthodontia usually do it in payment plans. So maybe figure out what you would make in a job and then figure out what part you could pay toward current debt if you set up a payment plan at the orthodontist. But the key would be to not increase your spending in other areas because you think "Oh well, now that I'm making extra money...." Just pay the orthodontist, pay the rest toward the debt, and soon you'll have both paid off. Just think of the braces as your reward for tackling your debt. Good luck!!

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As a 30 year old, I just had braces put on (for the second time) in December. I too have a severe overbite and crooked teeth on top (I had braces as a child, but my teeth shifted). My total cost of treatment came to $4400, with a requirement of half down at the beginning, and then $100 per month. I really don't have any advice for you as far as what you should do with your money if you get a job, I just wanted to let you know that most places do work with you and allow for payment plans. I would never have been able to get braces myself, except that my precious grandma offered to pay for them. It was all her idea and at first I said no because it's so much money, but her feelings were hurt so I accepted the offer. As an adult, my medical insurance would not cover any portion of the cost.

Braces are normally put on a payment plan w/ the orthodontist. They expect that. It's not a one-day thing for them - you have to go in for adjustments and check ups, so it is "pay as you go." Additionally, this is a debt that does not accrue interest like your credit cards do. So, don't worry about "more debt" on the braces, because it is in installments over a year or more. Definately do it, especially if your insurance covers part of it. Not only will it help your self esteem, but should you want to go back to work down the road some time, employers do look for people who they feel will represent the company well and first impressions play a role.