Facing debt is usually not a fun thing to do. As a result of that, many of us are in denial about how much debt we have, how much we actually owe. As one friend told me while she was writing yet another check for her daughter’s expensive extracurricular activities, “I just don’t want to know how much I’m spending. I know I’m in debt and probably won’t get out of it, so why worry?” Well, there are very good reasons to worry. First of all, if your debt gets too large, you could lose everything, including your home. Second … Continue reading →

We have been without our main car for a week now, and we still have another two weeks to go before we get it back. Meanwhile, we are driving our oldest vehicle, a 1998 SUV, and driving it only when we have to. It has been an adventure. With one car seat and two booster seats in the back, the car is cramped, and someone always seems to wind up with an elbow in the eye or a foot in the back. The air conditioner is loud and noisy and only cools the car if the temperature is below 80 … Continue reading →

Are you getting a tax refund? Here is what to do and what not to do with it. Many people get excited about their tax refunds, usually relying on them to fund a new purchase or to to give them a chance to have a little fun money. But what these people don’t realize is that the tax refund shouldn’t be viewed as free spending money. It didn’t manifest from nowhere but was actually a “loan” to the government in which the government paid no interest. If you do have a sizable refund coming to you, that is great news … Continue reading →