Some credit cards offer very tempting sign on bonus rewards in the form of points, cash back or even prizes. The problem is that these bonus programs may also come with a price, a very large price that can lead you into debt. Here is what you need to know. The reason that credit card sign on bonuses are so popular is because they work. There are some ridiculous rewards out there, and it seems silly not to take advantage of them. With any sign on bonus, as with anything having to do with credit cards, it is important to … Continue reading →

It is inevitable and slightly annoying. Whenever I go to make a purchase at a retail store, I am asked if I would like to apply for the store credit card. Some cashiers are nice about it. When I say no, they just nod their heads and go back to ringing up my purchases. Other cashiers I would like to strangle. I am talking about the cashier or the store employee who just won’t take no for an answer. The ones that ask you if you are sure several times in a row or the ones who give you the … Continue reading →

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 →

Getting out of debt can be an exciting journey and a worthwhile goal. Just imagine how free you will feel when you owe nothing and can basically live however you want to live. You’ll be able to keep all of that money that you current spend on interest on your debt and apply it to where you want it to go. When you first start down the path of getting out of debt, you’ll want to make sure that you have some support systems in place. Not only will these support systems help you to stay motivated and to stay … Continue reading →

There is no magic formula for getting out of debt, and many times there are tough choices to be made. In the end, it is all worth it, since the sacrifices can lead to greater good down the road. But still, when you are in the middle of the hard choices, and the last thing that you want to do is make them, life can be full of anxiety. We have one such choice we are facing right now. My daughter is a competitive figure skater. This is a sport that requires a bit of money to maintain. Although she … Continue reading →

If you find yourself in a situation where you cant pay all of your bills for the month, or several months, it is important that you have a plan. Some bills really are more important than others. Knowing what to pay first and what to pay next can mean the difference between losing your home or car and getting through a difficult time and then back on your feet. There are many options that you can take when you need to settle or discharge debt. Just make sure that you prioritize payments to the bills that can’t wait. Think about … Continue reading →

Many of us accept late fees as a matter of course. It is just one of those things. But, you should never have to pay late fees. There are two main reasons why late fees occur. The first is the fact that many families don’t have the money for all of their bills and need to juggle their different bills each month, deciding on which ones to pay. This can be a difficult situation, and it is an indicator of big trouble to come. If this is the reason that you or a loved one is incurring late fees, then … Continue reading →