Search Results for: blog why bother getting out of debt

It Is All About Saving Not Sacrificing

I had a bit of a let down this week. My kids have been wanting a certain piece of furniture, one of those Love Sac things that is part chair and part trampoline. Their cousins have one, as do a number of their friends. So, we dutifully went over to the mall to check them out and had some serious sticker shock. The sacs cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 each. Okay, that item was off the list. Every once in a while I check online to see if any used ones come up for sale. One did today, but … Continue reading →

To Get Out of Debt, Start Small

The bills are piling up in the corner of your desk, and it seems that every day the mail brings a new stack to deal with. Although the collection agencies haven’t started calling yet, you know that it is only a matter of time before they do. You want to get out of debt and get back on track, but the whole thing seems so overwhelming. Fortunately, it really doesn’t have to be. Just start small and go from there. Most financial advice about debt will guide you toward paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. This … Continue reading →

How to Find a Debt Counselor

If you need to dig yourself out of debt or a family budget that is stretched to the breaking point, you may want to consider having a little help to develop a plan and keep you on track. There is nothing embarrassing about using a debt counselor. If you are in debt, you are not alone. According to recent estimates, there are millions of Americans who are deep in debt. The important thing, of course is what they do about it. A debt counsellor will help you by taking a look at the big picture as well as the details. … Continue reading →

Why Bother Getting Out of Debt?

“Why should I bother getting out of debt?” is a question I got asked recently. The person I was talking to followed it up with, “I can pay my bills each month, so what does it matter if I have debt or my house isn’t paid off? Why should I live like I’m poor if I don’t have to?” “Ah-ha,” I thought at that last statement. “Why should I live like I’m poor..” The thing is, that when we are in debt, we are living as though we are poor, although it might not be obvious. We are telling the … Continue reading →

Don’t Tolerate Bullying By Bill Collectors

Are you feeling like you receive more phone calls from bill collectors than you’re your friends and family combined? Getting those calls can make you feel awful – chances are that you are well aware of the debt but you are simply not able to pay it at the present time. You may avoid picking up the phone because you do not feel like there is anything that you can do about the debt, so why bother. Unfortunately, bill collectors are allowed to call you in an attempt to collect money from you. Fortunately, there are rules that they must … Continue reading →

Dollar Store Budget Busters

I love a good sale; however, to save money when buying discounted merchandise, you really have to exercise self-control. Lack of self-restraint is one of the biggest reasons many people overspend when they are shopping at a sale, or even a Dollar Store. Or in my case, especially a Dollar Store. I challenge anyone to walk into a Dollar Store with the intent to purchase a single item and not leave with a basket full of other junk. I fail every.single.time. Why is it that I can’t go into that store to buy one can of rug cleaner and leave … Continue reading →

How to Have a No-Spend Month

Interested in challenging yourself to go without spending anything for an entire month? Accomplishing such a goal can be something to brag about. If you want to try a no-spend month, you might want to do just a little research and preparation. This way, you’ll be more likely to be successful. Here are my tips for having your own no-spend month. Visit the Library Head over to your local library and take out a bunch of cookbooks. Skip the ones that use a lot of complicated ingredients as well as the ones that you a lot of processed food. Why? … Continue reading →

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget

When it comes to frugal living, fresh inspiration is often hard to find. Oh sure, we do what we can, from attempting a budget to washing out baggies in order to save money. Often, the problem, though, is that we aren’t armed with a solid start to finish plan. Crystal Paine’s book, The Money Saving Mom’s Budget gives you that plan, and explains the importance behind each step. I haven’t seen anything this good since Amy Dacyczyn’s The Tightwad Gazette, a book on frugal living that has now pretty much obtained cult status. Paine’s book, however, is updated with more … Continue reading →

Are You Afraid of Wealth?

Yes, it’s true—some people hold themselves back from attaining wealth because they are afraid of it. I’ve heard people say that they worry about becoming a different person, that they don’t want people making friends with them in hopes of getting favors, that they don’t want to be targeted by gold diggers, and, the most common of all, they fear that being wealthy is somehow unrighteous. It is true that we tend to view others differently when we know how much money they make. That’s kind of natural in our society. Many people choose to keep their actual earnings to … Continue reading →

What Type of Bankruptcy Should I File?

I would always counsel Frugal Living and Debt Reduction before filing bankruptcy, but what if you really don’t have any choice? While filing for bankruptcy can really decimate your good credit for a long time, it can also give you the breathing space that you need to start over, to rebuild a healthy financial future as you learn to live at or below your means. There are two forms of bankruptcy that are open to you: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. While you should talk to a lawyer to find out if either of these options are best for you, … Continue reading →