Sweet Sixteen

Like a snowball rolling down the mountainside, this has started to gain momentum. Day 16 and the running total is $88.47. It's all downhill from here. One thing that hasn't been discussed too much lately is communication services. Yes, that means the landline. What once was a necessary item in the American home is losing its stronghold. I should know: I was the third generation of telephone employees. My grandfather retired from Michigan Bell (which started out as Bell Telephone back in the grand old days of the telephone monopoly), my father retired from AT&T (although it was SBC after it was Southwestern Bell), and I attempted to be the black sheep of the family but because there was a need to eat, I succumbed and worked for Verizon (I was hired by GTE, but my first paycheck was from Verizon).

Cellular phones were once considered a luxury and now they are extremely prevalent. When I worked for Verizon from 2000-2006, I witnessed first-hand the demise of the landline. For Internet services, it was just about the only way to hook up. It was first through slow 56K dial up modems. If you wanted the ability to receive incoming phone calls while you were checking your email (and boy, was service slow back then), you often had to have second telephone line. I know, because that is exactly what we did. A second phone line was installed so that my wife and I could be on the internet at the same time. That was before DSL which gave you the ability to be online and on the telephone at the same time.

Telephone service has come down in price as the demand has dwindled. Sure, there are less populated areas that only have a connection to the Internet via phone line. There are satellite services and cable services that allow you to do away with your landline completely. Whereas we used to pay over $100 a month for our landlines alone, phone service is now through our cable company and we, through technology, can have two or more connections to the Internet simultaneously.

Do you need to have a phone line? It used to be that it was for safety that it was considered necessary, but with the popularity of cell phones, most people have one and use it exclusively for their communication needs. I cannot recall the last time that I took a call on our landline. I never give the number out as I exclusively use my cell phone which has built in voicemail so I never lose a call. You may be able to save the money that you spend for a landline to help erase your credit card debt. You simply have to weigh the pros and cons. It may come to the point where the cons outweigh the pros and you find that it is less expensive to go with an upgraded cellular plan than it is to hold on to the landline. That is an individual decision, but when it comes to saving money, you have to take a hard look at everything in your life.

Until tomorrow, have a great day!

Fifteen and We Are Halfway There

Wow, still going and the savings add up. Now the total stands at $80.14 and the sweet scent of success can be felt. Last night, a pot of black-eyed peas and rice was scrounged up that will make 4 or 5 meals for the next few days. Not only are those items low cost to purchase (they were already in the pantry), but they are low-fat options for taking my lunch to my day job (which solves a couple of issues at one time). If you work at a job which has a refrigerator available that you can take your lunch in and save money, here are some ideas that you could use that will allow you to survive the day without blowing your budget or diet.
* Try making a pot of soup (better, for some reason, in the cooler months of the year). You can find some great recipes out on the Internet such as places like recipes.com.
*There is always the good old sandwich routine. Buy a loaf of bread, a package of lunch meat and perhaps even some cheese. You will be able to make quite a few meals that work out to be less than $1.00 a meal. When I was a kid, we often would be packed a peanut butter or bologna sandwich. Hey, it has worked for people for years.
* Make some casseroles and take the leftovers. I haven't been as good with eating leftovers until the past few years. Who says that a good meal can only be eaten once?
* There is always a bowl of low-cost ramen noodles. There is a wide host of recipes available as well.
* Frozen dinners and pot-pies give another low-cost option. There is no need to spend a fortune when many of the "bargain" meals can run right at $1.00 per dinner (Hint: You need to keep your eyes open for deals at your local grocery store or Wal-Mart. Look online for specials and coupons as well.

Keep up your success and you will find the money that has been mysteriously slipping between your fingers! You can then eliminate your credit card debt.

Have a great day! Visit my website if you like.

Fourteen = Two Weeks

It is difficult to imagine, but now it is at the fourteen day mark (only shopped for perishables) and the savings now stand at $71.81. That's $71.81 that can be used to eliminate credit card debt and push further toward the path of being debt-free. A few years ago, if one would have asked for $71.81 (okay, let round it to $70) in two weeks time, I would have thought that it would have been impossible to come up with the extra money, but now i am learning that the money is there, you just have to be wiser with the spending of it.

You can find "extra" money as well. You see, you just have to look for it, and you will most assuredly find it. As people are fond of saying that "you do what you have to do", once the mindset is there to save money/pay off credit card debt, the doors will open wide. You will think twice about buying a candy bar on impulse at the checkout lane of the grocery store or when picking up a box of nails from Home Depot: that "only a buck" will add up to wasted money in the long haul. Stores count on consumers to pick up things on impulse. Usually those items are marked up slightly (yes, I can remember when candy bars were bigger and cost only a quarter) if not a lot. Why do you think that there are impulse items at the checkout lanes of Wal-Mart? It certainly isn't that we need those items, it is that the stores need us to help line their pockets with a little more of our hard earned money.

Stand your ground! Buy only what you need and make do on less so that you can enjoy life more. I have lived most of my entire life from paycheck to paycheck when, in retrospect, I could have done without the soda and still lived, and had a lot more to show for life. You can too! I am just trying to be a guide for you (it is the teacher in me that wants to share this with you).

Here's to a happy, successful and financially worry-free life!

(visit here for a free report)

Is Thirteen Unlucky?

Day 13 and now the savings are at $63.47 for the 30 day period. There has only been the need to go to the store for perishables and the excitement builds as the potential savings mounts. Breakfast portrays one of the most important meals of the day, yet it also represents what is normally the least-expensive one. It is a good way to start off your day nutritionally as well as financially. After all, the 30 day goal is to see how much one can save to eliminate credit card debt.

I am not becoming more frugal because I have to: I am beginning to enjoy it because I can. There is a great satisfaction because I am not living as if there is no alternative to being a frugal, money-conscious person, I am starting to gain immense satisfaction knowing that I can live on less, I can save money, and I can demolish my credit card debt which has been suffocating me lo these long years.

Most people drive a car, unlike my father's mother who never drove a day in her life (she didn't need to). One small way that you can save money is something that is often overlooked; your tires. It is important to keep your tires properly inflated because estimates show that that you can cost six cents a gallon. I drive about 300 miles a week. At 22 miles per gallon on my car, my weekly gas consumption is around 13 gallons per week, with a potential savings of $0.81 for the week, or roughly $43 a year. That's $1,075 in 25 years. Every little thing adds up, just be aware of all the ways that you can save so that you can be debt free and financially free faster than you originally though possible.

Have a great day!

Cheaper By the Dozen

It's the name of a popular 2003 remake of a movie. As the name implies, things may be cheaper by the dozen. That is true, but you have to watch and make sure. When saving money for elimating your credit card debt, it may be best to purchase some things in bulk (I will explain shortly). I am attempting to show some simple ways that you can save money so that your hard-earned money will go further and that you can make smart decisions so that you can help eliminate credit card debt from your life.

First, an update: No groceries were purchased yesterday so the twelve day savings now stands at $55.14 (and we have not even reached the halfway point). There will more than likely be an adjustment to the budget for food expenses (a decrease) an a corresponding increase to the budget for eliminating credit card debt!

Now, on to the explanation promised earlier. Let's imagine that you need to buy eggs (eggs are a low-cost food item and are also used in a variety of recipes). The grocery store has three selections: a six-pack for $0.79, a dozen for $1.29, and 18 for $1.67. You hover in the decision because you do go to the grocery store often, so it isn't like they aren't accessible or seasonal. Doing the serious math you can break the cost per egg down to (figures are rounded) to $0.13 (six), $0.11 (12), or $0.09 (18). The cost between each egg is fairly insignificant, but remember that EVERY PENNY COUNTS!! In the world of money, one must be penny-wise. Retailers cound on us to not worry about a few cents. If they have 1,000 customers a day, four cents per customer is $40.00 a day. That means $14,600 a year. And that is just one item.

So, be wise, take the time to do some math (most cell phones have a calculator feature on them) and watch every cent so that it will add up to dollars in savings and you can use those dollars to help eliminate your credit card debt. (Please visit my website)

Two Steps Forward . . .

It was bound to happen eventually: there was a need to feed a vice that is in my life. There is an addiction that I have that, although the intensity isn't what it used to be (nor the cost), still is fed. As it has been mentioned before, I have spent thousands of dollars over the years on Diet Coke. At least I have now cut it down to one 12-ounce can a day and the purchase is made in bulk rather than buying a fountain one of 64 or 128 ounces. I went to the grocery store for soda and perishables. This will be enough for a month, but $19.86 was spent at the grocery store. That brings the monthly savings down to $58.33. Still an admirable achievement considering that there is still 19 days left (and plenty of food remaining).

But I still have a burning desire to eliminate credit card debt.

Who knows, I may give up the Diet Coke habit entirely.

I want to talk today about how a small amount (usually pennies a day) is earned. There is a site called InboxDollars on which I earn about $0.03 - $0.08 a day. It isn't much, but it does add up. Here is how it works: Everyday, I get 2-4 emails daily that has an advertiser in it. I visit the site and I get a few cents. They also have offers there (be careful because not everything is as good as it sounds). I have already received one check for $30+ and it is making an extremely small dent in the credit card debt. It costs nothing to join. There is even a referral program in which you earn a percentage of what your referrals earn. (I have none, this has been a solo effort so far.) If you are interested in becoming a referral, just email me, and I could help you get set up.

Every penny counts. It is when you add up all the pennies, you get dollars and dollars become a way to pay down your credit card debt. Remember when it was mentioned that you begin to develop a mindset that you find ways to save a few cents here, a few cents there and it adds up. Being more mindful of your expenses is not being cheap, it is not being miserly, but it is being wise with what you earn.

Here's to your getting wisdom in your life. If you please, visit my website.

A Perfect 10

Wow, one third of the way there and so far, so good. It will take a bit of a ding today because there is one vice that I have (and thank goodness it isn't the expensive habit of smoking): I enjoy a can of Diet Coke in the mornings. I used to buy a bottle of Diet Coke from the local convenience store and waste a buck on there, but now it is a can from a case that I buy occasionally that costs closer to $0.25. That is a savings of $273.75 per year. I am not ready to give up that habit yet, but it may come to that. I know that consumption has been trimmed by at least half.

But we are hear to help you free up money in which to eliminate your credit card debt. Yesterday, we talked about saving with your cellular phone plan. Let's talk about television/cable/satellite spending.

Since the television bill is being paid today, let's talk about television/entertainment spending. Do you need 150 channels and seven channels of HBO and Cinemax. How many movies can you watch at one time? If you are like most people, there are probably a core set of about 4 to 7 channels that you watch on a regular basis. You could easily spend $150 a month on cable or satellite (depending on where you live). I called up my satellite provider and simply asked them if there was any way that I could lower my bill because I was getting a better offer from their competitor. They found me a lower package that got all of the channels that I regularly watch plus I got a three-month free trial of Cinemax. Now, I have a bill of around $70 a month (there are three receivers) and my bill is cut nearly in half. Sometimes, all you have to do is ask. Because competition is so fierce out there, they will be willing (usually) to cut you some sort of a deal.

But, you have to ask.

Keep in touch, look for savings everywhere you go so that you can free up money to eliminate your credit card debt. Please visit my website (I have been challenged to have 1,000 visitors in the next week, just visit is all I ask)

Nine is Fine

It is hard to believe that we are up to day nine of the challenge to not spend money at the grocery store needlessly and the total savings now stand at $61.52. And that is just one category that most have each and every month. That savings, after the month, will be used to help eliminate credit card debt. It is amazing that there is so much waste in our lives that we are sitting on abundance when it seems like we are sucked deeper and deeper into financial ruin.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Let's talk briefly about saving on cellular phone service. Fifteen years ago, there weren't that many cell phones (or cell phone companies) around to choose from and you paid a lot for very little. That has changed. You get a lot more talk time for less money than when the cellular phones started to hit the market. It is difficult to go anywhere without seeing people with cell phones in the hands or on their persons. You don't have to spend as much as most do. If you take the time to analyze your cell usage, you may find that you are paying for more than you need. Do you really need everything that is available for your phone? Probably not.

A good tool to use is a cellular phone plan comparison like here. You can find cellular plans that will get you what you need while not paying for what you don't need. I was paying for a much bigger plan than I needed that had over 1,000 minutes of anytime calling. I didn't use nearly that much and went to a smaller plan that saved about $25 a month, or $300 a year. In twenty years, I would have paid $6,000 more than I needed.

$6,000! That would make a dent in the credit card debt and will go a long way. And that is one one small area of saving. You can do it too. Simply spend less than you make and eliminate things that you don't need.

For more ideas, please visit my website.

Have a GREAT day!

Eight Is Great

No groceries were bought yesterdy, but money was spent out of the grocery fund. Let there be an explanation presented. We were presented with an opportunity to go to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game after work, which we gladly did. Lunch was prepared from home, so that part of the day was planned. There was no time for supper, so dinner was purchased at the ball park (sans soda) for $10.50. It was Hardee's (one of my favorites), so on day 8, the total saved on food stands at $53.19, still a respectible amount.

Rarely is the splurge for entertainment used and money was actually saved in the process. Again, an explanation is in order. Because the economy is not as robust as it should be, the powers that be at the St. Louis Cardinals deemed that some money was better than no money and tickets for weeknight games could be purchased at a 10 for the price of 5 offer. In the rising cost of professional baseball tickets, particularly with new stadiums to finance, this is a welcome relief.

You see, you have to be in the mindset to save money because opportunities will present themselves that never have been there before. Now, you will find yourself looking for coupons in the newspaper (if your city still has one), online, and wherever you happen to be. You will develop the attitude of looking for bargains, and because you have more discretionary funds available (even after diligently paying down your high-interest credit cards) to use to save money.

Hold your head up! Success is closer than you think! (visit my website if you please)

Lucky Number Seven

Day 7 of the challenge and a trip was made to the grocery store. So it was for a gallon of milk ($2.98 including tax). That leaves the balance now remaining of money saved so far as $55.35. Not bad for one week. It used to be that a stop would be made for something like a Taco Bell combo meal for around $5.00 when I would get off work from my second job. Not only is it financially healthier to fix something at home, but it is far healthier for the body than a daily meal at a fast food joint.

I have to admit that my parents were right. They raised me to be frugal and we didn't needlessly consume any extras. Money was probably not tight, but we had a budget for everything and unnecessary expenses were nipped in the bud if possible. One point in particular was that groceries were expertly planned and purchased. My brother loved juice, but we were allotted one small glass a day. One of the first things he purchased after he got a high school job at Ken's Pizza, now known as Mazzio's, was a container of orange juice. He poured himself a big glass of that juice and drank it in front of my parents, much to their chagrin.

The case in point is that my parents were brought up to save money where you could, buy only what you needed, sort of a waste not, want not mindset. They tried in vain to instill that in me, and 25 years later, I finally get it. It is better to spend less than you make and I am trying to instill that virtue in those that I come in contact with. Credit card debt can ruin your life both financially and emotionally.

We shall overcome. Please visit my website.

The Ants Go Marching Six by Six

Now a milestone has been struck: it is now day six of the thirty day experiment to clean out the pantry, fatten the wallet, and eliminate credit card debt (at least it will lower it a bit in the process). We are now sitting on the morning of the sixth day. Since I have to work both jobs today and there is food already prepared for my lunch/dinner, there won't be a need to shop at the grocery store. Savings stand at $50.00.

When you develop the mindset to seriously eliminate your credit card debt and begin to save in earnest, you will find ways to eliminate the excess. One place that is used for a timely source of saving (along with tax advice, freebies, etc.) is Dolans.com. There you can find some handy calculators (beside the one provided by David Bach, the Latte Factor). You will find it an easy read and a great source for all things financial. As you become more sensitive to the use of your money and finding sources of ways to save your hard-earned cash, you will begin to notice that there really is a great source of information out there in Internet-land for your having.

Saving money will become more of a way of life and less of a burdon for you. It doesn't have to be a chore, and you will see ways that you used to spend needlessly. No longer will you be a slave to credit cards and rising credit card debt, but, without too much effort, you will be able to live better with what you have.

Here's to a great life!! (Visit my website)

And Now For Day Five

Okay, so this post got out a little bit late. The time has rolled now to five days and no grocery shopping. It turned out that milk did not need to be purchased, so the spending for grocery in the past five days stands at zero ($0.00). The savings so far has added up to $41.67. And we are 1/6th of the way through.

Some may be wondering why the infatuation with food. Food is one this that everybody has to have to survive. Most people eat every day whether they are rich or poor. You probably ate today. While everyone has to have food, food represents the one area that savings can be realized from. Name brand food is definitely more expensive that the store brand, but, if it is used as an ingredient (like in a pot of soup or a stew), chances are that you will not notice the difference. Save a buck here, a buck there, and soon you have found the extra money that you need to pay down your credit card debt. If you need more free information, you can always sign up here.

Another reason is that it is easier to maintain a good weight eating things that cost less. It is definitely cheaper to eat at home rather than picking up food at the drive through. It is healthier for you as well. Take the 30 day challenge and see how much money you can free up. This is now money that can be used to pay down debt, save for the future, fund some put-off medical expenses...whatever your heart desires.

To have more money, you simply need to spend less than you make. You can either save money or make more. For ideas, you can always go to my website or even click here.

Here is to your success!

So Far, So Good

Four days and counting. Today will be the day that some milk will have to be purchased, but so far no grocery shopping. At $8.33 per day for groceries, the potential savings (and subsequent debt pay down) stands at $33.33. And that is only in four days.

When you develop the mindset to eliminate your credit card debt, there seems to be so many little things that can be done to get you to where you want to be. Save a few cents here, clip a coupon there, eat less (and being gravity-enhanced, it is a good thing to decrease your size)...there are so many things that, on the onset, seem trivial and trite, but they weave together to form unbreakable cables of strength that you never knew that you had.

There are occasions that my family goes out to eat. It used to be a daily occurrence, but now, most food is eaten at home. One thing that I know adds up is merely the price of a soda. Twenty years ago, a soda with your meal might be 75 cents, but $1.79 seems to be the going rate, even at McDonald's. With a family of four, it could be $7.16 + tax that could be saved, or, at once a week, it figures to $372.32 + tax. I don't know about you, but I always could use an extra $372. Now I know where to find it.

You are always welcome to visit my website or for a great program to help you eliminate your credit card debt, click here.

Open That Mail

If you are like most Americans, you receive offers each and every week in your mailbox (and inbox for your email) that offers you a lower rate, late rate balance transfer, or you get your credit card statement in the mail. Not reading this "junk" mail may make it more difficult to eliminate your credit card debt. Don't resist the urge to throw it all away, you may want to read it and keep it. Here is why:

* The credit card company that you currently have may have made a change to your original terms and conditions. Normally, when dealing with contracts, parties have to go back to court o have the conditions modified. Not so with credit card companies. Changes rarely work in your favor. Believe me.
* Your due date may be changed. Rather that your credit card being due on the 15th of the month as you are used to, but now it is due on the 13th. If you are like most, you may not notice and you will be stuck with a late fee, which is pure profit for the credit card company.
* Another card may offer a no-fee, no-interest period in which to transfer your accounts. This may be a useful tool in negotiating with your current card carrier for a lower rate. Just ask!
* The rate may be changing from a fixed to a variable from a fixed. Variable rates are able to be changed at the discretion of the credit card company, and whom do you think it will favor? If you said "me", you are WRONG!!

Although it can be somewhat time consuming to check your mail, it may be beneficial. Keep up the good work, and you can free yourself of credit card debt.

You are always welcome to visit my website.

Two Down, Twenty-Eight To Go

So, here it is and two days of the challenge that I set for myself have now passed. Luckily, there were no perishables yet to purchase (but that will change by the weekend) and the pantry slowly gets cleaned out and the savings slowly add up. For those of you mathematically inclined, it works out to be $8.33 a day that I have budgeted for food. With two days of no grocery shopping, it now stands at $16.67. This is money that will be used to pay do credit card debt and bring it closer to the day when there is no more credit card debt.

You have to watch everything that goes on about credit card interest rates, terms. No longer will you throw away the mail thinking that it is merely junk when it may be a letter that is informing you of an important change to your credit card terms and conditions. I received one of those letters once and am glad that it was read. It seems that the card was changing from being a fixed rate (I believe that it was 8%) to being a variable rate. Keep in mind that this was back when the interest rates were on the rise and it was going to mess up what I thought was going to be a set amount due each month to a varying amount. When I ran through the numbers, it was going to end up costing more in the long run. I wrote the issuing bank and said “no thanks” to the change, and they ended up closing the account.

If I would have only knew the things that I do now, I would have opened each and every statement that I got to make sure that I wasn’t being taken advantage of. Credit card companies know that most people don’t even read through their mail and they count on that so that they can make more money, either in interest or in penalties. Think that your bill is due on the 3rd of each month? You had better check your mail to make sure that they didn’t make it the 1st. That way the credit card company could stick you with a late penalty, which is nothing but pure profit for them.

For a great program that you can use to pay less and eliminate your credit card debt, click here or visit my website.

Batter Up!

It’s baseball season and all of your favorite teams are geared up (or are in the process). Are you ready for some financial fitness? When you are on the journey to eliminate your credit card debt, why not make it a game? Yesterday’s blog (Here’s A Game To Play) outlined my quest to clean out my pantry and only shop for perishables. So far, so good (ok, ok, it has only been one day).

Seriously, I look to have an extra $150 to pay down my credit card debt and get me closer to being free, and what a feeling that will be! Don’t you believe that you deserve that same feeling? I truly believe that everybody can achieve that state in your financial life. No longer do you need to be held captive by the pirates of penalties and the icons of interest. The key is to TAKE ACTION and TAKE ACTION NOW to eliminate credit card debt. It doesn’t have to be a start from standing still to running a marathon, but it has to start somewhere. Sure you could swing for the fences and hit a homerun, but perhaps you should start by hitting singles.

The key to success in any plan is to simply begin. TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Here's A Game To Play

Much of what is said here is serious business. After all, we are talking about credit card debt elimination. That subject alone could make a grown man cry. I have a game for you that I will try for one month and let you know what the results are. My pantry and freezer are pretty well stocked right now and I am willing to bet that I could go a month without going to the grocery store except for perishable items like milk. Personally, I have budgeted $240.00 dollars a month for groceries and am pretty good at staying well within budget. I will shop on the day that the local grocery has the special of $10 off a purchase of $50 or more, no coupon required. I have stocked up quite a bit and was extremely diligent at spending just over $50 so that I could easily get a higher percentage off.

Here’s the deal: For the next month, I am not going to buy groceries except for perishable items for the next month. The money that I have budgeted for groceries that I don’t spend, I will use to eliminate my credit card debt. My goal is to clean out the pantry and, at the same time, save some serious cash and deepen the savings habit. I look forward to the day when I can be as Martin Luther King Jr. and proclaim “free at last, free at last…”. You too can be free as well.

Visit my website for more information.

The Bill Is HOW Much?

Nobody likes surprises like getting a bill that runs higher than expected. When I worked customer service for a major telephone company, we would be deluged with calls from customers whose first bill was much higher than normal. They probably failed to register in their minds that the first bill includes the installation charge, plus prorated fees (that company charged a month in advance for your service and then, when you left, refunded any extra that they had collected). Credit card debt can be much the same way.

You have to read the fine print. When applying for a credit card, though, how many people actually do that? Usually there is a clause concerning universal default rate stating that the credit card company has the right, at their discretion, to increase you rate if you are late on a payment. That payment doesn't necessarily have to be with that particular company, it can be any payment. It isn't fair, but because you signed the agreement, they can stick it to you.

The best way to avoid this and stay out of further credit card debt?: Pay your bills on time. In this economy, money can be tight, but it is important to take care of things before they get worse. One of the reasons I took a second (or third) job was to ensure that I could eliminate my credit card debt once and for all. It doesn't have to be a glamorous job either. Even though I now have an MBA, it isn't below me to be a cashier or to clean buildings...whatever it takes.

Just keep at it, keep track of your progress and stick to a plan. You can succeed!

The Best Laid Plans

Eliminating your credit card debt takes a conscious effort. Not having a plan will result in you having less success of ever freeing yourself of clutches of high interest and outrageous fees and will take longer to pay off. The credit card companies plan on that. Why? Because they make more money from you and millions of othes. Why would they have your interests at heart? It's all about their bottom line. You are just merely one of millions of their customers. It is no wonder that credit card companies are so flush with cash.

You must have the long-term in mind. Resist the urge to satisfy your craving for a quick meal from the fast food restaurant (and charging it). How? Planning ahead. If you plan as much of your meals and expenses ahead of time, there will be less need to act impulsively. That's why I recommend using a service like mint.com. By using a debit card (one that has online access), they will track your spending and will display your results showing how much of your money is spent on various things. It has certainly helped me to curb some of those poor habits. Now, by planning ahead, I have meals that I can easily assemble and take for work, and where I would often stop by a fast food restaurant for breakfast on my commute to work, I have planned ahead, had an inexpensive meal at home and my coffee is at work (free) when I get there.

You can do it!

Better Late Than Never?

That's a phrase that you should eliminate from your vocabulary when it comes to eliminating your credit card debt. While there is some truth to the old adage, the credit card companies would lead you to believe that everything's going to be alright.

Here is three reasons why you should strive to make your payments on time:
* Late Fees - when you are late with a payment (the credit card companies are getting more and more strict about reception of "their" money) you can be hit with a late fee from anywhere to $10 all the way up to $49. If you carry five credit cards, that could add up to an extra $247 a month or $1,225 a year. This extra money does not to help lower your balance, but it does help make the credit card companies some extra pure profit.
* Higher Interest Rates For All - Being even a hour late on some cards will "allow" the cards to raise your interest rate, sometimes over 20%, even if you thought that you were enjoying the low introductory rate. More money for them, less freedom for you.
* Credit Scores - One of the factors that goes into a credit score is the timeliness of your payments. Make those payments on time, your assumed credit risk stays lower and you can end up saving thousands of dollars on loans, particularly with big-ticket items like a house or car.

You should know what your credit score is, and it is much easier today than it was twenty years ago. You might try places like freecreditreport.com.

Take a Long Look

Sometimes you need to look at the big picture. That's a challenge for today's short-sited, instant-gratification-minded individuals. This can help contribute to money problems and quickly increase your credit card debt.

I am somewhat picky on athletic shoes. Some will recall my days as a runner when I would log 30-50 miles in a week. I didn't wear cheap shoes. I believe that a well-constructed shoe will serve you better in the long run (pun intended). Although I don't run now, I still don't skimp on shoes I wear at my second job working as a cashier in a large home improvement store. I personally wear New Balance 621s. They fit well, and my feet are not sore after working an 8-hour shift. The challenge? They cost around $90 when not on sale. A smart thing was done when I decided to comparison shop online at google and shopzilla and I found my shoes for $49.99 a pair. That was a savings of around $40. But there was shipping of $14.99 and that cut the savings down to $25. Not bad, but I knew that I could do better. I finally found a deal that if you bought pair, you could get shipping free at footlocker so I scraped up $149.97 and now I have shoes for three years. In the long term, it saved me some serious money that I could use to help eliminate my credit card debt.

Think long term, and you too could save some serious money that you can use to help you get out of credit card debt. For more, visit my website (currently under a bit of reconstruction).

The Past Can Rise Up

It seems as if the past has begun to come back. When you think about it, what is done now can have lasting effects in your future life. I believe that part of what I am now is because of things that happened in the past. I am in such dire straights now because of a carefree attitude with money that was lived in the past. As a teacher (that is what my undergraduate degree is in) I thought that I had it made. My first year as a teacher (in 1986) the beginning salary for a teacher in my state was $18,000. I thought that I was in heaven because I was making a lot of money and I had a credit card with a limit of $2,000, an unheard of amount. I was excellent at making my minimum (often more) monthly payment. Then came the first divorce. I inherited some of the pots and pans, the new car, and all of the debt. It almost killed me financially and I had contemplated letting the car be voluntarily repossessed, but my parents (bless them) would hear nothing of it. Without asking for any money (it was a taboo discussion in the household), I was given the opportunity to keep the car with a loan (which was not that much money in retrospect). With a credit union loan, I was able to pay off credit cards and start fresh.

The only challenge was that now I had new limits on the cards, and I choose foolishly to charge things onto the credit card, furthering my pain. I bought a brand new bike (non-motorized) and spent nearly $800 on it (in 1987). If course, it went on the mastercard (and the number is still memorized although the card has long been closed) and the woes began. I know that others live that way. On the surface everything is fine, but underneath there is toil and stress. I liken that to a beautiful, graceful swan that, on the surface of the water, is gliding along oh so smoothly, but underneath that swan is paddling it's feet like mad. Nobody saw the turmoil.

Credit card debt can easily engulf you and destroy you. But, you don't have to let it. There is help available. My website soon will have more content to assist there.

Not Where, But What

Sometimes it is just how a phrase is considered that will begin to show a shift in your thinking about money, credit card debt elimination, ... life. I knew that the shift had begun when the question on the way shifted from being "where are we having dinner?" to "what are we having for dinner?" Let me set one thing straight, I am not a sexist that asks that his wife cook his dinner and have it ready when I walk in the door, like those from a different era. Quite the opposite is true: I love to cook and I do not mind cooking dinner and have even gone as far as cooking the traditional holiday meals. But there was a problem. Because of poor planing convenience was chosen over practicality and frugality. The nightly evening meal would often be eaten at a restaurant (there is somwhat of an aversion to fast food), so there would be a meal most nearly every night charged to the credit card. Big mistake. Not only was this meal setting us back $25-$30 each evening (on average $150 per week. or roughly $7,500 per year) it was being put on a credit card on which the minimum monthly payment was aroun $100 per month. (You can see how the debt quickly grew by leaps and bounds because since the minimum payment was being made, it was was gaining interest at around 22%...OUCH!!).

A change had to be made. It is said that "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail". True. Saving money and getting out of credit card debt is important to you, you will need to shift your thinking to do more planning. Plan out your meals in advance so that you will not have to run to the store or make a quick drive-through stop. Believe me when I tell you that stopping that mindset will free up money to pay down your credit card debt, or, if you are one of the few that have no credit card debt, it will free up money to invest for the future. Keep the faith!

Visit my website.

The Frugal Lifestyle

Sometimes, in your quest to live life without spending excessively, people may call you a cheapskate, a tightwad, or worse. Maybe I've developed a bit of tough skin over this, but it really doesn't matter anymoe. What's funny is that these values were embraced by those of different generations. Growing up, my parents were never rich in things, but were rich in values and friendships. The tried to pass these values down to their children. Being the prodigal son, I was not always willing to adopt the same values and lifestyles, but as I grow older, I realize that a lot that they were attempting to teach me were the right things. Looking back (while looking forward at the same time), here are some things that have been learned:

* If you truly want it, save for it - there is no better feeling than seeing something that you want and saving for it little by little. If you truly want it, you will still want it by the time that you have saved enough to pay for it. Instant gratification is nice, but things have a tenency not to mean as much if you see it, grab it, charge it, and pay for it for a long time.
* Don't spend too much for things you need - mom was a great budgeter and she always kept her eye open for a good value. She had a budget and stuck to it.
* Waste not, want not - items were purchased for a reason and waste was not an option
* Buy quality, not quantity - mom and dad were not "brand buyers". I was not brought up to "need" to wear Nike shoes or Levi's jeans. Mom always bought quality clothes that lasted and didn't look too bad.
* Save for a rainy day - As I get older, it makes more sense, because sometimes life has a way of happening: your car may need shocks and struts (especially if you purchase a used car), the plumbing may stop up (and you cannot fix it yourself), your glasses may get broken, or something may need to be done that you don't normally expect. I now have a savings account online that pays a decent rate and the money is accessible if I truly need it.

Be wise, or as Spock would say, "Live long and prosper." Visit my website.

What Are You Wearing?

I would be a clothes horse if I had the money. That is only a fraction of the reason why I have embarked on a credit card debt elimination program. You can spend a fortune on clothes unnecessarily. Men who have ever shopped at places like Men's Wearhouse will tell you that you can buy some clothes of outstanding quality, but also of less than the cost of a fine car. Truth be told, their quality is not to be beat, but since I couldn't afford to purchase from their without using a credit card, a credit card is what I used. I have learned that people don't really judge you completely on what you wear. I work in an office that has a dress code of business casual (although some definitely stretch the definition of casual). I may be a bit old fashioned, but I will still wear a dress shirt and a tie. The difference now is that I don't feel as if I have to go to the high end.

Shop at discount clothiers. Watch the sales ads for places like Kohls or Target and you will save money (that you can use to pay off credit card debt). If there is an outlet mall near you, you can even save on good quality clothing without paying top dollar. What is important is that you are not spending money unnecessarily and you use the saving to build a nest egg once you have eliminated your credit card dependence. The key is to look good, but spend well.

For a great credit card debt elimination program, click here. For a credit article and more, visit my website.

Savings Online

Sifting through the inbox of my email, I noticed there were quite a few on saving money online. I found some great sites that will be able to save you some money in your quest to eliminate credit card debt.
* CoolSavings.com - grocery coupons and more
* Coupons.com - more grocery coupons
* eBates.com and MoreRebates.com - ways to save with online rebates
* PriceGrabber.com and Smarter.com - online price comparison sites
* CouponCode.com - a way to find the coupon codes that are asked for at many popular sites
* MoneyMailer.com and ValPak.com - instant access to the coupons that you get in the mail, but may have misplaced.

Be sure to use the money that you save online to eliminate your credit card debt and move toward financial independence.

Visit my website.

I’m Gonna Wash That….

That was the beginning of a popular song from "South Pacific", a musical from the great Rogers and Hammerstein. Of course, if you are younger, you probably remember if from a popular commercial for some shampoo. We will look at some ways to share on hair care today. There was a time when the cash was a little more flush and I would lay down $10 for a big bottle of Aussie Mega shampoo. I bought it at Sam's Club and because I was buying it in such a large quantity there was a perceived bargain. Twenty-five years later, I realize that it really isn't worth all that. Here are how to save on that and have more money for paying down your credit card debt and continue to eliminate the balances that you may have on credit cards: Purchase some low-cost shampoo such as Sauve. By watching the sales ads carefully, you can purchase enough shampoo for one person for a year for around $5. If there is more than one in your household that you buy for your savings could add up significantly. (Of course use your savings to pay off high interest credit card debt). Have your hair cut by a student at a cosmetology school. They are learning how to cut hair and the prices that they charge for a haircut is significantly lower than a salon, or even places like Great Clips or Fantastic Sams.

I have done one better: I cut my own hair. Of course my hairstyle is simple, I just have a buzz cut that I would walk into the barber shop, tell them "3 on the top, 2 on the sides (referring to the clipper setting) and pay $20 when I left. I purchased my own clippers and, for the last year have cut my own. I didn't go cheap on the clippers because I paid over $160 for the clippers, but I figured it would last me a lifetime, so I didn't mind. after eight months, the clippers paid for themselves and now a haircut only costs a bit of my time and a few cents for the electricity. It is realized that this solution would not work for everybody, but I am just throwing that out there to show that there are a lot of ways to free up extra money to get you and keep you on the rod to living without credit card debt.

For more, go to my website.

Name Brand or Generic

When faced with the shopping choice for food, there is often the choice between name brand items or store label (in the old days, we would call those generic). The idea for some is to save money so that they can continue in their credit card debt elimination goal. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros
* Store brands will cost less, sometimes a lot less.
* When used as an ingredient (say in a stew or as part of a whole recipe), the taste is usually as good, if not better.
* Sometimes store brands use less packaging, so you end up with less trash, thereby making that decision to be green, or earth-friendly.

Cons
* You are paying for the advertising of the name brand food (say, a Kellogs Frosted Flakes vs. a Malt-o-Meal brand)
* You oftentimes can have a lot more packaging that you end up throwing away a filling up the landfill.
* You will spend more for name brand items and have less for your credit card debt elimination.

Watch for coupons and save every chance that you get.

Shopping Tips

Believe it or not, there is an art to grocery shopping and saving some serious money (that you can use, of course) to pay off your credit card debt. Since the focus lately has been on food, perhaps some pointers will assist.

* Never shop on an empty stomach. You have a tendency to be attacted to a lot of different things when you are hungry. You might pick up some bakery item (and a little extra weight) or something that you really didn't need, perhaps because something caught your eye (and you thought that advertising didn't work)

* Have a list. One of the biggest money-management mistakes is that you could dash into the store "just to pick up a gew things for dinner" and the next thing that you know, you have a cart that is brimming and full and expensive: it is best to have a list and to stick with it.

* Look high and low. Believe it or not, the best values are not at eye level. Those are the coveted spots for items that have a high mark-up, but are not necessarily the best thing for your wallet.

* Shop later in the day for meat. Often, the meat department will mark down some of their meat if it hasn't moved by four o'clock, They figure that some profit is better than no profit

* Plan your shopping. If you have a favorite grocery store, you probably know how it is laid out. With your list in hand, go only to the areas that you have to go to get the things that are on your list. Walking up and down each and every aisle may be good exercise, but the longer that you are in a store, the more you will buy. Grocery stores count on that.



Remember, the goal of grocery shopping should be to purchase economical foods to fuel you body. You want to save a little bit of money so that you can have more for your credit card debt elimination program. For a great program, click here, or visit my website.

What's That In Your Bowl?

Food can sometimes be the area in which a person can have the greatest monthly expense, yet, if done with a bit of planning and your eye on the prize of eliminating your credit card debt, can represent the greatest area for savings that can help propel you out of credit card debt. The challenge is that many people are emotionally attached to foods and oftentimes it is with the foods that cost more money. I will admit that breakfast food is one of my greatest weaknesses. As little as ten years ago, it would not be uncommon for me to stop by Hardees or Burger King or McDonalds and grab a "meal" that included a breakfast sandwhich, hash browns, and a soda. Of course, I would supersize that and it would end up costing around $5 a day easily. One might think that it is not too bad a deal to get a meal for $5 for one. Well, simply plug that into a handy calculator (with the interest of course) and out jumps a figure of $22,790.52. Believe me, when things are looked at in the long run, it can be quite the sobering ordeal.

You can go less expensive. It merely takes planning and about fifteen minutes of your time. I have looked at food for what it is: fuel for the body. Here is what I did: I bought a large container of oatmeal and a bag of brown sugar for around $4.00 at the local grocery store. That is enough for one to eat for an entire month. So, that works out to be $24 per month savings. for ten years it could generate$1,040 in five years (no interest in this example) for paying off your credit card debt. And this is just for one year. Now it is known that some people detest oatmeal, but you could find similar saving by making your own breakfast and buying soda in a two litre bottle (on sale, of course). You should ask yourself, "Why am I wasting money by eating at the drive-through? Can I make it myself for less? What are my long-term goals?" To get out of credit card debt, CHANGE YOUR MINDSET!

For a great plan to get out of credit card debt, click here.