Money for my Life

Got Pets?

2011-04-03T13:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when browsing the Internet, I run across stories of people wanting financial assistance because they cannot afford their pets. There are some who would treat their animals better than they would care to treat themselves. I believe that the best thing that one can do is to take care of themselves before worrying about a pet. With that being said, I have to admit that there are now three dogs living in our home. My wife picked up our first dog in January 2003. I was working 60 hours a week and had just begun my MBA studies, so I understood that she wanted something there to keep her company. It wasn't until Zena began to get cataracts and develop total blindness that a search was underway for a companion for Zena (or, a replacement, if you will). Since Zena is blind, my wife looked to adopt a blind puppy and we lucked out when she found, after much searching, Avari. Zena began to get a little more life (although she is permanently blind) and Avari needed a playmate. Carmen is one day older than Avari and is of the same Australian shepherd breed, but Carmen is fully sighted (which gives her a distinct advantage at treat time) over the other two dogs in the house. In order to keep our costs low and the dogs happy, we make our own dog treats. We make both pumpkin treats and dehydrate meat (usually chicken). We probably spend $30 a month making our treats instead of paying $200+ purchasing them already made. If you are wanting to have a pet but not spend a fortune, look into making your own treats and giving them baths instead of always paying somebody else to do it for you. Have a great day!

The Light

2011-03-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

I am excited to say that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I know darn well that it is not a train! I started out with $71,779.01 in credit card debt. While the debt hasn't gone away, I have chipped away at some of the problem ones and now have it down from 11 accounts to 4. Two of the accounts are at no interest (hey, "some money is better than no money I told the creditors", and after not being able to collect anything for several years, they concurred).

Part of the change is in my thinking. I used to see just the mountain of debt that I was diligently working on. I was working 70+ hours a week just to keep my head above water. Now, I am focused on building wealth, even though I haven't fully eliminated my credit card debt...yet! I also used to be extremely miserly with my money, but have come to realize that there are people that have it worse than I ever did, so I am sharing out of my abundance.

I have truly been blessed with health (which is improving), family, and employment. Some don't experience that blessing.

Thank you for all that you have done, and keep fighting to keep more of what you make!

Have a great day!

Saving Money With Dogs

2011-03-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

I realize that having a pet is an expense, but since my wife and I rarely go to movies or go out to eat much, having a pet is an expense that we chose. We first had a Australian cattle dog-mix (still going) about 8 years ago. She has developed cataracts and a bit of neuritis in the last few years and we decided to adopt a blind, high-energy Australian Shepherd who is about as opposite as you can get. The older dog tolerates her fairly well, but the puppy seems a bit incomplete (our perception) as she loves to play.

We solved that dilemma last week when we drove 200 miles to adopt another Australian Shepherd who is nearly twice the size of our youngest despite being just one day older.

Dogs can be expensive, but we have discovered a way to be frugal with dogs. This is a challenge because we reward our dogs (through obedience training) with treats. We don't buy the commercially made ones, we make them ourselves.

Our treats are one of two types: chicken or pumpkin. Both are fairly easy to make. You can find the pumpkin recipe here or we use an inexpensive dehydrator, buy chicken breasts in bulk, chop the chicken into tiny (about your pinkie nail size) pieces and make a load of treats for a fraction of the cost of purchasing commercially made ones).

A New Book

2011-03-04T18:53:00.000-08:00

I have been at it fairly feverishly for the past 10 days as I have decided to write a second book about debt, but I have included a whole section on using coupons to save massive amounts of money. For this portion, I have enlisted the assistance from a former high-school classmate of mine. She is notorious for buying a cart load of items and walking away with a receipt for often under a dollar. She knows her stuff!

I am excited that I am attending her class in Branson Missouri on the 6th of March! I am going to first attend her class on coupons, and afterward will team up to write that section of the book.

I am still playing with a few ideas for the title, but will know more later. The book will be available for purchase/download by July 1, 2011 and 50% of the profits are going to go for her charity in Branson that helps the less fortunate people who need a hand up (and some complimentary food and supplies will be greatly appreciated! I will be sharing a few tidbits on here as the book progresses!

And a Year Goes By

2011-01-29T15:22:00.000-08:00

A lot has gone on in the last year since I posted in here. I am going to start a sequel to my book (or a part II, if you will) Never Surrender. No, I am not out of debt yet, but am closer with every day. Here is a glimpse of the last year:

1. We now eat out once a month and I take my food leftovers to eat at work. Even though I was spending $2.15 for supper at the drive-though, it was seriously causing more health challenges then buying organic, wholesome foods (nutrients fill you up, calories don't). We are probably spending the same amount of money as if we were eating out twice a week, but being healthier is darn well worth it.

2. I have 4 credit cards left to pay off (although I haven't used one in three years). Two of them are at no interest and one will be paid in December and the other one will be paid off the following December. I am in no particular rush to pay them off as I can use the extra money to further fund the 401K and get closer to financial independence.

3. I have pretty much stuck to a budget. There has been quite a bit of overtime at work (I am down to just one job for now) so there has been extra funds for a trip to Colorado (10th anniversary) and for a timeshare in Colorado (we enjoyed it that much).

4. I have decided to tithe my money. Lots of time has been spent lately reading book after book after book about finance, wealth, and life. I now realize that I have been entirely focused on my needs while ignoring the needs of others. I have been blessed, it is time to share in my blessings.

I am still money conscious, and will resume more regular posts on here now.

Have a GREAT day!

I Made It (This Far)

2010-01-22T05:13:00.000-08:00

No, I am not yet out of credit card debt, but if you will recall, there was a bit of stress about making it until payday (today) on the little money that was left. I don't get to see my son very often or for very long, but he came over for dinner last night (we usually go out to eat, but he was understanding and we had frozen pizzas).

It was a nice time.

When I got up this morning, I noticed that my deposits from my two jobs were in the bank and I immediately transferred some of the money that I took out for repairs (out of the emergency fund) back to its rightful place. When my FSA (Flexible Spending Account) reimburses me for my glasses later, the replenishment of the fund will be complete.

Now to build up my savings so that I can negotiate with my lowest balance credit card that I haven't made any sort of arrangement with yet. I owe over $3,000 on that one, but will begin negotiations when I have at least $1,000 in the bank.

Keep your eye on the prize and have a GREAT day!

Making it Until Payday

2010-01-20T05:09:00.000-08:00

The nice thing about a budget is that you see where you are at all times financially. Unfortunately, this is a bleak few days until Friday (I get paid from both jobs on that day). There is a reason why it is a little bleaker than usual ( I do have enough to get gas and there is plenty of food to eat, so no worries there).

There were some unplanned expenses.

The starter in my 1998 Infiniti gave up the ghost. It is very challenging to drive a car without a way to start it, so I took it in to my mechanic and it cost $472.00. Mind you, I do have an emergency fund and there was money to pay for the repair, I will just replenish it in a few days (I am using the money that I would have paid for a car loan, which is no paid off, plus the money that I would have paid two of my creditors, which have also been paid off in the last month). I also needed to get a new pair of glasses that cost (with insurance) $374. The good news is that I have a Flexible Spending account at my full-time job, and I will be reimbursed by the end of February.

It's all good.

Planning for the unexpected is one of the many keys to getting out of credit card debt, and I have made great strides in two years, but the are miles to go before I sleep.

Have a GREAT day!

I May be Broke, But I am NOT Broken

2010-01-15T05:07:00.000-08:00

Many times I have heard people say (in the break room) "That machine is broke". The though immediately runs through my head that the machine need to get a job and earn some money. People can be broke, but rarer are the times that we are broken.

Just because we are living frugally at this point in our lives doesn't mean that we are poor. Far from it. In the last year, I have managed to basically live on minimum wage (because I am using just the basics to survive and have cut out most non-necessities). One doesn't need a 52-inch television set to live. One doesn't need a brand new car every year to get by, especially when considering that a car's function should be to get you from point A to point B.

What do you have in your life that you can do without and still survive? If you are having a difficult time paying your bills and climbing out of debt, go with just necessities for a while. I used to have breakfast at Hardees or Burger King every day.

I thought nothing of it and thought that it was no big deal.

It is amazing how much money I have freed up just by eating most of my meals at home. Yes, I eat out once or twice a month, but even then it is at an all-you-can-eat dinner or with a coupon so that there is some savings involved. If I want to turn it up a notch, I might even eliminate that luxury.

Just find ways that you can save/make more money so that you can live your life more freely... the way you want to.

Have a GREAT day!

Are You Getting a Tax Refund?

2010-01-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

I read quite a bit of interesting discussion on moneyning in the last 24 hours. There seems to be two schools of thought on getting a refund: on one hand, it is your money, not the governments, so if you get a big refund from Uncle Sam each year, that equates to an interest-free loan to the government. On the other hand, some tend to use the refund as their way of saving money.

Because I have been burned by taxes in the past, I fall into the second category.

I may revisit that strategy. Because of my past, I mentally would much rather overpay on my taxes and get a refund than to owe ONE SINGLE DIME. With proper planning, I know that I can tweak my withholding so that we will get little or nothing back. Right now, that would equate to an extra $50-100 a week that could be used to pay down my remaining debt. The thing is that my wife and I have managed to set aside a decent emergency fund, but it isn't nearly enough.

What do you think? Let me know.

Have a GREAT day!

Bite The Bullet and Do a Budget

2010-01-11T10:27:00.000-08:00

It is a word that few like. I have found that a budget is something that I can live with now. What happened is that I grew tired of having too much month left at the end of my money and I was wondering where all the money went.

As it is said, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail".

* First, you may have to keep a record of every single penny that you spend. Buy a soda from the vending machine at work...write it down. Send off a payment for your mortgage...write it down. Give a dollar to a man on the street who is asking for donations...write it down. After a month of writing it down, categorize everything (meals, fuel, car payment, entertainment, etc.).

* Make a trial budget. After looking at your numbers, decide what you really need to spend. The key is to have every dollar accounted for that you are bringing in. This will take a few months for you to fine-tune your budget.

* Stick to it. Some things will not change, like your car payment. Some you have a little more control over, like food.

* Find ways that you are spending needlessly. This is imperative so that you can pay down your credit card debt.

If you need more money, try taking a second job, it doesn't have to be in your area of expertise even. My second jobs have been cleaning offices at night and cashiering. While I have an MBA, I am not to proud to actually do a mundane job to generate some debt-reducing income.

Have a GREAT day!

Vacation Planning

2010-01-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

Sitting in the classroom (I am in training right now for a new position), I heard how some of my classmates are planning a trip on their children's spring break. The classmate was talking about taking a train ride to the Mall of America and spending the weekend there. Personally I view that as a waste of money. What is there to do at Mall of America?

Shop.

Spend Money.

I don't want to spend my time at a conglomeration of stores. Maybe because I don't like to shop. Shopping for me is to "get in, get it, and get out". A great goal is to spend as little time in there as possible. The more time that is spent there, the more money that is spent. Typically that is what the merchants want. Stores are set up to where the most desirable items are in the back of the store and you would have to spend a lot of time to get there.

And don't forget about the impulse items that are at the checkout stand. There is always candy and treats along with worthless magazines that have no literary value. Save your money and go to the library.

The library is free.

Spending time together as a family doesn't need to cost a lot of money. If you spend too much money, perhaps you are trying to make up for some deficit in your life.

Have a great day!

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

2010-01-07T05:42:00.000-08:00

This was one of the lines that was made famous by the Great Depression of the 20th century. A dime doesn't represent that much money, but it can add up. As I like to play with spreadsheets, I was toying with the notion of a dime a day. Keep in mind that the figures I give are not figuring any interest.

A dime a day for thirty years (average number of working years) comes up to a grand total of $1,092.00 What could you do with an extra thousand dollars? A quarter a day comes up to $2,730.00 If you could muster $5.00 a day, you could have a major renovation to your home in the amount of $81,900.00. That's a lot of money to a lot of people (including myself). It would be enough for me to be completely out of debt.

It is no small wonder that stores and companies will nickel-and-dime you to death. They are not stupid. There is great money in the nickel and dimes of the world. Any opportunity for you to save a nickel here and a dime there will add up to lots of dollars that you could use to pay off your debt, to save for the future, or live life as you desire.

Have a great day!

Eat Drink and Be Merry

2010-01-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

There are times when people ask me why I am making such sacrifices now (like eating a lunch that costs less than $0.50) when it isn't going to matter when I die.

True.

But...it may matter to those I leave behind. There is no wish on my part to leave a mountain of debt for somebody else to deal with. Although they are not personally liable for any of it, there is all the vultures, I mean lawyers, and other undesirables to deal with. I got myself into this situation, and I will take responsibility and get out. My mother used to say "if you are going to dance, you gotta pay the piper". I should have only danced with what I could afford, but, like too many people, I only thought about the immediate pleasure that I got that didn't even last long enough for the next statement to arrive. Now I am older (and hopefully wiser) and pay for things out of my checking account (or cash). If I can't afford it, I don't get it.

Have a great day!

Bucket List

2010-01-05T05:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in the training class at my day job, we had a new trainer for the week. As is tradition, there is an ice breaker that gives us a chance to know more about the trainer and for the trainer and the class to learn more about yourself. Yesterday, ours was to create a five item "bucket list", or a list of things that you wanted to accomplish before you "kick the bucket".

One person stated that one of their items was to have more money, at which point, I stood up, walked over to that person and handed them a nickel. I stated that they could now cross that item off their bucket list because they now had more money.

She did.

The problem was that this was not a SMART goal. For those of you familiar with SMART goals, you know that goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and with a Time table. If not, they are just wishes. To achieve a goal, you have to know what you are going for. This takes a little bit of time, but it is worth it to have your goals specifically lined out, especially when working toward eliminating debt from your life (at this moment, I have $56,493.23 in debt and I keep several spreadsheet on my laptop to chart the progress).

Have a great day!

Day One of the First Workweek of 2010

2010-01-04T05:29:00.000-08:00

Baby, it's cold outside.

The temperature this morning was a brisk 4 degrees when I went to start the car this morning. I love cold weather, but the heating bill goes up as the temperature goes down. Some ways to save on heating costs during the winter can help you to save a little (so that you can pay down your credit card debt):

Lower Your Thermostat - A programmable thermostat certainly helps. The one in our house is set at around 60 during the day (winter) and 65 at night. Keep extra blankets around.

Shut rooms you don't use - If you don't need to heat it, don't waste your money.

Check for leaks around windows and door - Little pesky drafts are essentially money out the door. A small investment in stopping the leaks means big savings in your pockets.

Use your fireplace if you have one - Fortunately there is one in the house where I live and I love a fire in the winter. We are fortunate that our wood is delivered to our house so we don't have to do any of the hauling.

It's New Day, A New Year, A New Life

2010-01-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

I love New Year's Day. To me it is about taking the best of the past and making your future better. A lot of people just blindly write New Year's resolutions that they have no intent on keeping and are usually unrealistic.

As you have been reading, I have had a credit card debt problem in the past. In February 2008 I quit using credit cards. There was over $71,549.12 in credit card debt. I don't have anything to show for it, no small house, no Hummer, nothing to speak of.

How did you charge that much?

Basically, I charged everything: gas, food, snacks at the gas station....everything. Then I made the big mistake of only making the minimum payment. Of course, the credit card companies would increase my limit as I continued to charge. I thought only of the minimum payment, not the long-term cost.

Big mistake.

I first thought that I was doing the right thing by going with a debt consolidator/debt negotiator. The only thing that happened in four months was that I was $2,800 out of pocket and my credit cards were now in default. Now, on January 1, 2010, the debt is down to $56,493.23. The end is in sight now and I have become more and more money conscious. I will be sharing with you thoughts and actions in future blogs.

Happy New Year!

How Can I Save Money When I Don't Earn Much?

2009-12-28T05:30:00.000-08:00

This question came to me from a coworker at my second job. She is a single mother of a disabled child. She feels limited in how much she can earn because if she earns too much, she will lose the much-needed Medicaid benefits for her disabled son.

I asked her quite a few questions about her eating/drinking habits as to how she bought things. It turns out that we were able to find almost $1,300+ in savings per year on some seemingly innocent actions.

First, she liked to purchase a drink at work every day. She justified it by saying that it was not a soda pop because it wasn't carbonated and didn't have caffeine. It was still $1.02 a day that was unneccesarily spent, particularly when filtered water is free out of the breakroon. Over a year's time, that one drink a day, five days a week, 50 weeks a year (two weeks of vacation) added up to $255 a year. I reframed it by asking her "How would you like it if I gave you a bottle of Poweraid a day for every day that you worked for a year, but you have to give me $255 today?" She didn't realize how the little things add up so quickly.

Secondly, she admitted to having some chips and snacks at work too...to the tune of $4.50 a day. That expense comes to a whopping $1,125.00 a year. We worked on a plan to purchase food at the grocery store or Wal-Mart in advance so that she could bring some of the same things to work from home and save the money.

The challenge is that so many people who are poor will remain poor if they listen to the sales people say that it is just pennies a day, or a few dollars a week. That is money out of your pockets and into theirs. If you live in a major city of 1 million people and everybody just gave you one penny a day (just a penny), you would make $3.65 million a year.

It all adds up!

Saving Money on Vacation

2009-12-26T04:47:00.000-08:00

Vacations are great.

With that being said, vacations, in order to be at a lower stress level, require a bit of work. They can be made more financially affordable when planning is part of the process. Let me explain...

...My wife and I just returned from a 5-day cruise to Mexico. I have a co-worker at my day job that told me that it would be a good idea to pack your favorite snacks and sodas in your carry on luggage because they were not free! That is a great idea. We packed about 20 cans of soda into our luggage. Buying the case from our local Wal-mart for $5.41 for 24 cans now makes a lot more sense that the $81.42 that those same drinks would have cost on the ship. Not only did the sodas cost $2.95 each, a 15% gratuity was added as well.

Keep in mind that this was an all-inclusive cruise for which you had to pay nothing more for all the food that you could eat. Warning: the only free drink would be self-serve water, some juices at the buffet, and coffee. Everything else had a price.

That goes for pictures as well. Every time you would get off the boat, have dinner, get on the boat, etc. there would be somebody snapping your picture. It is a good thing that I do not like having my picture taken because I could have easily been out of another $200+ just for some "candid" photos. No thanks. Besides, the best pictures are those inside your head.

I hope that everybody has a Happy New Year!

Ho, Ho, Ho.....Oh NO!!!

2009-11-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

Ah, the holiday season. The season of giving and the season of undue stress, especially on those of us who are financially challenged. This will represent the third season in a row of not using credit cards to fund my holiday season. The first time, it wasn't because I didn't want to, because I truly did.

It was because the cards were maxed out, or the payments were getting behind.

It wasn't until a few months later that I cut up the credit cards and began the adventure of getting out of debt once and for all. It has been learned that giving gifts is not about the item(s) in the box, but rather the thought that is in the heart. This much is true. I have sold a lot of the things that I rather like (such as DVDs), but am learning to survive without. I really don't have the time to watch them anymore, and the best memories are those within my head.

You can always make gifts, even if you aren't very handy or overtly blessed with craftsmanship. Sometimes a personal, handwritten note, will mean more than the bottle of expensive perfume, the newest and greatest toy, or anything else that you may purchase.

Enjoy the season for the people that are in your life. Be thankful for all that you have. I will continue the 100 Ways to Save Money by 11/18/09 at the latest.

A Long Time Comin'

2009-11-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all of your concern while I have been absent from the blog. Everything is alright, and I have a renewed, and more intense and burning desire to be rid of my debt. Lately, I have been selling things on ebay and craigslist and turning around and using that money to pay off debt.

It helps.

I haven't always been honest about my spending problem (like an alcoholic who hides his/her behavior from others). I saw something on the Dave Ramsey show one night that talked about financial infidelity. I was guilty of it. Now, I let my wife know about every transaction that I do and give her full access to my accounts (which are password protected). I want her to know that I am serious about this.

She was a great help to me when I gave her the printout for my bank accounts (we keep separate accounts). She combed through those and came up with ways that I am wasting money. It would be $1.25 here, $2.45 there, but it was adding up. Here are a few things that I have done that you may find helpful:

1. Make a budget - I am a firm believer of telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went. I have had to make a few minor adjustments as I go, but they are always with my wife's watchful eye. Any money that I get from selling things (like DVDs, tools, TV) have gone toward the debt.

2. DON'T EAT OUT SO MUCH!!!- I now have a $25 budget allotment for eating out, and when it is gone, it is gone. I used mine this month for an all-you-can-eat sushi dinner (well worth it). I take my lunch to work every day (which is seven days a week) and spend as much in a week as some of my co-workers spend on one meal.

3. Cook more at home - This works hand in hand with number 2, but I will fix some cheap ramen noodle dishes, beans, etc. and will take the leftovers to work. I also cook my breakfast each morning, be it oatmeal, biscuits (from scratch), or a breakfast burrito.

I will pick back up with the blog and the 100 ways to save money series, I just needed a break to get my stuff more together.

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part XIII

2009-08-14T03:11:00.000-07:00

Today might not apply to everybody because we could easily name this "Shave and a Haircut". Hair removal for men. It depends on how you wear your hair: cranial or facial.

25. Haircut - Some folks are not adventurous enough to attempt to cut their own hair. My hair style is fairly simple. For the last 20 years, I have always gone to a barber or hair cutting establishment and said "3 on top, 2 on the sides". It has always been a clipper style and I would shell out $18 (on average) a month for this style. I bought a good Oster 76 for $136 last year. After 8 months it had paid for itself, so my first year's savings was$80 and I figure it will last at least 5 years (it will last longer, so in 20 years four will be purchased. Savings minus cost averages out to $188.80 a year or $3776.00 over 20 years. You could save by having your hair done for less at a beauty/barber school.

26. Shaving - This is a little trickier, but I have always shaved at least around a beard or goatee. I figured razor shaving costs to be $70.10 a year. I purchased an electric razor for around $40 (rounded for simplicity), so if the electric razor lasts 2 years it will save on average $50.10 a year: That works out to be $1,002.00 over 20 years. If I bought expensive razors or expensive shaving cream, the savings would have been higher.

With keeping score, the total savings to date are $3,552.49 a year or $70,650.02 over 20 years. Where does all the money go?

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part XII

2009-08-13T03:24:00.000-07:00

Enough for now about saving gas (we'll explore that later in this series), so let's move on to personal grooming for a while. We will look at some of the ways that I have found to save some money so that I can pay down my credit card debt.

23. What Kind of Shampoo Are You Using? - This is going to be an area of controversy, but when it comes to being frugal, saving money, etc. there are some sacrifices to be made: That is if you are serious about saving money and paying down your credit card debt. Most people have hair, if you don't, this wouldn't necessarily apply to you. Shampoos can be downright expensive. I used to use Aussie Mega shampoo years ago and I would buy it at Sam's Club so I could at least enjoy it at a lower price. Even regular shampoo costs around $5-$10 a bottle. Being conservative we can call it $5 a bottle. I go through a bottle of shampoo a month roughly. I also found Suave shampoo for $1 a bottle and I stocked up with a year's worth. Doing that I save $4 a month or $48 a year. (20 years is $960 that is going down the drain).

24. How Are You Paying For That Soap? - Buy in bulk and you will save. Buy your soap by the bar and you can be taken to the cleaners, especially when you purchase it at the grocery store or a convenience store (hey, sometimes you just run out when you don't plan). Going through a bar of soap a week is common, especially for those who like to keep clean. On a recent trip to the store, I found that I could save $0.17 a bar by buying them in packs of 12 instead of 3. This would save $8.84 a year or $176.80 over 20 years. Not much, but keep in mind that things are cumulative.

That brings our cumulative total to $3,313.59 a year (rounding may make it slightly different) or a total of $65,872.02 over 20 years.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part XI

2009-08-12T02:54:00.000-07:00

Remember, that if you are having a difficult time finding "extra" money with which to pay down your credit card debt, you can come here as we continue to discover 100 ways to save money. Lately, we have been finding ways to save on gasoline expenses for your car. Let us continue:

21. Straighten Up - Poor tire alignment can save you wear and tear on your tires and cause them to wear out more quickly. It also forces your engine to work harder and decreases your gas mileage. Keep you tires aligned properly and you can save over 20 cents per gallon. You would save $136.36 a year in gas, but you would have to pay, let's say, $79 for your alignment, so the end savings would be $57.36 a year or 1,147.27 over 2o years, assuming 1 alignment per year. Some place offer a lifetime alignment that could save you even more.

22. Clean Up! - Okay, so we are talking about the air filter here. A clean air filter can improve your gas mileage by 10%. With our assumption of being an average driver, you could save $169.77 a years. With air filters running around $10 a pop (surely you could install them yourself and save even more), you could realize a savings of $139.77 a year or $2,795.45 over 20 years (if you changed your air filter every 5,000 miles.

That brings us up to a yearly savings of $3,236.76 and a 20 year savings of $64,735.22. When you are told that little things add up, there is your proof.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credi6t Card Debt, Part X

2009-08-11T02:47:00.000-07:00

Continuing on in the campaign to save money so that you can get out of credit card debt sooner, let us look at numbers 19 and 20 today.

19. Hey! Slow Down! - Looking at that in print brings me vivid memories of my dad and my early teenage driving. Sure, I had a bit of a heavy foot, and I got a speeding ticket or two, but after researching, I find that it can actually save gas: for every 5 MPH you drive (say 65 instead of 70) you can save 7% in fuel consumption. With the driving amount average of 15,000 miles a year it would translate to saving 47.73 gallons of gas a year, or $118.84 per year (and yes, $2,376.80 over 20 years)

20. Lay Off The Brake - (no, that is not a contradiction to number 19) - It is difficult when you have a commute in a major metropolitan district, but riding the brake can cost you by increasing your gas consumption by 35%, not to mention that you will have more wear and tear on your tires. Let us assume that you could save 25 gallons of gas a year, which translates to $62.25 a year, or $1,245.00 over 20 years.

That now brings our savings to be $3,039.62 a year (isn't that a car payment?) or $60,792.49 over 20 years...And we have only just begun.

If you are serious about forever eliminating your credit card debt, you can use Never Surrender!!, a book that I wrote that gives you winning strategies to totally eliminate your credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part IX

2009-08-10T02:50:00.001-07:00

Let's continue on finding ways to save money by looking more at simple ways to save on fuel costs. When you live in a near a big city, you will probably have some commute times ahead of you.

17. Change Your Air Filter - Air filters are inexpensive, usually around $10-$15. You can save $0.20-$0.30 cents a gallon on our gasoline costs. That would translate to $136.36 per year in fuel savings, or $2,727.27 over 20 years. If you buy an air filter twice a year, it would be $116.36 per year.

18. Keep Less Junk In Your Trunk - Every 100 pounds of extra weight that you carry in your vehicle will save $0.03 a gallon. Lighten up by 100 pounds and you will save approximately $20.45 a year or $409.09 over 20 years. (You could lighten yourself up as well...it is better for the environment as well as your pocket).

If you were able to use every single way presented so far, you now would be saving $2,858.53 a year or $57,170.69 over the course of 20 years!

Want to save money by forever eliminating your credit card debt? You can get a copy of Never Surrender!! that is guaranteed to save you at least the price of the book. Click to order yours today.

Have a Great day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part VIII

2009-08-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

Lets spend a few days on ways to save at the gas pump. Most people drive nowadays (although my grandmother on my father's side lived into her 90s and never drove a day in her life). The average person drives 15,000 or so a year. For simplicity and illustrative purposes, we will stick with that 15,000 mile figure. If the average car gets 22 miles a gallon, that means that you would burn through 681.8 gallons of gas in a year.

15. Pay Cash At The Pump - Using a credit card is one of the ways that you can easily drive up your balance, and your interest rate. It takes a bit of planning to have the cash on hand, but it can be done. There are a series of gas stations in our area that offer a $0.03 discount per gallon of gas. Chump change. Perhaps, but it would save the average driver $20.45 a year, or $409.09 over 20 years. You have to keep the long term solution in mind here.

16. Keep Your Tires At The Proper Inflation Pressure - This is estimated to save up to $0.10 per gallon. Let's be conservative and call it a nickel a gallon. That would save you $34.09 a year or $681.82 over 20 years. Could you use an extra $1,000+ in your pocket for simple stuff?

There are lots of money saving and credit card debt elimination strategies found in Never Surrender!!, a guaranteed ebook. Check it out!

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part VII

2009-08-08T04:02:00.000-07:00

It is easy to come up with 10 ways to save money in order to pay down your credit card debt, but more becomes a challenge, a challenge that I gladly accept.

13. Wash your dishes by hand - Most homes now have a dishwasher in the kitchen, and ours has one as well. In doing an audit online, I found that the electricity for the dishwasher runs $21.85 a month to run. Keep in mind that this is the electricity cost (you still have to have hot water and detergent of some sort). Wash by hand and you save $263.40 a year, or $5,268.00 over twenty years.

14. Switch to CFL light bulbs - sure the cost of a CFL bulb is higher, but it lasts much longer. Where the savings are is the electricity cost. If you were to replace all of your light bulbs with CFL light bulbs, you would be saving on average $10.93 a month. $131.16 a year, or $2 623.20 over twenty years, WOW!

So, when when add everything up (and I realize that not everything will apply to everybody), the savings add up to $53,343.60 over 20 years. Chump change can no longer be thought of as chump change.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part VI

2009-08-07T03:13:00.000-07:00

On we go to numbers eleven and twelve:

11. Bring Your Own Lunch To Work - Let's face it: brown-bagging it is in. Where I work, there is a cafeteria, but I have seen fewer and fewer people frequent there and more and more lunches in the refrigerators in the break room. We usually get a half-hour lunch, which doesn't give you time to even leave campus and get anything that is located more than two blocks away (which limits you to Burger King or the convenience store). Lunch usually runs about $5-$6. Bring something from home, be it a sandwich or leftovers once a week. This would save you $5 a week or $250 a year (you do get two weeks of vacation usually). Add that up over 20 years and you have just pocketed cool $5,000.

12. Skip the Snack Machine - There are times that you will be hungry for a snack sometime in the middle of the day. You could easily waddle to the snack machine at work and plug in $1.00 for a candy bar or bag of chips (neither of which is very nutritionally sound). Be prepared, purchase your snacks ahead of time when you go to the grocery store and you can get your snacks for less. For simplicity sake, let's assume that you save $0.50 a day, or $2.50 a week. That makes it $125.00 per year, or a nice $2,500.00 over twenty years.

Since we are keeping score, we are now saving $2,272.62 a year, or $45,452.40 over twenty years.

There are lots of other ways that you can save to lower your credit card indebtedness that are covered in my book Never Surrender!!. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. To order, click the book.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part V

2009-08-06T05:01:00.000-07:00

Numbers 9 & 10 come today. Hopefully, you can come up with some of your own ways to save money so that you can eliminate your credit card debt.

9. If you are going to have a soda when you eat dinner out (sometimes it seems unavoidable), drink a smaller soda and add water to your drink list for dinner - For example, if you were going through the drive through and you usually "Super-size" your meal by paying an extra $0.79, go with the regular and save that $0.79. That doesn't seem like much, but it is an extra $41.08 a year if you eat "drive-through" once a week.

10. Say "No Thank You" To Unnecessary Extended Warranties - For the most part, extended warranties are a great pure-profit stream for many retailers. I work at a home improvement warehouse and, as a cashier, I am required to offer the extended warranties for many items that we sell. A lawn mower, for example, automatically comes with a one-year warranty, but you can get an extension for $49.99-$99.99 (depending on the price of the mower). Usually, if something is going to go wrong with an item it will happen in the first year of purchase. Skip this twice a year and save $99.98 a year or $1.999.60 over 20 years.

This will bring our running total up to $1.897.62 saved in one year, or $37,952.40 for 20 years.

Pretty impressive.

If you want to find ways to forever eliminate your credit card debt, you can check out my book Never Surrender!!. There are plenty of ways to save thousands on your existing credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part IV

2009-08-05T03:28:00.000-07:00

Six good ways to save money down, ninety-four to go. Let's continue on and see just how much money you can save over the year and over twenty years.

7. Buy generics - There really is very little difference in the quality of name brand grocery items as opposed to name brand. This is especially true if you are using the item as an ingredient. Say you were asked to bring a green bean casserole to a function. You could buy the name-brand green beans. If you are eating only green beans, you might be able to tell the difference between Libby's or store-brand. Put the green beans in as an ingredient in the casserole, and there is virtually no difference. Your savings? Let's assume that it is a $1.00 difference. That would be $52 a year or $1,040.00 over twenty years.

8. Buy in bulk - this does not make sense if you buy a large quantity and throw away the savings that you would have enjoyed. I will use soda as an example (and I know how nutritionally bereft soda is). Say that you drink one per day. Out of the soda machine, it could easily run $0.70 a can. That is $4.90 a week or $254.80 a year. Buy it by the case and it is $0.27 a can (recently). You would save $3.01 a week or $156.52 a year. This is saving, and buying the name brand. That would calculate to $156.52 a year or $3,130.40 over twenty years.

Get the picture?

We now stand at saving $1,756.56 a year or $35,131.20 with just 8 suggestions. Who says the little things don't add up?

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt, Part III

2009-08-03T04:22:00.000-07:00

We now have four ways to save money in order to have more to pay down credit card debt, so lets continue through numbers 5 and 6. We have covered four ways to save money when you eat away from home, but let us look now at ways to save money when you do eat at home. Of course, you will more than likely need to go to the grocery store to purchase your food, so on we go:

5. Go Prepared - Take a list and stick with the list. Grocery stores (actually, any successful retailer) have had outstanding success by placing high-profit items in slick displays that draw on people's impulsiveness. If you know the layout of your store, you can plan your list accordingly so that you don't go down any aisles that you don't need to. Unfortunately, you may have to pass some to get to the milk and eggs (usually located in the back of the store). Let us assume that you would save $10 a week or $520 a year. That would be $10,400 over 20 years.

6. BYOB - Bring Your Own Bags - One way that I have witnessed people saving money has been by being green and bringing their own bags to the store. It is good for the environment, but it can also be good for the pocket book. You only buy what you can carry, which will save you money. This also will help you to better stick with your list. Lets assume that you would save $5 a week, or $260 a years. That would be $5,200 over twenty years.

Our running total for the six ideas will save you $1,548 a year, or $30,960.80 over twenty years. I have a correction to make on yesterday's post: the incorrect calculation was used to come up with $39,938.08 and should have read $15,360.80. My apologies are in order.

You can pick up your copy of Never Surrender!! today to find other ways to forever eliminate your credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt part II

2009-08-02T05:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we covered the first two ways on our journey for 100 ways to save money to pay down your credit card debt. As a review, they were 1) Drink water and 2) purchase with a coupon. Let's continue on and cover some more. And right now, we are talking about when you are eating meals away from home.

3. Skip the extras - Most restaurants train their employees to see the extras. It never fails when we eat lunch or dinner at a restaurant, they will ask if you want a salad with your meal, or an appetizer, or a desert. These "extras" are high-profit items for the restaurant and help their bottom line, but do nothing for your bottom line. If you must have desert, buy some ice cream at the grocery store (preferably on sale) and have it at home (or whatever is your desert of choice). Let's assume that you eat out once a week and the desert is $4.99. That is $259.48 a year, or $5,189.60 over 20 years.

4. Take half of it with you - One thing that my wife and I do when we eat at a restaurant is to eat half of our meal and take the other half home for another meal. We did this just yesterday. We had a coupon for about $6 off a meal (but you had to purchase a soda, so that made it about $4) and that made it around $5.00 a meal. Mine sits in the refrigerator waiting to be eaten for lunch/dinner today. Save $4.00 a week and that is $208 a year or $4,160 over twenty years.

So far, that brings up our savings to $786.04 a year or $39,938.08 over 20 years by using four tips.

There are lots of other ways to forever eliminate your credit card debt in Never Surrender!!. Pick Up Your Copy Today!

More tomorrow.

Have a GREAT day!

100 Ways to Save Money To Pay Down Your Credit Card Debt

2009-08-01T05:41:00.000-07:00

Let's just start a series of 100 ways to save money so that you can have more to pay down your credit card debt. We will start with one of my favorite activities and I know that you participate in this activity (at least play the home version of the game):

Eating.

In so many ways, eating meals out, or away from home, has been perhaps one of the things that has hurt my finances, not to mention the waist line. Let's gain control of that and save some money in the process. The money you save can be used to pay down your credit card debt. If you are fortunate enough to have no credit card debt, then use it to save for your future.

1. Drink Water - for the most part, water is free. Sure, you would like to have a soda, but when you pay $1.79 for the soda versus $0.00 for water, it makes sense. If you have one meal out a week and you purchase the soda, that would work out (before tax, of course) to be $93.08 a year. Over a 20 year period, that is $1,861.00. Water doesn't leave you thirsty after you drink it, it has no calories, and no preservatives (usually). Drink up!!

2. Purchase with a coupon - You can find coupons in your local paper, online, or in your mailbox. One that is with a restaurant that my wife and I frequent always has a coupon online or in one of the local papers. Right now, it is for $3.99 off an entree when you buy another. Using the same logic as before, you would save $207.48 a year or $4,149.60 for 20 years. Combine that savings with the drink and you would save $6,011.20. Wow!!

There are many more ideas in the book Never Surrender!! that you can use to lower your credit card debt. Get your copy today!

Have a GREAT day!

Where Has Summer Gone?

2009-07-31T03:47:00.000-07:00

Looking at the calendar, I realize that it is the last day of July and that means that summer is on the downhill side. When I was a band director and teacher, August typically meant the end of summer vacation and the beginning of band camp to prepare for the upcoming marching season. Time has slipped away, and you don't know where it all went.

That's the same thing with your money.

You must keep a constant watch on your credit card spending, or it will creep up on you and before you know it, you have a balance of thousands of dollars and the balance keeps growing and growing and it overtakes your entire life. You struggle to make ends meet, you take a cash advance to pay a bill that is due that you cannot afford, and you drive yourself deeper and deeper into the hell that follows.

That is why I wrote Never Surrender!!, an ebook that can help you to forever eliminate your credit card debt. In there, I discuss many strategies that can be used to use a lifestyle that can free you from the oppression of credit card debt. I know firsthand (as I am sure that you do as well) that credit card debt can make your life a living hell and that it affects all aspects of your life. Check it out, if you want to get out of credit card debt forever.

Have a GREAT day!

You Can Take It With You

2009-07-30T03:01:00.000-07:00

Whoa. That may be a bit misleading, especially considering what we usually talk about on this blog. This is not a reference to taking money with you into the afterlife (like the ancient Egyptians may have believed), but rather about food.

Leftovers.

On one of the rare occasions that I had the late afternoon off, I offered to pick up some of our favorite food and bring it home for supper. They have a signature teriyaki chicken that you can double the meat for $0.99. It is more than enough for two meals. So, I picked up two orders (enough for four separate meals) for $13.02 (including tax) and took it home. We didn't have to pay $1.79 for a soda since we had water at home.

One way to save money (to use for credit card debt elimination) is to either order take out or, if you happen to go out to eat at a restaurant, eat half of what you get and take the other half home. As a younger adult, I rarely ate leftovers. Now, older and wiser, I tend to have them quite often because of the savings that I realize by doing so.

You can do the same. You can save by providing your own drinks and service ware. Food is also easier to reheat thanks to microwave technology. That saves time (and yes, time is money). Save even more by finding coupons and purchasing only with a coupon.

Have a GREAT day!

Part V: Conclusion: A Loan? At What Cost?

2009-07-29T03:53:00.000-07:00

Let's finish up today by discussing a sneaky way that banks buffer their bottom line. It really isn't a loan, but, in some ways it is: Overdraft Loans. In the past, if your checking account balance was near the zero mark, you wouldn't be allowed to debit your account past zero. It didn't happen. Your transaction would be denied.

Banks got greedy (as we have all been witness to in the recent financial stuff in the news). They will "allow" your transaction to go through. You think that you still have money in your account, but there really isn't. The bank will, of course, assess a fee, say $34, so that you can have the tank of gas. Now you owe the bank $34 that you didn't have. Other checks or transactions will "bounce" too. It may often cost you several hundred dollars for an overdraft as little as $1. Who gets the money?

The bank.

Who gets screwed?

You.

Better to have an extra $100 in your account that you don't intend to spend. Or ask the bank to set the debit overdraw to zero on your account. Whatever you do, be sure to use the "savings" to pay down your credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

Part IV: A Loan? At What Cost?

2009-07-28T02:47:00.000-07:00

The fourth type of loan that will be discussed will be the use of cash advances on your credit card. This is most definitely NOT the way to lower your credit card debt. The average interest rate on a cash advance on credit cards is 22%. This is up from the average of 19% just four years ago. Add the fees for 3%-5% of the advance amount, and the cost for the money is even higher.

In the past, these have had a double whammy effect. What would happen is this: If you had a purchases balance of $1,000 at 12% and a cash advance balance of $200 at 22%. When you sent in your monthly credit card payment (let's just say $100), your credit card company, in all their greed, would apply that to the purchases balance. Your $200 at 22% would continue to grow untouched until your purchase balance was at zero. If you continued to use your credit card for purchases, you may never get the cash advance portion to disappear.

It is very difficult to rid yourself of this type of balance.

The good news is that the credit card legislation that takes place in February 2010 will make the monthly payment that you send in apply to the highest interest rate balance portion first. Avoid cash advances if at all possible: borrow from your family or friends before you ever venture to whip out your credit card and get a cash advance.

Have a GREAT day!

Part III: A Loan? At What Cost?

2009-07-27T02:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we looked at 401(K) loans and how they can be both a blessing and a curse. Let's look today at car title loans. You have probably seen the commercials for these loans in which you bring in your car title for loan (yes, you have to actually own your car). The good news is that you can get some emergency cash (and, no, needing some money for the beer party does not constitute an emergency) relatively easily. The bad news is that if you default on the loan, you will no longer own that vehicle.

These loans are for a fraction of what your car is worth: typically, you can get cash for 55% of the value of the car. Say your car is worth $2,000. You could get a car title loan for $1,100. You get to keep the car and make regular payments on this loan. Of course, they can renew it for a fee, but the interest rates on these loans can often run as high as 300%.

300%!

That means for the $1,100 you got for your $2,000 car you paid the car title loan place $3,300. That is no bargain. These are loans that you should avoid at any cost, particularly if you are trying to eliminate your credit card debt any time soon.

Have a GREAT day!

Part II: A Loan? At What Cost?

2009-07-26T02:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday it was mentioned that a WalletPop article had mentioned loans that people should avoid if at all possible. Only one was written about yesterday. There are more than just the payday loan, which I am proud to say that I have not taken. The next loan type is a 401(K) loan.

Most 401(K) plans permit the borrower to borrow half of the value of their 401(K), or $50,000 whichever is lower. Basically, you have up to five years to repay that balance, and it is taken out of regular payroll deductions. They usually charge the prime interest rate plus 1%, which is around 4.25% currently. That isn't bad. What is bad is that should you leave your job (or your job leaves you), you have to repay that loan immediately, or you are subject to a 10% early distribution penalty in the eyes of the IRS. Plus, the income tax on the remaining balance because you have had the money withdrawn pre-tax previously and now it is computed in your income.

This move may make sense number-wise, especially if it is used to pay down credit card debt (but you really shouldn't do this). Instead of paying 15-25% to a credit card, you are paying that interest back to yourself. But, in today's economy, is your job stable? Are you likely to continue to have your job? Can you afford the money taken out of your check?

Weigh this option carefully, and have a GREAT day!

A Loan? At What Cost?

2009-07-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

An interesting article was found at WalletPop about some loans that people take and really should avoid if at all possible. These loans include payday loans. Payday loans are short-term loans that range from $300 - $500. You have probably seen the payday loan businesses set up in a strip mall. Usually, to qualify for a payday loan, you need to have a checking account and a pay stub (or other verifiable income source, like Social Security). You write a check for the amount borrowed plus the interest. The payday loan company will then hold your check. Should you fail to pay the company back, they will cash the check.

The goal is to pay your loan back on your next payday. It would make sense if you have an emergency and had no credit line left on your credit card (which you are hopefully in the process of eliminating). You usually have the opportunity to renew the loan if you cannot pay it back. The problem is that you will be charged a fee anywhere from $10-$100. Continue on this course of action, and you could be looking at 400% interest.

That doesn't make sense.

If you needed to borrow a hundred dollars, that would be similar to doing so, but having a $400 payment due after a year. Not worth it.

Think carefully about taking out a payday loan. There are better alternatives out there, even if it means borrowing money from friends or family (strongly discouraged as well).

Have a GREAT day!

All You Have To Do Is Ask

2009-07-24T02:34:00.000-07:00

As the Dave Ramsey show was playing last night, an interesting fact popped up that a large majority of people that ask for a deal usually get it, and he pointed out that sometimes all you have to do is ask. As a part-time cashier at a home improvement store occasionally someone will come through the line and ask if there is a discount available. It is unadvertised, but there are a few things that we cashiers can do, including a 10% competitor discount. The trick is that you have to ask.

That is true when you contact your cellular carrier. Just because there is one price advertised doesn't mean that you are stuck paying that price. Often, just the threat of changing carriers (made easier with number portability) will "magically" make an offer show up. The worst thing that can happen is that you end up paying the full price, but if you didn't ask you would pay it anyway.

It is your money, keep more of it so that you can pay down your credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

Credit Card Debt Elimination: Maybe You Should Stay At Home A Little More

2009-07-23T04:07:00.000-07:00

When I look back at my finances for the past few years, it is realized how much more money I save by not going out to eat for nearly every meal. True, it does save wear and tear on your dishwater and you save on your water, electricity, and gas by not having your dishes or pots and pans to clean, but those savings are eaten up by the interest, the gasoline for your car, time spent getting ready, etc.

We like a good steak once in a while. When money was a little more free-flowing, we would traditionally go out on Monday nights to a steak house that had a special for a steak, salad, and potato (or rice pilaf) for only $15 (including a soda). Basically, $2o when you include the tip and gas to get there. When you do that each and every Monday, it comes to $1,000 a year...for one. Add 20% interest for the credit card, and you have $1,200 per person. And that is for one meal a week.

Now that we eat at home, we can still have a steak (fixed on the barbecue grill) for two with soda for around $7.00. That is a savings of $33 a week or (with interest) $2,059 saved a year. Makes you think about it.

Have a GREAT day!

Saving Money (For Credit Card Debt Elimination) At A Theme Park

2009-07-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

My son has a job performing at Six Flags and I got off early yesterday afternoon and went to go see him perform. I was greatly pleased at the performance. I wasn't impressed with the high price of things at the park, however. After spending the afternoon and evening there, I noticed some ways that one could save money at the park.

1. Go In Groups - Parking at the park was $15 a car. Not a party, but a car. If you are going to go there, find out if some of your friends want to go there as well. Carpool and save the money.

2. Pack a Picnic Lunch/Supper - I noticed several families doing this when I was searching for a place to park. I didn't think too much of it until I walked through the park and noticed the high prices for food: A slice of pizza, cheese bread, and a soda for $9.99 + tax. Of course, you could get a souvenir cup with unlimited refills for only $12.99. And I thought that paying $1.25 for a soda to be high. When you pack a picnic supper, you can feed a family of four for roughly the cost of feeding one person inside the park.

3. Buy a Season Pass and Season Parking - that is, of course, if you are going to go often and live within a reasonable commute of the park.

Just because you would like to go to a theme park doesn't mean that you have to break the bank.

Have a GREAT day!

Saving Money By Buying In Bulk

2009-07-21T03:59:00.000-07:00

The whole point of this blog has been to help save money so that you can have more money to pay down your credit card debt and so that you can begin to live your life free from the bonds that credit card companies are so good at trapping you with. One thing that will be mentioned (again) is buying in bulk. You can save tremendous amounts of money if you can purchase certain items in bulk.

We have a dog that likes rawhide bones. Sure, she is noisy when she is attacking the bone, but better the bone than shoes or baseboard. We bought a pack of ten of the bones for around $20. That's $2 a bone. If we purchased them at Target they usually are a pack of three for $9.99. It is worth it to buy a bone that would be bought anyway for $1.33 less. One usually lasts about five days or so. But the last time that I went there, I was going for a cheap lunch of pizza and an Icee for around $3. I happened to notice that tortillas were forty for $4.98. I usually pick them up for $3.02 at the grocery store for a ten-pack. We make our own quesadillas an breakfast burritos so they don't go to waste, I would just rather pay twelve cents for one instead of thirty cents. When you have your mind set on saving money, you will notice these kinds of things.

Have a GREAT day!

Credit Card Debt Elimination: Really, Open What They Send You

2009-07-20T02:52:00.000-07:00

Continuing on the theme from yesterday, it cannot be stressed enough that you need to read the mail that comes to you. Yes, you are busy. Yes, there seems to be a lot of it, especially when you start to be behind in your payments on your credit cards. Even if you aren't behind...

...Read Your Mail!!

Why? Credit card companies are just money-hungry entities that have one purpose: Separate you from your hard-earned money. Do they care that they have cut back on hours at your job? NO! Do they care that with rising fees and interest rates on the credit cards that you struggle with paying some of your bills? NO! Do they care that you are thinking of skipping meals just to have enough money to put gas in your car to get you to your job that is, in effective, paying you less to do more? NO!!

Often, the mail that you particularly want to notice are the ones that have "Important Information About Your Account" on the envelope. What it usually contains is information that the base interest rate of your credit card is going up for all future purchases. They are required to notify you in writing. I can recall one credit card that I had in the past that was a fixed rate and was going to change to a variable rate that as a percentage above the prime interest rate. It was going to cost me more money. At the time, I had a little bit of money, and I angrily wrote them a letter and paid off the card. And I don't believe for a minute that they had any bad feelings about it. Just be sure to read your mail so you will know what your rights may be.

Have a GREAT day!

The Tracking Continues

2009-07-19T04:05:00.000-07:00

Grocery shopping and eating at home has certainly paid off. Breakfast was eaten at home (to the delight of the dog) and supper was another cheap frozen pizza from Friday's excursion to the grocery store. It becomes increasingly difficult on the weekends because for years that was always the time that we would go out to eat our meals (and run the credit card bills even higher). You can be on your best behavior, though, an the credit card companies will jack your interest rate even higher.

My wife has stellar credit and she has always used credit cards responsibly (unlike myself). She was known for transferring balances to other cards and the rates would usually be in the single digits for the interest. Smart move. But she recently has had some activity from the credit card company that has been quite disturbing. While her transferred balance rate remains fixed, if she happens to use the card to incur any new charges, the rate that she will be charged is nearly 30%!

OUCH!!

Not only that, another credit card has lowered her available credit so that she has a higher debt to income ratio (a unit of measurement that the credit rating companies like Trans Union use to figure your credit score) potentially lowering her credit score. That's a double whammy.

Just be sure to read your statements and mail that the credit card companies send to you. It will make you realize that they are ruthless, greedy companies that don't give a crap about YOU and care about increasing their bottom line more.

Have a GREAT day!

Saturday Supermarket Savings

2009-07-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

There was money spent at the grocery store yesterday. Since supper was to be on my own thee was a great deal of conflict as to where or what to have: Should I visit on of my favorite fast food places?...Nah. I knew that the bill would easily run anywhere from $6-$10.

And that was for one meal for one.

I went to the grocery store instead and got $25.59 worth of groceries. You may think to yourself, "what good was that financially to spend $25.59 as opposed to $6-$10?" Simple. there was enough food purchased for approximately 12-15 meals. That is closer to $2 a meal. If you are keeping track, our tab now runs to $150.68, and there is enough food to last until the end of the month (and perhaps even beyond).

Some advocate going to the grocery store only once a month except for the perishables like milk, meat, eggs and cheese. I largely agree. But your can always freeze meat for a short while, so you could get your basic hamburger and chicken and freeze it. Just be sure to use it before your meat develops freezer burn. Keep your eyes open for bargains. When the supermarket was visited last night after work, a noticed that there was a special on the frozen pizza that I like at 4 for $5. Not bad considering that the pizzas are usually $1.89 apiece.

You can save money by always being vigilant for savings like that: savings can quickly add up to give you extra money with which to pay do your credit card debt. Tomorrow we will look at skyrocketing interest rates.

Have a GREAT day!

Credit Card Debt Elimination: Friday

2009-07-17T02:12:00.000-07:00

The running tab still stands at $125.09 because there was no eating dinner out (leftovers were had instead) and no bills were due. Life is truly good. As a look back is taken over the last 130+ posts, the habits and life-patterns are starting to solidify for living a debt-free and frugal lifestyle. Shopping habits have now developed to the point that rarely are groceries bought without a coupon (or on the days where the store offers $10 off a total of $50 or more), more meals are eaten at home, and now leftovers are a major staple, especially when dinner is eaten on a rare occasion at a restaurant (and water is the drink of choice).

Perhaps my parents had it right. Leftovers are actually a decent way to stretch your food dollars. My mom used to save plastic containers of every sort (butter, ice cream, Cool Whip) and there could always be found meals in the refrigerator composed of various meals that had been enjoyed earlier in the week. With the advent of microwaves, eating leftovers has become faster and more efficient. Leftovers, for me, used to be viewed with a bit of disdain because once I entered adulthood and didn't live at home anymore, leftovers didn't have any appeal to me.

Boy, was that incorrect thinking!

There is no shame in leftovers. In fact, sometimes leftovers are the best thing. We will usually eat half of what we get at a restaurant and get the rest to go for another meal at a later time. Perhaps you can think of thinks that you can do to save money for your own personal credit card debt elimination.

Have a GREAT day!

Thursdays and Credit Card Debt Elimination Plans

2009-07-16T02:27:00.000-07:00

My wife and I enjoyed a delicious dinner of fillet minon, corn on the cob, fresh-baked bread, and, for dessert, watermelon. At a restaurant it would have easily run up a tab of $50 or more. Total cost?: $12.06. The steak was purchased at a local grocery store, and it was cooked on the grill in the back yard.

Who says that you can't eat like a king for less?

The satellite bill was due yesterday and it was $70.68. It is quite a bit less since we cut out the movie channels (that we didn't have time to watch). The total spent yesterday was $82.74. Since we are keeping track, the total expenses after four days is $125.09. It wasn't just last year that our satellite bill ran that much per month, but after review of our watching habits, we decided that we just needed a few channels. Summertime is baseball, and we like to be able to watch the St. Louis Cardinals, we insist on having Fox Sports Midwest. The cost is an extra $12 a month over regular channel line up, but that is a luxury we will take, especially since we can rarely afford to actually drive the 30 miles and go to a game.

I was doing a bit of research by watching Dave Ramsey last night and was impressed by his straight-forward approach to finances. Too often, people know what they need to do to get out of credit card debt, yet they are unwilling to change their lifestyle. Dave Ramsey advocates making changes to your life, and you can do just that.

I have available my book Never Surrender!! which you can view a preview by clicking on the title in this blog, or order by clicking the button on the upper right side of the web page. I personally guarantee that you can save the cost of the book or you can get your money back. It will assist you in making sound financial choices to forever eliminate your credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

Savings Continued, Now Completing The Third Day

2009-07-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

In quest to see how much money was spent in day-to-day activities, we have begun keeping track of some of the non-fixed items to see if there are any ways in which money can be saved. Of course, this is just to take those same savings and apply them toward the debt elimination at hand.

Day three there was money spent. Occasionally one has to replenish the perishable items in the food reserve, and yesterday was no exception. We needed milk, bread, and (hangs head in shame at a vice) Diet Coke. I had stopped by Wal-Mart on the way to work (it isn't out of the way, so no "special trip" was made), but the $4.98 for a case of soda was replaced by $7.13 for the same case of 24. I was not happy about that, so I went to my local grocery store and got it instead (for the same price...). I did find and stock up on the cheese that I liked which is normally $3.28 for $1.00. I walked away feeling more like a winner on that one. All told, there was $42.35 spent on food, but that will last a while.

You have to be ready to take advantage of sale prices when you see them. There was $2.15 that was spent unnecessarily. Since we regularly buy the soda by the can, there is a renewed effort to keep the eyes peeled for the opportunity. So, the total now stands at $47.85 spent thus far since Sunday.

Have a GREAT day!

Two Days of Tracking Saving For Credit Card Debt Elimination

2009-07-14T04:41:00.000-07:00

It would have been so easy to order a pizza online and have it scheduled to be delivered when I got home from work: my wife was gone on business and it was just the dog and me. The dog always has to have a bit of pizza when we have that. I am a big fan of Papa Johns, but had I done that, it would have cost around $25. Granted, I would have had meals for the rest of the week, but since Little Caesars is on the way home, I could have saved about $16 and only spent nine (including the breadsticks). But, cooler heads prevailed and I fixed something that was in the pantry already. Money spent: $0. So, my two day total expenses now run $5.50.

Impulses are one of the biggest ways that we tend to waste money. We don't even think about it. When you are shopping at Wal-Mart, they count on you picking up the gossip magazine, the pack of gum, the soda, or whatever. Sure, it is only a buck or two and you will enjoy it for a few minutes, but those little expenditures can sure add up quickly. Don't feel bad for the stores either because the items that are strategically placed around the register are high profit items. Out of the machine, a can of soda can cost $0.75, but if you actually plan ahead, you can have the same can waiting at your home in the refrigerator for around $0.22. And the store that sold the case for $4.98 makes a profit. If you bought the case and resold it for $0.75 a can, you could realize a profit of $12.67 or 237.8%. (catch your breath)

Just watch the little things, because they add up to big bucks.

Have a GREAT day!

Saving Money For Credit Card Debt Elimination

2009-07-13T02:48:00.000-07:00

Spend less than you make. That's a key phrase that will help you to eliminate your credit card debt, allow you to take a ton of pressure off and give you the opportunity to build wealth in your life. In the last few months, we have explored many ways as to how to accomplish that and some of your letters have been inspirational to me and have served as fodder for some columns. Sometimes, you need to take an inventory and see if things are working out for you or not, and that is what we will spend the next bit of time on.

My goal is to spend as little as possible for the next month and will keep track to allow everybody to see how I am doing. Of course, a little public scrutiny will keep the pressure on (in a good way). Fixed expenses like mortgage and utilities won't be listed, but things like gas, groceries, and other variables will be.

One way in which I saved yesterday was that a fairly big (and late) breakfast was fixed at home so there was only dinner to worry about. I (hangs head in shame) had a drive-through lunch at work and spent $5.50. Since it was late in the day, supper wasn't necessary and sufficed on some popcorn on the porch to cool off before bed.

Money spent: $5.50.

We'll keep track, and have a GREAT day!

Coupons Savings and Credit Card Debt Elimination

2009-07-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

By now, you should realize that using coupons can be a way for you to escalate your credit card debt elimination program. What you may not realize as a big savings, when you add them all up and apply them to your existing credit card debt balances, the savings are astronomical. For example, my wife and I rarely eat out, we usually have something at home. We went out to eat last night and used a coupon. Usually, the bill at this restaurant is around $38.84 (this is for two dinners ,which produce enough leftovers for one meal each, soda, and 20% tip). We used a coupon last night and had water to drink (it is better for you anyway) and our bill with tip came to $26.46. That was a $12.20 savings. Since we tend to eat out on average once a week, that comes to an annual saving of $683.25.

Who said coupons aren't worth the effort.

That is just one example. We use coupons when we grocery shop and rarely buy things at full price. This has helped in credit card debt elimination, especially when we use the saved money to pay a little extra on our credit card. Now I am down to eight credit cards (yes, I had a problem) from thirteen. You can succeed too.

Have a GREAT day!

Credit Card Debt And You: Choices Abound

2009-07-11T02:36:00.000-07:00

There doesn't seem to be any one, single path to get to freedom from credit card debt: you can get there by just saving money on your everyday things and pay more on your credit card balances. You can cut up your credit cards so that you are unable to use them. You can cut back to one credit card for emergencies only...the possibilities and solutions are seemingly endless.

You have to find the way that works best for you.

There are countless programs out there as well, each has its own merits. There are regular books, tapes, CDs, e-books and the like. Some programs are very strict in their approach and they state that there way is the only way. I have looked at many of the programs and books and websites out there, and they all have a little something that could be used. That is why I wrote the e-book Never Surrender!! as a way to help you to get out of your credit card debt. Why was the e-book format chosen? It is easily transported from one place to another. You can print it out if you like. There isn't any shipping or packaging costs involved in production, and you can get it at any time without leaving the comfort of your home.

One thing is certain: in order to get out or stay out of credit card debt is to charge/spend less than you bring home. Find a way to do that, and you will be successful in your effort to eliminate credit card debt. Have faith that it can be done, and it shall be done.

Have a GREAT day!

It's Friday, Are You Free From Credit Card Debt?

2009-07-10T02:29:00.000-07:00

If you aren't, perhaps your mindset should be that you are free. Yes, the odds may be stacked against you, but you should never give up in your quest. You may have read about the winner of the lottery who has nothing but heartache and despair since. Winning all that money may have been temporarily great, but he even admitted that he wished he'd "torn that ticket up."

Many of the wealthy people in this world are not the ones who drive the fancy cars, live in the Mc-mansions, or have the $50,000 watch: they are probably quietly living a frugal life, not spending money needlessly and making do with what they have. How are you doing?

Have you sat down and figured out what it is that you are spending your hard-earned money on each month? The time invested in analysis of your finances will probably lead you to the answer of why there is so much month left at the end of your money. If you find yourself sighing after paying your bills and just wishing that perhaps next month will be better, there is some news for you: until you get control of your spending and change to where you look for ways not to waste your money, next month will be the same story.

And the month after.

You MUST have the DESIRE and the DEDICATION to make the change. That is why I wrote Never Surrender!! so that I could solidify MY thinking and actions and help YOU to do so as well. I also write on this blog everyday in an attempt to make a difference for you to be able to succeed. And I know that you have that ability to do so.

Have a GREAT day!

How Can I Possibly Save Any Money?

2009-07-09T02:16:00.000-07:00

It is all in your mindset.

In one of my previous lives, the girl that I was dating at the time had a knack for finding four-leaf clovers. When asked, she would simply state that she had the ability to find them because she was looking for them. When I tried, it didn't work. Maybe it was because I didn't believe that any four-leaf clover could be found simply by looking for them, but it didn't work for me.

It all comes down to belief.

You have to have faith that you will be able to do something, and, amazingly, you do. When looking for ways to save money, you will be able to do so. If you believe. If I can find ways to save money every day (which is used in turn to pay down credit card debt) I have every ounce of faith that you can do so yourself. Just turn your mind to finding the simplest of ways. It may be that the next time that you are at the grocery store that you decide to buy a case of soda that is on sale and take a can of soda with you to work. Instead of paying 75 cents at the break room soda machine, you pop open your can of 25 cent soda (they are identical except for the point of service: a machine or the checkout lane of the grocery store). It is these little things that will snowball into bigger things that will free up some serious money for you to make a dent in your credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

Wednesday Is A Great Day to Work on Your Credit Card Debt Elimination

2009-07-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Not just on Wednesday, of course, but every day is a great day to work on your plan to save money, pay down your credit card debt, and find ways to live your life more affordably and rewardingly. This is a venture that does require some effort on your part: nobody is going to do all of your work for you. One of the first steps is to sit down and figure out the plan for what you will do. You will need to write down every expense (you may have to track these for a while, but you will get the hang of it after a while) and every source of income that you have.

Have you set aside the time to plan?

There is no time like to present to do so. Just simply set aside a few hours that you can work on this uninterrupted. Once you get into the flow, things will come more easily. Sometimes it is difficult to think of all of the things that you spend money on. There may be the occasional soda at work. Or a candy bar at the gas station where you fill up your tank.

The idea is to write down everything.

You may need some help in getting out of your credit card debt. That is why Never Surrender!! was written: to help you get out of credit card debt. There was not the book when I began my journey, so I wrote it down for your benefit.

Have a GREAT day!

It's Tuesday, How's Your Positive Mental Attitude?

2009-07-07T03:14:00.000-07:00

Positive mental attitudes are not just for New Year's Day or Mondays, but for every day of the year. Like a campfire that has a good bed of coals to it, you don't need to have a ten-foot blaze of flames shooting forth at all times, but once the flames have gone down to embers, all you have to do to keep it hot is to add a little bit at a time. Our attitudes are the same. Being "on fire" all the time can be done, but it is work, and can get a bit irritating to those around us.

Instead of going "gang-busters" all the time, add a bit of fuel every day.

* Have a bit of quiet time to reflect each morning or evening before you head to bed to take assessment of where you are and how you are going about to get there.
* Find the good things to think about. If you are tired from working all day, be thankful that you have a job. If you are exhausted from mowing your yard, be thankful that you still have a home with a roof over your house. If your clothes are becoming more snug lately, have a grateful heart that you have plenty to eat.
* Hang around with other positive people. If all you do is hang around hateful, sullen folks, you too will soon become hateful and sullen. Other people can become an influence to you, so choose your friends wisely.

Keep the faith and keep working on getting out of credit card debt because you CAN do it! Have a GREAT day!

The Weekend is Over And It's Back To Work

2009-07-06T02:27:00.000-07:00

Did YOU have a good holiday weekend? Some people had and extended weekend for the Fourth of July, some people had to work, and some people had a blend, particularly those that hold more than one job. Today, however, things should be falling back into their normal ebb and flow. A lot of time was spent contemplating what is to be done next in the quest to eliminate credit card debt, and there are, of course, decisions still to be rendered.

Sadly, this holiday weekend saw more people swallowed deeper and deeper into credit card debt: they charged hundreds of dollars of fireworks, they charged at the grocery store for the best cuts of meat, they went out for fancy desserts after the fireworks had nothing left in them, and they woke up this morning with a higher credit card debt and are struggling right now to make a minimum payment.

Don't despair because there is something that can be done, even if you find yourself deeper in debt today than you were on Friday morning. You have to take ACTION! Find a way to pay for something in cash (or without using a credit cad), save some money and earmark that toward a higher payment to the credit card, heck, you can even sell some unwanted things in your home to raise the capital.

But...

...you have to do SOMETHING and do it NOW! Build your strength by starting small and working your way to Independence from credit card use and toward using only the money that you have on hand. Budget so that you don't spend needlessly.

If you need help, you can always pick up a copy of Never Surrender!!. In this ebook, you will find proven strategies to forever eliminate your credit card debt. Many have already saved thousands of dollars, and you could too!

Have a GREAT day!

Another Day In The Life of Credit Card Debt Elimination

2009-07-05T04:08:00.000-07:00

Sunday is a traditional day of rest for many. That doesn't mean that you can be non-vigilant in your pursuit of the elimination of your credit card debt. You should always be on the lookout for ways to save your hard-earned money so that you can use the "found" money to pay down your credit car debts. You have to remember that when you have $1.00 at 22% interest, if you just make the minimum monthly payments, you may find that the executors of your estate have to use whatever proceeds are left from the liquidation of your estate to pay your creditors. That one dollar may grow to be two, three, even four times the original cost.

Once your credit card debt is eliminated, you should not use that opportunity to incur more debt and forget the money-saving tips that you have learned. Instead, you can now use this money to build your nest egg or purchase the home or car of your dreams. Just don't stop once your have reached the milestone of being credit card debt-free.

If you ever need a resource for assisting you in your quest for credit card debt elimination, you can always turn to the ebook Never Surrender!!. There you will find proven strategies to get you out of debt.

Have a GREAT day!

We Celebrate Freedom on the Fourth, Are YOU Free?

2009-07-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Fourth of July has traditionally been a day for Americans to celebrate our independence and the fact that we are free: free to do as we like (within the confines of legality), free to worship how we like, and free to succeed in whatever business we like. Unfortunately, many of us are not free from the credit card debt that dampens our holiday festivities.

It doesn't have to be that way.

There is a way to get out of the credit card debt that shackless you. The very first step to take is to take action. Find a way to save some money and earmark that money to pay down the balance on one of your cards. Call up your credit card company (or companies, if that is the case) and ask for a lower rate. Don't take "NO!" for an answer. Ask to speak to a supervisor or a manager and call back until you get one willing to speak to you on the telephone. Speak firmly, but don't lose your temper. You will find that you get more of what you want by being courteous than by being angry, lous, and hard-headed. I have worked for years in customer service, and I speak from experience. Don't hate the customer service representative because they are just doing the job that they are told to do and make a living.

That is why I wrote the ebook Never Surrender!! that can help YOU to forever eliminate your credit card debt. It is guaranteed or your money back, so what have you got to lose? (Beside the shackles of credit card debt)

Have a GREAT day!

The Frugal Fourth

2009-07-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

So, today is not the Fourth of July, but it is a day that the company that I work for during the day gives us so that we can have a three-day weekend. This is actually looking like it is going to be a wonderful day, I don’t have to work anywhere (I am even off from my part-time job) and there is nothing planned. That, of course, doesn’t mean that there is a vacation from the struggle to save money in order to eliminate my credit card debt. We are staying at an RV park (but it isn’t really the traditional RV parks that one saw in the Robin Williams movie), but our cost for the week (we come down on our days off and when we are done working for the day) is minimal: We have brought our own food and soda and we are just enjoying nature far from the hustle and bustle of suburban living or urban working.

Although my book, Never Surrender is complete, time will be spent today refining the landing page. The book gives practical advice and guidance on how to eliminate your credit card debt.

One thing to help you save money (for credit card debt elimination, or survival, as far as that is concerned) is to keep an eye out for the ads for grocery stores. Here in the St. Louis region, there are three large grocery store chains that regularly advertise. Fortunately, we live close to all three and drive by them on the way home from work. When we plan, we try to go to the one that offers $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. I will take a list and keep track to make sure that I get as close to $50 as I can so that the savings is 20%. Look for coupons either in the local paper or even online (like at coupons.com).

Have a GREAT day and a wonderful Fourth of July!

Frugality is NOT The F-Word

2009-07-02T05:34:00.000-07:00

In the quest to become credit card debt-free, some (myself included) adopt a frugal lifestyle. They start to find ways to spend less money so that they free up money which can then be used to eliminate their debt. I know that my family has started to use strategies that allow us to enjoy life at a lower sticker price.

Case in point: this is the Fourth of July Holiday weekend (OK, it doesn’t really start until Friday, but who is counting). We have decided to camp at the timeshare/RV park that we got for a steal. Usually the level of membership that my wife managed to nab over the Internet sells for $21,000,but we managed to secure it for much, much less (less than 10% of the full price). We have reserved out spot for two weeks, which, if we had rented a small hotel room for $100 a night would have cost over $2,000. Instead, with the groceries, wood, and accessories, we will walk away with a mini vacation for less than $150. Not bad.

One other thing that we saved on was food. There is a small grocery store/meat market near our home (that is on the way to my day job) which always has an 8 oz. bacon-wrapped fillet for $4.99. I am a big guy and I could easily eat two of those myself, but if I take the time to eat, my wife and I do well just splitting one. (If you are doing the math, it is $4.99 vs. $14.97, a savings of $9.98). It is the little things like that which can save you money. Look for simple ways that you can save money that, in turn, can be used to more quickly get you out of credit card debt.

The sooner you are free, the better you will feel.

Have a GREAT day!

New Half-Year For Credit Card Debt Elimination

2009-07-01T03:50:00.000-07:00

Today is July 1, 2009 and it marks the beginning of the second half of the year. This is a good time for reflection on a checkup on all of your goals. Traditionally New Year's Day is the day that people traditionally do that sort of thing, but perhaps a new tradition is in order for you. After all, there is a goal for many of us to get out of credit card debt. So,

How Are You Doing?

I began the year having $61,960.24 in credit card debt. Today, the number is $54,432.81. Better than it used to be, especially considering that I had to go to court on several of the cards, and there were lawyer's fees and such added in. Having that sort of reality slap you in the face is not a pleasant experience. Today, however, I am seriously meeting with several attorneys to discuss Chapter 13 bankruptcy. I have fought my problem for many years and I have to explore the possibilities. It is not a road that I am traveling lightly.

I fear most hurting the ones that I love the most. I don't want to involve them if I can help it, but something has got to be done. That is why I write this blog, and this blog is both therapeutic to me and also I hope to teach others how to avoid this if at all possible. My parents taught me better, that's for sure, but I never saw them suffer or felt as if we had money issues (and I feel that we must have). I am being as open as possible with my family and hopefully, my son will develop some good spending and saving habits so that he doesn't have the struggles that I have.

Keep up the good fight, I write about it in my ebook, Never Surrender!! and it can help others to get out and stay out of credit card debt.

Have a GREAT day!

Oatmeal Is Better Than "No"-Meal

2009-06-30T02:57:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite sayings that I have picked up from my wife. There have been times in our lives together that the money has been flowing not at freely as others and times that I have taken some menial job despite the fact that I have an MBA or working at minimum wage. Some might not even take the job, but I have always appreciated having the ability to work. When you are on a quest to eliminate your credit card debt you might have to take on a second job. Right now, my second job is as a cashier at a home improvement warehouse where I make as much as the high school graduate doing the same job.

Why?

Something is better than nothing. If I waited until I got a second job that paid what I was worth, I would still be waiting after five years (which is how long I have been working there). It isn't much, but it adds up. I have earned about $32,000 in five years (before taxes and all), and there are some important things to remember when you take on a part-time job, the most important has to do with many people's favorite subject:

Taxes.

If you aren't careful and have enough tax taken out on the front end, you will be in for a big surprise on the 15th of April the following year. You see, your second job doesn't figure taxes as if you were making any other money except for the job that they are paying you for. That means if you are making $8,000 in a year for your second job, they will only tax you as if you only made $8,000, and that is little if no tax, particularly if you have any dependents that you claim when it is time to fill out your taxes. Personally, I have them withhold at the higher single rate (since I am happily married) plus an extra $25 for federal and $20 for state tax. That may be a bit excessive, but I would much rather get a refund at tax time than owe anybody one stinkin' cent! You may not care and would rather have the money now than later. It is all a personal choice, but I figured that you would e best off knowing ahead of time.

Whatever you do, keep the faith and keep working off your credit card debt, it will be worth it!

Have a GREAT day!

Do You Have Any Money on Monday?

2009-06-29T01:49:00.000-07:00

Some people get paid once a month (i.e. teachers), some people twice a month, some every other week, and some people weekly (i.e. certain Union workers). No matter when you get paid, do you ever have any money left a few days later, or are you like most people and your money is already spent for you when the weekend of pay period is over. Until my credit card debt is eliminated (and, it is less by $17,000 than it was a year ago), paycheck to paycheck is the way that life will continue to be lived. I have advocated a budget before, but let's take this time to revisit a sometimes unpleasant, but really quite necessary subject:

BUDGET!

"How do I make a budget?", you may ask. It is really quite simple and it takes a little bit of effort on your part. Start first by writing down everything that you spend your money on in an entire month. If you buy a piece of gum at the gas station when you fill up your vehicle with gasoline, write it down (don't forget to write the purchase of the gasoline either). When you buy a can of soda from the vending machine on your way out the door of Wal-Mart write that down. It is a bit of a tedious task, but it can develop some very helpful habits for you: You become more aware of what you are spending wherever you go, and you are developing the habit of building a budget. When your month is over, add up all of your expenses on one side of a sheet of paper and your income on the other side of the paper. Did you spend more than you had (credit cards) or did you have money left over?

If you are like most, you have more month left at the end of your money. See how you are wasting money on all of the trivial things and unnecessary things in your daily life. Do you really "need" the soda from the machine at work? Could you save money by buying a case of it at the store and taking it with you? Are you spending a fortune at the grocery store, but your cabinets are basically empty except for the 10 varieties of potato chips?

This is a good start. Tomorrow we will go into a little more detail on how to "flesh out" your budget. If you want a book that will help you to forever eliminate your credit card debt, click here.

Have a GREAT day!

Successful Sunday

2009-06-28T01:32:00.000-07:00

Usually Sundays are a day that I can sleep in. Of course, by sleeping in, that means getting up at six o'clock AM instead of 4 o'clock AM. This Sunday, however, is a little bit different for a couple of reasons: 1)the store at which I work on the weekends is having one of it semi-annual store meetings (they provide free breakfast, one of my favorite meals of the day and we are paid for our time to be there -- a double bonus) and 2) I finally have my ebook Never Surrender!! available (a test run was made, and all of the links work, although some of the graphics may not).

A lot of time and effort went into the writing of that ebook and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who assisted me in the writing of the ebook, especially my beautiful wife who has seen the back of my head more than anything for some time now. But the excitement is there that it has finally made it past all of the hurdles.

That has been a small goal for me lately, and it goes to show that even though you may have a definite goal in mind (such as credit card debt elimination), you can run into obstacles and hurdles that prevent you from getting there in exactly the fashion that you expect. Rather than quit at the first sign of difficulty (for me, it was linkage problems, a link wasn't leading people to where I wanted them to go), a solution was sought and eventually found. Some would have given up, but keeping the end in mind was essential.

You may have a challenge come up in your life too. You may have a goal of having $1,000 in the bank by a certain date. You make lifestyle changes and you make adjustments in your life and progress is slowly made. Then you get an unexpected expense, like a flat tire, a chipped tooth, or a trip to the doctor. These are only diversions, and you must remain focused on the prize because the goal is a good goal and you will be better in the long run because of it!

You can do it! Have a GREAT day!

A Confession

2009-06-27T05:43:00.000-07:00

Many of you have been following this blog for the last several months and you know that I advocate taking your food from home (it's less expensive and you know what it is that you are getting). Yesterday I ate dinner out. The rush was on to get the yard mowed in the extreme heat, get cooled off, and get to my weekday job in time. After work, I was going to spend the evening watching the rest of the Cardinals ball game at the RV. I managed to do that, but it was realized about halfway down to the campground (about an hour and a half away in good traffic) that there was no dinner packed for me. I easily could have spent $10.00 at Hardees, but that would have packed on the pounds. I did manage to drive by a Taco Bell and picked up a couple of $0.99 bean burritos. There was already a drink in the car, so I managed supper for a couple of bucks.

How often do we not think about the financial consequences of our actions. $8.00 was saved by doing that. If one meal a week is eaten that way, $416.00 could be saved in a year. If you were to charge that, and make minimum payments on the card over a year, it could easily have cost $500+. Personally, I would rather have the $500 even if it meant that I don't eat a Monster Burger and fries. You see, in order to have more money to pay down your credit card debt, or build your future, you have to have the long-term mindset.

Have a GREAT day!

Where Does It All Go?

2009-06-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

We have been working toward eliminating our credit card debt by saving money. How do we save the money? We keep track of all that we spend and eliminate the ways that are not productive. For example, I like to have an occasional adult beverage, particularly in the summer (and especially after the yard is mowed). If I were to go to a local establishment to purchase a beer, it would run $4.50 (depending on where you went).

Ouch!

Instead, I can purchase a case of 30 (which will last quite a while) at a store for around $0.60 a can. That means that I would save $3.90 per drink. If that case lasts the entire summer (and it may), I will have saved $117.00. Wow! And it saves me the gas to drive to an establishment and the time, yada, yada, yada. You see, it is the little things that add up.

That is why having a budget and keeping track is essential to gaining control of your finances. Rumor has it that when Michael Jackson passed away yesterday, he had amassed nearly $200 million in debt. Our credit card debt may not be anywhere near that amount, but when compared to our income, I am sure that some had nearly the same rate of debt. He didn't have control over his spending habits and it caused him financial worry. Everybody has the ability to gain a little more control over their finances, but you have to make a decision to be informed and willing to work at it. The good news?:

You CAN do it! Have a GREAT day!

Small Victories Add Up!

2009-06-25T02:15:00.000-07:00

When we get a small victory, take note and celebrate (if only in your mind). Recently, I reached a milestone on my online adventures. I participate in a program from Inbox Dollars that gives me a few cents for every email that I read, usually two or three every day. I have to run through my inbox every evening anyway, so it doesn't take up more than a minute of my time. When the account reaches $30, you can request a payout and that is precisely what was done the other night. I have reached it twice in one year. Now, $60 doesn't sound like much ammunition when you are attempting to eliminate your credit card debt, but it will be over $300 in five years. Would it make a difference if you got the lump sum of $300 on the front end? They way that I view it is that in the long term I am getting that money and it makes a difference. You can click on the banner at the bottom of today's post and join.

Inside that is a small victory. There are many small victories that are earned each and every day, but in the long run, they will add up to make a huge difference! As it is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step, you have to decide to get on the path of ridding yourself of credit card debt and begin the task. It may seem a bit overwhelming when you finally confront it, but as you gain strength in dealing with it and look back, the task was not that difficult.

When you find a way to save $0.10 per can of soda by buying a case (which you will end up drinking in the end anyway), celebrate! When you decide to order a free glass of water at a dinner out instead of the $1.79 glass of soda, celebrate. When you decide to pay a bill online and save the $0.43 cents (or whatever postage stamps are today), celebrate. Add them all together and you have saved perhaps $5.00. Do that every week, and you have saved $260, and over five years you have saved $1,300! CELEBRATE!!

Have a GREAT day!

Credit Card Debt Isn't The End of the World

2009-06-24T02:10:00.000-07:00

But sometimes it can bring it closer.

If you have a ton of credit card debt, digging out and ridding yourself of this beast can be a life-changing event. You may feel powerless to do anything about that debt. You are constantly being called by creditors that want their money. You leave your mail in piles (or throw it away) in fear of seeing how much your credit line has diminished, how many late fees have been added, and how many over-the-limit fees are tacked on as well. You get less sleep at night, and it is beginning to affect your personal life. People notice the change in you and begin to avoid you.

Take control of your life!

There is help and information available out there. The formula is simple: spend less than you make and use the extra cash to eliminate your credit card debt. When you combine saving with getting more money (visit my website) with saving money, it begins to gain momentum and you see your balances diminish and slowly disappear.

Be strong!

Know that you can do it and that others have eliminated their credit card debt as well. See what works for them and try it yourself. You may have to customize it to meet your particular needs, but do something. If it doesn't work: do something else!

Have a GREAT day!

How To Save Money on a Birthday Party

2009-06-23T02:14:00.000-07:00

After a while you learn to find ways that you can save on everything. Yesterday was my sister-in-law's birthday. She is developmentally disabled, but even at 39, her birthday is a very special day. She loves to go out to eat and she picked one of her favorite places to eat for her birthday. She had about ten of her friends from school and from her work at a sheltered workshop. They don't make a lot and so they didn't spend a lot on gifts, but that didn't matter to her. It was a very nice time and everybody enjoyed themselves and it didn't cost an arm and a leg.

Makes you wonder why one would spend hundreds, even thousands, on a birthday party for a child. My best birthdays were spent with family sharing a birthday cake (or pie, if you recall). I didn't need to eat at the best restaurant or have tons of the newest biggest toys that would be quickly forgotten or broken and discarded days later.

It is said that the best things in life are free. The cynic in me used to mutter, "yeah right", but that was back when I used credit cards and was quickly charging my way to a deep, deep debt problem: A problem I am dealing with to this day. I am confident that millions are out there now dealing with the same issue. You and I have seen a lot of changes going on because of the downturn in the economy. Just last week, I saw construction workers tearing down a fairly new BlockBuster store being dismantled. Brick and mortar stores are going by the wayside as people entertain themselves at home more and don't drive out to stores as much to rent movies, games, and things of the like.

You have to stay focused and save your own money and pay down the debt that you owe so that you can be free.

Have a GREAT day!

Saving Money In a Way You Don't Think About Often

2009-06-22T03:28:00.000-07:00

The quest to save money in order to pay down credit card debt hopefully has you thinking of creative ways to think of saving money. You, of course, know about the use of coupons, watching for the best deal, and even asking stores if they will give you a lower price. You are also beginning to buy some things in bulk when you know the per-item price is lower. One opportunity presented itself a few days ago, and it is realized that this way may not be the way that best works for your particular situation. This is an area that not everybody thinks about and not everybody does. It does for me...

...shaving.

I have the habit of shaving everyday (despite the fact that I have a goatee). I already save money by not purchasing the expensive razors or shaving cream. I figured that I spent$30.55 per year on shaving. You may spend more, but I was using my figures, tax not included. I bought an electric razor. They run in price from $29.99 all the way to $179.99 at the store that I was shopping at during my lunch hour from my weekend job. I erred on the side of lower cost and didn't buy the least expensive one, but I bought one that cost $39.99. I figured that if it lasts for 15.71 months, it will pay for itself. Since there was a two-year warranty on it, I saved $21.11, or $10.56 a month. Had a more expensive one been purchased, it would have taken longer to break even.

Is there something that you could purchase to replace something else that if disposable? Perhaps.

Have a GREAT day!

Father's Day

2009-06-21T03:54:00.000-07:00

Financial wisdom comes from a blend of teachings from my father (which, unfortunately, were largely unheeded) and life experiences of trial and error (or, as Zig Ziglar would say, trial and success). My father is very smart and wise when it comes to money. Money was a bit of a taboo subject in our house and we would rarely talk about it.

I never saw the tough times or ever thought that there was a challenge with money because it was never brought up to anybody.

Looking back, it does sort of make sense. My dad didn't have a credit card when I was growing up: If he didn't have the cash for something right then (and we didn't need it), we simply didn't buy it. Period. There was very little impulse buying. We only went out to eat on kid's birthdays and so special meals were often prepared at home (mom is great about making meals at home). Birthday cakes were made, not bought (although as my brother and I got older, we asked for banana cream pie instead of cake). Presents were not the extravagant kind of gifts that now are more popular, At Christmas, we would usually get one toy and some more practical things like clothes.

Dad lived a frugal lifestyle without coming across as cheap.

I am letting my son see my struggles so that he will know that credit cards can so easily entrap you into paying a lot more for something that you may want, but not necessarily need. I think he sees the message.

Happy Father's Day and have a GREAT day!

Are You a Fan of Fans?

2009-06-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

The journey to eliminate credit card debt for many involves a trip down the road of saving money, money that is otherwise wasted but, once saved, can be used to pay down the credit card debt. Yesterday we discussed the use of programmable thermostats and how having your house (in the summer) warmer for the times that you are not home can save you lots of fleeting money. Let's take that a step further.

Houses built today are fairly sterile as far a air flow is concerned. I recall opening my window on a warm summer evening and my father turning on the attic fan to draw air into the house and save us from having to turn on the air conditioner. My grandparents had little use for an air conditioner because they used fans to move the air and to keep things cooler, at least they seemed cooler.

Nowadays, we make use of the ceiling fans to keep it more comfortable even though the temperature is higher (again, we are talking about summertime). The breeze that is caused by the ceiling fan fools your body into thinking that it is cooler than it is (technically, it has to do with evaporation of water from the skin, but lets save that for a physics blog). We have become so spoiled that if the temperature isn't 71 degrees at all times, there are complaints of being too hot or too cold. My suggestion is to make use of fans (which use considerably less electricity than do air conditioners) and keep, in the summer, the temperature at a higher level than you would otherwise keep it. Your pocketbook/wallet will thank you for that.

Have a GREAT day!

Programmable Thermostats: Well Worth The Investment

2009-06-19T01:15:00.000-07:00

One of the best money-saving items that we have invested in was a programmable thermostat. You can find one at stores like Home Depot and Lowe's for anywhere from $29.00 to $99.00. We have saved a lot of money because of our work schedules, the thermostat has the house temperature where we would like it to be. Ten years ago, we would set the temperature, if we remembered, to be (in the summer) a bit warmer in the house during the daytime and turn it down when we got home at night. Sometimes we forgot so the house would be cooled to 70 degrees during the day when there was nobody home to enjoy it. That was money out the window, so to speak.

The nice thing about the programmable thermostat is that it is accurate, easy to install, and quite the money saver. During the summer, we now keep the house at 85 degrees or warmer during the day. Why pay to cool the house when some of us sit in air conditioning at our day jobs? There is nobody here to enjoy it. If one of us happens to be off during the day, we can always override the temperature and make it more bearable. We have it programmed to cool the house to 78 degrees a half an hour before we get home.

Wait a minute! Did you say 78 degrees (in the summertime)?

Yes. There are ceiling fans to stir the air and make it more enjoyable, and, when the bill comes each month, the lower bill makes it all the more worthwhile! Also using newer appliances that are Energy Star rated will save money because they are more energy efficient and are better for the environment.

Every little bit adds up to more money for you: money to help pay down your credit card debt or have for living your dreams. Have a GREAT day!

How To Save Money at the Ballpark

2009-06-18T02:15:00.000-07:00

In a quest to save money and more quickly pay down my credit card debt, there is a lot of time devoted to looking for ways to save money. Taking time to plan is a way to ensure that you can save money yourself. I make no bones about it, I like to go see the Cardinals in action. My father-in-law bought a package of tickets that are mid-week games and got a good deal on them. About every other week we head down to the ballpark to watch the action. Parking there is $20 a shot. Sure, we could save money by parking further away, but we usually don't make it until the first inning because of my work schedule and we don't want to miss more of the game.

When we first started going to the game, we ate at the ball park. That is at least $12.00 a person. Then we started planning a bit and now we have plenty to eat for about $15.00 altogether (there are three tickets and four people, so somebody has to stay at home). Rather than get a hamburger, fries and a drink at the stadium, we now will get two Subway foot long sandwiches and a trio of sodas from the refrigerator. Yes, it is a bit of a hassle to have to wait for the gatekeepers to inspect our coolers, but the money saving is well worth it. We also used to go to get custard, but for time, weight management, and money savings, we go only once in a blue moon.

Perhaps there are ways that you can still enjoy some of your favorite summertime activities and find ways to do them for less money. Use the savings to pay down your credit card debt, or, at least, to save for bigger items.

Have a GREAT day!

PMA: Developing The Habit

2009-06-17T03:23:00.000-07:00

A Positive Mental Attitude is essential to success when it comes to your life and when it comes to eliminating your credit card debt. Some people mistakenly assume that you have to think that they have to walk around the whole time of their life with a smile on your face, say that "everything is great" (even with your world crumbling down, and always be peppy. That may be perfect for a select few, but

I am a realist.

Some may say that if a 16 ounce glass has 8 ounces of water in it that, if you are a pessimist, the glass is half empty. Somebody else will look at that same glass and say, if they are an optimist, that the glass is half full. I will look at the glass and say that the glass is the wrong size. The same exercise can be used with credit cards. You may have the ability to keep up with your monthly payments so you may look at how much credit line you have left. Or, you may look and see how much debt is piling up.

Sometimes you have to step back and ask yourself what the heck is going on. Credit cards can be a trap for many people and it may take them years to develop the habit of not using credit cards except in an emergency. Developing that type of habit can take time. Having a positive mental attitude to help you attract the things that you want in life takes time as well. Start small, if you must by writing down a small goal and work toward that. Make it attainable and achievable and when you tackle that goal, move on to another one that is slightly more challenging for you and that will build on the strength that you developed earlier. The pattern of success will help "train" you to become more and more successful.

Keep working at it and have a GREAT day!

Belief: The Secret Ingredient

2009-06-16T02:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we talked about how a positive mental attitude is a great tool to help you achieve your goal of eliminating your credit card debt. It isn't just a tool that will serve you to achieve that goal, but it can bleed over to any aspect of your life. When studying positive mental attitude in my life, I have noticed one key ingredient:

Belief.

You have to first believe that you will achieve what you are going to achieve. It may be a goal of losing a certain amount of weight, it may be to have a certain amount of money in your checking account, it may be what we have talked about here at this blog for the past 100+ days, eliminating your credit card debt. There is a saying that goes, "whether you believe you can, or believe you can't, you are right."

It seems that when you believe something, subconsciously you begin to align yourself with actions, habits, and surroundings that will make it more of a reality. For example, if you believe whole-heartedly that you can write a book. you will start to notice how others write their books. You may read more. You may notice an article on ezinearticles.com. Perhaps you submit an article there and you get the idea on what you want your book to be about. You start to keep a notebook about the points that your book will cover. Then you create a rough sketch outline. Then you fill it in. The next thing you know, you have a book on your hands (mine will be available soon at www.money-for-my-life.com ).

You see, you gotta believe, and the rest will "magically" take care of itself. Be careful and do not mistake "like" with "belief". There is a difference between saying "I would like to earn $1,000" and "I believe I will earn $1,000." Can you spot the difference?

Have a GREAT day! Believe in yourself!

PMA: Keep Fueling Your Positive Mental Attitude

2009-06-15T02:29:00.000-07:00

It isn't just for eliminating your credit card debt. There are many other applications that it can be used for. It just so happens that we talk about saving money and eliminating your credit card debt in this blog. But one tool that can be used here is one tool that will serve you in all of life:

Positive Mental Attitude.

This was one of the earliest lessons that I learned in my adult life. There was a trumpet instructor at the University of Arkansas where I earned my bachelor's degree in music education. He was the type of guy that you loved to be around. He always had something encouraging to say and you always left his presence feeling better than when you were feeling before he came around.

One day, he invited several of us to go to Oklahoma with him to an Amway meeting. There was a room filled with 500+ enthusiastic people and the feeling was quite contagious. It was at that time that I learned the importance of filling your mind with lots of positive things, and I picked up a book (which I still have to this day) by Napoleon Hill called "Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude". The book told of the success that you could enjoy by employing several techniques for keeping a positive mental attitude.

This book and many others are ones that are referred to by myself that help to keep my focus on having a positive outlook and succeeding. It even helps as I continue to grow my Internet presence and work toward financial independence as many others have dreamed of as well. One thing that I have learned is that there is a difference between dreaming of a successful life and having goal. Goals are just dreams with plans.

Succeed in planning and you will develop a plan to succeed. Have a GREAT day!

Can Credit Card Debt Elimination Happen In A Timely Matter?

2009-06-14T03:16:00.000-07:00

That's a question that is answered by: "It Depends." It depends on a combination of things:

*Your Ability To Pay at Least the Minimum Monthly Payment in a Timely Matter - If you are having a difficult time making your minimum payment on all of your credit cards, you might have to look at getting a higher paying job, getting a second job, getting a loan from a bank (with poor credit, that may be easier said than done), getting a loan from family (unless they have none to loan), getting a loan from friends, or, when all else fails, seeking professional help

*Your Ability To Stay Employed - In these tough financial times, it may be difficult to keep your job. There have been times where I have not been as fully employed as I could have been, but I have always been willing to work, even if it meant that I was doing something "below" my abilities. After all, "Oatmeal is Better Than No Meal".

*Your Desire To Get Out of Credit Card Debt - Sometimes you have to keep a PMA (positive mental attitude, but "Where There's a Will, There's a Way" has never rang more true. Once you decide to do something, subconsciously, you cut yourself off from all other possibilities and you find ways to make it happen.

Hang in there, Have a GREAT day!

A Centennial Celebration

2009-06-13T04:21:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 100th post to this blog. Thanks for stopping by. We have looked at ways to help eliminate your credit card debt and the main focus has been on finding ways that money has been slipping through your fingers and driving you deeper in dept. Perhaps you haven't had as much control over your spending as you would like to have had (guilty). Perhaps you have been maxing out your credit cards and shuffling between payments and even using the "free checks" that come with your statement to pay the minimum on a different credit card (guilty).

It takes a conscious effort to change your habits and use credit more wisely (or or not at all).

It can be a daunting task to stop cold turkey and that it exactly what some people do. They say to themselves, "I am not going to use my credit cards any more". They cut them up, and that is that. Some people wait until there is no credit left to use. Either way, change (in this case) is good. You need to take a stand and not let yourself be run over by credit card debt any longer!

How?

Educate yourself. Seek advice from others. Negotiate. Pay your bills on time. Seek help, if necessary. The important thing to know is that you have the power to get out of credit card debt and break free of the chains that bind you.

Thanks, and have a GREAT day!

Grocery Savings

2009-06-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

Saving money is one of the reasons behind this blog and the reason for saving money has been to have more money in order to more quickly pay off your credit card debt. I must apologize because an assumption was made that everyone must be in credit card debt since I was (yes, that is a bit of egocentric behavior there). In these trying economic times, it has been difficult for many to get by or save money. It has been noticed in the way that stores advertise, how people are striving for bargains more than ever.

I used to be somewhat of a snob when it came to grocery store choices. There are three large local grocery store chains in the region in which I live. One was known for its customer service, but the prices were a little elevated. Another had grown on its strength for having a little less in the quality department, but was more middle-of-the-road price--wise. Then there was the third which was more value driven and you had to bag your own groceries. It was the latter one that I rarely, if ever, frequented.

Now I shop there almost exclusively.

Here's why: they have improved the quality of their selection, but most Thursdays they offer a $1o off, no coupon day. Basically, if you spend $50 and more there on Thursday, they will knock $10 off your bill. If you spend $50, you will save 20%. If you spend $100, it is 10%. I shop with a list (a strategy that is recommended as a way to control spending) and do my best to keep my total as near $50 as possible. Of course, things like milk, eggs, and alcohol are excluded. They give you a receipt that shows how much you saved by posting the suggested retail price and show you how much you saved over all.

When I sat down this morning to enter the money into my check register, I saw how much I had saved. I spent (after $10 off) $51.33 for groceries for about two, maybe three weeks. My savings were $33.42 or around 40%. That's not too bad a deal. After all, food is just fuel for he body.

Becoming thrifty does change how you will view things and train your eyes to look for the bargains. After all, it is your hard-earned money that you are spending and you might as well get the most bang for your buck.

Have a GREAT day!

We All Have The Same Amount of Time

2009-06-11T02:24:00.000-07:00

Yet, time seems to be the one thing besides money that we never seem to have enough of. As people most of us seem to have mastered the art of multi-tasking, or doing more than one thing at the same time. There are times when we take our laptop to the dinner table to finish reading or researching something interesting on the Internet while we mindlessly shove some food into our mouths. Or we catch up on our e-mail on our mobile device in a meeting at work or on our break at work.

In striving to eliminate our credit card debt it has been mentioned that we need to develop a single-mindedness of purpose, but seeing that many of us do more than one thing at the same time, perhaps we need to devote one or more of our streams of consciousness for that goal. While shopping, for example, there should be a steady stream of thought of how money can be saved that can, in turn, be used to pay off credit cards.

The more that you can save, the sooner you can be out of debt. The sooner you are out of debt, the sooner that you can begin to live your life wisely and freely. There will be challenges, but save that nickel here, that dime there, and those cents will grow to dollars which will help you to live your life the way that you want.

Have a GREAT day! and be successful!

Credit Card Debt, Don't Let It Get You Down, cont.

2009-06-10T02:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's post was perhaps a glimpse of the darker side of credit card debt and the strive to eliminate that credit card debt. It is amazing what a few hours of sleep will do for the soul. Still the fight must be fought and the road is long, but there is always a dash of hope that comes with rest and reflection.

As we near the century mark of posts to this blog, there are thanks to be handed out. Being a proud man, it is often difficult to admit when others have helped along the way. First and foremost is my wife, who has believed in me even though financially I have unwittingly drug her down into my financial mess. For her steadfastness, I love and appreciate her, even though my actions don't always demonstrate that. I do. My son, whom I believe in tremendously and have let down as well. I pray that he will learn some of the lessons about credit and money that I have bull-headedly learned on my own. My parents, who taught me much with my life and whom I never really thanked. They tried to warn me, but, being the proverbial black sheep of the family I had to find out on my own.

What a bitter lesson I have learned.

My hope is that you can learn from my mistakes as well and live your life to its fullest by using your credit wisely, paying your bills on time every time, and not wasting money on things that don't mean much in the long term.

Have a GREAT day!

Credit Card Debt, Don't Let It Get You Down

2009-06-09T19:37:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it is easier said than done. When it seems overwhelming, it is hard to stand up and stand your ground. This has been a trying time lately for me. The possibility of filing for bankruptcy, which has been avoided for the last ten years, is looming ever larger and ever more powerful.

If I can help it, I don't want to go down that road.

Bankruptcy stays on your credit for seven years. My credit already leave a lot to be desired, and, if you have ever missed credit card payments, overdrawn your checking account, or any other financial stumble, your credit score is probably less than stellar. I have resisted asking for debt because I am a proud man. A pride cometh before a fall.

I am not a loser, except when it comes to managing my own finances. Always secretive, it has come around to bite me in the butt (so to speak). My intention has always been to take care of my own, but I am not as able to continue as I once was. Bob Seger summed it up in Against The Wind "We're just older now and still running against the wind.". Perhaps one of the darkest things I can ever recall is the speech that Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce gave at his surrender "..I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."

That is why I have written Never Surrender, A Practical Guide to Forever Eliminating Your Credit Card Debt. It will be available next week. Sign up on the right of the blog to be notified of its availability. Have a GREAT day!

Say Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?

2009-06-08T03:12:00.000-07:00

Every penny, every nickel, every dime can add up to help you in your quest to eliminate credit card debt. When you can save a few cents, put those few cents aside to pay off the credit card debt. Added up, over time, you realize that the money could have made a huge difference. Here is a case in point:

On the way to work (about a 25 mile commute) I pass by many gas stations. Three of them are gas stations that participate in the Upromise program in which it will deposit into my account, that is set up for my son, one cent ($0.01) for every gallon of gas purchased. I have had it for about seven years. It has added up to be over $50.00. It would have been more, but I didn't always purchase my gasoline there. Because I rarely carry cash, I had been passing off another gas station that give a $0.03 cent per gallon discount for cash. I definitely pass this gas station every day, so a point has been made to have $30 in cash around fill up time. That would add up to $588.00 over 20 years. If I could twenty things to save a few cents (3) on each week, in that same 20 years, I would have an extra $11,760.

That isn't chump change. Every little bit helps, don't let people kid you into thinking that it doesn't. One of the things that I learned while working for a major telecom as a consumer sales agent was to present a feature as costing just a few cents a day. The customer didn't realize that we were, in fact, milking hundreds of dollars a year from consumers. That's how companies do that and manage to stay viable.

Be vigilant, be thrifty, and have a GREAT day!

Negotiating Credit Card Debt Help

2009-06-07T04:05:00.000-07:00

There may come a time when a credit card company is tired of waiting for your money and they will sue you. You may have been asking them to provide substantiation of the debt, but they hadn't been responding. One day, a stranger may come calling on you and give you a summons to appear in court. At that point you may feel a bit overwhelmed.

Help is actually around.

I had earlier gotten a letter from a mediation firm stating that there was to be a court action against me soon. I fished out that piece of mail and gave them a call. Seems there was a company that was representing a credit card that I had once used that was now actively pursuing the money from me. They stated that the balance owed was $9,000 and were taking me to court about it.

I showed up to court and asked for a continuance (especially since I had just been given the summons a few days prior). Visions of wage garnishment and such were running through my head. It was a total feeling of panic.

That's where the mediator came in.

We met and discussed my earnings, my expenses, etc. The mediator put together a proposal (after a fee was paid) and there was a voice mail a few days later that they would settle for a lump sum payment of $5,600. I was saved, after taxes and expenses, around $1,500. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but better than the alternative.

My advice: Be careful, be open to all options, and use your head. Have a GREAT day!!

Help Getting Out of Credit Card Debt

2009-06-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

Face it. You have to charge less than you are paying off. Bottom line. Freeing up extra money on an ongoing basis is key to achieving this. Yesterday, we discussed a bit about automobiles. It was revealed that a used card will cost less because it is, well, used. But you don't lose nearly the amount of money that you would (buying new) when you leave the car lot.

Too often people are driven only by "How much will it cost per month?" This kind of thinking is so short-term that it is frightening when you actually take the time to do some of the math. Sure, it only costs $250 dollars a month. The sticker price may say $10,999. "I can afford that", you say. A new car loan can often be rolled into a package that is for 72 months, or six years. Most people don't keep a car for four years, so if you trade it in, your car may only be worth $3,000 after four years. You still owe $6,000 on that car. You are now upside down on the car and a dealer would be happy to roll that into your new car purchase. Now, you will have a very difficult time getting out from being upside down.

If you did keep your car for the full six years, that $10,999 car would have cost you $18,000. Guess who pockets the extra $7,001? It isn't you. With a used car, you loan is for a shorter term, you pay less up front, and somebody else has already taken the depreciation hit on it.

All I have to say is that you need to think with your head and not your heart. Do your homework and you will thank yourself for that in the long term. Have a GREAT day! (visit my website, the book Never Surrender is scheduled for release on June 14, 2009)

How 'You Gettin' There?

2009-06-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

To eliminate credit card debt you need to have ways in which to save money and hopefully there have been some ideas presented that you could use. With the automobile daily in the news nowadays, perhaps we should explore buying a vehicle, after all, most people need one to get to and from work and to places in your life. If you are fortunate enough to live in a metropolitan area that has public transport, that can save a lot of money.

With a car being the biggest expense that one may make besides purchasing a home, you really should do some homework when buying a car.

*NEW vs USED - Nothing beats the feeling of having a new car that nobody else has driven. The challenge is that a new car immediately loses value the second that you drive it off the lot. Too often people look at how much a car costs per month instead of taking the time to figure out how much you will be paying over the long term. With today's financing options, you can blend in the insurance, taxes, and such into the loan. Back in the 1970s, a new car was often a three-year loan. Today, however, it is often a six year loan. You will always owe more than the car is worth usually up until the last payment. Woe is you if you happen to total the car and you have to come up with the money to pay it off.

Nowadays, I vote for used. Somebody else has already taken the hit for loss of value when they bought it new. You can always buy an extended warranty, but you really should take the time to explore the reviews of the car, research its usefulness over its life, and see what cars hold their value over time.

I drive an 11/12 year-old car. It looks nice and it serves the car's purpose: to get you from point A to point B. It is not an investment because there are a very minute number of cars that increase in value, so it is always a liability.

Always.

Sure, there are things that will wear out with a used car. We have had to replace the suspension, oxygen sensors, brakes, and tires. The costs for those (plus the loan payment) is still lower than the cost for a new car.

Use your head, have a GREAT day, and keep looking for ways to save money so that you can eliminate your credit card debt!

Hold Your Head Up

2009-06-04T05:21:00.000-07:00

When in the quest to eliminate your credit card debt, it becomes a challenge at times to remain focused and disciplined. The stress level can be extremely heavy at times, and that stress can take its toll on you if you aren't prepared to deal with it. Here are some "stress busters" that may help you to deal with the stress of eliminating credit card debt, but also with other stresses in your life:

* Exercise - You wouldn't have to train for a marathon nor attempt to break the world record for weight-lifting, but sometimes something as simple as a thirty minute walk can help to put your mind on something else. Personally, I use the summertime months to get my exercise outdoors by mowing our yard (by hand, of course). The hour or so gives me some much needed exercise plus the satisfaction of seeing our lawn look neat (and it saves money to do it yourself)

* Read a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) book - you don't have to run to the bookstore to find these books, they are often at the local library for free. Some of my favorites include Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, See You At the Top by Zig Ziglar, or Personal Power by Anthony Robbins

* Take a picnic lunch/dinner to a park - just having dinner and enjoying the outdoors (while saving money) can serve as a "charge" to your inner batteries

* Listen to music - Some people like to listen to music (and most radio stations are free) and there is a variety of stations out there for you. You can even find music that you like to listen to online for free.

My personal wish is for you to become successful in eliminating your credit card debt and to enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed! Have a GREAT day!

Wow, It's Wednesday

2009-06-03T03:22:00.000-07:00

In my struggle to eliminate credit card debt, there comes some point to where desperation is the order of business. Perhaps you get served a summons to appear in court a few days prior to being in court. You dutifully show up to court, realizing that you are one of 100+ to appear before the court to find out that if you didn't appear in court, you would have had a summary judgement against you. It doesn't matter that you have asked in writing (sent by certified mail) for proof that the debt was yours and so forth and so on, but, despite your efforts to achieve documentation of proof that the debt was yours, they just issued you a summons to appear in court.

That is a sobering experience.

Having prepared taxes for a few years for a major company ("You Got People"), I was well aware of the 10% penalty on early withdrawals from an IRA. I also knew that all of the money you take as an early disbursement is taxed as income. When backed against a wall, the options narrow. Fortunately, it appears, after preparing a mock 1040 with the new income, I was relieved last night (after watching the Cardinals at their stadium win a game) when I ran the numbers and it appears that things will work out, it still leaves a sinking feeling that credit card debt is a serious problem.

I am dealing with it as best I can.

Thank God I have family and friends that support my efforts and I know that everything will work out, even though I have to work twice as hard. Don't believe that it is easy to change years of habit. It isn't.

But it can happen. Believe that in your heart of hearts that it is possible, because it is. Thank you for all of your support.

Your Tax Dollars At Work

2009-06-02T02:12:00.000-07:00

A library is wonderful resource that too few people take advantage of. I was fortunate to grow up loving libraries. My grandmother was the librarian for her little town in North Central Arkansas since I was a little boy. Some of my fondest memories were spending a week with my mother's parents down at their farm. It was a wonderful experience for a young child because I would spend the days with my grandmother while she was working at the library and the evenings with my grandfather who was a carpenter and farmer.

Learning to read at an early age and having been read to gave me a great escape with a book. Libraries are, for the most part, paid for out of our local tax, but remain a storehouse of knowledge. For free. You wouldn't have to pay for a newspaper because you could always read the copy at the library. You didn't have to buy books to read them, you would check them out at the library and return them when you were finished.

Libraries today are more than a repository for books. There are audio books available. You can check out movies and videos. There is even free Internet access available at many libraries. You should check out the one in your local town. It is a great source of entertainment for children in the summer. Heck, you don't need to limit it to just a few months a year.

In your quest to eliminate costs from your life and eliminate your credit card debt you should be open to many of the low-cost and no-cost options out there that you might otherwise overlook.

Have a GREAT day!

June-"Bugs"

2009-06-01T02:47:00.000-07:00

As you strive to eliminate credit card debt from your life, there are always challenges or "bugs" that come up and may create a temporary hindrance to your goal. They will happen, and you have to pay them some attention, but you don't need to be paralyzed by them. In fact, knowing that things may come up can be empowering in some small way.

It is good to remain focused on the ultimate goal which is to become credit card debt free. Recently I had a bit of a "stumble" because I had to have one of my back teeth crowned. I was told that a tooth that had a filling (for about 30 years) had to be replaced. No big deal because I have dental insurance, although, I will admit, I don't like to visit dentists and often neglect to have regular checkups. There even was an FSA that had been set up through my work although it was funded for my yearly glasses expense. I was not "pleasantly" surprised when the bill was nearly $600 with insurance.

I paid it, although the money could have been used for my glasses, but we shall overcome that. The focus still remains on lowering credit card debt and eliminating that from my life. It does affect everything that is one and saving money has become somewhat of a passion in my life. Yesterday is a good example. Time was not allotted to prepare my lunch to take to work and when my lunch hour came, I went to Wendy's. I kick myself now because I could have used the money saved by packing ramen noodles to have an extra $6.85 to pay toward credit card debt.

So it is with life. It doesn't matter how many times you may stumble or fall, what matters is how many times you brush yourself off and get back into the race in which slow and steady wins the race in the long run.

Have a GREAT day! (You can sign up for my eBook notification on the right side of the blog).

Cruising Down The River On a Sunday Afternoon

2009-05-31T02:46:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to catch up with an old friend last night and in doing so, was reminded of one of my favorite low-cost activities: canoeing. I grew up in Southwest Missouri and my older brother and I would often spend a Saturday or Sunday (or a weekday in the summer) floating one of the many creeks and rivers around us. It never cost much, and here is why:

* He owned his own canoe - the rental of a canoe isn't much if you don't own your own, but we lived near a boat factory and he bought a 17-foot canoe for a discount because the paint was imperfect on the bottom. If you canoe much in streams or rivers, whatever paint is on the bottom will be gone after scraping bottom a few times.

* We would pack our own meals. Usually just a couple of bologna sandwiches and a bag of chips.

* We would haul it ourselves. What we would do was to take two cars, drop the canoe off at the beginning site, drop one off at the end, and drive back to park at the entry point. Usually a 15 or 20 mile trip would do for us, but since we were fast (if necessary) we had plenty of time to eat and swim on a beach or rope swing.

* It was a great chance to enjoy the outdoors and make a lifetime of memories.

When my brother passed away in 1982, I inherited his canoe. It is stored at my parent's house and I don't get out it in nearly as often as I would like. My brother used to take pride in that he was "cheap", although frugal would be a kinder word for his life style. He was very good at making a dollar go a long way.

Here's to you finding something low-cost to enjoy your spare time, and I hope that you have a great day! My eBook Never Surrender is tentatively set for June 14, 2009 release. You can sign up for the newsletter/notification on the right side of this page.

Saturday In The Park

2009-05-30T09:38:00.000-07:00

A good, inexpensive way to have some family time, or alone time, is in the park. Usually, there is not a fee (free is good) and you can pack a picnic lunch or dinner that should not cost as much as a meal out. If I didn't work on Saturdays, I probably would spend more time in the park or down at a campsite.

When you are looking for ways to save money to eliminate your credit card debt (or just plain debt if you are lucky enough not to be burdened with credit card debt), slowly the ideas trickle in until you find yourself looking at coupons online (coupons.com) or in the paper or in magazines. Not only do you look at them, you begin to use them. Perhaps it is saving 10 cents here or a quarter there, but that trickle of savings starts to build into a steady stream of formerly wasted money that now is buying you freedom.

One of the best ways to not have credit card debt is not to go there in the first place. Years ago, credit cards were few and far between and not very many people could qualify. As regulations loosened, interest rates dropped, and we, as a people, became more and more consumer-driven, credit card debt grew and grew.

So did the credit card companies.

Sure, President Obama has pushed for legislation to help the consumer, but don't be so smug thinking that the credit card problem has gone away. It hasn't. It won't until all are educated about their credit cars and the wise use of them (or non-use of them). Hang in there, because you can be free too.

Sign up for a newsletter to let you know when my eBook Never Surrender will be available. Have a great day!

Friday, Friday, Finally Friday

2009-05-29T03:53:00.000-07:00

For most people, Friday is a day that is looked forward to from the beginning of the week. Since I have been on a quest to eliminate credit card debt, it represents another day. I work most weekends. It will happen occasionally that I am not scheduled on the weekend, but knowing that the small amount of money that I earn on the weekends is used toward finally eliminating credit card debt, I don't mind. Weekends are a good time for celebration, relaxation, and a bit of planning.

Celebrations don't mean that you have to go and run up your credit card bill at the bar or club, just an evening's drink and snacks (because they seem to go hand in hand) can easily run up $100 or more for two people. Multiply that by 52 weeks in a year, and you have over $5,000 a year. That would be enough to eliminate a credit card or two for myself (the lower balanced ones).

Wow.

Here's is a suggestion, and it is only a suggestion. I drink occasionally, but it is usually one or two (OK, sometimes three) and it is pretty exclusive to the weekend. I usually have a snack with them as well. I could easily go to a bar/club and spend $10-$15 for the drinks and $5 for the snacks. There is a $20 bill that has gone away. What I do now, and enjoy more is sitting on the screened-in porch and have those drinks, have a snack, and have a relaxing evening with my beautiful wife. I buy the drinks and snack ahead of time and the cost is around $5. That is $15 dollars saved. The great thing is that I don't have to worry about drinking and driving (sore subject) and, if I perchance have too much to drink, I just have to worry about tripping over the dog (who wouldn't mind because there would be more crackers for her). It is a win-win situation because I get some relaxing one-on-one time with my wife and we will listen to some music or a ball game (in season).

Perhaps there are some ways that you could think of to have a good time for less, free up some money, and eliminate your credit card debt. My book is nearly ready now (it is written), and if you would like to receive notification of when that is ready for you, you can sign up for the Never Surrender newsletter on the right side of this blog. You simply enter your email and first name, there will be a confirmation sent to you (check your spam box), and I will notify you of where to get your hands on the book, plus I will send out information occasionally on ways to eliminate credit card debt.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Carpe Diem

2009-05-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

Seize the day! A lot of us will see people taking action and will wish it were us. You have that ability to do things and many times it will require you to do just one thing...TAKE ACTION! Often it doesn't matter what the action is, you must just do SOMETHING!

The same is true when you are eliminating your credit card debt and securing your financial future.

You may ask, "Should I save by using coupons? Should I pay the highest interest card first while maintaining minimum payments (on time) with my other credit cards? Should I sell things I don't need?" and on and on. You could work yourself into a frenzy just wondering what it is that you need to start with. Each action has its own merit and can certainly get you toward a goal of being credit card debt free. Each plan and idea is good.

Choose one.

Use it to build momentum to develop a habit and then choose another. And another. Soon you will have developed an amazing strength as your own strength is bolstered by success after success. Sure, you may find a dud once in a while, but use the lesson learned to build wisdom.

TAKE ACTION! Have a GREAT day!

Warrior Wednesday

2009-05-27T02:35:00.000-07:00

In our quest to eliminate credit card debt and to straighten out our financial lives, a little bit of help along the way is sometimes welcome. One way to straighten things out is to pay our balances in full each and every month. When you get to that point, you might consider getting some free money from your credit card. While perusing Dolans.com, I ran across some suggestions that they have.

American Express offers their Blue Cash program which allows you to earn up to 5% back on everyday purchases. When you get to where you don't need a credit card, this can serve as a bit of an incentive, and it can help to increase your credit score. Having a good credit score is a great way to have lower costs for your loans that you will occasionally need and can save you thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

If your are a working class family, there may be a free health insurance program for them. For the inside scoop, visit InsureKidsNow.gov. If your employer offers the FSA program at work, you could consider that the next time open enrollment comes along. Mine has come in handy. I have my amount set this year at $700 which is available for me on January 1. Having a crown done is not a cheap procedure and it nearly depleted the funds that were in my FSA. What is great is that I will now owe $196 less on taxes next April because of it.

Other places for freebies that will cost you little or no money include TotallyFreeStuff.com and JustFreeStuff.com. You should at least check them out to see what sort of things that you can get and not have to pay for.

Have a GREAT day, and visit my site. My eBook is nearly complete now and should be available in mid-June.

Tuesday = Monday

2009-05-26T02:29:00.000-07:00

Three day weekends happen occasionally and in the United States we just experienced one. From my days in education, the Memorial Day weekend usually signalled the beginning of summer vacation. A lot of businesses honor the three day weekend, but the retail industry and medical field don't always have that luxury: they remain open year-round.

When you are on the quest to eliminate your credit card debt, you must remain always vigilant and ready. It is not suggested that it become obsessive, but it always needs to remain a steady undercurrent to you daily activities of living. These days my mind is always searching for ways to say a few dollars. I drive by several gas stations on the way to my day job (at least nine), so when the tank hits the halfway mark, the light turns on to compare as I go. When I notice one gets a few cents lower than the others, I will make a point to pull in and fill up. When I notice Diet Coke on sale, I will stock up (both my wife and I have a bit of a vice for Diet Coke, but I will not buy it at a convenience store because of the jacked-up prices there).

You can do the same.

If you are like most people, you purchase the same things over and over, but when you look to save money, you will notice when those things are on sale, or find a coupon for, or even print on from coupons.com. Believe me when they say that it all adds up, because it does.

But you are becoming wiser and you will win.

Have a great day!