Debt Management Blog

Credit Card Rewards: Are They Worth it?

Credit card companies sometimes use rewards – things like airline miles, rewards points, and cash-back offers — as a way to attract new customers.   But just how rewarding are these “rewards,” exactly?  Are they worth it?   Well, that depends.  I have mixed feelings about credit cards to begin...

Got Debt? Consider the Snowball Method to Pay it Down Quickly

If one of your goals for 2013 is to pay down your credit cards, it’s hard to go wrong with the “snowball method” of debt repayment.  Chances are, you’ve heard about it before:  it’s a favorite method of finance experts everywhere – and with good reason.  The snowball method...

Save on Everything: How to Get the Stuff You Need for Less

Maybe your new year’s resolution was to shop smarter or save more money.  Maybe you’re planning a major 2013 budget overhaul.  Or maybe you’re just looking for a few ways to make your hard-earned money stretch a little further this year.  January is a great time to set saving...

Fun and Frugal Holiday Parties

The holiday season is here, and that means one thing:  Parties.  Chances are, you’re planning at least one holiday-themed party this year – and if you’re like most folks, you’re looking for a way to cut costs – without cutting the fun.   No worries.  Whether you’re planning a...

How to Avoid Credit Card Theft During the Holidays

Black Friday.  Cyber Monday.  Doorbusters.  Early-bird sales.  Chances are you’ve been to a few of your favorite stores — online or brick-and-mortar — since the big holiday shopping season kicked off.  And whether you’re still trying to track down a few “must-have” items on your list or looking for...

Ideas for a Fun, Frugal Holiday Gift Exchange

Holiday gift-giving is a whole lot of fun: There’s nothing quite like the warm fuzzies you get from giving someone the perfect gift.  It’s one of the things that makes the holidays such a nice time.  Giving is fun.  Receiving a nice gift is fun, too.   But Playing...

Layaway: An Alternative to High-Interest Debt

If you’re like most people, you’re probably looking for ways to get the most bang for your holiday buck – without racking up piles of new, high-interest credit card debt.  Black Friday is one way to snag some great prices, but those post-Thanksgiving “doorbusters” and “early bird” deals only...

Before you Transfer: Tips for Making the Most of a Balance Transfer

A balance transfer – especially a balance transfer with a 0% introductory interest rate – can seem pretty tempting, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed by mounds of high-interest credit card debt.  But are balance transfers worth it?  Will that 0% interest rate really save you money over the long...

Creating a Budget

Don’t forget to download the Debtguru Budget Excel Worksheet! How To Create A Simple Budget (and Stick to it) “Budget” is perhaps the scariest word in the English language: Few things strike fear in the hearts of average Americans like the thought of sitting down and – gasp! – writing...

Seven Signs of a Debt Problem:

Are you in control of your credit card debt – or is your credit card debt controlling you?   Although I often encourage my readers to avoid using credit cards altogether and to try for a zero balance on any credit cards they do have, I also understand that...