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Debt Repayment Strategies to Avoid
You probably know by now that I’m a pretty big advocate of responsible credit card use. I don’t think credit cards are bad – but I do think that if you’re going to use them, you have to use them carefully and responsibly. Don’t overspend. Don’t treat them like cash or like an extra source of income. And, most importantly, don’t carry a balance – you should be able... -
Financial Red Flags: Signs Your Finances are in Trouble
Financial problems rarely happen overnight. In fact, if you know what to look for, you can spot money problems far before they get out of control. Are your finances on the right track, or are they starting to veer off course? Here are five red flags that might mean you’re headed for trouble: You don’t have savings and/or an emergency fund. This is a big one. Most financial... -
Return of the Living Debt!
What Everyone Should Know About “Zombie Debt” It’s been five years since that fateful day when you settled your outstanding balance for that gym membership. You thought that old debt was long dead and buried. You’ve started a new life; rebuilt your credit. You’ve learned your lesson about irresponsible credit use. Things are different now. And then, one day, the phone rings. It’s a debt collector .... -
Five Steps to a Better Credit Score
You probably already know that less-than-perfect credit can make life difficult: Bad credit can make it difficult to buy a car or a home, and folks with bad credit can even have trouble getting a job. They have fewer choices when it comes to credit and financing, and they often end up saddled with astronomical interest rates. If you’ve ever struggled with credit issues, you also probably already... -
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 with. On one hand, I think credit cards can be useful tools that can help you build up your credit... -
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 is a simple approach that encourages focusing on one credit card at a time. Through a strategy of prioritizing your... -
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 and spending goals, and I’m sharing my favorite tips for frugal living all year long. Want to save money... -
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 casual get-together for the gang from work or a fancy New Year’s Eve bash, there’s a way to do it... -
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 deals on fun extras, chances are good that you’ll hit the stores a few more times before it’s all over.... -
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 Santa can also be stressful and expensive — especially if you’ve got a long list of people to buy for. ...