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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 apply to a few very specific items. Saving up to pay cash is another smart strategy, financially speaking – but... -
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 haul? A typical balance transfer offer allows you to move some (or all) of your credit card debt to... -
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 some people use credit cards. There are lots of reasons people use them – some folks earn rewards like airline... -
Four Compelling Reasons For Getting Out of Debt
Nobody really wants to carry credit card debt – but it’s easy to rationalize debt as just one more unpleasant part of life. For many people, credit card debt becomes an endless cycle – we pay it down, rack it up again, pay it down, rack it up again – and so on. But have you ever stopped to think about just how great it would be to live... -
Never be Late Again: Strategies to Stay on Top of Your Bills
If you’ve ever paid a bill late, you know how devastating a few days can be to your credit score — and your bank account. Missing the payment deadline on any type of bill can cost a small fortune in late fees — and even if you’re usually prompt with your payments, one late credit card payment can cause your credit score to dip temporarily. Miss several credit card... -
Contemplating a Purchase? This Flowchart Will Help.
Financial success and stability isn’t all about budgeting and saving – it’s also about knowing how (and when!) to spend wisely. The thing that gets people in trouble is that we make purchases based on our emotions. Instead of weighing the facts, considering the alternatives, and making a careful and informed decision, many of us simply break out our checkbooks (or debit cards, or even worse, our credit cards)... -
Need a Resolution You can Stick to? Pay Your Down Credit Card Debt. Five Steps to a Debt-Free 2012
Maybe you overdid the holiday spending this year. Maybe you’re planning on buying a house or a new car soon and you want to get your finances on track. Or maybe you’re just tired of dealing with the stress and anxiety that comes with your monthly credit card statement. Whatever the reason, if you want to pay down your debt in 2012, I’ve got a plan that can put... -
Credit Card Debt: It’s Never Too Late
What happens when you fall (and stay) behind on your credit card payments? And how do you fix it? If you’ve ever struggled with credit card debt, you’ve probably played the “what if” game. As in, “What if I just stopped sending payments?” Or, “What if I just ignore that collections letter?” It’s a tempting game to play – especially if you’ve got lots of credit card debt and... -
Teach your children debt management from an early age
In America, we are subject to the daily lives of celebrities and sports figures; what they do, what they eat, what they bought and what they wear are just some of the common themes we see in the news headlines on a daily basis. The issue is that these celebrities spending habits are typically glorified, which is not a good example for their fans that follow them. They do... -
Debt help is not just for financial reasons; it can help one’s mental health as well.
Being in debt is not just a financial issue, as many people often think. There are deeper issues that lead to the problem in the first place. Not to mention the ramifications that debt can have on a person’s emotional and physical wellbeing. When someone tries to get debt help, it is more often than not that they have reached a breaking point and need to escape from this...