Manage Your Debts - Tips on Budgeting

7 Ways to Manage Your Debts in a Historical Way!

Written by Debbie Brown

No matter how big the economic depression might be, living frugal must be your sole aim. If you want, you can make your life debt free and breathe with a sense of relief. If we turn back the pages of history, we will remember how during the Great Depression everyone followed the motto: “Use it up, wear it out, and make it do or do without.” Though these words are old but they will show us a path to a debt free life.

Here are 7 simple yet handy tips scooped out from the pages of history that can help you to cope up with your financial stress:

The basic level is to start pulling the reigns of your finances from home. It could be like cooking easy and affordable meals instead of gorging on expensive meals outside. Learn more on home repairing, surf the web for easier yet innovative recipes and many such household works. So the lesson is “do it yourself”.

Have you thought about raising your buying power? This means getting something at a cheap rate. For instance, you can buy food items in bulk at a lower price. It will be like ‘more for less money’. Read the rest of this entry

Financial Management – Tips on Budgeting

Written By: Cayden Ryan

True financial freedom seems to be a mystery, as most people have not discovered it yet. Some think it’s not even possible. It is, and it’s possibly one of the easiest things to do, you just need the commitment. Four of the major things you need to do with your money are:

Make sure you have more then one source of income Read the rest of this entry

Written by Gary Foreman

The Dollar Stretcher Blog

I have a 5 year old that is a very picky eater. Will not eat veggies, except green beens or corn. Meat only hamburger or ham. Can you give me some suggestions as to what dishes I can make? My husband and I are tired of eating the same meals. Thank you.

Sonny

Sonny asks a good question, although at first I wondered if it weren’t better suited for a parenting column. But given more thought, it occurs that it really helps illustrate a point about raising financially responsible children. How so? Let’s take a look.

We’ll begin by considering what Junior is saying when he refuses to eat anything but hamburger or ham. Part of it is good. He’s exploring how much control he has over his world. And, although I’m not a child psychologist, that strikes me as healthy. It’s all part of the growth process.

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Written by Gary Foreman

The Dollar Stretcher Blog

Surfacing this time of year are all kinds of forecasters, prognosticators and swamis. The temptation to join them is too much. But, in the interest of trying something a little different we’ll forecast things that will NOT happen in 2010.

The credit card company will not lower the interest rate they’re charging on your balance this year. Even though other interest rates are near record lows. New laws make it harder for them to raise rates on troubled accounts. So they’ll protect their profits. It will be harder to get a rate decrease even if you deserve it. So, if you get an unsolicited letter from your credit card company offering to lower your rate, check your calendar. It could be April fool’s day.

You will not win the lottery. Ok, it’s possible that one or two of you might win a sizeable prize. But, this prediction will be right for almost every reader. If you doubt it, check the odds on winning the lotto game you play (how many decimal places can you count?). So, if you quit playing you’ll be ahead of the game in 2010. In fact, you could be the real winner.

Contrary to a popular request, your savings account will not grow magically. Unless you put money into savings and leave it there to accumulate interest, the amount that you have in savings will not increase this year. Feel free to make me a liar by regularly depositing money into your account. I’d be happy to have you challenge my forecasting ability when you tell me how much larger your account is.

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Hope for a Spendaholic

The Dollar Stretcher Blog

Written by: Gary Foreman

I have been married 40 years, I am 59 and am a spendaholic. I have been following Dave Ramsey’s plan and trying to get my credit cards paid off. We have no money and no retirement. Is there any hope for us?

B.

Yes, there is hope for B. It might take awhile and may not be easy. But just because she didn’t overcome her spendaholic tendencies in the past doesn’t mean that it cannot be done.

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Author: LiveCheap.com

Earlier this May, President Obama signed into law the Credit Card Responsibility Accountability and Disclosure Act.  The new law had sweeping changes for the credit card industry after years of shady practices resulted in millions of consumers being negatively affected financially.  The law is set take effect in February although the Senate has a amendment that would make it apply immediately.  For a list of all the major changes read “New Credit Card Law Summary” CCRAD Summary and feel free to distribute it and republish it with proper attribution.  The following ten changes are likely to have the largest impact on you:

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Written by: Gary Foreman – The Dollar Stretcher Blog

According to Gallup polls, about 1/3 of Americans plan to spend less on the holidays this year than last.

<http://www.gallup.com/poll/123608/christmas-spending-forecast-down-year-ago.aspx>

For some families who are really struggling there will be very little money available for holiday spending.

But, that doesn’t have to mean that the holidays will be ruined for your family. In fact, it may give you an opportunity to have an even happier holiday season.

Begin by focusing on what you have, not on what you don’t have. It’s true that you might not have much money. But perhaps your home is full of love. Just by thinking about what you have, you’ll lift your spirits.

Take some time to enjoy the season every day. Get a copy of Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” or other holiday book and read a bit each night. Even if you don’t have children in your home. Books have a wonderful way of mentally transporting us to a different time and place.

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The Dollar Stretcher Blog

Written by: Gary Foreman

I recently bought a certified pre-owned vehicle at a dealership. Although I am not struggling to make my montlhy payments I would like to know what my other options are. I’m kind of having regrets buying the car. I don’t really want to pay for the car anymore. This was my first time purchasing a vehicle and the decision was based irrationally.

My loan is $28,000, 6 year, around 10% interest rate. The car is a 2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan.

My boyfriend is bugging me about adding his name to the title. He said he would help me with the monthly payments by matching my monthly payment. By doing this we would be paying off the vehicle faster. He also says that by doing this, it would increase his credit score. Is this true? And what are some benefits to me by doing this?

Michelle Read the rest of this entry