It happens to most of us, you take a vacation when you really couldn't afford it, your car breaks down and needs a lot of expensive work done, you lose hours or your job altogether and bills suffer for it. Life happens. You can either mope and get down or you can hustle, figure it out, and take care of it. Make a plan and prioritize- Make a list of all bills, past due and current. Grab all your bills, a pad, and a calculator and lay them out in front of you. Decide what takes priority, obviously, food and shelter are going to be right at the top. Then you can order them by their due date. Call creditors and work out a payment plan- If you are not chronically late, and often even if you are, most creditors are more than willing to work with you. They just want to get paid and a lot understand that things happen so they will work out a plan with you that benefits you both but if you don't call and try you won't know. Once when I was in a bind I was behind on my car payments, I called … [Read more...]
12 Ways To Save $100 Per Month
The new year is quickly approaching, and with it might come high hopes of saving more money and slashing your bills and budget. If you want to make smarter money moves in the new year, there are simple tasks you can implement each month to do just that. Take a look below at 12 ways to save $100 per month in the new year so you can start setting more cash aside. Here is what you need to know to get started! January: Call and see if your utility carriers can offer you lower rates. If you are a loyal customer, they may be willing to do that in order to keep you. Call your cell, internet, cable, and even electric and water carrier to see if they have any special rates or discounts they can offer. If you knock just 5 utility bills back $20, you have saved $100 per month. February: Check your home to make sure it is efficient. Seal window cracks and doorway cracks/drafts. Take shorter showers and use the washing machine only when full. Use energy efficient appliances, switch the … [Read more...]
Is Your Teen Ready For A Debit Card?
One of the hardest jobs in the world is being a parent. You want to raise your kids to be healthy, responsible, productive, independent and happy adults. In a world where everyone is looking out for themselves, it is important to teach your kids integrity and independent thinking that isn't easily swayed by peer pressure. When it comes to giving your teen responsibilities, there are some key factors that can help you know when they are ready. Here are some things to help you know if your teen is ready for a debit card. #1. Are they working for their own money? If your teen is in high school and able to work a job, they may be ready for a debit card. When a teen works for their own money, it helps them to know the value of a dollar. The problem with a debit card is that it makes it really easy to spend money. The other problem is you have to keep a close watch on your account balance, so you don't go below your balance. #2. Are they trustworthy? If your teen is not … [Read more...]
Becoming Debt-Free After Having Children
Are you done having children? Maybe it’s time to focus on serious matters like getting out of debt. There’s good news, it is possible to get out of debt with a little bit of determination. Here are some tips to make this a reality. Only Use Cash It’s pretty simple to use a debit card and swipe swipe swipe. However, when you only use cash, it’s gone when you run out and there’s nothing you can do about it. Using only cash can help you get out of debt because you’re not going to continue to use a credit card. Prepare for Emergencies One of the biggest issues facing people who are debt is that they are not prepared for emergencies. When an emergency happens, it’s easy to put it on a credit card and then debt adds up really quickly. You can start preparing for financial emergencies by having an emergency fund set up. Even if it’s only $500, that’s something you won’t need to put on a credit card. Sell Your Stuff Although you may not want to, selling your items is one great … [Read more...]
