Improve Your Health, Improve Your Finances
The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start and work on personal improvement. For many people improving their health is at the top of their laundry list of resolutions. Here are three behavioral changes that might also help slash your debt levels.
- Eating out less can not only save you money, but could help you slim down. People greatly underestimate the amount of fat and calories in meals while dining out, according to a study by the University of Arkansas. Learn to prepare a few of your favorite dishes at home using healthy ingredients instead of charging fattening meals to your credit card and running up more debt. Read the rest of this entry »
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Do You Need to Trade Your Car for Something Less Expensive?
If you’re like me, you’re probably sighing with relief that gas prices have dropped significantly from just a few months ago. But although lower gas prices may mean more money in your pocket, it’s possible that you can cut your vehicle expenses even more.
If you financed an expensive car and are struggling to make the monthly payments, it may be time to sell it and purchase a more affordable vehicle. Sure, it may seem prestigious to drive a luxury car, but if you can’t afford the monthly payment, you’re only putting more pressure on yourself to maintain a certain lifestyle. And if you’re behind on your car payments, you run the risk that the dealer will repossess your vehicle.
Many auto dealers would be happy to take your car in a trade in deal since auto sales are in such a slump. Make sure you find out what your vehicle is worth before visiting any auto dealers. You can look up your car’s value at Kelly Blue Book.
When you begin shopping around for your new car, look for a vehicle that will give you good gas mileage, won’t require expensive maintenance and repairs, and has a good safety rating.
About the Author:
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Money Makeover for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Are You Addicted to Debt?
Many Americans are in debt up to their ears and struggling to keep up with credit card and other payments. But if you compulsively spend and get a high from doing so, you may be addicted to debt. Here are some warning signs:
- You have no idea how much you actually owe to creditors, how much interest you’re being charged, or few other details about your finances.
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...How to Negotiate With Creditors
If you’re having trouble paying on debts because of a job loss, medical bills, or other unexpected event, it’s better to try and negotiate with your creditors than with a debt collection company. Negotiating a settlement or payment plan with creditors can keep your delinquent accounts from going to a collection agency.
Contact your creditors and use the following tips to mow down that pile of debt.
- Offer a lump sum settlement if you have enough cash in savings. Some creditors may accept settlements as low as 50% of the total balance due. Others may only accept 60% to 80% of the total.
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Earn Extra Money with a Seasonal, Part-Time Business
The holiday season can allow you to use your creativity to earn extra money to pay down debt. Even if you don’t have a lot of time to devote to a business venture, there are things you can do to spread holiday cheer and make some cash.
My husband has earned extra money the last couple of years by offering personalized, handwritten letters from Santa. Setting up his Web site cost very little, and it doesn’t take long for him to write each letter. Read the rest of this entry »
(4 votes, average: 4 out of 5) Loading ...Get Your Holiday Turkey Free
I haven’t paid for a Thanksgiving turkey in years. That’s because I always take advantage of my supermarket’s holiday promotion where you earn a free turkey when you purchase a certain amount of groceries in the weeks leading up to the holiday. This year I snagged a 21 pound turkey that would have cost $35 without the store promotion.
Instead of the turkey we could have chosen a free ham, roasting chicken, or frozen lasagna. Many supermarkets offer free turkey promotions so it makes sense to read the store circulars that come in the mail or your local newspaper. Even if you missed out on a free turkey this holiday, keep checking with your local supermarkets because some run similar promotions for the Christmas or Easter holidays. Read the rest of this entry »
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Snag Big Discounts This Holiday Season
It’s a week until Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. Although I normally avoid shopping on the weekend after Thanksgiving, this year I may be tempted to actually check out a few of the deals being offered by local retailers.
That’s because many retailers are slashing prices big time to lure in customers who have been reluctant (or unable) to spend because of the economy. I’m thinking that now may be the time to look for major bargains on a few things I’ve been putting off buying but need to get. But if I can’t pay cash for it I won’t be buying it. Read the rest of this entry »
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Dump Your Credit Card Debt
Anytime you carry over balances on your credit card you’re going to pay a lot of interest. Even if you currently have a special low-interest promotional deal, that interest rate is eventually going to increase. Use the following three tips to pay off your credit cards and slash the total amount of interest you’ll pay.
1. Pay more than the minimum balance due and you’ll methodically reduce the amount of the principal you owe. When you only pay the minimum amount due, you’re probably only paying about 2% to 3% of the total balance owed, according to the Motley Fool. Even if you can only spare a few extra dollars a month it’s worth it to put this toward your debts.
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Facing a Utility Shut Off? You May Qualify for Energy Assistance
More Americans are having trouble paying their utility bills, according to the Wall Street Journal. And some consumer advocates and regulators are growing concerned about the growing number of homes that have had their utilities shut off because of unpaid bills—especially because more people may be impacted as the economy worsens.
Throughout the country utilities have shut off more delinquent customers than last year. The article states:
In Pennsylvania, PPL Corp. increased shutoffs by 78% in the first three quarters of the year compared with the same period a year earlier. Shutoffs at electric utilities throughout the state increased by 20% in that period… In Memphis, Tenn., the city-owned utility that supplies electricity, natural gas and water to residents cut off 38% more people in the first eight months of the year, or 69,743 electric accounts, versus the same period in 2007.
If you find yourself in this boat and are facing a utility shutoff, you may be able to get help through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This federally funded program helps low-income households with their energy bills. LIHEAP may also be able to help you with weatherization and energy-related home repairs.
The program is targeted at low-income folks but eligibility rules have been expanded to allow people with higher incomes to qualify. That’s because state regulators say more people with higher incomes are having their power shut off. “We’re seeing an uptick in middle-class people who have never been in this situation before,” Eric Hartsfield, director of the customer-service division of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, told the Wall Street Journal.
It’s especially important that people with health issues, the elderly, and small children don’t go without heat for too long. Also, using stoves, portable heaters, and grills is dangerous and should be avoided, especially because carbon monoxide poisoning can result.
About the Author:
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Money Makeover for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...Cutting Back on Dining Out Can Save Big Bucks
Recently my family went to a diner and noticed that the menu had changed. Previously they had offered dinner specials that included an entrée, soup, salad, and dessert all for one price. But that day, the menu indicated that you had to pay an extra $3 for the soup, salad, and dessert. My theory is that too many people were buying the dinner combos and splitting them to save money, so the diner decided to charge more to make up for lost sales.
Whatever the reason for the price increase, it’s just another example of how food costs have gone through the roof this year. That’s why many people are cutting down on eating out or dining at less expensive restaurants. About 43% of those polled by Booz & Co. said they are eating out less because of the economy, and 35% said they are packing their lunch to take to work.
(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5) Loading ...- This blog covers a wide variety of debt consolidation and loan topics.
We rely on a large network of financial experts and leading authors to write the content for the DebtHelp.com Blog.
- December 29, 2008–January 4, 2009
- December 29, 2008–January 4, 2009
- December 22, 2008–December 28, 2008
- December 15, 2008–December 21, 2008
- December 8, 2008–December 14, 2008
- December 1, 2008–December 7, 2008
- November 24, 2008–November 30, 2008
- November 17, 2008–November 23, 2008
- November 10, 2008–November 16, 2008
- November 3, 2008–November 9, 2008
- October 27, 2008–November 2, 2008
- October 20, 2008–October 26, 2008
- October 13, 2008–October 19, 2008
- October 6, 2008–October 12, 2008
- September 29, 2008–October 5, 2008
- September 22, 2008–September 28, 2008
- September 15, 2008–September 21, 2008
- September 8, 2008–September 14, 2008
- September 1, 2008–September 7, 2008
- August 25, 2008–August 31, 2008
- August 18, 2008–August 24, 2008
- August 11, 2008–August 17, 2008
- July 28, 2008–August 3, 2008
- July 21, 2008–July 27, 2008
- June 16, 2008–June 22, 2008
- June 2, 2008–June 8, 2008
- March 17, 2008–March 23, 2008
- November 12, 2007–November 18, 2007
- November 5, 2007–November 11, 2007
- October 29, 2007–November 4, 2007
- October 15, 2007–October 21, 2007
- September 17, 2007–September 23, 2007
Chris Rocks is the Regional Director of the National Credit Federation (NCF). NCF is a nationwide membership-based organization that assists consumers recovering from a financial difficulty and those who need a significant increase in their credit score.
Chris began his financial services career as a Financial Advisor helping young families with risk management and asset accumulation strategies. It was during that time that Chris realized that many of these young families also needed someone to guide their choices with regards to debt management.
He made the transition into the mortgage industry where he first worked as a loan originator and later the Vice President of a small mortgage company. As Chris came across clients who had suffered through financial challenges and saw the difficulty they had in re-entering our credit driven economy, he discovered there was a real opportunity to leverage his unique background and help others.
He can be contacted by visiting his personal site, GoodCreditLiving.com.
Francine L. Huff is the Publisher and Editorial Director of Super Savvy Publishing, LLC, which provides editorial and publishing services. She is a gifted author, freelance journalist, and motivational speaker who has entertained and motivated a variety of audiences through workshops, panels and keynote addresses. Francine is the author of The 25-Day Money Makeover for Women, which has inspired and motivated many readers to reign in poor financial habits, become good stewards over their money and work toward a debt-free life. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows. Francine previously worked for the Wall Street Journal, where she was the spot news bureau chief, a news editor and a copy editor. She has interviewed a variety of financial professionals about financial issues and strives to present information about managing money in an easy-to-understand format that is accessible to people of all backgrounds and income levels.
- Auto Loans (1)
- Consumer Credit Counseling (1)
- Credit Cards (2)
- Debt Advice (2)
- Debt Consolidation Options (2)
- Debt Consolidation Scams (1)
- Debt Management Options (1)
- Debt Settlement (5)
- DebtHelp.com (21)
- Economy & News (6)
- Helping Consumers (4)
- Managing Debt (1)
- Mortgage Fraud (1)
- Saving money in today's economy (15)
- Your Credit (2)
- You will recieve a reminder when we post a new article to the DebtHelp Blog.
Loading ...