Debt
Declaring Your Financial Independence
The Fourth of July holiday is a good time to resolve to clean up your finances and start freeing yourself from debt, particularly because it often starts the two months of overspending on summer fun. Make this the year you tighten up your own personal economy and sharpen your long-term money plans. Steps to achieve […]
The Five Critical Needs of Children
Yes, debt can be daunting. When most families find themselves struggling with debt or working to resolve their issues, often when both parents are working and the day to day just seems to be a grind, it’s important to take a step back every once in a while and truly take stock in what is […]
Don’t Let Debt Get You Down – Run It Down…
Debt has been a curse to many Americans, especially since the economy bottomed out, the cost of living went through the roof and good paying jobs met the same fate as the dinosaurs, even for those who have working experience and a decent education. Aggravation and frustration greet people each morning and there seems to […]
Don’t be Fooled by Credit Repair Scams
When a person is in debt they tend to get desperate because so much is on the line – they could lose their home, car, family and destroy their credit score. They lose sleep over it, don’t perform properly at their job and can become moody, which impacts their private life. They transform from a […]
Is Debt Ruining Your Life?
by April Lewis-Parks Debt has been a curse to many Americans, especially since the economy bottomed out, the cost of living went through the roof and good paying jobs met the same fate as the dinosaurs. Aggravation and frustration greet people each morning and there seems to be no help in sight. But there are […]
Advice Graduates Don’t Want to Hear
Many college graduates are finding themselves moving back in with their parents with significant debt and no job. The harsh reality is many new grads will have to live modestly and think about every money move they make. Here is some advice grads may not want to here: Buy used things, except maybe used tires. […]
Take on the “Get Out of Debt” Challenge
Over 40% of American families spend more than their monthly budget, which means that they are accumulating debt. It’s a terrifying scenario but many of them just can’t get their finances together in order to spend less and save money. The bottom line is: They need debt help. Getting out of debt, particularly credit card […]
How to Measure Your Debt Load – Healthy vs. Unhealthy
Credit-card debt doesn’t have to be bad – but it must be managed properly. Using credit cards is one of the primary ways Americans establish a healthy credit score. Credit cards also act as great emergency fund resources when a big unexpected cost comes up – but using credit cards must be done with caution […]
Don’t Take a Vacation from Your Finances – Strive for Financial Independence!
Make this summer the time you tighten up your own personal economy and sharpen your long-term money plans. Here are some essential steps to achieve financial independence: 1. Pay yourself first. This personal finance adage is one of the wisest, but Americans tend to make it a priority only in challenging times. Set aside a […]
Are You in Financial Denial?
Financial denial is a money disorder not unlike other problems that people suffer from on a daily basis. I have encountered quite few people from all walks of life who have been in deep financial denial. It can be so easy to just throw away bills or not open them because you don’t want to […]
What’s Holding You Back from Negotiating with Your Creditors?
When you’re struggling to put food on the table and a roof over your head, your credit card payments can get behind. If you’re delinquent more than 60 days, you could suddenly find your interest rate has sky rocketed and your minimum payments are more than what was previously expected. If you’re in financial crisis, […]
Have we come to terms with the realities of money and credit at last?
While it is not surprising that a large number of Americans have begun to sort out their personal finances in the wake of the economic downturn, they have also become more cautious about opening new accounts, especially credit card accounts. People’s credit card habits have been altered by the recession, according to a new study […]
Dining Yourself into Debt
When you have a busy lifestyle, it’s easy to justify a quick run to Dunkin Donuts on the way to work, McDonalds for lunch or even an evening out at the local restaurant with the family. It’s common sense that dining out is going to be more expensive than dining at home. You might pull […]
Yes, You Can Get Out of Debt
l The average American household carries somewhere around nine thousand dollars in credit card debt. So even though the majority of Americans spend more than they earn, it is possible to get yourself out of debt if you’re willing to adjust your spending habits. You first need to assess your debt load. If more than […]
Spring Clean Your Credit Card Debt
Why not use spring as a springboard to clean up your credit card debt. With food and gas prices rising it’s time to wipe out any unnecessary spending and pay down your credit cards so you’ll have money for more important things. Credit card debt acts like an anchor for many people who are trying […]
10 Easy Ways to Start an Emergency Fund
The car breaks down, the furnace in your house blows, your child needs braces and you don’t have the disposable money to cover the financial consequences. It happens every day and many people are stuck paying by credit card or financing for months into the future at alarming interest rates, putting themselves further into debt. […]
Personal Stories of Debt; How to Overcome and Thrive
Each year Consolidated Credit holds a short story contest for their clients. The Miss Money Bee writers would like to congratulate the winners and share their inspirational stories with you! Melissa Cupp and Chris Korb are a married couple from Berryton, KS. who’s story begins: Two summers ago, we hit financial rock bottom. Both my husband […]
How Much are You Saving?
Believe it or not, by saving just a little bit more and choosing the right savings vehicle, you can end up saving big over a period of time. Right now the average personal savings rate is 5.3%. If you’re the average American that makes $49,777 after taxes, then you’re looking approximately $2,638 in yearly savings. […]
Don’t be Afraid to Negotiate with Your Creditor
Millions of Americans are becoming anxious because they realize how important it is to reduce their credit card debt. Some people who are struggling panic and stop making payments because they’re not sure of what else to do – they need to pay their mortgage, car payment or other payments and the credit card […]
How to Prevent the Holiday Spending Spree from Impacting Your 2011 Budget
You threw frugality out the window for a couple months but now the spending is over and reality is setting in. Credit card bills are coming due and you must pay them off while setting up your New Year Budget. Hopefully you put enough money away to eliminate your debt, unlike over 13 million Americans […]