Ways to Attack your Debt Woes

By Paul J. Easton

When attacking the problem of debt, you should always begin with the need to discipline yourself not to use your credit cards. Only buy the much needed things with cash. By putting yourself on a buy as needed policy, you will certainly eliminate a large portion, if not totally, of your debt.

It certainly won't be easy to get rid of debt. As a guide to help you, we will present simple tips to help you free up cash with lifestyle changes. Stop spending more money on nonessential buys. For now, there will be no more new clothing, shoes, and costly gifts on your must-buy list. Add to that the CDs, toys, and other accessories until you pay off the credit card debts.

I should have mentioned this on the first part, stop using your credit cards. You can resist temptation by making your credit cards difficult to use. Put it on some place you cannot easily have access to. If you cannot do this simple tactic, try cutting your plastics up all together.

Suspend all your future plans for a travel or a pricey entertainment. You can certainly have a cheaper yet fun version without incurring further debts. When you finally get rid of the debt, the cruise and Disneyland will probably still be there.

Reduce your telephone expenses. Try to make fewer long-distance calls and cut off expensive postpaid plans. If you own a cell phone already, you can drop the land line you also have so that you can pay the bills with cash. Or it could be the other way. Just choose which is more frequently used or where you get the most out of your money.

Budget your groceries and always shop with a list. This strategy will make you focus more with just the items on the list so that you end up spending less on groceries. Try also to limit meats with your weekly meal plans. Red meats like pork and beef are proven to age you faster. Not only will you save money but you will also look younger in the long run. These are just a few tips to attack your money woes and get rid of debt completely. Be consistent and you will be rewarded soon.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Ways to Attack your Debt Woes

By Paul J. Easton

When attacking the problem of debt, you should always begin with the need to discipline yourself not to use your credit cards. Only buy the much needed things with cash. By putting yourself on a buy as needed policy, you will certainly eliminate a large portion, if not totally, of your debt.

It certainly won't be easy to get rid of debt. As a guide to help you, we will present simple tips to help you free up cash with lifestyle changes. Stop spending more money on nonessential buys. For now, there will be no more new clothing, shoes, and costly gifts on your must-buy list. Add to that the CDs, toys, and other accessories until you pay off the credit card debts.

I should have mentioned this on the first part, stop using your credit cards. You can resist temptation by making your credit cards difficult to use. Put it on some place you cannot easily have access to. If you cannot do this simple tactic, try cutting your plastics up all together.

Suspend all your future plans for a travel or a pricey entertainment. You can certainly have a cheaper yet fun version without incurring further debts. When you finally get rid of the debt, the cruise and Disneyland will probably still be there.

Reduce your telephone expenses. Try to make fewer long-distance calls and cut off expensive postpaid plans. If you own a cell phone already, you can drop the land line you also have so that you can pay the bills with cash. Or it could be the other way. Just choose which is more frequently used or where you get the most out of your money.

Budget your groceries and always shop with a list. This strategy will make you focus more with just the items on the list so that you end up spending less on groceries. Try also to limit meats with your weekly meal plans. Red meats like pork and beef are proven to age you faster. Not only will you save money but you will also look younger in the long run. These are just a few tips to attack your money woes and get rid of debt completely. Be consistent and you will be rewarded soon.

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

4 Tips You Can Use to Repair Your Credit Score

By iRepairCreditReport

It is very important that you build good credit or repair your credit score because lenders and some other companies will offer you better interest rates if you buy a house or a car. Insurance rates as well as other products you plan on purchasing can be cheaper. And, even getting a job may require you to have good credit.

Making late payments, going bankrupt or having your bills into a collection agency are the things that really affects your credit report. The way you fix your credit score , is to not keep doing what you have done in the past. If you can change your habits your credit score will start to improve. As you fix your credit report, you will start seeing better interest rates from lenders and even lower interest offers from credit card companies.

If you want to help improve your credit score check out these 4 tips:

1. Bills Must Be Paid On Time

Your credit history is what companies base their lending on. Once they know your history they can then figure out how much of a risk you are to them. If you always pay off your debts then in their mind it's pretty likely that you will pay off future debts. So, you will be less of a risk.

2. Carry the Right Amount of Credit Cards

So many people have too many credit cards. So, what is the right number you should have? Many credit experts say you should have 2 " 4 credit cards at any one time. If you have more than that, it doesn't mean you pay them off and cut them up because they take into account not only how many cards you have but also the balance you maintain. The best thing to do would be to pay them off and keep them until you have a reasonable balance on them all. Then, you can decide which ones to keep.

3. Never Pay Less than the Minimum

When you go to pay your credit card bill make sure you pay no less than the minimum payments indicated on the bill. If you have extra money, try to pay a little more. If you pay less, it is considered a late payment. This will have a negative effect on your credit score.

4. Keep an Eye on Your Credit Report

You should check your credit report regularly. Make sure you check the reports from all 3 credit bureaus that keep track of your score. After receiving your reports, check them for mistakes. Also, check that there are no accounts that you did not open or negative information. This way you can start to fix your credit report and find out if you have had your identity stolen.

It's very important that you develop good habits. The sooner you can do this the better. This will help you maintain a good credit score which will save you money. If you need to repair your credit score do so, immediately. This will help you out immensely and allow you to save money.

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Author: iRepairCreditReport is your source to help repair credit reports. If you need to repair your credit score, take a look at all sorts of tips and articles that are on this site.

Lured to Another Credit Card?

By Paul J. Easton

Getting a credit card can be very easy but getting rid of the debt along with it is pretty troublesome. It is time to be more cautious than ever before accepting another new credit card. Make sure that this time around you are getting the best credit card and not fall trap with the one that will get you in more debts. Let us take a look at how credit card companies lure us into signing up.

Credit cards come in various forms and they feature low interests, airline miles and other rewards. But watch out for the fine print and be very careful about the terms because they are always subject to change, which can be very soon.

Getting that new card can be a trick, so be wary. If you are getting a new card just to transfer a balance because of the lower interest, find out exactly how much the company will charge for the transfer. Most of them will not tell you unless you ask them first. In addition, most low-interest introductory offers apply to the balance transfers only and not to your new purchases.

Some credit cards give you gifts for spending money and keeping a balance on your card. One of these tricks is by way of entering your name in a monthly drawing for a prize. These cards are very enticing because it will make you think that it is just okay to use the card because you have a perk like having a chance to win a prize when you use it. By easily justifying the use of it, these cards can be very dangerous.

Credit cards with certain rewards or dividends like rebates and airlines miles are great that they sound too good to be true. And in fact, it is. How can they be in business if they just give away discounts and rewards? Most reward card holders carry a balance and this is the bad news. And the higher interest rates of these reward cards to your balance can more than offset the reward they are giving you. The same with balance transfer introductory offers, reward offers are subject to change with little or no notice.

We have presented some of the neat ways how credit card companies lure you to maintaining a balance and keep paying for the interests. Which one have you been lured into?

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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Real estate short sale" is a popular phrase

By Rem

The term 'real estate short sale' is being bandied about more and more as of late. Real estate short sales serve as an alternative to foreclosures in an increasingly declining real estate market. The time it takes to sell a property is extremely high, and the prices on real estate have reached a considerable low. Throughout the country the crisis is so bad that many places are experiencing what is fair to call a market meltdown. It is because the market is so inhospitable that the need for short sale real estate has gone up so dramatically.

Real estate prices have dropped dramatically, and the sell time has risen as well. Detroit and similar regions are, it is fair to say, experiencing a full real estate market meltdown. These declining real estate markets are the main reason for the rise in short sale real estate.

Let's look at an example property that was bought five years ago for the rate of 217,000 dollars with an adjustable rate mortgage. Additionally, the owners took out a second mortgage of 10,000 dollars, which brought their total owed to 227,000 dollars. Remember that in five years the amount that the mortgages would have been paid off is negligible.

In avoiding time delays and expenses, the bank will probably decide to go with a short sale. This is because the banks believe it is better to accept a definite amount of money now than to wait on an unknown amount of money that may materialize in the future.

The bank may decide to save expenses and time delays that a foreclosure would cost by simply allowing a short sale. Banks do this because it allows them to accept a definite amount of money and because it allows them to get the property off their books. If the lenders and owners do not agree on the terms of the sale, complications can result, but in general, that is how the real estate short sale works.

For owners going through a real estate short sale, the experience can be a dreadful one, but there are experiences which can be far worse. Having to go through the experience is awful, but it is a lot better than having a foreclosure on your credit report. On the other side of the coin, it can often represent an excellent buying opportunity for the savvy real estate investor.

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Avoiding the Buying Impulses

By Paul J. Easton

In today's difficult financial situation, we should reduce our expenses and replace expensive activities with cheaper ways of doing things. To start curbing your appetite for spending, start getting rid of debt by temporarily avoiding certain buying impulses.

Strolling around the mall without a clear plan in mind to do there is giving you so much exposure to certain buying impulses. Plan your shopping ahead of time and keep in mind a budget. With planned trips to the mall, you will most likely have lesser impulse buying or totally get rid of it.

Don't order from catalogs for now. With every order from catalogs, your name gets sold to other catalog companies. This is the reason why your mail is getting more catalogs every time. Catalogs serve as visual reminders of all the stuff companies can advertise and you could potentially buy. This is regardless whether you really need them or not. Unfortunately, most people can't resist the temptation of ordering from them.

Starting now, opt out from newsletters and junk mails to reduce the number of catalogs. If you still receive catalogs, request every catalog company to remove your name from their mailing list. With this plan, you will not anymore receive pesky and unsolicited mails which distract you from your everyday life goals. And in the long run, you will resist the buying impulses and save you more money.

Reduce the surfing in the net by skipping the visits to online stores. This situation is the same with catalogs; online stores stimulate your buying desire. If you plan to shop online, have a list before surfing the net. And stick to it.

Our addictions to spending start with advertising messages bombarded everyday from multiple media ranging from television to billboards. Be aware and let the first line of defense be on guard.

Those are ways to taper down your buying impulses. Keep satisfied with what you have. If you can't have what you want, maybe you can want what you have.

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How You Can Protect Your Online Security From Identity Theft

By Eric Jilson

In today's online world, you can do your banking, trade stocks, pay your bills, and even buy groceries on the Internet. This convenience can come with a price, though, with identity theft becoming one of the biggest concerns and fastest-growing crimes today. Being proactive with your data privacy is important and can keep you from getting zinged.

The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse says that 9.3 million Americans fell victim to identity theft in 2005 and while new laws and agencies have been created to fight it, it's still a concern and poses a serious threat to today's consumer.

Many companies now offer identity theft protection services. While paying a company to protect your identity for you can be very effective, there are things you can do on your own to greatly minimize your risk.

Here are some tips to help you keep your information secure:

Make purchases only on trusted sites.

Sites that you don't know, aren't familiar with, or seem in any way to be hokey should be avoided. Make online payments (via credit card, direct check, etc.) only on sites you know and trust. Many small online retailers don't have secure payment systems, so be wary of any system you are unfamiliar with. Utilize accepted payment methods that don't compromise your identity such as PayPal or Google Checkout.

Order and go over your credit report.

You can request and receive one free credit report a year from each of the three credit agencies. Do this every year and go over that report carefully, looking for discrepancies. The website AnnualCreditReport.com was created by the three reporting agencies in response to a federal law passed in 2003 on this issue. Check to make sure no accounts of which you are unaware have been opened in your name. Also watch for unusual activity such as address changes or other items you didn't authorize.

Know what phishing is and how to respond to it.

This technique, used by identity thieves that usually targets a specific site like eBay.com or Amazon.com pretends to be a site that you trust to get you to log into their system so they can capture your login information for the real site. Often these are perpetrated via email. One effective theft protection method is making it a habit never to click on links within email to visit sites you must log into, but instead to type the site's name in manually into your browser to be sure you're going where you think you're going. Watch your browser's location bar (URL) to make sure you're on the site you want to be on and not a fake.

Secure your home network.

If you have a wireless network at home, make sure it's secure. Most of the wireless networking kits you purchase today have security built in, but you have to activate it if you want it to work. Often, this is done for you on setup, but make sure it is there regardless. In the past, many have had their identities, financial information stored on their computer, and more stolen by thieves who merely wandered by their house with a laptop and hopped onto their unsecured network. Look to your network's setup disk or documentation to find out how to secure it.

Don't enter sensitive information into non-secure websites.

If the site you're on is one you trust to give your information, make sure it's also securing it. Likewise, if you're posting information on Myspace, a blog, Facebook, or anywhere else, make sure it's not identifiable for use with your credit. Your mother's maiden name, your passwords, and other detailed information about you should be kept to yourself and not broadcast to the world, as these items can be used to get access to your identity. Many famous people have found themselves in sticky situations because so much is known about them that they can't keep their information secured.

Set banking alerts.

Many banks offer a service that allows you to have them notify you via email or text message when your accounts have certain things happen: getting close to overdraft, having draft or purchase requests for more than $1,000, etc. Take advantage of these to keep informed the moment something strange happens on your account.

Use optimal security questions and passwords.

A very common mistake amongst users is to use the same password on several sites. This might be OK if the site is just a news or blog comment area, but for financial and personal information, it's very bad policy. Use secure passwords that are hard to guess and that contain both letters, numbers, and random capitalization. Make sure your security questions aren't easily answered by someone who knows something about you. Questions that even your spouse would have a hard time answering are the goal.

In short, take your protection from identity theft seriously and make sure you aren't taken advantage of by identity thieves. Identity theft affects your whole life and can ruin you financially and make your life miserable. Preventing it is a matter of a few precautions and vigilance, but is worth it.

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Suggestions to Enjoy a Comfortable Life in a Budget

By Paul J. Easton

Having problems with the conflict of maintaining a comfortable life and getting rid of your monthly credit card bills? Here are tips that might help you get the best of both worlds.

Skip eating out and eat with the family together at home. Most developed countries have the convenience of credit cards that most families dine out almost everyday or take out their fast food meals. This leads to families not eating at the same time when they arrive at home. The result is a staggering number of broken families due to misunderstanding and bad parenting. Eating together is a time for bonding and communication and should not be ignored.

This will also cut your expenses by half as preparing your food at home is definitely cheaper. You will also monitor what you eat and this can be healthier. By shunning fancy restaurants and reserving it only for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, you will cut that monthly balance as fast as you can. And by learning how to cook yourself, you will have much more delicious food than in fast foods or restaurants.

The next tip is to be earth friendly. Conserve everything from using water to driving your car. Turn off the lights when not used. Find more efficient ways to utilize energy like insulating your home to lower your thermostat in winter. You will not only save more money, you will also save Mother Earth.

Keep yourself busy so you are not once again tempted to spend more time shopping. Try some extra work load so you get to overtime once in a while. By taking up some part of your free time, you will be spending less time just hanging around and spending money haphazardly. In return, you will be more productive.

Lastly, get back in shape and visit your neighborhood gym more frequently now. You will spend time getting healthier and spending less money. You can also walk your dog at the park or take your children to the playground.

These are just suggestions to enjoy life at a budget. Just as I thought, being happy and saving more money can actually go together.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

Convenience of Credit Cards

By Paul J. Easton

With the proper use of credit cards, they can truly provide you with much convenience and can be very useful in emergencies. In addition, it also can help build good credit records for you.

One of the conveniences of credit cards is instances when you buy a defective item. Your credit card company, as regulated in the laws, is obligated to investigate your situation. This is the same in cases where you protest a charge made due to some discrepancies.

Most credit cards have grace periods that can last up to 25 days. In essence, you are given a loan without the interest for a period of one month before you have to pay off the charges. This strategy, however, is only successful if you pay the full balance in each month. But it is definitely a convenience to benefit from.

Credit cards are very useful during emergencies. It provides extra security as a source during emergencies where significant cash is required as soon as possible. These emergency cases can range from car repairs to medical emergencies.

With the use of credit cards, you can now track your personal expenses for a budgeting program. With a credit card statement, purchases can be tracked and distinguished by type so you will know your cash flow. This will make your record keeping much easier than when you use cash.

With wise use of these cards, you have a good chance of improving your credit. And in cases when something unexpected happens, you have available funds to rely on. Getting a credit card is so important nowadays as it is a great way to take advantage of certain opportunities and conveniences around. However, accumulating debt is also crucial in today's economic state.

Abuse of credit cards, especially when the owner is not so observant with using it, can lead to a lot of debt. Some people charge more than they can afford, and are headed for financial trouble. I hope you don't follow the same. Make good use of your credit cards and you will just be fine.

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How Secure Is Investing For Retirement?

By M Taylor

As retirement options like social security benefits become more of an unknown, investing has increased in importance as a way to save for one's retirement.

Everyone wants to make sure that they will have financial security in their retirement; and social security and retirement plans may end up leaving them in the lurch ultimately. Investing is one way to insulate yourself from the unknown developments that the future may hold.

Maybe you've been saving for years in a savings account; this is a low interest account and you'd like that money to grow faster. Perhaps you've had some sort of windfall and would like that money to grow into a retirement funs. Whichever is the case, investing can make it happen.

Investing provides you with a way to make the money you need for the things you want; a new house, a college education, or luxury items. Your particular goals will affect what kind of investment will work best in your case.

If you need to make a lot of money in a short amount of time, you can opt for high risk investments. While there is a significant degree of risk involved, you can make a lot of money very fast this way. If you're saving for a long term objective like your retirement, you should go for safer, long term investments instead.

Increasing your wealth and financial security over the long run is what investing is all about. Keep in mind that you'll have to retire eventually; and you'll need a good amount of money to make your retirement an enjoyable one.

As we have seen from the case of Enron, you shouldn't necessarily count on your company's retirement plan and the future of social security is somewhat in doubt. To make sure that you are well provided for in your retirement, you should make the right choices with your money and invest wisely - in your future.

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Becoming Debt Free And Learning How To Be Money Smart

By Cindy Swartz

You may be like me and are tired of hearing about how bad the economy is in; however the truth is that most people are just learning that it is important to begin becoming debt free and to begin thinking differently about the money you make at your job. We as a society are so prone to spending all our money on material items as long as we can make the payments we do not care how much it costs.

Becoming debt free is going to require you to look differently at the way that you spend your money. If you go to work everyday and when you get paid then everyone gets your money before you even have a chance to enjoy any of it; then it is time to start changing that.

It is not easy to become debt free and it is going to you to begin thinking differently about what you spend your money on. However if you take the time to do that right now; then you will not have to worry about constantly worrying about how you are going to pay your bills.

You should become financially smart; this means that you should begin learning more about money. While you may think that you know everything that there is to know about it. The truth is that the wealthy people think differently about their money than you and I do.

Where to put your money so that it works for you is a huge thing. If you continue working your whole life while you are young and spending your money on things that do not matter; chances are you will have to work for a very long time. If you fail to learn how to invest your money so that it makes you more; then you may not be able to retire when that time comes.

You can easily pick up several financial bools that will teach you how to invest your money and begin making it work for you. Another great thing about learning how to spend your money wisely is that you will teach your children the value of money. Remember that if your children watch you spending your money and know that you are drowning in debt; then most likely they are going to follow in your foot steps.

Becoming debt free can become a reality if you are willing to begin thinking differently and do whatever it takes to get on the right track. You do not have to continue working all your life and you can build a nest egg for your financial future. Visit our site below and learn why we have chosen to become debt free and get valuable tips and advice about getting out of debt.

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Simple Rules on How to Use Your Credit

By Paul J. Easton

In life, we stick with the rules. Violating certain rules has its penalties. This universal law surely applies to the use of your credit cards. Read further to know whether you are violating or not.

Never use a credit card to finance an unaffordable lifestyle. This is where most people fall trap of the never ending financial mishap. If you just can't afford to pay off the entire balance every month, then it is an indication of overspending.

When you have enough cash in the bank, you can use that credit card to make the purchase. Pay it off in full as soon as you get the statement. However, if you don't have enough cash to cover the purchase and it is not an emergency, never charge it with your credit cards. Just save your money until the time you can afford that purchase you always wanted.

In cases where you can't afford something but needs it immediately like a car repair or medical emergencies, use the credit card to charge it. Then, make a plan to pay off the balance with a time frame. Take the plan to another level by figuring out how much you will pay monthly and how long it will take to pay the balance off. Write your plan to implement it better.

A good way to save yourself from credit card debt you can't handle is not to charge meals, groceries, or movie tickets. These items will not show in the statement and you will not monitor it as much as you can. Pay cash for these kinds of items instead. Save the credit for the most necessary items you will need in the future.

As much as you can, pay off the entire outstanding balance each payment due. When carrying a balance in certain instances, pay off as much as you can a big part of that balance each month. Paying only the minimum might be light for now but it will certainly pile up over time and drown you over your head.

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Credit Cards: A Tool to be Used Wisely

By Paul J. Easton

When applying for a credit card, you must bear in mind that you have to use them wisely to make most of it. Using a credit card gives you access to more spending power in a moment than you realistically have. This in return entices you to spend more on luxuries, which can make you incur heavy debts.

Admit it; you can hardly pass up what conveniences credit cards can offer. With extra security, the quick identification, and as a source of cash when you need it most, credit cards are a necessity. But can you handle one?

Needing a credit card is a personal decision that depends on your responsibility to use it. Using a credit card needs thorough planning so that you use it wisely with your lifestyle.

Credit cards are convenient because they are now universally accepted as a form of payment. From movie theaters to the internet, credit card payments are now welcome. Add to that the issue of the safety of bringing cash around and you will understand the role of credit cards in making our life not only convenient but safe too.

Another advantage of a credit card payment is when you have a dispute with a merchant over a purchased item. In this case, you always have the right to withhold payment. In instances where you purchase high-ticket items with your credit card, you are more secured when the item does not work as advertised. Moreover, you can also cancel payments if the merchant fail to meet your expectations.

There are several benefits to using a card. This is probably the reason why it has become so popular mainstream. As a tip, make a note of all the transactions you have made for the week using your credit card. Keep a record and assess it by the weekend. Make this as a habit to account your expenses.

Once you establish that habit, develop a payment scheme for you to pay the full balance by due date. Only through that way can credit cards become your greatest tool.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information

How to Budget for Success with One Simple Principle

By Jesse Mecham

Why does it seem that people quit budgeting before they even start? For one simple reason -- much like dieting -- they don't see the results they expect from the work they're required to put forth. Because they don't know how to budget, they don't see the results as quick as they'd like.

To be honest, most people go about budgeting in such a way that they're doomed to failure from the start. One guru will tell you how to budget using some contrived percentages based on their own experience. Another guru will tell you that the only way to know how to budget is to go back to the Stone Age of cash and envelopes (it works, it's just extremely tedious, which sets you up for failure). The question remains: How to budget effectively so you don't fail.

The key is to budget only what you have on hand. Don't project. Don't estimate! Simply look at your spending accounts (whether you have one checking account or several) and budget each of those dollars to a spending or savings category. You give every single dollar a job.

Now, when you're paid again, take that money and give ALL of those dollars assignments as well.

The secret with budgeting is not to become some type of visionary that can forecast all expenses with the greatest of ease...you simply want to raise your awareness levels so you know what your money is doing. This key to awareness is to insure that NO dollars slip through the cracks. Each must be given a job to do: entertainment, food, emergency fund, retirement savings... As you begin making sure each dollar is working for YOU you'll realize that your dollars will go further and your spending will start to match up with your value system.

So back to that question of how to budget? Don't be an estimator. Simply give every dollar that you have a purpose. Make them all a part of your plan and your bound to see success.

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Jesse Mecham will show you how to budget with his free 10-day course. Jesse has helped thousands find harmony with their money through four simple money management rules.

Do it yourself Credit Repair

By Rob Kosberg

One day you realize that you are in a serious personal financial disaster situation. If you want to avoid a situation that is so out of control there is no way out, you need to make the effort and take the time to get your money management and credit use habits back on track. You don't need to rush into "debt consolidation" or "home equity loan." You can work out a strategic repair plan for yourself.

You will start by collecting all your credit reports, bill payment statements, and credit card statements, mortgage and insurance records. Locate debt worksheets on the internet to help you work. All of these steps will be taking place at the same time.

Be meticulous about ensuring that your credit reports (there are 3 major credit reporting agencies) are accurate and truly reflect your credit status. To complete this project may take some written communications with one or all of the credit reporting agencies. Stay with the process.

Put in writing all of your financial obligations. You will be particularly concerned with credit cards and perhaps small loans. List the cards with highest to lowest interest rates in order, and the minimum payment for each card.

After this, you are going to look at the picture of "disposable income" and "discretionary income." What are these? You have a certain amount of your salary that pays for your necessary expenses such as loans, utilities, mortgages, insurances, and credit cards. This is disposable income. Subtract the total from salary and this is discretionary income which is the amount you have to assign to reducing debt.

Determine which credit cards and loans you can pay down in order. For the first on the list, pay as much over minimum as possible. Pay minimum on the others. When the first is completed, apply that payment to the next in line and so on. This will be an ongoing money management strategy for a long time.

To immerse yourself in this change of pattern of handling money, you need commitment and will not feel comfortable for awhile. Lifestyle changes are needed. You will need to cease unnecessary spending, buy only essentials, avoid travel, eat at home, pay bills on time and stop charging.

The bottom line of the situation is that you are responsible for creating it. There is no credit angel. You need to fix it and use smart money management techniques to maintain your repairs.

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With unprecedented problems in the credit markets it?s more important than ever to have excellent credit. For more information check out Rob Kosbergs' Detailed FREE Guide on Maintaining and Repairing your Credit Score by going to Bad Credit Repair for your FREE information.

It is important that these issues are verified in advance

By Rem

Safeguarding our family and home are probably two of the oldest and most primitive of our instincts but when you need to replace all the food in your freezer or the carpets after a flood then you really appreciate the time you spent sorting out your home insurance. If you own your place, you may be offered a joint policy that covers both the building and the contents as well although this may not be worth it if you rent accommodation.

Before you actually take out a house insurance policy it is a good idea to take an inventory of your place listing all of your things you possess. One way to do this in addition to a written record is to make a video recording of all the rooms including things you own that have value and if you do not own a video then a photographic camera will do just as well. This can be added to your stock and will supply a full record of your house and possessions. Remember to update this register each time something fresh is added so should you have to claim on your place policy it will be accurate and up to date.

Luckily these days, most insurance companies are able to supply quotes online so you can compare a number before determining which one suits your circumstances best. The advantage of getting an immediate online quote is that insurance quotes from major providers are brought to your computer screen in a matter of a few seconds. house insurance plans bought online are normally supplied at a discount rate owing the fact that the companies involved have lowered their expenses by supplying these products without the need of premises and a large number of staff. The insurance company you pick out should have a good name as well as be competitive so it is well to be comfortable about this from the beginning.

Insurance firms call the amount they protection as the sum assured and this amount is the most they will pay out on your plan should you make a claim for total loss through damage, accident or burglary. The sum assured is often worked out by the insurance supplier for you based on figures for replacing the contents of an average house.

The limit of protection that your plan covers is called the sum assured and this is the total amount that an insurance insurer will pay out should the contents of your house be lost, stolen or damaged. As luck would have it, some providers will include the sum insured in their contents quote automatically. Some firms are more diligent and may make a physical examination of your home or specifically request an amount of cover from you and then work out how much it will cost from the figures you furnish. In some situations this may be a preferable alternative if you think that the automatic sum assured sum will not protection the cost of replacing your things you possess[personal possessions.

Although the contents of your home may all be important to you, remember your plan will not always cover all of your possessions. Business equipment for instance is not always covered by regular contents insurance. A house owner may also discover that expensive items such as electronic stock and jewelry that are costly to replace are not automatically entered into the house insurance policy so it may be essential to add these items at an extra cost. Before you make your final decision, check all these particulars carefully because they are the house owners responsibility if they are not covered within the plan.

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Education Loan Consolidation Options

By Dennis Powell

So you've worked your tail off for the last several years eating Ramen and pulling all nighters while living on your student loans that almost covered the bills, and now you've got a great job, a new life and a mountain of debt. Life next pop quizWhat do you do? Fortunately for today's education Loan borrowers there are plenty of options to help you get your new life started without having the old one hanging around your neck like an anchor. There are plenty of student loan consolidation options available for the savvy borrower, and one of them will probably fit your life.

The first place many borrowers will look for a consolidation program is FFEL consolidation. Federal Family Education Loan consolidation offers the option of putting all of your federally funded education debt - both subsidized and unsubsidized - under a single plan. This option can even work for those unfortunate souls who have been in default in the past, and offer fixed rates, extended terms to help you get started in your new life without worrying about loan payments eating up most of threat tiny entry level salary.

In addition to traditional federally funded loans, many students finance their advanced education with a variety of private loans. Private consolidation of these loans offers borrowers many of the same benefits as federal consolidation - fixed rates, longer terms, and lower payments. Conditions may be stricter for a private consolidation and you cannot usually combine private and federal loans under a single consolidation package. You may end up with two consolidation loans, one for your federal debt, and one for private; be sure to shop around for the best rates.

PLUS loan consolidation offers the chance for parents who have borrowed to fund their child's education to get many of the same benefits as FFEL and private loan consolidation. In addition to an interest rate reduction Plus loan consolidation offers the option of extended terms to make repayment more manageable. As with any consolidation loan, extended terms also increase the total amount of the loan so borrowers need to make sure that they are making the right choice for their financial situation.

There are many alternative ways of consolidating education financing. For homeowners a second mortgage may provide a better solution to a consolidation loan giving the borrower the option to put of their education loans into a single package. Private loans from family members are another way some grads handle their finances, and for a lucky few, some employers even offer tuition reimbursement programs.

There are even options for those with less than stellar credit or who have maxed out traditional borrowing. Peer to Peer lending networks provide the same structure as the file sharing networks many people have grown up on, but this time, they deal with financing. Borrowers submit their loan request and groups of people bid on the loan offering a variety of interest rates and payment terms based on the project and the borrower's credit history. Once the details have been decided the final loan is serviced through the network which then disperses payments to the people who made the loan.

You did it! You managed to finish school and are about to make your way into the "real" world. Thanks to the variety of consolidation programs available for the modern education loan, you can get started on the right track with manageable debt load and a solid plan for your financial future. Find the package that works for you, make a plan and stick with it, and you'll be paying down those student loans in no time.

About the Author:

Dennis Powel frequently writes about the consolidation of federal loans for non-students as well as student loan consolidation rules.

Sticking to your Plan to being Debt Free

By Paul J. Easton

How to stick to a plan in getting rid of debt? Start with stopping yourself from applying for a new credit card. Yes, stopping yourself from getting another credit card is the way to finally end being debt-free.

Never pay your old credit card balance with the available credit from the new one. To end the cycle of debts, stop getting new ones. Together with this plan, start targeting the credit card with the highest interest rate and insistently pay this account down as fast as you can. You have to reduce altogether the amount over the minimum payment on your other cards. Concentrate this time with only one card. You can pay the rest of the cards with the minimum payment.

Be sure, though, to continue making at least the minimums on your other cards every time without failure. After the account with the highest interest is paid off, begin paying off the next highest interest rate card. Work on this plan until you finish paying all your credit card debts, saving you more money from interest and finance charges.

Work on your budget as well. Spend the time to create one on paper before the month starts. When you are aware of your spending, you are spending with a purpose. This will totally give you a conscious effort to limit yourself every time you are faced with a bill or an impulse to buy something.

Your dream is to be debt-free this year. It will take some time and some effort from your end to realize this dream. Certainly, it will not happen over the weekend. Work hard on those aims and make decisions wisely along the way. You now have a plan you can stick with for the long haul, persistent implementation will only push you to success.

You are now motivated and have the priorities in order; it is time to make your life much better without debt. Good luck to you!

For more information on financial directory, get FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Get debt-free today with tips on how to get rid of debt here. Start improving your personal finance today.

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How to get Rid of Credit Card Debt Fast with FREE Articles Tips at DollarGuides.com. Help tips and more plus Credit Card Debt Information