| Is credit card debt driving you crazy? Spent too much | | | | credit report stays there for 7 years. Well, that's not |
| this holiday season? | | | | always true. I got a bunch of negative credit items off |
| Well, you're definitely not alone. Credit card debt is a | | | | my credit report - all I did was get a copy of my credit |
| way of life these days. Especially now, right after the | | | | report, and ask the credit bureaus to remove the "bad |
| holidays! | | | | stuff". In just a few months, my credit was almost |
| For many people, money gets REAL tight this time of | | | | back to normal. There's nothing that says we must |
| year - we need to pay for all the holiday gifts, get | | | | pay for our mistakes forever (or even for 7 years)! |
| ready for tax season... | | | | 4) Cut down your monthly expenses |
| Ahhhh! | | | | If you overdid the spending in 2005, then it's time to cut |
| What can you do if debt has taken over your life? | | | | out all the expenses you don't need, and use the |
| Make getting out of debt your New Year's Resolution | | | | money you save to pay off your credit card bills. Take |
| for 2006! | | | | a look at your checking and savings account |
| Here are 5 simple tips for getting out of debt. Keeping | | | | statements, your credit card statements, and your |
| a New Year's Resolution is difficult. But if you follow | | | | monthly bills. Then start looking for things to cut. I know, |
| these tips, you'll be prepared for a prosperous 2006! | | | | I know, it's hard to live without cable TV, cell phones, |
| 1) Write down your goal and make a plan for achieving | | | | internet access, the morning paper, weekend dinners |
| it! | | | | and entertainment. BUT DO IT ANYWAY - at least |
| The first step to getting out of debt is by far the most | | | | until you get your debt back under control! |
| important - you need to: | | | | 5) Make some extra spending money |
| - make a commitment to get out of debt | | | | Sometimes making more money is the best answer! |
| - write it down | | | | There are lots of ways to make money - selling some |
| - and come up with a plan for reaching it! | | | | of your valuables, getting a part-time job, starting your |
| Hey, you didn't get into debt overnight, and you won't | | | | own business. Despite some of the ads you read, |
| get out overnight, either. But if you want to get out of | | | | there's no really secret to making money - you just |
| debt - if you REALLY want to get out of debt, you | | | | need to find something you like to do, and work hard |
| need to have a plan. And you need to stick with it. | | | | at it! |
| 2) Seriously consider using a debt reduction program | | | | 6) Think positive! |
| If you have the discipline to get out of debt on your | | | | OK, there were only supposed to be 5 tips, but this |
| own, without any help, then good for you! But if you're | | | | one is the best one - no matter how hard life can get, |
| like most people, a little help will go a long way. Here | | | | no matter how much debt you have, the one thing in |
| are a few debt reduction programs to consider: | | | | life you can control the most is how you think. So |
| - Credit counseling: If you have high interest rates on | | | | rather than focusing on what you don't have, be |
| your credit cards, working with a non-profit company | | | | thankful for all that you do have. Nobody dies wishing |
| will help you lower those high rates, and combine your | | | | they had made more money or worked longer. But |
| credit card bills into one lower monthly payment - | | | | many people do regret all the fun and meaningful |
| which means more of your money will go towards | | | | things THEY DID NOT DO! So make some time to |
| reducing your debt! | | | | have fun, think positive, and find little ways to enjoy life |
| - Debt consolidation loan: If you own a home, you can | | | | EVERY SINGLE DAY you are here on plant Earth! |
| consider taking out a home equity loan to pay off all | | | | Wondering what makes me an expert on debt? Well, I |
| your credit card bills, lower you interest rates, and | | | | lived through it. I know what it feels like to struggle. And |
| possibly deduct the interest on your taxes (but check | | | | I know what it feels like to overcome financial |
| with your tax professional on this one). | | | | problems. There's nothing special about me. I work at a |
| - Debt settlement: If nothing else is working, and your | | | | college, so I don't make a heck of a lot of money. I |
| debt is still overwhelming, then you should consider | | | | didn't win the lottery. And no rich relatives left me a pile |
| debt settlement. This is a more aggressive approach, | | | | of money. |
| and is not right for everyone, but if you're considering | | | | I just learned a few simple strategies - actually, I |
| bankruptcy, this is a good option. You can pay off all | | | | learned the 5 tips you just read about - and stuck with |
| your credit card bills at a savings of 40-60%, and get | | | | them until my life changed for the better. |
| out of debt much quicker. | | | | And you can, too - just follow the tips above, believe in |
| 3) Start fixing your credit problems | | | | yourself, and DON'T LET ANYONE OR ANYTHING |
| Many people think that anything that goes on your | | | | STOP YOU FROM REACHING YOUR GOALS in life! |