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