| Ideally, what comes in does not necessary all | | | | |
| go out to creditors. Unfortunately, most of | | | | - Refinance your home at a lower rate to |
| us know, that is one of our better dreams. | | | | reduce your mortgage payment. But do it now |
| Sometimes we find all our dreams shattered | | | | because the word on the street is that the |
| completely. Would you be prepared?Once upon | | | | Fed is going to increase the interest rate |
| a time, I was living the ideal life. I had | | | | again! |
| an excellent paying job. Who had to worry | | | | |
| about finances or budgets? Ha! Not me. In | | | | - Increase your insurance deductibles. Then |
| fact, I never really paid much attention to | | | | shop around for better rates for your |
| price tags. I just knew I wanted it so I | | | | homeowners, auto, life and health insurances. |
| bought it. I had money in the bank, a nice | | | | |
| car and a swell cushy condo.But, in a blink | | | | - Stop eating out and prepare your dinners |
| of an eye, my dream life turned into a | | | | at home. |
| nightmare and I was totally unprepared. It | | | | |
| was very frightening and intimidating to | | | | - Start taking your lunch to work instead of |
| realize I had to do something drastic. | | | | buying it. |
| Consequently, I had to learn quick, fast and | | | | |
| in a hurry how to reduce my debts and budget | | | | - Shop with a grocery list and stick to it. |
| my money or I would literally be out in the | | | | Make your list using your grocery flyer and |
| street.Health problems forced me to give up | | | | prepare your meals based on the specials. |
| my wonderful job and every luxury that went | | | | Take advantage of buy one, get one free |
| with it. My savings dwindled and I went | | | | offers. Be diligent and don't buy what you |
| from riches to rags faster than greased | | | | really don't need. Use coupons - most stores |
| lightning. The shame of it all, what would my | | | | offer double the value. Buy store brands. |
| family and friends think? Oh poor me. What | | | | Hey, don't shake your head. I save plenty |
| did I ever do to deserve this? This is so | | | | that way! If I, the once upon a time little |
| not fair!Turns out, I was my own worse enemy. | | | | princess, can do it so can you. |
| My family still loves and supports me and my | | | | |
| friends are still my friends. As soon as I | | | | - Cancel your memberships and magazine |
| stopped feeling sorry for myself, I resigned | | | | subscriptions. Instead of going to the gym, |
| myself to the fact that this is the way it | | | | take walks, exercise at home. Take trips to |
| was going to be, nothing in the world was | | | | your local library for magazines, newspapers |
| going to change it and I had better learn to | | | | and books. |
| live with it. Don't misunderstand me, it | | | | |
| took quite awhile to get to that point, but | | | | - Stay home instead of going out for |
| the point is I'm there and I didn't fall off | | | | entertainment. Curl up with a good book from |
| the face of the earth. I still enjoy life, | | | | the library and rent movies instead of going |
| my illness is not terminal, I'm just on a | | | | out to the movie theatre. Take trips to your |
| darn ol budget. Grumble, grumble.Sound | | | | local museums and free places of interest. |
| familiar? You see my friends, you are not | | | | |
| alone. Hopefully you will accept the fact, | | | | - Cancel that cell phone or reduce your |
| sooner than I; you have absolutely nothing to | | | | monthly bill by lowering your peak hour |
| be ashamed of. Many, many families find | | | | minutes to the minimum and only use your cell |
| themselves in the same boat. So come on, put | | | | phone in an emergency. |
| on your life jackets and let's row, row, | | | | |
| row!If you've lost your job, there is, of | | | | - Become a do-it yourselfer. Do your own |
| course, unemployment. And, depending on your | | | | home repair and change your own oil in your |
| circumstances, there are state and county | | | | vehicles. Visit your local library for "how |
| agencies that offer additional benefits | | | | to" books. |
| especially if you have children. It would be | | | | |
| advantageous for you to investigate the | | | | - Take a look at your utilities. Do you |
| possibilities. You may qualify for | | | | have any water leaks? Lower your thermostat |
| assistance such as; locating a job, temporary | | | | a few degrees and inquire if your electric |
| financial assistance, health care, food | | | | and gas company has a budget plan. |
| stamps, clothing banks, shelter and | | | | |
| transportation.Perhaps you've been spending | | | | - Shop at garage sales, thrift stores, flea |
| more than you make and you find yourself in a | | | | markets and browse over the classified ads. |
| serious financial situation. Let me share | | | | |
| with you some of the ways you may be able to | | | | - Shop at your dollar store for cleaning |
| achieve some financial stability.Obviously, | | | | products, paper goods, and toiletries. Oh |
| you need to set up a spending plan or budget. | | | | now, now be nice ... my dishes and clothes |
| But at this point, it will be of no value if | | | | don't know the difference and my teeth and |
| you are robbing Peter to pay Paul.First and | | | | hair haven't fallen out yet.There are so many |
| foremost you need to reduce your debt and | | | | other ways to reduce your expenses. Just |
| establish ways to save money. Once you've | | | | exercise your common sense.Most of the time |
| gotten your expenses inline, then develop a | | | | money problems originate from our lifestyle |
| viable budget. You must discipline yourself | | | | choices. Before you buy something, ask |
| to stick to it or you will find yourself | | | | yourself if you really need it.Establish a |
| without that life jacket and no boat to row, | | | | realistic budget and make those sacrifices to |
| row, row.You'll need to do two things. Find | | | | live within your limits. To me, peace of |
| some extra cash and reduce your debts. Here | | | | mind costs a lot less than that new car I |
| are some suggestions to help you achieve | | | | dream of owning. Who knows tomorrow I could |
| both. At the same time, you will be setting | | | | meet Mr. Right or Mr. Down Right Filthy Rich |
| the ground work for your new budget.Ways to | | | | *wink*Lex lives in Ohio and is originally |
| obtain cash: | | | | from NJ. She has three children and four |
| | | | grandchildren. Her hobbies include reading, |
| - Have a garage or yard sale. I was amazed | | | | crafting and writing.She has been inducted |
| at the amount of money I pulled in. | | | | into the TSWBA Bowling Hall of Fame and is a |
| | | | two time TSWBA Bowler of the Year. She is |
| - You might want to look for a second job. | | | | also a NJ Doubles and Women's All Star |
| I know, I know. What a yukky idea. But look | | | | Association Champion. Although she does not |
| on the bright side, it's just until the | | | | bowl now, she enjoys coaching young |
| crisis is over. | | | | bowlers.Currently, Lex is the financial |
| | | | advisor for a frugal living and sweepstakes |
| - Sell that extra car.Ways to reduce your | | | | group called "Our Winning Circle". |
| expenses: | | | | |