Financial Freedom Shall Be Ours!

anticonsumerex @ 2007-01-16T12:29:00

2007-01-16T17:26:13Z

Does anyone know of any good places to get credit cards through for people with no credit at all.

Ah, they are trying to hook me in. Not this time.

2006-05-17T14:57:25Z

For the last 5.5 years, I have been in a debt repayment program to pay off my credit card debt and have made a lot of progress, even paying off some things a few months earlier than planned. I actually found a credit application in my mailbox yesterday and had to chuckle, considering that my one remaining credit card will be paid off in a few months. I think it's a good time to visit the office shredder.

An Introduction plus Questions

2006-01-23T16:33:36Z

Hi all,

I have come to this community to find some support in lowering my debt. A brief history: I was a married, stay at home mom for 15 yrs. Obviously, no work history etc. I was lucky enough to come out of the divorce with a house (our investment/rental property at the time) and 500 dollars a month maintenance. No child support as we have joint custody.

Along the way, I moved in with my now fiance. He came from a large city and a job that paid far more then he was able to get here in smalltown Wis, and eventually filed for bankruptcy to pay off his old c.c debts. But at the same time, we were both looking for jobs and it took him 6-7 months to find one, while it took me over 2 yrs.

In the beginning, we used my c.c to live. I moved into my house with nothing, no fridge, furniture, washer/dryer etc. So I ended up with about 12,000 dollars c.c. debt just on living.

Nowadays, we both have very good jobs for around here, and hope to buy a bigger house this coming year. This is where my questions come in. Right now, my debt to income is screwed on paper, and my credit score is in the 600's. Which is more important? And what is the best way to achieve it? I've been using the maintenance money to make payments on whatever card I can, but there's some differing opinions as to whether it's better to pay off the smallest first, or the highest interest first. As of this point, I've been able to pay off 1,200 dollars of that c.c debt. We don't spend frivolously (rarely go out to eat, shop clearance when needed, etc) and have our goal in mind.

So there are my questions. Debt to income, or credit score? And smallest balance, or highest interest?? And on top of that..if you have MANY charge cards, is it better to close the accounts once paid off or keep them all open? Thank you!

Highway Robbery

2005-09-01T15:08:28Z

One thing for certain, with the gas prices rising to high levels ($3.19/gallon in Jackson, Michigan yesterday), the need to watch one's budget is more critical than ever. I am already modifying my driving habits where I can, limiting extra trips to stores unless it happens to be on the way to and from home, watching my driving speed (yes, I am a lead foot) and use cruise control when driving on the highway, and making sure the tires are properly inflated and the fluid levels in the car are where they should be to reduce extra friction that will reduce fuel efficiency. I am also more thankful that I had started on the road to debt reduction years ago.

article today on MSN

2005-07-13T23:04:55Z

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Savinganddebt/Savemoney/P105462.asp?GT1=6704
Just some good common sense things hta perhaps some of us forget about

emotional intelligence

2005-07-02T02:17:00Z

I read a good book by Daniel Goleman, called "Emotional Intelligence", at one point mentioning how the emotional sense of the brain is approximately 24 times more powerful than the logic sense.

Applying that to financial situations, isn't that scary?

It does explain the consumeristic attitude that many people feel obligated to partake in, nevertheless; splurging in malls or any store for that matter, rationalizing that it's okay, that they deserve it, that they won't do it again, that it helps the economy to spend spend spend.

Thoughts?

Just joined

2005-06-21T20:46:35Z

Hi, I came across this when looking up debt reduction and related communities. Back in college in the early 1990's, I had built up some debt and had struggled with it ever since. After having to buy a new car (along with the resulting car loan) and dealing with health issues, I signed up with Consumer Credit Counseling (now GreenPath) and had paid down a huge chunk of my bills. It was not easy, but I have gotten it down to a much more manageable amount and anticipate having almost all of it paid sometime in early 2006. GreenPath did not give me a loan, but helped to set up a payment plan and arranging deposits for me to make every payday while they took care of sending the payments on my behalf. They were helpful in negotiating with my creditors so that I did not have to deal with the creditor phone calls, which saved me considerable mental stress. I was able to pay off one card back in May, a couple months earlier than anticipated, and am down to two more to go.

However, the key thing was determining what my values were as far as spending. I used to spend on frivolous stuff, but not have enough money to cover a doctor visit copay. Even when I used to work lots of overtime at work, I would still never have "enough" money, and building up savings will be a challenge. When I go shopping for clothes nowadays, I do ask myself whether I truly do need this shirt, pants, etc., and see if I can buy it someplace else cheaper if possible or leave it. Do I really need this $15 conditioner, or can I get a similar one for $1.50? I have found some wonderful finds at local consignment shops for only $1.00, and some of this stuff is Liz Claiborne, which is far more expensive at the mall. Also, it is nice not to have that sick feeling, worrying whether there will be enough money to cover everything, in one's stomach when it comes time to check out. I enjoy either reading or simple get-togethers with friends where we play card and board games and hang out, and that, in my opinion, is far more priceless to me. I hope to pick up some good things here. Thanks.

anticonsumerex @ 2005-06-20T07:53:00

2005-06-20T11:53:56Z

Hi, my name is Mark, a newbie...... Nice to meet some like-minded individuals here.

I'm just curious.....are many of you familiar with books by Robert Kiyosaki, such as "Rich Dad Poor Dad"? Or Thomas Stanley, with his book "The Millionaire Next Door"? Excellent, excellent pieces discussing the truly financially free people in our society.

Nice meeting you.

HEllo

2005-03-15T02:13:46Z

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I was looking for information about Debt Consolidation. I wondered if it was just a bad idea. I don't know anyone who's tried it and I'm worried it might be a scam of some sort.
If anyone has any info., please help.

thanks

I did it, now i'm scared

2005-02-01T15:58:04Z

This weekend I cut up all my credit cards except 1 with a 0 balance (my emergency one). Now I am scared that I'll just have to have something. But I feel better that I have taken some control back, my fate will no longer rest with those plastic devils.

Edit: Thanks for the encouragement. I also closed an account. As soon as they are paid off I close the account. But what a hassle, they sure don't like to lose anybody.

Free Sub to Psychology Today

2005-01-04T17:46:50Z

Still open!

http://a388.g.akamai.net/7/388/1603/0001/www.freebizmag.com/emailpt03welcome.htm

setting goals

2005-01-04T04:05:54Z

If you have problems setting goals and achieving them (like I do sometimes), some community assistance may help. This site: 43 Things lets you set goals, blog your progress (linked to LJ, if you want, so you don't have 50 blogs), and see what goals others are setting and how they are achieving them. This looks like a great way to track spending goals. I'm trying it out and I thought you all might like to also.

(x-posted to organize)

so far...

2004-12-31T23:35:39Z

...I have saved $5.00 by cancelling my Yahoo bill pay and signing up for billpay with my bank.

What have you done?

Free Sub to Budget Living

2004-12-29T21:27:58Z

http://a388.g.akamai.net/7/388/1603/0001/www.freebizmag.com/snapfishbudget01welcome.htm

Hello, everyone!

2004-12-12T17:15:25Z

New member here, from Chicago, IL. I thought I'd start by sharing a method that I've been using lately to spend less money.

First of all, I try to stay OUT of the stores in the first place.

Second, if I do go in a store - and find something that I think i want to buy, I carry it around the store for awhile, like "okay, I'm getting this.". While I'm carrying it around, looking at other stuff, I think to myself "Do you REALLY want another sweater, etc.? Do you really NEED this?" I usually, in a bit, think of something else in my closet that is similar to the thing I thought I wanted, and I'm able to leave it behind.

If I'm in a store like Target, picking up actual essentials - toothpaste, shampoo, etc. - I get sidetracked by NON essentials - candles, clothes, makeup. The things I put in my basket also get carried around for awhile with the same method, and invariably I've put back 3 or 4 things by the time I'm ready to check out. I also have a friend who I go shopping with and we are great at "talking each other out of stuff". I almost bought a curling iron one trip. She talked me out of it, and I realized she was exactly right - it was almost an impulse buy that I wouldn't have used. Go, J! ;-)

Just a few mind games I play with myself to keep my spending under control. Thought you guys would be amused or interested!

Free Subscription to Hollywood Life

2004-11-08T18:29:37Z

http://mx3.efax.com/survey3/2OCVmunAD!241

anticonsumerex @ 2004-09-16T19:46:00

2004-09-16T23:48:11Z

I posted months ago that I was going to do something about my spending. I never did a thing about it. I'm still just as broke. I need a financial kick in the butt. That kick will more than likely come when my car dies and I have no money to fix or no money for a down payment.

a victory and an inspirational thought

2004-09-16T17:26:02Z

Last night I wanted to get a certain book as I am dealing with some issues in my life. At first I thought of heading to the regular bookstore. Then I then I thought of getting it at the used bookstore. When I relized how much money I was going to be spending, I decided to head to the library. I feel much better that I picked up a book at the library than buying another book that I would have to find some way to store.

Consider your library your bookshelf and your music shelf too.

"When you live below your means, you own your possessions. When you live beyond your means, your possessions own you."

-Holly Ordway

something to think about when we go shopping.

Update on spending

2004-09-15T21:15:25Z

My newest test.My husband and I are not buying any clothing this (fisical) year.So far we've done 1 month.

I have been doing mostly good on the spending.

We had to buy a few things for the new place but I didn't spend extra on anything.And no nick nacks or anything like that.

I am lusting after having a rug for the livingroom but think that we will hold off until its at least 50% off.

I got two pairs of curtains for $6 because they were out of the package.They woudld have otherwise been $28.I'd say thats a pretty good savings.

I've also taken up cupon clipping.There are rearly cupons for stuff I need or use but when one is there I am using it weather its $0.05 or $1.00.Its kind of fun really.I would like a better way of organizing it into catagories and dates so I use them before they expire.

My husband has been bringing home the Sunday newspaper from work so were no longer paying for that and I'm also comparison shopping on the insert sales fliers.

We also returned the crock for Alhambra and stopped service to save about $30 a month.We can refil the 5 gallon container we have with filtered water for $0.39 at FoodsCo...I'm there anyway so no extra trip or anything.

Greetings from Toronto

2004-09-11T02:57:06Z

I don't know how it started. I finished university debt-free (by working and by living at my mother's) in 1993. For years I paid my credit card bills on time in full. And then I started spending and spending and spending and spending. And I got depressed about it ... so I spent more.

Now I owe $9058CDN to VISA. So I am seeking financial FREEDOM.

But it's not just about paying back VISA. I am just tired of the the SPEND money on STUFF culture. (cue the George Carlon routine *wry smile*) I need a change. I want to change. Somehow ,however, I have found the voluntary simplicity movement a bit wanting given the VSM market that has developed around it (here's a way to buy more stuff for next to nothing). It is also, to my mind, a bit condescending to those people who must live in poverty involuntarily.

Anyway, that article from the Oregonian was fascinating and I wonder if I could do it too...

Here's a take on the No Spending Experiment

2004-09-02T18:06:55Z

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/margie_boule/index.ssf?/base/living/109395381359061.xml

I wonder if I could do it.

I guess I have to add a rule to this community

2004-08-21T23:40:29Z

I would prefer it if we would refrain from posting any "Free Ipod" schemes in here. I will automatically delete any comment or post that that involves any such scheme.

your mod,
alero

August Goals

2004-08-12T18:29:25Z

Just a short questions: what is everyone's goals for the month of august?

My goals are:

- to pay off my cell phone bill and go down to a lower cost plan.

- and to put more money into paying off my credit card.

few things to look into this week

2004-07-26T17:18:52Z

personal list but thought i'd share with you all.

1. renter's insurance (see latest notmartha entry)
2. realized there's no point in having current savings account with b of a. will look into ing (with higher interest rate, no minimums and moving money to cd) and/or university credit union (that will allow me to automatically transfer amount straight from paycheck).
3. not as important note to self to buy quality foundation and concealer but stick with cheap drugstore brands with everything else.

that is all. please feel free to add to this list.

jangrl

social experiment: the aneboda fund

2004-07-14T17:57:36Z

i've been thinking about getting myself a pair of nightstands for my bedroom, which is gonna cost me around $120. i've been thinking about it for the past five months now but couldn't bear to pay $60.00 for a nightstand, and since i just moved my two cc debts over to one card with 0% interest (yay!) i don't want to jeopardize that and push myself further into debt.

so this is what i'm gonna do: i swiped an office memo envelope, decorated it and called it the aneboda fund (cuz that's the name of the nightstands i wanna get from ikea), and over the next few months i'm going to put my bill change in there whenever i have any. so if i ate out, took out a $20 and got $3.58 back? i'm putting in $3.00. if i found an extra $5.00 in one of my jacket pockets, instead of buying crap with it, straight it goes to the aneboda fund. i'm hoping within the next few months (i'm shooting for three or four) i'll have the money to buy the stuff with straight cash instead of charging it on a card, kinda like the way our grandparents did it. i mean, to save $30-40 a month is totally reasonable! so while i'm still being a consumer, at least i'm being a responsible consumer, right? plus it forces me to delay gratification (maybe i'll take the money and blow it on vegas instead!) and put change money away instead of taking them straight to the local convenience store for a bar of twix.

let's see what happens.

jangrl