http://www.debtfreeblog.net Get Out of Debt Today Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:41:36 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A lot of people get Christmas bonuses at work that range from a free turkey to several thousand dollars. Unexpected income usually leads to unexpected purchases! If you know you're going to get a bonus, plan on using that money before you get the check. Here are some productive ideas for ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/tips/use-unexpected-income-to-slash-debt/ I recently watched Maxed Out, a documentary about the dark secrets of America's banking industry. If you're reading this blog, then you most likely already know that debt is bad... but you probably have no idea how bad it is. Maxed Out focuses on banks and financial institutions that lend money ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/commentary/maxed-out-the-truth-about-debt-in-america/ How many times have you woken up the day after making a big purchase and regretted it? That TV, computer, furniture or car seems a little more expensive than it did yesterday. You suddenly get a funny feeling in your stomach as you realize the credit card bill's coming in ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/tips/spend-less-with-this-quick-tip/ There are two schools of thought when it comes to paying off your debt. One says that you should start with the account with the highest interest rate, then move to the next nighest interest rate and the next until you've paid everything off. The other says that you should ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/tips/should-you-pay-off-the-highest-interest-rate-or-lowest-balance-first/ Dave Ramsey is a speaker, trainer and consultant on debt and financial planning. After making it big in real estate, his debt got the best of him. He went bankrupt after the bank called in some large short-term notes and he vowed never to go into debt again. He has a ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/resources/dave-ramsey-total-money-makeover-live/ You should know my stance on using credit cards for purchases (don't!) but debit cards and checks can also be bad. They just don't feel the same as using cold, hard cash. When you use real money, you tend to spend less of it. It hurts more, and you're very ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/tips/simple-money-management-tip-use-cash/ Mint is a free online financial management application that lets you track your different financial accounts such as checking, savings, credit card, mortgage and investment accounts. Mint allows you to see your current financial snapshot, your "net worth" at a glance. Mint automatically categorizes purchases, and remembers your changes. If you ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/resources/mint-free-resource-to-track-your-spending/ It was a sunny Fourth of July, and we loaded up to head to the lake. Me, my wife, and our two kids got in my wife's car and she started to back out of the garage. I noticed my truck in the rear view mirror, and as it got ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/commentary/a-case-for-an-emergency-fund/ An article published by CNN says that stress is bad for your health. According to the article, people with high levels of debt experience more severe health problems such as anxiety, ulcers and heart attacks than those without debt. The higher stress of having debt also made it harder to concentrate ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/news/debt-is-bad-for-your-health/ Do you know how much that new TV or bedroom suit is going to cost you by the time you pay it off?  Millions of Americans borrow money every year, and I'd estimate the vast majority of them don't understand how compounded interest works. Interest can be a powerful tool to earn ... http://www.debtfreeblog.net/finance-101/compounding-interest-and-credit-card-debt/