Suzanne Cramer | Enemy of Debt: Where Behavior Meets Reality

The Lost Subject: Personal Finance

Written by Suzanne Cramer on February 16, 2012 · 11 Comments

Never to young to learn how to handle a credit card slip

Were you taught about money and personal finance when you were in school? I wasn’t. Even today personal finance is not taught in most schools or considered a curriculum requirement for college students. How do we expect today’s youth to stop the vicious cycle of debt if we don’t teach them how? The latest report from the Federal Reserve shows that consumers are still using their credit cards in a big way; revolving credit, which is made up primarily of credit card debt rose to $801.0 billion. It’s obvious the cycle continues as millions of Americans rack up debt and [...] Read more »

Tags: Behavior, budget, credit, credit cards, debt, Debt free, Economy, financial planning, goals, Kids and Money, personal finance, Personal Responsibility, savings

Surprise, Your Credit Report Stinks

Written by Suzanne Cramer on February 2, 2012 · 11 Comments

Credit reports are a funny thing that even the most seasoned of financial experts have trouble understanding. With all of the “myths” and “misconceptions” about credit scores swirling around it can be difficult to decipher myth from the real truth. Recently my friend went to a car dealership in search of a new vehicle to replace their old vehicle. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the money saved up to purchase the vehicle (I advised paying cash makes the most financial senseJ), and were going to have to finance the vehicle. When applying for any loan or line of credit you are [...] Read more »

Tags: Bankruptcy, credit, credit cards, debt, Marriage, pay off debt, personal finance

Buyer Beware Hidden Charges May Be Affecting Your Bottom Line

Written by Suzanne Cramer on January 19, 2012 · 5 Comments

You are one of those people that diligently budgets for every expense, cuts costs wherever possible–a sheer genius when it comes to personal finance. So why does it seem you just can’t get ahead as a middleclass American citizen doing all the right things when it comes to sticking to your budget? The economy has taken its toll on just about everyone, both consumers and business. In fact either you or someone close to you has likely fallen victim to a foreclosure, layoff, or downsizing. When you fill up at the pump you wonder when a gallon of gas and [...] Read more »

Tags: Behavior, Budgeting, credit, debt, eating out, Economy, personal finance, saving money

P90X Your Finances this Year

Written by Suzanne Cramer on January 5, 2012 · 5 Comments

Unless you have been living under a rock, chances are you have heard of the P90X workout system and its charismatic fitness guru, Tony Horton. On January 1, 2012 I started the P90X system and have embraced both the diet and exercise requirements, hoping to take my health and fitness to the next level. I don’t know about all of you but I need a regimented diet and exercise plan to have any chance of staying on track. In fact last year I completely fell off the wagon and gained 30 pounds! I made 2 resolutions for 2012: Get healthy [...] Read more »

Tags: accountability, Behavior, budget, Change, debt, determination, financial planning, pay off debt, personal finance, saving money, savings

Changing My Money Mind in 2012

Written by Suzanne Cramer on December 22, 2011 · 10 Comments

It’s that time of year when we all vow to change our ways and resolve to go on a diet, quit smoking, or get out of debt. How many of us actually have a plan in place to make our resolutions a reality? Unfortunately most of us don’t and this is why we are doomed to fail before we even start. Yes, money is necessary to support our lifestyle, but do we let it determine how we live our lives? The fact is many of us do. We allow ourselves to live up to or above our means which often [...] Read more »

Tags: accountability, Behavior, budget, Change, credit cards, Debt Elimination, Emergencies, goals, pay off debt, personal finance, saving money

Just Say No to Inflatable Santa’s

Written by Suzanne Cramer on December 8, 2011 · 9 Comments

“Mommy please can we get one of those inflatable Santa’s?” This is the plea I have heard from my eight year old son since we began to decorate (with our already purchased) holiday decorations the day after Thanksgiving. My answer remains constant, “Not right now buddy, we don’t need an inflatable Santa.” Unfortunately millions of Americans apparently do feel they need inflatable Santa’s, two Christmas trees, and thousands of twinkle lights to adorn their homes so they can feel the magic of the holidays. According to a Bloomberg report, “This year U.S. consumers will spend $6 billion on decorations, the [...] Read more »

Tags: Behavior, budget, Budgeting, Christmas, credit, credit cards, debt, Debt free, debt freedom, Economy, goals, Kids and Money, money, pay off debt, saving money

To Be or Not To Be…That is the Question

Written by Suzanne Cramer on November 24, 2011 · 2 Comments

Thankful that is…today is Thanksgiving a time to spend with loved ones and reflect on what you are thankful for. It has been a tough year for my family and some days I didn’t feel so thankful, but today I have a renewed attitude of thankfulness and realize just how lucky I am to have my health, my family, and the support of communities like this one. Unexpected Gifts of Thanks Sometimes we are dealt a bad hand and just need to make the best of less than perfect situations. Divorce. On April 5th of this year my divorce was [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, Change, debt, Debt free, determination, Economy, goals, pay off debt, personal finance, savings

This Year Just Say No to Chia Pets

Written by Suzanne Cramer on November 10, 2011 · 13 Comments

The holiday season is rapidly approaching; Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, whatever you call it, is about spending time with friends and family, enjoying a meal, and the true meaning of the holiday you choose to celebrate. It is NOT about who spends the most, who has the biggest pile of gifts, or who got the most Christmas cards. Many of us take the true meaning and purpose of the holiday season and turn it into a spending spree only to find the credit card hangover in January lasts until next year when it starts all over again. The Target, Our Children [...] Read more »

Tags: black friday, budget, Christmas, credit cards, Kids and Money, Priorities

I Hear the Secrets that you Keep…

Written by Suzanne Cramer on October 27, 2011 · 6 Comments

I do, I hear them; the denial, self talk, and the inevitable, “What am I going to do?” They are secrets you keep from everyone; your family, your friends, and even your significant other. You’re in debt. It doesn’t matter how it happened, what matters now is that you do something about it. That’s where I come in. I am a certified credit counselor for CareOne Debt Relief Services and everyday I talk to people about their debt. Sometimes I am the first person they have admitted this to and they are scared, apprehensive, and skeptical. I would be too; [...] Read more »

Tags: Bankruptcy, credit cards, Dave Ramsey, Debt Elimination, Debt free, debt freedom, money, pay off debt

Is Blood Thicker than Inheritance Money?

Written by Suzanne Cramer on October 13, 2011 · 15 Comments

According to study by the AARP roughly 2/3 of baby boomers are expecting some sort of an inheritance and are spending it before they even have it. They dig deep holes of debt with inheritance money in the back of their mind; failing to understand using inheritance money to pay off debt is not a sound financial plan. In fact inheritances often don’t turn out the way those expecting them think they should. A Family Torn I have a friend who recently had a grandmother pass away. Her frugal lifestyle and previously deceased husband’s good business sense left her with [...] Read more »

Tags: accountability, debt, financial planning, Giving, inheritance, Motivation

Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me

Written by Suzanne Cramer on September 29, 2011 · 24 Comments

This past March I loaned money to a fellow single mom friend who was in financial crisis: She and her son were about to be evicted from their apartment. Anyone that knows me relatively well knows that I would do whatever I could for someone in need; a Good Samaritan. I learned this behavior from my father; when I was little he would help stranded roadside motorists and offer his services (he was a mechanic) for “free” or “in trade” for those who couldn’t afford it. While this type of behavior certainly didn’t make him rich financially, I truly believe [...] Read more »

Tags: debt, debt management plan. debt consolidation, loan, money and relationships

Take a Step Back…Put your Financial Behavior in Check

Written by Suzanne Cramer on September 15, 2011 · 7 Comments

Debt is sometimes inevitable, unavoidable, and well a fact of life for many. No matter what your stage of life you may be faced with financial issues. Life can take its toll on your finances; unemployment, an unexpected illness, divorce or a death in the family can send you into a financial tailspin. But sometimes financial issues stem from a cause deeper than the unexpected; the way you think about money. To snap out of bad financial habits it may require some lifestyle and behavioral changes. 10 Financial Principles Dr. Bernard Poduska, author of For Love or Money writes about [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, debt, Debt free, debt freedom, financial planning, life, money, personal finance, sacrifice, saving money

Do Our Parents Money Decisions Define Us?

Written by Suzanne Cramer on September 1, 2011 · 15 Comments

From a young age I was given the ability to choose how I would spend my money. I was raised in a “typical” family unit with two hard working parents and a younger sibling. We weren’t rich, we weren’t poor we were considered middle class, I suppose. My dad worked long hours as a small business owner (he was a mechanic) and my mom worked part-time so she could take care of us. The family business was passed onto him by my grandfather who came to the states with nothing except the clothes on his back. Read more »

Tags: accountability, debt, Debt free, goals, Kids and Money, Motivation, personal finance, savings