I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 12/28 – It’s My Birthday!

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    You read correctly, today is my birthday!  So, maybe just this once….. since it is my happy day and all, you could love me like a blogger?  Hahaha!  If you didn’t know it was my birthday, and completely neglected to get me a present,  maybe I could guilt you into checking out the following posts and give their authors some love – because they totally deserve it!  🙂   Favorite Posts: Grit Your Teeth and Stay the Course from CareOne’s Straight Talk on Debt Reader’s Question: Handling Finances In Marriage With A Reluctant Spouse from Money Q & […] Read more »

Make 2013 Debt Free…Join the Debt Movement

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Did you ever wonder why New Year’s resolutions never last? Each year as I resolve to quit all the bad habits I developed over the previous year, I always do. But if you take the right approach to a resolution such as “getting out of debt”, there’s no reason you can’t be successful. If you’ve been working to get out of debt with little success and need a kick start, consider joining the Debt Movement! We all need a little help from time to time whether it’s a debt relief plan that makes the process easier, a nudge in the […] Read more »

Our Story: An Interview on Talk Credit Radio

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About three months ago, I was honored to be a guest on Gerri Detweiler’s Talk Credit Radio program.  I was thrilled to share Vonnie and I’s debt story and answer Gerri’s questions regarding  how it has changed our lives forever.  She has been generous enough to provide me with a link to audio streaming of the interview, and I wanted to share it with The EOD Nation.  Click on the picture of Vonnie and I below to hear the interview.                 I’d love to hear your thoughts on the interview, or answer any […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 12/21

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We had a blizzard in Southeastern Minnesota this week but it didn’t seem as bad as they said it was going to be.   We did get about 7 inches of snow so at least we’ll have a white Christmas!   It is still pretty cold and windy outside, so I think most of my weekend will be spent indoors.  If you’re in the same boat, here’s some awesome reading to keep you occupied! Favorite Posts Anyone Can Stop Dreaming and Start Doing from American Debt Project Brown-Bagging Lunch Has Drawbacks Too from Dollarversity Why I Love My Budget (For Serious) from […] Read more »

Pssssst, I’ve Got Something Really Cool To Show You……

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If you like free stuff say, “Hell YEAH!” and throw a big fist pump into the air. If you’re currently sitting in an office environment and are concerned about what your coworkers will think, you can just do it mentally. Regular readers of personal finance blogs know that at any time there are a ton of giveaways in progress. There are even websites that are devoted completely to hosting giveaways. It is for that very reason that as of last week the Friday “I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup” posts include a “Kick Ass Giveaways” section. Since free stuff […] Read more »

My First Trip to Costco: Why I Hate Club Stores

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I’m not a fan of “club” stores. Vonnie and I have a membership at Sam’s Club, but to me it’s useful only for the selection and price of certain cuts of meat worthy to be put on my smoker. Other than that, I could dump the membership and not miss a beat. My problem with club stores is the magical trance that comes over people (including myself) once the store is entered.  It’s the perspective  that if you find a product that you use (no matter how rarely), it should be snatched up immediately because every product is the sale […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 12/14

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Confession time:  Vonnie and I haven’t even started our Christmas Shopping.  That’s right, not a single gift has been purchased.  The good news is, the kids have made their lists, and we have the cash – we just have to go get them.  Anyone want to take a guess at what we’ll be doing this weekend? Favorite Posts Payday Loan Smackdown- Convenient or Ripoff?   from Dr. Jason Cabler What do you mean I cannot return this? I don’t want a store credit from Free At 33 Sleep on the Pavement, Piss in a Bottle from My Broken Coin 2012 […] Read more »

12 Smart Steps for Buying a Home

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buying a home

When you decide it’s time for you to buy a home, especially when it’s your first one, there are plenty of important details you need to know that can save you a large amount of time, money, and problems if you just take the time and effort to pay attention to the details and use a little common sense. I’m convinced that one of the main reasons so many people have been foreclosed on and are struggling is because they failed to use some of these common sense rules when they purchased a house and they ended up in financial […] Read more »

Don’t Let Debt Hold You Back

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2012 is rapidly coming to a close and it’s time to start thinking about your goals for 2013. If you have debts consider developing a plan to make 2013 the year you get out. Interest Affects Your Bottom Line The exercise of defining all of your credit card debt and the subsequent interest rates should be a top “to do”. Start by pulling your free annual credit report and seeing what you owe and at what rate. Create a spreadsheet, document or put a pen to paper listing your debts. Then calculate how much money you are spending each month […] Read more »

Dirty Dice: A Fun and Frugal Way To Exchange Gifts

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Over the weekend Vonnie and I hosted a family Christmas gathering for her side of the family. We sent the invite out via Facebook several weeks ago, and it didn’t take long for the RSVPs to start rolling in. We also started getting questions regarding whether we were going to have a gift exchange, but with over 30 people expected to show up, we weren’t sure how to do it and keep it economical. Talking about it for awhile we remembered a game that we’ve played at Christmas gatherings before, and decided it would be perfect for this one as […] Read more »

Getting Out of Debt – Selling Your Stuff Works…Kinda

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If you're one who is focused on getting out of debt, one technique is to sell your personal possessions. It's something many of us have done. In fact, I've purchased many an item from a neighbor trying to raise money for his basic needs. I've always questioned this approach because no one has an endless supply of "stuff" to sell. What happens when you run out of items to sell? Besides, the things that are easy to sell are most likely those that are the most useful, and it seems those items are the very ones that a person might care to keep. Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 12/07

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We’re a week into December and it’s officially the holiday season.  Vonnie and I are hosting a family get together tomorrow for her side of the family which should prove to be a great time.  I hate to admit this, but I really wish it would snow.  Look, I’m as big of a summertime, warm weather fan as they come but if it’s going to be colder I’d rather there be snow on the ground instead of everything be all brown and dreary.  Even my daughter agrees.  Last night she said, “We’ll probably have another dirt Christmas.”  She does have […] Read more »

Kids, We’re In Debt

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Preface: My wife and I were discussing various financial subjects over dinner one evening last week when  Tori, our ten year old daughter, blurted out, “I remember when mom told us we were in debt.”   After she told us the story from her perspective, I asked her if she would be willing to write me a blog post about it.  Immediately after dinner she sat down in front of the computer, and began typing away.  The following is the story of our journey out of debt through the eyes of our daughter. Three years and four months ago my mom […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 11/30

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Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror, and my family now turns it’s attention to Christmas.    Last weekend the fall decorations came down, this weekend the Christmas decorations go up.  This decorating extravaganza will include putting up the Pizel family Christmas tree followed by the traditional viewing of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  Oh, and the weather is going to be abnormally warm for this time of year in Minnesota as highs will flirt with 60. Weird. What’s not weird is the list of my favorite posts below.  Check ’em out, and give ’em some love.  Tell them I sent you […] Read more »