A Contrarian View of Credit Reports and Credit Scores

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Photo Credit: Adam_T4 Credit reports and credit scores are useful tools for those interested in estimating the credit worthiness of others. Many of us have worked hard to establish credit and keep our scores in the upper range so we’re viewed favorably. This indicates to others that we’re a good credit risk. It’s an important accomplishment because we know that having an undesirable credit rating can: adversely affect our ability to get a loan; result in being declined an offer of employment in certain job sectors; prevent us from qualifying as a tenant; and, interfere with being issued a security […] Read more »

Enemy of Debt the Super Hero?

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PURE AWESOMENESS! Yesterday, Enemy of Debt was introduced to the comic strip world for the first time! Back in February, I sent the creator of the Personal Finance comics an email, suggesting an Enemy of Debt character. Every comic has a villain and since he writes for a credit card site, I thought Enemy of Debt would play the part nicely. He liked the idea, and even took it one step further by asking me to write up a storyline. Having never written anything like that before I was a bit nervous, but I jumped right on it. I submitted […] Read more »

Your Financial Mindset Determines Your Ability To Handle Credit Cards

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Have you ever taken a position on credit cards one way or the other? I have, and to only say I was passionate about my position, would be an understatement. Just ask J. Money! I must start out by saying that some of you are going to feel as if I have lost my mind, and the rest of you are just going to be shocked completely about what I am about to say. Not because it doesn’t make sense, but because it is coming from ME. I am no longer the sworn enemy of credit cards. Yes, you read […] Read more »

Book Review: Living Well With Bad Credit

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Back in December, I was asked if I would participate in a book review online tour. The book is Living Well With Bad Credit by Chris Balish and Geoff Williams. Now before I get started I must point out that this book has some things I ultimately disagree with, but with that said, it also has some helpful tidbits to help exterminate the notion that bad credit is the end of life as you know it. One of the very first things that stood out to me was one simple phrase. It’s a phrase that sounded so familiar, but it […] Read more »

The Day I Killed My Credit Card

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This article is dedicated to the blogger at Cash Only Living. She said she loved my site and invited me to check out one of her posts. I read it and liked it, but another article she wrote called “I Did It! No More Credit Cards!!” grabbed my attention even more. It inspired me to write something about how I felt when we paid off our last credit card. I decided to make it fun by turning it into a story. This has never been done here so I hope I don’t let you down. Read about when she finally […] Read more »

Hope Is The Dream Of A Soul Awake

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“When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.” As some of my most loyal readers know, I eat, sleep, bath, and drink personal finance.  It’s sometimes all I talk about, definitely all I think about, and I seriously love blogging about it!  I absolutely NEVER EVER pass up an opportunity to discuss with someone the benefits of debt freedom.  My co-workers and friends, even the ones that aren’t completely on board, seem to know deep […] Read more »

A Destructive Mindset: Is This What You Believe Too?

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Becoming Debt Free Is Priceless Indeed I was reading an article yesterday titled, Debt-Free: Priceless, and the one and only comment on this article blew me away!  Seriously, the comment brought me to my knees, like kryptonite did Superman!  Back to the ice cave! The article talked about what a Federal Bankruptcy Judge was doing to combat the destructive nature of credit card abuse, that possibly led people to his courtroom to declare themselves bankrupt. “John C. Ninfo II, a federal bankruptcy judge, has founded the Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE) Program, www.careprogram.us, a national initiative to teach high school […] Read more »

Got Credit Cards? Here’s Another Reason To Say Goodbye!

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  There are some that are so adamant about the fact that credit card companies are NOT bad, and do NOT take advantage of consumers.  I disagree, and I think that an article I came across from dailyfinance.com proves otherwise.  For the minority that have the discipline to not carry a balance, you will be okay, but for the rest of you who use credit cards to subsidize your income, you might want to consider cutting the cord! The article states that, “credit card companies are insisting upon exercising their right to abuse their customers in the name of higher […] Read more »

As Seen On CNN.com

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An Unusual Day In The Life Of A Part Time Blogger Well let me start by saying, WOW!!!  Today was an extraordinary day for me.  Two weeks ago I was contacted through my website by Jim Kavanagh, a writer for CNN.com.  When I woke up this morning I had no idea what I was in for.  Kavanagh wrote a terrific story called, Walking Away From Credit Cards, which highlighted the fact that some people have chosen to say NO to credit cards. I was quoted as saying, “Credit card debt is our biggest hindrance in being able to take care […] Read more »

Are You Getting Bit By Snakes?

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When You Ignore The Warnings, Getting Bit Shouldn’t Be A Surprise! On my way home tonight I heard on the radio some hissing from people getting upset because Credit Card companies have started to rattle their tails.  It started near the end of last year when credit card companies started lowering consumers credit limits, to no doubt protect themselves from the possibility of continued economic decline. The following article excerpt sheds some light on the problem this is causing for people: “Texas-based flight attendant Lilli Durbin used to have six credit cards (my emphasis added), which is fairly typical for […] Read more »

To Be Bullied Or Not Be Bullied, That Is The Question

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I think that dealing with creditors is probably one of the most emotional experiences one can have at a time when they are likely the most vulnerable.  Think about it.  When you owe someone money and they are constantly hounding you to pay what you already know you owe, it can break anyone down who does not know how to handle them.  Usually what happens is they use tactics to bully you into using your grocery money to pay them NOW!  Credit Sharks In Suits (FPU Lesson) is great for helping you learn how to deal with these sharks, as […] Read more »