budget | Enemy of Debt: Where Behavior Meets Reality

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

What Will You Do With Your “No Restaurants in November” Savings?

Written by Paul Puckett on November 2, 2011 · 4 Comments

If you’ve accepted Brad’s challenge for No Restaurants in November by the end of the month will have saved up a sum of money. Last year, Brad saved $524.25 during the 2010 version of No Restaurant Month. Your savings will depend on how much you make and then spend at restaurants. When November ends, what should you do with the money you saved? Pay down your debt! First, if you have debt, use your November savings to reduce your outstanding debts, particularly the higher interest rate credit cards. You might think about what those balances represent and, if it’s financing [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, dining, eating out, Investing, no restaurants in november, pay off debt, savings

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

Christmas is Coming, Will You Be Ready?

Written by Brad Chaffee on May 25, 2011 · 8 Comments

Here on Enemy of Debt, I have made it a point to get people to think ahead, especially when it comes to Christmas. In 2009, I challenged all of you to have a Debt free Christmas by preparing for it early instead of last minute. Today's post comes from Tyson Morgan and promotes the same idea of being prepared for something that happens every single year. Nope, Christmas is not an "emergency", although far too often, people are putting Christmas on plastic because they failed to properly plan for what's become a MONSTER CONSUMER HOLIDAY. I love sharing different perspectives from different writers, so I hope you enjoy today's post. Will you have a Debt free Christmas in 2011? Read more »

Tags: budget, Christmas, Debt Elimination, debt free christmas, holiday shopping, planning, saving money

Are You A Super Saver?

Written by Brad Chaffee on May 26, 2009 · 5 Comments

Are You Looking For Ways To Save Some Money? We are! Here recently we took a trip to a neighboring city just for that reason. We jumped on the interstate, and headed about 30 miles west, to visit a store that has deeply discounted food. My wife loves going here but I have been a little hesitant because of the fact that some of the food is past the expiration date. I have always been a little finicky when it comes to this sort of thing, and that does include leftovers in the fridge past a few days old. You [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, coupons, groceries, money, savings

Sometimes Just Knowing What To Do Isn’t Enough!

Written by Brad Chaffee on May 19, 2009 · 9 Comments

Broke Financial Gurus? No Way! It’s true! You can be considered an expert, but that doesn’t mean you will not struggle with the process itself. It doesn’t mean that discipline is automatic. and most of how you handle your money is behavior anyway. We know exactly what it is that we need to do, and why, but even we still have problems when it comes to following through at times. Why is that the case? For starters, we are human which means we can mess up, and to me there really is no other explanation needed. Whether it’s impulse spending, [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, money, Tips

Motivation 101 – YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

Written by Brad Chaffee on May 12, 2009 · 6 Comments

Are You Motivated? Chances are, you often feel overwhelmed with your financial situation, and like most, you want to do something about it. There are many things that keep us from doing what we know we should do. Time constraints, lack of energy, procrastination, depression, and even addictions to name a few. One that people rarely consider is negativity from the people around them. People will rain on your parade in a second once you start talking about quitting something they too are doing. Whether it be shopping, smoking, going on a diet, exercising, or changing your financial habits, people [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, credit, debt, money, Motivation, savings, Wealth

Debt-ception – Why Do We Fall For The Lie?

Written by Brad Chaffee on April 7, 2009 · 2 Comments

Debt-ception Is Everywhere! The use of debt is rampant and highly irresponsible. Because we think the good outweighs the bad, we allow ourselves to justify its use. We tell ourselves that it is okay because it is helping us, ignoring all of the signs of its destruction. We have replaced good old fashioned savings for the servitude and hardship that debt brings us. In my opinion we have done this because we have forgotten that no journey worth taking is easy. We have lost hope in our lives and in ourselves, but I know how to get that back. Learning [...] Read more »

Tags: Avoid, budget, credit, debt, lies, money, truth, Wealth

EOD Deluxe Budget 2.0

Written by Brad Chaffee on February 22, 2009 · 10 Comments

EOD Budget has finally been upgraded!! (EOD Deluxe Budget Version 2.0) If you have been wondering where I have been, here is your answer. I have been working hard to upgrade the EOD Budget so that your budgeting experience will be easier, better, and faster! I have added lots of new features including an Allocated Spending Plan and a Checkbook Registry. I have added some new content to the Savings Worksheets, as well as implemented a color coded system so you know what areas need your information. Yellow cells are the only cells you need to enter your info [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, Budgeting, download, FREE, Money Management, tools

Monkey See, Monkey Don’t!

Written by Brad Chaffee on February 6, 2009 · 2 Comments

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DON’T I have said before that Washington is in desperate need of a Total Money Makeover. If you have been keeping up with current events in Washington then you probably are aware of the current spending proposal to “stimulate” the economy. If not, then you should be, because your tax dollars are being wasted on a daily basis. (Nothing new right?) In fact, your grandchildren are going to be footing the bill. It’s no wonder that most of America has a hard time managing their money, when they watch “supposedly” intelligent minds in Washington giving them [...] Read more »

Tags: budget, Budgeting, Change, debt, Economy, money, savings