Holiday Shopping: Hook Line and Sinker

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The holidays are expensive there is no doubt about that. Just how much are we spending? According to the National Retail Federation an average of $423 compared to $398 last year. Shoppers lured by deals often fall prey to opening credit cards to get an extra discount or delay payments. Card Hub’s latest study shows eight out of ten retailers offer financing to consumers, but more than 60% of them provide mind boggling terms, such as an offer of an initial zero percent term with backdated interest if the entire balance is not paid off during the offer period. So […] Read more »

I Dare You to Move

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I just finished moving for the fifth time in five years. Not only is moving not fun, it’s expensive! I have moved for various reasons over this time frame, divorce, a brief second marriage and a crazy landlord. People move for many other reasons, a change in jobs, to be closer to family, the list goes on and on. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 17 percent of the U.S. population moves each year. The reality is moving is just part of life’s adventures and whether you do it once in your life or twenty times there are ways you […] Read more »

Is Blood Thicker than Inheritance Money?

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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 »

Help the Needy – Not so Fast! Let’s do Some Thinking

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help the needy

"Help the needy" is what we've learned since we were kids. But as Suzanne's recent post shows, sometimes our experiences as adults can cause us to rethink that well-worn expression. Who are the needy anyway? Sometimes it's hard to figure out. And, that's what can lead us to donate to a cause, lend money, forgive debts, and help others who have projected themselves to us as being in need. Read more »

Sorry, School Fundraiser – You’re Not In My Budget!

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The inevitable packet came home from school with my daughter last week.  That same night, the doorbell started ringing signalling the beginning of the school fundraising season. Whether you have school aged children, or you’ve experienced that knock at the door, you know what I mean. Kids trying to sell you products that you cannot possibly live without at an inflated price all in the name of helping their school. The motivation given to the students is a ladder of prizes – the more you sell, the better the prize. Of course every student begins the fundraiser with hopes of […] Read more »

July Love Drop — Help Felicity

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The Love Drop team is at it again! Last month they gave over $5,000 worth of cash and goods to their recipient, the Aubin family, who was struggling financially after the passing of their dad, and this month they’re ready to do it again and help out another person 🙂 They’ve given out over $45,000 in the past 6 months, and show no signs of stopping. If you know of anyone yourself that could use their help, make sure to let them know. Watch the Aubin Family Love Drop Video! This month they’re heading down to Atlanta to help Felicity, […] Read more »

June Love Drop – Help the Aubin Family

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Hey guys! The Love Drop team is at it again! Last month they gave over $9,200 worth of cash, goods and services to their recipient, the Stalnaker family, who had been going through a financially hard time due to the effects of the BP oil spill on the Louisiana economy. The family was in need of a car and the Love Drop team was able to surprise them with one, making it one of the most exciting Love Drops ever. You can watch how it all went down in the video below. This month they rally behind the Aubins – […] Read more »

March Love Drop – Katie in Dallas

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This is how far behind I have become. Love Drop, an effort to give back to the community, really amazed me with last month’s DROP! Last month the Love Drop Team raised over $13,000 (and 3 iPads!) to help two little boys with autism receive a service dog. They were beyond touched, and we did this in only 1 month – that’s it. Everyone came together and gave a few bucks each to impact one family’s life. If you were a part of it, THANK YOU!  You can check out the final video of us showing up to their house […] Read more »

Love Drop Feburary – Autism Safety and a Dog That Can Help

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I hope everyone is having a great weekend so far. The weather is beautiful here in Charlottesville VA! I just wanted to share with you what’s happening over at Love Drop this month. P.S. The “full accountability video” is coming, it’s just taking longer than expected to figure out all of the technical stuff. I’ll definitely post it next week FOR SURE! Also, for those interested in the reality series, it’s coming along but I’m still waiting to find out about the sponsors. I’ll give you an update as soon as I know something more. 😀 Have a great weekend […] Read more »

January Love Drop – Meet Jill

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Howdy folks! Back in November you may remember me mentioning something I consider to be extremely awesome. Love Drop has a very special place in my heart, not just because of who's involved, but because of what they're doing. It's giving, compassion, love, and community all wrapped up into one massive cause! It's January! Time to start making a difference! Jill is a single mother who lost her job, and then her daughter. She became homeless, found a home, and then lost it to a fire. If this video doesn't move you, I'm not sure what will. Read more »

A Blogger’s Dream to Help Others is Coming True

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Howdy folks! Welcome to day two of my No Restaurants in November Challenge! (Have you taken the plunge yet? Join me and many others!) One of the many reasons there could be for wanting to save a little money — the topic for today’s post is definitely one of them. Giving….. Do you do enough of it? We don’t. Don’t misunderstand. We do give, but it’s not nearly as much as we want to give. When I think of all the orphans, widow’s, single mothers and the poor and unfortunate others out there, I know that what I do is […] Read more »

Buy I’m Debt Free the Game, and Help Support Big Brothers Big Sisters

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Have Fun on a Budget Don’t like to read? Buy the “I’m Debt Free” game RIGHT NOW, so I can give 100% of my earnings to Big Brothers Big Sisters!! If you are a subscriber to Enemy of Debt then you are either working really hard to become debt free, or you simply enjoy my passion-filled rants on why debt freedom rules. If you are one of the few in this country that actually acknowledge debt to be a problem, and you are trying to get rid of it yourself, chances are you are making some less than favorable sacrifices […] Read more »

Giving – What If Your Kid Made The Wish?

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There is something that I would like to bring to your attention today. I am very passionate about it and no I am not talking about spreading the debt free message. You could say that my passion to spread debt freedom pales in comparison to my passion for giving. I would even go as far as to say my desire to become debt free really was ignited by an even bigger desire to help others out by giving. I don’t know about you, but giving excites me. Today I would like to ask that you please head over to My […] Read more »

Children And Money: Are You Helping Your Children Learn The Basics?

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Teaching Your Kids Early On Is The Best Way To Ensure Financial Responsibility Since approximately February of 2009 we have been adding small amounts of change to Isaac’s piggy bank periodically.  He gets money for doing certain things like cleaning up after himself, helping around the house, etc.  He loves to help and we want him to learn the value of hard work.  If he works he does get paid, and if he doesn’t work then he doesn’t get paid—just like the real world. We have a pretty loose system as Isaac is only 3, but as he gets older […] Read more »