Best Buy’s Lease to Own Program: Friend or Foe?

Written by on · 5 Comments

Electronic retailer Best Buy is rolling out a new lease to own program that would have consumers potentially pay double the retail cost of products. The program takes advantage of people with poor credit for no other reason than, they can. Lease To Own Program Background People wishing to purchase an item using the lease to own program agree to 12 monthly payments that may add up to over double the retail cost. The terms of the agreement state the consumer doesn’t own the item until the last payment is made. Best Buy claims the program is for people who […] Read more »

Are Personal Loan Predators Lurking In Your Mailbox?

Written by on · Leave a Comment

I’ve been receiving a different type of credit offer in the mail as of late. I’m used to the credit card offers at this point, ripping them in half and throwing them in the trash without thinking about it. Maybe I’ve been getting this type of offer all along, it seems lately I’ve been constantly getting offers for unsecured personal loans in my mailbox. The mailings offer large sums of cash to be used for debt consolidation, home improvement, or whatever I could use funds for. After being flooded with these offers for months, I decided to just a little […] Read more »

How To Get Out of an Underwater Car

Written by on · 4 Comments

You have probably heard the old joke that a car loses value the second after you drive it off the lot. Guess what? Edmonds did some research and found it’s not a joke. They showed how a new $29,873 Nissan dropped in value by $2,559 – about 9 percent – in a matter of minutes.  The study also showed the new car depreciated by 19 percent in the first year and 42 percent in three years. That’s a loss of $12,467 in thirty-six months – or $346 a month! A driver who puts no money down, or traded their car […] Read more »

Pay Day Loans are for Lazy People…Do This Instead!

Written by on · 14 Comments

Recently, I had a conversation at the Financial Blogger Conference and Pay Day Loans came up. First off, I was kind of surprised to hear a financial blogger say that these loans had their place because most bloggers agree that these types of loans are dangerous and avoidable. At the time my mind was spinning a hundred miles a minute but I said nothing because not only had I just arrived at the conference, but I know that debates like this are rarely productive (especially with a financial blogger). So I bit my tongue but I do have an opinion […] Read more »

Debt is Not the Answer

Written by on · 19 Comments

A few weeks ago on my site I talked about my husband's estimated dental bill. We had saved up for a year to get ready for this upcoming bill. However the estimated bill was quite more than I expected. It was more than my wildest dreams. $33,000. Needless to say that is more than we can afford right now. Maybe ever. I was talking to someone who will remain nameless about this situation. I was explaining how that's just a crazy amount of money and that there's no way we can possibly afford that. I was saying that we are going to spend $3,000 this year and then see where we stand. How we can only do what we can do. I mean, really what else can be done? We are going to have to just do it little by little over time. He might have to go without getting every single thing that needs to be done. I hate it, but I mean what else can we do except our best? "Can't you take out a loan?" they said. I was so shocked! Especially since this person knows me very well. Me? A loan? I didn't know what to say? Read more »

Top Ten DUMBEST Reasons To Get A Pay Day Loan!

Written by on · 5 Comments

WARNING: The list below has been known to cause delusional thoughts and irrational behavior. If what you are about to read sounds like a good plan, you have been hypnotized and must vacate immediately.  You are in DANGER!  If you want to know what using a pay day loan company feels like, go donate ALL of your blood.  It’s the same thing.  You won’t be doing much with what’s left!  To weaken the effects, complete this exercise immediately! The following was said to be the Top 10 Best Reasons To Get A Pay Day Loan.  Some of them are considered, […] Read more »

Public Service Announcement: Cash For Clunkers Equals Debt For Suckers

Written by on · 10 Comments

Poooof!! And The Government Said Let There Be…Three Billion Dollars! Now this is just getting silly!  This post is about DEBT!  The Cash For Clunkers program has been, or is in the process of being revitalized.  Yep, that’s right.  Two billion dollars out of thin air, or maybe I should say, out of your children’s children’s front pocket.  Debt is dumb and so is this ridiculous program! Let me see if I understand this correctly.  The Government taxes you into servitude, creates a program in which you are said to receive FREE money by giving you up to $4,500 in […] Read more »

Loans, Gifts, And Boundaries: How Loans And Gifts Create Bondage And Why Boundaries Are Important

Written by on · 4 Comments

I have recently been thinking about how loans, gifts, and the absence of boundaries affect relationships.  Have you been in a situation where family or friends gave you a loan to help you get through a rough spot?  Have you received multiple gifts from a loved one?  On the other hand, have you given a loan, or tried to help out by giving a loved one a gift or gifts?  I want to discuss with you today the cause and effect relationship that all of these scenarios create and why it is important to implement boundaries. When I Give A […] Read more »