5 Steps to Recover from Christmas Debt

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Guest post by The Happy Rock.  The Happy Rock writes about personal finance at TheHappyRock.com and dug himself out of over $70,000 a few years back.  The Happy Rock also created a debt snowball calculator to aid people in getting out of debt faster. As the hustle and joy of the holidays are fading and the realities of a New Year are setting in, leftover holiday debt can ruin the excitement of the New Year.   If you find yourself stuck in this situation, here are five tips that will help you dig out and loosen debt’s shackles. Come to Terms […] Read more »

How to Set New Year’s Resolutions and Keep Them Too!

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This is a guest post courtesy of my friends over at Ready For Zero. Nearly half of all Americans set new goals for themselves at the beginning of every single year, yet only about 15% actually follow through and accomplish them. Those numbers aren’t exactly encouraging when trying to figure out the challenges you’d like to tackle in 2012. The odds may be stacked against you, but what the statistics don’t show is that this year, you won’t just be setting any old goals. By following the tips that I’ve outlined in this article, you’ll be setting the types of […] Read more »

Reducing Monthly Expenses to Pay Down Your Debt

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Starting the process of paying down your debt involves a lot more than the simple declaration, “no more.” It also requires a thorough review of your personal finances. That doesn’t just mean an assessment of the debts you owe, but also what you spend, on a monthly basis. The first place to start is to see precisely how much money you bring in on a monthly basis. For some, this is easy as it’s simply their monthly paycheck. For others, it’s more complex. But whether you work for someone else, run your own company, do freelance work, or are currently […] Read more »

Are You Taking Advantage of Free Financial Information Online?

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Since you’re sitting there reading up on a financial blog I’ll assume you know a little bit about finding free information and advice on the web. But the amount of ostensibly clueless investors and financial irresponsible individuals in this world doesn’t seem to add up to the amount of awesome information that exists for free out there on the web. In addition, it certainly doesn’t make much sense how much money people spend on this very same knowledge through seminars, books, and one-on-one consultations. To put it bluntly, it’s ridiculous. If you ever want to become truly financially independent, you […] Read more »

4 Ways to Start Getting Out of Debt This Weekend

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Do you have debt? Have you thought about tackling it but aren’t able to get started? If so, you’re not alone. Even when you realize that you need to get out of debt, it can be hard to know where to start. So today, since it’s Friday, let’s take a look at 4 things you can do this weekend to begin conquering your debt. If you do these, then on Monday morning you’ll feel 100% better about where you stand because you’ll have some forward momentum and you’ll be excited about continuing your progress. 1.  Demand a lower interest rate […] Read more »

Preparing for the Ultimate Cost of Raising Children: The College Years

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If you have teenagers, you likely have been spending money on them for years. Clothes, food, toys, doctor’s appointments, camp sessions – it goes without saying that the costs add up pretty quickly. But the biggest expense of raising your children may be yet to come. While there is a wide range of costs depending on the specific college – from a local community college all the way up to a 4-year private university – it can generally be said that second education is extremely expensive these days. And while parents take a variety of approaches to their children’s college […] Read more »

Paper or Plastic: Taking a Family Vacation without Credit Cards

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If you are like most American families, with the stagnant recession, escalating gas prices, and unstable job market, you’ve chosen to forgo vacations for in-home activities. Believe it or not, there is a way to stick to a no-credit card spending mentality, and still provide a wonderful family vacation to your family. Because booking hotel, airplane, and car rentals often request a credit card as payment, it takes a little more creativity to make a family vacation possible with using plastic. Sometimes, it might involve using family and friends who still use credit cards. Do not hesitate to give close […] Read more »

5 Ways to Plan for your Family’s Future…Without Going into Debt in the Present

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When you’re responsible for a family, you want to know your loved ones will be cared for now and even after you are gone. There are several steps you can start taking to make certain your family’s needs are met without causing a serious disruption to your current finances. Here are some options to consider. Be Careful at Home Be sensible around your house. Don’t leave unnecessary lights on, and wait until you have a sizeable laundry load before washing clothes in order to save electricity costs. This can also help you reduce your water bill. Check Your Bills Take […] Read more »

When is it the Right Time to Let Your Kids be Financially Responsible?

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I am not the kind of person who likes to tell other parents how they should do their job. Everyone has their own methods when it comes to raising children and in most situations there is no right or wrong way of doing things. But conversations between parents are often an invaluable source of ideas, so I’m going to offer some thoughts on the process of how to help your children become financially independent as they grow into young adults. The behaviors that turn children into fiscally prudent adults can begin at a very young age. From spending and saving […] Read more »

How to Deal With Taking a Pay Cut

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In the last few years our economy has taken quite a hit.  This has resulted in pay cuts and layoffs around the country.  Perhaps you have been affected by this and are now struggling to live off of lower pay.  If readjusting to a less luxurious lifestyle is proving to be a challenge, there are a few simple things you can do to ease the strain. Try to offset your primary expenses by cutting back elsewhere.  This means that if you are still committed to a lease or are paying off loans and are unable to reduce the monthly costs […] Read more »

3 Ways to Avoid Going Into Car Debt

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Grab the wheel and take control to become a debt-free car owner Staying on the highway to debt freedom can be hard for car owners that have to constantly dodge financial curveballs in the form of rising gasoline prices, frustrating garage bills and car insurance quotes that can often be mind-bogglingly high. That’s why here at EOD we love it when a plan comes together and our readers banish car debt. We want to hear more success stories like this one so we’ve compiled a few cost-cutting tips designed to make you a debt-free motorist.  Check if you need to […] Read more »

Save Money and Energy and Pay Off Debt

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Are you paying too much on your energy bills? Compare energy prices online now and you might just find a way to give a welcome boost to your summer budget. Energy saving ad campaigns are everywhere at the moment – on TV, the radio, the internet, on billboards – but many people are still unaware of the importance of cutting back, not just for the planet, but for your finances. Energy saving habits like switching the light off every time you leave a room can save you hundreds over the course of a year. Surely, there is nobody out there […] Read more »

Frugality Tips – Spending Less Before and During Vacation

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Are you planning a vacation? Everyone looks forward to going on vacation. It’s the time of the year when people can cut loose and enjoy some quality time with friends and family. However, it’s an easy mistake to make to ‘enjoy’ yourself a little too much before you realize upon your return that you’ve spent too much. Being frugal on vacation can be tricky because you don’t want to be watching every last dollar all the time and you’d much rather have a relaxing time creating memories that will last a lifetime. But you can do both and have a […] Read more »