Blog : Enemy of Debt

Dessert Before Dinner? Why America Sucks At Managing Money

Written by Brad Chaffee on October 4, 2010 · 10 Comments

Photo Credit: Memory_Freak Have you ever wondered why America sucks at managing money? We’re not exactly a country that’s living off of table scraps ya know. We’re considered by most to be a prosperous nation. That may be true in terms of what we have compared to other countries, but certainly not true in terms of how we manage it. When it comes to the money and financial planning department, most Americans appear to be lacking! In America debt is a WAY OF LIFE! From the Joneses to [insert name of Government Bureaucrat here], America has lost its way. People […] Read more »

Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader #14

Written by Brad Chaffee on October 1, 2010 · 2 Comments

Welcome to Another Debt Free Friday Baby! This next debt free blogger is an inspiration, and quite frankly, I like her style. She is something that doesn’t seem to go together these days; young and financially savvy. Something else that I find interesting is how she embraced minimalism to combat her prior spending habits. My wife and I have felt the liberating feeling that comes with getting rid of our crap, and recently made great money doing it. I am definitely a believer that less is actually better! The other thing I like about FB is her nomadic side. I […] Read more »

Teaching Kids About Money – Here’s What Helps

Written by Clair Schwan on September 27, 2010 · 2 Comments

Photo Credit: Memory_Freak This is a guest post written by Clair Schwan. I can’t say that I have a lot of experience with kids, but I have a lot of experience with money, and part of my childhood involved what I thought was a good training program about the value of money and how it might best be handled. I had four of the best teachers I could possibly ask for – two grandparents who were young adults in the Great Depression, and two parents who grew up in it and struggled through the challenging economic times surrounding World War […] Read more »

Debt Snowball Pro App Giveaway (iPhone & iPod)

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 24, 2010 · 13 Comments

If you have been a fan of Enemy of Debt for anytime at all, then you know I became debt free by using the debt snowball method. I didn’t have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or an iPad when getting out of debt, but if I did, I would of definitely loved being able to track my progress using this App. Thanks to Matthew King, today I will be giving away Five Debt Snowball Pro Apps to help you manage and track your debt elimination progress with ease. There is much controversy in the financial world about which technique should be […] Read more »

It’s True, I Get Paid to Write for American Express

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 23, 2010 · 18 Comments

American Express? Yep, You Read That Correctly I was recently contacted by someone who wanted to know if I would be interested in getting paid to write articles geared towards helping young people become more financially responsible. I responded with interest and wanted to know more. When I found out that the new site called CURRENCY, was being developed by American Express and Federated Media, I chuckled at the irony, but the timing couldn’t have been better. Currency Launched on Tuesday. Here are two of my published articles: Looking for a Job? Get Creative Going Back to School? Don’t Ruin […] Read more »

Saying “I Can’t” Is Just Like Saying “I Don’t Want To”

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 21, 2010 · 7 Comments

Photo Credit: haydnseek Have you ever said “I can’t?” I have, and you probably have too. What is it that you are really saying when you speak those words? Are you saying you lack the ability to learn, or are you saying you lack the desire to try? I personally feel the phrase “I can’t” is the equivalent of saying “I don’t want to”. If you wanted to do something, wouldn’t you try, and if you didn’t, you couldn’t say I couldn’t, you would have to then say I didn’t? (Tongue twister—I know) 🙂 Unfortunately, many people say I can’t […] Read more »

Consumer Debt: The Black Hole of Personal Finance

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 20, 2010 · 4 Comments

A black hole is considered to be the most dangerous place in the universe. And in matters of personal finance, I consider debt to be that place. Sure there are other areas of the financial universe that can cause dangerous circumstances to arise, but the same can be said for the universe. A black hole is not the only way to “meet your maker”, but it probably is the fastest and most destructive. The major difference I can see, is that unlike getting sucked into a black hole, with debt, you CAN escape its gravitational pull. The only way to […] Read more »

Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader #13

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 17, 2010 · 1 Comment

Hey everyone! Welcome to another Debt Free Friday! I was recently inspired to ask another passionate debt free blogger to share his story on Enemy of Debt for all of you to enjoy. His comment was filled with passion, which you know I love, so I had to send him an invite. I know you will be as inspired by his debt free news as I was by all of his recent comments. Have a wonderful DEBT FREE weekend! Check out Steven Williams’ awesome debt free story. I think there’s a “bondage-free” revolution happening right now, won’t you join us? […] Read more »

How Your Financial Decisions Can Impact The Family You Love

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 15, 2010 · 11 Comments

How many financial decisions do you make in a week? From what you buy, to how you pay for it, every time you make a financial decision, the consequences can affect your family. Single? You’re not excluded, because although some of your decisions may not affect your future family, many will, and it’s up to you to recognize the impact of those decisions. Unfortunately, many Americans find themselves suffering from “crisis living”, something I used to be very familiar with. With too much debt and no savings to think of, living paycheck to paycheck is a gruesome reality. The Consequences […] Read more »

5 Money Lessons I Learned From My Chiropractor

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 13, 2010 · 6 Comments

Guest Post by: Kris Bickell. Photo Credit: Podknox If you’ve ever had back pain, you know that it is a constant struggle. Some days you feel free good. Other days you feel the pain. And you’re always only one stumble, bump, or bend from another painful episode. Unfortunately, for many people it’s the same with money and credit card debt – you have good days, and bad days, but you’re just one unexpected car repair bill, medical expense, or home repair from more financial pain. Sure, the bills may disappear for a while, but the struggle to pay off your […] Read more »

Debt Free News From A Debt Free Reader #12

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 10, 2010 · 16 Comments

“Thank God it’s Debt Free Friday!” That sounds a lot better than the popular “I hate my job, and the weekend is the only time I can enjoy life” counter part. Maybe if you were inspired to join the debt free soldiers, you would have a little more wiggle room to figure something else out. Congratulations, you’re in luck. That’s precisely why I created this series. I wanted to show you that everyday people, JUST LIKE YOU, have decided to kick debt to the curb to eventually realize debt freedom IS everything us weirdos say it is. It is true […] Read more »

A Contrarian View of Credit Reports and Credit Scores

Written by Clair Schwan on September 9, 2010 · 17 Comments

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 »

Martin Luther King Jr Had a Dream – Do You?

Written by Brad Chaffee on September 2, 2010 · 26 Comments

As I had a chance to reflect on one of America’s great historic figures this weekend, I couldn’t help but think of you. Granted, what this man endured had nothing to do with personal finance, but it had everything to do with amazing self-sacrifice, determination, courage and hope. These are all things that are needed when trying to defy overwhelming odds in order to make big changes in your life. On August 28, 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most inspirational speeches ever, about a dream and a vision he had for America. That dream was inspired […] Read more »