Debt is Not the Answer

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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 »

Finding the Right Balance in Order to Succeed

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Earlier this week, I submitted my article to Perkstreet Financial titled 6 Ways to Change Your Financial Math, Without a Calculator. It really digs into the psychological side of money and asserts that if you're struggling to turn things around by using math and book knowledge, you may be missing the bigger picture. I've said it before; just because you know what to do doesn't mean you will necessarily do it. I mentioned 6 things in the article that I think are far more important than math. They were attitude, behavior, contentment, balance, intensity, and diligence. My point was that by working on these 6 characteristics you might be much more likely to succeed financially. Read more »

Where Debt Begins: The Disconnect Between Perception and Reality

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If you are like most people today, you have debt payments challenging your future and creating a drag on your ability to invest. In addition to the financial issues debt creates, it also affects how we feel about ourselves and how we look at the world around us. We may think to ourselves, “what’s wrong with me?” or “where did I go wrong?” To move past these feelings, it might be helpful to consider where it might have all started. Read more »

Do You Worship the “Not So Mighty” Credit Score?

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When you were younger, do you remember hearing countless people advise you to “build your credit”? Those same voices were buzzing around in my head until I got a clue in 2007! “You’ve got to build your credit” they’d say, and the reason is usually based on the myth that says in order to be financially responsible you must build your score. I despise this myth most of all because from what I see, it has ruined more lives than it has helped. Think about it. 18 year old after 18 year old has inserted themselves into the murky waters […] Read more »

The Government Wants to Raise the Debt Ceiling, But Should They?

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As most of you know I am no fan of the United States Government, especially when it comes to how they spend money. Republicans and Democrats alike have continued to spend like crazy on some of the most ridiculous and unnecessary budget items and it’s put the country in a terrible situation. There has been talk from many groups about whether or not the Government should raise the debt ceiling. Some say we need to stop with the out-of-control spending and others contend that not raising it would cause the U.S. to default on it’s debt obligations. I’m sure you […] Read more »

Email Me Your Race to Freedom Debt Information

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This week I will be accepting debt information from all who wish to participate in Enemy of Debt's Race to Freedom. I will be doing this through the week and organizing it as more people sign up. Hopefully, I will have everything by Saturday. Next week, I would like to start this month's challenge. If you are interested in joining this friendly competition, be sure to sign up, then be sure to get me this info as soon as possible. Email me this information at freedom@enemyofdebt.com. Read more »

The Scariest Halloween Costume EVER!

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Photo Credit: Halloween Express An Enslaved Debtor complete with bondage. (A person in a suit or dress, with mini cars, school books, shopping bags, bank statements and Starbucks coffee cups glued to it, while sporting the provocative shackle and handcuff accessories.) Seriously though… How special is your Halloween celebration? Do you go ALL OUT, or do you save your greenbacks for some Christmas shopping? According to a survey by National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans are expected to spend 5.8 BILLION dollars this Halloween. That’s not even close to what will be spent on Christmas, but this number surprises me because of […] Read more »

How Your Financial Decisions Can Impact The Family You Love

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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 »

EOD SHORT: Episode 1 – Behavior Meets Reality

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One of the most common phrases that people use to validate wasting their money is that they “only live once”. Without getting into any theological and philosophical arguments, let’s just assume that statement is true. You only live once, so my question to you would be this. What are you waiting for? What does it mean to live life to the fullest? It’s obviously a relative statement, and would depend on what someone considers to be “living a full life“. What it means to you, could be far from what it means to me. For some people, it means constantly […] Read more »

The Psychology of Money and Wealth

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The results of my research for my guest lecture to the class: The Psychology of Money and Wealth. I was researching material for this lecture and came across this question. What stops people from succeeding financially, and having ongoing prosperity in their life? The answer is something I have addressed many times on this blog. The answer is believing that it is not possible to succeed financially, or even be prosperous in other areas of your life. A persons attitude about money is the number one hindrance to acquiring wealth and prosperity. Your attitude affects your behavior, and your behavior […] Read more »

From Car Payment To Clunker To Upgrade

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A Little History When we started our Total Money Makeover in January of 2008 with just over $25,000 in debt, not including our house, we made some extreme decisions.  I only say extreme because most people looked at me like I was insane.  The truth is that I was.  I was insane to keep driving a car with a payment. We had a very nice 2004 Pontiac Vibe that we absolutely loved.  It was a great car!  The problem was that the car had a monthly price tag of $300 a month plus additional costs such as higher insurance and […] Read more »

Alleviate The Anguish Of Debt – Commit Yourself To A Frugal Lifestyle

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This is a guest post from my good friend Clair Schwan from Frugal Living Freedom.  I hope you enjoy it and please go over to his site and check out all of the great information he has worked hard to provide you. ENJOY! If you’re in need of help with your debt, you’ll likely need help with your approach to living as well. Debt doesn’t sneak up on us and capture us one day. It slowly creeps into our lives because we allow it to happen. Quite often our lifestyle has encouraged it, condoned it and promoted it. We are […] Read more »

Top Ten DUMBEST Reasons To Get A Pay Day Loan!

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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 »

“He Who Has Not Christmas In His Heart, Will Never Find It Under A Tree.” ~Roy L. Smith

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The Spin-Off First I just want to thank everyone for participating in yesterdays discussion.  I enjoyed it so much and am pleased to see that all of you did too.  SO THANK YOU!  To be honest yesterdays post started as just another Christmas Gift idea article.  Then it transformed into what you enjoyed so much, so I left out the original idea to shorten the post. People go absolutely insane come Christmas.  They let guilt, popular opinion, and the need to impress others take over their wallets.  They say things like, “I have to get them something, they might buy […] Read more »