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 »

The Perfect Father’s Day

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The perfect Father’s Day could be so many different things to so many different dads. In a consumer-happy society, to me it seems that the real meaning of most holidays has been heavily diluted by the idea that, the more you spend the more you love someone. I reject that idea and have written about it as recently as Mother’s Day. An article I read inspired What Kind of Mother’s Day Gift Would You Prefer?, which really irritated me because it suggested that people in Oregon loved their moms more because they spent on average $137. Whooptie-freakin-doo right? Just like […] 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 »

Financial Peace University Kit Bundle Giveaway Winner

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It’s time to announce the winner of the Financial Peace University Kit bundle!! At first I planned to announce the winner like I have the others, but I decided to do this instead. I also added some prizes to this bundle as an extra special thanks from me. As I’ve stated before I really truly wish I could give everyone something. I really have enjoyed getting to know so many of you over the years and I can’t thank you enough for all of your support and participation. The winner of today’s giveaway has me really excited because she really […] Read more »

Your Debt Free Checklist

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Happy Friday everyone! Today’s post gives you a step-by-step checklist to work your way to debt freedom! Each one of these items could be elaborated on in a separate post, so expect to see something in the future for each one. I did however feel it was important to summarize each bullet point for a little explanation. I hope that for anyone just starting to think about their financial situations a little more seriously, and specifically, how debt is affecting it, that this checklist will give you something solid to follow to eventually reach your debt free goals. Click here […] Read more »

Race to Freedom Challenge #2 – No Eating Out

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Hello everyone. There will be two parts to this article. First, anyone who participated, “officially” or not, in March’s Yard Sale Challenge, will need to email me some information regarding that challenge. And secondly, I’ll introduce you to April’s No Eating Out Challenge. Are ya ready? We only had 4 ladies, officially known as the Fab Four, who participated in last month’s challenge. I would love to have more people become involved as we progress through the year. My Race to Freedom reality series as it was originally envisioned has been scaled down to a much less formal competition. Honestly, […] Read more »

Creative Ways to Pay Down Your Debt

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Living under the constant shadow of debt isn’t fun for anybody. If you feel like you’re drowning under a sea of debt, you may think you have no other option other than filing for bankruptcy. This should be avoided at all costs, since it will be a mark on your financial history for many years. It’s important to understand that it doesn’t give you clean slate, but allows people to rebuild their credit, slowly, without the adversity debt. If you do decide to file, you’ll find it's nearly impossible to get good rates on various loans, if at all, or good rates for credit and a variety of other things. Before making this decision, consider a few creative ways others have used to pay off their debt, without having to file for bankruptcy. Read more »

39 People Were “Soooo Interested”, but Only 8 People Are Currently Still Determined

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Photo Credit: Alex Schweigert When I first mentioned my reality series idea, so many of you were hyped up and said you were so interested in paying off as much debt in 2011 as you could. The Race to Freedom has officially started, but only 8 people signed up for the challenge. 31 of you are missing in action. I know you didn’t eliminate your debt that fast. 😀 I’m trying really hard not to be offended. haha! 😉 I know and understand how life can get hectic, and some of you may have missed a post or two along […] Read more »

Enemy of Debt’s 2011 Race to Freedom

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Happy Monday everyone!! I apologize for taking so long to update you on the "Reality Series"! I was hoping to do so on Friday of last week but ended up battling a power outage due to high winds. The main delay, however, was in trying to work out possible sponsorship. I didn't want to move forward until I found out where I was and now I know. Unfortunately, I was only able to get one company excited about the prospects of my reality series idea. I would like to thank Perkstreet Financial for believing in my very spontaneous and highly ambitious project. (YOU GUYS ROCK!) Unfortunately, in order for it to work in the long term, I needed to have more sponsors on board. Needless to say, sponsorship was a bust this time around. Read more »

What P90X Can Teach You About Paying Off Debt

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Hello everyone and welcome to Enemy of Debt! As most of you know, I recently realized that my actions were not aligned with my goals. This prompted me to fire up the engine room over at Enemy of Fat, but also, to start P90X right now, as opposed to later. My initial goal was to wait until I had lost a few pounds first, then start P90X. It occurred to me that I may have created the prolonged start for P90X because I was scared, AND knew P90X was going to be tough. Although some of my initial decision was […] Read more »

Top 10 Dumbest AND Smartest Things You Can Do With Your Tax Refund

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Photo Credit: JD Hancock Top 10 Dumbest Things You Can Do With Your Tax Refund Pay for a refund anticipation loan – Pay hundreds of dollars to get your refund faster? Hmmm. You may as well pay the Government to cash out your retirement fund while you’re at it? Buy lottery tickets – Instead just give it to me. I’ll give you 30% back, while making you believe there is a chance you could win big. Waste it on a new car – New cars lose value as soon as you drive them off the lot…duh! NOT use it to […] Read more »

Refund Anticipation Loans Are For Dummies

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Have you ever paid the outrageous cost associated with getting a Refund Anticipation Loan? Guess what? I have been that dummy! (Get ready! I’m feeling…ummm…in-your-face today.) 😀 I’ve been a dummy more times than I’d like to admit, and while we’re all being honest — so have you. I guess the question is this. Are you going to do something dumb *this year* when filing your taxes? If you have done the refund anticipation loans before and do not see a problem with them, let me ask you this? Do you realize that you are giving money away for nothing? […] Read more »

The Super-Charged Guide to Financial Freedom Review

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How do you increase the likelihood of you completing your financial resolutions? Reading! That’s right! Reading a book, or books related to the goals you want to accomplish increases the chance that you will succeed. That’s not to say you’ll accomplish what you set out to accomplish by simply reading a book. The book acts as a resource to teach you new ideas, but it also helps you stay motivated with your “eye on the prize!” Depending on your goal, it may take more than one book to help you cross the finish line. I read The Total Money Makeover […] Read more »

If You’re in Debt, STOP Fueling the Fire…and Win Some Money Too!

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I know it seems extreme to cut up your credit cards for the greater good, but what you have been doing so far has got you where you are. Try something different. In any case, you can always go back to your old ways and rack up some more credit card debt -- though I wouldn't recommend it. You have nothing to lose except for your debt, high stress, living paycheck to paycheck, money fights, extreme frustration, bondage, depression, and poor finanial habits to name a few -- and that's right off the top of my head. There are plenty more! Read more »