Most people who end up in debt get there for different reasons. However, once you decide that you are tired of the bondage and uncertainty that comes with owing others money, it’s time to make a debt reduction plan that works for you. As you decide how to proceed, here are some tips to keep in mind as you create your debt plan:
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January is a popular month for setting new financial goals for the year. But, as many of us have learned over the years, we’re likely only setting ourselves up for failure during the beginning of the year.
It’s not that we don’t see the need to improve our spending habits, be more consistent with savings, or change our money mindsets. We just underestimate the power of deeply-ingrained habit — and inertia.
There’s no shortage of tips for reaching fitness, financial, and other life goals, but — lingering on that idea of power — here are a few more you might not have encountered before.
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As unemployment drops and the demand for workers continues to increase, the ball is in the employee’s court to attract potential employees. Companies in similar industries are increasingly competing amongst each other for the best-qualified applicants — even to the point of courting people before they’ve moved on from their current jobs. With comparable positions and tempting salaries at your fingertips, it’s only natural to consider switching jobs, especially if you’re being personally recruited by a friend or former colleague.
Switching jobs might not seem like as much of a leap as switching careers, but job hopping can still be detrimental to your career path and your finances. Before you jump at that new opportunity, take these tips to heart.
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We all know in theory that brown bagging is a great way to save money and eat a bit healthier. However, for a lot of us, it’s hard to find the motivation and energy to pack a lunch, especially if it’s going to be the same old ham and cheese on wheat every day. Before long, we lose momentum and it’s back to eating burgers and subs five days a week.
If that sounds like you, here are some tips to help you pack an inexpensive lunch that will make you forget all about the allure of restaurant meals.
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The same walls.
The same floor.
The same stinking everything!
You’re sick of looking at it. You want out. Now.
But moving to your dream home isn’t an option.
So what do you do? You can’t stay miserable, but you CAN change your perspective. That doesn’t mean accepting where you are; it means accepting that you can change things for the better immediately.
Though your budget is limited, with a little research and elbow grease, you can still afford to make the changes you’d love to see in your current space. [ continue reading… ]
I’m a sucker for a good deal and feel proud when I avoid spending money I don’t have to. More than once, I’ve let eagerness to save money lead me to do things that eat up any perceived savings, and then some. I learn from my mistakes, but it’s even better to avoid these pitfalls in the first place. I’d like to help you do the same. Here are a few ways we might think we’re saving money that actually cost us more.
Taking Advantage of Deals Without A Plan
- Store Credit Card Sign-Up Offers
Almost every time I visit a retail store, I’m asked if I’d like to sign up for their store credit card and save 30% (or more) today. My personal aversion to credit cards has helped me avoid this one, but it’s easy to see how people fall for the pitch. Sure, it’s a deal… if you plan to pay the balance off immediately. If not, that 30% you ‘saved’ translates into the additional expense of interest (and store credit cards average rates of 15% or more).
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