“Abhor”

“Abhor” is a great word. Learn to “abhor” debt and you'll see what I mean.
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Never being in debt?

Can you imagine never being in debt? Owning everything you have? Always being financially prepared for life? Not only can you imagine it, you can achieve it.

Even better, you can make sure your children imagine it, too. How is that for a good retirement thought? The kids won't not need your help when you're kicked back enjoying the leisure time you worked so hard to get.
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Yes, it really is that simple

Don’t spend what you don’t have. Yes, it really is that simple.

You hear this a lot in the calendar, don't you? Sorry, but I felt the need to reinforce the idea and the publisher wouldn't let me put a volume device in here so I could YELL IT!!

Too many people look for financial cures or get rich quick schemes. While they're looking they should use this bit of advice and see how it works out in the interim.
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It's a game, folks

Next time you're in the grocery store take note of the products stocked at eye level or on the ends of aisles. The product manufacturer pays a premium for those spots. Look for deals above and below eye level.

It's a game, folks. Know the rules.
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Kids will mimic you

Kids will mimic you. Do you want yours to be angry, frustrated, in debt, working a job they don't like to make money to pay for past purchases? Do you want them worried about the house payment or driving on bald tires? Do you want them to care less about tomorrow and, in time, not even be able to live for today?

Yes, life is about choices, but when kids are young you are making their future choices for them.
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Stop it!

Stop it! The blame for your financial situation lies with the person in your mirror. Go have a talk with that person and quit making excuses.
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Don’t ask

Don’t ask a bankruptcy lawyer if you should file. Think about it. What product is he selling? Of course, the answer will be yes.
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Don't spend what you don't have

You can’t afford what you are buying if you are using a credit card.

Don't spend what you don't have.
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It's a rip-off

Don't fall for the 90 days same as cash scheme. It's a rip-off.

Miss one payment, make a late payment, or don't do something right that's in the details you didn't read and you'll find yourself getting socked with interest and fees that will take you back to the beginning balance of the purchase.

Use "cash" as your "same as cash" method.
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Get some new friends

If your friends are with you because of the money you spend on them you better get some new friends.

Deep thought time. Are you doing all the buying for the gang? Any "hangers on" in the crowd?

Run an experiment. Put away your credit card and see who sticks around.

You can't afford your own lifestyle if the credit card is part of it let alone someone else's.
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Be a "nobody"

“Cash? Nobody ever uses that anymore.” A comment overheard at a checkout counter.

Be a “nobody.” There aren't many of us left.
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The Envelope System

The “Envelope System” is not a penalty. Actually, its fun. Give it a try.

You can Google the term or read about it in Dave Ramsey's "The Total Money Makeover."

"Stuffing Envelopes" takes on a whole new (AND FUN) meaning. It's the only envelope stuffing system that really works.
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Can you grasp that?

On payday you transfer money into a savings account instead of sending it out to others. Can you grasp that?

Only three in 10 of us do that all the time. Sorry to say it, but those of us saving actually look at the rest of you and shake our heads. We do have sympathy but we can't say it any louder or clearer . . . YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN DEBT!!

Did you hear that?
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Sit and listen to yourself

“Yeah but” and “I want ” are both budget killers.

Sit and listen to yourself. Most overspending is caused by over wanting. People run out of money because they want things they can't pay for in full.

In the beginning you think paying on credit is working fine, but miss one payment and you're introduced to a 29.99% or higher interest rate.

What about those "I wants" and "yeah buts" now?
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Which do you have?

Do you really have an income problem? Or, is it a spending problem?

Many confuse the two. There are people who have plenty of money, they just need to curb the spending.

Which do you have?

If your answer is neither, congratulations. You have passed one of life's major challenges. You're living on less than you make and you aren't spending what you don't have. Simple isn't it?

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Debt-free companies

I don’t give investment advice. But, I will share that I look at how a company views debt before I invest any money into that company.

Probably comes as no surprise, but I like debt-free companies.
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Borrow the absolute minimum

If you have a student loan at all borrow the absolute minimum, but never borrow more than one year's salary of whatever field you plan to pursue.

After you graduate, get that loan on an accelerated payment plan. Don’t keep it forever as it is a drag on your future and limits your employment options.
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Take control of your money

Some of you earn way too much money to be living paycheck to paycheck. You don’t need to get a second job to fix things, you just have to take control of your money.

Many folks are afraid to run the numbers because they fear they are in over their heads with spending. Funny, but some who think that way actually have plenty left over. They just have no way of knowing because they're afraid to look.

Which are you?
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Taking responsibility

Using a calculator is easy. Looking at the result on the display and taking responsibility for it is the hard part.

It's hard to do the math and admit you don't have the income to cover your lifestyle.

Get out the calculator, you have to know where you stand.
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Stop it!

Stop it! Quit running down the credit card companies. You allowed them to do this to you so it's time to shut up, pay up and never do it again.

It's all in the fine print you ignored. That's what gives them the right to raise your rates, change your payment dates, keep you in the dark. You allowed it.
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"Tax deduction" trick

You hand me a dollar and I give you twenty cents back. Are you happy? That's what happens when you keep debt on a house or student loan for the tax deduction.

Don't fall for the "tax deduction" trick. If that $10,000 write-off is so important find a good charity and give it away. Your money is put to good use and you can enjoy your paid-for house and relish the job where you use your paid-for education.
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Try it

Being financially prepared and in control doesn't solve all your problems. But, it eliminates a lot of them and takes the financial stress out of others.

Try it. You'll never go back to living on the edge again.
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Go forward financially

If married, you can't go forward financially if both aren't involved. Have a weekly budget meeting, a must in order to prosper together.

Some people want their partner to handle the money and just give them an allowance. This isn't a relationship, it's parenting.

Others claim they want nothing to do with the money but are quick to complain about the finances. This isn't a relationship either, it's just childish.
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Intelligently against

You can't argue intelligently against getting out and staying out of debt.

Note, I didn't say you couldn't argue the point.
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What can I afford to drive?

If you only have enough money to buy a beat up, on its last legs car then you know the answer to the question, "What can I afford to drive?," don’t you?

Don't ask the car salesman what you can afford. You can just leave your checkbook in his hands if you ask him.
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Know the rules

Realtors earn a percentage of the total selling price of a house. The bigger the price the more they get paid. So why ask a realtor how much house you can afford? Think about it, please, and know the rules of the game you are playing.
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Life happens

Tires wear out. Cars breakdown. Homes need repair. These are not emergencies. Life happens.

You can't think of everything but you can plan financially for most of it. Set up separate funds for these occurrences. Homeowner association dues, car insurance, newspaper delivery, all these bills are coming so make sure you can afford them before they arrive.

It's all about being prepared and at peace financially.
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Today.

Today.

That is the only choice you have.

Today is the day you begin to get yourself out of debt and only you can do it.
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Justify paying more

There is absolutely no rational person on earth who can justify paying more for something than it’s worth just so they can have it before they own it. Don’t be irrational.
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Debt Snowball

The best way to pay off debts is the Debt Snowball. (Thanks, www.DaveRamsey.com).

I like the little to big balance theory. Don’t pay attention to the interest rate, we are after momentum and progress.

Pay off the smallest balance first, then roll the amount you paid on that balance to the next one. See, it snowballs and the payments get bigger and bigger and the balances get smaller and smaller.
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