BlogHer - Credit & Debt - Comments

Do you know about a lady named Manisha Thakor?

CherlEdwards — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:00:32 -0600

There is another lady i really like named Manisha Thakor. She is a Female personal finance expert. I would definatly say she is worth a blogg article! Really cool lady i saw her on TV the other day and looked up her website.

Credit Limits

Brianne — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:53:42 -0600

I think a lot of people would benefit by having their credit limits reduced to a reasonable level. There are folks out there that have a limit equal to 1/3 their annual pay or higher! When a person's limit is that high, it can be incredibly tempting to mortgage the future for today's happiness.

Credit Cards Companies Are No Angels

Gena Haskett — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:06:12 -0500

Yes, people are responsible for their use of credit cards. But please lets not paint the industry as being a neutral participant. Look at the way credit cards have been marketed. The industry has to take a portion of the responsibility for the misuse of credit cards and certain predatory practices.

How many credit card commercials have you seen that presented a dress, a ring or a gift as a right of passage or entitlement? How many commercials have you seen where the impulse was encourage to have what you want when you want it and get it now?

Let's not also forget that the industry reduced the income levels of people who really couldn't afford to have credit cards - specifically college student marketing on campus. I can't count the number of times a credit card company set up a tent on a campus offering a free lunch or t-shirt if you will just fill out the application.

How many of those same students are saddled with not only academic debt but interest kicking credit card debt too?

Personal responsibility, yes. No question. How about some corporate responsibility too?

Gena - Out On The Stoop

credit cards

Debbie Moore — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:12:57 -0500

"Credit cards as a method of payment not a source of funds." Thank you, I know I can use that to teach my child. Like you, we carry no balance on the credit card we use to gather frequent flyer miles. However, with all the recent news about credit cards charging 30% fees, I am disgusted with the whole banking industry. My husband and I have talked about moving our checking account to a local bank and canceling our credit card. I know if we pay in full the interest won't affect us, but it is the principle of the whole thing. However, like you said, they do have their usefullness. What to do?!

My blog: http://oldermomdiaries.blogspot.com/

That is soo cool!

tjsmith — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:11:02 -0500

I love how you have learned to make the most of your life. You inspire me. You and your husband must be great friends.

TJ Smith

www.downturnliving.com

I always pack a lunch for

mnmrabbit — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:17:58 -0500

I always pack a lunch for work. Mostly becuz 1/2 hour doesn't give me much time to get somewhere to order then eat it and get back. Sandwiches or leftovers do well.

We rarely eat out but for Subway a couple times a week cuz it's good food and not expensive. Some people think that's crazy but I guess we'd make good advertising for them cuz we frequent them alot due to their wide selection of veggies and meats and freshly made bread.

It's hard to manage money in this hard economy right now. Since I had to get another car, our payment is $90 more than my other car payment and insurance $20 more. Ouch in paycheck status. But money in envelopes work as I collect $60 total from paychecks to help out on week I make my car payments. Money in envelopes $20 a paycheck for later use, when $ gets tight, use for out of town trips. It helps. We've not used credit cards lately. Got a new card with lower interest rate and no yearly fee. One credit card will get paid off by new card and closed. 13.99% vs 9.99% a good deal!

We live how we are comfortable, less entertainment than most. Wait til movie you want to see comes out on a dvd. Make really good food at home. I love my Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine. My husband loves the really good dinners I've been making. After 32 years of cooking, I've learned how to make better sauces becuz of Rach. I know some people don't like her but she's an inspiration to me!!! I make enough in my meals that there are leftovers for lunches and a dinner for my husband who works a late shift. We got cable tv this year becuz we have a digital tv and don't have many choices of channels where we live without it. So my husband can find alot to watch. He loves the Myth Busters and we like Stargate and StarTrek (old), some things on Animal Planet. So we can find good older movies on there sometimes as well.

We live within our means and don't worry about what other people think. It's our pocketbook, not theirs. That's my story and I'm sticking to it! :0)

Becky Lowmaster http://grandmabeckyl.blogspot.com

We use Quicken too.

SpendWiselyTexas@gmail.com — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:13:26 -0500

My husband and I have used Quicken since we moved in together. It made saving fun and we were able to clearly see what we needed to do to meet our goals. Once you see the hard, cold numbers you never want them to go down.

________________

Spend Wisely Texas - a site reviewing budget friendly things to do and buy in Texas

Move To Houston Answers - All you need to know about moving to Houston, Texas

Coffee...

tjsmith — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:44:48 -0500

In truth, this was one of the worst things. Like your friend, I did this each each work day and before I began paying attention, I spent 60+ dollars a month. Now, for 3 months, I have lowered it to about 45 dollars (hey, I did say I slip up sometimes)

As for the grocery list, I have found it helps if I make the list based on a meal plan for the week and coupons that go with the plan and things I am out of. Where I go wrong, is I seem to be a bit of a hoarder when it comes to supplies. I tend to buy more than I need.

TJ Smith

www.downturnliving.com

It's hard

sassymonkey — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:50:18 -0500

I don't know of many people who know what it's really like to live within their means. (Myself included.) For some reason it's really hard to be realistic about what we spend money on and how much we spend on it.

One of my former roommates used to buy a coffee and a bagel for breakfast every morning even though she was on a really tight budget. She used to justify by saying, "It only costs a few dollars." I made her add that up over the course of a week. Then a month. Then a year. She started making her coffee and bagel at home after she realized she was spending about $70 a month on her coffee and bagel, or more than $500 over the course of a full academic year.

If you ever figure out a way to make a grocery list and stick to it you must let me know. I've never managed to do it.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

It also helps that...

tjsmith — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:24:22 -0500

Unless I get in a car, the distance to anywhere with a cash register is considerable, so walking, running or even riding the horse are all pretty safe.

TJ Smith

www.downturnliving.com

I agree with sassy monkey -

kazari — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:32:58 -0500

I agree with sassy monkey - sometimes you just need to get OUT! I imagine the riding is great for that. I used to go for long walks, avoiding anywhere I could spend money.

http://myrope.wordpress.com

I agree with both of you!

tjsmith — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:52:15 -0500

Everytime I think I need something I have to assess whether I really need it or if I am looking for the fun distraction that new stuff provides.

And I am one of the luckiest people I know in a lot of ways. Since I moved to the the ranch, it is much easier to stay home and avoid using the gas or going places that will tempt me to use money I don't have. The horses are a huge bonus.

TJ Smith

www.downturnliving.com

forgot to preview

raisedqueer — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:49:08 -0500

Ha! I noticed a lot of unnecessary code in my comment...hence the edit.

Reminder to self: Always Preview before Posting:)

http://raisedqueer.squarespace.com

Tempted by credit

raisedqueer — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:47:15 -0500

I know the feeling! We've finally paid off our credit card debt and it's a wonderful feeling. Except when you're a little cash-strapped and you have all that plastic just humming in your wallet.

Appreciating all that you have and staying busy is a great way to beat the temptation. I don't mind living on a budget and I really don't miss the payments. But sometimes when I get the new Macy's flyer with all those saving cards included...20% off...$15 off...it's tough. Or when the tempurpedic commercials are on, I say that I really need/could use a new mattress. For theraputic purposes, you know? Oh the ways I could sabatoge myself!

Like you, I'll keep busy and resist the urge. And be thankful for everything I do have and how hard it was to get it.

http://raisedqueer.squarespace.com

I always found the hardest thing

sassymonkey — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:18:18 -0500

Was that I felt like I had to stay in the house all the time because anytime I left I spent money. I was working at home at the time and so really, almost every time I went anywhere I was spending money. Well, expect when I went to the library, which I did very often. And then I'd get sick of my apartment and go stir crazy. Doing laundry and cleaning is simply not as fun as going out. I still struggle with it sometimes. It's not fun is it?

I love that you can ride in the mornings. That sounds fantastic.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.