http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles.html I will be debt free www.destroydebt.com Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:45:06 GMT webmaster@destroydebt.com webmaster@destroydebt.com http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1548-saving-money-the-suze-orman-way.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1548-saving-money-the-suze-orman-way.html Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:45:06 GMT I watched Oprah yesterday afternoon, because I knew Suze Orman was going to be a guest on the show.  She is a wealth of knowledge and has five tips for saving money.  Yes, I took notes for myself and so I could share with you. Here is Suze's Five Step Action Plan for living in the Reces...
Here is Suze's Five Step Action Plan for living in the Recession

1.  Live on half of what you are making and bank the other half!  If you are a dual income family, bank the salary of your partner.  If you are single, she suggests we do the same thing.  Her main goal here is for us to get an emergency fund built up.  She suggests eight months of living expenses.  This will require everyone to really look at their budgets and make all the necessary cuts:  manicures, pedicures, haircuts, clothing, electricity, you have the general idea.

2.  Stash your cash.  If you come into money, do not pay off your credit cards.  Suze suggests paying the minimum balance only.  Put the rest of that money into your emergency fund.  Her theory is this:  If you lose your job today, what are you going to live on tomorrow?  If you pay the debt off on the credit card, it is more than likely they will close your account. 

3.  Make the stimulus package work for you.  If you are a first time home buyer you can get an $8,000 credit from the federal government.  Take advantage of this oppurtunity if you have the money to buy a house during this diffiucult time.

4.  Make your home affordable.  Are you unable to make your monthly payments?  Check out this websit:  www.makinghomeaffordable.gov  If you have your loan through either Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, you will definitely want to check this one out.

5.Look at what you have and be grateful for what you do have.  Approach this economic recession with a positive frame of mind.  Maybe this all happened for a reason and we will truly discover what is really important in our lives...it's not the ipods, the big screen tv's or whatever the neighbor has...its our family and friends that truly make life worth living.  Make sure you enjoy the time that you have with them while you can.    Your attitude is up to you and how you approach the situation.]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1501-the-difference.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1501-the-difference.html Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:12:25 GMT I was surfing the web today and discovered Jean Chatzky has written two more books on debt and money.  You can read the entire first chapter of her book "The Difference" on www.oprah.com .  I read the entire first chapter and found it quite inspiring.  Ms. Chatzky compares c... www.oprah.com .  I read the entire first chapter and found it quite inspiring.  Ms. Chatzky compares character traits to people with money, people living comfortably, those living paycheck to paycheck as well as those who are in deep debt.  I definitely plan on purchasing this book in the future.  Ms. chatzky also has her own web site  www.jeanchatzky.com  and is on the Today show every Wednesday morning. ]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1444-coupon-hot-spots.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1444-coupon-hot-spots.html Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:24:41 GMT If you are like me and you have been relying heavily on the power of a printed coupon, you may want to know where you can get these little gems.  Here is a list of links to my favorite coupon websites.  www.hotcouponworld.com www.coupons.com www.smartsource.com www.wisebread.c...
www.hotcouponworld.com

www.coupons.com

www.smartsource.com

www.wisebread.com

www.proctorandgamble.com

www.couponsurfer.com

www.consumerqueen.com

These are all great coupon resources, you can also find coupons in the following places.

1.  The Sunday Paper

2.  Inside packages (cereal boxes, and cereal bars)

3.  Peelies

4.  Underneath foil on yogurt packages

5.  Blinkies in the store

Keep your eyes open, and soon you'll have a stock of coupons to help you save money at the grocery store.

 ]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1264-home-made-fun-for-the-kids.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/1264-home-made-fun-for-the-kids.html Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:00:08 GMT With the rising costs of groceries and gas, there just never seems to be any extra money for the fun stuff.  Have you ever thought of making it yourself?  Stretch your dollars by making these fun sensory items for your kids. Play Dough 1 Cup flour 1 Cup warm water 2 tsps cream ...
Play Dough

1 Cup flour

1 Cup warm water

2 tsps cream of tarter

1 tsp oil

¼ cup salt

Food coloring

Mix all ingredients. I add my food coloring to my water. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from pan, let cool slightly and knead until blended and smooth. Store in a plastic airtight container when cooled.

There are several other versions of play dough out there, but this one that has to be cooked will last longer than the ones that do not require cooking.

Baker’s Clay

4 Cups flour

1 Cup Salt

1 ¼ -1 ½ cups Water

Mix and knead until smooth. Add food coloring if desired (to your water prior to mixing) Form into desired shapes (snowmen, stars, etc..) and bake at 300 degrees until set and golden. Paint when cooled.

These can also be made into x-mas tree ornaments. Poke a hole in the top of the shape, and hang with paper clips. What a great way to start a family x-mas tradition.

Silly Puddy

1 Cup Elmer’s Glue

2 ½ Cups Liquid Starch

Food Coloring

In a medium bowl, mix glue and one cup of starch. I add my food coloring to the glue and mix. Cover bowl and let it stand overnight

The next day, slowly stir in with a spoon 1 to 1 ½ cups starch until a big glob forms. Pour off the extra starch. Store in a covered air tight container.

Colored Rice

Rubbing alcohol

Food coloring

Rice

Small butter dishes or glass bowls

Pour ½ cup rubbing alcohol in each bowl or butter dish. Stir in desired food coloring. Pour ½ cup rice (not cooked) into each bowl with rubbing alcohol. Let set overnight. Drain alcohol from rice, and then let rice dry out on a cloth towel. Kids enjoy playing, sifting, sorting and measuring colored rice.



These are all fun activities that you could do at a preschoolers birthday party or simply make the play doh and send home with the kids in a gift bag. And it’s definitely cheaper than buying these products in the store. Have your kids help make these items for some fun family time together.



 

 





 





 

 ]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/782-household-cleaners-home-made.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/782-household-cleaners-home-made.html Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:16:30 GMT Everything is on the rise today, including all those necessary supplies you need to clean your home.  Spring is on it's way, and you want everything smelling clean and fresh.  The sun is shining and ou've opened your windows and doors,  it's feeling almost like summer.  Unfortuna...
Products you will need, and more than likely will have on hand:  Vinegar and Baking Soda.

Carpeting

Empty contents of regular baking soda (sparingly) on your carpet.  Leave on for one hour (go grocery shopping)  When you return vacuum your carpeting as usual.  Hmmmm, smell the freshness!

Window Cleaner

2 cups water, 3 TBS vinegar, and a drop of DAWN dish detergent.

The best time to clean your windows is on a cloudy day...less streaks. 

Wooden Floor Cleaner

1/2 Cup dishwashing detergent, and one bucket of warm water.

Pour detergent into bucket of warm water.  You are ready to clean those floors.

Vinyl Floors

1/2 Cup Vinegar

1 Gallon Water. 

 

 ]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/713-credit-reporting-agencies.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/713-credit-reporting-agencies.html Tue, 24 Mar 2009 01:57:25 GMT I have contacted each of the three credit report agencies through various online sources such as www.freecreditreport.com and have been disappointed each and every time, because you have to give your debit card number.  The report is free to view for a few days...a month maybe, and if you don't... www.freecreditreport.com and have been disappointed each and every time, because you have to give your debit card number.  The report is free to view for a few days...a month maybe, and if you don't cancel, you will be racked with monthly charges.  If you are like me, and you would rather contact the company yourself, here is the information you will need.  These are legitimate sites and phone numbers as I checked them myself.  Thank you again...Mr. Ramsey! 

TRANSUNION CREDIT BUREAU

P.O. Box 2000

Chester, Pennsylvania  19022

(800) 888-4213  www.transunion.com

EXPERIAN

P.O. Box 2002

Allen, Texas 75013

Experian charges $7.00 for each additional report, after you have obtained your one free report.  You can also receive a free report if you have recently been declined for credit.

(888) 397-3742  www.experian.com

EQUIFAX CREDIT BUREAU,

P.O. Box 740241,

Atlanta, GA 30374-0241

(800) 685-1111   www.equifax.com

Additional reports may be obtained for a fee of $0-$8 depending on the state that you live in.

 

 

 ]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/518-financial-peacefor-the-next-generationby-dave-ramsey.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/518-financial-peacefor-the-next-generationby-dave-ramsey.html Sat, 21 Mar 2009 01:43:21 GMT I had the opportunity to read this work book by Mr. Ramsey yesterday.  I thought I hit a gold mind when I found it laying on the desk.  While I do not agree with everything Mr. Ramsey suggests, I do believe his strategies are definitely workable.  Of course, I was unable to read the e...
The workbook is easily read and understood.  It is a definite must read for someone who would like to achieve a debt free existence.  In his workbook, Mr. Ramsey covers a lot of material.  From stocks and bonds to mortgages and insurance.  He tackles each subject chapter by chapter and even includes cash flow forms for your personal use. 

Anything and everything is included in this book.  I was equally excited to find suggested percentages which should be put toward each category in the budget.  Also included in the book are phone numbers and addresses to the three Credit Bureau's as well as their email addresses.  Mr. Ramsey inlcudes addresses and phone numbers to put an end to telemarketing calls as well as mail marketing.

Mr. Ramsey takes a no-nonsense approach in starting an emergency fund, saving for retirement, clearing debt, and paying off your home.  He also believes that when you create a budget, the items that you should concern yourself with first are:  food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and utilities.  After these needs are met, you will want to start paying down your debt, starting with the lowest amount first, so you can create the snowball effect.

As I said, this workbook is a definite must read for anyone wanting to clear the debt from their lives.  It is definitely worth your time to check it out at your local library!]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/480-pay-it-down.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/480-pay-it-down.html Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:10:29 GMT There are so many books geared on getting us out of debt these days, and so many with different opinions.  Some writers agree on how to get out of debt while others disagree.  We can't please everyone so we have to do what works for us, and what works for us might not work for someone else...
Dave Ramsey wrote Money Makeover and he suggests that you tackle your smaller debt first.  Once you see that you have one debt paid off you can work towards the next one.  He also believes that you shouldn't worry about the interest rate, but should concentrate more on the "debt snowball." 

Yesterday, I came across this book  Pay It Down From Debt to Wealth on $10.00 a Day  by Jean Chatzky.  Jean's views of course are different from Mr. Ramsey's.  I did not have enough time to read the entire book, but it does look like an interesting read.  Chatzky believes that any money that you are saving should be thrown at debt, as does Mr. Ramsey.  The biggest difference is that Chatzky believes the highest interest rate debts should be paid off first, because they are creating the most debt.  I think I agree with this philosophy as well.  Chatzky also believes you will save $10.00 a day by not purchasing that cup of coffee, buying those happy meals for your kids at McD's,  or going to the movies every week.

Another theory that Chatzky points out in the book is being able to assess why you got into debt in the first place, and it could be any number of things:  losing a job, going to the hospital, going through a divorce.  Once you know the reason why you are in debt, you can work on fixing it. 

Chatzky discusses other factors in the book as well, knowing and managing your credit score, tracking your spending as well as learning how to make the harder choices:  selling assets (if you have them) and earning more money.  If you have the time, I would definitely suggest checking out this book.  It looks like it might be a valuable tool in controlling your debt.]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/471-planning-a-menu.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/471-planning-a-menu.html Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:08:29 GMT One of the best ways to cut your food costs is to create a menu.  I like to create a monthly menu, while others like to plan out a week at a time.  When planning a menu, you have to know what you have on hand.  What foods do you have available in the pantry?  Refrigerator? and th...
When creating your menu, use the items that you have available to you.  Look through your cupboards, what can you create without having to run to the store?  You will definitely save money, and you won't be throwing food away because you forgot you had it.

What are some of the staples that you should always have on hand?  These are only a few, maybe you can think of some other items that you want to keep stocked in your pantry.

1.  Flour

2.  Sugar

3.  Your favorite spices, and don't forget the salt and pepper.

4.  Vegetable Oil

5.  Milk (powdered milk is great for baking with)

6.  Rice

7.  Canned Vegetables/Frozen Vegetables]]> http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/466-save-a-little-money-with-some-meatless-meals.html http://www.destroydebt.com/blogs/buggles/466-save-a-little-money-with-some-meatless-meals.html Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:12:07 GMT With the economy in such bad shape, your grocery bill has skyrocketed.  What can you do other than shopping the sales and using coupons?  Start preparing meatless meals, but what can you have besides peanut butter and jelly?  Here are a list of ideas that I came up with.  With a ...
1.  Bean Soup

2.  Pea Soup

3.  How about breakfast for supper?  Pancakes and Eggs are a big hit with my kids.

4.  Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches are good, and you'll get a break from cooking.  Have everyone make their own sandwiches if they are old enough.

5.  Peanut Butter and Jelly

6.  Potato Soup.  Cut up some potatoes and cook with some milk.  Add some vegetables for a little extra flavor!

7.  Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup. 

8.  How about a simple bowl of cereal, with toast and some yogurt.

9.  Milk Toast was always a big hit with my brother and me when we were little.  Toast some bread, butter, heat some milk and pour over the toast.  This is really good and really cheap to make when there isn't any money laying around.


10.  And then how about a delicious Egg Salad Sandwich with a couple of pickles on the side.
To make these meals more nutritious, serve with milk and a piece of fruit.  Bananas are a pretty cheap fruit.  Good luck.



 

 ]]>