Friends and family have called me a tightwad or a cheapskate. I prefer to be called "frugal"! About 12 years ago, my husband and I came to the bright conclusion that we had too much debt (after only 3 years of marriage!) We also realized, given our current debt to income ratio, we would NEVER be out of debt. So, we got a consolidation loan to cure our problem. Our cure didn't work because, as a lot of people do, we continued to accrue debt. It was growing quickly! Our second problem was that I desperately wanted to quit work and stay at home with our baby daughter.
By this point we were coming to the realization that we needed to do some things drastically different! So, we cut up all of our credit cards and tried to pay down our debts as much as we could (we started using Mary Hunt's Rapid Debt Repayment Plan). I was learning that paying down debt is like dieting: It's great to lose weight but if you don't CONTINUE your new healthy eating and exercising, the weight will come right back on (and usually twice as much!) It was at this time that I realized getting out of debt and STAYING debt free was more than a budget on paper but it was a heart issue; learning about contentment, thankfulness and frugality.
We were able to get completely debt free in about 3 years (with only my husband's income). We lived on A LOT less and learned to love it! During those 3 years, I read all of Mary Hunt's books, "The Tightwad Gazette" by Amy Dacyczyn, and "Living On Less and Liking It More" by Maxine Hancock. When someone has had a negative behavior, they can't just stop it and continue living like they had before. It helps to have something new, a new positive habit to replace the bad. That, my friends, is exactly what becoming frugal did for me!
At first, it was a game (How much money can I save with coupons this week). However, it quickly became a lifestyle. Since we have become debt free, we have built our own home in the country with acreage. We raise pigs, our own chickens, and we have our own orchard and garden. I've always loved to garden but recently I read "Growing Your Own Groceries" by Kimberley Eddy.
One major tip I have about being frugal is: Give away a portion of all that you make. When you give, it always comes back as a blessing! Don't confuse being frugal with being stingy or selfish. Instead, being frugal frees up money so you can give more away. Once you become a frugal minded person, there is no turning back. I know some people may roll their eyes, thinking one can go too far in being a tightwad. I agree with Maxine Hancock in "Living on Less and Liking it More", she says: "We sit in our living rooms and look into the unseeing eye of our TV sets and see not just individuals but entire cities and nations going bankrupt.
But just sitting around with vague guilt feelings haunting us is hardly a sufficient response. We need to seriously reevaluate our whole set of life goals and to ask ourselves, "Where are we now? And where are we going?" We must put to ourselves the question worded by World Vision director, W. Stanley Mooneyham, "Is my life style supporting a famine somewhere in the world today? If we are, indeed, people not content to sit back and wait in helplessness for the breakers of present and future shock to overwhelm us, we need to become actively involved in adjusting our goals, expanding our ethic, and moderating our life-style to meet the needs of this changing age."
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn spent 7 years at a Soviet prison camp; the world would be a better place if we would follow his advice. He says, "What about the main thing in life, all its riddles? If you want I'll spell it out for you right now. Do not pursue what is illusory- property and position: all that is gained at the expense of your nerves, decade after decade, and is confiscated in one fell night. Live with a steady superiority over life - don't be afraid of misfortune and do not yearn after happiness. Our envy of others devours us most of all. Rub your eyes and purify your heart - and prize above all else in the world those who love you and wish you well."
I love my frugal life!
By Christy Brashers
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I hope someone can help me with my problem. I am deep into debt and I would like to know if someone could guide me with a very basic easy way to get myself out of this ordeal. I have tried everything that i could and still I fall back. I am going to start this week when i get paid to get this monkey off my back. Could suggest a very simple and basic budget or using the envelope method what ever it takes. I don't want any thing that is to complicated right now.
I have been told that if you call to talk to the IRS, they can be helpful working out a payment arrangement and such. You could also contact any credit card companies and see if you can make arrangements for a lower payment or lower interest rate. Many companies have a department for people in trouble but you have to ask for it. Next step would be to CLOSE all the credit cards. You will always have some rationale for using them until you take away the temptation. If you do decide to keep one, for emergencies, make sure it is the one with the lowest interest rate and no annual fee. Don't keep it in your wallet, hide it at home somewhere. I've heard it recommended to freeze it in a block of ice in the freezer so you have to work to get it out.
The best thing I did to better my debt situation was to set up automatic payments from my paycheck. Having two bank accounts can help this: one for household bills and the other for spending. Try to put a little bit in a savings account at the same. Another thing I did was to post my debts on a board, with balances and interest rates and show how they were decreasing every month. Any time I got a windfall: taxes, birthday money, whatever, I would put it toward the card that was at the highest interest rate or whatever one I could pay off entirely.
Many people say to write down everything you spend so that you are aware of where the money is going. It isn't easy but you just have to refocus every day to get back on track. It is sort of like a diet.
Good Luck,
Jess
Get Jerrold Mundis' book HOW TO GET OUT OF DEBT, STAY OUT OF DEBT & LIVE PROSPEROUSLY. It's in paperback. He follows the principles of Debtors' Anonymous and has a detailed plan as to how to deal with your creditors, establishing payment plans, and so on, which I used quite successfully! I also recommend Debtors' Anonymous as a great free resource - and, of course, learn as much about pennypinching as you can from this great site! Good luck.
Everyone has had great suggestions. I would also suggest making a budget and sticking to it. Many people do find the envelope system a good way to do that. One great method for getting out of debt is called the "snowball" method. You pay the minimum amount on all your accounts except one. On that one account (either the one with the smallest balance or the one with the highest interest rate, whichever you prefer.) , you pay extra, even if it's just a little bit. Once that account is paid off, you apply that payment to the next debt and so on down the line until every debt is paid off. The most important thing is to not to accumulate anymore debt. I hope this helps. I know it can be done because we were once in the same boat also. Good luck!
The snowball repayment is a very good way to pay off debt, but you have to have the will and focus to do it. Pay cash, no debit or credit cards. Also, don't spend the loose change, save it up, roll it up, cash it in & apply this down on your debts as well.
NO CREDIT CARDS!!! CASH ONLY!!!
hi
I am an accountant and I would suggest that you have to make a budget of your very basic needs.Delete in your mind the unnecessary purchases.When shopping take with you a list and stick on the list. Avoid luxurious parties and dresses,shoes and bags.
Yes, close your credit cards, pay in cash instead.
I think you are spending lavishly.
These are great suggestions. The only comment I have is about automatic payment from your checking account. I've had friends who made automatic payments. The card companies took the payment before the agreed upon date. There wasn't enough money in the bank to cover the debt, so there were numerous fees. Be very careful if you do this. I wish you well. Gloria
The suggestions are good. I am a pensioner on a low government income, plus I just work one day a week. I have NO debt, apart from the utilities as they come in, rent, power, phone, and I pay them promptly. How? No credit cards. Not true, I have one, which I got before a visit to Canada (fromAustralia) to see my brother and family 5 years ago. I paid it off promptly when I returned and have not used it again.
I'm sure these things have been said before.. but here we go. Sort out your 'needs' from your 'wants'
Live simply and as frugally as you can. Pay the essentials first rent (or mortgage) utility bills, etc.
Haunt thrift shops for clothing, Don't worry about 'fashion" tho really you CAN get very nice and in fashion garments from thrift shops.. eat simply, whatever is in season right now is usually the cheapest to buy.Plus staples like eggs, potatoes, rice, etc.. Don't accumulate huge heating or cooling bills. When it;s really cold inside put on an extra sweater or wrap a rug around you while you are sitting (tv etc) instead of powering up the heat,
Seek professional help on debt consoilidation if you need to. You CAN do it! Best of luck!
Check this book out at any library..
Title is - "I can't pay my bills"
I have just started reading it too and I too like you am in over my head with everyone including IRS except for house payments. Take care and I will be checking in and seeing how others respond.
Dianna
You can get a real live counselor for free to meet with you and work with you in person, for FREE, did I mention it's free? It's a group of volunteers who like to help people because it's rewarding to see lives unlocked and freed from the 'monkey'. Look online for Crown Financial Ministries, and find their links on Budget Counselors. I did, they were a most wonderful help. Yes, it's Christian, but it's all just to help you get back on top. God bless you!
Can anyone tell me if this is still true? If you owed someone money and they never collect on the debt for the 1st seven years then the debt is null and void (like you had filed bankruptcy against it,) and they can no longer collect money from you?
By Teresa W.
Do I really need a credit card? I am a divorced mother of two and wanted to get rid of some debt. Does it make sense for me to have a credit card? I'm wanting to close my credit card and just put money into a savings account.
By Cheryl
Would it be better to get my credit repaired by going down the list to pay off collections, charge offs, and other delinquent debts when I get my taxes, or shall I seek a credit counseling service, or a debt consolidating company, or should I wait til these reduced percentage choice offers come through the mail box? Please help me because I am truly suffering, I cannot get a loan. I am constantly rejected.
By crissie from Los Angeles
The average American credit card debt is over $5,100. While it may not seem like it, this balance is manageable. Within three yeas it can easily be paid off provided that new charges are not added to the debt.
Ideas and tips to help you stay motivated and inspired to pay off debt. Post your ideas.
This is a page about dealing with credit card debt. Do you have a large amount of credit card debit or is your interest rate really high? Here are some tips and advice to help you deal with your credit card debt.
