Carnival of Debt Reduction 126: Success, Progress, Attitudes, and Steps
Here we go again, another Carnival of Debt Reduction, my personal favorite of course! LOL I thought about doing a Valentine’s Day theme, but the entries lent themselves to a different angle so why fight the current of thought?
SUCCESS: The Ultimate Inspiration! These bloggers have experienced their personal successes at reducing or eliminating their debt, and share with you. I don’t know about y’all but I draw great inspiration from reading about others who have gone through the same debt ordeal and emerged triumphant.
- NCN celebrates Being a Debt Free Blogger for Two Years this week. What an impressive anniversary! I wanna be just like him….
- squawkfox relates the impressive feat of How I Paid Off My Student Loans in SIX Months. Forward this one to a college student set to graduate this spring, it’s impressive!
- PaidTwice has gotten back on track and Paid Off the Credit Card even after the whole car repair ordeal. Way to keep at it!
- Nathaniel doesn’t have a complete success to report, but does take a positive look at his first month’s progess as he starts his journey to eliminate his debt. Keep at it! It’s worth it!
- small cents found 100 Euros extra income in February, and hopes to add even more in her struggle against her student loans. Go get it!
METHODS to use to reduce or eliminate your debt. We’ve all got’em, and these bloggers share theirs big and small.
- Patrick Sizemore gives a harsh lesson for college students who should make a college budget. He doesn’t pull any punches, but I know a lot of my classmates who need this in-your-face approach before they dig themselves too deep.
- Will Fox goes over how he went about creating a budget that works for him. I’ve often said a budget is the key to getting your personal finances under control!
- Shawna shares her secret to debt reduction success … nope, not gonna give it away, but this one is good for those who have trouble with the idea that debt reduction isn’t any fun.
- Brooke has a simple yet effective way to pay off the mortgage early. Such a simple concept, yet it works every single time.
- Raymond has a list of zero interest credit cards that can be used to surf balances while you are in the trenches fighting those high balances. Not to bust your chops, Ray…but I don’t recommend his other use for these.
- Meanwhile, Veteran Military Wife has a few things for you to consider before you switch credit cards again. An interesting flip side to Raymond’s post.
- simple nickel goes over what APR is and just how it can kick you in the teeth if you aren’t careful.
- vh examines the break-even point in her debate on whether to refinance or not. Always something to think about before you refinance to lower your mortgage payment!
- Michael Bass discusses reasons to stop using credit and pay with cash. Lots of good examination on this controversial PF blogging topic!
- Jeremy Zongker discusses statutes of limitations on debt in a very lawyerly fashion, so if you’ve got an old debt dogging you, arm yourself with facts!
ATTITUDES: about debt, about getting out of debt, and about how your money affects your life in general. Relax on the couch for a minute, and read as these bloggers delve into the psychological side of debt.
- Trent Hamm gets personal as he says You CAN do this! He did it … once he had a serious talk with that guy in the mirror. He also outlines way to start the conversation with your mirror.
- Cynthia talks about how she hates that her debt has constrained her choices for her daughter’s preschool. The decision was made by money … or the lack of it.
- Mr. DebtBeater is inspired by a story of a woman whose spending is out of control. He realizes he hasn’t been much different, and makes the resolve to not be the next such news story.
- KC Lau talks about how the mythical “Joneses” must have moved to Malaysia and his advice is “Dont’ spend money you don’t have to buy things you don’t need to impress people you don’t like!” Gee, I thought it was just an American thing…
- Dorian Wales asks the hard question, “When is reasonable to take out a loan?” and suggests four criteria for making that decision.
- Mr. Credit Card takes a look at the most common debts on people’s balance sheet. Well, if you can’t identify the target, this will help.
- Finally, Ryan tackles everyone’s favorite political football here in the U.S. and asks, “How will you spend your tax rebate?” Put me firmly in the “save” category here…how about y’all?
Whew, that’s a lot of blogging for just my first cup of coffee! Next week, PaidTwice gets to slog through all the blog posts to put together a coherent carnival :) No pressure, PT! LOL