Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Dental Credit Cards Drill A Hole in Some Wallets...

by Kelley Weiss from NPR.org

Weekend Edition Saturday, March 14, 2009
“People are being convinced to take on more credit than they can afford.”Elizabeth Landsberg, Western Center on Law and Poverty

It's hard to get credit these days, except when it comes to fixing your teeth. Across the country, dental credit cards are becoming more popular for those who don't have insurance or enough money to pay for a procedure. But a growing ......

Click Title for more of the story - Dorethia

My Two Cents: America is not learning from it's mistakes and consumers are still buying into the gimmicks and tricks of the credit industry. We've got to educate ourselves folks....

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Bailouts, Buyouts, & Bellyups!!



Folks are whispering at the plant, holding meetings around the office water cooler. The corporation you work for is in the news...earnings down, layoffs inevitable - I HAVE A QUESTION....

Are you preparing for the Pink Slip?

It's not just a grapevine or rumor mill...this is the real deal - you may not have a job tomorrow. What are you doing so that the fall is not so hard? Did you receive a severance or buyout? Now is not the time for that Mega Entertainment Complex in your basement. Don't be among the folks who have gotten severance and buyout packages and foolishly blew through the money as if they had hit the $10m lottery. Now, they are suffering.

What to do if your company is threatening layoffs:

Stop spending (duh!) - I'm talking zero! No movies, no dinners out, no new clothes. Add all the money together from those little pleasures and SAVE it - you will be surprised at your progress.

Pay attention! - Read the paper, google your company and read all the news relating to the future of the company you work for.

Educate yourself on money management! - No more slacking! Balance your checkbook, be able to account for every dime you spend! Read, Read, Read about the areas you are weak in - master your money. (Ignore any comments that suggest going into debt for any reason)

Create a spending plan - (aka budget) Write it down!! (email me if you need a template) Also, list all your debts, know what you owe!

Look for a side gig! - Use a talent that can generate money without any major cash outlay. You could look for a job in fast food, Walmart, janitorial, - hey this is no time for pride issues.

Go to the Doctor - You, the kids, your spouse - dentist, family doctor, optometrist - get it all taken care of while you have a job!

Don't get discouraged by the numbers you see once you write out your budget, list your debts. Don't panic, everything can be worked out - it's NEVER the end of the world - no matter how bad the nightly news paints it!

Do begin to get your finances in order and stay away from any further debt.

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