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• 1/15/2007 - Want to be Debt-Free by the End of the Year?

     

We all want to be DEBT-FREE, and here are some tips to help you do just that

 

We all know how hard it can be to manage our own finances.  Been there, done that!  I just didn’t know how, until someone showed me the way, and I’ve never looked back since that turning point. 

These tips may just help you find your way to being debt-free, if that’s your goal:

1)      Pay your bills when they’re due every month – this is so hard to do at times, but it’s so very important to not pay your bills late & rack up late fees and credit blemishes.

2)      Learn to live on less than you make – you must learn to put some money aside in order to have money in the bank.

3)      Think twice before whipping out that credit card – if you use credit, have a plan for paying off your balance(s).  It took me a LONG time to pay off my balances that I had built up, but I did, and I now pay my balance off every single month.

4)      Have a plan for where and what you’ll spend your money – you need to know how much you make and how much you need to live on.  You may need to make a change in your spending habits if you want to be debt-free.

5)      Set up a savings account for emergencies – 3 to 6 months’ of basic living expenses is what is recommended.  You never know when you’ll need to replace an appliance or when you might be out of work.  Start small and build this account up.

6)      Have financial goals – if you don’t have goals, you’ll never get where you want to be.  You should consider setting both short-term and long-term goals to help you achieve not only debt-free status, but those goals will also help you go forward toward building that nest-egg for your retirement.

7)      Learn how to make your money grow and work for you – take classes, read books and investing magazines, find a great financial planner – make your money earn more money!

I’ve walked in the same shoes as those looking to be debt-free – and I can very proudly say I am DEBT-FREE, except for my mortgage!  I pay my credit card balance off every month, I learned to live under my means, and I can tell you it’s a very satisfying feeling to know I have money in the bank.

Here’s to your success in achieving the same satisfying feelings!!

 

Ann Cummings
1-888-349-5678 x 3839

 

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• 1/16/2007 - re: Want to be Debt-Free by the End of the Year?

Posted by Carole Cohen
Ann I like this list. I can tell you I am learning well how to live on less than I make :-)  Now need to tackle the rest of the list
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• 1/17/2007 - re: Want to be Debt-Free by the End of the Year?

Posted by Nathan Justus
This is a good list. So many people I know continue to live in debt and from pay check to pay check. I have recently payed off all my credit cards. I still have a big car payment and of course the mortgage. Almost at a place where I can put money in savings or invest. Its tough but anything is achievable.
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• 1/17/2007 - re: Want to be Debt-Free by the End of the Year?

Posted by Gena Riede
How true that is...good advise Ann to give. I understand that the Police force would love to hire new college grads but are finding that there credit is very poor which in turn means they won't be hired. I don't think that the young folks realize how many doors poor credit, closes.
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Quips, tips, snippets, advice, and more about life and real estate in New Hampshire and Southern Maine. This blog is designed to be a resource for real estate assistance - both buyers & sellers, and for general information about living and working in the coastal areas of New Hampshire and the southeastern corner of Maine. Please feel free to post comments and/or ask questions.....I look forward to hearing from you! Make sure to visit my websites at http://www.AnnCummings.com and http://www.PortsmouthNewHampshireHomes.com

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