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Posted by Diora_CapriPosted by truecap
Wow. I'm flattered. *blushes*
All I know to say is strive to live BENEATH your means. Money is freedom and money is security. So, it doesn't really matter how much you make, just spend less than you make. Thus, there is always money to pay the bills and you can be stress free. Be happy with what you have and save for what you want. Learn to establish the difference between wants and needs.
Stay AWAY from credit cards. Do not use them except in emergency situations unless you can pay them off every month. Paying the minimum payment is the worse thing you can do. Look at your bill and it will show you how much it will cost you to pay it off if you only pay the minimal balance. Why pay the credit card company that interest, when you can save for something, pay cash, and spend or save that extra money.
Debt should only be used to purchase a house. Pay cash for everything else. If you can't pay cash, you don't need it.
This is what I learned from reading Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover (and I listen to his show every day).
1. Start with an emergency fund Of $ 1000 or more in case something comes up like a car repair or something so you can pay cash instead of going into debt to get it fixed or you have to fly out of town for a funeral or something drastic happens.
2. Pay off your debt except for the house. Don't spend anything you don't have to and eat cheap, no shopping, no eating out and every spare dime goes to pay off debt.
3. Then build your emergency fund to cover up to six months of expenses in case you lose your job or get sick and can't work.
There are more steps after that (building a college fund for the kids, paying off a mortgage, giving and charity, etc). My exhusband was always getting us into deeper debt and though we made plenty of money, we struggled with our bills. He never would get on the same page about saving money. After my divorce, I got on this program and I am now in step #3. You will be surprised how relieved and free you feel when you get on your feet and have that freedom.
Anyway, thanks for asking. It takes discipline, but you can do it if you really want to. And, I don't claim to be an expert by ANY means.
Agree 1005% . Planned it ages ago and am doing it right now myself. Great job, Truecap! This wasclick to expand
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