Eight Steps to Tackle the Money-Saving Process (Part 1)
by Gregory Thomas
Asking the question if you really want to save more money may seem a little absurd, especially since everyone probably wants to increase their savings account and have more money to spend. Less debt and more savings sounds like the best of both worlds, right? The reason I'm asking if you REALLY want to save more money is to...
Bill Paying Methods
by Doris Dobkins
How are you paying your bills? Do you still write checks each month, stuff them in an envelope and slap on a postage stamp or have you ventured into the world of online bill paying and automated payments?
Budgets and Credit Cards
by Gary Foreman
I was hoping you can help me solve a problem I have encountered while trying to live on a budget. I have created a budget with a fixed amount that can be spent on certain items, i.e. entertainment. At times I go over this amount. I charge everything on my credit card, in order to receive a cash back bonus. My bill arrives the month after I overspend....My problem is applying my budget to real life, because I still want to use my charge card to pay for everything. Can you please help me figure out this problem? I have tried over and over to figure it out and I'm stuck.
How Much House?
by Gary Foreman
Considering the cost of homes these days, what is a reasonable percentage of a person's salary that should be used for a mortgage payment? And does this percentage include everything needed to run that home (utilities, water, phone, etc.)?
DebtSmartŪ Financial Compatibility Test
by Scott Bilker
It is well known that money is the #1 reason for divorce! Money is very important in your relationship. It's the blood that flows through the financial veins of the family. If there is a problem with its flow, everyone in the family will suffer! Take this test with your spouse/partner to see how compatible your philosophies and monetary strategies are when dealing with money and debt!
Your Future
by Doris Dobkins
Why are there so many books written on "getting out of debt" and "saving for retirement"? Why do so many people study these subjects or subscribe to newsletters that address these issues? One of man's biggest fears is running out of money at retirement...
SCORE KEY: DebtSmartŪ Financial Compatibility Test
by Scott Bilker
Not all the questions have the same score value. Therefore, the scores are weighted on each question according to their importance. Some responses may take points away from your score (negative scores).
Mom's Finances
by Gary Foreman
My 70-year-old mother lives alone a few miles away from two of her five daughters. She's fiercely protective of her privacy and independence. However, she cannot handle her money. We think she may have early Alzheimer's. She's always been bad with bouncing checks and having the utilities cut off for non-payment. But now she's much worse...
Payback Time
by Gary Foreman
I just finished reading the letter from "Tina", who was upset that she was being "harassed" by a collection agency. Could you address the other angle of this? I'm 32 and I guess I have a big chip on my shoulder about people who run up debts and are then outraged that they would have to pay it back.
Early Payoff
by Scott Bilker
Scott, I would like to pay off my 80K-15 year, 7.74% mortgage in 8-10 years? How much per month or year do I have to make to reach this goal?
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