Depressed: Just Checked My Credit Scores

I am totally bummed and shocked. I just checked my credit scores and they are pretty low. I have been credit challened for some time, so on one level I shouldn't be shocked. But I have been diligent in paying my bills, and my balances have really gone down. So why are my scores lower than they were the last time I checked?

I am on payment plans, and on several of my accounts, I am very close to having my balances down to my credit limit. Which is really good, as opposed to being way above credit limits. So what is wrong? I apparently was late on one payment recently. But that is enough to bring my scores down from average to fair or poor? Give me a break! I know the credit scores have been tightened, but this is unreal. Hopefully, the scores will go up a little in a few months.

Confessions Of A Shopaholic Review

I had wanted to go see the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic, but it came and went from the theater before I could see it. And then I forgot about it. Now I am visiting my sister in Boston, and we always watch movies. And it was on today! So we watched it.

To start off, it was very good. The story is about a young woman who is right out of college and a shopaholic and up to ears in debt. She gets a job at a finance magazine and finds a niche as a columnist, writing about personal finance. She is also being hounded by a debt collector for her $9000+ of debt to a department store.

She learns to write about finance at warp speed and gets quite a following. She falls in love with the editor, and has to keep evading the debt collector.

As things usually happen, everything comes to a head in a bad way. She gets exposed by the debt collector during a live TV interview, and she accidentally gives away her bridesmaid dress for her roommate's wedding. Her boss, her love interest, who also is falling for her becomes disillusioned when he finds out she has been lying to him about her personal problems.

But not is all lost: She sells all of her designer clothes and bags and pays off her debt. She gets her bridesmaid dress back and is able to be in the wedding at the last minute after all. Her boss buys the magazine company, and she gets her job back.

It is a very good movie. There is only a couple of realtiy problems. One, the movie makes a big deal about how could she write about personal finance when her own finances are in such a mess. Well, it happens all the time. You don't need to be debt free to be able to write about what you should do. As a matter of fact, writers can be very knowledgeable in many areas in which they themselves dont excel.

Also, there is a slight problem about the movie's handling of the debt collector. The Fair Debt Collections Act would never allow a debt collector to show up at your house or humiliate a debtor on national TV. Can you say LAWSUIT??? Well, it does make for a good movie though. Very entertaining, and many people would be able to relate to her situation and the feelings of shame that accompany an out of control spending habit.

Getting Better With Tech

I feel like I am really starting to become tech savvy now. I think it is because I am going to so many blogging and digital conferences. You can't help but learn about other tech gadgets and stuff when you are in a group like that. I was just at a blogging meetup the other night, and they were talking what a media hard drive is. I had never heard of one before. I am really enjoying my new hobby and interests--and keeping my knowledge and skills up to boot!

Buying Car Insurance In Denver

When you move, you have to think of everything. Have to update your address with the post office and everyone. Have to find a new place to live. Have to arrange to move your belongings. Have to break leases and turn off utilities. Find a new place to live and turn on utilities. Learn new neighborhoods and make new friends. If sounds exhausting it is. But if you are moving for a good reason, it can be fun too.

One of the things you have to do when you move is change your insurance. New home owners or renters, new car insurance, etc. Details, details, details.

How do you find new car insurance when you move? Every state is different. Some friends of mine just moved to Colorado, so they are inquiring about car insurance Denver. Car insurance is one of those things you can't do without, so they better hurry up and find a good deal!

Cheap, Easy Shelving

When I first got out of college, like most people, I didn't have any money. I also remember thinking that a friend of mine had some great looking glass shelves. I said, where did you get those? And she said they were
store fixtures, that they had been glass shelves in a department store that had gone out of business. So, when it came time to get my first apartment, I arranged to buy some more of those shelves from her father. They were only like $7 apiece. They were heavy and nice and unusual looking, which is what we all want. I displayed my books and knick knacks on them for many years, until I grew tired of them and wanted something new. But if you really look around and be creative, you can find cheap or free things to decorate your apartment with. I know after all of these years, I am still doing that and am sure I will for some time.

I Want A House!

I hope I am not being naive when I say I want to buy a house. Other single people have bought houses. Why not me? Oh yeah, I have been in debt for most of my adult life. But not for too much longer! But I need to save money like no one's business. I want to buy a charming home, yet one I can afford. A bungalow? One of those log houses? A larger condo with a yard? I am hoping that is not what I will get. I would like a stand alone house, but we'll see what we will see.

Read It And Weep: One-Third Of People Won't Qualify For Mortgages Now

This comes as no surprise, I am sure, after the big mortgage meltdown recently. But here is an article that talks about how 1/3 of American--those with credit scores under 620--won't qualify for a mortgage, no matter how big their downpayment is.

Ouch!

I need to check my credit score again. I am sure it is higher than 620, but I want to make sure. I am not going to buy a house anytime soon, but I need to keep track of  my progress.

http://money.blogs.time.com/2010/09/27/report-nearly-13-of-americans-highly-unlikely-to-qualify-for-a-mortgage/?hpt=Sbin

Make Sure You Understand Title Loans

I have never taken out any Auto Title Loans, but I recently did some mystery shops on some of the establishments that offer them. I learned some things I did not know. Like in Tennessee, for example, you cannot take out a title loan after 6 p.m. I am not sure why, but it may be because you can get up to $2,500 in a loan, and that is a lot of money to be carrying out the door after 6 p.m. Or maybe it is just that they don't want that much cash on the premises after 6 p.m.

Anyway, I had to walk in the door and pretend to be interested in getting one. Each time, I walked in the door after 6 p.m., so I couldn't have gotten one if I wanted to do. But apparently, you can make monthly payments, like any other loan. I didn't know that. I thought maybe you had to pay back in a lump sum like you do with a payday advance.

Background Checks Can Be A Good Idea

I had to have a Background Check when I was going through the bar exam in my state and trying to be a lawyer. I don't know how long they have been doing that, but they do it now! I didn't have to worry about it--I knew I had nothing on my record--but I know some people were, and I even think that was the cause of one man quitting law school after the first year. Too bad, as he was a good student though. He just seemed very worried about having to go through a background check and finding out that never every thing is expunged the way you think it is.

More and more I hear about people wanting background checks--when dating someone you know or when you are wanting to have a foster child come live with you. All good ideas.

Need To Watch My Posture

I have always had very good posture, but I feel like I have been slouching lately. I need to pay attention to how I sit and stand. Particularly at work. I feel like I just sit at my desk all day and I am probly slouching in my chair, and I have no idea that I am doing it. I would hate to get rounded shoulders someday like some people I see. I think some of that is from disease, but some may be from poor posture ove the years.I just saw a website selling office furniture-- click here I am going to look at some other sites too.

You feel better and look better if you stand stall and sit straight in your chair. And when you feel better and look better, you tend to work and interact with others better. We're all so busy these days, it is easy to forget and slouch. But it is better not to. I am going to pay more attention for sure.

Mystery Shopping The PayDay Advances Stores!

I am getting a little sweet comeuppance. I am going to shop some payday advance stores in town. I already have two assignments, and I am signing up for some more. I do not have to take out a loan or fill out any forms--just ask some questions about a payday advance. And I get paid to do this. I figure this way I will recoup a little of the money I have spent on interest on cash advances in the past. Shysters!

I Want A House!

I love my condo, but I want a house. Maybe a cute bungalow with a fenced-in yard. In a cool neighborhood. With sidewalks. In the area of town I want to live in. At a reasonable price. That's not too much to ask, do you think?

I have no idea how much money I would need to buy a house. I bought my condo so long ago, I have no reference point. I am sure things have changed since then.

I would need to make a down payment, money for Closing Costs  a cushion for repairs and unexpected costs. plus furniture and such. Buying a house is not a cheap proposition! But it is something I want to do, and soon.

Times Are Tough Out There Today

I read about all the unemployed people out there today and shake my head. It is so sad. People losing their jobs through no fault of their own, or alternatively, making a career move that turned out to be not so good. And they got stuck. Ending up in the same place--no job, running through their savings, maybe losing their homes. Hard to believe. I have wondered what I would do if I found myself in such a dire situation. I own my condo, so that is good, but there are still expenses connected to that. And I have car payments, and other bills. You have to buy food. What would I do? I have a pretty heart 401K, even though it is not as hearty as it once was. After I took a couple of withdrawals from it to tide me over during my bar exam study, and then the tanking of the stock market in the past year, it is not as good as it once was. But it is still pretty good. More than a lot of people have. If it came down to it, I guess I could live off of that. I wouldn't want to however. If someone has a pension, they could Sell Pension. Someone should get advice about this though.

Condo Parking Lot Needs Repaved

I am home today waiting on the AC repairman. Yeah, lucky me. He had to pick up a part, and I hope he will be back in a minute. It is sweltering hot! While waiting, I am doing a few things around the house. Looking out the window, I can see our poor, sad parking lot. Our condo association had to authorize a special assessment for us to pave, and I guess we will start doing that in a few months. The special assessment was $1,000, and that is hard for me to pay on my budget. But it will be nice once it is done. I am an owner/occupant, so it is not so important to me that it get paved right away. But the owners who rent think differently. They want it paved right away so they can please their tenants. I can understand that.

Who to pave it for us is another story. I have no clue. I will let my property manager figure that out for me. If I lived in San Diego, I might call San Diego Paver Contractors and get a quote from them. I might look around my hometown for some suggestions of contractors and give some names to my property manager.

Good Time To Refinance

I do not have a mortgage (yes, I know how lucky I am) but I have heard friends say that it is a good time to refinance or to do a Home Loan Modification.  A friend said it is time consuming to do such, but she is glad that she did it. Every little bit helps when it comes to a budget, and it can be especially important to do with a debt as big as a mortgage.

My condo is paid off, thank goodness, but it is too small, and I am getting house hunger, as Dave Ramsey would say. The problem is I still have too much debt and too much month at the end of the money, something else that Dave Ramsey says. But I should be debt free in about 2 years, and then I want to get a house. I will need to learn a lot in the next two years about home ownership. Condo living has been easy; I have a feeling it will be harder with a house and a yard and no board to help you figure out when repairs have to be made.

Need Multiple Income Streams

My friends and I have been talking about the importance of having multiple income streams. Especially when you are trying to strike out on your own. The newspapers have been littered lately with stories about people who put all of their eggs in one basket, and when the economy tanked so did their income. Like the man who gave up his regular job and took on one consulting client, and when they let him go, he had no income and could not find another job. Lost his home and saw his possessions on the side of the road. Very sad. And there are many others out there like that.

Right now, I am trying to figure out if I can quit my day job and become a full time solo lawyer. It would be easier to do if I had some extra income, especially online income. If I went out on my own, I would have to pay for my own health insurance, which is always high. Also, I would need to make sure I had some saved income to fall back on.

For some time, I have been trying different ways of online moneymaking. I used to do online surveys, but not so much anymore. I have been pretty successful at mystery shopping and freelance writing, and I could do more of both if I had the time. That would be a good source of extra income. I am going to investigate other ways to make money online as well.

I Got A Speeding Ticket!

I went on vacation recently--drove about 10 hours north to visit my favorite relatives That is a long drive for me, and I tend to have a lead foot, so I bet you can guess what happened. I didn't want to take 10 hours to get there, and I was in a hurry, and I pushed the envelope.
It was the 4th of July weekend, and there were state troopers everywhere. That made me nervous, so I was pushing the envelope, while still keeping an eye on my speedometer. I am not so stupid to speed when Smoky is out there in force. My car insurance rates had just gone down, and I didn't want to do anything to make them go back up.
Well, I was going downhill, around a curve, and trying to pass a van that was keeping pace with me. You know the type? They won't let you pass them. So I might have been going a tad fast. But it couldn't have been for more than a few seconds, and it couldn't have been 20 miles over the speed limit, like the trooper said.

Well, I saw the car pull out of the median with the blue lights flashing. Surely, it couldn't be me, I thought. Well, soon enough I realized it was. I pulled over. I had a moment of panic when I realized I did not have my car insurance card with me. I was driving a rental car, and my card was in my glove box in my car, which was in the shop. I told him the truth about my car insurance card , and luckily he didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I got a ticket, and the fine wasn't too bad. I just hope my rates don't go up, but I am sure they will.

I Need A Smart Phone

I use AT&T for my phone service, and I am due for a new cell phone. I love those moments! My last new phone was wonderful, sleek, and expensive. But then I got it wet, and bam! No good anymore. I didn't have insurance on it, and I couldn't afford to get another new good one, so I got a crap phone from Wal*Mart. It has been terrible, and you can't text on it to save your life.

But I looked at AT&T's website to see the phones available to me with a new contract. There are Blackberry Phones, iphones, and the regular panoply of other good to not-so-good choices. I would really like a smart phone. I could use it to surf the web, and write on my blogs, which would help me a lot. I could actually make money with it. And that would really be a smart phone.

Every Reduced Price, No Matter How Small, Helps The Budget

Ok, here is one for the pocketbooks. It is not a huge big deal, but I am including it on the blog to remind myself and others that every penny counts. Every item bought at a reduction (and only bought because you really need it) is a win for the pocketbook. I was at the grocery store last night and noticed a big buggy full of hair products. After weeding through the ones I don't need, I found two kinds of shampoo that I can use. Both were marked half price. I loaded up. I needed to buy shampoo anyway, and now I have enough for a couple of months.

Debt Is A Huge Burden

I have been in debit, mostly credit card debt, all of my adult life. I am seeing light at the end of the tunnel though--I should be out of debt in a year and a half. I will have my car paid off in a year, and my credit card debt should all be paid off 6 months from then. I can't wait! I will stockpile money after then. I need to bolster my savings for sure, and I also want to buy a house. I could have done so much more if I had not been carrying debt all of these years. There is a lot of Free Financial Help out there for those in debt. I benefitted the most from Dave Ramsey. I don't always agree with what he says, especially about politics, but his message is good. DEBT IS STUPID! And I intend to manage my money so much better in the future. I had drinks with a friend of mine who is now debt free. She got a new job with better pay, and that is the biggest reason she is out of debt. She said to me she thinks she will never be out of debt again, and she just says that it is a mindset. That once you are out of debt, you don't want to be there again. i know that I will feel the same. Once you are out of debt, don't go there again! Make that a mantra!

Looking For Deals On Furniture

I am focused on updating and improving my condo right now, and I am still on a budget, so I need to shop around when buying furniture. Here are the things I need: new Dining Room Furniture , particularly a new dining room table (not sure whether I want a square or Round Dining Table ), and a new desk and dresser for my guest room, and some other miscellaneous things. I might even start looking at some China Cabinets , because I don't have much cupboard space.

My challenges are that I have a small condo, so I have to be creative with my space. Also a small budget, so there again I have to be creative. These two are matched by my small amount of time to go looking for furniture, so I may have to preshop and narrow down my choices online. At any rate, I am very excited and hopeful about finding some good buys and stretching my furniture dollars. I can't afford to buy a house right now, so I want to make my current home as new and exciting and functional as possible.

Money Saving Tip: Don't Pay For Something Twice!

Don't pay for something twice. Especially month after month after month. This should be obvious to anyone on a budget or trying to get out of debt. Well, give me the dunce cap. I just realized I have been paying an internet service twice every month, once through my cable company and once through my phone company. Talk about a dunce! I decided to switch my service from my cable to my phone company to save on my bill. The totals of both bills were too high, and I thought I could save my money by switching from one to another. That was probably true. But in my bizzy bizzy life, I never had time to actually switch it over, and because I was so bizzy bizzy all of the time, I never realized that I never canceled one of them. So for the past 8 months, I have been paying two internet service bills, wasting about $300. Good going!

Fencing A Yard Cost Effectively

Almost every night, or morning, I wish I could just open my door and let my lovely dog Stoopot out to do his business. But I live on the second floor in a condo building, so that is not possible. But, hey, I can dream, can't I? I have many friends who have dogs who do live in homes with fenced in backyards though. And I envy them so much. That would make life just that much easier.

First I would need to buy a house. And I am a ways off from that. And then I would need to fence in the yard. Maybe check out chain link fence san diego and other online sellers. Cost of fencing a yard can be prohibitive, but I have heard that chain link is cost effective. I like wooden privacy fences too. Wooden ones can be beautiful. But chain link is good too, because you can see through it. Fences--one more thing on my list to get.

Best Mystery Shop Ever!

I can't believe it. I just happened to log on to one of the mystery shops sites I use, and wow! I got a shop where I get a $50 bonus for just having a pizza delivered to my house. Gonzo! Not only is there a $50 bonus, but I get reimbursed for the pizza. And it is my favorite pizza company, and I get to order the topping I like. Can it get any better? I don't think so. I want more of these!

Free Wifi At Starbucks!

I am so pumped it is like I am high on caffeine! Starbucks has announced that beginning July 1, it will offer free wifi. Yes, free wifi! No more pesky card or registration. I love to veg out at Starbucks and read up on law or read or write on my blogs. And I have not minded using the Starbucks/AT&T arrangement. But you know what? It will be better without it. Everytime I go, I have to search for my card, and then I have to either use it or put money on it. And then I have to remember how to log on. And all of that is kind of a pain in the butt. And it will be so much nicer when we don't have to fool with that. Starbucks will benefit greatly from this new change.

Debt Really Holds You Back

I am experiencing again the negative effects of debt. I am within two years of being debt free.  Which for me is a miracle. A few years ago, I never thought I would be that close. But thanks to stopping using my credit cards and listening to Dave Ramsey, among other financial gurus, I am closer than ever.

But I have had my law license for a year. I am still at my old job, but have taken a few law cases on the side. And I have had some success.

But if I were debt free right now, I would feel more free quitting my job and hanging my law shingle. But because I am still saddled with debt, I don't feel I can do that. My debt payments still take up too much of my monthly check. This is sad. Debt does limit possibilities. But the good news is, I am getting closer.

Good Property Managers Are A Must

I have lived in a condo for a very long time. I have been the president of the HOA for the majority of that period, so know how important it is to have a good property manager. We have good property managers and bad property managers and some inbetween. We had a good one, who unfortunately died. Now we have a pretty good one. They took us on, when our previous company went out of business and gave us a discounted price, because we are a small property. I am so grateful about that.

A friend of mine just moved to Cincinnati, and he has bought a condo there. I know he was looking for  Property Manager in Cincinnati as well. I know that can be a daunting task. The one thing I can say is that for me, in my city, it didn't take long to pare down the list. I found out pretty quicklly that most of the companies handle apartments, not condos, or they were too expensive for us. I was getting bummed out, until our present property manager stepped up to the plate. I can rest easy for a while.

My Car Is Running Great--And I Want It To Stay That Way

I have one more year on my car payment, and I can't wait to have it paid off. Then I am going to save money for a couple of years at least until I buy another one. And that is a big hunk of money every month that I can stash away.

The problem is I need to make sure it stays good for that much longer. So far, I have no complaints. It runs like a dream. Well, OK, it is running a little rough right now, but I need to take it in for scheduled maintenance. And I am sure that that will take care of whatever it is. Probably something like the air filter needs to be changed.

I learned there are places like Parts Gorilla where you can buy car parts for wholesale prices. Don't know if that is true, and don't know that I will ever need to use that site, but good to know about it in case you need it! A buck saved here and there can add up!

Upgrading My Condo

Now that I am getting a little bit of discretionary money again, I am trying to spend some time and money on my condo. Thinking of what can be done to make it more special. I have gotten some really cool blinds and got my hi def TV. I need to get a new dishwasher and a new computer desk and wardrobe or new dresser for my spare room. I need new carpeting. And I need some new Bathroom Cabinets . Looking around, I like so many kinds of cabinets. The Contemporary Bathroom Vanities are particularly nice. There are so many things to choose from, it is hard to know where to start. One thing I don't really need is a Linen Cabinet . I would like to have one, but I just don't have room. The ones I have seen though are nice, so I wish I could get one. If I spend the amount of energy on my condo that I spent on my law degree, I will come out with a pretty nice place to live! That is what I will do.

Updating My Computer Security

I just bought a mini computer, and I love it. I haven't put any security on it yet though, and I know I should do that pronto. At work, we have Network Security Software that is someone else's responsibility. He knows the best kinds of software to put on, and what kinds aren't that great. At work we have both Antivirus and Antispam software, and that is wonderful. I remember in the early days of email, how bad the spam was. It is still bad, but we don't see it, because the software filters it out. That makes things much better! I just need to think about what I want to do with my mini. I had a program on my laptop, which I still use and I may use that program again.  And I don't want to spend a ton of money on it either. I have enough expenses right now, and I don't need to buy a bunch of expensive software. I am sure that if I spend some time researching, I will come up with a good idea of what would be the best solution.

Redoing My Home Office

I probably will be working out of my home more and more, so I need to rethink my home office. I was looking at some ads for Office Furniture lately and saw some pretty good deals. I don't want to spend much money now, so I need deals. 

I still have my student desk in my home office, and that is just not good. I need to feel like a professional, not a middle schooler.  So what kind of Home Office Furniture do I need?  A good desk for sure. Something that will hold a printer and scanner/fax type of machine and all of my Office Supplies. Something that will make me feel powerful, like I could go to court and win!

It also has to look pleasing, since it is also a spare bedroom. I just need to wander around some stores and check out some websites that sell such items. Maybe I can find some good stuff that will encourage me to be productive and won't be very expensive. I could paint the furniture I already have in there, but that is not going to do the trick. I feel shopping in my near future!

Giving Used Gift Cards??? Puhleeze!

I know people regift, and I am torn about the practice. If the gift is something obviously generic, but yet of value, it may be OK to regift. But if someone has spent time and money, picking out the perfect gift for you, I don't think that is OK. I think it is hurtful to the giver. That aside, regifting a used gift card is lower than low. I went out to lunch with a teacher friend of mine, and she said she had gotten a gift card to the restaurant from one of her students. She asked the waiter if he could check on the balance, before we used it. The waiter came back and said there was a zero balance on the card. I was shocked. My friend said it has happened to her many times before. Her students' parents will give her used gift cards, sometimes with a low or zero balance. I am sorry--but that is just unacceptable. What are you thinking????

Christmas already?

I went out of town this past weekend to see a concert and stayed with a friend of mine. The next morning, we were drinking coffee and having a luxurious morning reading the paper. That of course includes reading all of the inserts. My friend chuckled and said "Look, they are advertising Christmas cards already, and it is not even Memorial Day!'' We both said we had never seen Christmas cards advertised so early.

But I guess like anything, you might get some of the better deals and a better selection when you shop early. You make look online if you are wanting to order Christmas cards or other special holiday card.

I remember one Christmas break when I was right out of college, and I dragged my younger sister all over town looking for just the perfect card. By the end of the day, she was so bleary eyed, and I was still on a mission. Of course, that was before the internet, so my search today would be much easier.

When Will I Be Able To Buy A House?

I have what financial guru Dave Ramsey would call House Hunger. I have a condo, but oh boy I want a house. Not just any house. A house with charm, in the right neighborhoods (right to me). A Victorian bungalow in a neighborhoond near me would be just fine. But how would I pay for it? Renting my condo would definitely help. Waiting until after I pay off my debt would help too. I don't want to buy something I can't afford, or buy too soon, or not think it through .Un huh--dont't want to do that. I am trying to save up as much money as I can while paying off debt as fast as I can. Not easy for me. I also have to do some repairs around my condo before I rent it out. The good part is that rents in my neighborhood are pretty high. But I would have to update it some first. Maybe I could get one of those things called a Home Loan Modification. Maybe that could reduce my mortgage on my condo enough, where I could free up some monthly cash that way too. Anyway--by hook or crook I want to be in the house of my choice in two years.

Biggest Mystery Shop Yet!

I will get my biggest reimbursement yet from a mystery shop--$125.00 for getting my dog an examination and vaccinations at an animal hospital. I had seen this particular shop before but didn't sign up because I didn't need it. This time my dog needed  a yearly exam and his shots, so I grabbed it! The animal hospital was a little out of my way, but no big deal.

I mainly take shops that don't require a purchase, so I don't have to put out any money up front. That way any money I make is pure profit. A lot of the shops require that you buy something you might not really need. Or buy it and take it back. That is too much hassle for me.

Many mystery shoppers, however, like to buy things they need and then get reimbursed for them. That way they are still making a profit so to speak. I am beginning to like that idea. If I need to get my dog an exam and shots, why not let the mystery shop company pay for them? Then I don't have the expense myself. You can do the same for gas, groceries, clothes, etc. I may come up with a game plan to do more of this.

Online Banking Scarier Than Ever

I just read this article on online banking that made me take notice. I am usually pretty good about not logging into my bank account online anymore in a public place, but this is saying how cybercrooks keep getting mroe and more sophisticated. One good thing is that if someone steals money from your basic checking or savings account, you may only be held responsible for the first $50. Not so for lines of credit, so beware!

What Degree Should I Get Next?

People would laugh at me if I said I was going back to school. After all, I already have both a master's and a JD degree. But even so, there are still degree programs I could benefit from. Thr are some gaps I could fill. For instance, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) ciould give me the business skills I need. Granted, those with a law degree often run companies, but there are still some business type skills that aren't covered by a law degree. I would really like to work in the area of employee law, or just have HR credentials for a business, and you could get those in business school.

A friend of mine is now working on her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). We often kid each other about all of our schooling, but to be honest, you never waste money when you spend it on education. In this day and age, a Master of Public Health (MPH) would really make sense. There are going to be lots of opportunities for people with good health care skills in the coming years. And with more and more degree programs being offered online, it is easier and easier to go back to school. No commuting!

The Small Things Count When Watching Your Finances

I am trying oh so hard to get ahead in my finances. I am starting to feel a little bit better about how I handle things. But I am still messing up in some areas. That makes me mad, especially when it is needless. I went to the grocery store on Friday night and got a couple of things, including a frozen lazagna. It is not the most expensive thing I have ever gotten, but it is not the cheapest either. I love frozen lasagna, so I went home and put it into the oven. I had had a long week, so poured myself a glass of red wine. Yum! The perfect way to unwind. The problem is that it takes so long for those frozen lasagnas to cook--about an hour and a half almost. By the time it was ready, I was already sleepy. I got a plateful and sat down in front of the TV and ate it. I thought that I would wait a little while before going back for seconds (trying to cut down on what I eat too). Well, that was a mistake. I never went back for seconds, which was a good thing, but I also never covered the remainder of the lasagna and put it back in the fridge! So no leftovers, and at least two more wasted meals. Mad at myself. But I will make sure not to do it again.

Got My First Law Check, and My Emergency Fund!

I received my first check as a lawyer for my win in my disability case. It was much needed relief. Not only am I so happy for my client, who really needs the benefits, but I am happy that the case is over. And that I got paid. The pay is enough to fund my emergency fund. That is a load off my mind. I have felt very nervous not having an emergency fund. And now I do. In one fell swoop. I am a lucky person.

Article Marketing for Effective Communication

If you were going to buy some new tires and were unfamiliar with the different brands, you might want to read a Tire Review. If you were a tire expert, you might want to write about different tires and share your information. If you are a tire manufacturer or retailer, you might want your customers to be able to read about your prod

There are endless topics to review and to be written. As a writer, I am always looking for ways to write, and as a website owner, I am also always thinking about ways to get new content and get my message out. You can achieve all of these things through article marketing.

The internet is the (primary) way to go now to reach the most people possible. Print is still good to use too. You need a mix of messages and a mix of formats to reach everyone you need. But article marketing can be a relatively inexpensive way to get your information out to your audience.

A New Look for "No More Debt!"

After much thought, I changed the template for this blog today. It had had that black background and reverse type for its entire existence, and I just thought it needed a makeover. Not only was the reverse type hard to read, the black background was dreary. I originally picked it, because I thought it looked neat and, in fact, debt is dreary. But enough of that--on to cheerier things, including becoming debt free. So a new airy look was in order for this new attitude! Hope you enjoy it.

Clark Howard: A Great Financial Resource

I have started watching the Clark Howard show on the HLN channel within the last year, and I really like it. I am adding him to the financial gurus that I occasionally listen to--Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman. It is good to listen to all of them, as they all have a different take on financial security, and you can compare the ideas and follow what you think is best for you. I like Clark Howard, because he covers such a variety of different topics, his show is a little more interesting to watch since the videography is a little better and he has interesting graphics and such, and he is not as preachy as Dave and Suze sometimes get.

On the show today, Clark just said he supports the idea of getting an extended warranty on a car if you can't afford to pay for emergency repairs. I agree! I bought an extended warranty on my used car, and it has paid for itself many times over.

Increasing My Long-Term Care Daily Benefit

I used to work at a university that offered tremendous benefits. One of those benefits was to sign up for a long term care policy that we could take with us if we left our job. Several of us jumped at the chance, even though we were very young, too young to really think about this kind of thing. I know I did this because I want to plan for the futue, and like my coworkers, if we got sick we didn't want to be at the mercy of controlling relatives. I just have a thing about being able to control my own destiny. Being young, my monthly premiums were very low, and they continue to be low, no matter how old I get! Every once in a while, you can take an inflation increase, which increases your daily benefit. This is important as the daily amount you will need in the future will surely be higher than it is now. I just got a letter in the mail saying that I can increase my benefit now for just $9 more a month. I am definitely going to do it, as I think this is crucial to financial planning.

How To Order Cheap Eyeglasses

A couple of years ago, I bought two pairs of eyeglasses in the store. You know, got the eye exam, took the prescription into a eyeglasses store, and tried on a gazillion pairs of frames. And by the time I had checked out, I had paid a gazillion dollars for two frames. I have since lost one of those pairs of glasses but still feel like I need a second pair. I have had to take a pay cut at work, so I don't want to spend that much money again.

I read an article that talked about how you could get cheap but quality eyeglasses on the web from Zenni Optical for as low as $8. http://www.examiner.com/x-28795-Brooklyn-Liberal-Examiner~y2009m11d13-Cheap-eyeglasses-are-a-reality-Check-out-Erics-review-of-Zenni-Optical
The author had gotten several pairs of glasses that way and seems to really like them. I looked at their website and liked what I saw. They said they don't have designer frames, but they look pretty nice to me. You still have to get an eye exam and send the prescription in, but it looks like you can save lots of money on the frames. The shipping cost is a low $4.95, but apparently it can take a while to get the glasses (they are coming from China). But you can't have everything right? If you have the time to wait on a pair of glasses, you might want to look into this. If you need a pair within the hour, you'll have to go to the eyeglasses store at the mall.

Eating on $35 a Week

I used to work with a friend who said she could eat on $3.50 a week. She was heavyset, so I relly never knew if that was true or not. Surely to goodness she had to eat more than that! But then again, it was the 80s, and things were cheaper. And she was a cheapskate. Today on aol.com, there was an article about eating on $35 a week. That is probably closer to reality. I need to trim my food budget. Maybe I'll try it, even though it seems lean on fruits and vegetables. Of course, fresh food is the most expensive.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/03/09/money-college-eating-on-less-than-35-a-week-shopping-dad-sh/?icid=mainmaindl6link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walletpop.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F09%2Fmoney-college-eating-on-less-than-35-a-week-shopping-dad-sh%2F

Bank of America Ends Overdraft Fees

Even though I am not a BOA customer, I should be celebrating this new development. After all, if one bank stops this heinous practice, won't the other ones soon follow suit?

But I find that I am torn about this. Yes, I have donated enough to Regions through NSF to make it my favorite charity. Which is dumb. But I do have to say I do like the convenience of being able to use my card even if there are not enough funds in the checking account to cover it. Particularly on the weekend, I can use my card and even if it goes into negative balance, I won't get a fee if I make a deposit to cover it by 4 p.m. on Monday. And that is a lot of convenience. Enough to make up for the occasional fees I get? Probably not, but that is what makes me my lovable foolish debtridden self.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/03/09/bank-of-america-ends-overdraft-fees/?icid=mainmaindl6link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.walletpop.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F03%2F09%2Fbank-of-america-ends-overdraft-fees%2F

Financial Reality Check

Great article today by Liz Pulliam. It offers a way to figure out your debt situation and compare it to others. Working through the different ratios she presents, I find that I am OK in the way of leverage ratio, and debt to income ratio, but not in the amount of bad debt I have. I am way over the median amount of debt for my household income. Back to work to whittle down those numbers!

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/weston-4-reality-checks-for-your-finances.aspx?page=1

Bad Credit Can Keep You From Getting That Job

Interesting story today on MSNBC.com about how bad credit can keep you from getting a new job: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35512038/ns/business-eye_on_the_economy

What a bitter pill in today's economy. People have bad credit histories for all kinds of reasons, but that doesn't necessarily make them bad people or unreliable. Stats show that more and more employers are checking job applicants credit histories before hiring. The good part is that there is some backlash. Checking people's credit should be limited to those occasions where an employee would be handling money for your company, critics say.

How Money Or Lack Thereof Can Define Us

Last week I stumbled upon two very different blogs--one was by a homeless man and the other by Alexandra Penny, another victim of Bernard Madoff, who lost everything. They came from two different perspectives, but their stories sounded eerily similar. There lack of money was, at least at this point, the total focus of their lives.

I suggest that most of us, including me, plod through life, going to work, having fun, paying the bills, without thinking much about what if we were unable to do these things. What would it mean to our daily lives, our social lives, our self worth?

To the homeless man, it means hardly ever getting a good night's sleep, because when he sleeps on the street, he is so wary he wakes up at every little noise. When he sleeps in a shelter, he never gets to sleep past 5 a.m., as all the shelters wake the homeless up that early and send them off for the day. The result is chronic sleep deprivation. It also means maybe judged too harshly or dismissed as worthless by others because of his homelessness. There are too many other complications stemming from homelessness to go into them here.

For Alexandra Penny, an editor and artist, to lose everything in her late 50s or 60s must have been frightening, especially when she had worked so hard to save to take care of herself down the road. Penny got chastised from readers who left comments indicating they thought she was a diva or spoiled brat. Join the real world, they said. We don't have multiple homes or wear Manolo shoes. Maybe there is some truth to that, I don't know her. But no matter who you are--to suddenly lose your safety net and your status quo would be terrifying for sure.

Penny will turn out OK, there is no doubt. She is part of a great and powerful network; the homeless man is not. But just for a short time they had the same concerns: Where will I get money? What if I can't pay my bills? Does this define me to the point that people think of me differently?

Being Snowed In Will Prevent Me From Spending!

We are in store for a honest-to-goodness winter storm this weekend. It may get so bad that you can't go anywhere. I am ready to hunker down: I bought plenty of food, wine, toilet paper! I live by myself, so sometimes I get very lonely and experience extreme cabin fever when stuck by myself for a couple of days in a row. This time, I think it will be OK. I have lots to read, my furry animals to keep me company, and being inside for three days will give me enough time to get my housework done! This includes sorting through all of my junk mail and filing the important papers. This will help me financially, as I need to get everything in its place. No more forgetting about bills or coupons! Being stuck inside will also keep me from spending money in restaurants or the malls.

My Financial New Year Is Starting Out Abysmally

So far, my financial New Year has been a bust. In the past, I have overdrawn on my checking account quite a bit and been hit hard with NSF fees. What is worse that overdrawing? Not realizing that you accidentally turn your overdraft protection off and not realizing it. So the first week of January, a series of checks were bounced like rapid gunfire. Ouch. I got the protection turned on, much to my chagrin. I wish I would never bounce another check. And that is my goal. But I guess I would rather that the charges go through, even with an NSF, than have to deal with the fallout when they don't. Focus, take a deep breath. Schedule, budget, don't overspend. Be frugal. Keep this in my mind.