I think my main mind set that help me keep from digging my slef so deep in deep, is to shop around and think quality instead of quanity.

For example when buying a new car, i make up my mind on what type of car and then I hit the dealerships and try to find the best deal. If I don't want a sunroof or fancy stero system or wheels, I don't let them talk me into buying them. Because in the long run, i am the one that is going to pay for these things. I try to steer clear of the high pressure salesman.

Same with our house, we went for a home that we could update as we got the money. Now we have a update house with no mortgage. Dh and I did the work oursleves and save a ton, plus we got what we wanted.

I shop at consigments and yard sales, because it is a thrill to know I got something namebrand at a fraction of the cost!

Those are all great ideas, thanks!

I think there are a lot of great ideas floating around. Honestly I've been intimidated by the whole "financial" thing.... I just don't have good business sense in a way. I"m glad there are others out there that have a clue as to what to do. I'm more of a humanitarian that a financial planner, but I want to be both. I'm learning and this is a GREAT place to start. Thanks!

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Hi, I know another good way to avoid using credit cards. You always want to hang on to one because you can never tell if an emergency will pop up. I keep that card in an envelope and seal it. On the envelope I sat down and wrote down what is an emergency. Too often, peopl e call going to a restaurant an emergency lol.
Some emergency's:
Running out of diapers
Having no food at all
Running out of milk
emergency car repairs
home heating or plumbing repairs that cant wait
Needing gas to get to work etc

I couldn't agree with you more. The first step is to absolutly stop adding to the balance. Even if you only make the minimum payment, you will pay it off eventually, that is if you stop using it.

When i started really saving gazelle intense, i also though i Needed some things, that i look now, and i thing, "no, i really didn't need that..."
so, I would say,
*think 2 or 3 times b4 buying anything,
ie: do you really need new shoes...
for me, that made a huge difference,
if you give in, $20 you spend more a week its $80 per month
and if you don't give in.......its $960 A YEAR!!!!

I take lunch,
buy only what i really need ...if i can do without it...i dont buy it.
find substitutions for things...i found that vaseline is AWESOME AS A MOISTURIZER, so much, that my sister (who they are very well off financially!)
she tried it, and said she couldn't believe it, her makeup when on soooo smooth...

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Thanks,
Bestmommysaver!

Stop buying, sell some of your clutter, get a job (part-time, second), when you buy try second hand first, do things yourself, plant a garden even if it is just a container, stop cable, get rid of the gym membership you can work out with out having to go to a gym, get rid of all of the extras on your phone, borrow books and movies instead of renting or buying, don't eat out, bring your own luch to work, don't buy convenience foods, learn to cook.

But what ever you do stop adding to the debt.

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A Family of 5's quest to forget the Joneses.

Here is a post I posted on another board back in Feb.

Everyone is entitled to a free credit report once a year.

It is very important that you check your report! I had someone open a line of credit some place in my name back in 9/2001 apparently for Clinton, MA. Make sure your report is clean and if not that you fix any issues with it! Especially if you want to but a home, refinance or take out a loan. Your credit report determines what you pay for interest! Your credit card companies also periodically do a credit checks on you to determine if they increase your rates on you. If you have good credit you can and should call your credit card holder and tell them that you want your rate dropped. They know your score, but they are hopping you don't so they can get the most $$ out of you they can.

Also when you do a credit report check on yourself NEVER put in credit card information!!!!!! you can go to www.AnnualCreditReport.com they do not want credit card info!

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There are numerous ways one can save money, each more suited to a particular lifestyle.

I have always thought an effective way to save money is to open up a separate free bank account, of which there are many to choose from.

Then set up a standing order for 10% of you wage so each month a proportion of your income is paid into a second account prior to bills being paid and personal allowance accounted for.

That way you can build a tidy little sum in a relatively short period of time.

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Looking to get enough savings to buy new wooden furniture in 12 months. £300 to go!

Make a chart (I use an Exel spreadsheet) of all your debts and what the balances are each month. Being able to actually see how your debts have shrunk over the months is a great motivater to keep it up.