Post by LIFE AND DEATH on Aug 5, 2005 23:30:07 GMT -5
(1) Live on a budget. If you budget your money and are disciplined, you’ll realize the extra payments won’t fit into the budget.
(2)Pay more than the minimum. Don’t charge anything you can eat or burn, such as gas or groceries.
(3) Save your credit cards for emergencies such as if your refrigerator or the transmission in your car goes out, or for planned purchases such as vacations or re-carpeting your house. Even then, budget and pay off the balances as soon as you can.
(4)Budget. For next year’s Christmas spending, decide on a budget with your family, including everything from the cost of a tree and ornaments to the number of gifts. Then put aside $50 or so each month into a Christmas fund.
(5)Negotiate for A Better Rate. If you’re headed for trouble but have good credit, try to negotiate a lower interest rate with your credit card company. If you’ve been paying on time, you can let your credit card company know that another company is willing to offer you a lower rate.
(6)Transfer to a lower rate card. Before you do, read the fine print. Make sure that the long-term rates won’t increase your payments any more than you’re paying now. Watch out for te low-interest introductory offers. After they expire, you could find yourself at a higher rate than you were paying on your old card.
(7)Consult a debt counselor. If you’re already in trouble, talk to a debt counselor. Often he or she can halt late fees, write letters to finance companies and get you on a reasonable payment schedule. However, make sure the counselor is one that doen't charge crazy fees or pocket a good deal of your monthly payment.
(2)Pay more than the minimum. Don’t charge anything you can eat or burn, such as gas or groceries.
(3) Save your credit cards for emergencies such as if your refrigerator or the transmission in your car goes out, or for planned purchases such as vacations or re-carpeting your house. Even then, budget and pay off the balances as soon as you can.
(4)Budget. For next year’s Christmas spending, decide on a budget with your family, including everything from the cost of a tree and ornaments to the number of gifts. Then put aside $50 or so each month into a Christmas fund.
(5)Negotiate for A Better Rate. If you’re headed for trouble but have good credit, try to negotiate a lower interest rate with your credit card company. If you’ve been paying on time, you can let your credit card company know that another company is willing to offer you a lower rate.
(6)Transfer to a lower rate card. Before you do, read the fine print. Make sure that the long-term rates won’t increase your payments any more than you’re paying now. Watch out for te low-interest introductory offers. After they expire, you could find yourself at a higher rate than you were paying on your old card.
(7)Consult a debt counselor. If you’re already in trouble, talk to a debt counselor. Often he or she can halt late fees, write letters to finance companies and get you on a reasonable payment schedule. However, make sure the counselor is one that doen't charge crazy fees or pocket a good deal of your monthly payment.