Financial talking heads on television and radio try to tell you how to get out of debt, stay out of debt, or what dance steps to use to avoid debt. Just about everything they say is the wrong thing. I don't mean they are lairs and you should ignore them. Actually, many of their ideas do make sense.They are wrong when talking about debt because they say "live within your means". By focusing on this phrase, what they are not telling you becomes a secret - the true secret to avoiding debt.
Do you want to know the secret? If you didn't, why are you reading this? The secret to getting out of debt and avoiding debt again is?Living below your means.I'm serious that this is the true secret to staying out of debt. If you live within your means you are spending everything you take in. While this avoids going deeper into debt, it will not dig you out of debt or keep you out. Living within your means is like walking on a treadmill, you work hard but you fail to go anywhere.How do you live below your means? The best way is to create a spending plan. This can be a simple hand written graph listing your expenses or it can be as complex as a fancy computerized program tracking every dollar you spend through PDA and laptops.
I prefer the Spending Plan Creator at Slave2Work.com, it's flexible enough to be used on your computer, or to be printed out. Why is living below your means so important? When you live below your means you are generating a surplus amount of money each month. This surplus is money you use to pay extra on your debts until you are debt free. This surplus can be used to build an Emergency Fund, develop a savings plan for your children's college or prepare for your retirement. Living below your means is the real secret to personal financial success.
It also will not come easy. We people like to live as high on the hog as we can. However, this doesn't help us have a surplus each month. You might have to make some difficult decisions to produce a steady supply of surplus money each month.How difficult of decisions? You may have to sell your house and move into a smaller rental. Perhaps you will sell one car, stop eating out except for special occasions, come home from work instead of stopping by the bar or even taking on a second job.
Be careful of the second job, though. It comes with more taxes, stress and its own set of issues.When you are done reading, I want you to think about what you can do to start creating a surplus this month. What plans are you going to make, and steps you will take to provide a surplus to pay off your debt and begin a regular savings program? After you have thought about them, go talk to your spouse about creating a surplus. When you are done talking, writing the surplus creating plan down and hang it on your refrigerator. If the two of you work together, you will be able to conquer your debts and put your family back on a secure financial footing..
Roger Sorensen is America?s Financial Guide. Learn more at his website www.Slave2Work.com ? ask and receive answers to your personal finance questions, read his writings, or join the newsletter Money Basics. ?How-To Be Debt Free!? is now for sale, read about it today at www.Slave2Work.com/debtfree.htmlGatlinburg Real Estate: Investing in Rental Cabins
Thinking of investing in real estate? Then consider investing in the profitable real estate purchase of a rental cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. With the areas popular year round activities such as skiing, golfing, whitewater rafting, hiking and fishing as well as being one of the top wedding locations on the continental US, Gatlinburg and area sees over 13 million visitors a year. With numbers like that coupled with the breathtaking scenery of the Smoky Mountains, a real estate venture of a rental cabin in Gatlinburg could be very lucrative indeed. In fact gross incomes for the area can range from $30,000 to $120,000 per year depending on the rental cabin.
Gatlinburg Real Estate: The Cost Of Purchasing a Rental Cabin
So what does it cost to purchase your very own Gatlinburg rental cabin? It varies depending on a variety of factors such as whether you are building or buying a previously owned rental cabin. Generally, real estate on a resort,...
Mother Begins Funding Project for Disabled as B.C. Government Programs Fall Short
Winfield, B.C. (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) November 29, 2005 -- According to the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance Rate Tables for Disability Assistance in B. C., shelter rate has not been increased since July 2002 however, the support rate was increased in January 2005.
A single disabled individual, who qualifies for the B.C. government programs, receives $856.42 per month.
This amount includes an allowance of $325.00 for shelter and $531.42 for support needs.
Since the shelter rate alone falls short of rental accommodation for most of the disabled population of B.C., how do they obtain the extras that the middle class working individual enjoys? Some have family, others caring friends or community groups who try their best to supplement projects like computers, specialized transportation or other "wish list" items and activities. What are they suppose to do? asks Robyn Hoffman. There is...
Asset Protection Seminar in San Diego
(ContentDesk) September 18, 2005 -- Most everything you need to know about asset protection planning will be described at a seminar on October 21, 2005 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California by Jacob Stein, Esq. a Los Angeles attorney and a nationally known expert in the field.Stein will explore the range of practical plans that can insulate individuals and businesses from existing or future creditors and plaintiffs, including community property, domestic and foreign trusts, corporations, limited liability companies, retirement plans and other ethical and effective tools.Stein also will explain in practical terms how specific assets common to most Americans can be protected, such as the home, bank and brokerage accounts, a business, rental real estate and retirement plans.The seminar, which is open to the public, is certified for continuing legal education for attorneys, CPAs and financial planners. It also is open to company executives and business and real estate owners....
Asset Protection Seminar in San Diego
Top 3 Costs Travelers Leave Out When Making Their Travel Budget.
Copyright 2006 B Hopkins
In spite of world events, travel is still an activity that continues to be extremely popular.
People will still have the desire to see new places and experience new things in the way that only travel can give them.
Because of the importance of travel, an affordable and relatively pain free experience is high on the traveler's adjenda.
A successful trip starts off with proper planning, but many beginner travelers don't realize that planning your travel budget, is just as important as planning your travel itinerary.
The more successful you are with creating a budget that will work for your itinerary, the happier you will be about your travel experience.
Outside of major mishaps that can occur during travel, such as bad weather, theft, and mechanical breakdown, there are some costs that many travelers forget to take into account when budgeting for their trip.
These are costs that can't usually...
Top 3 Costs Travelers Leave Out When Making Their Travel Budget.
Car Battery Cleaning Made Easy
Did you ever go to jumpstart your car, and notice that you can barely see your battery underneath all the gunk?
This 'gunk' is actually battery corrosion, which is formed by acid condensation.
Since this is formed by acid, a basic chemical solution will do the cleaning trick.
Battery acid is actually very easy to clean away with a common household item- baking soda!
But still, precautions must be followed.
This article will inform you step by step how to clean the battery while keeping safe.
First, you will need to gather supplies for this project.
Most of these items you may already have in your home.
Safety glasses or goggles
Box of baking soda
Adjustable pliers with insulated handles
Screwdrivers with insulated handles
A small, stiff-bristled brush (an old toothbrush will work just fine!)
Assorted small open-end and box wrenches
Small metal or plastic scraper ...
Finding the Right Home Rental in Lake Tahoe
There are a few patterns to consider when looking for a Lake Tahoe home rental.
You'll pay more for the houses near the ski areas in the winter time no matter the size and you'll always pay more for lakefront properties no matter what time of year. But if you can decide what you need (or want) and what you want to spend there are a multitude of choices for house vacation rentals in and around the beautiful lake.
High up on a hill, overlooking the western shores of Lake Tahoe sits an 8,000 square foot home visited by presidents, dignitaries and the merely wealthy. Built in the 1930s by a noted steel magnate, the house is now available for rent, ranging in price from $3,000 per night to $50,000 per month depending upon the season. It comes fully equipped with a full staff of cook, housekeeper, maid and butler, a choice of automobiles to use, a pool and down on the lake, the private boat dock with what can only be described as a "lake yacht" complete with a skipper...