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**Welcome Wagon:  finally introducing myself...  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 28 2007 : 3:50:44 PM
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Oh I am on the welcome wagon...but from a long...long...long time ago! I joined in 2005!
Alee
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for tying, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Bee Haven Maven
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
Beverly
Pennsylvania
USA
1862 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2007 : 11:39:06 AM
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Hello Teresa.....Well, if nothing else you can count on the farmgirls for support. I have never met such a caring, loving bunch of gals anywhere. It takes a lot of courage to introduce yourself like you did and lay it all out from the beginning. Best of luck with getting out from under....we will be here to listen, anytime you need us!! Welcome!
Keep Smiling.....Bev
Check out my shoppe at www.honeybeez.etsy.com
www.beehavenacres.blogspot.com , www.beehavenmaven.blogspot.com |
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Lavendar fields dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
1032 Posts
little monkeys mommy
washington
USA
1032 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2007 : 4:30:57 PM
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bumpity bump bump buuuuump
lavendar girl |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Jul 12 2007 : 7:23:17 PM
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rofl!!!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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MulberryMama
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Jill
Prospect Heights
IL
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 07:54:53 AM
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Excellent advice from Buttercup and Alee.
The is an old book (maybe from the 20's or 30's I think) by Og Mandino called the Richest Man in Babylon. It uses a parable to talk about controlling expenses, repaying debt, savings, and making your money work for you. I read it when I was saddled with college loans, a mortgage, and a load of unexpected expenses when my mother was sick.
It is so important to understand what you are using the credit cards for and what has made up the balance. If you think of the credit card as a loan from a bank, would you really want to walk into a bank and apply for a loan for a daily cup of coffee, a new dress and a bag of trinkets? But the credit card companies have made it easy for us, and we fall for it everytime, myself included.
Only you know how you spend your money (or the money borrowed from the bank). Cutting out the frivilous stuff or finding less expensive alternatives can help you live within you means.
In nutshell,
1) Cut your expenses.
2) Cut up the cards (you can keep one for true emergencies (if you have the willpower not to use it for daily expenses)
3) Save 10% of your income for the future, take 20% of your income to pay debt, and learn to live on the remaining 70%.
4)While it is easiest to pay off the smallest balances first, I would recommend focusing on those with the highest interest rates as these are costing you the most money.
5)If you can consolidate the balances to the lowest interest cards with out fees, do so. Just watch that some cards consider balance transfer under the same terms as a cash advance and charge special fees and an interest rate higher than that for purchases.
Good Luck. You can do this! It will just take a little time.
I wasn't born in a barn, but I was raised in one. |
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Amybug
Farmgirl in Training
40 Posts
Amy
Grand Island
Nebraska
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 09:25:56 AM
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Teresa,
I don't know if the following tip will help you, as I don't know your exact circumstances.
There are so many reasons people get into credit card debt. Sometimes it is unavoidable when a huge life-changing event occurs such as a serious illness, death in the family, job loss, divorce etc.
However, it also happens because we have such a consumer culture that urges us that we "need" things, when they really are "wants."
One thing that worked for an friend of mine who got into serious debt (due to overspending on non-necessities)was to completely stop shopping, other than buying what was absolutely necessary. She stopped going to the mall as an "activity." She also cancelled all catalogs that came to her house. In addition, when commercials came on TV, she would immediately mute the TV and/or walk out of the room. She found that not seeing things for sale stopped her "buy, buy, buy" fever. She and her husband also took the Dave Ramsey course and it has really helped them.
Speaking of the "buy, buy, buy" fever, the other day I was in the store to buy a rubbermaid tote for our recycling bin and I walked by the prettiest set of dishes that would look wonderful in my kitchen. They were rather expensive, but wouldn't you know, they were 30% off. However, since I have decided to go back to stay-at-home motherhood, they really are not in our budget, even with the discount. But boy, I had the fever. I was just about to put them in my cart, when I told myself to think about it, because the sale would last until Saturday. Well, wouldn't you know, the fever passed, and I am much happier with myself for not succumbing to temptation. Yes, I still want them, but I know that there will always be pretty dishes for sale and when I truly can afford them it will feel good to buy them (rather than the guilt that was coming).
Teresa, good luck on getting out of debt. With persistance you can do it! When you feel deprived because of the program to get out of debt, think of your dream of the lavendar farm. Every step you take to get out of debt brings you closer.
Take care,
Amy
"The secret to a successful life is to take the cards you are dealt and play your best hand with them." |
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Utahfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1940 Posts
Portland
Oregon
USA
1940 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 1:41:52 PM
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Nice to meet you formally, Teresa. Can't wait to visit your lavender garden.
Farmgirl hug,
Patricia
check out my etsy site http://ThePlayfulFarmgirl.etsy.com
Take me home, country roads |
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Lavendar fields dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
1032 Posts
little monkeys mommy
washington
USA
1032 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 1:57:18 PM
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thanks for the wonderful advice gals and most of the spending was on things that are no longer around gas food etc. all the advice is very helpful and things will get better. oh and i will have an announcement on the first page.
lavendar girl |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Jul 13 2007 : 5:52:26 PM
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Congrats on being pregnant! I am so happy for you! Nora will have another farm baby close to her age! Yay! How far along are you, sweetie?
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
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Lavendar fields dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
1032 Posts
little monkeys mommy
washington
USA
1032 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 5:31:45 PM
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ok gals does anyone else know of a non-profit foundation that will help with your credit cards and is trust worthy and legit. thank you sherone but i am not sure that they do it for washington state but if they do will you drop me a line and tell me how to do it. I am not always that internet savvy. thanks gals for all the advice
lavendar girl |
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UrbanChick
True Blue Farmgirl
331 Posts
Ayako
Atlanta
GA
USA
331 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 5:48:23 PM
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To find a legitimate counselor, contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, at www.nfcc.org or call 1-800-388-2227.
There is a guy here in Atlanta that is on the radio that is syndicated. His name is Clark Howard and he talks about NFCC all the time and says they are legit. You can go on their website for tips on credit or you can also see some tips at www.clarkhoward.com
"Courage dosen't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying: I will try again tomorrow." |
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mikesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3659 Posts
Sherri
Elma
WA
USA
3659 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 6:02:37 PM
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| Teresa - I know they have the credit counseling service in Western WA because I had a job interview with them - they were in Tacoma. I"ll have to think for awhile to remember their name, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had a branch in Spokane. |
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Lavendar fields dreamer
True Blue Farmgirl
1032 Posts
little monkeys mommy
washington
USA
1032 Posts |
Posted - Aug 15 2007 : 7:36:06 PM
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thank you gals
this is very helpful
lavendar girl |
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The Handmaiden
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Kim
Shreveport
Louisiana
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - Aug 16 2007 : 05:27:36 AM
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Welcome Teresa! As you can see it's "Farmgirls to the Rescue" here no matter what the concern is. Congratulations on a new baby coming too - nothing sweeter...except perhaps lavender.
"Faith shall finish all that Hope begins."
joan walsh anglund |
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**Welcome Wagon: finally introducing myself... |
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finally introducing myself...
