LivingAlmostLarge - trying to live large  ...one step at a time

Gazelle Intensity

March 3rd, 2010 · 7 Comments · Debt

Again Grace at Graceful Retirement asks a great question, are we failing if we aren’t gazelle intense?  It simulated a lively discussion about debt.  She mentions two very different scenarios, one someone spending money on a vacation when they have consumer debt.  However the offendee (Beks) says it only delays her debt pay off by [...]

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A new strategy?

February 26th, 2010 · 3 Comments · Credit Cards, Debt, Mortgage

An interesting article on US News was titled “forget the mortgage, I’m paying my credit card bill…“  A recent study by transunion credit company showed that out of Americans who are current on their credit card bills, and increased 6.6% of them fell behind on their mortgage.  And the number of consumers behind on their [...]

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Living below or within your means?

February 8th, 2010 · 3 Comments · Savings, budgeting

At savingsadvice, a forum I read, I read an interesting article explaining the difference between living below your means and living within your means.  The difference is that people who live within their means are able to meet all their monthly obligations.  But they are not necessarily saving for the future or for any unexpected [...]

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Suing Debt Collectors

January 27th, 2010 · 4 Comments · Debt

Wow, these folks take the cake.  This article talks about how people run up debts and then file lawsuits against debt collectors to not only get out of paying their debts but get money to boot. 
Now these are not stupid people, nor are they running a scam.  Turns out what they are doing is [...]

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Intimidated by Budgets

January 21st, 2010 · 10 Comments · Debt, budgeting

A friend/commentator said that they got into debt because they were intimidated by getting started on budgeting.  Sounds weird right?  But I wonder how many people fall into this trap and it snowballs into a bigger and bigger debt?
How this happens?  Well it happens because you know you make a good income, and have low [...]

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2009 Wrap Up

January 7th, 2010 · 1 Comment · Debt, Spending, budgeting

Since I use pear budget I can see how I stuck to our budget for the year or not.  I can also plan accordingly for 2010 based on our spending in 2009.  Since I do an annual budget broken down monthly, this is the most important time for my budget.  I don’t worry about going [...]

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Ever be debt free?

December 28th, 2009 · 13 Comments · Debt

Will you ever be debt free?  If so when?  How?  Why?  I think there is a stage in everyone’s life in the US that being in debt is normal.  When?  When you buy a home.  In your 20s and maybe 30s, you could be debt free if you rented and paid off your student, car, [...]

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Spending Triggers?

December 23rd, 2009 · 3 Comments · Debt, Spending

Many people say getting out of debt is like losing weight.  It’s a long term lifestyle change which takes times to implement and stick to.  Getting out of debt and living on a budget is like forever living on a diet to manage your weight.  It’s so easy to yo-yo and gain and lose weight [...]

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Is cash only better?

December 15th, 2009 · 8 Comments · Credit Cards, Debt

CNN Money had an interesting article about 5 families who live only on a cash budget.  They don’t use CC, but use a debit card for some.  I found it interesting and very cool to see the reasons why people switched to cash.  How it helped them get out of debt and manage their budgets.  [...]

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Debt or Retirement?

November 20th, 2009 · 7 Comments · Debt, Retirement

A question people always ask is, should I stop retirement contributions when I am getting out of debt?   And the general answer is usually split down the middle.  You have people who say yes, and those who say no.
Here’s my take to that statement.  You always have to save for retirement.  You have to get [...]

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