Free Credit Report Repair Guide

So a co-worker of mine mentioned that February tends to be a slow month for retailers because most Americans are recovering from the “hang over” spending they did during the holiday. Credit usage during the holiday is as much apart of the holiday season as the Christmas tree itself. This is unfortunate.

I say this because our family used to be one of the millions of American family’s who bought gifts that weren’t in the budget and relied on Credit to get what we wanted. This year 2006, would be different. We had a game plan. Start saving early and start shopping early.

The game plan, put $50 a month aside for Christmas. In theory we would have $600 to spend on gifts. We tried to look for “deals” through out the year, particularly at Costco. We started buying gifts in late summer. By the time December rolled around we had 95% of our gifts purchased! And it was all done with cash no credit!!

What did we learn? Reduced stress by planning ahead. We didn’t go into debt for the holidays. Established a game plan for next year, which worked. We already have a couple things we want to buy at Costco next week for Christmas gifts.

This post wasn’t meant to be we are better than you at all. In fact we are just like you but this year we really wanted to make a change, which started with a spending plan. This rolls into the biggest part of having good credit, create a livable budget where you can afford to pay off debt and not just pay the minimums. This allows for timely payoff of credit and fosters responsible spending.

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Are you Drowning in Debt?

What do you do if you find your self drowning in debt? Swim like hell! I mean it! You must do everything in your capacity to swim your hardest to get your head above water. I know the weight of debt can feel so heavy, like a concrete block attached to your feet. You fear the weight will pull you to the bottom of the ocean

It does not have to be that way. I know. I have been there. With a little education, a game plan and a lot of motivation you can get your head above water. It takes consistent action and time.

Many before you have been in the same situation and have found a way to over come their financial troubles. So, if debtis crushing you take a deep breath and start to fight back. Little by little you will start to crush your debt.

Read as much as you can on debt and debt reduction. Make a plan and get really motivated to set yourself free. Take daily actions to make your freedom happen.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

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Here is the video everyone is looking for: Kirstie Alley on Oprah

What does this have to do with debt reduction? Read this post.

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We were watching the news coverage of Vote 2006 this morning and in between races coverage a story about Kirstie Alley aired. Alley had made a deal with Oprah she would come on her show wearing a bikini. So what’s the big deal? Well a year ago Alley weighed in over 220 pounds. She had let her weight spiral out of control.

A year ago she was eating over 8,000 calories a day! That’s more than 4 times the recommended daily intake for a woman of her size. She did not exercise. She smoked. She ballooned past 220 pounds. Forget the vanity aspect of gaining that much weight, it’s just plain unhealthy to eat like that. You are putting yourself at a great health risk.

Once Alley realized she had let her weight get completely out of control, she decided to do something about it. It was time for a change. A very big change. She set a goal of getting into a bikini in a years time and doing it on the Oprah show. This means she would have to shed over 70 pounds in less than a year’s time.

To do this she needed a game plan. So she drastically cut her caloric intake and made smart food decisions. She hired a personal trainer to help her stay motivated and teach her the right way to work out.

Let’s fast forward to this week. She is now 145 pounds, stopped smoking and feeling great. I forgot to mention she is 55 years old!

So what does this have to do with getting rid of debt? Everything! Being deep in debt is much like being 220 pounds over weight. To gain that much weight you had to have some very bad habits. To be deep in debt you also have to have bad habits or unfortunate circumstances.

Loosing 75 pounds in a year takes a couple things. Look how Alley did it:
First you have to realize there is a problem.
Next you have to make the decision you will get rid of the weight.
You make a game plan and get educated on how to loose the weight.
You take daily action to reach your goal.
You stay motivated. In her case she hired a personal trainer.
You celebrate the small victories as over time they will add up to one big win.

This is exactly what you need to do to get out of debt.
Realize there is a problem
Make a decision to change your financial situation
Educate yourself on how to reduce your debt
Take action
Stay motivated.

In time you can achieve your debt free goal.

When I talk to people about debt reduction the two hardest obstacles to over come are finding accurate information about debt reduction methods and staying motivated.

Please use this free blog to get accurate information and Motivation. Check out other sites I link to for motivation as well. I once was in a debt hole so deep I thought I would never get our but using the simple steps noted above. However overtime I have been able to crawl out of my terrible situation. It takes a plan, action, motivation and time.

I applaud Kirstie Alley for her courage and dedication! I truly take this as a source of motivation and inspiration in my life. See the video Here.

P.S. To day is Election Day in the U.S.A so please go out and vote. Exercise your right as an American to vote. Today is a day we get to stand up and voice our opinion. When I was 18 my dad said to me; “if you don’t vote than you have no right to complain if the government does something you don’t like.”

Voting is patriotic. So get out and cast your ballot.

Technorati Tags: Vote 2006, Kirstie Alley, bikini, Oprah show, debt, debt free, debt reduction, Election Day