| Ideally, what comes in does not necessary all go | | | | the bright side, it's just until the crisis is over. |
| out to creditors. Unfortunately, most of us know, | | | | - Sell that extra car.Ways to reduce your |
| that is one of our better dreams. Sometimes we | | | | expenses: |
| find all our dreams shattered completely. Would | | | | - Refinance your home at a lower rate to reduce |
| you be prepared?Once upon a time, I was living | | | | your mortgage payment. But do it now because |
| the ideal life. I had an excellent paying job. Who | | | | the word on the street is that the Fed is going to |
| had to worry about finances or budgets? Ha! Not | | | | increase the interest rate again! |
| me. In fact, I never really paid much attention to | | | | - Increase your insurance deductibles. Then shop |
| price tags. I just knew I wanted it so I bought it. I | | | | around for better rates for your homeowners, |
| had money in the bank, a nice car and a swell | | | | auto, life and health insurances. |
| cushy condo.But, in a blink of an eye, my dream | | | | - Stop eating out and prepare your dinners at |
| life turned into a nightmare and I was totally | | | | home. |
| unprepared. It was very frightening and | | | | - Start taking your lunch to work instead of |
| intimidating to realize I had to do something | | | | buying it. |
| drastic. Consequently, I had to learn quick, fast | | | | - Shop with a grocery list and stick to it. Make |
| and in a hurry how to reduce my debts and | | | | your list using your grocery flyer and prepare |
| budget my money or I would literally be out in | | | | your meals based on the specials. Take |
| the street.Health problems forced me to give up | | | | advantage of buy one, get one free offers. Be |
| my wonderful job and every luxury that went | | | | diligent and don't buy what you really don't need. |
| with it. My savings dwindled and I went from | | | | Use coupons - most stores offer double the |
| riches to rags faster than greased lightning. The | | | | value. Buy store brands. Hey, don't shake your |
| shame of it all, what would my family and friends | | | | head. I save plenty that way! If I, the once upon |
| think? Oh poor me. What did I ever do to | | | | a time little princess, can do it so can you. |
| deserve this? This is so not fair!Turns out, I was | | | | - Cancel your memberships and magazine |
| my own worse enemy. My family still loves and | | | | subscriptions. Instead of going to the gym, take |
| supports me and my friends are still my friends. | | | | walks, exercise at home. Take trips to your local |
| As soon as I stopped feeling sorry for myself, I | | | | library for magazines, newspapers and books. |
| resigned myself to the fact that this is the way it | | | | - Stay home instead of going out for |
| was going to be, nothing in the world was going | | | | entertainment. Curl up with a good book from the |
| to change it and I had better learn to live with it. | | | | library and rent movies instead of going out to |
| Don't misunderstand me, it took quite awhile to | | | | the movie theatre. Take trips to your local |
| get to that point, but the point is I'm there and I | | | | museums and free places of interest. |
| didn't fall off the face of the earth. I still enjoy life, | | | | - Cancel that cell phone or reduce your monthly |
| my illness is not terminal, I'm just on a darn ol | | | | bill by lowering your peak hour minutes to the |
| budget. Grumble, grumble.Sound familiar? You see | | | | minimum and only use your cell phone in an |
| my friends, you are not alone. Hopefully you will | | | | emergency. |
| accept the fact, sooner than I; you have | | | | - Become a do-it yourselfer. Do your own home |
| absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Many, many | | | | repair and change your own oil in your vehicles. |
| families find themselves in the same boat. So | | | | Visit your local library for "how to" books. |
| come on, put on your life jackets and let's row, | | | | - Take a look at your utilities. Do you have any |
| row, row!If you've lost your job, there is, of | | | | water leaks? Lower your thermostat a few |
| course, unemployment. And, depending on your | | | | degrees and inquire if your electric and gas |
| circumstances, there are state and county | | | | company has a budget plan. |
| agencies that offer additional benefits especially if | | | | - Shop at garage sales, thrift stores, flea |
| you have children. It would be advantageous for | | | | markets and browse over the classified ads. |
| you to investigate the possibilities. You may | | | | - Shop at your dollar store for cleaning products, |
| qualify for assistance such as; locating a job, | | | | paper goods, and toiletries. Oh now, now be nice ... |
| temporary financial assistance, health care, food | | | | my dishes and clothes don't know the difference |
| stamps, clothing banks, shelter and | | | | and my teeth and hair haven't fallen out |
| transportation.Perhaps you've been spending more | | | | yet.There are so many other ways to reduce |
| than you make and you find yourself in a serious | | | | your expenses. Just exercise your common |
| financial situation. Let me share with you some of | | | | sense.Most of the time money problems originate |
| the ways you may be able to achieve some | | | | from our lifestyle choices. Before you buy |
| financial stability.Obviously, you need to set up a | | | | something, ask yourself if you really need |
| spending plan or budget. But at this point, it will be | | | | it.Establish a realistic budget and make those |
| of no value if you are robbing Peter to pay | | | | sacrifices to live within your limits. To me, peace |
| Paul.First and foremost you need to reduce your | | | | of mind costs a lot less than that new car I |
| debt and establish ways to save money. Once | | | | dream of owning. Who knows tomorrow I could |
| you've gotten your expenses inline, then develop | | | | meet Mr. Right or Mr. Down Right Filthy Rich |
| a viable budget. You must discipline yourself to | | | | *wink*Lex lives in Ohio and is originally from NJ. |
| stick to it or you will find yourself without that life | | | | She has three children and four grandchildren. Her |
| jacket and no boat to row, row, row.You'll need | | | | hobbies include reading, crafting and writing.She |
| to do two things. Find some extra cash and | | | | has been inducted into the TSWBA Bowling Hall of |
| reduce your debts. Here are some suggestions to | | | | Fame and is a two time TSWBA Bowler of the |
| help you achieve both. At the same time, you will | | | | Year. She is also a NJ Doubles and Women's All |
| be setting the ground work for your new | | | | Star Association Champion. Although she does not |
| budget.Ways to obtain cash: | | | | bowl now, she enjoys coaching young |
| - Have a garage or yard sale. I was amazed at | | | | bowlers.Currently, Lex is the financial advisor for a |
| the amount of money I pulled in. | | | | frugal living and sweepstakes group called "Our |
| - You might want to look for a second job. I | | | | Winning Circle". |
| know, I know. What a yukky idea. But look on | | | | |