I was listening to The Cooper Lawrence Show podcast from Thursday night and one of the listeners called in with a credit card problem.  The caller is having a tough time right now making ends meet.  The credit card company keeps charging her late fees, which have caused her to go over her credit card limit, so in turn they’re charging her fees for being over the limit.  She can’t get ahead because of all the fees they’re charging her.  She has tried to call the company to work something out, but they keep saying like, “If you’d only give us $200.”  She told them she doesn’t have an extra $200, but the company just doesn’t seem to want to help her. 

Many people have found themselves in similar situations.  Here are some tips to help you handle your credit card debt:

1)  Ask for a one time courtesy waiver.  If you have been a good customer in the past, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t waive fees.

2)  Pay as frequently as you can.  Paying $25 a week is much better than paying $100 each month.  If you pay $25 a week, then that amount will be paid to the principal sooner and avoid more interest.

3)  Don’t ignore your debt.  Your debt is your ethical responsibility.  If you are having troubles paying your debt, then you should call the credit card company to see if they can work something out.  Ignoring the debt will only make things worse. 

3)  Don’t just speak to the first person.  The first person you talk to has been trained to tell you “no”.  Ask to speak to their supervisor.

4)  Document everything.  This includes every call you make to the credit card company, the date, time, person’s name that you spoke with, and what you were told.

5)  Pay your credit card payments last. You should pay your most important bills first - your rent or house payment, electric, phone bill, and then your credit card.  Many times the loudest voice is the one from the credit card company.  They usually scream the loudest and use manipulation tactics to scare you into making your payments.  Your debt is your obligation, but when times get tough, they are the last ones to pay.  You need a place to live and electric, but you don’t have to have a credit card.

6)  Find a way to make some extra money.  If you feel like you can’t breathe and you can’t ever get ahead, then try some ways of making extra money.  Get a job delivering pizza a few nights a week, even if it’s only for a few months.  Start going through closests and sell the stuff you don’t need.  Try Craigslist, ebay, a local classified paper (that has free ads), or have a yard sale.  Put all of that money towards getting caught up or paying off your debt.  In the past few months, I have sold sheets, kid’s clothes, my old vacuum cleaner, toys, and some other things.  I’ve brought in several hundred dollars.  It’s like having a second job.

7)  Get a credit counselor.  Dave Ramsey’s site is a place to look for help.  I like Dave Ramsey’s tips because they are practical ways that are effective.

8)  Freeze your credit if you’ve been the victim of identity theft.  Credit bureaus don’t let you know that you can do this though, because they won’t make money off selling your information.  Some states will let you freeze your credit before you become a victim.  For more information, take a look at Financial Privacy Now.

9)  Find out what’s causing the debt.  Sometimes it is caused from unfortunate circumstances such as unemployment or divorce, but many times it is from behavior and choice.  Are you an impulse shopper?   Do you buy more clothes than you need?  Repair the holes in your budget.

10)  Be leary of companies that offer a quick fix solution.   True debt help is not easy.  You need to fix behaviors that may be causing the debt.  Debt consolidations, bankruptcy, and credit repair companies sometimes are no help if behaviors have not been changed.

11) I am offering this one as a bonus, since it may be hindsight.  Hopefully it will help someone though.  Before getting a card, avoid getting a one from a company with a bad reputation.  In a survey from Consumer Reports, Providian rank the lowest.  Following right behind at the bottom were Capital One, Bank of America’s MBNA division and JP Morgan Chase. (source)

Do you have any tips to offer?

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Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Thursday night I will be on The Cooper Lawrence Show again to discuss some thrifty tips.  Tune in at around 9:20 pm.  If you don’t get the show in your area, you can tune in via livestream.  Cooper Lawrence airs Monday thru Friday, 7-10 pm.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Here’s some of the tips that have been discussed on The Cooper Lawrence Show lately.  Seriously folks, if you haven’t listened to their show, you really ought to.  Cooper, Chad, and Anthony are hilarious!  You can click on their site and listen to old podcasts or listen via livestream each night (like I’m doing right now).

75 Ways to Save Money

20 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

10 Ways to Teach Your Children About Money

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

For many, Christmas is a favorite time of the year.  Unfortunately, many times it can be the most stressful.  Here are 30 ways to help you save time and money, and avoid unnecessary stress. 

Gift Giving and Shopping Tips: 

1.  Let friends and family know things you’re shopping for.  When I do this, other people let me know when they spot a good deal on something I need.

2.  Be specific in your requests.  If someone asks what to get your child, try to be as specific as possible.  Tell them the exact name of the toy or their specific pants size.

3.  Ask friends and family what they want.  Hopefully, this will avoid countless hours shopping, racking your brain, wasted gas, extra unwanted products in the environment, and the hassle of returns. 

4.  Try gift cards.  Some people may think this is inappropriate, but I think it’s a great solution.  Gift cards save time, wrapping paper, shipping expenses, and help avoid unwanted gifts.  Let the person buy what they want.

5.  Save your receipts.  Get an envelope for your purse or have a special file folder in your filing cabinet.  You never know when you’ll have bought the wrong size or something that didn’t work. 

6.  See if your store offers a gift receipt.  I think it’s nice when someone includes a gift receipt in the box.  This avoids the uncomfortable situation of asking where they bought it or if they still have the receipt.  I’ll admit that many times I’ve been left with things I couldn’t use or return.  Gift receipts are great!

7.  Consider drawing names with co-workers or family.  We did this with my husband’s family for several years.  To make it more fun, we kept the names we drew a secret and were surprised when we exchanged gifts.

8.  Buy just for the children.  This is becoming a common practice in our families.  We buy for our parents and the children.  This has really cut down on spending and getting unusable gifts.

9.  Consider playing a game instead.  Try a white elephant or dirty Santa game.  Some games involve bringing a nice gift or a funny joke-style gift.  It’s funny to see other’s reactions when they get the gift you brought and it’s interesting to see the things others chose.

10.  Consider regifting.  I regifted some children’s toys for the shoeboxes we did for Samaritan’s Purse.  Here are some regifting tips.

11.  Be realistic.  Much of people’s Christmas shopping is for themselves.  And no one can blame you since there are so many good deals out there.  It’s important to realize that since you’ll be shopping, you’ll probably be picking up some things for yourself.  Budget those things in.

12.  Make a budget of what you really can afford and stick to it.  NO CHARGING!!!!  If you can only afford $20 per gift, then find a creative way to make those dollars stretch.

13.  Take the plastic out of your wallet.  Go ahead.  Do it now!  You don’t need a debt hangover come January when the bills come in.

14.  Make a list for each person.  Once you have your list and the grand total you can spend from your budget, you need to put a dollar amount next to each person’s name.  If the numbers don’t add up, you may have to drop some people off your list or reduce the dollar amount by each name—including yours—until it fits within your intended budget.   Take your list with you when you shop.  Use it when you make a purchase.  If you overspend on someone, you’ll have to make cutbacks somewhere else.

15.  Try homemade gifts.  (Don’t roll your eyes at me. lol)  There are some nice homemade gift ideas out there.  Martha Stewart and Better Homes and Gardens have some nice gift ideas that you can do yourself.

16.  Give baked goodies.  My mom is well-known for her homemade yeast rolls.  Is there something you’re good at making?  Make a big batch and use those for gifts.  You could find some nice tins or coffee mugs to put your goodies in.  My friend Revka has a recipe for homemade hot chocolate mix.  You could make that and put it in a nice jar with some pretty material and/or ribbon.  It’s very inexpensive to make.  If you’re stressed about time, then try making peanut brittle.  It can be made weeks in advance.

17.  Take a look at Sam’s Club, Costco, or other warehouse stores.  At Christmas time, they usually carry imported chocolates, food gift sets, bath products, toys, and other items at less expensive prices.

18.  Keep a gift closet or specific place for gifts.  This avoids you forgetting where you put things after you bought them.  (There is a certain person in my family that forgets where she puts gifts.  Sometimes I’ll get things out of the blue for no reason because she found them.  lol)

19.  Keep a few extra things in the gift closet.  These can be things that you bought on sale or clearance.  You never know when you’re going to need a last minute gift.  Of course, you should try to match the gift with the person so that you’re not just giving them something they can’t use.

20.  Check your local Good Will or other thrift store.  I have been into Good Will several times and found new items that are still in the packaging.  Many of them are overstock items that other stores donated.

21.  Know the person you’re shopping for.  When we would draw names at work, I would pay attention to the person’s dressing habits, type of jewelry they wore, and food they ate.  I would also ask someone that worked closely with them for some tips.  You want to buy a gift that the person will enjoy.

22.  Don’t wait until the last minute.  Don’t wait until December 23rd to do your shopping.  By then, things are picked over and you may end up buying something that you really didn’t want.

23.  It is not your job to keep up with the Jones’.  Happiness comes from being thankful and content with what you already have, not with how many possessions and gadgets you can accumulate.

24.  If you’re shipping your gifts, give them plenty of time to arrive.  You should ship them two weeks before Christmas.

25.  Check the dollar store for wrapping supplies.  Our Dollar Tree has Princess, Dora, and other famous character wrapping paper.

26.  Be sure you’re shopping on a secure site.

Decorations:

27.  Check the dollar store for decorations.  I have actually found Hallmark ornaments for $1.  They were from the previous year, but they’re still nice ornaments.

28.  Consider using an artificial tree.  Over time, this will save you money and will also avoid killing trees. 

29.  Put your lights on a timer.  You can probably pick up a timer for $10 or less.  Set your lights to go off and on at desired times. 

30.  Shop after Christmas for lights, decorations, ornaments, gift wrap, and other items.  I never pay full retail for decorations or gift wrap.  I wait until it’s 50-75% off and purchase what I need for the following year.

Top 10 Regifting Tips for the Thrifty

Do you have any tips to add to this list?

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Tonight I will be on The Cooper Lawrence Show.  I’ll be discussing ways to save time and money on Christmas.  The Thrifty Mommy segment should begin at around 9:20 p.m.    You can also listen via livestream on her site.  Wish me luck!  

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Most schools are back in session.  If you’re like me, then you’re trying to spend as little as possible to supply your child with their necessities.  Here are some tips to get your shopping done without needing to rack up credit card debt. 

1.  Take advantage of back to school prices on school supplies.  Get composition notebooks at 10 cents each, 2 glue sticks for 15 cents, a pack of pencils for 10 cents, folders for 10 cents.  My daughter’s pre-k class doesn’t have a mandatory supply list, but the teacher had some suggestions.  I bought 8 packs of glue sticks, 2 packs of pencils, and 2 packs of crayons for less than $3.  The savings are incredible.

2.  Buy enough school supplies for the entire year.  This is a big money saver that I learned from my mom.  At the beginning of the year, she would buy 20 packs of paper, many packs of pencils, etc.  We had a drawer in the house where we kept all the school supplies and when we needed more supplies, we would just go to that drawer to get it.  Why would you pay $1+ for paper later in the year, when you can get it for .25 now?  Spend the extra $25 and stock up now to save for later.

3.  Take advantage of tax-free weekend.  Many states now offer tax-free weekend good towards purchasing clothing, school supplies, and electronics.  Most stores have great sales going on during those weekends too.  You can really save a lot of money.

4.  Shop ahead of time.  Right now I am taking advantage of summer clearance sales and purchasing my children’s clothes for next summer.  I try to stay a year ahead and get things when the prices are the best.  I rarely pay more than $2-3 for their shirts or shorts.  Two weeks ago, I was at Belk and got Alligator swimsuits that were 75% off, then an additional 30% off with the red-dot clearance.  I paid $8 for two swimsuits (Dora and Hello Kitty).

5.  Inventory your child’s clothing.  During the summer children mostly wear shorts.  It seems once fall comes around parents start to panic because all their child’s pants are too short.  If necessary, have your child try on their clothes so that you can assess their clothing needs.  Make a list of what they have and what they need.  Then when you’re out shopping at the back to school sales, you’ll know what you’re looking for.

6.  Pack your child’s lunch.  Have you seen how much school lunch costs?  Not only are school lunches costly, but many times they are high in fat.  Get creative and pack a variety of foods for your child.  Today’s Parent has ideas for 25 sandwiches.  Thanks to Inside Motherhood for the link.

7.  Don’t snub open box or used electronics.  Just about every electronic device or appliance that we own was purchased 1) open box, 2) on ebay, or 3) on display/scratch and dent.  My stove has a dent on the right side, but it’s up against the cabinets, so it doesn’t matter and the dent saved us big.  Take advantage of open box computers, calculators, and other equipment that your child will need for school.  Many stores offer the same warranty on open box merchandise as they do new items.

8.  Limit the number of extra-curricular activities your child can participate in.  It seems like I heard this tip from Dennis & Barbara Rainey a few years ago and I think it’s a really good tip.  Some parents allow their child to participate in only one sport each year.  It avoids the cost of gas, uniforms, registration fees, and more importantly puts less stress on a family.  Some moms seem to never get a break because they are always running around carrying their child (and their child’s friends) to ball practice, rehearsals, game, concerts, etc.  Setting limits also causes your child to learn to prioritize. 

9.  Prepare the night before.  It seems in the mornings, something is going to go wrong.  To avoid being stressed, try to prepare as much as possible for the next day.  Have the kids pick out their clothes and shoes, pack the lunches, file papers, get homework together, put bookbags by the door, etc.

10.  Make a family calendar.  Put all appointments, sports schedules, teacher workdays, etc. on one calendar.  You can even use different color inks for categories.

11.  Teach your kids to take care of their stuff.  When I was teaching middle school, I would find pens and pencils every day.  Before long, I had a huge collection that I would share with the students.  I’ve found lunch boxes, coats, and other valuables that some students would not claim.  I still use a Nike jacket that I found years ago.

12.  For musical instruments check Sam’s Club, see if you can borrow one from the school, or rent one from a local music company.  You may not want to buy an instrument just yet anyway, because you may not know if your child is going to like that instrument and stick with it.  Also try Shar Music.  They seem to have some good deals on instruments. 

13.  If you have older children that need to purchase books, look for used ones.  Check online at Amazon or another site that sells used books.  See if there is a bulletin board at school used for posting used books and equipment.  Better yet, borrow the book, calculator, or other needed item from someone that already took the class.

14.  Put an ad on Freecycle for the things you need.  This really works.  My friend just had a baby and she got almost everything she needed from Freecycle. 

Back to School Tips from some of my favorite bloggers:
12 Tips for Backpack Safety
Top 5 Ways to Make This an Organized School Year
5 Back to School Sanity Savers
Healthy Lunch Box and Snack Ideas
Cover That Text Book
Where to Find Cheap School Supplies
5 Ways to Get Your Kids to Talk About School
Back to School Blog Carnival

Other Back to School articles:
Back to School Lunch Tips
Fun School Lunch Ideas

Do you have any back to school tips for saving money?  Please share them.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

If you can’t listen on the radio, then perhaps you can listen online.  Just go to Cooper’s website and click to listen via live stream.

The interview will be Thursday evening around 9:20 pm.  I hope you’ll be able to tune in. 

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

10 Ways to Get Chores Done While Hanging Out with the Kids (congratulations, Kelly!)

Ten Ways to Clean with Baking Soda

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

 If you missed my interview with Cooper Lawrence, you can still catch it on her site.  Here’s what you do:

• click here
• Go down to the bottom of the page under “How do I do it?”
• Under #2, click on the words “this link” to launch iTunes.  If you haven’t already, you can download iTunes (it’s safe).
• The iTunes screen will come up with a list of the Cooper shows.  Click on the show “8/2/07 Thursday Hour 3″.  Before me is “Bad Day Thursday”.  It’s about 15 minutes long and then I’m up.  My interview is about 20 minutes. 

If you don’t want to listen, you can just catch the grocery store tips here.  Rumor has it that I’ll be on the show again.    Stay tuned for more Thrifty Mommy tips.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Big news!  I’ve been asked to be on The Cooper Lawrence Show this Thursday during the weekly Thrifty Mommy segment.  If you can’t listen on the radio, then perhaps you can listen online.  Just go to Cooper’s website and click to listen via live stream.

The interview will be Thursday evening around 9:20 pm.  I hope you’ll be able to tune in.  I pray I don’t get nervous and sound like a babbling idiot.  lol

Post from: Thrifty Mommy