Real Life Debt: The Personal Finance Blog

Getting the Most from Your Gas Dollars - June 30, 2008

Today at the local 7-11, I overheard a lady complaining about the rising price of cigarettes. Thirteen dollars and change for a cheap plastic lighter and two packs of the hard stuff. The exorbitant price of slowly killing herself should have been reason enough to kick the habit, but sadly no. This woman would continue to exercise her constitutionally protected freedom to contract cancer no matter what the cost. That got me thinking about the rising price of gas and what hapless commuters can..
http://www.reallifedebt.com/getting-the-most-from-your-gas-dollars-1-8193.html

Recession . . . or Back to the Future - June 30, 2008

Are you feeling the pain yet Many of the "authorities" deny that we are in a recession. Yet. However, we all know that things are getting a little tighter. We are working a little harder. Our pockets are a little lighter. And those credit card bills are -- well, we've avoided actually looking at those. We may not be officially in a recession, but our lives are the best barometers that we are in a recession. It's time to go back -- waaay back -- to the "old school." To the ideas that...
http://www.reallifedebt.com/recession-or-ba-8319.html

Is the Universe a Friendly Place - June 29, 2008

"I think the most important question facing humanity is, 'Is the universe a friendly place' This is the first and most basic question all people must answer for themselves." - Albert Einstein (read the story here) Do you think the universe is a friendly place Do you think those other drivers are out to hit your car, or was it just an accident Is every mortgage guy gonna try and rip you off, or are those types the exception and not the rule
http://www.reallifedebt.com/is-the-universe-a-friendly-place-8142.html

Forget Student Loans: Find a Scholarship! - June 28, 2008

Not only are debt-free scholarships a wiser way to pay for college, but the current student loan market is making scholarships look better every day. Major sources of funding for student loans are backing out of the business, particularly banks like the TCF Financial Corporation, HSBC Bank USA and the M&T Bank Corporation. With three of the fifty largest lenders out of the game, $560 million dollars worth in student loans is now inaccessible to the students who need them.
http://www.reallifedebt.com/forget-student-loans-find-a-scholarship-8184.html

The Zen of Money - June 27, 2008

I can't remember who said it, but this one little concept changed me forever. Money is water. If you think of money as water - because it behaves exactly the same - you would be far better off for it. So, what do I mean by money is water Well, there's a finite amount of it on the Earth, but far more than any one person could ever use or need. In this day and age, you pretty much can't go without having money at some point in order to survive.
http://www.reallifedebt.com/the-zen-of-money-8141.html

Coupon Clipping Isn't the Only Way to Save on Groceries - June 27, 2008

Yesterday's trip to the grocery store made me want to run away and join a commune, or at the very least start growing my own fruits and vegetables. Big aspirations but short on time, my chances of becoming Old MacDonald are slim and none. Yes, sharp increases in food prices have me pinching every penny. My hungry family of five consume at least twenty dollars more per week, not because we're buying more food or spending extravagantly, but because prices went up about 20% on everything in the...
http://www.reallifedebt.com/coupon-clipping-isnt-the-only-way-to-save-on-groceries-10-8312...

Cheap vs. Inexpensive - June 26, 2008

The smartest thing you can do before buying something is thinking. Just - think. What is the purpose of this thing you want to buy What do you really expect out of it And, most importantly - what retailer is going to give you the most bang for your buck
http://www.reallifedebt.com/cheap-vs-inexpensive-8140.html

Strategies to Strectch A Tight Gas Dollar - June 26, 2008

Today at the local 7-11, I overheard a lady complaining about the rising price of cigarettes. Thirteen dollars and change for a cheap plastic lighter and two packs of the hard stuff. The exorbitant price of slowly killing herself should have been reason enough to kick the habit, but sadly no. This woman would continue to exercise her constitutionally protected freedom to contract cancer no matter what the cost. That got me thinking about the rising price of gas and what hapless commuters can..
http://www.reallifedebt.com/strategies-to-strectch-a-tight-gas-dollar-11-8237.html

The Purpose of Annuities - June 24, 2008

At first glance, an annuity might seem like a great retirement solution for the average guy - especially if you happened to run into a large sum of money. Well, not so fast. I definitely believe annuities are not right for the average Joe or Jane looking to retire. They definitely have their purpose - and it is certainly not to be your sole solution for future planning.
http://www.reallifedebt.com/the-purpose-of-annuities-8139.html

Should I SAVE or get rid of debt - June 23, 2008

You should do both--save and eliminate your debt. Doing both is very important to your financial success. Doing both ensures your success in staying out of debt. I know all the arguments . . . there are those on the side of saving, and those that claim that hitting that debt is of the utmost importance. But I must say that doing both (at the same time) has garnered me much better results.
http://www.reallifedebt.com/should-i-save-or-get-rid-of-debt-8137.html