Bad Credit Blog

Sounds cliché I know. Save money for the holidays. But did you know that the average American will spend about $791.10 this year on holiday gifts (including food and decorations), according to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation?

What’s more, consumers will also plan to spend on average $99.22 on gifts for themselves!

If spending $890 isn’t in your plans (and don’t forget to add credit card interest to the total), it’s time to get smart before you get trapped. Here are some ways to save money during the upcoming holidays.

1. Try A Non-Traditional Tree To Save Money For Presents
   • Cut your own tree! If you live near a National Forest, contact your local Forestry Office to see if they sell Christmas Tree permits. My son lives in Northern California and his family does this every year. It’s cheaper than buying from a lot and you can make a family day of going out and picking your own Christmas tree!

This is not an endorsement of Christmas Tree farmers who let you cut a tree for yourself. Those places are usually more expensive in which case you’ll actually save money by going to the local WalMart shopping center and picking a pre-cut tree.

1. • Get a well-made artificial tree. All the major retail stores sell them and if you spend some time checking them out you can find some very realistic looking trees.

I bought one last year - an 8-foot tree for about $100.00. That sounds like a lot but if you figure the average real tree costs $40 to $50, this one is paid for in two years and could last a lot longer than that. If you take your time and look around (not just Target and WalMart) you can actually find trees that look so real it’s a little unnerving.

Here’s a tip: DO NOT buy the artificial trees with the built-in lights. The lights only last a season or two and they are too hard to replace so you end up throwing the whole tree out every couple years.

2. Brave The Post-Thanksgiving Crowds!
   • If you’re not faint of heart, you can actually save money by shopping the Friday after Thanksgiving according to Ellie Kay, author of several money-saving books, including The Debt Diet. Kay is a firm believer in bargain hunting and has done so for years. She says, “I often start at 5 a.m. and finish about 9 a.m. just in time for breakfast and a nice cup of coffee.”

Kay suggests that you shop strategically. “Plan your day in advance, and then read through the sales circulars on Thanksgiving so you’re well prepared. Be sure you know the store opening times, which often are as early as 5 a.m., and watch for the fine print regarding popular items such as ‘until stock runs out’ or ‘available to first 100 customers.’” If you have a bargain-minded buddy she also suggests you take them along. My wife had two of those that she loved to shop with. She said these friends could sniff out a bargain a mile away!

Thanksgiving sales are a great way to save money on holiday gifts, plus you get the first choice on some really nice gifts, not the “sloppy seconds” most stores have about a week before Christmas.

3. Use Up Store Credits And Gift Cards
   • I’ll bet you’ve wondered why gift cards are so popular with merchants. It’s not for your convenience but theirs - up to 70% of those are never used! Some of them expire after a certain date, which means the money is theirs to keep and you never actually purchased something. If you still have a gift card the holiday’s are a great time to use it before you forget about it again.

This is a great way to save money AND keep you on a budget! If your card is only good for $50 try to keep at or under this amount so you don’t dip into your own pocket.

4. Don’t Shop For Yourself
   • I know it’s tempting - the old Madison Avenue mentality, “You deserve it, you’ve been working hard.” Remember that National Retail Federation report that the average shopper will spend $99 on themselves. Take yourself off the list and save money. Wait until AFTER the holidays then take the gift cards you’ll probably get and use them on yourself with the after-Christmas sales!
5. Shop Early Online
   • This is a great tip if you know you will have trouble controlling your spending. Avoid the mall and do targeted online shopping. No need to wait till Thanksgiving, this type of shopping you can do all year and put the items away till the proper time.

Lots of online stores offer free or discounted shipping (plus most of the time you don’t have to pay sales tax). I just recently discovered that KBB toys would offer you $20 off or free shipping (whichever is cheaper) on your purchase if you agree to a 90 day billing. Who wouldn’t do that!

6. Keep A Running List Of Things You Want And Shop For Them Throughout The Year As They Come Up For Sale
   • Many times the perfect gift will be on sale after Labor Day for 50% off. You can save money by taking advantage of that and pocketing the difference. The same thing for After-Christmas sales - they are the same online as at the mall plus you avoid the temptation to over-spend.

Look for opportunities to save money and you will find them. Instead of paying full retail you can get them for practically wholesale and save money all year long.

For more credit help, please visit our site. We have been there and know how bad credit can affect everything, including your health. Take a look!

If you know someone struggling to quit smoking we found a great site that offers genuine  help. You can Quit!!

Here is a great site for some wonderful Spiritual articles, short stories, plays, family stories, Bible studies etc. Check it out.

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day. I knew he was deep in credit card debt. When I enquired how things were going with his New Years Resolution to get out of debt he hemmed and hawed and finally told me it wasn’t going very well.

They were supposed to sit down and make a Simple One Month Budget but his wife and he just never seem to get around to it. Confidentially I know it’s because he thinks if they budget their money they won’t have the freedom they think they have now to buy things when they want them. But the truth is, by having so much credit card debt they are never really free at all.

They can’t take any big, fun vacations with the kids. They want to own a home, but can never save for a down payment. And getting a new car is not anywhere in the near future because they don’t have any money to spare on a car payment.

So they fill themselves up with TV’s they don’t need, clothes that don’t get worn, etc. etc.

This got my wheels spinning because I have been in credit card debt in the past; maybe you have too and can identify with what I’m about to say. Here are some of the dumbest reasons for NOT getting out of debt.

1. Our credit card debt is all (his or her) fault. Money is the #1 reason for divorce in this country. Instead of taking personal responsibility they play the “blame” game. One of you needs to provide some financial leadership. It’s not always the man’s job (or woman’s). It’s whichever has the best head for money management. The other partner needs to cooperate.

2. Credit cards are the only way that I can get what I need. (Translated: want). What is really needed is a budget. We have provided both a Simple One Month Budget and a 12 Month Budget that are guaranteed to work if you really want to get out of credit card debt. If you are in too deep then try a credit counselor. Credit counselors will structure your debt so that you’re debt free in three years. How great would that be!

3. Spending makes me feel good. I love being spontaneous! I’m not a psychologist but I have read of people that get a high from spending. There’s also a section of people who get the same feeling from shoplifting. If you fit this get professional help. Someone once told me that they feel “free” when they spend. They are lying to themselves, they are not free, but rather a slave. Don’t be foolish!

4. If I get too deep, I’ll get another credit card with 0% and transfer the balance. Well, duh! That’s so unintelligent that I won’t comment!

5. I’m not paying “that” much in interest. Oh, really! If you run an average credit card bill of $6,000 and if that amount remains level for a year and your interest is 21% which is average for this type of person, you are spending approximately $1500 in interest charges alone! AND that’s just for one year of credit card debt. Einstein’s definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over expecting different results”. Still think you don’t need help (LINK)

6. I don’t think I can ever afford to retire; besides I love my work. I’m not sure our Creator ever intended us to completely retire as we see it done today. But consider what would happen to you or your family if a disaster should happen. You’ve got to have an emergency fund, otherwise you’re just one paycheck away from being homeless!

7. I’ve had credit cards so long now that I don’t think I can live without them. You can and you must if you ever want to be free. There is nothing wrong with using a credit card occasionally for an emergency. However a night out is not an emergency. If you can’t handle a credit card responsibly, then don’t carry one.

Let me make a confession; When it comes to credit card debt I am no different than you, so I don’t carry my credit cards. I carry a debit card only most of the time and always know exactly how much I have in my checking account so I don’t overdraw. I know all too well the lure of “free money.” But using credit cards obligates you to spend a portion of your pay each month to pay those cards off. Money you could use for a lot of other things!

If you need help with your credit card debt we have it. Our site is dedicated to helping people with bad credit get the help they need. Don’t keep fighting month after month to just keep up with the bills. Take some simple steps right now to start paying them off completely and you’ll find that the real adrenaline rush comes from having extra money in your pocket (and bank account)!

For more credit help, please visit our site. We have been there and know how bad credit can affect everything, including your health. Take a look!

If you know someone struggling to quit smoking we found a great site that offers genuine  help. You can Quit!!

Here is a great site for some wonderful Spiritual articles, short stories, plays, family stories, Bible studies etc. Check it out.