Dont Let The Good Times Bury You

It is vital to get rid of debt while things are going well. Yet the opposite is usually the case. Human nature is such that when we find ourselves living in good times, we let down our defenses. With our lives going great we seem to make the worst decisions. It's not hard to understand why this happens. We believe things will always be better in the future, "When I'm done with school, When I get a better paying job, I'm sure I will get that promotion."

With this attitude, that extra lump sum of money, or the raise at work, is used as a springboard to increase your personal debt. After all you can now afford better this, bigger that. You assume in your linear view of life that tomorrow will take care of everything. You don't become concerned with your debt load, until you no longer can make the payments.

When you begin to feel the squeeze of debt, you want some quick fix to get you out of trouble. Unfortunately there are no quick fixes for debt that will leave you (or your credit report) unscarred.

But why should it be any different from other areas of your life? If you know a food will give you heartburn you take a pill and, "presto," you may eat any thing you like. If you can't find time to exercise, just take a pill and watch those pounds melt away.

The economy is built on the same "I want it now," principle. If you want an item, you just whip out the plastic. You need it now. You will figure out later how to pay for it. When your plastic can take no more, you want out of debt in an easy way. You begin looking for the magic pill. Unfortunately the drugstore closed a long time ago.

A woman, who I know casually, had no problem taking on more debt because she saw herself able to handle the extra payments. She reasoned, if everything remained the same she could handle the drain on her income. So she bought some expensive gift items on her cards and began making the monthly payments.

She found out rather quickly she could not see into the future very well. Her car gave out on her. The repairs exceeded the value of the car. She needed one for work, so she bought another.

The new payment wiped out the tiny cushion she had each month and also made it impossible to pay on her credit cards and store accounts. Today she finds herself hounded by her creditors and unable to pay them anything.

What she should have done, and what you should do, is pay off your debt while you can and not take on any more. Whatever extra you have each month should be applied toward getting out of debt in a systematic way. Until you are debt free, you should order your life to make it a top priority.

Life's pressures are more easily handled without money worries dogging you. Then when those big promotions, with those big raises come along, you will be trained to put some aside. And without debt to take care of, you can. The goods times then, truly, will be the good times.

(c)2004 David Wilding

David Wilding has worked with individuals and groups to help them get rid of debt. He has, for the past ten years, attempted to change attitudes toward and the acceptance of personal debt. Visit his website http://www.debtattack.com for more ideas, tools, and strategies to make yourself debt free.

In The News:


Country's External Debt Doubles
AllAfrica.com
By Sebastian Mrindoko, 23 May 2012 TANZANIA'S external debt has more than doubled to 9.78bn US dollars (about 15.6tr/-) when compared to the 4.45bn US dollars (about 7.12tr/-) recorded soon after implementation of Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative ...

and more »

Debt Consolidation Site Introduces New Small Business Debt Solutions
Empowered News (press release)
A debt consolidation website provides an advantage to budding or old small businesses through small business debt relief solution. Adriana Spears directs you to a website where you could find help in solving your debt problems.
Credit Counseling Site Announces Its Debt Settlement Service As One of the ...PR Web (press release)

all 4 news articles »

Govt Awaits Oil Revenue Amid External Debt Rise Loom
AllAfrica.com
By Samuel Sanya, 22 May 2012 There are many reasons as to why Uganda needs to quicken the commercial production of oil, but top on the list is the reduction in donor aid and the faster walk out of debt. Uganda's external debt has grown steadily from ...

and more »

Publisher seeks relief from debt
Boston.com
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt filed for bankruptcy protection Monday as part of a deal with its creditors to eliminate $3.1 billion in debt, and the Boston-based publishing giant said the restructuring will allow it to invest in new ventures.

and more »

DebtConsolidation.com Helps Over 100000 Consumers Choose the Best Debt ...
MarketWatch (press release)
NEW YORK, NY, May 21, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- DebtConsolidation.com, the top-ranking debt consolidation company, today announced that the company, in conjunction with quality debt relief companies, has helped over 100000 consumers deal ...
Will consumers take on personal credit card debt to make business purchases?Debtmerica Relief
Growing Blog by Mel Thompson Is for Consumers Looking for Relief from Debt ...SBWire (press release)

all 6 news articles »

Bloomberg

Euro Falls to 22-Month Low After EU Leaders Clash on Debt Sales
San Francisco Chronicle
May 24 (Bloomberg) -- The euro fell to the weakest level since July 2010 against the dollar after European leaders clashed over joint bond sales at a summit and offered no immediate relief for recession-wracked Spain. Europe's 17-nation currency ...
German Bonds Decline After EU Leaders Summit as GDP Expands 0.5%Bloomberg
European shares up; China growth hopes boost miners, autosReuters

all 247 news articles »

Guest opinion: Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 to expire; act now
The News-Press
Homeowners faced with the loss of their home need to take positive steps to avoid severe income tax liability due to the looming expiration of the Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007. The MDRA was enacted with bipartisan support and signed into law by ...


Maryland offers tax relief on debt forgiveness
Baltimore Sun (blog)
Maryland will step in with its own relief if the federal tax break disappears. Under legislation signed into law yesterday, Maryland won't collect state income tax on up to $1 million of forgiven mortgage debt for singles, and $2 million for joint ...


Women, Children and the Challenges Debt Presents
PR Web (press release)
The providers of CareOne Debt Relief Services, thought leaders in the debt relief industry, recently published an infographic exploring recent trends for women with children in debt. There is a need for financial education for women dealing with ...

and more »

National Association of Tax Debt Resolution Companies to Set the Record ...
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
TRS CEO Michael Rozbruch among tax relief experts convening to unearth challenges and polish an image tarnished by unscrupulous acts of a few bad tax actors Encino, CA (PRWEB) May 17, 2012 The National Association of Tax Debt Resolution Companies ...

and more »
Google News

How to Choose a Debt Settlement Company

As consumer debt continues to spiral out of control, debt... Read More

New Bankruptcy Law ? Five Essential Things to Know

Last April, Congress passed the Bankruptcy Abuse and Consumer Protection... Read More

Mandatory Credit Counseling for Those Considering Bankruptcy

Most Americans are aware of the sweeping changes in U.S.... Read More

What the Mail on Sunday Said

Anyone considering Bankruptcy may have experienced fear after reading an... Read More

How To Get Out Of Debt

If you have found yourself in a position where you... Read More

Bankruptcy - Is It The Right Choice For You?

Bankruptcy is one of the tougher choices we as adults... Read More

Debt Free Living - 5 Tips To Get Out Of Debt

A few times I wonder what sort of credit system... Read More

Help to Get Out of Debt

Debt Help is the stepping stone to debt elimination and... Read More

New Bankruptcy Law Makes it Harder to Stop Foreclosure

On October 17, 2005 President Bush's sweeping bankruptcy reform law... Read More

What Does A Bankruptcy Trustee Do?

Once you file bankruptcy a court appointed bankruptcy trustee will... Read More

The First Step To Getting Out Of Debt: Make The Commitment!

These days, getting into debt is easy.Unfortunately, getting out of... Read More

Deal with All Your Debts with Care!

Lots of people take a large ammount of loans and... Read More

Debt Elimination 1

If you have multiple debts, you may well be wishing... Read More

Think for a Change

I'm not sure where it originated, but I've heard it... Read More

How to Negotiate Debt Settlement

People over extend themselves financially as a result of a... Read More

Mr. Cheapies Frugal Budget Tips

So you feel like a hamster spinning your wheel? The... Read More

Credit Repair - Understanding The Basics

What is Credit?Credit means that you are using someone else's... Read More

Learn The 15 Debt Elimination Steps You Must Take Immediately!

What Everybody Needs To Know...Learn The Truth About Debt Elimination... Read More

Pay Off Your Student Loans and Reduce Your Debts

Financing a college education is one of the more expensive... Read More

Credit Card Debt: How to Get Rid of It

This method is simple, but requires some discipline.First, you have... Read More

Reducing Debt Before Its Too Late - How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Creeping Debt

Reducing debt usually isn't a high priority for people until... Read More

Whatever You Do....Dont Save Money!

No, that's not a misprint. Even though falling interest rates... Read More

Life on a Debt Management Program

Signing up for a debt management program is easy; it's... Read More

New Bankruptcy Legislation May Make it Harder to Find an Attorney

The recently passed Bankruptcy Abuse prevention and Consumer Protection Act... Read More

Debt Free and Carefree

Are you still clearing a mountain of debt amassed last... Read More