Things That Keep You In Debt

I mentioned in my most recent post that I was still seeing myself in some debt. The sad thing is that I got lots of it paid off and then the balances just crept back up. So, what keeps someone in debt for so many years? I know that it sounds kind of stupid, but I am not the only person out there who can't keep things debt free.

However, the things that keep up under that mountain of debt vary from one person to the next. For me, it is all about crazy awesome travel (for the most part) and lots of coffee cause I'm always caffeinated. I mean, this lifetime Starbucks giveaway really wouldn't even last me half my lifetime, that's how much coffee I drink! If only I'd spent all that money on Starbucks stock instead of coffee drinks and travel and then maybe I wouldn't be in debt again!

For other people, the things that they spend all their money on can include lots of different things like:

• kids
• home repairs
• autos
• gambling
• collecting things
• DVDs and music
• electronic gadgets
• dining out
• nights out on the town, going to the movies, etc
• concert tickets
• and many other things

Going forward, I do not really see myself putting a dead stop to the amount that I spend on things like coffee and travel. And it is the same way with a lot of people. Why? Because the last thing that you want to happen is that you cut out all of the fun in your life just to save some money and pay down debt...and then you die unexpectedly before you even get to enjoy being debt free.

So, if you're not going to change your spending on the things that you enjoy, then how do you pay down your debt or get yourself debt free? Easy. You find ways to make more money. This can be looking for a job that pays you more per hour. Or it can be taking on second jobs. You may even want to start a business or get a few side jobs to increase your income. Just don't spend a lot of money to get that side income cause that will defeat the purpose.

For me, I am adding a few side hustles to my monthly income sources after getting the idea from this book. Hopefully, by adding in some additional sources of income to my bank account each month, I will be able to finally get that debt down and keep it down.

Still in Debt After All These Years

You know what's funny in a tragic way? You start a blog about getting out of debt and along the way you actually end up getting your debt down and you stop blogging because you do not really have anything else to say on the matter. Then, fast forward a few years and you're almost right back where you started. Back in debt. The balances and creditors are different but everything else is the same.

Well, that is where I am at right now. Exactly. Sure, I am back in debt. However, my income amount per month has risen, so while I have debt again it is not as debilitating as it once was. So, what does that mean for me?

It means that I am back on the wagon of paying down my debt as quickly as humanly possible. However, it does not mean that I am doing the Dave Ramsey rice and beans and beans and rice meals. No reason to get poor nutrition just because you are trying to be in super beast debt pay down mode. Besides, fresh veggies can be just as cheap and a lot better for you than rice.

How to Read a Credit Report

If you are getting ready to review your credit report you may want a refresher on how to read the credit report. You may get your credit report by mail in a hard copy form or you may opt to view an electronic version of your credit report online.

The top of your credit report will list your personal details, including your address and current or past employers.

The next part of your credit report is typically a credit summary. It is a summary of all that is in the credit report. It will show things like how many total accounts are on the credit report, how many accounts are open, how many are in good standing, how many are not in good standing and so on. Public records are also listed, which includes things like a bankruptcy.

All of your accounts and data about your payment history makes up the bulk of a credit report.

At the of all of that is where the credit inquiries section is located on your credit report. Any time you have applied for a credit card or loan you will see it listed in this section of your credit report. The info stays here for 2 years.

If there is any incorrect information on your credit report you can dispute it with the credit bureau. The dispute process will be listed on your credit report somewhere.

Laura Pausini World Tour

I'm getting pretty excited. Why? The Laura Pausini World Tour 2009 is in the US. And I have tickets for the concert tomorrow! She does not come to the States often. So when I get to see her in concert it is VERY exciting for me. Just wish I had the cash to go to all of her US concert dates!

Leaves are a fallin'

Took a drive through the mountains in PA today. Looks like the leaves are already turning. It was a windy day so they were all over the place too. It is always so pretty when the leaves turn. But it gets me to thinking about how Xmas will be here before you know it!

Time to get a pumpkin!

Well, now that it is officially October I can get a pumpkin! Side note - is anyone else weirded out by seeing Xmas stuff in stores? It is just barely October!

Looking forward to fall. And roasted pumpkin seeds!

Hating PayPal - What are my options?

Well, now that 2CO is out I had to change payment processors.

Again.

I looked into Authorize.net. However - it is hella expensive. Just like a real merchant account.

So, I gave in and tried Google Checkoout. It seems easy enough. But I am not a fan of them holding money for 60 days.

I may have to end up sucking it up and using PayPal again. Ugh.