Slave To The Lender

15 Weeks and Counting…

Lesa — Thu, 31 May 2007 02:33:27 +0000

Well as of a week ago, we are official graduates of Financial Peace University. And just like traditional schooling, now comes the hard part - continual application of what we’ve learned. We are definitely off to a good start. After just 15 weeks from when we began the class (including proper use of a tax return, sale of a riding lawnmower, and delving into a couple of Ebay auctions) Bryan and I have officially eliminated $10,600 in debt. (more…)

Universal Default–When “Fixed” Is Not Fixed

Bryan — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:04:30 +0000

The credit card companies are always coming up with some scheme to extract more money from you and me. Universal default is yet another one of these shady tactics. Are you at risk? (more…)

Prosper.com–The New Payday Loan?

Bryan — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:12:17 +0000

I have recently been intrigued by a lending site called Prosper.com. The concept is not new–peer to peer lending–but this is the Internet’s first foray into this. I don’t see something like this competing seriously with banks and credit lenders, but I do see this as a serious option for users of payday loan services. (more…)

FPU–Session Three

Bryan — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:02:44 +0000

At last, the monthly ~~budget~~ cash flow plan is done! This week’s session was extremely informative–we talked about money and relationships. Since I am married, I can use all the help I can get. In our family, my wife is the “nerd”, and I am the “free spirit”. Unsuprisingly, she is also the saver, and I the spender. (more…)

Take This Job and Shove It

Bryan — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 04:47:40 +0000

One thing I am really looking forward to when I am out of debt and living within my means is the ability to decide what I will or will not put up with at the workplace. Right now I am so dependent on my job that I am very unlikely to ruffle any feathers. It sure will be nice to be able to stand my ground without having to bluff. With a fully funded emergency fund I can really speak my mind.

Getting Term Life

Bryan — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:24:19 +0000

Based on many recommendations, I am getting a term-life policy for my family. Most of what I have read recommends 8-10 times your annual salary. I chose 8x. My work provides 2x term life, but if I change jobs that policy goes away. (more…)

Bargain Web Hosting

Bryan — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:29:10 +0000

When I set this site up, I used GoDaddy.com as I had seen their commercials and their price couldn’t be beat. However, I quickly realized that their economy plan was very limiting. I have another domain other than this one and I was interested in running them on the same hosting account. With this plan that isn’t possible. So I searched out FatWallet and found a solution. (more…)

Angel Food Ministries

Bryan — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:36:19 +0000

Through the discussion forums on My Total Money Makeover, I learned about a great way to purchase food for our family. It is called Angel Food Ministries, and they have been around since 1994. I haven’t had a chance to order from them yet, but I am looking forward to doing it next month. They take orders through a local church near the beginning of the month, and then deliver the food to that church for pickup near the end of the month. Here is an description of what they do from their website: (more…)

FPU–Session Two

Bryan — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 15:38:02 +0000

We went to the second session of our FPU class last night. The topic for this week is cash flow planning — the dreaded “budget”. This word brings up some unpleasant thoughts for so many people. When you spend all of your money on paper, there is no question where it is going. Doing a budget airs dirty laundry, so to speak. (more…)

Joel Maxwell’s Story

Bryan — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:33:15 +0000

I often come across other blogs relating to debt, but this one really stood out. Joel Maxwell went into serious debt. Serious in the amount of $556,848. In little more than a year he has cut this number down to $365,568. When I read stories like his, I am really inspired by his courage and faith. If he can get out from under this monster, then I can get out from my measly $38,000.