Debt Relief, Get out of Debt

How did you get in debt?

1. Why You Shop: Compulsive Behavior

Philippians 4:11-13
For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry of facing either plenty of poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.

The difference between impulse shopping and compulsive shopping is frequency. Impulse shopping happens when you find yourself, occasionally, faced with a purchase that's too tough to resist. Compulsive shopping is when you shop more often then you'd like, feeling unable to stop.

It turns out, there are four basic types of compulsive shoppers.

"Revenge addicts" shop as a way of getting back at another person, typically a spouse, with whom they're unable to communicate in any other way.
"Existential addicts" shop because the act of finding the right thing at the right price makes them feel important and gives their life meaning.
"Serial addicts" are people for whom compulsive shopping is just one in a series of compulsive behaviors like eating, drinking or drug abuse.
The fourth group shops to boost their mood—although in a much larger way than the people in our first group. When a compulsive shopper prepares to buy, her mood rises steadily—her heart quickens, her palms sweat. When she makes her purchase, her mood plateaus, then it quickly falls off. Her good feelings quickly evaporate and remorse or guilt sets in.

Proverbs 25:28
He who has no rule over his own spirit is like a broken down city without a wall.

Every time you approach the register ask yourself:

Why am I here?
How do I feel?
Do I need this?
What if I wait?
How will I pay for it?
Where will I put it?

You may just find you no longer want to buy.
The key to resisting is recognizing your behavior patterns in detail so that you can change them.

Taken from Christian Personal Finance.

12/31/2008

Forgot your phone charger

If you find that you have lost your cell phone charger or have left it at home; the hotel "lost and found" is a great place to find one for free. Ask the desk if they have one you can borrow during your stay. Save $$ where you can.

12/19/2008

Get FREE FICO score

I have been banking on line with Washington Mutual Bank. I just discovered that you can get a running month by month view of your FICO score. There are several other good tools to help in budgeting and so on. Take a look. Go to www.wamu.com

11/10/2008

Pay off credit cards

Pay off your credit cards, from the lowest balance to the highest or from the highest interest to the lowest. Click HERE send email and ask for a FREE Excel balance sheet. This sheet will automatically calculate all your income and expenses and give you an accurate account of spendable income for the month.

10/17/2008

FREE Excell Balance Sheet

Spread Sheet

Document every cent that you spend for the next 30 days. Categorize these items. Now that you have a list of everything you have spent during the last 30 days, transfer all you information onto this spread sheet. It is in Excel and it will automatically calculate your present budget. You will be able to see where you are spending money that could be saved, etc. To receive the Balance Sheet file, please send an email to familycare@cox.net requesting the Balance Sheet File. It will be sent to you without charge or obligation.