Credit Card Basics

Credit card companies are in the business of making money. Obviously, they do not offer loans and lines of credit to consumers out of the goodness of their heart. They expect you to use their cards and to keep balances on them over a period of time, thereby providing them cash in the form of finance charges. Luckily, it is possible to outsmart the credit card companies at their own game by taking advantage of the best credit card offers, such as cash back rewards and balance transfer options.

Credit card companies are in the business of luring customers in to applying for their cards. Common hooks include low interest offers and promises of instant approval. While there is nothing inherently wrong with these easy and cheap credit cards, consumers need to weigh their options carefully. For example, those cardholders that spend regularly on their credit card but are unable to pay the debt off each month should choose a credit card with a low interest rate. It is best to look through the many options available to find the one with the lowest APR for purchases. At the same time, the cautious consumer sets a goal for when the balance will ultimately be paid in full in order to avoid becoming overrun by debt.

Credit card companies are counting on consumers to use only their card to make all of their purchases. Consumers that dedicate all of their purchases to just one card can be making a mistake - while making the credit card company very happy. For example, when a consumer uses a balance transfer card to make purchases, they are playing right into the credit card company's hand. When the consumer pays back these loans, the payments are purposely directed by the credit card company toward the interest-free or low interest loans. In this way, the high-interest loan remains on the card longer - building additional finance charges the entire time. Therefore, a consumer utilizing a balance transfer card should use it for just that - balance transfers, and nothing else.

The same concept is true with low-interest cards. A card with a special low interest rate on purchases should be used when making purchases. Similarly, a card with a 0% APR can actually be used to make money for the consumer. Consider this: what if a consumer withdrew all of the money from his or her credit card with a 0.00% APR introductory offer and placed the money in the bank? While in the bank, that money collects interest. When it comes time to pay off the balance (which is when the introductory period ends), the necessary money can be sent to pay off the credit card and the rest of the money can be kept as profit.

Choosing the right card for the right purpose will ensure more money is saved. And, if executed properly, can even make money for the credit cardholder.

Credit cards are vying for consumers to use their card. After all, the more people out their spending money on their cards, the more finance charges they collect. In order to persuade new customers to switch to their card, many offer special introductory balance transfer offers. There hope is that consumers will transfer their balances and get rid of the old card altogether.

Smart consumers can take advantage of this battle. Those carrying balances on other credit cards can transfer their balances to those with special introductory APRs on balance transfers. Ideally, the balance transfer card should not charge fees for balance transfers. In addition, the longer the balance transfer lasts, the better the card. By transferring balances from cards with higher interest rates to those with 0.00% interest rates, the consumer is essentially making the new credit card company pay off the debt owned to the other card. Once again, this balance transfer card should never be used for purchases, unless the introductory rate also applies to purchases.

For those that do pay their entire balance in full at the end of each billing cycle, it is important to look at the other features offered by the credit cards. Many offer special rewards programs, which include access to gift certificates to restaurants, theaters, and retailers. Yet others offer free or reduced travel, with many working in conjunction with airline miles rewards. Still others provide cold, hard cash rewards to cardholders. Rewards credit cards tend to have higher interest rates than those without a special program. Therefore, the smart consumer will only use these cards if he or she can pay the balance in full each month. In this case, the consumer can make money off his or her credit card.

It is best for consumers to stick with only major credit cards rather than store cards. Store cards offer attractive instant approval programs, making it tempting for consumers to apply for a card and spend, spend, spend at the store - all on the same day. This type of impulse spending is exactly what the stores are hoping for. To make it even worse, store credit cards have higher interest rates than major credit cards. The only time these cards should be used is when they offer special discounts at the store when applying for the card and the consumer had already planned to make a large purchase there. The balance needs to then be paid off immediately in order to avoid high finance charges. Once again, this forces the credit card to work for the consumer rather than the consumer working to pay off large debts.

Article found at http://www.creditcardassist.com/cardbasics.html

Credit Cards: How many is too many???

You may sift through your stack of credit cards and wonder if you have too many. Or, if you're considering opening new credit accounts, you want to be sure it won't affect your credit before doing so. The best number of credit cards is one of those questions that doesn't have a one-size-fits-all type of answer.

 

Do You Have Difficulty Managing Credit Cards?

 The more credit cards you have and actively use, the harder it will be to manage your payments. You need to have the ability to track your credit cards, including payment due dates, interest rates, fees, and charges you've made. This is easier with just a few credit cards – like one to three – but becomes increasingly difficult as the number of credit cards exceeds five. Still, it depends on your own ability to manage your credit cards.
You can use an online tool like TrackCards to help manage your credit card payments.

Do You Have Too Many Cards?

If you're just starting out with credit or rebuilding your credit, one credit card is enough. You need successful experience managing a credit card before taking on additional credit responsibilities. As you get that successful experience and consider opening additional credit cards, think about your ability to pay and track your credit cards.  Before you close any credit cards, first make sure the cards you close won't hurt your credit score.

Is Your Credit Utilization High?

Your credit utilization (30% of your credit score) is your total debt divided by your total credit. So, for example, if your credit card limits total $5000 and your credit card balances total $2000, then your credit utilization is 40%. Ideally, your credit utilization should be less than 30%.  The more credit cards you have, the more temptation you have to charge purchases. As your credit card balances increase, your credit utilization goes up. So, one way to keep your credit utilization down is to keep your number of credit cards and balances down.

Just keep in mind that there is not a set number... only you can decide how many cards you can balance!

Information found at http://credit.about.com/od/usingcreditcards/a/numcreditcards.htm

Credit Card Tips

Credit cards make spending far more convenient for the consumer than writing checks or paying with cash. Nearly every business accepts credit cards, even fast food restaurants. So, more and more, people are utilizing their credit cards and leaving their cash and checks at home. But, there are some risks involved with using credit cards - namely the ability to easily creep further and further into debt without realizing it. Luckily, there are many steps a credit card holder can follow in order to prevent falling so far into debt that there is no way out.


Don't Ignore the Credit Limit
Nearly every credit card, whether they are airline credit cards, instant approval credit cards, reward credit cards, or credit cards for college students, has a credit limit. As a responsible cardholder, it is important to be aware of this credit limit and to never overspend. Going over the credit limit can result in hefty fees and also removes the freedom and flexibility a credit card allows because there is no room left for additional purchases. This can be particularly upsetting if an emergency situation should arise.

Some credit cards do not have a predetermined credit limit. For these cards, and even for cards that do have a set limit, it is a good idea to establish a personal credit limit. This credit limit should be well below the credit limit established by the credit card company. Remember, most credit card companies calculate the minimum monthly payment based on a percentage of the balance. Often, this is 2%. If the balance becomes too high, it may be difficult to pay the minimum balance.

Of course, paying just the minimum balance each month is not enough to get out of credit card debt. Therefore, the cardholder should take care to only charge what he or she is able to pay back within a reasonable time. In addition, the credit limit set by the credit cardholder should be substantially below the credit limit established by the credit card company. That way, there will always be room left on the card in case of an emergency.


Avoid Unnecessary Spending
Even cheap credit cards with low APRs and little or no fees can create an insurmountable credit card debt if not watched closely. It is easy for cardholders to get swept away by the shopping bug, particularly when it is so easy to do with a credit card. One way to avoid impulse shopping is to simply leave the credit card at home. Many people carry several credit cards with them at all times - this is only asking for trouble. Keeping the cards at home makes it easier to resist temptation. Of course, credit cards are good in emergency situations and, as such, many cardholders want to keep a card with them for this purpose. If this is the case, the cardholder should only carry a card with a low credit limit so large purchases cannot be made.

Cardholders also need to be weary of high-pressure sales. Radio and television ads are designed to make products seem irresistible. Cardholders should give it some time before deciding to make a purchase and allow themselves to think it through. In fact, shopping in general should be avoided for those that are shopaholics. The word "Sale" gets many cardholders' pulses racing. Consumers need to be sure to avoid making purchases just because they can save some money with a coupon or a discount. If this means avoiding the stores, then that is what needs to be done.

Another option is to use a secured credit card. Many credit cards for college students are secured. This means the money is sent to the credit card before it is used. Once the available money is used up, the card cannot be used anymore until more funds are added. These cards can make it much easier to keep track of expenses and prevent overspending. Credit cards with a low APR are also a good choice. These cheap credit cards help prevent creating large finance charges, which only serve to make the debt more difficult to overcome. Carrying only cash is another great way to keep credit card spending to a minimum.

Along with determining a personal credit limit, it is also a good idea to create a budget and to make a list of things that need to be purchased. Creating an itemized list with projected costs can help the cardholder determine what items really do not need to be purchased. The list should also be adhered to in order to prevent impulse buying. It is also a good idea to save receipts and to review them weekly and monthly. This gives the cardholder a good idea of how much he or she is truly spending on the credit card.


Choose the Right Card
There are many cards to choose from, but it is best to learn as much as possible about each card. For business owners, it is important to compare business credit cards. For those looking for a reward credit card, it is a good idea to sort through them to find the best cash back credit cards or best reward credit cards. On the other hand, those with balances on cards with high APRs should seek out the best balance transfer cards. The credit card should work for the cardholder, not against him. Therefore, the cardholder should actively seek the card that has the most to offer and that best fits his lifestyle.

Article found at www.creditcardassist.com/tips.html

Prevent and Repair Credit Card Debt

A credit card is a very delicate instrument because it requires a level of responsibility and financial maturity that not all consumers have. After all, using a credit card means paying off the debt within the next month, throughout the year, or simply in a series of periodic payments. Of course, finance charges are building up in the meantime and, if you fail to make a scheduled payment, your credit report will suffer. The following article describes ways for consumers to avoid building up credit card debt, and if necessary, methods to repair the damage already incurred from excessive credit card debt.

Keeping Grounded in Reality

Whether the cardholder intends to pay the credit card balance off within a short period of time or to stretch it out for awhile, he or she must be continually aware that this money is borrowed money. Often, credit card holders look at their credit as additional cash in their pocket. This is when the troubles start. While using this credit as if it is earned income, it is building up finance charges and increasing the cardholder's debt burden.

This is why it is very easy to lose control of a credit card. It requires discipline and knowledge of the basics of personal finance in order to prevent the creation of an overwhelming debt. This is why young adults are typically the ones that get into the greatest amount of trouble when it comes to credit card debt.

Estimate Your Earnings

So, if a cardholder finds himself in the difficult situation of owing money that he won't be able to pay back any time soon, he needs to establish some parameters in his life. To do this, he must first make an estimate of his annual earnings.

Once this has been determined, he must then calculate all of the different costs of maintaining his lifestyle. This includes ALL expenditures -- rent, insurance, gasoline, car maintenance, food, clothes, medicines, entertainment, school, and life's little luxuries.

If, after making this estimate, the cardholder finds that he spends more money than he earns, then there is a huge problem. The reality is that he has been living an illusion provided by the credit card. If the cardholder makes more than he spends - great! This means he will not have to make big adjustments in his life in order to pay the card.

Create a Plan

Whether you are living above your means or not, you still need to create a plan. So the primary question to ask is how am I going to pay for the card?

The easiest way to develop a plan for paying off the card is to determine a fixed amount of money that you can pay off each month. The amount you select should allow you to still pay your other bills. After all, it doesn't make sense to stop paying an insurance policy, for instance, in order to pay off a credit card debt. Similarly, you should still allow yourself some money each month to buy the "extras" that you enjoy if there is enough money leftover to do so.

Unfortunately, all of this planning may not be enough for the bank if you have already fallen behind on your payments. In this case, the credit card company may cancel the credit card and consequently report you to the credit bureaus. That's a pretty serious situation because it damages your credit and takes away the convenience the credit card provides. After all, without a credit card, you cannot make purchases online with many retailers and you won't even be able to make reservations for a car rental or for items such as airline tickets. Therefore, it is absolutely critical to develop a plan before you start to fall behind in your payments.

Take Advantage of Prepaid Debit Cards

If you have really hurt your credit or you know you simply cannot be trusted to monitor your spending, you might want to consider applying for a prepaid debit card. With prepaid debit cards, you can still enjoy the convenience of card ownership but your spending will simply be restricted to the amount of money you prepaid on the card ahead of time, or a portion of that amount. This can help ensure that you spend only what you can pay for. Equally as important, there are several prepaid debit cards that will actually report the activity of their customers to the 4 major credit bureaus, helping to improve or reestablish your credit if you have previously damaged it from failure to pay your debts.

Once you have proven yourself to be reliable with your prepaid card, which may take a couple years, the bank may offer an upgrade to an unsecured credit card. In this case, you will not longer need to make payments ahead of time and an actual line of credit will be extended to you.

Article found on http://www.creditcardassist.com/

Five Simple Ways to Prevent Credit Card Debt

Article by Jeremy M. Simon


1. Establish a budget and then follow that budget exactly.  In other words, don't be tempted to charge that plasma TV to your credit card on a whim when you haven't budgeted for it this month.


2. Carry a credit card balance for no longer than six months. Beyond that point, the compounding of simple interest can produce a very expensive balance to pay off.  If it helps, think of your credit card balance as a snowball that grows larger as it rolls downhill.


3. Know what you're doing with reward credit cards. Holders of these can end up spending more than the reward itself is worth if they don't pay attention to the fees and interest associated with their credit card.


4. Get a low interest credit card if your credit card's interest rate is excessive. The better your credit, the lower the rate for whichy you will qualify.


5. Be aware that balance transfer credit cards' teaser rates won't last forever. Six months is common now. The "normal" rate will return sooner than you think, so use that interest-free period to aggressively pay down balances.


Article found on http://www.creditcards.com/

Credit Cards- The Do's and Don'ts

Most of us aren't born knowing how to use credit cards. Still, it’s important to learn the rules of the credit card game – preferably before you start playing. These do’s and don’ts of credit card usage encourage healthy spending habits for new and experienced credit card users alike.

Don't  

• Use your credit card to make everyday purchases. Items like food, clothing, and gas shouldn't be purchased with a credit card. Using your credit card as a substitute for cash is a habit that can quickly lead to debt. For ordinary puchases, leave your credit card in your wallet and use cash or debit card instead.
• Get into the habit of making minimum-only payments. Making only the minimum payment each month increases the amount of time it will take to pay off your debt. It also increases the amount of interest you end up paying. To pay your debts off quicker and cheaper, you should pay as much as you can on your balance each month.
Five Reasons to Pay More Than the Minimum
• Use your credit card to buy things you can’t afford. Living a borrowed lifestyle is the quickest way to get into debt. If you can’t afford a purchase today, chances are you won’t be able to afford it tomorrow, or even next month.
  Spending Habits That Lead To Debt
• Close out a credit card without knowing how your credit will be impacted. There are times when closing a credit card can hurt your credit score. Avoid closing cards that still have a balance or those that make up a significant amount of your credit history.
  Five Credit Cards You Should Never Close

Do  

• Make wise decisions about purchasing items you need versus those you simply want. We’ve all used the word “need” to describe something we really just wanted badly. Using your credit card responsibly means recognizing which things you need and which you just want.
• Let your creditor know in advance if you won’t be able to make your monthly payment on time. The worst thing you can do is simply forgo your credit card payment, no matter the reason. Most creditors will assist you if you let them know before you miss your payment. Simply call your creditor, briefly explain the situation, and ask that any late fees be waived.
  When You Can't Make Your Payment
• Stay within 30% of your credit limit. A large part of your credit score considers the amount of debt you have. Keeping your balances low helps you maintain a good credit score. Not only that, lower balances are easier to manage than those that are higher.
  How Your Credit Score Is Calculated
• Negotiate a lower interest rate. Especially if your current rate is higher than offers you receive. Your interest rate determines how much you pay for carrying a balance on your credit card. Evaluate the interest rate on your credit card periodically to be sure you are getting the best deal possible.
  How to Negotiate a Lower Interest Rate

Article found on http://credit.about.com/od/creditcardbasics/a/dosandonts.htm

How to Eliminate Credit Card Debt

Credit card debt is a major problem in this country. While not everyone has a credit card, those that do typically carry a balance. The interest rate on a credit card balance is usually between 10-30% APR. These high interest rates make it difficult for people to pay down their debt -- especially if only making the minimum payment. In fact, just making minimum payments can make even the smallest balance over a decade to pay off and thousands of dollars in finance charges. It’s no wonder getting out of debt seems so hard.
Fortunately, you can get out of debt. If you follow a few basic steps and put a plan in place, you can work to pay off your debt sooner, with less interest, and improve your credit score in the process.

1. First, list each of your credit cards. You’ll want to include the outstanding balance, interest rate, and minimum payment. This information can easily be found on your last monthly statement.
   
2. Order the cards on the list so that the credit card with the highest interest rate is at the top, and the lowest is at the bottom.
   
3. Total the minimum payments.
   
4. The total monthly minimum is your absolute lowest monthly payment, but remember, we want to pay more than the minimum in order to repay the debt quickly. So, take a look at your budget and see how much extra you can come up with each month in addition to the minimum. Whether it’s an extra $20 a month or $100, every little bit helps.
   
5. As your payments come due, pay the minimum on each card except for the one at the top of your list. Remember, that one has the highest interest rate and it costing you the most money by maintaining a balance. So whatever additional money you budgeted in the previous step, apply that to that card.
   
6. Continue this process until the first card is paid off. When that card is paid off, continue with the minimum payments on the other cards, but now take the amount you were paying on the first card in addition to the minimum payment and apply it to the second card on your list.
   
7. Repeat this process until all cards are paid off.

Why This Works

To understand why a relatively simple process works it’s important to understand how minimum payments work. Minimum payments are calculated as a percentage of the outstanding balance. That means as your card balance slowly decreases, so does your minimum payment. This is why it can take ten years or more to pay off even a small balance if you only make the minimum payment each month.
With this system, your monthly payment is remaining constant regardless of your balance. So each month your required minimum payment may go down, but you’re ignoring that and by doing so you apply more and more money to your principal as time goes on, thus accelerating your debt repayment.
Starting with the highest interest rate ensures you’re targeting the most costly credit up front to minimize the total amount of interest you pay.

A Few More Tips

While this payment strategy will help you get out of debt, you can potentially make things go even faster with a few other tips. First, call your credit card company and ask about getting your rate lowered. This won’t always work, but if you have been on time with your payments and a decent credit score, they may be willing to work with you. It doesn’t hurt to try and it doesn’t cost anything. The worst they can do is say no.
Don’t forget about balance transfers. Again, it isn’t always easy to get credit and the balance transfer deal may not be the best, but if you can find a way to transfer the balance from a card with a 25% APR to a card with an 18% APR, that’s still something. There may be some special 0% offers as well, but they are harder to come by these days and the hidden fees may outweigh the benefit.
Finally, keep in mind that this process still takes time. There is no magic method of paying off debt, so realize that it will still take months or even a few years to become completely debt-free. But what we're doing is putting a process in place to make sure that you can get out of debt as soon as possible. You can speed up the process if you continue to pay even more money towards your debt as your budget allows.

Article found about.com

It's Time to Develop a Budget

You ask people about the importance of developing a budget and most will tell you that it should be done. Yet very few people do it. Why?

Most people are simply not inclined to use spreadsheets, balance checkbooks or lay out a formal budget. There are many reasons for it, but the most important is that we associate “preparing a home budget” with “tedious, boring, complicated and taking too much time”. No wonder we don’t do it!

Making the effort to outline their expenses against their income can have huge rewards. In fact, it’s critical if you want to get out of debt. You need to know where your money is going. You can also identify trivial expenses that when cut out, can leave some money to pay off your debts.

Your budget should include your monthly income, and everything you spend your money on on any given month. Yes, you need to keep track, and we cannot stress it enough. You should also leave room for unexpected expenses that may come up.

You can use spreadsheet software, either from Microsoft ( MS Excel) or a free one from Open Office.org or Google Docs. If however, you don’t feel comfortable using spreadsheet software you can just use a legal-sized pad and a calculator. You don’t really need to get fancy here, the main idea is to know where your money is going.

If you decide to do your own spreadsheet on a piece of paper, divide the page into two columns. In one, list income; on the other one write down all monthly expenses. You may want to refer to your bank statements so you don’t miss any expenses.

In the expenses column make sure you include all your monthly bills like water, phone, gas, car payment, cell phone, groceries, cable, tuition, etc. Then add at least 10% for unexpected expenses, if you can.

Make it a priority to get out of debt. Set a realistic goal to get out of debt and then start saving the money you are now paying on interest. You can live the life of your dreams if you decide to pay off your debts and start saving towards your retirement. You can do it, it takes knowledge (look at the Debt into Wealth program, it’s a must-have to get out of debt in record time), perseverance and discipline.

Don’t listen to people who are deep in debt; look for people who saved money and follow their advice. Use your own judgement when shopping. And decide today that you will do whatever it takes to enjoy a debt-free life. You deserve it!

Article found on www.overcome-debt.com/developing-a-budget

8 Steps to Reducing Credit Card Debt

1. Take stock. Before you start reducing your credit card debt, know where you stand, says Cate Williams, vice president of financial literacy for Money Management International, a large, national credit counseling firm. "A lot of people will say they've got a certain amount of debt -- $9,000, let's say -- when in reality, it's $11,000 or $14,000." You'll never hit your target if you don't know where it is, so be brutally honest with yourself.
Action plan: Write down the debt -- and the interest rate -- on every card you have.

2. Improve your rates. The quickest way to save big on your credit card bills is to negotiate a lower interest rate. If you can shave off even a percentage point or two, you can save hundreds as you pay off your debt. A simple phone call and a polite request may be all it takes. While your credit score will play a large role in whether or not you get a rate cut, it's not the only factor. "Every lender has their own approach to this issue," says Weston. "It never hurts to give it a shot."
Action plan: Call up each credit card company and request lower interest rates.
3. Track your costs. Write down all your regular, committed expenses (mortgage, utilities, insurance, car payments, minimum credit card payments, phone, gym, cable, etc.), and track other variable expenses such as restaurant meals, entertainment and travel. This will serve as the foundation to your budget.
Action plan: Study up to a year's worth of credit card bills and bank statements to get an accurate sense of your monthly spending, and keep tracking your expenses with a notebook or financial software.

Credit card videos
For more on this topic, check out this video: Credit card debt warning signs

4. Create a budget. It's time to take an ax to some of those expenses. The key is to be realistic: You'll have to make some sacrifices, but you don't need to live on bread and water.
"Cutting back can be more effective than cutting out," says Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, a leading accrediting agency for credit counseling firms. "It's hard to adjust your lifestyle too dramatically, and often, little adjustments can add up to big savings." Cutting out a single pizza dinner each week, ratcheting down your gold-plated cable plan and changing your thermostat by a few degrees can give you the jump start you need. Be sure to give yourself a bit of breathing room in your budget in case an unexpected expense pops up.
Action plan: Write down three ways you can cut back immediately, and cancel or downgrade some services. Divide your monthly discretionary budget into weekly allotments so you'll have a better handle on whether you're staying on track.

5. Choose your payoff strategy. There are two common credit card payoff strategies. The first is to plow all your extra cash into the highest-interest card while paying the minimums on the others -- which is the fastest way, overall, to lower your debt. Once the first card is paid off, you have even more extra cash, and should apply it to the card with the next-highest rate, and so on, creating a debt payoff snowball effect. A second strategy is to pay off your card with the lowest balance first while continuing to pay the minimums on the others. Though this is not the most cost-effective way to banish your debt, it's the fastest way to eliminate debt on a single card, and it can be a psychological boost to eliminate a bill for good.
Action Plan: Choose your strategy, then rank cards in the order you'll pay them off.

6. Stash your plastic. In 2000, MIT researchers took two groups of students and dangled scarce Boston Celtic tickets in front of them. One group was required to pay cash; the other was asked to pay by credit card. The credit card crowd was willing to pay more than twice as much, their research found. "I've seen people save 20 percent when they begin paying with cash," Cunningham says. "They become more contemplative of their purchases."
Action plan: Store your credit cards where you won't have easy access to them -- but don't cancel them. Plan to pay in cash whenever possible.

7. Find your motivation and support. Create concrete goals to stay focused. Maybe getting rid of debt will allow you to save for a down payment on a house, go on a dream vacation or stop worrying about every bill that hits your mailbox. Weston recommends finding a community to swap stories, successes, and challenges. "A forum where you can feel supported -- where you can say ‘I'm so tired of trying to save money' can be really helpful," she says. "Sometimes it can feel really dumb, but it's nice to be with people who are trying to do that same thing you are." There are hundreds of personal finance bloggers and forums where you pull up a virtual chair.
Action plan: Write down your goals and keep them in your wallet or purse. If you get tempted to overspend, take a look at them to remind yourself of the bigger picture.

8. Track your progress. While you don't want to spend every day fretting over your bills, keep an eye on your spending. "Revisit your progress every few months," recommends Williams. "You don't want this to consume your life. It took you awhile to get into debt, and it's going to take you awhile to get out of it."
Action plan: Put reminders in your calendar to check up on your finances. Keep the page with your starting balances, and compare them to check your progress.


Article by Erin Peterson