DebtFreeIQ.com: debt reduction guide to freedom

Ever since World War I and the Great Depression that followed, the American government has kept track of its citizens spending and saving habits. The results did not become frightening until the 1960‘s, when, all of the sudden, spending started to outpace savings. Debt reduction did not seem to be massive problem yet, but today tells another story. All it takes is one glance at our government’s massive deficit to recognize that Americans are addicted to spending, even if they don’t have the money to do so.

Over 50 percent of American society spend more than they earn or save. This translates into too many Americans waiting for each payday and still winding up short when they go to pay the bills. They may have cars that cost more than a full college education, but if for some reason they didn’t have income for a certain amount of time, they’d go downhill very quickly. It doesn‘t matter what tax bracket you‘re in; you probably have some form of debt, and eliminating that debt is always going to be a good thing. Once you’ve made the decision to reduce whatever debt you do have, you’ve chosen to take control of your life and financial health.

It really isn’t just financial health, though; debt can impact your body. When debt and the worries that accompany it start to recede, your blood pressure and stress levels plummet as well. Why run your body further into the ground? All it takes is a commitment to change.

How to alter bad behavior

When someone has made keeping up with the Joneses part of their lifestyle, debt reduction can seem least appealing. People like to think about what spending money means, but not what paying it back will require. The bottom line is that you pay for every dollar you spend, at one moment or another. Don’t let that moment belong to your children, passed on to them by your passing.

All it takes is the decision to make a change, and that decision can come today. Look at your debt in a vacuum, recognize how it will impact you, and forget what people might think if you start living a little more conservatively. It may not be an easy process, and it may seem daunting, but it‘ll leave you happier and healthier in the long term. By eliminating the debts you owe, you’ll no longer have to make monthly payments, eventually giving you more cash to spend. A huge weight will be lifted off your shoulders. Why not give it a try?

Here are some more debt reduction resources...

7 Ways to Spot a Credit Repair Scam
If you've recently had an application turned down because of bad credit, you know the importance of good credit as well as anyone. Having bad credit can make life a little inconvenient. You might find yourself paying high security deposits or getting turned down for credit cards, loans, and even jobs....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/27/7-ways-to-spot-a-credit-repair-scam.htm">Read Full Post</a>
12 Reasons Your Budget Isn't Working
Are you about to give up budgeting because you can't get your budget to work? Check out these <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/od/reducingdebt/tp/troubleshoot-budget.htm">12 reasons your budget isn't working</a> before you throw in the towel. Usually when budgets go wrong, it's because of the method, not the budget itself....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/25/12-reasons-your-budget-isnt-working.htm">Read Full Post</a>
Beware Email and Phone Credit Card Scams
Credit card thieves come up with more clever ways of tricking you into giving your credit card information. They like to pose as your credit card company, calling or emailing you to alert you to trouble with your account. Be suspicious any phone calls or emails you receive from someone claiming to with your bank or card company....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/24/beware-email-and-phone-credit-card-scams.htm">Read Full Post</a>
The Debt Collector Could Be Checking Your Facebook
If you tell the debt collector you're about to file bankruptcy today, you probably shouldn't post pictures of your new Corvette tomorrow. Otherwise, the debt collector could use that information against you. The <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://azstarnet.com/business/local/article_400b63da-f20e-5d16-900c-7bc6f2728a61.html">Arizona Daily Star</a> report tells of a the debt collector who discovered information on Facebook and used it to confront a businessman who'd lied about his inability to pay a $17,500 debt. That confrontation got him to pay up....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/20/the-debt-collector-could-be-checking-your-facebook.htm">Read Full Post</a>
Could This Be the Best Cashback/Balance Transfer Card Ever?
How does this sound for a cash rewards deal? Five percent cashback on gas purchases, two percent on groceries, and one percent on everything else. What about a 4.99% interest rate on balance transfer for two years?...<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/15/could-this-be-the-best-cashbackbalance-transfer-card-ever.htm">Read Full Post</a>
Which Comes First: Mortgage or Credit Card Payment?
In this economy, more people are choosing to pay their credit cards over their mortgages, according to a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/TransUnion-Study-Finds-More-Consumers-Making-Payments-on-Their-Credit-Cards-Before-Their-1111336.htm">TransUnion study</a> released in February. Traditionally, homeowners would pay their mortgages before anything else because they wanted to keep their homes....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/14/which-comes-first-mortgage-or-credit-card-payment.htm">Read Full Post</a>
Looking for Money to Pay Your Debt?
If every penny of your paycheck is already dedicated to something else, paying off debt seems out of reach. You can come up with the money to pay off your debt, but you have to be creative. For example, have you considered getting a roommate or border? What about selling some old things on eBay or Craigslist? I have a list that includes 77 ways to come up with extra money for your debt. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/od/reducingdebt/a/moneyoutofdebt.htm">Check it out</a>....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/13/looking-for-money-to-pay-your-debt.htm">Read Full Post</a>
Will a Magnet Stop Your Credit Card From Working?
I'm pretty sure some of you ladies have had a credit card stop working after you've put it in a purse or wallet with a magnetic closure. Apparently any type of magnet, and possibly even your cell phone, could potentially stop your credit card from working. Check out this article from CreditCards.com: <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/magnets-wipe-out-credit-card-data-cell-phones-1272.php">6 answers about magnets' impact on credit cards</a>....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/12/will-a-magnet-stop-your-credit-card-from-working.htm">Read Full Post</a>
The Credit Card Fraudster's Favorite Schemes
Credit card fraud has been heating up right along with the summer temperatures. It seems like there are more credit card fraud stories than ever. In all the fraud stories, there seem to be some types of schemes that credit card thieves like more than others. Perhaps these are the ones that are most successful. Check out <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.cardratings.com/creditcardblog/2010/07/cards-scams-fraud-rings.html">Fraud Rings' Five Favorite Schemes</a> from CardRatings.com.
Police Find Credit Card Skimmers Equipped With Bluetooth
In a few Gainesville, FL gas stations, police have uncovered credit card skimming devices equipped with Bluetooth. This means the credit card thieves don't even have to get out of their vehicle to retrieve the credit card numbers picked up by the device. They just have to be close enough to the gas pump to connect via Bluetooth and then they can download stolen credit card data to a cell phone or laptop computer....<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://credit.about.com/b/2010/07/09/police-find-credit-card-skimmers-equipped-with-bluetooth.htm">Read Full Post</a>