If you force yourself to stick to a plan - whether it’s losing weight or getting out of debt, it’s not going to work if you force yourself to do it. It’ll only work if you’re ready, willing and see the benefits!

Q: About 18 months ago I made a vow that I would pay off my $10,000 credit card balance, which was mainly incurred buying clothes and taking short weekend trips around the state — I don’t like to sit around my apartment on weekends. I have enough discretionary income to pay that balance off in less than a year, but got a jolt a week or so ago when I realized the balance was higher than it ever had been. Despite my best intentions I always seem to find something I need to charge. How can I make myself stick to a plan? I am single, over 40 years old and starting to get nervous about having so much debt.
…continue reading the article titled You’ve got to be ready to create your Debt Free plan!

One reader sent in this question and was so excited about having paid off all credit card debt and now ready to start saving! The question was asking what kinds of accounts to establish. Again, knowledge is power and the more you know, the more you can maximize your dollars!

Q. I have finally paid off my credit card debt and am now in a position where I can start saving money on a monthly basis. I’d like to have access to this money and want it to be as secure as possible. Can you let me know some options on where to invest my money?
…continue reading the article titled Light at the end of the Debt Free tunnel!

This quesiton came in from a reader who was out of control with gambling. Whether you’re a shopaholic, a gambler or prone to excessiveness, it’s important to nip the problem in the bud before it gets out of control. It’s just not worth ruining your credit and going deep into debt over…

Q: When the casinos first opened in my city I would occasionally drop in and spend $20 or $40 in the slot machines. My visits became more and more frequent and the dollar amount per trip larger and larger. At first I justified it by saying that it was how I chose to spend my entertainment money. But I’m spending more than I should, put off paying bills and started carrying a credit card balance for the first time in years. The other day I caught myself considering a credit card cash advance to get gambling money until my next payday. I make an above average salary but I’m frittering it all away on the slots. Help!
…continue reading the article titled Get a grip on gambling before it ruins your credit and gets you deep in debt!

I’ve gone over it before and I’m going over it again! I can’t stress enough how important it is to know the debt relief options available to you. As I’ve said, knowledge is power and you want to have enough knowledge so you make an educated decision. The following Q & A was to outline the 4 debt relief options to one of my readers. There’s far more detail to each one but it’s important you know the basic differences…

Q: I’m deeply in debt and falling behind on my payments. I need to find some relief and my problem is that I don’t understand all the options available to me. Could you outline the available choices so I can start to take action?
…continue reading the article titled Know your Debt Relief Options to make an educated decision!

This is a question that came in from one of my readers asking for advice on how to address money concerns with her husband as times are tough. Communicating about money at the best of times is not always easy. Read on to learn some tips for effective money communication…

Q. I listened to your radio show last weekend. My husband and I recently refinanced our home to consolidate several credit cards that we had allowed to run up after he had to take a pay cut at his job. We have always had difficulty communicating about money, and it has reached a point where he has completely shut off and all we do is argue if either of us brings up the subject. I am concerned because we have started to use the cards again, for everything from gas to groceries to department stores - and I am fearful that we are going down the path to destruction we just emerged from a few months ago. I truly believe our lack of communication is the root of the problem
…continue reading the article titled Communicating about MONEY to avoid marital woes!