Debt Management Archives -

What Are the Best Kid-Friendly Allowance Apps?

July 9, 2019July 9, 2019 by Anj.

Budgeting is essential to financial freedom down the line — and thankfully, today it’s easier than ever. Gone are the days of keeping tally marks in accounting journals or plugging and chugging expenses in an excel sheet. These days, when it comes to budgeting, there truly is an app for that. Now, at your fingertips … Read moreWhat Are the Best Kid-Friendly Allowance Apps?

Top 8 Reasons Why You’re Broke and Fat Like Me

December 13, 2018December 10, 2018 by Anj.

I was the fat kid in my house growing up, and later on into elementary and middle school. The picture that other people had of me didn’t match the picture I had of myself.

I think we do the world a disservice when we teach women and girls

that they will always be valued, first and foremost, by their bodies,
that it’s appropriate and socially acceptable to evaluate others’ bodies at all,
that being fat is worthy of chastisement and ridicule,
that weight and size actually reveal insights into a person’s true character.

For these reasons (and a host of others), I hate the word fat.

It’s triggering.

I’m appreciative and in awe of the growing body positivity movement. But for the sake of this post, I’m using the word intentionally to think through the ways that gaining unwanted weight and gaining unwanted debt are the same.

10 Ways Not To Go Broke This Holiday Season

November 20, 2018November 19, 2018 by Anj.

Money, love, food, and family.

Four things we love dearly, but can all add stress during an already hectic holiday season.

I recently had the chance to contribute to a great playlist about managing stress this holiday season.

The playlist is a compilation piece by four bloggers as they share their perspectives on each of these four themes.

You’ll hear from Nora Nur, relationship blogger, in “How to Protect Your Happiness This Holiday Season,” and “Happiness Happens on a Tuesday: A Single Person’s Guide to Holiday Survival.”

From Julia Bushue, life and career coach, you’ll hear a “Holiday Stress Buster.”

Ryan Worlds, emotional eating coach and blogger, will share “How to Maintain Body Confidence and Self Love During the Holidays.”

And from me, you’ll hear “10 Ways Not to Go Broke This Holiday Season.”

Please head over to Love From the Other Side and download A Single Person’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays.

Happy holidays!

8 Ways To Make Sure Your College Degree Is Valuable

November 8, 2018 by Anj.

A few years ago, my brother came to me for advice. He was a few credits short of earning his college degree, and he felt a little cheated.

Most of us know the statistics about the economic benefits of college. As a general rule, we understand that your level of education correlates with your wealth and annual income—at least that’s what we’re told.

Statistical data links wealth, health, and happiness to post-secondary education completion.

With a college degree the world is our oyster! Right? Am I right?

If I could relive the conversation with my brother all over again, here’s what I might have told him instead. Here’s what I think you should know about making sure your college experience is valuable.

Should You Use Personal Loans To Pay Off Credit Card Debt?

September 13, 2018September 7, 2018 by Anj.

What’s the best way to eliminate credit card debt?

I recently used Lending Club to secure a small personal loan to pay off some debt. I purposely made this decision because the interest rate I received (10.99%) was significantly less than the interest rate of my original debt (24.74%).

Although the decision was intentional, I admit I could have done more research upfront to compare rates, review lenders, and confirm there was no other, more viable, option.

No regrets.

7 Questions You Must Answer Before You Can Eliminate Credit Card Debt

September 13, 2018September 6, 2018 by Anj.

Yesterday I read a post from NerdWallet’s 2017 American Household Credit Card Debt Study stating that the average American household with credit card debt has a balance of approximately $15,432.

Indebted households pay hundreds in interest each year, and many Americans use credit cards to cover medical expenses.

I am sensitive about my credit card debt because not all of it belongs to me; but as the cardholder, I understand that I am responsible for it.

Since this January 2018, I’ve paid off about $10,000!

If I continue to be successful, this December 2018 I hope to report that I’m completely credit card debt free. Hold me accountable!

I’m learning as much as I can about personal finance, money management, and investing.

If you’re finally able to pay down unwanted debt, please answer these questions first.

5 Things To Consider Once You Commit To Eliminating Debt

September 13, 2018September 5, 2018 by Anj.

I used to sell life insurance in one of those thinly veiled pyramid schemes.

To be fair, I didn’t know what a pyramid scheme was at the time.

To be completely transparent, I never actually sold any insurance.

Way back then, I was too young and too green to be embarrassed about it.

I kept hope alive that that opportunity would work out for me in the end.

It didn’t.

I’d wanted another job on the side, but I hadn’t completely committed to getting rid of my debt.

To date, I have (1) credit card debt + (2) a car note + (3) and student loans.
Since I’ll be paying student loans off forever, I’m pretending that I’ll be “debt free” once #1 and #2 are done.

Don’t judge me.