Ah, late January… a time of colder temperatures, snuggling around a warm fireplace…and December’s credit card
bill waiting like a bomb in your mailbox.
Nightmare!
Did you overspend during the holiday season? If not, many people you know made up for you. According to this Bloomberg Businessweek article, consumer debt rose more in November of last year than it had in 10 years.
Although analysts call this a “good sign” for the economy, doesn’t this statistic frighten you? Weren’t we just talking recently about many people losing their homes because of too much debt? People in the arts, especially, shouldn’t take on debt they can’t afford. In many cases, our income streams bounce around enough that we shouldn’t be spending next month’s paycheck that may never arrive.
But, if you overspent over the holiday season, there’s nothing to do now but clean up the mess. It won’t be easy, but with a good plan and the right tools, you’ll be back on your financial feet in no time. Here are my four steps to curing your credit card hangover: (more…)
Last week, an old friend called to meet for lunch. I suggested we try a comfortable mid-priced place with a patio, but she insisted on one of the nicest restaurants in town. Arriving, I couldn’t help but notice that her car was worth about double mine. She was dressed from head to toe in designer clothes and sported a pair of sunglasses I suspected cost so much that I’d be far too nervous to wear them. I was surprised to see how much money she’d apparently made, and mentioned it when we sat down.