Using a Debt Reduction Worksheet

Filed under: finance

One thing that most debt reductions plans don’t focus on is being able to track your progress; they focus on the debt itself. But having a way to determine where you started and where you are is important to determining the success of the debt reduction plan as well as maintaining your motivation to succeed. Using a worksheet to track your debt reduction goals will give you the best chance possible of getting your finances back under control.

The first thing that should be on a debt reduction worksheet is your total income after taxes. This way you always have a very clear idea of how much money you have to be paying off your debts. Also list all your current living expenses like rent, insurance, utilities, groceries, or school expenses. These are the things you must so before you consider how to pay off your debt.

Next should be all your debts and the repayments you are required to make to them each month. This includes everything from credit cards to payday loans. This column is the column you are trying to work to eliminate.

If you assume that you need to sell your home to pay off your debt then you are likely mistaken. It is a natural assumption to make but most of the time such drastic action is not necessary. However, one thing that most people overlook is all the unnecessary possessions that they have which could be sold to reduce your debt.

If you end up filing bankruptcy or lose your home because of debt are you really going to need that big screen TV? Will that fancy sports car be much fun to show off if its in the repossession yard? Is having 200 pairs of shoes worth the stress your debt is causing you? If the answer is no then you should look at selling some of these fancy things in order to pay off your debt.

Another important thing to track on your debt reduction worksheet is the places that you are cutting costs. Take a long look at that worksheet and see where you need help the most. Cutting back on expensive coffee is great but if that’s the only step you take then it won’t get you anywhere. Try and negotiate your high interest rates first, these are probably eating up most of your income anyway. Perhaps you should consider a debt consolidation loan to reduce the interest rates. These things will make the most difference in your costs.

Remember to update your worksheet often so that you can see the progress you’re making. Seeing measurable change is what will keep you motivated and on the right track to reducing your debt and living debt free.

Citicards Credit Cards

Filed under: finance

Having access to a line of credit is very popular in this increasingly technological society we live in. Credit cards are easier to handle than cash and generally more secure than cash as well. But since the Citicards credit card is one of the most secure and largest credit card providers, not everyone will qualify.

Their size and stability allows them to be more selective about their cardholders, but it’s important to know how to qualify for their card before you apply. Applying and getting rejected can impact your credit, so it’s best to increase your chances for success.

First of all, as with any credit card, you cannot apply for a Citicards credit card until you are 18 years of age. This is the age that according to the law you are old enough to enter into a contract, and that is exactly what a credit card is. It is also vital that you have a steady source of income.

Normally, in order to qualify, you need to have held a job for at least 4 or 5 months for this to be seen as steady employment. This goes a long way in proving your ability to provide a reliable repayment source and your reliability as an employee.

Another important factor is your current credit history. With a Citicards credit card, their restrictions on this can be somewhat strict. Normally, if you have no credit history they will not issue you a credit card. If they do offer you one then the interest rate is likely going to be much higher than it might be for a majority of cardholders.

Since your credit history provides the company’s main source for your reliability on repaying your debts, not having any history at all can sometimes be harder to overcome than having some bad history.

However, unless your credit score is well over 600 and into the 700s then Citicards will probably deny your application. Or you may be granted credit, but at a higher interest rate. Of course this can always be discussed and possibly lowered once you provide some good payment history. If necessary, having a co-signer on the card can help tremendously. Establish a Citicards login and you are on your way to Citicards rewards

Employment With The Government

Filed under: careers

The unemployment situation in this country, the United States, continues to hover around 10%. Month after month unemployment numbers are stagnant. One sector where job growth is real is working for the government. Having worked for the government myself in the past, I can tell you that the benefits are good and I was paid as much or more than I ever have been in my life. Securing a government job is a long process that can be frustrating. You can search government jobs at usajobs.gov. What you will find there is an extensive application process that will include writing KSA’s. KSA’s are an acronym for knowledge, skills, and abilities. Generally you will answer in essay form 5 to 10 questions that relate to your qualifications for the job in which you are interested. There is no exception to this rule if you want to pursue a government job. It is very important that you learn how to write essays properly in order to be added to the best qualified list. You would be wise to look for KSA examples on the Internet to give you an idea of what it takes to qualify. Essentially, the person reading these your KSA’s will determine through your writing whether or not you will qualify. If so, you will be granted an interview. It can be very frustrating in the beginning to try and qualify, and you may apply to many different jobs before you do. However, some diligence and persistence you can qualify for employment with the government

you can buy anything online

Filed under: Nonsense

I don’t know how many of you can remember but I surely can when there was no Internet. If you wanted something or wanted to purchase something you got in a car you went to a shopping center or store and you bought it. As anyone who is reading this knows buying things online is how everyone does things now. so I got to thinking is or anything you can’t buy online? The truth is if it’s legal and some things are illegal you can buy it online. In fact the same stores that we used to visit now advertise to their customers to shop at their stores online. Do you think we will ever go back to the way it was? Silly question I guess. Every kid in the world wants a new personal computer. They don’t want to do homework. Then I wanted to write books. They want to go online. Now you even see businesses such as Internet service essentially giving away computers. Why? So you can go online.Like it or not this trend is not likely to change.I’m not even sure what prompted me to write this post, but I went online to do it.

Remodeling A Basement

Filed under: home improvement

Our family has decided that remodeling out basement will be out summer project. We can’t afford a new home and we have 600 sq feet that right now looks like a dungeon. We are starting with new basement windows, followed by fresh paint and new basement flooring. Essentially for a whole lot less money that we would spend on a room addition or buying a new home we have more room for our 3 kids and ourselves. The biggest problem is trying to figure out exactly how to use room. Should it be a Home Theater or like the kids want a game room? I’m all for a simple family room with a wet bar