It's hard to sacrifice.  We're a full year into our projected five-year Debt Management Plan to get out of debt, and after all the budget cutting, downsizing, and life-simplification projects, I'm finding that I'm not yet done cutting the excess fat out of my life in order to effectively live within my means. 

Across America, the sounds of school buses are again filling the crisp morning air.  Children run toward the bus stop with backpacks filled with pencil boxes, folders, notebooks, and lunch boxes.  School lunch proposes a dilemma for many parents. Should you send a lunch from home, or have them eat school lunch?

An old cliché is the longest journey starts with the first step. This is true when you enroll in a debt management plan as well the first month is probably one of the most important times during your entire Plan. This is especially true if you are behind with your accounts, or are about to be.

I would like to share with you some of the things we have done to improve our limited income situation.  It has been a long journey and we have learned that to be successful in supplementing a limited income you need to change the way you think about money and everything around you. 

When my wife and I really started tracking our expenses, we found that by far restaurant dining made up the largest sum of our weekly spending.  Now that we have a better command of our spending, eating out is much less common; but, when we do eat out, we set a budget for each meal. 

So, my savings goal has certainly changed; however, the remaining habits have stuck and should continue not only throughout the rest of the year, but for the rest of my life.

People buy used cars and houses all the time, why would purchasing other items used be any different? 

Your final payment has been made, and you've contacted your CareOne representative to let them know you will be finished with your plan.  Wow!  You are officially debt free! 

When I signed on, I had A LOT of debt.  When I learned I would not be debt free for five years, I was discouraged and thought about not doing it...then I figured out how long it would take me if I tried to do it on my own.  Yikes.  Now, in a blink of an eye, I am about two years away from being completely debt free. 

This happened only by pure luck, but was there a way to have this sort of lunch available to me all the time?  As I was pulling out of the driveway, I noticed a squirrel climbing the tree in my front yard with a nut in his mouth, and my new lunch strategy was born.  I was going to be a squirrel.

If you take a critical look at absolutely every penny you spend - a really detailed examination - you might realize that your money is going to a number of places that it doesn't need to go.

I find myself looking back on the last twelve months and reflecting on the experiences of the year.  Our experiences make us who we are and shape how we will handle future situations.

Debt Settlement usually offers a lower monthly payment than a DMP and works towards negotiating with a creditor to accept a lesser amount than what is owed as opposed to only lowering interest rates.

This blog will discuss what you can expect after the 6^th month on your Debt Settlement plan. For many of our customers this is a crucial point in their plan.

 Download the Free Guide, Nine Things You Must Know to Succeed on a CareOne Debt Settlement Plan

As I discussed in a previous blog, Debt Settlement may be the right choice for people who; cannot afford a traditional DMP, do not qualify for bankruptcy, or simply do not want to file for bankruptcy. Debt Settlement is an attempt to negotiate with creditors to accept a lesser amount than what is truly owed based on a customer's budget and payment. 

With an increasing number of people falling on hard times comes an increasing number of “debt help” companies who promise they have the best solution.

CareOne is pleased to announce our very first "CareOne Gives Back Giveaway", just in time for the holidays!   

I have a strange confession to make; I have turned into quite the non-consumerist, in fact I have spent less than twenty dollars on myself since the first of the year.

This month's question reflects on the length of time it takes creditors to accept settlements.

We hear "experts" clamor daily about the importance of communication.  Communication with your children, employer, and spouse are all very important for various reasons.  I had always viewed myself as a great communicator.  I tell my family I love them every day, I call my parents several times a week, and I'm not afraid to talk about my feelings.  However, the day my wife asked me to add up our credit card debt, because she wanted to know the total, I realized that there was a major hole in my communication resume. 

I never carry a checkbook anymore-it's just not convenient. A wallet is bad enough to have stuck in the back pocket of my pants, adding a checkbook is just uncomfortable. Plus, with the modern conveniences of debit cards and online bill pay, my checkbook is commonly left to collect dust in the kitchen drawer.

CareOne is pleased to announce our second CareOne Gives Back Giveaway: Resolutions Rock 

I walked away from our discussion feeling really good about this new budget process.  For years, while I was hiding our debt problem from my wife, I had to do all the financial work myself.  When we joined the debt management plan, we improved our communication with respect to individual expenditures, but in order to be completely successful in our financial makeover, we have both realized that our financial life has to be a complete team effort. 

I have been in your shoes and have made the same journey that so many of your are making now. I hope when you read my story you see that I came out on top and so can you!