Straight Talk on Debt: Overcome your Debt Hurdle

"If you are like most people today, you have debt payments challenging your future and creating a drag on your ability to invest. In addition to the financial issues debt creates, it also affects how we feel about ourselves and how we look at the world around us." This quote comes from a post I read this week, Where Debt Begins: The Disconnect Between Perception and Reality.

If you are a regular reader of Straight Talk on Debt you probably have been in debt, are in debt now, or are coming to the realization that you have debt and need help. As the quote suggests debt can take its toll causing financial, emotional and sometimes even physical problems.

No matter how you got into debt; a medical emergency, job loss, divorce, or just poor spending habits, it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that you are taking the time and initiative to make a change, to get rid of your debt and give your financial future a push in the right direction. Sometimes the right piece of advice or hearing someone else's story is all you need to make a change.

Enjoy this week's reading! 

• Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die today  @BudgetsAreSexy  "Any extreme in personal finance is usually NOT a good thing!"
• Don't Let Love Destroy Your Finances @PTMoney "Often times, couples who are in love throw logic and care to the wind. They end up making decisions that wreak havoc on their budgets, savings accounts, and worse: credit scores.
• 4 Services You Can Pay Less For With Comparison Shopping @moolanomy "Whenever shopping for services that do not have fixed pricing it's always a good idea to do some comparison shopping before choosing your service provider. Be careful to compare similar services to get an accurate comparison. Be careful around deals that seem too good to be true, and watch out for bad customer service. If a price is too good to be true, it probably is."
• The Power of a Plan: 8 Principles to Follow @ChristianPF "It's often been commented that most Americans spend more time planning their vacations than they do their retirements."
• Finances in 55 Seconds: Organize Your Financial Documents @bargainr "Having a system for your financial documents is a good way to help you access information that you need quickly, as well as help you get everything you need for tax purposes simply and easily."
• Denied Credit? Now you will Get a Free Credit Score @ge_miller "If you've recently been denied when applying for credit, it's now a whole lot easier to find out why. Under final rules issued by the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Reserve Board to reflect the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, there are a number of scenarios in which you will automatically get a free credit score."
• My New Financial Hero @mjtm What financial freedom can do for you.
• When and Reasons Why to File for Bankruptcy @moneycrashers "Because declaring bankruptcy has significant and long-ranging effects, consider all possible alternatives first. If any of the following situations apply to you, bankruptcy might not be the right choice just yet."
• How To Save Money @Mattjabs "Saving money with no plan ordefined purpose is pointless because it will disappear every time the wind blows "unexpected expenses" your way. It's like running a race without knowing where the finish line is... you run but never get anywhere because you don't know what direction you're heading. Poor planning and lack of goals for your savings is the surest and quickest way to an empty bank account."

Suzanne Cramer 

Suzanne is a certified credit counselor for CareOne Debt Relief Services and is a Social Media Specialist. Suzanne supports our Ask the Expert forums as a coach and writes for our A Straight Talk on Debt and Divorce, Debt and Finances blogs. You can also follow Suzanne on Twitter where she shares the latest debt industry news, and tips to keep your finances in check with her @AskCareOne and @ADivorcedMom accounts.