Prosperity Trek by Prosperity Concierge » Reduce Debt http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek The trek to prosperity, step by step. Improve cash flow, build net worth, enjoy life and give back. To earn, spend, save and invest for happiness and fulfillment. Sun, 21 Aug 2011 21:20:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/ en hourly 1 Debt Problem – Signs to Look For – When to Get Help to Control Debt http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-problem-signs-to-look-for-when-to-get-help-to-control-debt/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-problem-signs-to-look-for-when-to-get-help-to-control-debt/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:56:23 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/steps/spend-steps/reduce-debt/debt-problem-signs-to-look-for-when-to-get-help-to-control-debt/ The line between a future of financial solvency and one of distress is thinner than you might think.

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize they’re on the wrong side of that divide until it’s too late.

You could call it the ostrich syndrome. You know that things aren’t good, but you just don’t want to face up to

Continue reading Debt Problem – Signs to Look For – When to Get Help to Control Debt

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-problem-signs-to-look-for-when-to-get-help-to-control-debt/feed/ 0 How to Hurt Your Credit Score Without Really Trying http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/steps/spend-steps/spending-tips/how-to-hurt-your-credit-score-without-really-trying/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/steps/spend-steps/spending-tips/how-to-hurt-your-credit-score-without-really-trying/#comments Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:55:18 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/steps/spend-steps/reduce-debt/how-to-hurt-your-credit-score-without-really-trying/ You don’t have to put a lot of effort into it to hurt your credit score. Just a misstep or two is all that’s required.

Let’s look at a few ways your credit card could get dinged.

Paying Late

Credit card companies are notoriously prickly about late payments — even a payment that’s late by a few

Continue reading How to Hurt Your Credit Score Without Really Trying

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/steps/spend-steps/spending-tips/how-to-hurt-your-credit-score-without-really-trying/feed/ 0 Reduce Spending and Debt by Looking at Variable Expenses http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/reduce-spending-and-debt-by-looking-at-variable-expenses/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/reduce-spending-and-debt-by-looking-at-variable-expenses/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:56:47 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-spending-and-debt-by-looking-at-variable-expenses/ The best way to begin getting the debt and spending under control is to reduce your monthly expenses. And one good place to start is to focus on reducing your variable expenses.

Variable expenses include those that can be changed or eliminated entirely.

Variable expenses are those that fluctuate each month, such as clothing, food, entertainment, vacations,

Continue reading Reduce Spending and Debt by Looking at Variable Expenses

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/reduce-spending-and-debt-by-looking-at-variable-expenses/feed/ 2 Pay Down Debt or Save for Retirement? http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/enjoying-how-to/retirement-how-to/pay-down-debt-or-save-for-retirement/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/enjoying-how-to/retirement-how-to/pay-down-debt-or-save-for-retirement/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:03:17 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/learn/enjoy/retire/pay-down-debt-or-save-for-retirement/ As important as it is to start saving for retirement early, you may be better off tackling your consumer debt first. In some cases, the amount of debt you have not only affects your budget today, but it can significantly limit your options in the future. So if you’re contemplating whether to pay down your

Continue reading Pay Down Debt or Save for Retirement?

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/enjoying-how-to/retirement-how-to/pay-down-debt-or-save-for-retirement/feed/ 1 Options for Getting Cash to Make Ends Meet http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/options-cash-ends-meet/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/options-cash-ends-meet/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:33:51 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9814 When you need cash to help make ends meet be careful who answers your call for financial help. A loan may help get you by, but you’ll want to borrow money at the best rates, according to terms that suit your needs – and steer clear of bad deals as well as those that look too

Continue reading Options for Getting Cash to Make Ends Meet

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/options-cash-ends-meet/feed/ 0 Use Debt Wisely to Build Wealth for Enjoyment and Sharing http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-wisely-build-wealth-enjoyment-sharing/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-wisely-build-wealth-enjoyment-sharing/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:18:08 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9683 For most of us, debt and borrowing money is a fact of life. However, debt can also be a financial tool to provide us with leverage that we can use to build net worth and wealth that we can, in turn, leverage to enjoy life and give back to others.

While cash can be used for

Continue reading Use Debt Wisely to Build Wealth for Enjoyment and Sharing

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-wisely-build-wealth-enjoyment-sharing/feed/ 1 Steps to Protect Your Cash Flow http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/prosperity/cash-flow/steps-protect-cash-flow/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/prosperity/cash-flow/steps-protect-cash-flow/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:24:32 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9680 Here are some steps you can take to protect your cash flow during tough times. It may be a job loss, or large and unexpected medical bills. Whatever the cause, it threatens your income stream or raises your expenses. You’ll need to take drastic measures to restore your cash flow as much as possible.

Eliminate Nonessential Spending

One

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]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/prosperity/cash-flow/steps-protect-cash-flow/feed/ 1 Your Debt Philosophy http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-philosophy/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-philosophy/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:51:17 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9361 If you are struggling with how to manage your debt, start to take control by formulating your debt philosophy.

A debt philosophy is nothing more complicated than crafting a  financial mission statement, the structural foundation of your family’s beliefs when it comes to debt.

It doesn’t need to be profound or complicated. It can be as simple as:

We agree to

Continue reading Your Debt Philosophy

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-philosophy/feed/ 2 Homeownership: Your Mortgage and Other Financial Goals http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/enjoying-how-to/set-prosperity-goals-how-to/homeownership-mortgage-financial-goals/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/enjoying-how-to/set-prosperity-goals-how-to/homeownership-mortgage-financial-goals/#comments Thu, 20 May 2010 11:40:42 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9337 If you’re buying a house, never let a mortgage lender tell you what you can afford.

A lender makes more money when you borrow more money. And most lenders don’t really know everything about your finances. They just look at your income and do a quick calculation to tell you what they think you can afford. They

Continue reading Homeownership: Your Mortgage and Other Financial Goals

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/enjoying-how-to/set-prosperity-goals-how-to/homeownership-mortgage-financial-goals/feed/ 0 College Loan and Financial Aid Basics http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/college-loan-basics/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/college-loan-basics/#comments Mon, 10 May 2010 00:46:29 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9284 When seeking financial aid and a college loan look first to the federal government before you resort to borrow money from a private loan.

Federal student loans typically charge a lower interest rate and don’t have much in the way of add-on fees.

The big federal loan programs are Perkins, Stafford and PLUS. You can get a

Continue reading College Loan and Financial Aid Basics

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/college-loan-basics/feed/ 1 Debt and Spending: Stay Afloat and Avoid Financial Disaster http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-spending-stay-afloat-avoid-financial-disaster/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-spending-stay-afloat-avoid-financial-disaster/#comments Sat, 08 May 2010 19:18:06 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9266 If you are worried about losing your job or getting hit with hefty unexpected bills you can improve your chances for staying afloat and paying your bills with these steps:

keep your core living expenses at less than half of your income Create an emergency fund in a regular, taxable account limit your debts, including credit card balances,

Continue reading Debt and Spending: Stay Afloat and Avoid Financial Disaster

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-spending-stay-afloat-avoid-financial-disaster/feed/ 0 Mortgage Debt: Before You Buy a Home If FICO Score Not in Top Range http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/mortgage-preparation-fico-top-range/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/mortgage-preparation-fico-top-range/#comments Mon, 03 May 2010 02:24:29 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=9030 This is a smart home-buying move that can save you big-time money on your mortgage debt if your FICO score is between 700 and 760.

Your FICO credit score plays a major role in determining the interest rate on your mortgage. If your score is 760 or higher, you’re in line for getting the lowest rate. But

Continue reading Mortgage Debt: Before You Buy a Home If FICO Score Not in Top Range

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/mortgage-preparation-fico-top-range/feed/ 1 College Financial Planning: Options to Reduce the Need for Debt http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/college-financial-planning-options-reduce-debt/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/college-financial-planning-options-reduce-debt/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:45:21 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=8998 As prospective college students, and their families, prepare financially for a college education there are options. Here are some tips for college borrowing to reduce the need for debt and total borrowing costs.

Cut College Costs

Before you take out a private loan, look at the big picture. Do you have any savings you can direct toward

Continue reading College Financial Planning: Options to Reduce the Need for Debt

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/college-financial-planning-options-reduce-debt/feed/ 0 Wealth-Building Missteps on Your Prosperity Trek http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/giving-how-to/estate-planning-how-to/wealthbuilding-missteps-prosperity-trek/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/giving-how-to/estate-planning-how-to/wealthbuilding-missteps-prosperity-trek/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 02:49:49 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=8994 A Prosperity Trek is a journey of many steps to build wealth and use it for enrichment, fulfillment and helping others. Here are some missteps that can take you off track.

Unprotected Assets

It’s not going to do you much good to build up your wealth if you let it slip through your fingers. Any number of

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]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/giving-how-to/estate-planning-how-to/wealthbuilding-missteps-prosperity-trek/feed/ 0 The Credit Card Debt Trap: Ease of Use, Carrying a Balance, Small Payments http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/credit-card-debt-trap-ease-carrying-balance-small-payments/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/credit-card-debt-trap-ease-carrying-balance-small-payments/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:54:36 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=8963 One form of debt, credit cards, when used irresponsibly, can have devastating effects on your finances:

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

One of the biggest issues is a mental issue. When using credit cards, it is easy to rack up the balances because you don’t actually see the money going anywhere. It’s really easy to spend

Continue reading The Credit Card Debt Trap: Ease of Use, Carrying a Balance, Small Payments

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/credit-card-debt-trap-ease-carrying-balance-small-payments/feed/ 1 Managing Debt as an Important Financial Tool http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/managing-debt-important-financial-tool/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/managing-debt-important-financial-tool/#comments Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:07:13 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=8638 Debt is an important financial tool that can be managed or mismanaged. If handled well, debt can enable us to purchase appreciating assets, minimize our long-term housing and transportation costs and reduce our taxes.

Debt has the power to improve our lifestyle, increase our cash flow and build our wealth. It also has the power to

Continue reading Managing Debt as an Important Financial Tool

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/managing-debt-important-financial-tool/feed/ 0 Getting out of Debt – Assess, Budget and then Reduce http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-assess-budget-reduce/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-assess-budget-reduce/#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:23:41 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=8543 In America today, carrying some debt is unavoidable, and even desirable, for most households. But between mortgages, car payments, and credit cards, many Americans find themselves over their heads – unable to dig out from under a growing debt burden that consumes an ever growing portion of their resources.

Assessing Your Debt

How much debt is too

Continue reading Getting out of Debt – Assess, Budget and then Reduce

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-assess-budget-reduce/feed/ 0 Debt – How Your Credit Score Affects Your Future Cash Flow http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-credit-score-affects-future-cash-flow/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-credit-score-affects-future-cash-flow/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:03:22 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=7393 Your credit score can affect your future cash flow. It can increase insurance premiums, job offers, housing costs and interest payments.

Insurance

Different rules apply for life, home and auto insurances.

Life insurance

A bad credit score will exclude you from top-tier life insurance, but your score doesn’t weigh heavily at any other level.

Although it does get factored in,

Continue reading Debt – How Your Credit Score Affects Your Future Cash Flow

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-credit-score-affects-future-cash-flow/feed/ 0 Your Credit History and Credit Score – An Overview http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/credit-history-credit-score-overview/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/credit-history-credit-score-overview/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:00:55 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/?p=7162 A credit history is a collection of all of the pieces of financial information that relate to your life. It contains information on how long you’ve had your individual credit accounts, the account limits, balances, and your payment history.

Current and future creditors only want to know one thing: if they loan

Continue reading Your Credit History and Credit Score – An Overview

]]> http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/credit-history-credit-score-overview/feed/ 0 Debt Consolidation and Debt Relief Options http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-consolidation-and-debt-relief-options/ http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/trek-how-to/spending-how-to/reduce-debt-how-to/debt-consolidation-and-debt-relief-options/#comments Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:17:04 +0000 Prosperity Concierge http://prosperityconcierge.com/trek/steps/spend-steps/reduce-debt/debt-consolidation-and-debt-relief-options/ Debt consolidation is an important objective for many families.

For many people there is no clear way out of their debt problems – especially as they continue to meet their ongoing living expenses.

One debt consolidation option is to use equity or some type of collateral to obtain a debt consolidation loan. This option can provide value

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