What to do if you have unpaid collections. This video explains how to handle getting those pesky collections paid off. Don’t avoid them. Be responsible and get them paid. I share my own story of how I paid off a medical collection.

What to do if you’re struggling to pay your bills. The “Pro Rata Plan” can save you and get that nagging debt out of your life once and for all.

Did a little fact finding recently. First I found a list of US states and how they rank for bankruptcy filings as of 12/31/2009. I’ll use the top 10 for this discussion. (source: American Bankruptcy Institute)

Then I found a list of how many US states have a lottery (Wikipedia). Then I found a list of the 25 most dangerous US cities (crime).

Of the top 10 bankruptcy filing states in The USA, all but two have a lottery. Of the top 10 bankruptcy filing states in The USA, 7 are listed in the 25 most dangerous cities in America.

Anyone who is smart enough can prove just about anything with statistics if they know how to argue like a sharp witted lawyer. And I think these simple statistics reveal a bit about the connection between financial literacy, risk taking, and crime.

Don’t get your panties in a wad and think I’m jumping to conclusions here. The state I live in, Tennessee, is ranked #2 in bankruptcy filings and has Memphis listed as the 13th most dangerous city in America. So I’m not pointing fingers here by any stretch of the imagination. This stuff is happening in my own back yard, and them some.

I want you to understand how important it is to become financially literate. The more ignorant you are about money matters, the more likely you are to handle your finances poorly. People who handle their finances poorly can certainly be at risk of bankruptcy. Maybe gambling (risk taking) would be more appealing. And maybe crime would be more appealing, who knows?.

There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. But the point is, I want you to think about how everything in your life is strongly connected to the way you think about money, behave with money, and act with money.

Get financially literate and experience financial freedom. The more you know the less likely you are to be taken advantage of by someone who knows more. With all that’s available for free on the internet, there’s no excuse to stay uneducated about your money matters. Get smarter, get wiser, get wealthier.

To Your Financial Freedom,
Greg Whitaker

© Greg Whitaker, 2011. All Rights Reserved

http://youtu.be/Yl78G6EtEU0

Your economy is the only one that matters. Seriously, do you really care what current interest rates are? Only if you’re about to buy a home. Seriously, do you really care if your stock went up or down? Only if you’re a day trader.

Remove yourself from the sound bite laziness of your favorite TV news infotainment. You can’t change any of it. What you can change is YOUR economy. That’s right. Get your own house in order first. Then you’ll have the luxury of complaining about how Congress is so inept at managing your tax dollars.

Be prepared. When you’re finances are in order you’re recession proof. That’s a good place to be, especially in these trying economic times.

To Your Financial Freedom,
Greg Whitaker
www.debtshepherd.com
© 2011, All Rights Reserved

The gentleman interviewed in the documentary “Collapse” is Michael C. Ruppert. I started following his writings in the year 2000. After 09/11/2001, my interest in what he had to say grew even more. The above movie trailer may be shocking to some, laughable to others, or a wake up call. It all depends on where you’re at on the scale of overall awareness.

Whether or not you understand and believe peak oil is a reality, the financial education aspect of the film “Collapse” is priceless. The movie trailer only scratches the surface. You have to see the film to appreciate how money and oil fit together.

I urge you to buy the DVD “Collapse”. It’s less than $11.00 plus shipping. Sit down and watch it with your spouse or partner. Watch it the entire way through the first time. Then talk about it if you have questions or aren’t sure of something in the film. Then watch it again.

If you want to know the truth about how the economy really works, you have to be willing to look for and absorb information that isn’t on your favorite TV news channel.

Review:

What is it?

Collapse is a documentary film that addresses Peak Oil, human population, and money. It addresses how all three are inexplicably intertwined.

Things I Like:

The film’s style is documentary and doesn’t use actors. The man being interviewed is talking about matters he has personally studied, lived, and agonized over for many years. It’s very personal, so we see a genuineness in the film that really brings it to life.

I’ve personally subscribed to his newsletter as far back as 2000. I now subscribe to his website www.collapsenet.com

His website for the move Collapse states in bold letters at the top of the page:
“Collapse – It’s happened to every great civilization.” I appreciate that boldness. It’s a wake up call.

Things I Would Change:

The subject matter covered in the film is so big, I honestly wouldn’t be able to recommend any changes to it and keep a straight face.

Rating: 5

Highest rating will be 5 Stars.

Click on the link below for more information on Collapse. It’s also available on Netflix.

Pre-paying debt can be like giving yourself an 8% pay raise every year. Stop worrying about that pay raise from the boss. Don’t sweat the guy who got promoted ahead of you even though you’ve been on the job longer. The only economy you’re concerned with is YOUR economy. Take control of your debt, take control of your income.

Start saving 10% of your income and paying yourself first. If you work 40 hours/week, 10% of that is 4 hours. So from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday you are going to work for you! It’s time to get selfish.

You MUST have a will. My wife and I both have one. It doesn’t matter how many assets you do or don’t have. This is about protecting you, your family, and your stuff. It’s inexpensive, less than $100 bucks, so no more excuses.