Archives For personal finance education

Magnifying Glass

PODCAST AUDIO – click to play

Looking for a little extra money each month? Who isn’t, right? Before you look at a part time job, work more hours, or ask for a raise take a look at your household expenses. Is there any money leaking out? In other words, are there some things you could stop spending on and not go into cardiac arrest as a result?

I recently shaved $130 off my budget by making a few small changes. You can too.

1) Switched car insurance. Cut my cost in HALF. No decrease in coverage, same deductible.
2) Discontinued an E-zine subscription. I still get the news story headlines and overview.
3) Cancelled subscription for internet radio. I still get air time of 30 min/day instead of 2 hrs.
4) Cancelled a satellite radio subscription. Had two radios, now we share the remaining radio.

Grand total in monthly savings? $130. I just got a raise. That’s money that was being paid out that is now staying in my pocket. What’s the bid deal, $130/mo? Let’s see what you could do with that money:

1) Pre-pay a $100k mortgage. Pay it off about 7 yrs. faster. Can you say early retirement?
2) Make a car payment for some wheels you really need.
3) Pre-pay that student loan that’s been following you around like a bad odor.
4) Start a small business.
5) Save the money.

We’re talking about repurposing some money. Decrease what’s going out and put it to better use. Absolutely nothing in your spending plan that can be adjusted? Really need more money to get something going? Then explore a part time job or work more hours at your current job.

Resource:
Dan Miller – 48 days

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

There is no need to copyright truth

Screen Shot 2013-04-09 at 5.47.28 AM

PODCAST AUDIO – click to listen

In this 100th episode I sit down and talk to Nashville, TN entrepreneur LaJuan Stoxstill-Diggs. He’s the author of the book “The Craigslist Hustle.” He explains how he got started hustling on craigslist after being laid off and how it turned into a full time gig.

LaJuan get’s his hustle on and so can you. It’s easier than you might think. He describes craigslist as Life’s Coupon to Everything You Want to Buy.

Interview Questions:

1) Who is LaJuan Stoxstill Diggs?
2) How did this all get started in 2007?
3) What is The Craigslist Hustle?
4) What’s your favorite hustle?
5) Why would someone consider craigslist?
6) When can someone hustle?
7) Where can they hustle?

Resource:
MrCraigslistHustle.com

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

strike sign

PODCAST AUDIO – click to listen

A recent fast food worker strike in New York was reported by CNN. It highlighted two issue that are meant to be red herrings. A red herring is a smoke screen or diversion to keep you from debating the real issue.

The real issue: Working in fast food doesn’t require a high level of skill. Therefore it doesn’t earn a high level of pay.

The red herring: Fast food workers aren’t paid fairly because they are minorities or foreigners.

Your hourly rate of pay is determined by one thing and one thing only. The fact you’re willing to work for that rate of pay. Nothing else. Race has nothing to do with it. Where you were born has nothing to do with it. Whether or not you are a single mom has nothing to do with it.

Feel underpaid? Learn more valuable skills that will pay you more in the marketplace. Don’t sit around and whine and go on strike. Your employer is only going to pay you as much as you are willing to accept. There are no villains here. You voluntarily walked in looking for a job. Your employer voluntarily pays you for your labor. Equal exchange.

Resource:
CNN Money

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

There is no need to copyright truth

The Art of Exceptional Living

PODCAST AUDIO – click to listen

We recently got an email from a listener named Rebecca in Germany and she writes:

“Hi Greg,
I am 38 yrs. old, from Germany and have started listening to money advice since last autumn, starting with Dave Ramsey and then also including you and Money Girl and some others. Due to this advice I am working on getting debt free by the end of 2013, which is pretty much likely to happen if i continue like I do currently. 

My debt was in student loans and a bank credit. I am paying the minimum payments now since many years and since I had health problems in the past that was ok. But now I am determined to get out of debt asap. In July I will have paid off the bank credit and the student loan will follow.”

In this 97th episode of Debt Shepherd Radio, I talk about the difference between what you’re paid per hour and your true worth. If you’re determined to pay off your debt, as Rebecca is, here’s a few questions to keep in mind as you push toward your goal:

Your Hourly Wage – What is it?
Your Value – What is it?

What’s the difference between the two?
Why care about the difference?

Resource:
The Art of Exceptional Living by Jim Rohn

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

There is no need to copyright truth

money sign

PODCAST AUDIO – click to listen.

Is your bank account flat? Having trouble putting money into your savings account? Living paycheck to paycheck? There’s hope.

You have to learn to live on less than you make. It’s that simple. Decrease your living expenses and increase your savings. Living expenses include entertainment, cell phones, cable TV, $5 coffee every day, etc.

Let go of something small to get started. Put the money you would have spent on that item into savings. Watch it grow.

I save 10% of my net income every two weeks. Anything left in checking before payday is deposited goes into savings also. It can be done.

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

There is no need to copyright truth

new sign
PODCAST AUDIO – click here

If everything and everyone on earth were all the same, life would be a bit boring wouldn’t it?

Variety is THE spice of life. So it’s time for a new flavor. Coffee, food, people, experience, etc. The list goes on. The world is your oyster. Try some hot sauce or horse radish with it why don’tcha?

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

There is no need to copyright truth

quarter

PODCAST AUDIO – click to listen

What if you never had to work for money?  Imagine a life where all your needs are met.  You have all the money you’ll ever need to do whatever you choose.

Get lack of money off your excuse list.  The best thing you could ever do is become extremely wealthy. You’d quickly realize money isn’t your problem.

Resources:
The Man Who Quit Money
oppt-in.com

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

There is no need to copyright truth

sequestration

PODCAST AUDIO – click to listen

Government spending is what got us in the mess we’re in. Why would you think less government spending would be a bad thing? You think that way because you’ve been brainwashed from cradle to grave to lack common sense. Don’t question authority. Uncle Sam will take care of it all.

We’ve all been trained to be financially ignorant. Those days are over. The powers that were are gasping their final dying breaths. Life as we know it is about to change for the better, especially when it comes to money.

The One People’s Public Trust. Disclosure. These are good things.

Resources:
oppt-in

Give us a call on our voicemail listener feedback line at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

There is no need to copyright truth