If you're feeling overwhelmed by the amount of debt you're lugging around, or if you just want to be done with it once and for all, you need a debt snowball calculator.
No, it's not an actual calculator that you hold in your hand. It's an online tool that is free and easy to use. You just have to know that it exists and where to find one. If you Google "debt snowball calculator," you'll find many companies offering them online. Try looking for one that comes from a .org rather than a .com. Here's a good one I recommend. There's no need to login or create an account, and it doesn't save your information...it's just a helpful tool that will show you how fast you can pay off debt. How to do it:
Don't avoid your debt; make a plan to pay it off!
0 Comments
Did you know... If you're not familiar with Dave Ramsey, a popular personal finance author, you should check out his website. It's full of helpful information in all areas of personal finance, including cutting costs. You can sign up to receive regular emails on a variety of topics, like this recent one on Cutting the Cable. We especially like #19 on his list!
You can lower your cable bill dramatically in an afternoon by calling your service provider (i.e. Comcast) and cancelling the cable portion of your service. If you still want to have access to the Internet, you'll need to keep paying for that portion of your service (i.e. about $70-$80 per month from Comcast). If you keep your Internet service, the article from Dave Ramsey outlines the current pricing of alternative subscription services (such as Disney+ and Peacock) you can pay for to find shows you like. These subscription costs, in addition to your Internet cost, will still be far less than what you were paying on your cable bill. However, if you add a bunch of subscriptions, you could end up right back where you were - price wise (though you'll likely have content you like better than your old cable options). The article also mentions HDTV antennas as a way to get local channels. You might think of antennas as an antiquated way to watch TV, but here in Elk Grove Village, the reception is quite good. For the cost of a $15-20 antenna, plugged into the back of an HDMI port on your TV, you can watch dozens of local channels, including ABC, NBC and CBS, without paying for Internet service. If you'd like more information about cutting your cable costs, stop by the Adult Reference Desk or email Nancy B. at [email protected]. How much is “stuff” costing you?
Our stuff – from cars and housewares to clothing to tech gadgets – costs a lot. Not just in terms of buying it but maintaining it and organizing it. As consumers, we're always adding more stuff and upgrading to the next best thing. And how much time do you spend looking for items amid your sea of stuff? Time is money, too! This month, we’re talking about saving money by living with less stuff, whatever that means to you. Buying less? Discarding whatever doesn’t “spark joy”? Or maybe you’re interested in the true minimalist lifestyle. How much money could you save - and what could you gain - by focusing less on stuff? We'll also briefly cover some of the ways to sell and discard the stuff you no longer need. This will be a discussion-based program, so bring your ideas to share! To register for the program, click here. |
upcoming programs:To be announced.
Interested in a specific money-related topic? Tell us about it.
Meetup Facts: ABOUT USMoney Smart Meetup is sponsored by the Elk Grove Village Public Library. Archives
June 2023
|