Welcome to the 142nd edition of Carnival of Debt Reduction: Sex And The City Style. The Carnival of Debt Reduction is a selection of the best articles about debt reduction. This week’s theme centers around Sex and the City since it was released this weekend. Manolos, check. Jimmy Choos, check. Enjoy! Carrie’s Picks Paidtwice presents Don’t Let the Reality of Future Debt Discourage Present Progress posted at I’ve Paid For This Twice Already…, saying, “Debt does not define me. Action does!” Stephanie presents Graduating? Plan Your Attack on Federal Student Loans posted at Poorer Than You, saying, “Advice for fresh ... Read More »
Author Archives: Ginger
Too Educated For Entry Level? Why Having A Master’s Degree May Be To Your Detriment
The Washington Post published the article Too Educated For Entry Level, and I was actually excited to see that they’d taken on this issue, especially here in the DC Metro area. With more women going to college and then going on to obtain master’s degrees, this is a relevant article for so many of us. Here in DC Metro, most of the women here in my circle are advanced degree holders, quite a few with multiple advanced degrees. Some are satisfied with their career paths, some are not. I am in the midst of my own career development in making ... Read More »
Clarification Re: Things That Piss Me Off!
Some of you have disagreed with my post about food stamp recipients and that’s totally fine. But I feel that some of you may be taking it in the spirit that I am sitting on a high horse looking down on food stamp recipients. Let me clarify a few things. 1. My issues lies with people who look to the government to supplement their entire budget while making a living off receiving checks from Uncle Sam. Food stamps are supposed to be a supplement, not your entire budget. 2. I realize that some people make bad decisions but I ... Read More »
This Blog, My Articles and Your Rights As Readers
photo credit: Rich Anderson I realize that from time to time there will be articles I write here that may be “controversial” and/or offensive, but keep in mind that I pay the hosting fees here, no one else. I encourage healthy discussions on topics you may disagree with and trust me I get enough mail disagreeing with some of my posts. But when you resort to name calling and becoming belligerent I will block your IP address and delete your comments. I really don’t fancy Internet drama as much as some people would like to think otherwise. I love it ... Read More »
Sallie Mae No Longer Consolidating Student Loans
Imagine my surprise when I call to get some information on my loans and what my payments will be once I finish my program, Sallie tells me they are no longer consolidating loans because the government tightening has made it no longer profitable for them. From their website: Private student loan consolidation Thank you for your interest in Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading provider of saving- and paying-for-college programs. We have temporarily suspended offering our private consolidation loan program. No new private consolidation loan requests will be processed at this time. Federal student loan consolidation Sallie Mae’s Federal Consolidation Loan ... Read More »
Memorial Weekend Roundup @ PF Bloggers
photo credit: maxedaperture I took a bit of a hiatus this week to attend to some personal issues but my fellow PF Bloggers have been busy cranking out great articles. Here are a few snippets for you to check out, read the rest at PF Bloggers or via the links provided. Creating a Financial Emergency Plan @ MasterYourCard 1) Figure out where you can make money. 2) Figure out where to make money if you are not able bodied. 3) Start saving – a lot. 4) Pay down those debts. 5) Get some Credit – just in case. 6) Work ... Read More »
Memorial Day Sale @ Smartbargains
This happens to be one of my favorite stores for home furnishings, high end purses, high thread count sheets and duvets. Check out the current sale they have going on over the weekend and rack up! Happy Shopping! Memorial Day Promotions: Extra 20% Off top trend Sunglasses – Ends 5/26/08 at 11:59PM PT Up to an extra $300 off Jewelry & Watches – Ends 5/26/08 at 11:59PM PT Extra 20% off over 100 Sandals – Ends 5/26/08 at 11:59PM PT Up to an extra $30 off outdoor furnishings – Ends 5/26/08 at 11:59PM PT Your Choice $79.98 Handbags & Wallets ... Read More »
Please Welcome AJ To The Family!
photo credit: HiggySTFC Well after 2 weeks of isolation, twice daily Clavomox, AD cat food and lots of love and attention AJ had his final check up yesterday and he has been cleared to integrate with our other two cats, Max and Scotch! He is such a sweet cat and managed to brighten my day on more than a few occasions over the last 2 weeks. I sound corny but seeing his strength to move towards living as he is now when he was literally 2 days from dying inspired me. I gave him lots of “you’re gonna make it” ... Read More »
Things That Piss Me Off: Food stamp recipients pinched by high food prices
photo credit: ninjapoodles I wrote about this last week but the continued coverage of those who receive food stamps is starting to piss me off. Forgive me as I am a bit hormonal, but come on! Food stamps were never meant to be the whole food budget, it is supposed to be a supplement! If I read one more story about how they are feeling the pinch from only receiving $300+ for a family of 3 when there are a plethora of FREE or low cost food programs in their city I am going to SCREAM! Those of us ... Read More »
It’s a Woman Thing: Men Are in Recession, Women Apparently Not
At first glance, I thought women fairing better than men in the recession is because we are naturally more resourceful and flexible in our careers but I was wrong. It seems that the recession is hitting men harder because male dominated jobs such as construction and manufacturing are on the chopping blocks while women continue to do well in stable industries such as education, and health care. This Yahoo article points out: From last November through this April, American women aged 20 and up gained nearly 300,000 jobs, according to the household survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ... Read More »
Financial Infidelity Revisited: 7 Tough Questions
photo credit: CJ Sorg Given the divorce rate of 50%, I often wonder what women are doing when it comes to their money. Women are commanding a higher earning power today than ever in US history. What does this mean for the modern day marriage? Are prenups acceptable? Or do they set the marriage on a path to divorce court? What about equalizing roles in the home when a woman earns 4-5 times more than her male partner? At our meetup on Friday, (albeit a small turnout due to the weather) we had thought provoking conversation around the issue of ... Read More »
Gas Prices On The Rise To $5/Gallon: How Will You Cope?
photo credit: crowt59 Paying $4/gallon is pretty much a reality for many of us across the nation right now as gas hit another record high over the weekend. We took a trip to NYC for mother’s day and it took $70 to fill up an almost 19 gallon tank! I gasped as this was the first time I’d ever paid so much for one tank of gas. There was a time when that would have been two weeks worth but now that has more than doubled. What will you do? I am definitely feeling the pinch and ready to get ... Read More »
On Food Stamps And Still Hungry @ $280 A Month
photo credit: LabGP & SigOther Would you believe that in this day and age where we have coupons, food banks and discount supermarkets like Shoppers, people are still complaining about not being able to make it on $280 a month using food stamps for a family of two? The CNN Money Article-On Food Stamps And Still Hungry, seems to think so. Don’t break out the tearjerker food stamp stories yet, I am only discussing the case detailed in the article where the woman and her young daughter are receiving food stamps but state that it is still not enough. While ... Read More »
Senior Healthcare Options: Navigating The Murky Mess That Is The US Healthcare System
photo credit: Hamed Saber It never occurred to me that the health care system for seniors in this country was so dire until my FIL became ill. To have every door closed to us because of a pre-existing condition, age and lack of continuing insurance blew my mind. So what options do seniors have when it comes to health care? Here’s what we found: Group Insurance Wikipedia: Group insurance is an insurance that covers a group of people, usually who are the members of societies, employees of a common employer, or professionals in a common group. Group insurance may or ... Read More »
Expensive Weekend: Emergency Trips, Decorating and Footing the Bill for a Stray Kitty
photo credit: pfala I can’t say how stressful the past week has been both emotionally and physically. I have been near tears several times and broke down a few more because at times it became too hard to manage. Thankfully I’ve had supportive friends, family and even professor who is letting me complete a take home final as things were touch and go once again this week. But all of this wouldn’t be complete without some sort of maniacal spending would it? Emergency Trips All in all our trip to NJ, NYC and back to MD came out to $1183. ... Read More »
