But the thing is, [debt] is worse than obesity, because this is a problem that you can hide. It’s a problem that you can deny that you have. You can have a big fat lifestyle, and you can pretend you’re making a lot of money because you can just finance it and pretend that you’re […]

There are people who are addicted to shopping, and then there are people who just spend more than they make. More and more people every year fall into the latter category. According to a Roper survey, fewer Americans in 2004 than in the two previous years said they planned to cut back when it comes […]

A major reason that we give in to our materialistic urges is that we’re creatures of habit.  It might take some thought and effort, but habits can be broken.  So, if you find it difficult to walk past your favorite store without going in, try crossing to the other side of the street.  If you […]

Teach yourself to compare down, not up.  It makes complete sense that you’ll be disappointed if you’re constantly comparing your wardrobe to that of your boss (who earns twice as much as you do) or your colleague (whose spouse created the latest reality-TV smash).  Instead, if you need to compare at all — and most […]

The other key to staying ahead of the game is saving.  You need a savings stash to keep you from sliding back into debt.  Think about it:  You’re moving along, putting aside your $10 a day, paying down your credit cards, making terrific progress.  Then your dog gets a nasty double ear infection.  Between trips […]

Assess the Problem:  First, you have to figure out if your excessive buying is weighing on your life, and to what extent.  Until you realize you’re spending $150 a month on birthday gifts for the parties your children attend, it’s tough to alter that behavior.  A personal cash-flow statement should do the trick.  How much […]

According to research conducted in late 2002 by RoperASW, although 88 percent of Americans have enough money to make their rent or mortgage payments every month and nearly as many have enough money to buy the things they need, only 44 percent can afford to pay off their credit cards each month, and only 52 […]