John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 25, 2009, 7:26 pm
Black Friday 2009 is only two days away and retailers are offering some killer deals. Be on the look out for LCD HDTVs for half price or a Nikon camera marked down 40%. Target: Westinghouse 32" LCD H...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 24, 2009, 11:43 pm
We are constantly hearing about the Federal Reserve trying to combat inflation. Things seem tame for now, but gas price increases can be looming their ugly heads again soon. So does inflation help wit...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 24, 2009, 1:25 am
President Obama approved the extension of the tax credit for first-time homebuyers to include certain home purchases that close no later than April 30, 2010. The homebuyers credit originated in Februa...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 23, 2009, 1:10 am
- New York May allow the practice of at least 20 other states and start publishing the names of its biggest tax delinquents online. - A new debit card identity theft scheme is popping up in Californi...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 22, 2009, 10:56 pm
Talk about a way to make some money. Write a successful book series and then have them turned into movies. The Twilight Saga: New Moon scored big this weekend with $140.7 million hall in its opening w...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 22, 2009, 8:15 pm
Most stores open at 5:00 a.m. on Black Friday, but for Toys R Us the early bird catches the worm. The toy store giant will be opening its doors nationwide at midnight on Thanksgiving. The night begin...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 22, 2009, 2:34 pm
As we reported before Target is planning on getting Black Friday shoppers in its doors by offering $3 toasters and coffemakers, huge sales on HDTVs, and discounts as much as 50% on clothes and toys. O...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 22, 2009, 12:59 pm
The big shopping day just after Thanksgiving is only a few days away and retailers will be passing out their advertising circulars to let you know of all their great Black Friday deals. But are their ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 22, 2009, 12:12 pm
A financial planner is certified in developing and implementing a customized financial plan for you. Generally a financial planner works with you on a regular basis to help you build your portfolio. C...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 19, 2009, 12:06 am
We reported previously that the Fed announced new rules that would limit overdraft fees charged by bank and credit unions. But now Congress wants to throw its hat into the ring too. Both Sen. Christo...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 18, 2009, 11:35 pm
Many of the people we have covered with mass amounts of debt have turned to credit counselors to pay off their debt. So why not do the same to avoid foreclosing on your home? A study released today ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 18, 2009, 1:26 am
Black Friday is on it's way as TVs top the deals at Wal-Mart's post Thanksgiving sale. According to a copy of the retailer's circular obtained by CNNMoney.com the much anticipated Black Fr...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 17, 2009, 11:58 pm
First there was the Credit Card Act signed into law in May, then the Fed decided to crack down on overdraft fees charged by banks and now regulators offer rules to limit inactivity fees and expiration...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 17, 2009, 11:01 pm
I can remember walking through my local Vons grocery store Thanksgiving week nine years ago and thinking you could have a full blown dinner for less than $15. The store had some crazy cheap turkeys wi...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 16, 2009, 10:35 pm
My debt was going through the roof when I was going through my divorce and my debt out weighed my income. Even though I was able to make the minimum payments there was no way I was going to get those ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 15, 2009, 11:32 pm
I have been working on improving "The Debt Free Advocate" to be the place to go for financial help. A tip I had picked up from ProBlogger Darren Rowse is to show some love to your fellow bloggers. I ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 15, 2009, 11:13 pm
... additional responsible step that we can to encourage and accelerate job creation in this country," he added. Slowed the loss of jobs? Has the climbing unemployment slowed down? What's ther...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 15, 2009, 10:56 pm
Hasn't it been bad enough your debt has been going up, your wages are going down or worse (you've lost your job), and gas prices have been going back up? Gas prices have risen about 20 cents ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 15, 2009, 7:17 pm
Understanding how credit works is critical for anyone obtaining a credit card, line of credit or any other financial product. Bank of America Global Card Services is working to help current and potent...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 14, 2009, 1:03 pm
As some of you know collection agencies are relentless here on earth, but how about in outer space? We have lots of suggestions on how you should handle collectors and collection agencies, but being ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 12, 2009, 11:14 pm
We asked the question, "With Tightened Credit Will We Ever Get Out of the Recession?" Now we expand on that. There are still to many houses for sale. Things are picking up in the housing market. My o...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 12, 2009, 10:04 pm
If you are like me you probably want instant gratification. But instant gratification can be the reason why you are in debt to begin with. When it comes to paying off debt it's OK to take a minut...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 11, 2009, 11:36 pm
I read an interesting article at CNNMoney.com today of how you can do your part with paying down the country's giant debt load of $12 trillion and rising. But forget that, you can get more for you...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 11, 2009, 11:22 pm
An article from Breakingviews.com entitled, "Americans Are Overpaid" reported that for the global economy to rebalance, the pay gap between Americans and the rest of the world must shrink. According ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 11, 2009, 9:31 pm
With the start of the Holiday Shopping Season just two weeks away try not to kill anybody this year. Last year an unruly crowd trampled a worker to death at a Wal-Mart store and the nation's reta...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 11, 2009, 8:48 pm
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending"...Marcus Aurelius We haven't posted a financial motivational quote in a while, but I...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 10, 2009, 12:52 am
Tell us about what you like or don't like about The Debt Free Advocate. Would you like to see more current event topics about the economy, credit, debt, etc.? Would you like to see strictly posts ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 10, 2009, 12:28 am
Developing a budget takes time. I have to constantly adjust mine to match what is going on in life in general. Things like having an emergency fund help offset unexpected events and help you from havi...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 9, 2009, 10:41 pm
Is credit from banks still tight? I have read several articles today, some saying that credit is loosening up and others saying it's still tight. According to the Federal Reserves latest survey o...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 8, 2009, 6:33 pm
Having a budget definitely helped me get out of debt. I was able to figure how much I could spend each month, what I could pay towards my credit card debt, and what I could save. Without a budget you ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 8, 2009, 11:07 am
More and more people are falling behind on their mortgage payments and foreclosure continue to happen left and right, but some people have actually been helped. Bank of America announced that it has ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 4, 2009, 11:30 pm
In Step #2 we discussed the difference between good and bad debt. Back when I was in debt $60,000 I thought all debt was bad. I just didn't want to see another credit card bill ever again. But the...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 4, 2009, 11:08 pm
Something we have anticipated for a while has happened as the House passed a bill Wednesday to move up the effective date for credit card reform from Feb 22, 2010 to December 1, 2009. Just as credit c...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 4, 2009, 10:25 pm
After we just talked about the turmoil of deciding to file bankruptcy or not CNNMoney.com reports personal bankruptcies are up 9%. Number of Americans filing for bankruptcy continues to climb and the...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 4, 2009, 12:08 am
I had kept my massive debt load a secret for years. I knew it was wrong and I was embarassed to let anyone know. It wasn't until I was getting divorced that I began share my secret. While confidin...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 2, 2009, 10:51 pm
More and more people are beginning to use their debit cards more than their credit cards. With credit card companies socking it to consumers at the last minute before the new CARD Act goes into action...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Nov 1, 2009, 2:35 pm
Has being in debt caused an expansion of your waste line rather than your wallet? In writing the steps I used to pay off my $60,000 of debt it was interesting to a look back. In Step #5 I reflected on...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 31, 2009, 3:17 pm
When I began putting my financial life back in order part of that descision included buying a home. I had given up my house to my ex-wife in my divorce and having to rent an apartment just killed. For...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 31, 2009, 2:26 am
When I began my path of getting out of debt I decided to get my life in order. Not only getting my financial life together, but the physical, emotional, mental part of my life. People who stay in debt...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 30, 2009, 1:22 am
When I got into all of my debt I knew it was wrong and really I didn't like getting in debt at all. I acually wanted to stop the financial bleeding, but personal reasons with my ex-wife were a mai...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 29, 2009, 1:42 am
In Step #2 we have discerned between Good (Credit) and Bad (Debt). Why is debt bad? Well, it isn't always. Having a mortgage loan can be good. Normally, homes are an apreciating asset. Student loa...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 18, 2009, 9:11 pm
"How do I get credit card companies and debt collectors to stop harassing me?", is one of the most searched topics here at The Debt Free Advocate. The excessive calls are down rate embarrassing at wor...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 16, 2009, 3:28 pm
This is one of the most asked questions at The Debt Free Advocate. There are things you can do if creditors and collectors are harassing you at work or at home. Remember You Have Rights. You have ma...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 16, 2009, 3:01 pm
Most likely if you are having financial problems or you are having a credit meltdown you are experiencing a lot of stress. You are probably worrying on how you will get caught up or how you are able t...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 12, 2009, 8:22 pm
If you need to improve your credit score quickly, there is no time like the present to get started. Here are some great strategies you can start right away to give your FICO the boost it needs. Creat...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 11, 2009, 3:49 am
With credit card defaults on the rise more and more consumers need every tool they can get there hands to help pay off their debt. Equifax, one of the major credit bureaus, released Debt Wise a couple...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 9, 2009, 1:23 am
With the passing of the Card Act, the smackdown on credit card companies, I thought for sure banks would start socking it to consumers before the bill went into full effect in February 2010. But with ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 4, 2009, 11:30 pm
I saw Michale Moore's new documentary Capitalism: A Love Story over the weekend and found it to be not only thought provoking, but educational. On topic I found not only intriguing, but also had ...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 3, 2009, 12:00 pm
Stories of people getting their interest rates jacked up by credit card companies are literally going viral. Tales of credit card holders, some with good credit and those who have fallen behind, are t...
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John S. posted an article on Financial Elite - Oct 1, 2009, 10:34 pm
Unlike Bank of America's shareholders, Ken Lewis is getting out of the economic downturn and laughing all the way to the bank, no pun intended. Ken Lewis doesn't have a golden parachute, but h...
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