Credit Fix Up

Gaazy · Post by **Gaazy** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:14 pm

Thats what I do, I keep it pretty low, but there. And when I buy something on it, I make sure I set the money aside to pay it with ><

Post by **Martrae** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:17 pm

Do you make those nifty funds....Yes (im not disagreeing with you that those little funds are the way to go. THEY ARE. But not always plausible, and certainly not always effective).

Old-fashioned envelope system works like a dream.

Ok...I'll grant that if he wanted to actually repair his credit and not eliminate it then keeping a small balance one is the thing to do.

This is a silly topic really. Who here thinks KH will actually stick with a payment plan and isn't just looking for a scam to erase the stuff from his credit report?

Post by **Arlos** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:17 pm

Heh, Xaiv, I thought it was pretty smart as well. Completely simple, yet I bet no one here had ever thought of doing that rather than getting rid of the cards completely.

-Arlos

Post by **Martrae** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:20 pm

That's actually an old Clark Howard thing, Arlos. His thing was freeze it in water in a ziploc baggie. It really stops impulse buying.

The thing with plastic is there's no emotion to pulling out a card and paying for something. You pay cash and it HURTS and so you naturally watch your purchases.

Post by **Arlos** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:34 pm

I actually have no idea who Clark Howard was. The guy I knew used a glass, but entirely possible he got the idea from that Howard person.

-Arlos

Post by **Martrae** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:51 pm

http://clarkhoward.com/

He's a financial adviser that's got a radio show in Atlanta. I can remember him talking about the baggie thing when we lived down there before Liam was born...so that was at least 7 years ago.

Post by **Arlos** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:04 pm

This was in 1990. Maybe 89, I can't remember for sure, it was obviously a while ago now.

Not surprising I've never heard of Howard, given that I've never in my life been to Atlanta (or south of roughly Washington DC when I as on the East Coast, assuming you call Renton, VA to be roughly Washington DC) The guy I knew was from Seattle all his life too, so that wasn't it either.

-Arlos

Post by **Martrae** » Thu May 24, 2007 3:15 pm

It's probably a very old trick....same as the envelopes.

Xaiveir · Post by **Xaiveir** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:46 pm

Hey Arlos if you are ever in Seattle again, look me up yo. Im just south of there.

Diekan · Post by **Diekan** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:16 pm

Do the "never spend a buck" plan.

You keep cash in your wallet / purse at all times (which most people usually do anyway). When you pay for something you put the 1 dollar bills in your pocket and put the coins/fives/tens/fifties/hundreds back in your wallet or purse (or put the coin change in your other pocket). DO NOT spend the 1 dollar bills... the rest is fair game.

At the end of the day, put all the 1 dollar bills you've amassed (during that day) in a coffee can and forget about them.

Do this for a year and your Christmas is paid for. You'd be damned suprised how much you save up with this method.

If you got out and by a cup of Joe and a Twinkie - ok what's that 3.50? I don't eat Twinkies so I dont know what they cost now... And you pay for it with a 5. You put the 1 dollar bill away and you can spend the 50 cents later. Hopefully, you get the idea. I had to give that example for people like Harrison who are a bit slow at times.

Post by **Arlos** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:30 pm

I was just up there last thanksgiving, Xaiv. My brother's in Woodinville, so odds are it won't be TOO long before I head back up that way. Maybe Xmas, who knows.

-Arlos

Harrison · Post by **Harrison** » Thu May 24, 2007 11:09 pm

I hurt little bald man's feelings and now he's on my nuts :cry:

Gypsiyee · Post by **Gypsiyee** » Fri May 25, 2007 5:38 am

Diekan wrote:Do the "never spend a buck" plan.

You keep cash in your wallet / purse at all times (which most people usually do anyway). When you pay for something you put the 1 dollar bills in your pocket and put the coins/fives/tens/fifties/hundreds back in your wallet or purse (or put the coin change in your other pocket). DO NOT spend the 1 dollar bills... the rest is fair game.

At the end of the day, put all the 1 dollar bills you've amassed (during that day) in a coffee can and forget about them.

Do this for a year and your Christmas is paid for. You'd be damned suprised how much you save up with this method.

If you got out and by a cup of Joe and a Twinkie - ok what's that 3.50? I don't eat Twinkies so I dont know what they cost now... And you pay for it with a 5. You put the 1 dollar bill away and you can spend the 50 cents later. Hopefully, you get the idea. I had to give that example for people like Harrison who are a bit slow at times.

I used to do that, but honestly I next to never have cash on me anymore and I'd be pretty surprised if that's not the norm.. it's so easy to lose track of how much cash you have - I swear by my checkcard. When I do have cash/change I definitely always put it in a jar, though - one thing I miss about bartending for sure. End of the night all the cash went in a jar, but I did it the opposite - big bills and change went in the jar, singles went in my pocket. The cash ended up paying for my move.

Haylo · Post by **Haylo** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:42 am

I never carry cash either >< I use my check card for every thing. I like the sound of that 1 dollar bill thing though, maybe i'll get out something like $20 per checking period and use that for small purchases and see how it goes.

Gaazy · Post by **Gaazy** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:58 am

Ive got a bad habit of using check card for a lot of little stuff. Lately Ive been pullin 40 or 50 a week out cash for just snuff and little stuff. Little easier to keep track of

kinghooter00 · Post by **kinghooter00** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:09 am

i don't use my checking acct anymore. Just a prepaid visa and cash.

kaharthemad · Post by **kaharthemad** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:26 am

actually an easy way to maintain credit without the credit card hassle is this....Some banks will issue credit cards.

Get one and allow the to pull the payment each month from your checking
then move your games ubs to it. then cut it up.

kinghooter00 · Post by **kinghooter00** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:38 am

yeah but i can't get a credit card...my credit is horrible. 515....

Post by **Martrae** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:42 am

Start making payments like I said. It's not a fast fix but it's the best way to do it.

Zanchief · Post by **Zanchief** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:49 am

KH I have an easy solution for you. Just sign up to a bunch more credit cards. Use those cards to pay off your other debt. Keep doing that till all your debts are gone.

Problem solved.

Xaiveir · Post by **Xaiveir** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:50 am

Martrae wrote:Start making payments like I said. It's not a fast fix but it's the best way to do it.

Mart is right on her suggestion. Start with the smallest one, and pay that off first. If you are going to attempt to get your credit up, make sure you are ready for it, and committed for it. It will get frustrating, but its good you recognize the problem and are going for it.

kinghooter00 · Post by **kinghooter00** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:07 am

thats what i think i'll do. Just pay off one at a time. Some are only a couple hundred. Some are 9000.

Tacks · Post by **Tacks** » Fri May 25, 2007 10:22 am

And KH keeps reinforcing his sheer stupidity with every thread.

kinghooter00 · Post by **kinghooter00** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:19 am

Tacks, what the hell are you talking about?

Evermore · Post by **Evermore** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:23 am

Zanchief wrote:KH I have an easy solution for you. Just sign up to a bunch more credit cards. Use those cards to pay off your other debt. Keep doing that till all your debts are gone.

Problem solved.

or he'll get charged with kiting and go to the can. either way..