Tag Archives: car vs savings

A $400 Raise & Six Ways to Go Broke This Christmas

Wow! Someone at the radio station this weekly program is on just got a $400 raise! THAT is the greatest Christmas present to get, isn’t it? But he didn’t get it from his boss – he got it from and for himself. He just finished his last $272 car payment that had been around for six long years. Adding tax back (since all your payments are made with after-tax money) that’s $400 he’s no longer sending off each month.

He’s spent $29,000 gross income on a stupid car that isn’t worth a tenth of that today. If that car payment hadn’t been around, the same $272 a month for the last six years would now give him $25,000 in his bank account. Hmmm…out a net of $19,600 versus $25,000 that could have been his: That’s a $44,000 difference!

If he can suppress the “stupid” gene in all of us and keep driving the same car payment free, that $273 over six more years would have been $62,000. But the car financing was P.G. pre-George and I hope he’s now re-allocating that same amount to a savings account and paying cash for the next one.

And  from Dave Ramsey…. Six ways to go broke this Christmas season

Keeping up with the Jones…Newsflash: The Joneses are broke, too – it’s just that you don’t know it! The last thing you need is their debt load. Image isn’t everything.

Confuse toys with food: You NEED food, shelter, clothing and utilities. After that, it’s a want. Don’t confuse gifts and gadgets with necessities and remember the priorities in life – and in Christmas.

Presents for everyone: Newsflash: You can’t afford to give every third cousin in the family a present this year – or any year. Forget that sense of obligation and get real.

The store picks the present: The mall will eat you alive and spit you back out. Do not go without a list of people to buy for, the cash in your pocket, and a plan. Wandering around aimlessly for ideas will cost you a ton of extra money. All the specials and cool stuff will empty your wallet and fill your credit card statement in a hurry!

I’m number one: No, you’re not. It’s Christmas – the money you spend on yourself, even before Christmas, shouldn’t exceed what you’re spending on others. Make a rule for yourself: For every dollar you spend on yourself, another dollar goes to charities. It may help re-focus your priorities.

Christmas travel: Few things will speed you along the going broke plan than trying to fly a family of five to grandma for Christmas. It’s fine to travel, but make it reasonable. Besides, your grandparents are retired and THEY can afford to visit you if they want to!