1. Plan out your life.  Decide what is most important to you.  Do you want to have the latest technology?  A decent amount of toys, such as, boats, cars, and quads?  Or do you want to live in a nice home, located in a safe neighborhood?  Whatever the case, you need to learn to have a balance between comfort items and essential expenses.
2. Take advantage of budgeting tools.  You can make budgeting entertaining by setting goals and keeping an eye on them.  Financial expert, Dave Ramsey, has free budget worksheets on his website.  Another great resource you can use for budgeting is Kiplinger’s budget tool.   To help track credit cards, bank accounts, and investments, use Mint.com.
3. Dine at home.  It is more expensive to eat out than it is to eat at home.  Buying nonperishable items, such as beans, pasta, sugar, nuts, flour, grains, and nuts in bulk will help you save money in the long run.  Start collecting coupons from the newspaper and online sites like Coupons.com and CouponCabin.com to help save on meals made at home.
4. Find a roommate.  To lower your living expenses, it might not be a bad idea to find some roommates to spilt the cost.  If you are living in an area that is on the expensive side, such as LA or San Francisco, you could save thousands of dollars every year by rooming with more people.
5.  Exhaustion from budgeting.  When you contemplate every single purchase you make, you might begin to mentally and emotionally check out of the budgeting process.  This is called “frugal fatigue.”  Once this happens, you could end up splurging on items and eventually destroy your savings.  Always remember, don’t spend money you don’t have.     

If you want to become more educated about bankruptcy or would like to learn how to escape debt, contact a Phoenix bankruptcy attorney to schedule a free consultation.  Peoria bankruptcy lawyer, Benjamin Skinner, can examine your current situation and give you advice on how to bypass debt.  Call JacksonWhite now at 480-648-8975.

The post How to Survive on a Tight Budget appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

Lenders, landlords, utility companies, insurance companies, and employers can look at your credit score to determine the amount you will be paying for loans. Since bankruptcy can destroy your credit score, it is necessary for debtors to restore their credit score.  If you don’t have a card, it will be impossible for you to score points.

There are five things that make up your credit, they include:  payment history (35%), amount owed (30%), length of credit (15%), new credit accounts (10%), and types of credit in use (10%).

If you are unable to get an unsecured card after bankruptcy, put down a deposit and get a secured card.  It is recommended to make one charge each month and pay off the whole balance.  Additionally, make sure the credit card you receive reports to all three credit bureaus.

If you want to learn more about bankruptcy or would like to learn how to get out of debt, contact a Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. You can schedule a free consultation with a JacksonWhite bankruptcy by calling 480-648-8975. Peoria bankruptcy lawyer, Benjamin Skinner can look at your current situation and give you advice on how to climb out of debt.

The post Should I use a credit card after bankruptcy? appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

1. Skip the Hotel.  Paying for a hotel or motel is usually the biggest chunk of change you spend on a vacation.  If you will be in the same location for several days or weeks, renting a home or cabin could end up being cheaper than paying the daily rate at a hotel.  It is even more beneficial if you have a large group because you can split the renting cost.
2. Consider Off-peak.  If you buy plane tickets for a Tuesday or Thursday, you can save quite a bit of money.  The beach will still be there whether you go on a Tuesday or a Saturday.  Take advantage of the off-times for flying.
3. Don’t Eat Out for Every Meal.  Eating at a restaurant for each meal will take a toll on your vacation budget.  Take a trip to the grocery store and load up on snacks and drinks.  If you do end up going to a restaurant, consider going for lunchtime when the prices are lower.
4. Bring Your Own Entertainment.  After a long day out and about, you might want to head back to your motel to relax and watch a movie.  However, the automated systems in your room can be costly.  Instead, bring a portable DVD player or laptop to watch movies on.  You can also save by renting from Redbox or Netflix.
5. Travel Light.  Many airlines have a maximum weight limit as well as a limit on the number of bags you can bring without facing an increased charge.  You can lighten your suitcase load by dispersing your shoes or articles of clothing into another bag that isn’t as full.  However, it might be easier to just pack lighter.

If you want to learn more about bankruptcy or would like to learn how to get out of debt, contact a Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. You can schedule a free consultation with a JacksonWhite bankruptcy by calling 480-648-8975. Peoria bankruptcy lawyer, Benjamin Skinner can look at your current situation and give you advice on how to climb out of debt.

The post Save Money on Vacation appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

1. Cut back on electric bill.  Since electronics absorb energy even when they are off but still plugged in, unplugging your devices when they are not in use can save 5 to 10 percent on your electric bill.  To save power, plug your cords into a power strip and switch it off when your appliances are not being used.
2. Consider a home warranty.  If you are purchasing a home or live in an older one, a home warranty could save you some money.  Home warranties are an insurance policy on specific household appliances such as water heaters, garbage disposals, and plumbing.  If your built-in appliances are 10 years or older and haven’t been fixed in a while, a home warranty could be a good fit for you.
3. Do-it-yourself.  Several home improvement stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s provide free classes on how to do your own home projects such as putting in outdoor lighting, refinishing furniture and cabinets, and installing a tile floor or backsplash.
4. Pay down your mortgage.  If your interest rate for your mortgage is between 4 and 5 percent, it might be a better idea to create an emergency savings fund, contribute to an employer-matched 401(k) plan, or paying off credit cards with higher interest rates.  If your mortgage rate is higher than 5 percent, you might want to refinance while rates are low.
5. Negotiate.  Don’t be afraid to ask your providers to help you save money.  Let them know that you don’t want to cancel their service for a cheaper one.  You can do this with credit cards, cable, and insurance.

If you want to learn more about bankruptcy or would like to learn how to get out of debt, contact a Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. You can schedule a free consultation with a JacksonWhite bankruptcy by calling 480-648-8975. Peoria bankruptcy lawyer, Benjamin Skinner can look at your current situation and give you advice on how to climb out of debt.

The post How to Save Money at Home appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

Many people in Arizona are struggling to pay their bills right now. And when it comes down to feeding your family or paying the credit card bill, many choose to feed their family. However, as is usually the case, once the credit card company goes long enough without payment, they will take you to court. This allows them to get a judgment and begin garnishing wages or bank accounts.

For most, the thought of losing a full 25% of each paycheck is the final straw in making the decision to file bankruptcy.  The filing of either a chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy will immediately stop any future garnishments.  Even if your creditors have already sued you and obtained a judgment the filing of a bankruptcy case will stop all collections efforts against you and can discharge/eliminate the underlying debt.

If you have been sued and are facing a judgment and possibly garnishment of your wages or bank account, don’t delay meeting with a Bankruptcy Peoria Lawyer to discuss your options and how to stop wage garnishment.

In these instances, you need a quick solution. An experienced Arizona bankruptcy attorney can help answer your questions about a garnishment or bankruptcy. Call (480) 648-8975 today for your FREE bankruptcy consultation.

The post Is it Possible to Stop Wage Garnishment in Arizona? appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

1. Review your credit report.  Know where you currently stand and what direction you are headed.  First, get a copy of your credit reports to ensure there are no errors.
2. Pay bills on time.  Your payment history makes up 35% of your credit score.  Therefore, the simplest way to improve your score is to pay your bills when they are due.
3. Carefully apply for credit.  After your bankruptcy has been discharged, it is wise to open a major credit card account.  It is ok to pay the bill off completely each month.
4. Add a loan later on.  A year or so after bankruptcy, it would be a good idea to get a car loan or line of credit.  Purchase a car that is in your budget and that you can pay off.  You might have a higher interest rate to begin with; however, it should decrease with your next loan.
5. Beware of credit repair services.  Offers may be given to you from credit repair services guaranteeing to help you repair your credit.  Be sure to research these services before using one; they can be expensive.  Rebuilding your financial future yourself will cost you nothing.
6. Know your limits.  It is important to know the limits on your credit cards.  You do not want to exceed them.  It is perfectly fine to start with a low limit.
7. Do not close accounts.  Closing lines of credit lowers the amount of credit available to you, which in turn, leads to lower credit scores.

The bankruptcy attorneys at JacksonWhite have years of experience helping clients discharge their debts and advising them on how to avoid making similar mistakes. If you’re ready to seek out a new beginning, contact a skilled Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. Call (480) 648-8975 to schedule a free consultation with Mesa bankruptcy lawyer Benjamin Skinner.

The post Credit Tips after Bankruptcy appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

• Don’t use the thermostat.  During the winter months, set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit.  Once you are used to this temperature, turn it down more.  You could turn it down to 55 or 60 degrees when you are not at home to save even more.
• Bargain Shop.  Avoid buying brand names.  These types of clothes usually aren’t any nicer than the lesser-known brands.  Try to avoid buying clothes during their “in season” times because they will be more expensive.  Also, don’t forget to look at the clearance racks, you can find some good deals if you dig deep enough.
• Buy Non-Perishable Items in Bulk.  Items are usually cheaper when you buy them in large amounts.  However, don’t purchase items that will spoil, such as milk.  Focus on products, such as toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, shampoo, soap, and laundry detergent.  Set aside an area in your home to store your non-perishable goods.
• Forget the Coffee Shop.  Starbucks coffee costs an average of about $2 to $4 for a 16 ounce cup.  If you brew your coffee at home, the cost ranges from about $0.75 to $1.50 per 16 ounce cup.  Even though making your own coffee requires a coffee maker, it will eventually pay for itself and you will be saving a good chunk of your money.
• Ride a Bike.  Using a bike to get around will save you in many ways.  You won’t be dishing out money for gas, car insurance, car repairs, and the car itself.  You could even ditch the gym membership, since you will be getting plenty of exercise pedaling around town.

If you want to learn more about bankruptcy or would like to learn how to get out of debt, contact a Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. You can schedule a free consultation with a JacksonWhite bankruptcy by calling 480-648-8975. Mesa bankruptcy lawyer Benjamin Skinner can look at your current situation and give you advice on how to climb out of debt.

The post Money Saving Tips to Remember appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

• Focus on Savings.  Figure out how much of your income you are able to put into savings each month and hold it in a savings account or mutual fund.
• Use Cash.  Take out cash that you will use on frivolous items one week at a time.  It will be easier to decline a pair of $60 shoes if you don’t have enough cash to pay for them.
• Cut Bad Habits.  If you drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, give them up.  You can save so much money by giving up these addictions; plus you will be healthier.
• Share the Responsibility.  Talk with your spouse and make sure you are on the same page when it comes to your spending.  After making a plan, check how you are doing on a weekly basis.  It is the entire family’s job to maintain the budget, not just one person’s.
• Pay Down Debt.  If you have several credit cards, choose one at a time and pay as much as you can on it every month.  As for the other cards, just pay the minimum balance on them until you have completely paid off the first card.
• Keep Your Receipts.  Make sure to keep a log of where you spend money.  You will be less tempted to overspend if you are keeping track of how much money you are spending.
• Balance Your Checkbook.  If you do not balance your checkbook, it is a good habit to start doing.  Small mistakes can lead to overdraft charges and insufficient funds in your account.
• Analyze Your Spending.  As you keep all of your receipts and check your budget often, figure out if there are any cuts that can be made.
• Special Accounts.  If you find yourself going to your savings account for money, set up a certificates of deposit (CD) account.  Banks pay more interest if you let them use your money for a longer amount of time.
• Be Flexible.  When making a budget, set aside a little extra money for unexpected expenses.

If you want to learn more about bankruptcy or would like to learn how to get out of debt, contact a Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. You can schedule a free consultation with a JacksonWhite bankruptcy by calling 480-648-8975. Mesa bankruptcy lawyer Benjamin Skinner can look at your current situation and give you advice on how to climb out of debt.

The post Sticking to Your Budget appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

If you charge more than $1,150 within two months before filing, your trustee and the bankruptcy court may prohibit you from getting rid of that debt—even if it is unsecured—since those moneys appear to the court to be wasteful debt.  However, the court could pardon credit card purchases that were for medical bills or other urgent, nondiscretionary purchases.

Try not to hide secured or nonexempt assets from the bankruptcy court by putting them on your credit cards.  Some individuals attempt to include a few thousand dollars of owed taxes onto cards, hoping it will get discharged.  This is unethical and can result in major logistical/legal issues for bankruptcy filing.

After bankruptcy, there is a chance your company will take away your credit card.  However, if you start with a zero balance, you have a better chance at keeping your card.

The bankruptcy attorneys at JacksonWhite have years of experience helping clients discharge their debts and advising them on how to avoid making similar mistakes. If you’re ready to seek out a new beginning, contact a skilled Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. Call (480) 648-8975 to schedule a free consultation with Mesa bankruptcy lawyer Benjamin Skinner.

The post Avoid loading credit cards before filing bankruptcy appeared first on Arizona Bankruptcy.

If you’re struggling with debt and want to know what options you have, contact a skilled Phoenix bankruptcy attorney. You can call 480-648-8975 to schedule a free consultation with Mesa bankruptcy lawyer, Benjamin Skinner.

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