Identity Theft Protection "I wish I had it"

Recently I was able to pull a copy of my credit report via the annualcreditreport.com website. Im working on getting my credit score to zero and to my surprise there was a few things on my report I didn't recognize. So I follow protocol and send a debt verification letter to all three credit agencies. Weeks had gone by and I didn't really think much of it.

Until......

Yesterday I got 2 bills in the mail from this collection agency for $155 each!! Talk about being livid!! I Don't even know what this is!!

So I make the dreaded phone call:

Me: Im calling about xyz account

Lady: ah yea you owe blankity blank blank for some gospel cds

Me: I never purchased any gospel cds and how did you get my social security number in the first place, and what address do you have on file?

Lady: we have xyz address

Me: Well that address doesn't even belong to me and how can you bill me for something I never signed up for?

Lady: call the credit bureaus and yell at them not me.

Me: Why would I do that when you are the one who sent me this BILL!!! "CLICK"

I was sooooooooo heated. I mean you work so hard to make sure there aren't any random bills hanging around and this pops out of the sky. So now it is basically up to me to clear my name of this bill. Which is why I must now be an advocate of identity theft protection. It is not for sake of never having your identity stolen but for assistance if in fact someone DOES steal your identity. You might end up spending countless hours, mailing letters, making phone calls that could all be avoided if you get this protection. I think its like 10 bucks a year. When you sign up for this insurance you have someone working on your behalf to clear you name so you don't have to. Trust me after all this newly developed drama I WISH I would have purchased the protection myself....

le sigh......

Suzie Orman Talks about Debt Settlement companies

Here is a cool youtube clip regarding, debt settlement companies. I can't say I like Suzie more than Dave but she is giving some great advice!!

Be a book Fanatic!!

I was listening to the Dave Ramsey show a few weeks ago, while he was having one of his entre leadership classes. Someone asked him who helped him the most in the area of finance. His answer surprisingly was books!! He always says if you want to become a millionaire read 1 book a month and 2 if you want to be a 2 millionaire. I have always enjoyed reading in my pass time but as life and technology would cause me to read less and less, and more wasting of time.

So as of now I am going to put away my lazy ways and start reading more. My Iphone turned itouch has a kindle feature built into it and I just downloaded my first book!!!! I will be doing monthly book reviews and hopefully I can do two a month. They won't all be about personal finance but all will be related to personal growth.

Hopefully I will be able to share what I learn, in efforts to educate the masses of bloggers. So do you read? if so how often and what is it you read... Inquiring minds would love to know!

The Case for Joint Bank Accounts

The other day I was researching ways to become paperless via the suggestion of young mogul and I stumbled upon a few articles about joint bank accounts (I know blame my a.d.d)

Here is the first: Which Should You Choose: Joint or Separate Finances?

and

Got My Mind on My Money and My Money On My Mind

While I always try to keep an open mind about how a marriage should work, I was a bit disturbed about the reasons behind keeping separate bank accounts once you are married. I personally believe your accounts should be joint and in a second I will explain why. Before that, however I want to point out a few interesting facts about some of the comments in both these post that just boggled my mind.

1. A lot of people are shacking up - Now before I go on being judgmental, I too was once a shacker-upper at one point in time (until God delivered my brain). When I look back I realize how much I was setting myself up for disaster, needless to say me and that guy aren't together. How can you begin to rap your mind around sharing bank accounts when you can't even commit to each other as partners for life? I think if I was just living with someone I would be a bit hesitant to share my bank account too. Hey I didn't work this hard to get outta debt for you to come mess it up (figuratively speaking)

2. People are dating each other way to long - I am a firm believer of getting to know a person but I saw comments that read "my boyfriend of 8 years" or my girlfriend of 4 years ect...... what the heck last time I checked most of aren't celebs and even all of them don't get a pass to prolong marriage for life. Why is it taking so long for you to decide if its ok to marry each other? I understand possibly getting stuck with lemons be yeeesh, after a while ya gotta know if the person is a dud or not. Studies show that more people are having children out of wedlock so clearly you think someone is good enough to bring a life into the world but not marry.... I am all but puzzled. I personally don't plan on dating anyone again for more than a year without having the discussion about marriage and actually planing for one. You may not think its cool but hey, the longer I wait the sooner I end up with a joint, house, baby, a car note and no ring and SEPARATE bank account lol.

Now on to the case for joint accounts. I did read a few reasons that people like having separate accounts. All reason to pathetic to even list on this blog, so I won't. I will just enlighten you with my reasons why you SHOULD. Now my way won't guarantee a long lasting marriage, nor do I intend to sway people from a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, because I know there are a few people who will use the argument " my mom n dad did it" So I won't go there. These are simply just my opinion and anyone who doesn't agree can freely share why.....

1. It forces people to communicate - I believe a lot of relationships are already strained because people don't know how to talk to each other. I can freely admit this is an issue I have always had in my dating experience, which prayerfully won't be an issue in my next one. But not sharing banking accounts to me is like saying to me "I only want to talk to you regarding the fun stuff like, sex and where we will go out to eat" I know its pretty far fetched but really at what point will you talk about really important stuff? I think sharing your money will expose weaknesses early on in a relationship and give people a chance to deal with it vs pushing it under the rug until someone trips and falls over it.

2. I may as well not ever marry and just have a roommate - When you don't share bank accounts this to me is just like having a roommate in college. If we aren't going to share things then really what is the point? All you did was moved your pile of unwanted junk into a house or apt we now share. Oh yea and I get to see your eye crusted face when I wake up (oh joy) What exactly do we have to look forward to if whats mine is mine and whats yours is yours??

3. People are sabotaging their financial future by not becoming "one" - How can you really be on the same page about life changing events if you can't share you funds. I have heard many people say that when you get married you practically double your chances of financial prosperity. Keep in mind if you just want to live average and be an average joe then yea this would be ok. I personally don't plan on retiring and ending up eating alpo for life and working at walmart. If I just lived my life on one salary and split a few bills here n there this is what I have to look forward too. If you are smart sure you may end up with a nice size 401k but compare that too sharing with a spouse and having 5 times as much as you would when you shared. Money isn't everything I know but it sure does help when you have it.

4. Sharing creates a bond beyond the norm - When I am married I don't want there to be any secrets between us. I know everything won't be perfect but why add to the drama when you don't have too? When we both sit down to do a budget we are drawing closer to each other in that we share the same desires and goals and want to do our best to help each other meet them. Im not a natural born nerd but I have become one, and I know it would do me wonders to know my hubby cares about our financial future just as much as I do. We need to be equal partners in this and if one of us is not making decisions something eventually will come up short.

So there are all my reasons, I probably could come up with more but I would rather hear what the rest of blog world has to say about it.

I have Joined the Yakezie Challenge!!

CHECK IT OUT!!

Goal Setting, Work and other Randomness.

I haven't been able to post much as of late, due to crazy schedules and facebook (I'm addicted what can I say). But I obviously need to start making more time to post even while I'm so called busy, because you just never know who might benefit from something I write.

So here are a couple things that I am working on in conjunction with becoming debt free. I have accepted the fact that unless I hit the lotto I will be pushing onto the three year mark of becoming debt free. I was really disappointed in myself at first but then I recounted my progress and decided that it not as bad as it looks. This year I have paid of around 6,000 in debt soon to be 8,000 come June. Purchased a car with cash, and still remained sane through it all!!! I don't keep a super strict budget like I use to hence the reason my food bill is over $900 since the beginning of the year don't worry though I did buy lots of healthy food!! I have fasted 2 times this year and so changing to a vegan diet contributes to higher grocery bills which is funny to me. (segway)

As I continue to press towards debt freedom, I have become more active in other area's of life. This includes spending more time with friends, and becoming more disciplined in my work schedule. Since I was able to choose vacation time vs pay during overtime at work I have been working super hard. My goal is by late June I will have accumulated 125 hours worth of vacation time. This is a big deal since I haven't had a real vacation in YEARS!! I can't wait to take a long guilt free paid for vacation next year. My days now consist of waking up at 5am to be at work by 6:30am and I work every day until 6pm. This will continue until May 22nd. Once overtime is done I still have to maintain perfect attendance. I don't have any trips planned until my birthday and they are small trips which shouldn't cost much and both involve the weekends so I won't be needing any days off work for them.

FPU will be over in 2 weeks should have been over 3 weeks ago but I extended it due to schedule conflicts. Even though it has lasted longer than it should have, I have had a wonderful time hosting it. My students have been wonderful and I am excited about doing my second one before the year is out. I still have one student who thinks she can invest while having a $25,000 car with payments on it. I hope she soon comes to the light and either dumps the car, or pays it off with savings (that I know she has) my goal is to eventually show her how life can be with NO PAYMENTS.

Its been a great year for growth as I probably have said a million times, but it really has. I look back over the last two years and understand that this whole process has been life changing. This year has been mostly about spiritual growth more than anything and my attitude towards life. I enjoy going to work (most days) and I look forward to each day now.

I am so excited about the future and always imagine what life will be when I finally get to the other side. Life is good now but wow its gonna be so much better when there is no debt hanging over my head. Now that you have listen to me ramble on...... What changes have you made this year, that contribute to your over all growth and progress.

Busy as a bee!!!

Please forgive me for my absence for the past month. I am working over time and doing my best to push through the month of May and come out ahead. I don't have a whole lot of time to sit and write but I am keeping busy!

Right now I am in the process of reading the 4 gospels of the bible, determined to finish organizing all my files and have labels for them by the end of the week. I have tax papers, debt papers, house papers, and Lord knows what other papers. Im trying to sort through it all because once I do that I will be able to calculate a grand total of debt paid off!! Also my fpu class has been a success and we have 2 more weeks to go! My students have been such a delight through this process and I do look forward to hosting fpu again in the future.

Hopefully soon I will return with all new post for your reading pleasures!! Hope all is well out there :-)