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A change of heart

I used to hate the idea of borrowing money, especially from payday lenders and the ‘excessive’ interest rates they pose on consumers. Up to this point, I still do not own a single credit card because I refuse to leave any doors open to financial hardship. However, my thoughts on payday loans have changed over the past years.

Payday Loans to blame for the ‘cycle of debt’

I’ve heard many horror stories about payday lenders, which is one of the main reasons why I held resentment towards the industry. People blame payday loans, as well as other forms of lending, for the cycle of debt that many across the nation are witnessing firsthand. But are payday loans really to blame? Are they solely responsible for the “cycle of debt” that so many are struggling to get out of?

If you were to ask me today, a point-blank ‘NO’ would be my answer. I can say, however, that payday loans can definitely help amplify the unbearable experience of being stuck in the cycle of debt. The fact is irresponsible use of money is the main reason why people are stuck in debt – not the payday loan industry. If anything, they have done the opposite and have helped many people out of debt with the services they offer. There’s a reason they’ve been around for many years. Even now, more than ever, people are looking to payday lenders for help. Making ends meet in this economy is not a walk in the park. Emergency situations arise so often and unexpectedly these days it’s hard to keep afloat at times.

Everyone needs help from time to time. It’s just the way things are. So where do the hard-working individual go in terms of getting quick financial assistance? Do they head to the bank? Sadly, some have gone to that extent, but most likely have been turned away because of their credit, whether bad, poor, or no credit at all. What then can they do?

The payday loan industry – a blessing for all

While some harbor resentment towards payday loans, the payday loan industry has become a grand blessing to so many others. Many of us struggle with bad or poor credit, a problem that often keeps us from getting the help we need – when we need it. Fortunately, places like Personal Money Store understand the credit problem and the daily economic difficulties that we struggle with each day. Unlike banks and credit unions, they have lowered their bars and expectations for this very reason. They know that only a few people have stellar credit, and that figure calculates up to more than half of the population. Not only do they provide fast, reliable assistance, but many companies also work with their customers to find the right payment plan that fits well within their means.

Payday Loans vs. Saving Money

Although paying back the interest was not something I looked forward to, I felt great knowing that I had saved more money in the end because of the help of payday loans. One last thing I’d like to add before wrapping things up: Start a savings account, if you have not yet already. Saving money will help a great deal when those financial emergencies pop up, and will keep you from needing a payday loan.

The Potty Train

I have a 3-year-old kid who is fully potty trained. All the credit, however, goes right to my baby.

You see, I’m a full-time worker. I don’t have the required amount of time to consistently potty train my kid, so I must rely on others who can. However, to my disappointment, they too were unable to provide the kind of training I had wished for. Fortunately, my bright 3-year-old decided one day to lose the training pants and start using the toilet on her own. Ever since then, she has been using the toilet no problem. I was even amazed to see her get out of bed – on her own – one night to use the toilet. She stumbled her way out of her bedroom, down the hallway, into the bathroom, and sat her little white tush on the toilet seat. After answering to nature’s call, she stumbled her way back to her bedroom, and dozed right back to sleep. I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty damn amazing!

I’ve been very fortunate in this aspect. However, there are many parents who are struggling to potty train their kids. Many parents have asked me how I potty trained my kid, and what type of method works best.

The Best Potty Training Method

I don’t know which method works best, but I do know that it takes a lot of time and consistency to potty train children. Everything must be on a set schedule whether it’s feeding your child, having playtime, taking baths, or going to the potty. Not only is having a set routine comforting to children, but it is also quite beneficial in the development of economic and organizational skills. Having a set routine can also help with behavioral problems, in case you didn’t know.

As parents, we all know that sitting at the toilet for hours on end can be both tiring and frustrating at times. But when it comes to potty training your child, the required amount of time invested in training your child will pay off nicely in the end. If they see that you dread potty-time, they will do the same. Of course, you can take your baby to the bathroom, but you can’t make them go. As mentioned earlier, it takes a lot of time and consistency. Instead of getting aggravated, why not take the time to bond with your child and make potty training a fun game? Come up with a reward game where your child is given something each time he goes. For instance, you can put a sticker chart next to the toilet. Every time your baby goes, he receives a sticker, and a step closer to getting a prize. Remember not to push your child or expect too much out of him/her. Even if your child shows no signs of immediate progress, remember that your efforts will eventually pay off.

The Three Day Potty Method

“Professional Parenting Mentor and Coach” Lora Jensen also brings out a very good point. She says that “the way you potty train can actually distract your child from the learning process, ignite power-struggles and leave you frustrated. Your child may even be “stuck” in pull-ups or other training pants for weeks or months to come.” I’m sure every parent would agree that this is not something they want for their child. If you feel you need some help to potty train your baby, by all means get it! Check out Lora Jensen’s “3 Day Potty training” method for clear, specific advice on potty training.

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- 3 Day Potty Training May Not Require Payday Loans

- Royal Restrooms | Business is Booming in Bathroom Business

- Children and Unsecured Personal Loans, Saving and Money

- Just a Drop Eliminates Odors, Reduces Trash, Can Save Money

- GoGirl – Not Your Typical Porta Potty for Females

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abardwell/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Healthcare alone is not enough

Cost of healthcare insurance is rising. Most people these days are unable to afford even the lowest rates of healthcare insurance due to many of our daily challenges. The economy has played a huge part as well, leaving little to no financial stability one can fully depend on. Even with healthcare insurance, some people are not even able to afford the co-pay for the doctor’s visit, let alone the prescriptions they need to get better. So, what can a person do to alleviate some of that financial burden that comes with high healthcare costs? Is there a way? Of course there is!

One of the main things you can do is try to stay healthy. Fewer visits to your doctor can mean fewer hospital bills to worry about, which adds up to a large sum of savings. Kick your unhealthy eating habits to the curb and create a healthy tradition of eating the whole family (and your pockets!) will enjoy.

Healthcare costs vs. Price of Healthy Foods

Purchasing foods of all-organic products can indeed be pricey. With more people struggling through the economy and joining the ever-growing line of unemployment, we can’t always find the money to fund organic meals on a daily basis. Like many businesses across the nation, the organic-food market is also facing economic difficulties. Organic grocery shoppers who generally spend 20 percent more than the average food shopper are now cutting corners and opting for a cheaper way to put food on the table. However, with the rising cost of healthcare in mind, is the money used for healthy foods worth it?

H. Shenoy, a contributing writer at Personal Money Store, makes a very good point on this topic. “Contrary to what many people may think, staying healthy is less expensive than going to the doctor regularly,” said Shenoy. “You do not have to follow an extreme regimen to stay reasonably healthy.”

People are looking for ways to save money on food items, which is a good thing. Anything that can create an extra cash flow will help a great deal, especially when those unexpected financial emergencies take place. But like Shenoy stated, “staying healthy is less expensive” than frequent visits to the doctor. There’s quite a huge difference between the two, which will either save you more money in the end or send you deeper in debt.

Financial Stability

This is not to say, however, that you do not need healthcare because you make every effort to stay healthy. We are not immortal (unless, of course, you’re Edward Cullen). Sometimes, a doctor’s visit is required, not just for regular check-ups, but for those illnesses that often visit unexpectedly. But knowing how to balance out the rising cost of healthcare with your food budget will help not just your health, but your efforts to financial stability as well.

Related Posts:

- Avoid Personal Loans and Debt by Staying Healthy

- Hungry Girl Keeps it Simple, Helps Shoppers and Snackers

- Visit ‘French Women Don’t Get Fat’ FOR FREE

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- Rachael Ray Show Introduces the ‘400 Calorie Fix’ Method

- How to Buy Groceries when Pay Day is Far Away

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/missbossy/ / CC BY 2.0)

Our Idea of Marriage

What is your definition of marriage? (Photo via wtlphotos, Flickr.com)

I’ve been married for 4 years now. My husband and I married at a very young age. He had just turned 21 and I was only 17 at the time… and pregnant. I was the happiest girl the day my husband proposed to me. We had a blurry idea of what marriage is and what exactly we were getting ourselves into. At that particular moment, in that precise moment in time, all we knew and cared for was that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.

What is Marriage?

“What is marriage?” asked my mother. “Surely, you must have idea of what marriage is.” What!? Of course I have an idea, I thought to myself. My parents have been married for 25 years. I’ve seen them work through all their ups and downs. I’ve seen the affection they shared, the secret whispers, and sneaked kisses. I have also seen the fight, the struggle, and disappointments. I’ve seen it all. Or have I?

I was still living at home with my parents at the time. I was a high school dropout with no job or a stable source of income. My husband worked part-time as a bagger-boy at a grocery store downtown. He worked minimum-waged hours and brought in little money. He, too, relied on others for financial support. And here we are, two young individuals in love proclaiming they’re prepared to make the next big step.

Not only was I going to be a bride, I was going to be a mother! A mother! Now that plan for a stable income just had to be in place – and quick. How were we going to support this baby? My parents did it 8 times. Surely, we can do it with one. I had no idea what the future was going to be like. I was not certain how I was going to support a little child or even afford to pay my own bills. I guess I could take on a waitressing job, I thought to myself. However, somehow, someway, I felt confident. I had no idea where to begin, but I was determined to marry the love of my life and give birth to the child that was slowly growing in me. Still, I had yet to find out firsthand what marriage was all about.

“What is marriage to you?” The question played like a broken record in my mind.

Wedding Day

I was unable to go to a salon to get a fancy hairdo so I did it myself. I had my hair in plastic curlers for hours before the wedding. About 2 hours before the wedding, I discovered my little idea of hairstyling was far from presentable. My hair fell flat and the curls I had vigorously worked hours on were nowhere to be seen. Nonetheless, I arrived at my wedding looking the best I can possible be.

I wore my wedding dress (or rather a cream-colored prom dress that I bought from the local mall) and I felt beautiful. I couldn’t believe it. I was getting married. We exchanged our vows that cold night in February, thus, marking the beginning of a new life.

After the ceremony, my husband and I looked at each other with smiles creeping up to the corners of our mouths. We were finally married.

My Definition of Marriage

It hasn’t been easy these past years. We have learned many things since we decided to step into the married life. We had so much to learn and we continue to learn new thing about marriage, as individuals, and our lives in general.

What is marriage? Well, I’ll be perfectly honest. I still don’t quite know what marriage is. I do know, however, that marriage is not just a legal contract made between two individuals in love. Have you ever tried to solve a long equation that requires an extensive amount of time and focus? Well, that’s exactly what marriage is like. This type of equation requires more than just one mind, however. Effort and cooperation is needed from both partners. You have to find what works and what doesn’t. You have to try different things to uncover the right solution. When one thing fails, you start the process all over again. You learn what works and what doesn’t. That’s my definition of marriage.

Personally, we are still trying to solve this equation so many others are also struggling with. Nonetheless, we are getting closer and closer to the answer. I do know, however, that when we do get to point, it’s going to be the best feeling of accomplishment; probably more than everything else we’ve worked hard for and accomplished.

Life itself is a never-ending equation. The equation that matters the most, however, is the ones you share with those who matter the most.

Related Posts

Thanks for reading! Here are a few of my favorite articles on Marriage from our Money Blog at Personal Money Store. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did:

- Marriage is a Contract, Not Just Love

- Marriage, Money Management, & Installment Loans

- First Gay Couple on “The Newlywed Game” | Warp Speed, Sulu!

Another Big Savings on Nintendo Wii!

Get a $50 gift card on a Nintendo Wii purchase at Wal-Mart. (Photo via el3enawe, Flickr.com)

If you’re looking to buy a new Nintendo Wii game system, you might want to wait until December 5 to get it. According to their website, the almighty Wal-Mart will be offering a $50 gift card immediately after a Wii purchase on that day. Currently, the Wii is going for $199, which is already a sweet deal considering it cost $250 + tax just last year.

With this Wal-Mart gift card offering, you would only need to pay $149 for a brand new Wii. Don’t rush over to their website, however, because this offering will only be available in stores, not online. Keep in mind that this deal will only last till December 12 while supplies last. Generally, I don’t encourage payday loans for things like this, but if it’s something that will actually save you money in the end, why not?

You don’t have to wait till the 5th of December, however, to start your holiday savings at Wal-Mart (as if we don’t know that already). You can save big bucks on Wii games and other games at Wal-Mart as the retailer is offering 15-20% savings on 25 top video game titles.

Get Past Your Pride and Start Saving!

I’m getting a new Wii system for the hubby (shhhh) so I’m definitely stoked about this deal. Like I’ve said before, saving money is my main goal this holiday season. I’m going to target anything and everything that can help put a little something back in my pockets.

For those of you that would turn your nose up at the idea of shopping at Wal-Mart, please tackle your pride with some logic. You’ll find some of the best deals on games, electronics, groceries, diapers, you name it. If you want to save some money this Christmas, don’t let your pride become an issue.

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