The president just signed a $168 billion economic stimulus package that authorizes the government to send out rebate checks. The idea is we all are supposed rush out to spend our surprise money to stimulate the economy. In turn, the businesses selling those products and services to us will spend their profits on more products and services which are supposed to jump start the economy once again.

Now let’s look at the logic here. This new bill is encouraging us to spend more – the very attitude and mindset that got us into financial trouble in the first place. In fact, these very same Americans encouraged to go out and spend their rebate checks or even take on more interest are already over their heads in debt.

It’s the day after. . .millions of Americans filed their Federal Income Tax Return.

Several things are stirring in my spirit this morning.

The First Income Tax Refund

Edmund Burke once said, “You can never plan for the future by the past.” However in the case of preparing taxes for 2008, what you have done this past year can impact your future!

Continue Reading

As I’m typing this blog, my “fine” wife Bev is putting the final touches on all the material we need for our CPA to file our 2008 taxes.

I’m going to resist the temptation to tell you what I think about taxes. However, I will tell you that I once did an extensive survey and only found two groups of people that don’t like to pay taxes.

Men and Women…..

Does tax season give you the jitters? It does for most folks so they procrastinate about doing the inevitable. Additionally, they often let fear of the unknown or what someone else said create unnecessary panic. Let’s clear the air a bit…and deal with some of the most common tax fears.

We feel your pain.

Seriously, do you really think that the credit card companies who are filling your mailbox and inbox with warm, fuzzy offers of easy credit are really concerned about your economic well-being?

Not a chance.

The credit crunch in our economy has the credit card companies feasting like a bunch of goblins on Halloween night.

Be warned …they are out for blood. They know people are hurting and it’s amazing the lengths to which they will go to entice consumers into their web of bondage. They lure desperate people with the promise of “guaranteed” low interest rates.

Many of the companies make it look so easy for consumers to get beyond this credit crunch that they turn a blind eye on the black widow waiting to paralyze them.

Now this excuse is dumber than cat hair….no disrespect intended to our feline friends.

I had someone tell me once that they were on the verge of bankruptcy and it was the credit card company’s fault. She said, they were the ones sending all those pre-approved applications and she felt like they wanted her to keep charging. OH, PLEASE.

That’s like the father who called his daughter at college and asked why she was bouncing checks to which she replied, “Daddy, the bank has made a mistake, there has to be money in my account because I haven’t used all my checks yet.”

Where are the "priceless" TV credit card ads when your bills begin to mount off? They’re off on vacation with your hard-earned money.

Here are 15 ways you can know when your credit card bills are too high.

You’re special AND that’s NOT just because you’re visiting the Debt Free Army website and reading this blog. You’re special because the Word of God says that you are.

Now I must admit I’m curious how many of you received a letter in your mailbox during the past week telling you how SPECIAL you are that you’ve been pre-approved, pre-qualified for that special low interest credit card.

Do you think credit card companies are sending you these credit card offers because they think you’re so SPECIAL. No, it’s because they want your money.

Keep this in mind when you’re reading all the flowery language in the credit card/debt solicitation.

Who’s the biggest fan of gift cards for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas?

If you guessed your spouse, children, grandchildren, co-workers, friends or business associates … you’d be wrong.

They may like them but the number one fan of gift cards is the retailers who sell them to you.