Thanks ! But still received d call from bank asking for money.

Hi, Chong,

Sorry that I just saw your comment. I seldom check my comments now.

If you are a blogger, you’ll understand why I don’t read or approve comments anymore.

Okay, back to your question. Do you mean you still receive calls from banks even if you are now under the AKPK debt management program?

How long have you been under the debt repayment plan? If it’s only a month or two months, it’s inevitable that you’ll still get calls from the banks.

Just tell them you are now under AKPK debt management program. Or if they want any proof, fax the AKPK debt management program agreement to them.

Once they get to see the agreement, you’ll hear no more calls from them…;D

Although I am busy selling pet beds or cordless drills these days, I will still update this credit card debt blog every week.

So, do still drop your comments.

Along with plastic surgeons, diet gurus and personal trainers, professionals suggest adding a financial advisor to your list of beauty experts.

According to a survey by www.health.com, financial worries cause more stress to women than their appearance or weight ! They consider getting into debt the dumbest money move they’ve ever made.

Yet ironically, when asked by, “If you found US$100 and didn’t need to pay off a bill or cover necessities, what would you do with it ?”. There was only a one percent difference between women who said they’d save it and those who said they’d spend !

Jane, 28, is an events executive who earns $48,000 a year and is a spender. Gary, 35, is an IT analyst who earns $56,000 a year, but is a planner. They have no children.

Monthly Expenditure

Mortgage $600

Bills $800

Entertainment $1,200

Debts $30,000

Shopping $2,000 (Jane); $1,000 (Gary)

Savings $200 (Jane’s monthly savings policy); $1,100 (Gary)

Jane Says “I’ve always been pampered by my parents, who provided for all my wants. I believe money is earned to be spent. I think it’s okay to reward myself with designer clothes and accessories because I work hard at my job. Money is not everything in life, so I might as well use it to make myself happy.”

Gary Says “I hate being in debt, so I would like to clear it as soon as possible. After that, i would like to pursue a Master’s degree. But Jane’s spending means I have to contribute more to the household expenses and cut back on our savings.”

Expert’s Advice “The most urgent task for Jane and Gary now is to repay the $30,000 debt. The couple should decide how long they want to take to clear the amount. A good time frame is two years, so the couple have to make a monthly payment of $1,250. So they may need to cut down on their entertainment expenses.”

“It doesn’t matter now.”

Once in a while, there are friends or friends’ friends approach me and ask how I got myself into this deep debt trouble.

Whenever people ask me the reasons I got into credit card debt, I will just say that, “It just doesn’t matter how I got into my debt trouble.”

I have long stopped harping on what I spent on, how much I spent and why I bought those junks that I thought they were “must-haves” items at that time.

Also, frequently people get in trouble with debt and don’t know debt management tips, so they simply get further and further behind each month.

It snatched my peace of mind when I’d lie awake at night wondering how I would get out from under a mound of credit card debt.

“It just doesn’t matter now.”

The most important lesson I have learned from getting into deep debt is to Get Out of Debt Trouble As Soon As Possible.

Have I taken actions ? Yes, I have and I am still. Here are is my simple debt reduction method at the moment that I have used for more than 6 months for debt repayment:

Cut Off Credit Cards to Avoid Extra Charges. I still keep 2 credit cards. Originally, I owned 10 credit cards ! (I once boasted to my buddies that I wanted to own as many credit cards as possible ! )

Write to Banks Negotiating Lower Interest Rates. Now, my interest rate is between 9% to 12% per annum. 18% per annum is really a burden.

Spend Less. Many people have the impression that Women are Big Spenders ! Wrong, you guys. I dislike shopping. In fact, I love hanging out at bookshops.

Make All of My Minimum Payments Early or on Time.

Use Cash if Possible.

They are simple yet practical steps to implement to cut down credit card debt. Just do it ! If this is all a bit too late for you and you are already in deep debt trouble, take a deep breath, know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In case you’re not aware, minimum payments by various card issuers have started rising, in some cases even doubling.

Credit card minimum payments may seem convenient on the surface, but only making the minimum payment each month can be quite costly and, it can take you several years to finally get your credit card paid off.

While higher minimum payments may mean you have to fork out more cash each month, those who previously had lower requirements may get rid of their debt faster.