1. This monthly challenge is great! I especially like this month's articles on establishing a will and advanced medical directive. By coincidence I met with an estate planing attorney yesterday & this month's articles reinforces much of what we discussed. I'm curious though, will a future article cover revocable living trusts? Thanks again, This is indeed a great service you are providing.

Posted at 10:04 AM on May 12, 2007e by Greg Crider

2. Greg, thanks for the feedback--it makes our day. Your idea for a future article about revocable living trusts is a good one. We'll schedule it soon.

Posted at 04:28 PM on May 17, 2007e by Susan Tiffany

3. I just joined this group. I really need to get my act together and make sure I can retire someday. I am a new teacher in the county and didn't go to school to become a teacher until I was 50. Therefore I am $48,000 in debt for student loans, and have no net worth.....it is frightening. With insurance policies I am probably worth more dead than alive...I look forward to doing this financial challange

Posted at 08:31 AM on May 25, 2007e by Aileen Baker

4. I just joined the group today. I am only 26 and in debt to my neck. I am paying off a garnishment for a car and trying to catch up my student loans. I am a single mom and it is killing me. I am open to any advice anyone can give me on how to get myself out.

Posted at 01:47 PM on Jun 27, 2007e by Jennifer

5. I just joined today. I was going along, better than I had been. Cutting down on living in my overdraft. Saving a little bit (and I mean a little bit)...trying to pay off my cc's....and then bam...my car breaks down, I have to use my entire paycheck to repair it...and I've got $60 worth of overdraft charges in one week. And I'm still worried about getting enough cash to cover everything. If I can't get things covered, I'm gonna have a month of service charges and such! It's like I thought I was digging myself out...and now I'm spiraling down into some kind of financial disaster...all because of one paycheck spent on car repairs!

Posted at 09:31 AM on Jul 14, 2007e by Darlene

6. A few comments to those of you struggling to make ends meet - analyze where your money is going. Make a monthly budget of income and expenses. Track each month what you expected to pay for each expense and what you actually paid. Make adjustments as neccessary. Cut back on spending. Do you really need or are you using Cable, Internet, Cell phone, gym membership, Caller ID, Call Waiting? Avoid some of the luxeries of life if you can't afford it (expensive car, eating out, spas, tanning, exotic vacations). Take advantage of Medical Flex Spending programs or If you have children in Child care - take advantage of Dependant Flex Spending Programs your employer may offer. Get a second part-time job for the short term to help pay off some bills. If you are working you will have less time to spend, so you will be making money instead of spending it.

Posted at 09:12 AM on Jan 09, 2008e by Cyndee