Marc, a ReadyForZero user
Here at the ReadyForZero blog, people often ask how they can access all our previous posts. And after more than two years of writing about getting out of debt, saving money, and living a better financial life, we realized that we needed to put all our posts together in one place.
So we created this page for people who are just getting started on their journey to financial freedom (or those who are in the middle of it). As you can see below, our very first post was published on August 31, 2010, and we’ve written quite a bit since then. Enjoy!
May 2013
8 Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store
Dealing with the Emotions of Becoming Debt-Free
What is A Good Credit Score for Buying a House?
How to Get (and Stay) Motivated for Long-Term Debt Repayment
Shannon's Shout Outs: Student Loan Edition
How to Strategize Your Finances
Frugal Ways to Reward Yourself Along Your Debt Payoff Journey
Approach Consumer Debt as a Symptom Rather than a Problem
Shannon's Shout Outs: Graduation Edition
Meet the ReadyForZero Team: Benny
How to Evaluate Financial Priorities
Blogger of the Month: Peter Anderson
How to Deal with Your Student Loan Debt
Shannon's Shout Outs: Mother's Day Edition
How to Schedule a Sallie Mae Payment
What's the Difference Between a Defined Benefit Plan and a Defined Contribution Plan?
Lifelong Goals Are the Key to Motivation
Mortgage Interest Tax Deductions You Can't Afford to Miss
April 2013
How to Deal with Hospital Bills
Shannon's Shout Outs: Money and Relationships Edition
ReadyForZero Video Shoot: Meeting Our Users In Person
What to Do if You're New to the Workforce
Control Your Spending by Giving Yourself an Allowance
Top 5 Easy Ways to Make Extra Money
Shannon's Shout Outs: Breaking Down Mental Barriers Edition
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: What's Stopping You?
The Current State of Student Loans
Shannon's Shout Outs: Financial Literacy Edition
10 Mental Barriers to Paying off Debt: You Don't See the Point in Asking for Help
5 Steps to Help You Increase Your Income
How We Paid Off $59,000 of Debt Together (Part 2)
Weekly Shout Outs: Tax Time Edition
How Do You Stay Motivated for Long-Term Goals?
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: The Need to Maintain Appearances
How Do I Get My Free Credit Report and Score Online?
How We Paid Off $59,000 of Debt Together (Part 1)
Weekly Shout Outs: Money Makeover Edition
March 2013
Learning to Live Without Credit Cards
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: Instant Gratification Syndrome
Student Loan Interest Deduction: The IRS Wants You to Pay Down Your Student Debt
Should I Do a Credit Card Balance Transfer?
Weekly Shout Outs: Snowy Spring Edition
For Richer, For Poorer - Debt and Marriage
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: Can't Break the Cycle of Debt
Should You Pay Off Credit Cards or Student Loans First?
How Much of a Mortgage Can I Afford?
Weekly Shout Outs: Tax Preparation Edition
Ask Get Out of Debt Guy: Questions About Debt Settlement
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: You Don't Feel Like You're Making Progress
Weekly Shout Outs: Health Care Edition
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: You Aren't Saving Money
How I Paid Off My Debt in Less Than Two Years (and You Can Too)
Weekly Shout Outs: America Saves Week Wrap Up Edition
Ask the Get Out of Debt Guy: How to Find Out Who You Owe
February 2013
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: What to Do If You Hate Budgeting
The New Pay As You Earn Program for Student Loans
Welcome to America Saves Week / Military Saves Week!
Weekly Shout Outs: America Saves Week Edition
Ask the Get Out of Debt Guy: What Happens If You Stop Making Your Credit Card Payments
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: Doubting Your Chances of a Good Financial Future
How to Handle Debt if You Become Unemployed
Weekly Shout Outs: President's Day Edition
Ask the Get Out of Debt Guy: Should You Use Retirement Funds to Pay Off Debt?
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: Not Making Debt Payoff the Top Priority
Do-It-Yourself Credit Repair (Without Spending a Dime)
How to Pay Credit Card Bills Online
Weekly Shout Outs: Valentine's Day Edition
Ask the Get Out of Debt Guy: Options for Student Loan Co-Signers
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt: Thinking Debt is Not a Problem
Blogger of the Month: Michelle from Making Sense of Cents
How to Know When to Quit Your Job
Weekly Shout Outs: Real Estate Edition
10 Mental Barriers to Paying Off Debt
January 2013
Biweekly Payments: How They Work
Weekly Shout Outs: My Money Questions Edition
Disadvantages of Reverse Mortgages
Top Personal Finance Blogs of 2012
Weekly Shout Outs: New Career for the New Year Edition
Do Your Loved Ones Understand Your Career Priorities?
Should You Ever Loan Money to Friends and Family?
Why You Should NOT Open a Credit Card for the Rewards
Why You Should Open a Credit Card for the Rewards
5 Ways to Protect Yourself if You're the Victim of Credit Fraud
Weekly Shout Outs: Automate Your Finances Edition
Put Your Student Loans on Autopilot
What's an Average Credit Card Interest Rate? (And How to Get a Lower One)
Blogger of the Month: Nicole from Ms. Career Girl
The Tenacious Bengals Fan Who Paid Off $10,000 in Credit Card Debt
Weekly Shout Outs: The Debt Movement Edition
Does Student Loan Debt Hurt Your Credit Score?
Year In Review: Our Most Practical Financial Advice from 2012
Let’s Pay Down $10 Million in Debt
December 2012
Weekly Shout Outs: New Year's Eve Edition
Meet the ReadyForZero Team: Kristina
Evaluating Your Finances After a Breakup
How to Evaluate Your 2012 Financial Goals
Weekly Shout Outs: Christmas Eve Edition
4 Inexpensive Ways to Help Your Child’s Future
Only Pay for What You Need Right Now
Should You Buy Your Family Lots of Holiday Gifts?
5 Money-Saving Tax Moves to Make Before the New Year
Weekly Shout Outs: Couples Finance Edition
How to Find a Career That Is Right For You
Why You Should Absolutely Make a New Year’s Resolution in 2013
Why You Should Not Make a New Year's Resolution in 2013
Introducing Two New Resource Centers... for Career Tips and Relationships/Money Advice
Is Your Job Keeping You From a Bright Financial Future?
Weekly Shout Outs: Identity Protection Edition
Meet the ReadyForZero Team: Loren
What to Do if You're Scared of Your Partner's Debt
Blogger of the Month: Planting Our Pennies
How to Get Ready to Repay Your Federal Student Loans
Weekly Shout Outs: Winter Weather Edition
November 2012
How to Pay Off Student Loans After You Graduate
Why You Should Not Go Above Your Monthly Budget for the Holidays
Why You Can Go Above Your Monthly Budget for the Holidays
How to Celebrate Your Financial Successes
Weekly Shout Outs: Holiday Season Edition
Meet the ReadyForZero Team: Bobby
Should You Buy on Black Friday or Skip It?
5 Ways to Get Organized, Save Money and Reduce Stress During the Holidays
Weekly Shout Outs: Thanksgiving Edition
Why You Should Not Charge Adult Children Rent
Why You Should Charge Adult Children Rent
Should I Do a Reverse Mortgage?
Weekly Shout Outs: Veteran’s Day Edition
Free Financial Counseling for Veterans
Meet the ReadyForZero Team: Ben
Refer a Friend and Get ReadyForZero PLUS Free for a Month
Blogger of the Month: David Ning
Curb Your Spending by Giving Yourself More Paydays
Weekly Shout Outs: Emergency Preparedness Edition
What Happens If You Don’t Pay Your Car Payment?
The Hidden Costs of Sending Your Kid to School (and How to Minimize Them)
October 2012
Cash Is Still King! (Why You Should Use Cash Instead of Credit Cards)
Why You Should Use Credit Cards (Not Cash) For Your Day-to-Day Purchases
How to Work Towards a Financial Goal and Actually Achieve It
Weekly Shout Outs: Halloween Edition
What Should You Do Before Buying a House?
What Is the Worst Budgeting Tip You've Ever Heard?
Saving Money: Where Do You Draw the Line?
Which Credit Card Should I Pay Off First?
How to Leverage Social Media to Sell Your Car
Why You Should NOT Buy a New Car
Why You Should Buy a New Car (Not Used)
Weekly Shout Outs - Bill Pay Edition
How to Save Money on Kid's Extracurricular Activities
Our biggest release since sliced bread: ReadyForZero PLUS
The 27-Year Old Entrepreneur Who Paid Off $6,500 in Credit Card Debt
How to Get Your Finances in Order As a Couple
The Anatomy of a Credit Report
Can the Government Garnish Your Wages if You Don’t Pay Student Loans?
Budgeting Tips: How to Menu Plan Like a Kindergartner
Why You Should NOT Take Out Student Loans for College
Why You Should Take Out Student Loans for College
Help, I Owe More Than My Car is Worth: What To Do When Your Car Loan Is Underwater
September 2012
Confessions of a Former Shopaholic: How I Broke My Spending Habits by Moving to the Big City
How Many Credit Cards Is Too Many?
What is Credit Counseling and How Does It Work?
Why I REFUSE to Play the Credit Score Game
Why Your Credit Score Matters (Even When You’re In Debt)
The True Secret to Paying Off Your Debt
Federal Loans Now Up For Grabs by Debt Collectors
How to Apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
How to Legitimately Make Extra Money From Home
Why You Should NOT Use Coupons for Grocery Shopping
Why You Should Use Coupons for Grocery Shopping
August 2012
Should I Do A Payment Protection Plan?
Two and a Half Budgeting Mistakes I’ll Never Make Again
Ways to Reduce Your Need for Student Loans
How to Approach Getting a Car Loan
Why Teenagers Should NOT Be Allowed to Have a Credit Card
Why Teenagers Should Be Allowed to Have a Credit Card
4 Things Great White Sharks Can Teach You About Getting Out of Debt
Car Loan or Home Loan: Which Would You Pay First?
Supercharge Your Debt Paydown with Extra Income
Upper Middle Class are Struggling with Student Loan Debt Too
Smart Money Debate: Why You Should Buy a Home Instead of Renting
Smart Money Debate: Why You Should Rent Instead of Buying a Home
Success Profile: The World-Traveler Who Destroyed $37,000 in Debt
What Happens If I Can’t Pay My Student Loans?
July 2012
What Happens to Debt When You Die?
Should It Be Easier to File Bankruptcy for Private Student Loans?
Living on a Budget in the Big City
Can The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act Help You?
Fun Staycation and Local Travel Ideas That Can Save You Money
Managing Kids and Getting Out of Debt
Simple Tips for Creating a Budget You Can Stick To
Ben's Challenge Update: How It Feels to Be Debt Free
10 Strategies For Saving Money While Paying Your Bills
Student Loan Grace Periods are NOT Going Away
How to Budget When Your Income Changes Each Month
June 2012
8 Ways to Keep Pet Care Expenses Under Control
How to Save Money on Your Daily Cup of Coffee
Toshl Budgeting Mobile App Review
Should You Pay Off Loans Early?
Ben’s Challenge Update: June 6
May 2012
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Nick
Easy Wallet Hacks to Help Optimize Your Budget
How Can I Get My Credit Card Fees Waived?
8 Summer Vacation Ideas That Won't Break the Bank
Credit Unions vs. Banks: Which Should You Choose?
Debt Consolidation Fees and Costs
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Chad
How the Debate Over Student Loan Interest Rates Affects You
A Gift Guide to a Thoughtful and Affordable Mother’s Day
My Story: How I Got My Credit Card Company to Lower My Interest Rate
Which Is Best: The 5 Different Ways to Get Out of Debt
April 2012
How To Find A Reputable Debt Consolidation Company
What To Do If Your Credit Limit is Lowered
What If I’m Late on My Credit Card Payment?
10 Clever Ways to Reduce Energy and Save Money on Utilities
Does Debt Consolidation Hurt Your Credit Score?
Fun Ways to Workout and Get Fit Without Joining a Gym
What happens if I don't pay my credit cards?
How Does Debt Consolidation Work?
March 2012
How to Find a Job While in Debt
What to Do With Your Tax Refund
Ben's Challenge, Week 9: What I've Learned So Far
How Does Credit Card Interest Work?
11 Creative Ways to Negotiate and Lower Your Rent
Ben's Challenge, Week 8: Trying to Make Extra Money
Can the Special Direct Consolidation Loan Program Help You?
Is it Better to Invest or Pay Off Debt?
Ben’s Challenge, Week 7: Credit Score Update
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Chuck
6 Ways to Eat Organic and Local Food While on a Budget
Ben’s Challenge, Week 6: My Budget Exposed
February 2012
Is Debt Consolidation a Good Idea?
Big or Small City - What Really Costs More?
Ben’s Challenge, Week 5: Help for Getting Out of Debt
Join and Participate in America Saves Week
CFPB Targets Debt Collectors and Credit Bureaus
What to Do if You Can’t Pay All Your Bills
Ben’s Challenge, Week 4: Can I Make Money on eBay?
The $25 Billion Foreclosure Fraud Deal: What It Means for You
What Is Income-Based Repayment of Student Loans?
Ditch the Valentine’s Day Traditions and Celebrate All Year Long
Ben’s Challenge, Week 3: My Credit Score
Don't Get a Payday Loan! Try These Alternatives First.
How to Ensure Positive Changes Turn into Lifelong Habits
January 2012
Ben’s Challenge, Week 2: Spending Less
Stop the Cycle of Financial Debt and Future Mistakes
What Are Your State of the Union Predictions?
Moving For Cheap - How to Relocate on a Budget
My New Year's Resolution: Help Me Stay Motivated
What's Your Experience With Private Student Loans?
3 Things the Government Should Do Immediately to Protect Consumers
Tips to Turn Any Yard Sale Into a Money Making Success
Debt Avalanche Vs. Debt Snowball: Which is The Best Way to Pay Off Debt?
The Daily Commute: 7 Ways to Maximize Time and Save Money
Discover the Science Behind New Year's Resolutions
December 2011
ReadyForZero Budgeting Spreadsheet
How to Make New Year's Resolutions that Stick
Last-Minute Holiday Shopping: Avoid Buyer's Remorse
Save Money and Enjoy Your Vacation with These 6 Tips
10 Handmade Gift Ideas to Help You Save Money
Why Your Bank Wants to Be Friends on Facebook
5 Financial Lessons from Your Favorite Holiday Characters
You’re Already in Student Loan Debt… Now What?
3 Dangerous Shopping Traps and How to Avoid Them
4 Financial Mistakes to Avoid During the Holidays
What You Need to Know About ‘Balance Transfer Day’
Credit Card Usage On the Rise Again
What Will You Do When You Reach Zero?
Protect Yourself from Debt After Death
3 Years After Credit Bubble Popped, Late Payments Are Still Common
Surprising Facts About Black Friday 2011 [Infographic]
How to Keep the Holidays from Annihilating Your Budget
November 2011
Record Spending on Black Friday? Not for Our Users!
A Cure for Your Black Friday Shopping Hangover
5 Tips to Help you Tackle Black Friday
Got a Buck? How You Can Be Giving While in Debt
The Myth of Minimum Payments: They’re Sneakier than You Think
How to Turn Your Financial Goal Into a Smashing Success
What if You're Not Ready to Pay for College?
Mid-Week Reads: Doodles, IRAs and Generosity
Breaking the Mental Chains of Debt
The Curious Connection Between Guns and Credit Cards (Infographic)
Online Banks Vs. Traditional Banks: Which is Right for You?
How To Master the Art of Perseverance
What Was Your Biggest Financial Mistake?
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Tiffany
Graduates Drowning in Average Loan Debt of $25,000
4 Differences between Private and Federal Student Loans
Bank of America Backs Down from $5 Debit Card Fee
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Katrina
October 2011
How Americans Spend their Paychecks
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Jared
Obama to Announce New Student Loan Plan
Five Things a Bank Teller Could Teach You About Your Finances
Student Loan Default is De-angerous
How to Understand Your Credit Card Statement
Redesign Your Financial Behavior with Psychological Traps
Citibank CEO Calls On Banks to Treat Customers Better
Americans’ Credit Card Spending Lower for the Second Month in a Row
Living Cheap in a Big City: How to Keep Rent from Devouring your Life
One Third of Americans Would Immediately Be at Risk of Losing Their Home or Apartment if Laid Off
Talking ‘Bout My Generation: “We Are the 99 Percent”
10 Things I Wish I’d Known About Student Loans
Debt Collectors and Cell Phones: Do They Mix?
Would a National Debt Relief Program Save the Economy?
September 2011
4 Free Ways to Boost Your Happiness Today
Bank of America Announces New Fees For Debit Cards
Peer to Peer Marketplaces: How You Can Use Them to Save and Make Money
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Felipe
Americans’ Credit Card Spending Higher than Last Year
Why Health Care Costs Are Rising (And What You Can Do to Protect Yourself)
ReadyForZero Success Profile: Colin
Is Student Loan Forgiveness for All Students a Good Idea?
Funny Fridays: Five Ways Chewing Gum is Good For You.
Basics of Bankruptcy: How to Know When it is Your Best Option
7 Ways Dropping Debt is a Lot Like Dropping Weight
Should I Stay in School or Enter the Job Market?
President Obama to Discuss State of the Economy Tonight
Introducing Our New Debt-Free Guide for Recent College Graduates -- "Breaking Free"!
Unemployment by the Numbers: Getting Better or Getting Worse?
August 2011
Even Famous Athletes Can Struggle with Debt
Daily Spending: How Much Does it Cost You?
6 Financial Mistakes you Might be Making
ReadyForZero Success Profile: James
Personal Credit Reporting From Around the World
The True Cost of a For-Profit Education
How will the U.S. Credit Downgrade Affect Consumers?
How to Resist Psychological Sales Techniques
The Nine Levels of Debt Suffering
48-hour Longshot Magazine on Debt
May 2011
The Graduating Student’s Guide to Managing Finances and Tackling Debt
April 2011
Remind Yourself Not to Spend with our Free Stickers
Debt Expert Q/A: Our Small Business Tanked and Cleaned Us Out. What Now?
March 2011
How to Prevent Yourself from Overspending on Your Credit Cards
Debt Expert Q/A: Am I Following a Healthy Path to Freedom From Debt?
Lowering Your Interest Rate With a Simple Phone Call
February 2011
Debt Expert Q/A: I've Missed some Payments in the Past And Hurt My Credit. What Should I Do? - Jimmy
New Q/A Series with Steve Rhode, Resident Debt Expert
How Americans get out of credit card debt.
January 2011
Yahoo! Finance on "6 expenses you should never put on a credit card"
December 2010
ReadyForZero Interview: Damon Day, Financial Advocate & Debt Coach
Credit Card Statements: Where Bad Usability Equals Big Profit
November 2010
Bank of America lowered my credit limit: A user story (share yours!)
What is credit counseling and how does it work? (BONUS: Download-able worksheet.)
October 2010
Why We Started A Company to Help People Pay Off Credit Card Debt
August 2010
America is ready to be debt free