I read an article in the Money Section of USA Today yesterday (13 October 2011) that startled me. The article, titled “Debtors burying heads in sand” had an even more alarming subtitle: “More people in trouble but fewer seek help.” Help? How did debtors get into financial problems in the first place? And, who are they going to seek help from?
The article begins by making the point that even as more Americans are piling on debt fewer are seeking counseling or other kinds of relief to try to put their financial life back in order. Consumers accumulated an additional $18.4 billion in credit card debt in the second quarter (2011) according to a new study from CardHub.com. That’s up 66 percent from the same quarter in 2010 and up 368 percent from years ago! I must admit, those figures are staggering.
So, who should these people seek help from? The author points to the following sources: 1.) the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, 2.) the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, and 3.) the American Bankruptcy Institute. Give me a break already.
What is happening to us folks? I mean really! Don’t we realize that the only one we can rely on to pull ourselves out of this situation is ourselves? Only we have full control over our lives. Men and women have given their lives so that we have this freedom. Are Americans giving up on themselves?
Let’s pull our heads out of the sand and start doing something about it. There are hundreds of opportunities out there that enable, in fact empower us to move forward and seek our independent financial security. It does not happen overnight. It takes a little time, a little investment and a little help. But, it’s out there; you just need to find it and take action.
I’m essentially talking about finding a little part-time job through network marketing. I listened to a CD while driving yesterday by Jim Rohn. On this CD, Mr. Rohn tells the story of how he first got started in network marketing. His goal was to earn 50 percent of his income from his part-time job while he maintained his full-time job. Once he hit that goal, he established another; to earn as much in his part-time job as he did in his full-time job. I think his next goal was to double his income. Once he did that, he still continued to work his job. Why? He didn’t want to lose his story! He just kept adding to it.
So, what’s your story? Are still relying on factors you cannot control to impact your life for better or for worse? Things like the economy, the political environment, your employer’s discretion to lay you off or promote you, or maybe even the stock market. Or, are you ready to take control of your financial life? It’s all up to you!
Related articles
- Fewer people in debt trouble seeking counseling, other help (usatoday.com)
