Put Away The Credit Cards and Learn To Plan Ahead

One of my favorite Oprah guests is “financial guru” Suze Orman. I own most of her books and have learned a lot about how I spend money and why.

Another financial wizard who is an expert in budgeting is Canadian Gail Vaz-Oxlade who stars in the show “Til Debt Do Us Part.”

Getting Out Of Debt

She gives those who are deep in debt a wake up call, teaching them how to budget properly and plan for the things that they want such as kids, a down payment on a home, or a family vacation. 

Consolidate Debt - Stop Using Credit Cards

Sometimes Gail Vaz-Oxlade recommends that a couple look into debt consolidation to make their monthly payments more manageable, and she always has the household grocery shopper use cash only, no more credit or debit cards. 

Our First Family Camping Trip

This past summer our family of six was finally able to go on our first camping trip because I learned how to properly budget for a vacation. I began planning out the trip six months ahead, and took into account exactly how much everything would cost and how much I needed to save each month.

 

The trip was great, and I was actually surprised that I was able to afford it. But when you begin writing down how much everything costs and how much money you actually spend you begin to have control over your finances.

Family Vacation Budgeting Tips

If you’re tired of racking up credit cards at Christmas time or when you go on a trip then make the decision to learn how to plan ahead instead. you’ll save a lot of money in credit card interest and you’ll feel good knowing you're in control of your financial life.

There are books by Suze Orman and Gail Vaz-Oxlade that give amazing money management tips but you can also find a lot of great budgeting information for free online.

Consolidatedcredit.org offers information on family vacation budgeting. On the website you'll find tips on saving for a vacation, finding discounts and best prices on accomodations, air travel, and rental cars.

You'll even find a printable "vacation planner" on the website to make organizing your vacation expenses easier.

Gail Vaz-Oxlade On Oprah?

I would love to see Oprah do more budgeting shows in 2010, and it would be great to see Gail Vaz-Oxlade as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. She has so much great financial information to share with others, I'm sure that all of Oprah's viewers would love her as much as I do.