Welcome to this week’s Carnival of Debt Reduction!  The personal ones are up on top since I’ve always felt that personal stories on debt reduction are what make the carnival unique.  Enjoy!

Debt Reduction Stories

• No Credit Needed’s parents are debt free!
• Ask Mr. Credit Card interviews Man vs. Debt on how he paid off his credit cards in 15 months.
• Debt Sucks has set a goal to be debt free in five years.  He has over $60k to pay off, so please head over to give him some encouragement.
• Funny About Money paid off a $21k loan.
• Debt Kid is looking forward.
• Studenomics has a guest post from a debt-free college grad that shares thoughts.
• The Happy Rock is wondering about cashing in savings bonds.

Debt reduction advice and information

• Bargaineering runs through an in-depth explanation of the FICO score and its ranges.
• Five Cent Nickel discusses whether to pay off mortgage debt or invest.
• Credit Shout shows how to write a debt dispute letter.  (Correcting information is crucial to maintaining credit standing.)
• Woman Tribune reports that banks are tightening lending standards.
• Free Money Finance says that Chase is making holding debt less appealing.
• Leave Debt Behind weighs the pros and cons of debt consolidation.
• Paycheck Chronicles sheds light on the minimum payment trap.
• The Digerati Life lists seven things she learned by following Blogging Away Debt’s road to debt freedom.
• Cash Money Life explains what to do when you can’t afford your student loan payments.
• Money Smart Life has information on free credit report and credit monitoring trials.
• American Consumer News runs down what the new credit laws could do.
• Discover Debt Freedom gives some questions to ask yourself in order to see if you need credit counseling.
• Debt Goal reports on record student credit card debt levels.
• Find Secured Cards Blog discusses secured credit cards and how they can be used to rebuild a good credit rating.

Generally-sensible debt-reducing money tips

• Gather Little By Little reminds us that someone who is faithful with a little can be entrusted with a lot.
• Sun’s Financial Diary gives a rundown on how to make a budget in three easy steps.
• Lazy Man and Money shares several tips on lowering your cell phone bill.
• Money Ning explains how to deal with frugal advice.
• Wealth Pilgrim responds to comments that he wants to stiff Mom just to save a buck.
• Budgets are Sexy says to stay insured if at all possible to reduce the likelihood of being saddled with debt.
• Savings Toolbox discusses whether to switch to a credit union or not.
• The Smarter Wallet suggests using a money tool to help manage savings and debt.
• Mike’s Millions recommends making bill-paying automatic.
• Automatic Finances asks, “How often do you check in?“

Thanks for reading!  Be sure to contribute to the discussions and give some link or social bookmarking love to your favorites!

Note:  Prime Time Money will be hosting next week on Tuesday (since Monday is Memorial Day).  I’m not sure when the cutoff will be for next week, but if you miss it, you’ll be considered for the following week’s carnival, so no worries.

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