I’m starting a new feature at Seven Actions called 7 Recommended Websites. Every week or two I will be posting seven Internet resources on a specific goal related topic. The first topic for this new feature is debt reduction. Since it is the goal of many of us to get out of or stay out of debt, here are seven excellent websites to help you achieve this goal:

1) Blogging Away Debt – This blog tells the story of Tricia and her husband as they work to eliminate over $37,000 in debt. The blog, and their debt reduction journey began in February 2006. Tricia keeps the blog updated with frequent stories, advice, and reports on her family’s debt reduction. Drop by today to see how much they’ve accomplished.

2) DaveRamsey.com – I first heard of Dave Ramsey while listening to talk radio about five years ago. Dave has a radio talk show where he gives financial advice to callers, usually on the topic of debt elimination. Dave’s personal story is one of huge success, losing it all, and coming back to even more amazing financial strength. Last year I read his book, The Total Money Makeover. In the book Dave uses his down-to-earth, easy to understand advice for building a financial future. I am a huge Dave Ramsey fan!

3) Debtspiration - How about some inspiration for eliminating that debt? Better yet, how about some debtspiration? Debtspiration is a blog of quotes to inspire and motivate you toward debt reduction. One of my favorite quotes on the site is from Larry Winget, “Affirmations are fine, but affirmations alone don’t change your life. You can say, ‘I am rich, I am rich, I am rich’ until your face turns the color of money, but until you stop doing stupid stuff with your money and start doing smart stuff with your money, you will still be broke.”

4) CNNMoney Debt Reduction Calculator – Need a practical tool for helping you plan your debt reduction? Here it is, a debt reduction calculator. You enter in your various debts and choose from one of three payment plans: pay only the minimum due, pay a set amount each month, or pay it all off by a certain date. Click the button and the calculator tells the story. Depending on the payment plan, you will learn how long you will pay, or how much each month. It’s a good place to start.

5) “Seven radical ways to save money” - This article by Jennifer Mulrean over at MSN.com makes the point that real savings is in taking meaningful action. Her seven steps don’t include reusing tea bags or putting off a haircut. Jennifer suggests that her seven ideas could save you as much as $1000 a month.

6) Get Rich Slowly – On April 26, 2005, J.D. Roth made a post titled “Get Rich Slowly” on his personal blog, FoldedSpace.org. That original post has been read by more than 100,000 visitors and lead to the creation of Get Rich Slowly (GRS). J.D. has also provided a forum for visitors that has active participation. In the future GRS may be adding new features such as personal finance calculators and public domain books and information.

7) No Credit Needed Podcasts - Each week you can listen to a 30 minute podcast on personal finance, debt reduction, and frugal living. I like to download the podcast and listen to it during my walks or in the truck. The style is like listening to a neighbor talk about managing money. The podcasts won’t be for everyone. But if you enjoy a conversational sharing of information, give it a try.

Well, those are my seven recommendations for debt reduction websites. Leave comments with sites that you’d recommend.

[Photo Credit:SqueakyMarmot]

I wonder how many great ideas are lost simply because someone doesn’t remember them later. How many brilliant pieces of music, heart-pounding book plots, or cutting-edge business ideas are forgotten in the daily hustle of our lives? What about new ideas for achieving your life goals? Here are five simple tips for remembering your great ideas:

1) Write them down. Yep, another simple strategy that most of us use too little. Don’t just tell yourself, “I need to remember that.” Get the paper out and make a note of it. Put a pad of paper by your bed for those late night ideas.

2) Buy a voice recorder. This one I am recommending from experience. I carry an Olympus VN-4100 digital recorder with me nearly everywhere I go. It’s great for making quick audio notes. I use it frequently during my daily walks to record ideas I have and work I need to remember to do.  There’s even a PC version that downloads audio onto your computer.

3) Use your voice mail as a audio post-it. Before I bought the recorder, I would call my voice mail at work or home and leave a message for myself. It is a quick and simple way to remember something when there is nothing to write with.

4) Tell someone you are with about the idea. Chances are that the person you tell will not remember the idea and almost definitely won’t remind you. But the value in this tip is that saying the idea out loud will help you to remember it later. When we voice things out loud, the idea or thought makes a stronger impression on our minds. I used this technique when studying in college. Yeah, I looked a bit odd reciting facts while walking to class, but it helped me to remember.

5) Tie a string around your finger. Well, not literally, but the idea is the same. The strategy is to change something in your environment that will prompt you to remember the idea later. The “string around the finger” is to let you know there is something you wanted to remember. Now the key is to make a mental connection between that string and the idea. This is best done through visual association or the link method. Visit Academictips.org for their description of the link method. BTW, I use this method at night when I have an idea. I turn my alarm clock on its side and create a memory link with the idea I have. In the morning I see the clock out of place, and I’m reminded of my idea.

I’ve spent many years studying memory and mnemonics and the best book I’ve read on memory improvement is still the classic, The Memory Book, by Harry Lorraine and Jerry Lucas.

So, what tips do you have for remembering those life-changing ideas?

I realized just today that the RSS feed on this blog was not working. I apologize to any of you that may have tried to subscribe. Well, the problem has been fixed.

If you would like to subscribe to SevenActions.com, simply click any of the orange RSS icons (except the big one to the left) or click this link.

Here’s a brief update on how I am doing with the three goals I have shared with you:

I will spend at least one hour each week in an outdoor recreation activity (not including normal exercise). I’m doing great. I’ve done at least one hour each week. Last week it was hiking for one hour while camping. The hills were great for some exercise and it was an awesomely beautiful day!

I will lose 13 pounds by April 1st, that is one pound a week. I’m slipping a little. Lost two pounds the first week and gained one back the next. Then lost another pound. So, after three weeks I’ve lost two pounds. I’m not going to beat myself up, but I need to get on track. Since I’m getting some exercise, I know I need to start watching what I eat more closely.

To complete a class on web development or programming to help me with my blogging. Class starts tomorrow! I’m really excited about the web design class I am taking at the local community college.

How are you doing on your goals?

The final post in the Seven Actions Series is about seeking. I think I saved this action until last because I knew it would be the most difficult to write.

Seeking is our need to believe in something. It is what gives life meaning. It is spiritual, but not always religious. It is understanding that we are more than just organisms randomly interacting. Seeking is our desire to understand who we are, why we exist, and what is important in life.

Seeking is also about morality and recognizing that life is bigger than just ourselves. When we seek answers about life, we begin to define all of our actions, our decisions, and our relationships. When one believes that life is nothing but chance and science, morality has no role. But without morality, we have no right and wrong; no responsibility to anyone but ourselves. And that, by definition, leaves no room for love.

As we seek to understand life, we will not all find the same answer. But the answer and the journey to get there will help to build a path for our lives and our decisions. As best selling author Greg Anderson said, “When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing — then we truly live life.” Meaning is vital to our lives.

In my own life, meaning is found in my spiritual faith. I believe in something greater than myself and greater than the application of science can explain. I understand the challenges that this post may present for many of my readers. For many, there is an aversion to anything spiritual. But look past my own journey, and ask yourself if you have not needed to understand life at a more meaningful level. You may find a different answer. For you, the spiritual answer to life may seem lacking. That’s fine. What is important is that we all look beyond ourselves for a deeper appreciation for our existence.

Where have you found meaning? How have you recognized that life is greater than just yourself?

[Photo Credit: Mayr]

My wife and I returned today from camping in the California foothills. It was a beautiful weekend and we spent most of it around the campfire with other family members. Several times this weekend I was reminded of the love my wife has for me by the little things she did: covering me when I was cold, cuddling by the fire, and laughing at my lame jokes. After 21 years of marriage, we realize that love is not about a sweeping romantic feeling. Love is the day-to-day giving of yourself to someone else.

It concerns me when we are told through the media and society that love is about the pounding of the heart when you see someone for the first time. Love is much more than an primal reaction to a sexual stimulus. That, my friends, is lust. Not that our God-given sexual desire is bad, but it’s not love.

Love is something that is nurtured and grows between two people who care for the wellbeing of each other. We choice to love just as we choice not to love. Love is also making ourselves vulnerable to the fact that we may not receive love in return. But love is not about receiving; love is about giving.

I love my wife and my family deeply. That love is not always strongly felt; but that feeling of love is in direct proportion to what I have invested. The more I give of myself, the more I am loved in return.

We need to let go of this crazy notion that love is a chemical reaction sparked by a chance encounter. Love is a choice; the giving of ourselves.