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Show COMMENTARY Go around mountain instead of over it... avoid credit card debt Hilltop Times November 17, 2005 What memory from the Operational Readiness Inspection stands out to you? BYJSTLT. RYAN ALBR_ECHT_ _^_^________ _. 75th Air Base Wing Legal Office You're pre-approved! Your limit is automatically increased. You've probably seen these notices in your mailbox. Perhaps you've even responded to them. These notices serve as the foot-soldiers of the credit card industry's "outreach program," each one acting to increase consumer debt. Many people think because they are pre-approved for a new credit card or limit increase, they can afford their new-found credit. The credit card companies have no idea of your financial situation and cannot determine what you can and cannot afford. It's not wise to view a new credit card or limit increase as a signal to increase your spending. This may seem like commonsense, but pre-approved credit cards and automatic limit increases have had a noticeable negative effect on consumers since the early 1990s. According to Demos, a private research group, between 1989 and 2001, middle-class families' credit card debt increased by 75 percent. The lowest-income families' credit card debt grew 149 percent. At the end of 2001, the typical U.S. household carried an average credit card balance of $7,500, up from less than $3,000 in 1990. Not surprising, personal bankruptcies nearly doubled in the 1990s to 1.2 million per year. Staff Sgt. Kalvin Williams 421st Fighter Squadron weapons load crew chief "I remember the teamwork. We all pulled together and got a lot of work done in a short amount of time." Master Sgt. Cecilia Brandt 75th Mission Support Squadron superintendent of retirement and separations "I have PBSS - Post BORTA Stress Syndrome. I wake up in the middle of the night sweating thinking I'm supposed to be at the BORTA." Secrets of success no secret after all Ralph Echavarria 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron alternate installation deployment officer "I was impressed with just how well the 75th Air Base Wing unit deployment managers performed and how they were recognized-lSS the Genei Brian Graves 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics planner "A memory that sticks in my mind is how well prepared and upbeat the deployers were. We got a lot more done in less time this ORI than the last one." Tech. Sgt. Richard Cooley 388th Operations Support Squadron intelligence specialist So, what can you do to avoid becoming one of these statistics? Start by throwing away the pre-approved credit card notices and limit increases; especially if you already carry a balance on one or more credit cards. Next, try to always pay off your credit balance monthly. Many credit cards have interest rates at or near 21percent. Carrying a balance on such a credit card is simply not smart and can lead you down a slippery slope of increasing debt. If you cannot pay off the balance, at least make a payment that is in excess of the minimum payment due. While you're making the minimum payment plus a little bit more, do not use the card. Eventually, you'll be able to pay the card back down to a zero balance. Also, try to establish an emergency fund for those unexpected bills. If you can use your cash reserve for emergencies rather than draw on a credit line, you'll ultimately be better off. Finally, if you do find yourself in debt over your head, try calling your credit card company and asking them to lower your interest rate. Many credit card companies will actually negotiate with you in order to get you to pay down your debt rather than write-off the debt. If you have any questions concerning credit card debt or any other consumer issue, contact the Hill AFB Legal Office at 777-66:86. "more" important, cracking those caneed to do to be successful." That's a reer development courses and learnmuch more insightful and much easier question to answer. And the answer is ing your skill better than anyone else BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghani(are you ready?): Discipline; more spe- or tossing it aside and playing in that stan (AFPN) — In talking with video game tourney? It's a matter of groups, virtually any group, one of the cifically, self-discipline. self-discipline and choice, isn't it? It sounds simple, doesn't it? Self-dismost frequently asked questions I hear How about physical fitness? Should I is "Chief, what's the secret to making cipline — big deal! How can that be the hit the gym or catch the latest movie? answer to success? Chief"? •1'"'fv Hmmm ... self-discipline and choice "Sure I can take charge of myself, Normally you can hear a pin drop as . everyone else wrro prevents me again! ' "the a^di§SRHI for I should really work on finishing my from fc>eiO£ .s.u^cessful —. that terrible ^^QQ^yv un'SEaffiJTnug1 college degree as well, but then again, " unfair work schedule, TlflHWrtfi that would really screwup Softball seag:^t.t^]rinfojJmaj:ipn, qA^p^y that " (you fill in the blank son. Yep, you got it, self-discipline and thing to give them the belief that they because everyone has a different reachoice. Do you see a pattern? too can achieVe what so many have al- son). So you see, success is simple! It's up ready attained. But peel it back and look at it again. You can feel the electricity in the air, Is it really the supervisor, or the work to you — up to the self-discipline you then hear the audible sigh of frustraschedule or whatever your "fill-in-the- exhibit once you set your priorities. It tion when you share the secret with blank" answer might have been? Or is may not be the easiest road, or the most fun at the time, but it will pay off. everyone. The Secret is, there is no it that whatever "it" is hasn't become secret! Here's the best part, success is adimportant enough to you to find the Most see that as a let down. It's quite self-discipline to overcome the obstadictive. After you feel the satisfaction the opposite. Those things held secret of success, you want to keep feeling it. cle. mean that only the chosen few who Now, before you say "forget this" and Once you complete one goal, you move "break the code" will ever win the on to the next and the next. stop reading, think about it! Self-disprize. The very fact there is no secret Success breeds success. So start the cipline goes hand-in-hand with priorimeans everyone has an equal opportu- ties, right? Routinely, if something is journey; find your inner strength renity. important, you find time for it, some- quired to apply self-discipline to the But here's the real kicker. It's actupriorities that you set. And set your how, someway, even amidst a busy ally the wrong question! The question goals high. Now get going and I'll see schedule. shouldn't be, "How do you make Chief?" you at the top! So the next tough question is what's The question should be, "What do I BY CHIEF MASTER SGT. JAMES JOHNSON 455th Air Expeditionary Wing command "I remember the excitement that my Airmen showed about being inspected. They spent a lot of time preparing for the ORI." Act ion bine Li 777-7000 • action.line.pa@hill.af.mil Staff Sgt. Sany Rivera 4th Fighter Squadron client support Col. Sharon Dunbar 75lh ABW Commander "'Alarm Blue MOPP 4,' 'All Clear' and 'Buddy Checks'." : Phone numbers — The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem .:. with their services: Security Forces 777-5550 ' 24-hr. Crisis Information... 777-3056 Services 777-4134 Base Restaurants 777-2043 • When you call or .send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with you Retirement/Compensation . 777-6142 (civilian) Sotial Actions 777-3516 Employee Relations 777-7129 Military Pay 777-1851 Civilian Pay 777-6246 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 Program IC Complaints ...: 777-5305 (for appointment) in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action Line. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Times. IC Complaints .... 777-5361 (alter hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse 777-5361 (recording) 7Sth Medical Croup 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5201 Public Affairs Information.. 777-9696 Control Line Military Housing 777-2963 Maintenance Safely Office 777-3333 Union 777-3257 . AFOSl Narcotics Hotline ... 777-1852 Family Assistance Center... 775-3090 (when activated) -. , J • . . "The U.S. Air Force — meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power" Hilltop. riMES Weekly Since 1948 Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract wiih Hill APB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times arc not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does noi constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or Ogden Publishing Corp., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by ihe 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 152. Call 777-4598 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to "hilltop.timcs(S,hillaf.mir. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Col. Sharon Dunbar 75th ABW Commander Charles Freeman Chief, Public Affairs Barbara Fisher Editor Tech. Sgt. 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