beautiful addiction

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

*This is a sponsored post.

I’ve never had the need for a Payday Loan yet (and I guess it would be kind of pointless considering I don’t have a job), but I know some people who have had to fall back on this method in order to be able to pay their bills before their paycheck comes. I can see where this would be a great option if you had nowhere else to fall back on. A friend of mine started abusing the payday loan service he got comfortable with and he wasn’t paying the money back on time and it got him into an even bigger mess in the long run.

If you are responsible and really need the money so that you can pay rent or whatnot, then this wouldn’t be a bad option. Don’t get careless and think it’s free money, though. That will only hurt you in the long run.

I went into Wal-Mart today (which I don’t normally do anymore) to pick up a few things and ran into some old co-workers of mine. Awkward. That’s why I usually try to go at night when I know I won’t have to talk to people I know. (And this wasn’t even the Wal-Mart I was fired from. It was the one I worked at before my last store.)  Now I feel so out of place in a spot that used to feel so comfortable.

Anyway, I was asked by about 4 different people, “What are you doing now? Where are you working?” to which I replied, “I’m enjoying my summer off and taking advantage of the unemployment while it lasts,” with a smile on my face. When asked how everything is going I reply, “Couldn’t be better! We’re going to Chicago in a few weeks for a business trip for Dave’s job. Then we’re going to Myrtle Beach for a week in September. Definitely enjoying ourselves!”

And all of that is true.

But what I don’t say is, “Money is tight and I sometimes wonder how I’m going to pay my credit cards bills. I’ve resorted to making money online by doing surveys and product testing. We’re further in debt than we’ve ever been before. I use coupons for almost everything that I buy because I really need the discounted price. I’m stressed and nobody will hire me, even though I’ve got a good work history and a college degree under my belt (and another one almost completed). I’m embarrassed to cash my unemployment checks because I feel like people look down on me.”

Those things I keep to myself. Because I’m too proud to admit that losing my job has turned my world upside down and has changed the way we live our life.

As I’ve been perusing my blogroll lately, I’ve seen a lot of people talking about ING Direct and I had to take advantage of it! I would encourage you, too, to use my list of referral links on the “Get $25 from ING” page over at my personal finance blog, We Like Money. There are referral links for both checking AND savings!

There are a few steps you need to take, however, to ensure you get your bonus. When you open an account with an initial deposit of $250 or more, you’ll get a $25 bonus credited to your account, and I’ll get $10. After your account is opened and verified, you will be able to refer your friends and family to earn the referral bonuses, also!

ING is currently offering a 3% APY on the savings accounts and 1.75% APY on the Orange checking accounts…which is probably much better than your brick & mortar bank or credit union is offering you. I know it was for me!

Take it from me…it’s probably the easiest $25 you will ever earn!