A few days before Chinese New Year, hubby asked me to watch the video clip of Namewee’s latest song.

It’s his Chinese New Year Song that some people, especially the elderly, may get offended. But not hubby and I. Hubby is in his early fifties and I, the AKPK debt management program blogger, am in my late thirties. Both of us like Namewee’s songs because we find him such a creative guy.

The lyrics in his songs are nothing but a revelation of truth. Well, the truth always hurts, you know.

I like this CNY song simply because I for one also can’t stand those same traditional Chinese New Year songs sung by local/international artistes year in year out.

Not only do I not like CNY songs, I don’t celebrate Chinese New Year anymore. It’s been many years since I celebrated CNY.

Since when I stopped enjoying this joyous festival? I think it’s since I was heavily loaded with credit card debt and there wasn’t extra money to buy Chinese New Year goodies and give kids Ang Pao.

From then on, I associated CNY with ‘money spending festival’. I was so stressful whenever CNY approached. Trying to avoid as many family/friend visits as possible was one of my ways to cut down on money giving.

Now that I am under the AKPK debt management programme, with RM3,000 in my saving account and extra cash in hand to be spent on Chinese New Year goodies and red packets, I still choose not to celebrate it.

I hate the yearly home cleaning and CNY decoration. I dislike the goodies and new year clothes’ shopping. I abhor the monotonous ‘giving face’ visits to relatives’ or friends’ homes.

Hubby and I just want to live CNY like any normal day. Ya, Valentine’s Day is also another normal day that doesn’t mean much to us.

Does it mean we are not happy with our lives now? No, quite the contrary, we are living more happily and contentedly now more than ever.

I always thank God for helping me and hubby get back on track financially, and blessing us with good dual income and excellent health.

I am curious. Are you still enjoying CNY celebration? Aren’t you tired of Chinese New Year rush, money spending and ‘face giving’ visits?

Question: Any advice on entering a debt management program?

I am considering entering a debt management programme because I am way over my head in credit card debt.

I know it may not be the best debt relief solution but it seems I keep putting it off, getting no where paying down my debt.

Does anyone have advice or comments?

Question: How do I create a debt management programme?

I did an internet search and all lead me to already established debt management programs. I want to set up my own debt management program, which can negotiate with creditors, consolidate loans etc… How do I get started?

I reiterate: There are literally thousands of debt management, consolidation, counseling websites and resources. I am not looking to manage my own debts, I am looking to start a debt management program for other people.

I want to know what grants to apply for to begin a start up program. I want to know what regulations, fees, licenses I need to start my own debt management program so that others can come to me for debt consolidation services.

Happy New Year 2010! It’s the 2nd of January today and I am so tired now after a few hours’ washing and cleaning the rented flat.

Though I am very exhausted, I am glad that the new phone line and Streamyx broadband access accounts are finally up and running smoothly.

Many thanks to God and hubby’s buddy who made applying and installing the accounts fast and without hassle.

How’s the Streamyx Combo 1.0Mbps speed? Well, I must say that it’s faster than my previous RM66/month package. Super fast? Well, not really.

Anyway, I will observe the performance of Streamyx Combo 1.0Mbps for a few more days. If it’s super fast, you’ll see no blog post ranting about Streamyx from me.

It’s the 4th of January today. I wasn’t able to finish the post I wrote on the 2nd of January due to endless cleaning and unpacking the stuff.

I am tired and having a headache now. But, I still feel like updating my AKPK debt management programme progress blog a bit.

How’s the Streamyx speed? Still great. Nothing to complain about so far.

How about hubby’s and my AKPK debt management program repayments? The repayments are still made on time, so there is nothing to worry about.

Auto and home loan installments? Fine too.

Hubby’s income? Should be fine. It’s a steady income from his full time teaching job in a high school.

As for my online income, I have been seeing a little decrease in Google AdSense earnings since the 23rd December. Hopefully it’s only because of Christmas and New Year holidays.

Updated on January 6th, 2010: Thank God, my Google AdSense earnings starts picking up again. Phew, what a fright!

I love December! It’s time of the year to flush away all unhappiness and start afresh with new year resolutions.

What resolutions did I, an AKPK DMP blogger, set for year 2009? Paying down credit card debts was my No.1 new year resolution! Of course, saving for emergency fund and making more money were on the list too.

For year 2010, my new year resolutions would focus on simple, achievable goals and the priorities would be a bit different. I am going to emphasize on saving money, making money and paying down credit card and personal debts.

1. Saving for Emergency Fund. As hubby and I are in AKPK debt management programmes that require lower monthly repayments, we are able to focus more on saving money with the extra cash left every month.

So far, we have got RM1,500 in the saving account. We want to reach our saving goal of RM3,500 in year 2010. And then, from RM3,500 to RM5,000, if possible.

2. Making More Money. With God’s blessing, hubby has had a full time teaching job that brings in a steady monthly income of RM2,000.

It’s not possible to increase hubby’s income, but it’s possible to increase mine. My existing online income excluding tuition fee is between RM2,300 and RM2,600 a month.

My goal is to reach more than RM3,500 a month in year 2010 through my niche blogs. Yes, it’s possible!

3. Paying Off Some Personal Debts. It’s my hope that hubby and I can pay back at least one-third of the personal debts owed to family members.

Although most of them haven’t asked for their money back, hubby and I think that it’s better to pay them back as soon as possible.

4. Paying Down Credit Card Debts. Paying off credit card debts will be my No.4 new year resolution because I want to settle as much personal debts as possible.

Once the personal debts are gone, the money used for paying personal debts can be channeled into paying one card payment at one lump sum until every card payment is settled.

5. Staying Healthy Always. Without good health, none of the above resolutions can be achieved smoothly. My health is better than hubby’s, so I must make sure that hubby has stronger immune system and better energy in year 2010.

Without good health, how can he stand long school hours and endless discipline problems created by the students?

So, what are your new year resolutions for 2010?

Having been in a free debt management program since October 2008, I must say that reading news, articles or success stories of cutting up credit cards, paying off debts and living cash-or-debit-card-only lifestyle is very inspiring.

The success stories of getting rid of debts motivate me to keep on paying down my credit card debts through the debt management plan and most important of all, they give me hope that I can be debt free one day.

I want to be like Russell and Kathy Hildebrandt who successfully pay off $100,000 debt with DMP or Lisa Brough who was forced into a debt-free life:

Lisa Brough was forced into a debt-free life by medical disaster.

Her husband has Huntington’s disease, a degenerative brain disorder, and has been unable to work since 1999. The couple, who have three children, saw their finances suffer as a result. They ended up with $50,000 worth of credit card debt as Brough worked two jobs and still struggled to pay the bills and the high property taxes on their home in Westchester County, N.Y.

“I said to myself, ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ ” she recalled. “He was going downhill, and I had to figure out a way to get out of this. I couldn’t count on tomorrow because I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring.”

In 2005, she took drastic measures. She decided to sell her $350,000 home, pay off all the family’s debt, and move to lower-cost Cary, N.C., where she was able to buy a house for $164,000 house in cash.

Since then it’s been cash and debit cards only for Brough, 50, who has no debt of any kind.

My reasons of getting into knee deep debts were more or less the same as theirs. However, their ways, means or methods of getting out of debts may or may not the same as mine.

By reading and utilizing their tips on how to eliminate the debts and save money, I hope I can be free of credit card debts through the debt management programme in a few years’ time.

The success stories of others also make me realize that it is possible to survive and thrive without depending on credit cards!

“Is there really such a free debt management programme?” Yes, but you must be a Malaysian in order to enroll in the debt management plan.

The free debt management program is offered by AKPK, Agensi Kaunseling dan Pengurusan Kredit, in Malaysia.

As a credit-card-debt woman who has been in AKPK’s debt management program for a year now, let me assure you that it’s a free DMP that involves NO credit counseling fee, NO enrollment fee and NO monthly service.

It’s normal that when you are looking for help with a financial crisis, you may wonder if AKPK is really a free of charge agency that can help you. The answer is YES.

You may have heard of for-profit and non-profit credit counseling and debt management agencies, but they don’t exist in Malaysia. There is only ONE credit counseling and debt management agency that provides free credit counselling and debt management programme services in Malaysia so far.

Like you, I am worried about hidden charges too. Malaysian banks, agencies and companies are simply too notorious for charging surprise fees and hidden charges to consumers. Fortunately, I haven’t been charged any fees by AKPK so far.

With the faltering economy and free credit counseling and debt management services offered by AKPK, the number of people seeking help from the agency has increased tremendously.

If you think that you are in need of help for your financial trouble, you had better waste no more time. Waiting may only end up costing you more. A few days’ time can mean the difference between settling a debt or watching it go into a default status and having third party collection involved.

Hurry! Go to a nearby AKPK branch, attend its briefing and fix an appointment to see a credit counselor there and understand what a debt management program is.

A debt management program is a good way to take care of an escalating credit card debt and other money problem without having to declare bankruptcy or deal with collection agencies.

With current bad economy and job loss, the number of bankruptcy filings and bankruptcies are on the rise. Are you thinking of filing for bankruptcy to get out of debt?

If you are really thinking that bankruptcy is your only debt relief option, you may/might be wrong.

As a woman who was once loaded with RM63,809 credit card debt in 2007 and later reduced the debt amount to RM40,000 in 2008, I had also thought of going bankruptcy.

The thought of filing bankruptcy rose when balance transfers, non-performing loans, short term loans and personal loans didn’t work to bring down the interest rates and outstanding amount much.

On the contrary, there were late payment fees, cash advance fees, retail charges, over-the-limit fees and other miscellaneous charges that kept adding new debt to the credit card debt.

I know how it feels to be under so much pressure from debt that you can’t even think straight. But believe me when I tell you that bankruptcy should be your last resort option.

I’m talking about no hope of ever getting out of debt after trying out balance transfers, non-performing loans, short term loans, personal loans, debt consolidation loans, debt management programs, and debt settlement plans.

One of the reasons that I didn’t opt for bankruptcy was because of the fact that I could pay off my credit card debt through a debt management programme offered by AKPK.

If you are a Malaysian and loaded with credit card debt, you may have known about AKPK by now.

Enrolling in AKPK’s debt management plan is another debt relief option that many Malaysians with credit card debt are seeking now. It’s a free debt management program that charges NO counseling fee, enrolment fee or monthly fee.

I am currently in AKPK debt management plan. In fact, I have been in the program for a year now.

Read my bumpy journey when applying for AKPK’s debt management program in 2008 if you think you need help from credit counseling and debt management program to help you pay off credit card debt.

“Why are you in deep credit card debt?” Is it because of excess spending that causes you to default on your credit card payments or is it due to the pay cut or job loss brought about by recessive times?

As for me, my credit card debt (hubby and mine) was caused by excess spending and insufficient income. There was always not enough income (from both of us) to pay the credit card payments, daily expenses, car and home loan instalments.

Whenever there was insufficient money to pay the minimum credit card payments, withdrawing cash advance from credit cards was always the solution to settle the payments.

As a result, more credit card debt incurred due to cash advances, cash advance fees, late payment charges and other miscellaneous fees imposed by banks.

Just as I thought filing for bankruptcy was the only way out to get rid of staggering credit card debt and harassing phone calls and warning letters from the creditors and credit card companies, AKPK saved me (and hubby) from declaring bankruptcy.

Regardless of why you are in debt, you need to know that there is a way out without resorting to bankruptcy. You can get out of your situation through AKPK’s debt management plan if you are a Malaysian.

The AKPK’s debt management program is individually designed to provide you with a unique solution for your financial situation; it keeps you from having to take out a debt consolidation loan or file for bankruptcy.

If you think that a debt management program is right for you, it is important to make sure that you know perfectly well the pros and cons of enrolling in a DMP.

AKPK’s debt management plan is a way out to get rid of credit card debt without filing for bankruptcy for me, but it does not necessarily suit you.

You yourself have to attend the credit counseling briefing to know the ins and outs or the pros and cons of the debt management programme before making a decision.

I love reading sincere and constructive comments left by readers. Today I am going to share with you, Sally, who left a comment on my blog post Hubby’s RM200 Budget Envelope for Weekly Cash Expenses.

Hi Vedis, I’ve been a loyal follower to your blog on journey to regain your financial freedom again. I’m drowned with unmanageable debt myself and planning to pursue AKPK soon. Wish me luck!

Oh, if you subscribe to Astro, you should check out channel 733 – Discovery Home & Health’s Til Debt Do Us Part. This show actually features her helping couples with financial problems so that they’re moving towards financial freedom within a certain period of time.

Currently I think they’re showing it on weekdays at 11:30pm and I make it a point not to miss the show whenever I could. I think you gonna love this show!

Alternatively, you may check out her website at www.gailvazoxlade.com to learn about the show & use some of her interesting financial tools to help you manage your personal finances.

Hi, Sally, it’s nice that you cared to look up my name before leaving your comment. This definitely spurred me to go on reading your comment.

You’ve got to hurry if you want to enroll in AKPK’s debt management plan. I read that the number of people with credit card debt trying to sign up with the program is on the increase; an AKPK DMP applicant said his appointment with the credit counselor was a few weeks after the credit counseling briefing!

I remember when I made an appointment with my credit counselor Mr. C in Ipoh branch back in August 2008, it’s very fast. I mean I met the counselor the next day! When my hubby was ready to enroll in the debt management programme in December 2008, he had to meet the lady counselor the following week!

Of course in the end, he didn’t have to wait until the following week to see the credit counselor; he met her the following day after I called and talked to the counselor.

What did I say to the counselor that she agreed to let hubby see her the next day? Well, I told her that I was also in the AKPK debt management program and I had already gotten the original and photocopy of all required documents ready. I told her that I had even worked out the debt repayment amount for hubby’s plan.

I convinced her that she didn’t have to give hubby any credit counseling session as I had already told him everything that he needed to know.

The lady counselor just needed to fork out 15 minutes to go through all the documents to see if hubby was eligible for the debt repayment plan.

Sally, thanks for telling me Astro’s Discovery Home & Health’s Til Debt Do Us Part programme. Unfortunately, I am not an Astro viewer.

But I will google to see if there are online videos or clips for this Til Debt Do Us Part program. Oh, I tell you, I love watching reality TV shows!

I will definitely spend some time reading this Canada credit counselor and personal money management expert, Gail Vaz Oxlade’s articles at her website.

Wish you good luck! May AKPK debt management program help you get out of unmanageable debt soon.

Updated on 02/10/2009: You can watch the videos of Til Debt Do Us Part online at www.Slice.ca provided you are living in Canada.