Back to newsletter listDate:
Sun, March 25, 2007 10:00:01 PMFrom:
editor@stretcher.com
Subject:
3/26/07: The Dollar Stretcher
===========================================================
The Dollar Stretcher
"Living Better...For Less"
March 26, 2007
Volume 12, Number 13
===========================================================
To Subscribe
send mailto:sub-dollar-stretcher@hub.thedollarstretcher.com or
visit http://www.stretcher.com/menu/subscrib.cfm
To ***
send a blank
mailto:leave-dollar-stretcher-4-2263148P@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
"The Dollar Stretcher" and Dollar Stretcher, Inc. does not
assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be
weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and
applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if
advice is safe and suitable for his/her own situation.
===========================================================
In This Issue:
Introduction
5 Secrets to Getting a Better Price on Anything
by Sally A. Kane
Prices are generally not set in stone
Frugal RV Traveling Tips
by John Noble
Keeping an eye on the road and your budget
Get a Jump on Gardening Overhead
by M. Carole Wyatt
Frugal ways to start the garden you've always wanted
My Story: The Carfree Couple
contributed by Sharon
Embracing the idea of living without a car
Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
===========================================================
Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
I rediscovered something the other night. I like just a little
taste of something sweet at the end of the day. Sometimes I
take a short gulp of soda. Recently I was in the grocery store
and saw the big Hershey's milk chocolate bars. I hadn't had
one in quite awhile. So I brought one home and tucked it in
the fridge. One night, looking for my sweet-fix, I broke off a
piece and chewed it. It was just as good as I remembered.
I did that a few more times over the next couple of weeks.
When one evening I decided to tuck it inside my cheek like a
chipmunk. It must have taken five minutes to gradually
dissolve! And, the sweetness! I was amazed at how much flavor
could actually be in a small chunk of chocolate. By chewing
it, I was missing 3/4 of the sweet taste!
In my rush to get through life, I nearly missed enjoying this
simple pleasure. And, I began to wonder how many other times I
had purchased something for my enjoyment, but rushed through
the experience and missed half of the pleasure. I know that
I've purchased electronics and didn't take the time to
thoroughly read the directions or completely program the
device. I wonder how much I've given up.
And, that's just the half of it. Because I'm consuming so
quickly, I'm looking for a new pleasure experience sooner.
Bang! Experienced that! Time to look for something new to
entertain me!
Don't know about you, but I keep coming across this same
revelation. Maybe one of these days I'll slow down enough to
really understand the meaning!
All the Best!
Gary
===========================================================
Our Sponsor
How You Can Build Wealth Safely, Consistently, and Simply...
How much wealth do you have? A recent survey by the
Consumer Federation of America revealed a whopping 48%
of Americans do not know even approximately how much
wealth they have! "Knowing your net wealth will help ensure
your spending and saving habits are sensible."
To get your hands on our FREE custom Net Wealth analyzer...
and a Guaranteed system for increasing your wealth starting
today, click now...
http://www.debtintowealth.com/netwealth.html
===========================================================
5 Secrets to Getting a Better Price on Anything
by Sally A. Kane
Prices are generally not set in stone
Almost everything is negotiable. Unfortunately, most consumers
are unaware of this fact or uncomfortable with the process of
haggling. Negotiating is an intrinsic part of our culture and
you likely engage in some type of bargaining every day,
whether it is purchasing a car, negotiating a salary, haggling
at a garage sale or bargaining with your children to clean
their rooms.
The tips below provide simple guidelines to negotiating a
better deal on many common goods and services, from airline
tickets, furniture and hotel reservations to items at your
local discount retailer.
1. Just ask. Everyone understands the significance of
negotiating with the automobile dealership. However,
bargaining can come into play with any retailer; you don't
always have to settle for the listed price. To get a better
deal, all you may have to do is ask. "No" is the worst the
merchant can say. Even if a merchant does not reduce the
price, she may advise you of upcoming sales, coupons in the
paper or other deals.
For example, a friend of mine wanted to send her child to
preschool but could not afford the tuition. In speaking with
the preschool director, I learned that the school was willing
to lower the tuition for her child due to low enrollment.
Given the choice of losing an enrollment or offering a price
reduction, the school chose to give my friend a break on
tuition. My friend would never have asked. It never even
occurred to her that tuition might be negotiable. If I had not
intervened, her child would not be attending preschool. As the
adage goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
2. Deal with someone with authority. An employee vested with
authority, such as a sales manager, will have more power to
grant you a lower price. That person may also be more
knowledgeable about other deals, such as upcoming sales or
about economic circumstances affecting price. For example,
research shows that bargaining directly with a hotel
reservations manager generally yields a greater price savings
than shopping online. The hotel will be aware of the demand
for rooms on a particular night and may be willing to reduce
prices if room vacancies are high.
3. Advocate your case persuasively. Give the merchant a good
reason to reduce the price. One of the most effective ways to
obtain a price reduction is to shop around and use a lower
price as leverage. Many companies, including lending
institutions, credit card companies, telephone services,
furniture companies, mattress retailers, automobile dealers
and electronics retailers, will bid against each other to
compete for your business. Getting a competitor's lower price
in writing gives you even greater negotiating power.
You can also negotiate discounts on products for minor defects
in the merchandise. For example, at Target, I received a 10%
discount for a small scratch in a vase. At Ann Taylor, I
received a discount for a snag in a suit. Store policies vary,
but it never hurts to ask.
Even if you don't have a compelling argument for a price
reduction, you might still ask, "Is that the best you can do?"
I paid twenty percent less than two friends on my street that
retained the same professional carpet cleaner to perform the
same services. Why? Simply because I asked for a better price.
4. Look beyond price. Market rates for goods and services are
governed by supply and demand. Clearly, if demand outstrips
supply, price may not be negotiable. But sometimes getting a
better deal means negotiating other perks. For example, when
recently purchasing an elliptical machine, I convinced the
retailer to provide free delivery, free assembly, free
financing and a free heart rate monitor for a total value of
$300. Similarly, if a hotel will not budge on room rates, it
may supply free breakfast, reduced parking, free Internet
service or a room upgrade.
5. Avoid being confrontational or argumentative. Your attitude
will set the tone for the negotiation. Advocating your
position calmly and rationally will advance your cause further
than raising your voice, arguing or being confrontational. You
want to establish a rapport with the merchant and persuade him
to give you a price concession or other perk. Conduct yourself
with honesty and integrity and the merchant may be willing to
give you deals in the future.
Prices are not set in stone. Often, the easiest way to save
money on goods and services is simply by asking.
Take the Next Step:
Don't argue... just ask for a better price
===========================================================
Frugal RV Traveling Tips
by John Noble
Keeping an eye on the road and your budget
Hitting the road in your RV and the RV lifestyle can be one of
the most economical ways to travel. If you do a little
planning and research ahead of time, it's easy to save even
more without ever feeling like you're pinching pennies.
One obvious way to take the frugal route is to plan your RV
travel during the "shoulder seasons," which is before and
after prime travel time, when discounts are often offered at
various campgrounds and attractions.
Here are five cost-cutting RV travel tips that are good any
time of the year:
1. RV Travel on One Tank of Gas
Remember the ending to "The Wizard of Oz," when Dorothy says
she doesn't have to look any further than her own backyard to
find her heart's desire? Well, we're not suggesting camping
out right outside the house, but think about going to places
not too far away that you've always meant to check out.
You'll be surprised at how many new and interesting
destinations are just one tank of gas away. A lot of territory
can be covered in just a few hundred miles, and you're bound
to discover exciting locations you never knew existed so close
to home.
Tip: Your neighborhood library is a terrific resource for
researching local and state information and attractions, and
most of it is free!
2. Put Your RV on a Diet and Get Better Gas-Mileage
It's a simple fact that the less your RV weighs, the more
mileage you'll get on the road. Look around for places in your
rig where you can institute a "less is more" policy.
For example, you don't have to set out with a full, fresh
water tank for your RV excursion. Take what you need for the
first day's travel, plus a small reserve, and fill up once
you've reached your day's destination.
Forget that bulky, economy-sized can of coffee. Empty a
smaller amount into an airtight plastic container that you can
refill later. One place not to cut back, though, is tire
inflation. Riding on fully inflated tires is a sure way to
increase your gas mileage.
Tip: When buying food staples, consider dehydrated items like
soup and dried fruit, and transfer cereal and pasta from bulky
boxes into heavy-duty plastic bags. Not only do they take up
less space, but also you can reuse them once they're empty!
3. Plastic not Paper Dinnerware - A More Economical Approach
Overall
Sure, the eat-and-toss approach of paper plates and cups is
the easy way to go and might even seem economical when you buy
in bulk. But lightweight, inexpensive plastic dishes are easy
to find, and while they might not last forever, they'll
certainly see you through the duration of a long-distance RV
excursion.
Choosing plastic over a big stack of paper goods is also
another way to save on weight, especially when you're starting
out on your RV trip.
Tip: Buy your plastic ware in a mix-and-match variety of
vibrant colors, and these snazzy dishes will brighten up even
the simplest road fare!
4. Drive Less, Stay More - Save on Gas and Get Campsite
Discounts
When creating your RV travel itinerary, consider making fewer
stops and spending more time at each destination. This will
save on fuel and campsites costs as most of them offer
discounts for lengthier stays.
By driving less and staying more, you'll receive an additional
benefit. It's much more relaxing to know that once you've
turned off the ignition you're settling in for a while. Also,
by spending more time in one place, you'll be able to do some
more in-depth exploring of the area.
Tip: Look online at the local newspaper for the area you'll be
visiting. Check for listings of events that you might not hear
about otherwise. And don't forget to look in the classifieds
for yard sales and flea markets, too!
5. Stop and Shop - At Local Discount or Dollar Stores
When you need to refill on groceries, avoid supermarkets and
convenience stores where prices are at a premium. Instead,
look for local discount and dollar stores and roadside fruit
and vegetable stands, depending on the season. You might not
save much money there, but there's nothing better than freshly
picked produce.
Keep an eye open for discount outlets in the area. And stop at
flea markets and yard sales where you might find a one-of-a-
kind treasure. Not only do these unconventional choices offer
the opportunity to find unusual items, but also it's a great
way to get to know the local neighborhoods and people.
Tip: Keep your birthday and holiday gift list handy - you
might spot the perfect knickknack for a family member at
someone's yard sale!
Some Final Frugal RV Travel Tips:
- Make use of the cheaper parks, like state parks.
- Join Good Sam Club for 10% discount at their parks.
- Subscribe to RV magazines for great ideas on RV travel.
- Shop around for best prices on camping stuff at Wal-Mart, K-
Mart, GI Joes instead of RV stores.
- Avoid buying your RV "supplies" (like toilet paper) that
claim to be for RVs/motorhomes. Save money and buy the cheap
stuff.
- Save money and cook all your meals in the RV; don't eat out.
You can even make dishes ahead and store in your RV's
refrigerator.
- Ask for senior discounts everywhere you go.
- If members of AAA, see if any campgrounds give discounts.
Look at a "Trailer Life Campground Directory" at your local
library to compare camping fees.
- Plan!
_________________________
John Noble is the Marketing Consultant for Sky River RV Inc.,
a California-based sales and service RV dealership featuring
Itasca and Airstream RV, motor home and travel trailer units.
For 100% customer satisfaction and personal customer care in
new and used RV sales, repair/service, parts and RV rentals
that has placed Sky River RV 'a cut above the rest' in RV
dealers in California go to http://www.skyriverrv.com
Take the Next Step:
Check out your state parks or local attractions
===========================================================
Our Sponsor
The healthiest, best tasting water on Earth
for less than 10 cents a gallon!
At Aquasana.com there is no middleman, we are the
manufacturer and we offer great "Factory Direct" values.
We guarantee the best tasting, healthiest water on Earth.
No other home water treatment system, at any price, has
ever produced better results than Aquasana.
Special Savings for The Dollar Stretcher readers
... 20% off !
http://snipurl.com/2dho
Save now!
===========================================================
Get a Jump on Gardening Overhead
by M. Carole Wyatt
Frugal ways to start the garden you've always wanted
One humorist joked that he spent $68 to grow one tomato. This
is believable if he bought all his gardening supplies retail.
I usually start my garden inside with seeds. Seeds are a dime
a packet at the drugstore and dollar store. If you garden
every year, you can harvest your seeds and pay nothing. You
can even trade seeds with gardening friends.
Instead of using store bought peat pots, you can use Dixie or
Styrofoam cups, be sure to punch a hole in the bottom and
place them on an aluminum cookie sheet. Forget expensive name
brand soil; dig up some from your own yard. The seed cups are
in a well-lit window ready to grow. Now it is time to think
about the plot.
All gardens need fertilizer. One method is to leave mulched
leaves and grass on the garden site over the winter. A more
balance compost would be composed of vegetable peels,
eggshells and yard waste you throw away every day. Start cold
compost in a plastic trashcan by layering soil between the
items. Not everything can go in the compost barrel; don't put
any meats, prepared food, or leftover salad with dressing into
your compost barrel. Don't forget to add worms.
Start saving semi-transparent white plastic gallon milk jugs.
The containers are a versatile gardening tool. Cut off the
bottom and you have an instant greenhouse to protect young
plants from cold snaps. It also shields the plant from rabbits
and other nibblers. Five-pound coffee cans opened at both ends
also protect young plants. Wind chimes and hanging aluminum
pie pans discourage birds.
A major expense for the garden is pesticide. Keep in mind,
pesticides rid you of bees and butterflies, your pollinators.
One way to cut down on your pests is to make the garden less
inviting. You can do this by the arrangement of your plants.
Garlic and onion bulbs' aroma keeps insects at bay. Plant the
aromatic bulbs between plants. An added touch is to surround
the garden with a border of marigolds. This attractive flower
discourages insects and wildlife. Your garden won't be totally
bug free (few gardens are), but it will have a lot less pests.
Soon the tomato plants will start putting on fruit, so it is
time to support their limbs with pantyhose. Never throw away
ruined hose again. The stretchy fabric supports the limb
without cutting into it. The hose can be used for almost any
plant depending how many pairs you have.
Weeds bothering you? Be careful with retail herbicide because
they may kill your plants. I deal with weeds the old-fashioned
way with a small weed whacker. Ambitious gardeners sometimes
place layers of newspapers around the plant and then cover
them up with mulch. The papers eventually dissolve. Others use
old tires stacked on top of each other to make individual
easier-to-weed planters for their plants or herb gardens.
Whatever you chose to do, it doesn't have to cost a bundle.
The important thing is just get out there.
Take the Next Step:
Check out the step-by-step guide to Starting and Growing
Plants from Seeds from TheGardenHelper.com
===========================================================
My Story: The Carfree Couple
contributed by Sharon
Embracing the idea of living without a car
Recently, a friend gave me a newspaper clipping with the
headline "Family steers clear of cars." The article, written
by Sonia Krishnan of The Seattle Times, was about a suburban
family of four who managed without an automobile for almost 20
years. My friend knew I'd love reading about other people like
me, people who embrace the idea of living without a car.
My husband and I bicycle or walk wherever and whenever we can.
I walk to the bank, the mall, and the grocery store (I carry
groceries home in a large plastic backpack). I used to take
public transportation to my job downtown before becoming a
telecommuter. According to his bicycle odometer, my spouse
logs in 2,000 miles a year commuting to work, running errands,
and cycling on recreational trails. His 15-speed Trek is a
familiar sight in the parking lot of the company where he's
worked for the last 20 years. He will ride his bike to work in
any kind of weather with the exception of snowstorms.
Why do we resist dependence on a car? There are so many
reasons. We want to save money. We want to fit exercise into
our busy schedules. We want to escape the stress of dense
Chicago traffic.
There are also emotional reasons not to drive. Being a highly
sensitive person, I've never quite gotten used to the sounds
and smells of rush hour. When stuck in traffic, it is hard not
to wish yourself someplace else. What a waste of life!
The emotional reasons for avoiding driving made me think back
to my first date with my husband. Twenty-two years ago, he
came over to my apartment on his bicycle. He explained that
his green Fiat had broken down six months ago and he hadn't
gotten around to fixing it yet. That night we walked a couple
of miles to a pizza place. Afterwards, we walked and talked
and walked some more. I had a wonderful time. I'd found my
soulmate, someone who liked to walk and hike and bike as much
as I did.
The family in the newspaper article totally kicked the car
habit. Alas, I cannot say the same. Although for the first
four years of our marriage we did not own a car, we now own
two cars. One is a 16-year-old Escort that we used in bad
weather to get us to places not accessible by bus. The other
is a gas-guzzling Dodge Durango that Al inherited from his
father a couple of months ago. My father-in-law, who just
moved into a nursing home, made us promise to keep his Durango
for a while for sentimental reasons. (This huge car can
accommodate his wheelchair and he likes it when we take him
for an outing in it.) We honor his wishes, but it feels a
little strange to be riding around in such a big car. It is
just not our usual way of doing things. Not our style at all.
__________________________
"My Story" is a regular feature of The Dollar Stretcher. If
you have a story that could help save time or money, please
send it by mailto:MyStory@stretcher.com
Take the Next Step:
List all the money you could save by not having a car: car
payments, insurance, gas, etc.
===========================================================
Our Sponsor
Take Control!
The Dollar Stretcher Reading Room
http://astore.amazon.com/dollarstretcher
Newly Updated! - Here's some great information about how to
get a handle on your finances. We've compiled some of our
readers' favorite books - both old and new titles.
Take a look at our selections. You might find a treasure
trove of ideas to help you stretch your hard-earned dollar!
http://astore.amazon.com/dollarstretcher
===========================================================
Tips, Quips, Quotes and Questions
*********
Can You Help This Reader?
*********
House 4 Sale
My husband and I downsized and moved last June. Since then,
our house has not sold! We are paying two mortgages and two
taxes! We listed with a 3% realtor, but found out that other
realtors who get the standard 6% blackball them, because they
want their huge chunk of money. Do you know of any way to sell
our house ourselves that works?
Thanks,
Sharon
Please send your answers
mailto:CanYouHelp@stretcher.com?subject=House_4_Sale. We'll
include the best solutions in future issues.
*********
Yes, We Can Help This Reader
Ditching the Landline?
*********
We stopped using our landline about one year ago, because we
wanted to save about $40 per month. It seemed like the only
calls we got on the landline anymore were from charities that
wouldn't take us off their lists. And then there were the
constant hang-ups, wrong numbers on our message machine, etc.
So far, I haven't missed that part.
The bad news is that a cell phone is only one phone, and
therefore, you don't have the convenience of picking up an
extension anywhere in your house. And if your house is large,
you may not hear it ring from wherever it is either. Also,
cell phones are not as clear and can drop calls or run out of
a charge if you're on a long call.
So you have to consider the pay off. Do you want to save $40 a
month or have the convenience of a solid landline? I've
noticed the market beginning to react to so many consumers
going to cell phones only and that's a good thing. The cost of
a landline has increased ridiculously over the past three
decades (my first phone bill in 1979 was a whopping $7 and
they supplied the phone), so this has driven costs down a bit.
By going to cell only, you can be a difference in making this
a more competitive option.
By the way, we had a new house built recently and I still had
them put in traditional phone lines just in case I decided to
go back to that option. When it gets down to around $20 a
month, I just might consider it again.
A
more comments, both for and against Ditching the Landline at
*********
Homeowner's How-To
I asked my husband for this for a Christmas present, not
realizing the amount of work involved, so plan ahead now! He
has shown me numerous times how the sprinkler system works,
where shutoff valves are for our plumbing, or how to program
the thermostat, but I never remember and never really got it
in the first place.
So he's taking digital photos of all these things, such as
toilets, sinks, thermostats, garage door opener, furnace, hot
water, lawnmower, etc. He's then putting the photos into a
Word document and writing directions for me. I call it the
"Make-Me-Less-Stupid Manual," but it's really a house manual.
When it's done, we'll "walk the estate" together and work our
way through the manual.
I think what prompted this idea was when I came home from 48
straight hours of travel with my handy husband still on the
road to find a broken garage door and a problem toilet at
9:30pm. I need to be able to handle these minor things myself,
so this is the best present! And the cost? A lot of my
wonderful husband's time, attention, thought, and care.
Clueless in Colorado
*********
Refreshed Fridge
Here's a wonderful tip for deodorizing a smelly fridge. I had
thawed some hamburger that leaked meat juices all down the
inside of my fridge. The meat juices had gotten into the liner
seam and just made a smelly mess in the fridge. I cleaned up
all the visible juices, but the fridge still smelled horrible.
I thought I was going to have to replace my refrigerator.
I read somewhere about placing an open dish of apple cider
vinegar inside to remove the odor. I put about a cup of the
vinegar in an empty butter tub. Within 24 hours, I noticed a
big difference in the odor level. Within a few days, the odor
was totally gone. Just to make sure, I changed out the vinegar
and left it in the refrigerator for a little over a week. What
an amazing inexpensive solution to a problem that we have all
encountered at least once!
Stephanie
*********
Natural Plant Protection
I use garlic powder anywhere that I want to keep the varmints
out. This works around flowerbeds, vegetable plots and
containers. Just sprinkle garlic powder (I get mine at the
dollar store) around whatever you want to keep the rabbits,
deer, raccoons, skunks, mice, etc. away from. This works for
several days and doesn't hurt the plants, animals or the
environment. I have been doing this for at least ten years.
However, you have to keep up with it. For me, it's the best.
DJ
*********
What would you do with an extra $100? Last month Janet from
Greenville, TN won a $100 check just for sending in a favorite
time or money saving idea. This month it could be you. Just
send your suggestion by mailto:Tips@stretcher.com.
If we use your tip in any of our publications, we'll send you
the next three issues of our print newsletter as a "thank you"
and you'll automatically be entered into our monthly $100
drawing!
Receive Dollar Stretcher Tips twice each week. More great
ideas for saving money! Just send
mailto:sub-ds-tips@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
===========================================================
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
editor's note: Hotmail and WebTV users may have trouble with
some addresses. Please access them from our front page
Your Money
----------
Don't Bury Your Head in the Sand!
by Jill Cooper
Taking the financial bull by the horns
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26f.cfm
Bankruptcy Law Irony: Overtime Can Hurt
If you work overtime to avoid bankruptcy, but then have to
file Chapter 13 anyway, the law expects you to keep on working
the extra job
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20b.htm
Why Buy a Home?
Owning your own home has advantages beyond the obvious roof
over your head. Homeownership creates financial wealth and
reduces tax burdens
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20c.htm
Fame & Fortune
Whether Ed Viesturs is climbing mountains such as Everest and
K2 or investing money for his children's education, the
Illinois native says he takes no risks
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20d.htm
Renting Home to Daughter
There are several tax and financial factors to consider
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14d.htm
House Rich and Cash Poor
Your best solution may be to sell the house
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16f.htm
Take Charge of Your Cards
Plastic in your wallet comes in handy. How you use it can
bring joy or sorrow into your life
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16a.htm
New Debt Collector, New Threat to Credit?
Know your rights: A debt collector can't legally extend the
time a bad debt stays on your credit report
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16e.htm
Drive to Make Deals Fuels Mortgage Woes
Why such carnage in the subprime mortgage market? Everyone in
the real estate business has incentives to make sure deals
happen -- even unwise ones
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar15a.htm
Health and Wealth a Good Combo
You can take small steps to improve your health and financial
well being. The benefits could last a lifetime
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14c.htm
Cable, Utility Payments Aren't on Credit Report
They usually are not reported, unless you don't pay
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20e.htm
Your Family
-----------
Frugal RV Traveling Tips
by John Noble
Keeping an eye on the road and your budget
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26c.cfm
Renting Home to Daughter
There are several tax and financial factors to consider
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14d.htm
Your Home
---------
Get a Jump on Gardening Overhead
by M. Carole Wyatt
Frugal ways to start the garden you've always wanted
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26d.cfm
My Story: Laundry Tips
contributed by lmf
Save time and money in the laundry room
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26g.cfm
Financial Literacy Guide: Understanding Mortgages
Finding a home to buy is fun. Landing a mortgage to fit your
lifestyle is more complicated
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar19a.htm
Why Buy a Home?
Owning your own home has advantages beyond the obvious roof
over your head. Homeownership creates financial wealth and
reduces tax burdens
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20c.htm
10 Coldest Home Markets for 2006
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), these
are the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas that suffered the greatest
percentage loss of value in 2006
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar19b.htm
Rising Consumer Confidence Boosts Housing Market
Surveys show consumers are more confident today than they were
a year ago and feel 2007 will be a good time to buy a house
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16d.htm
10 'Must-Do' Steps to Sell Your Home This Year
It's a buyer's market in most areas of the country so if
you're selling your home this year, be prepared for a
marathon, not a sprint. Following these 10 tips will help you
sell soon
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14b.htm
Inherited Home Creates Financing Questions
You need to sit down with your tax adviser to sort out the
options
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar19c.htm
House Rich and Cash Poor
Your best solution may be to sell the house
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16f.htm
ARM, Hybrid ARM or Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
A hybrid ARM might be best for a limited stay in the house
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar15b.htm
Your Auto
---------
My Story: The Carfree Couple
contributed by Sharon
Embracing the idea of living without a car
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26e.cfm
Does the Odometer Have to Work?
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26h.cfm
Are Certified Pre-owned Cars Worth the Money?
If you decide to purchase a CPO, be prepared to research the
car just like you would a new one
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20a.htm
Some Hybrid Tax Breaks Slipping Away
The tax credit for popular, fuel-efficient Toyota hybrid cars
has already been cut in half. In a few weeks, it will be
reduced again
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16c.htm
Your Taxes
----------
Amending Your Tax Return
Discovered a mistake on your 1040? This form will help you fix
it
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20h.htm
Tax Withholding for Foreigner's U.S. Home
While you're responsible for the withholding, the title
company is generally the intermediary that holds back the 10
percent of the purchase price
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20j.htm
Recovering Excess FICA Payments
If you changed jobs last year, it's possible you had too much
Social Security tax withheld. Here's how to get it back
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar19f.htm
Smart Taxpayers Learn Education Credit Lessons
College costs don't have to overwhelm you. Let your Uncle Sam
help foot some of your higher education bills
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16k.htm
Royalties to Be Treated as Capital Gains
Starting in tax years that begin after May 17, 2006, you can
get capital asset treatment on the sale or exchange of
copyrights
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16m.htm
Writing Off Home-Office Expenses
Do you work from home? You may be able to claim a deduction
for your workspace
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar15e.htm
Putting Foreign Taxes to Domestic Use
If you paid foreign taxes, you have a choice on how to use
them to cut your U.S. tax bill
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14f.htm
Tax-Exempt Interest Not Really Taxable
The interest is exempt, but you may end up paying higher taxes
if you collect Social Security benefits
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14g.htm
The Psychology Behind Tax Procrastination
Here's how to overcome foot-dragging, dithering and delaying
one of life's inevitabilities
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14a.htm
Everything Else
---------------
Cutting the Landline
The pros and cons of living with just a cell phone
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26a.cfm
5 Secrets to Getting a Better Price on Anything
by Sally A. Kane
Prices are generally not set in stone
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26b.cfm
Short-Term Health Insurance on the Rise
For workers who are in between jobs, short-term health
insurance is an alternative to more expensive options
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16b.htm
Readers' Tips
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07mar26t.cfm
From Dave Ramsey
----------------
A Leased Phone
I've paid you $729.12 for a $20 phone, and now you want me to
pay you $85 to stop charging me for it?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20f.htm
Determination and Discipline
Krista's no longer running out of money before payday... the
downward spiral has made a turn for the best!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar20g.htm
Understand What You're Signing
I signed the papers, not knowing what a balloon payment loan
was...
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar19d.htm
Living Debt Free
One day my 7-year-old asked me, "Why is it so important to be
debt free?"
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar19e.htm
Doing What You Love
You won't be tempted to spend as much when you have a job you
love
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16g.htm
My Ring Is a Stupid Tax
It is no fun having to look at the ring on my finger as a
reminder of the $3,500+ stupid tax
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16h.htm
Thinking Twice About a New Car
I had to remind myself that a $600 tune up is way better than
$20,000 car I wasn't going to pay for in cash
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar16j.htm
I'll Never Finance Again
We are about to pay off the car after three years of misery. I
will never finance a car again...
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar15c.htm
Our Snowball's Rolling
We have sat down and worked out a plan that will begin to get
our snowball rolling!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar15d.htm
I Want Out!
You know, it is easier to get a divorce in Las Vegas than it
is to get out of a timeshare contract
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07mar14e.htm
===========================================================
Decision-Making Tools
For Your Home
-
Rent or Buy Your Next Home?
-
Mortgage Calculator
-
15-Year or 30-Year Mortgage?
-
Fixed or Adjustable Rate Mortgage?
-
Mortgage Points Adviser
For Your Car
-
How much car can you afford?
-
Buy or lease your next car?
-
Your next car: New or used?
-
Auto Loan Calculator
-
Is a hybrid car right for you?
===========================================================
Publication Information: Copyright "The Dollar Stretcher,
Inc." 2007. ISSN 1527-2974. All Rights reserved. Copies may be
distributed without alteration electronically free of charge.
This newsletter may be reproduced, without alteration, for
non-commercial purposes without prior permission. "The Dollar
Stretcher" is distributed via email each week between Sunday
noon and Tuesday 8PM United States Eastern Time. The
newsletter runs approximately 34k in length. All articles are
printed with the author's prior consent. It is assumed that
any questions, tips, or replies to questions may be reprinted.
The name and email address of the sender will not be used
unless specifically requested or approved. All letters become
the property of "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc".
Subscription Information: "The Dollar Stretcher" is a free
weekly newsletter.
To Subscribe
send mailto:sub-dollar-stretcher@hub.thedollarstretcher.com or
visit http://www.stretcher.com/menu/subscrib.cfm
If you'd like the newsletter sent as a .txt file attachment to
an email send
mailto:sub-dollar-stretcher-attach@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
To ***
send mailto:leave-dollar-stretcher-4-2263148P@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
If you have a problem subscribing or unsubscribing send
mailto:admin@stretcher.com and a real live human being will
try to solve the problem.
To Change Your Address
send mailto:admin@stretcher.com?subject=AddChg
Please include which ezine you get and indicate your old and
new email address.
Sponsorship Information is available by
mailto:marketing@stretcher.com
The Dollar Stretcher reaches over 150,000 readers every week.
copyright 2007 The Dollar Stretcher, Inc.
All rights reserved.
The Dollar Stretcher
6695 Cortez Rd W.
Bradenton FL 34210
gary@stretcher.com
http://www.stretcher.com
phone: 941-761-7805
fax 941-761-8301
mailto:leave-dollar-stretcher-4-2263148P@hub.thedollarstretcher.com
---
You are currently subscribed to dollar-stretcher-4 as: ralrusu@gmail.com
To *** send any message to the following address:
