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The Dollar Stretcher
"Living Better...For Less"
June 11, 2007
Volume 12, Number 24
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In This Issue:
Introduction
They Make How Much Money?
by John L. White
When you feel you're being underpaid for your work
That's Outrageous!
ThermoSpas Bait and Switch
by azjanet
Surviving the Medical Maze
by Annette and Steve Economides
Tricks to get providers to deal fairly
In The Dollar Stretcher Community
Dining Out?
Do you feel guilty ordering out under any circumstances?
Budgeting Debt Repayment
by Gary Foreman
Steps to reducing credit card debt
Fuel Additives
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Cleaning fuel injectors
Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
===========================================================
Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
This week's opening article will probably be of interest to
many of you. Many of us at least once in our life wondered if
we were being paid what we're worth. If you're in that place
now, you'll want to check it out (even if you're not wondering
about your pay, it's still a good read!).
Hope that you have a wonderful week!
All the Best!
Gary
===========================================================
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They Make How Much Money?
by John L. White
When you feel you're being underpaid for your work
How would you feel if you found out that another employee who
performs the same type of work as you makes ten thousand
dollars more per year. How would you react to that? Would you
feel hurt or betrayed by the company? Would you storm into
your boss's office and vent your frustration about how the
company isn't fair and how it's taking advantage of you? Or
like many people, would you quietly suffer in silence and
build up a huge resentment that colors your entire attitude at
work?
I think there's another way to look at it. You could consider
it a very valuable piece of information that you're glad you
discovered. The mentality that allows you to view it that way
is because you don't expect life to be fair, especially in the
workplace.
Once you've gotten past the "fairness" aspect, why should this
be considered valuable information? Why on earth should you be
glad you discovered it? In answer to that, let's consider the
opposite situation for a moment. Let's assume you discover
that you're the highest paid person in your position at work.
How much room for salary advancement is left for you? When
they need to make layoffs at your level, whose salary sticks
out like a sore thumb? Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that
you shouldn't go for more money when you get the chance. I'm
just saying that you need to consider the up side and the down
side of everything.
The reason this is valuable information is because you might
have just discovered that you're making less money than your
market value. The appropriate course of action is to do some
external investigation into the job market to see what type of
salary you could command if you moved to another company. You
might be pleasantly surprised to discover that you could get a
substantial salary increase just by taking another job.
At this point, instead of going out and securing a job making
a lot more money, you might be thinking that what would make
more sense is if you went and discussed the situation with
your current manager. You're thinking he or she might be able
to offer you something close to your market value so you
wouldn't have to leave the company. That would make sense,
wouldn't it? You wouldn't have to go through the pain and
trouble of having to find another job and they wouldn't lose
an experienced, valuable employee. Well, I hate to burst your
bubble, but it doesn't usually work that way.
Never forget that the company philosophy is to employ you for
the least amount of money they think they can get away with.
It increases their profit margin, plain and simple. Also,
remember that once a company hires you in at a particular
salary, the rate of increase is governed by that.
In this case, consider that you're making fifty thousand a
year and you discover your coworker is making sixty thousand.
That's a twenty percent increase. What do you think the
chances are that you'll get a twenty percent increase from the
company? When was the last time you received or heard of
someone else receiving a twenty percent raise?
Unfortunately, in most cases, the only way you could
potentially get that type of increase is if you get another
job offer and tender your resignation. At that point, if
you're considered valuable, they may offer to match the
salary, but at that point, should you accept? It could be
risky. Employers have a way of remembering who's "loyal" and
who isn't.
___________________
John L. White is the author of "My Job Sucks and I Can't Take
it Anymore! (The Real-Life Job Survival Guide)" and founder of
Everlove and Bohannon Publishing. He also works full-time as
an IT professional for a large International Company. To
purchase "My Job," visit
Take the Next Step:
- Research the job market to learn the average salary for your
job
===========================================================
That's Outrageous!
ThermoSpas Bait and Switch
by azjanet
Luxurious Hot Tubs Made Affordable. I saw the end of an
infomercial on TV and called the toll free number to get the
free DVD, which would explain how ThermoSpas were the best
value on the market.
Later, I received a phone call stating that a technician would
be in our area the next week. They asked if I would like him
to stop in and determine what would be necessary in order to
install a ThermoSpa. I asked how much a ThermoSpa cost, and I
was quoted that they start at $2500. So I agreed to an
appointment for the following week, thinking they would give
us an estimate on how much it would cost to get 220 volt
wiring for the spa and to get pricing for the smallest two-
person spa, which I thought would cost about $2500.
A salesman arrived at our home at the appointed time and said
we would indeed be able to have a spa installed where we
wanted it, but we would need to get 220 volt wiring. However,
he had no idea how much it would cost to have this done.
Then he proceeded to go through his presentation. The $2500
spa is not a ThermoSpa. Instead, it is made by a manufacturer
in California and has none of the features that make a
ThermoSpa so wonderful. We had about two seconds to view this
inferior spa and then he quickly turned the page and started
in on the hard sell for the pricier ThermoSpas. The smallest,
cheapest ThermoSpa (two-person spa) was priced above $6000,
which is a far cry from the $2500 that was quoted. Needless to
say, we did not buy a spa.
_______________
Sometimes all you can say is "That's Outrageous!" If you feel
that you've been mistreated by a company and would like to let
the world know you can do it at
you help others from suffering the same treatment, but you'll
feel better for venting!
===========================================================
Surviving the Medical Maze
by Annette and Steve Economides
Tricks to get providers to deal fairly
Dealing with health insurance can make you sick. Will health
providers and insurance companies give you the coverage you've
paid for? How can you survive this unhealthy bureaucracy?
While we haven't had any illness more serious than Annette's
kidney stone, emergency room trips and sick visits for the
kids, we've found a few tricks to get providers to deal fairly
with us. These methods have kept us from feeling victimized by
some massive and incompetent organizations.
Know Your Policy
Know what's covered and excluded. Communicate your limits with
your doctor. Try to get the most care for the least money.
Some covered procedures aren't listed in your benefits book.
Years ago, one of our kids needed occupational therapy. It
wasn't listed as a covered service. Annette called the
insurance company and discovered that they covered this
service. It needed pre-approval, but that was a minor
inconvenience for covering six months of services.
Follow Up Bills
Insurance companies and doctor's offices don't always
communicate. Annette once found, after several calls, that the
insurance company hadn't received any claim information from
our doctor. She discovered that the doctor's office personnel
weren't operating the fax properly, and information wasn't
reaching the insurance company. Transmittals, claim forms and
other documents are often "lost" or "not received" by the
insurance company. Calling right away can prevent delays and
let everyone know you are paying attention.
Take Names and Notes
Copy everything you submit. For larger claims, we create a
file folder for all paperwork. Staple a sheet of loose-leaf to
the inside cover and track all phone communication. Take names
and get direct phone numbers. Having one person who actually
knows your situation saves time and effort. We've been able to
document dates, number of contacts, and how often our calls
went unreturned. People are amazed at our detailed
information.
Keep Your Records
In Arizona, hospitals have six years to review records and
correct bills. It's not good business, but unfortunately, they
have lobbied to protect themselves. This particular "loophole"
doesn't apply to Medicare patients.
Annette's 1999 kidney stone experience took over four years to
resolve. Two years after the account was "closed," the
hospital audited its files and billed us for $341 more. We
reviewed our records and determined that they had been
overpaid. The hospital disagreed and sent us to collections.
We fought back. Steve contacted the Department of Health
Services. He was told to bypass the hospital billing
department and go directly to the Chief Financial Officer,
explain our story and offer a discounted settlement.
Steve politely, but firmly, approached the CFO, explained our
experience, bad business practices, unreturned calls and
unacceptable lapse in billing. By working up the ladder, we
not only received a zero balance, but an apology from the CFO.
Yes, we asked for a written confirmation of the zero balance.
_____________________________
Steve and Annette Economides are authors of "America's
Cheapest Family Gets You Right On the Money" (A New York Times
Best Seller) published by Random House 2007. They also publish
the HomeEconomiser newsletter 6 times each year. For more info
and lots of free money saving ideas, visit
http://www.AmericasCheapestFamily.com
Take the Next Step:
- Take the time to look over your health insurance policy and
know what's covered
===========================================================
In The Dollar Stretcher Community
Dining Out?
Do you feel guilty ordering out under any circumstances?
===========================================================
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Budgeting Debt Repayment
by Gary Foreman
Steps to reducing credit card debt
Dear Dollar Stretcher,
They say rent should be a third of your salary, or something
like that. How much should be allocated to credit card debt if
you made the mistake of getting into debt? If I paid each
credit card a little bit, I'd still owe about $400 a month.
What should my income be to pay that much each month but still
not be in trouble? For instance, if I only earned $1,200 a
month, I couldn't be expected to pay rent, food, etc., and
credit cards. However, if I was making $100,000 a year, $400 a
month wouldn't seem like much. Is there a way to calculate
this?
Linda
Approximately 1 in 3 of us have at least one credit card with
a balance due. And with a new law that required higher
minimums taking effect in 2006, more and more consumers are
wrestling with their minimum payment. So Linda asks a good
question. How much debt repayment can I fit into my budget?
And, yes, she's right. Someone with a $100,000 annual income
can afford more than the person who takes home $1,200 each
month. So let's see if we can't come up with some guidelines
for Linda.
Most family budgets are dominated by three categories:
housing, auto and food. Combined they typically take up 65 to
70% of the budget. That leaves 30 to 35% for everything else:
insurance, clothing, medical, dental, entertainment and
vacations, education, property taxes, savings, and debt
repayment. Most of these categories will require between 3%
and 7%, which will quickly consume the remaining portion of
your income. Each family is a little different, but most
families can commit about 5% of their paycheck to repaying
debt without twisting their budget out of shape.
How does that work out in Linda's case? A monthly payment of
$400 is 5% of $8,000. So Linda would need to be bringing home
$8,000 after taxes to hold to this budget. I hope that she is
making $96,000 a year, but there's a good chance that she's
not. So she might need to make some adjustments.
Even if she is making that much money, it's still wise to pay
down her credit card balance. That's because it is unlikely to
stay at the current level. The reason is simple. Life happens.
There will always be "unexpected" home and auto repair bills.
Even with good medical insurance, the deductible on a broken
arm can be significant. And taking a nice vacation is real
tempting.
If Linda is struggling already, she probably doesn't have
money saved for these "emergencies." So they'll go on her
credit card. And, that will boost her balance. The new minimum
will only go up a little bit, but the hill she's climbing just
got a little steeper.
The sad part is that many people fall into credit card debt
because they can't afford to completely pay for whatever they
bought during the month. Trouble is that the interest they'll
owe only makes the original purchase more expensive. So
they'll pay even more for something that they couldn't afford
in the first place.
So what can Linda do? Take aggressive steps to pay down her
credit card balance. Beginning now. The biggest opportunities
are where she spends the most: housing, auto and food. It may
be time to move to a smaller home or apartment, or take in a
roommate. Replace an expensive car with a cheaper one. Commit
to eating at home until her debt is paid off.
Linda should also look for ways to make small contributions to
her "debt repayment fund." It's time to consider dropping
premium cable channels, mocha lattes and other non-essentials.
You'd be surprised how quickly these items can add up to a
sizeable amount. Not only will she be reducing debt, but also
she'll feel better about taking steps to reach her goal.
Some of these may seem overly drastic, but they are meant to
be drastic. Linda is heading for a financial wreck. Here's how
it will unfold. "Unexpected" expenses will add to her balance
and her monthly minimum. If her minimum payments begin to
exceed 5% of her budget, she'll soon find herself unable to
make the monthly payment.
Then things will snowball. Each month, she'll struggle to make
all the minimum payments on time. One day a payment will be a
little late. Her interest rates will go up on all of her
cards. That'll increase her minimum payment. That, in turn,
will make it almost impossible to cover the new minimums. Her
credit rating will go down. She'll trigger a chain of events
that will take up to ten years to correct.
Linda is wise to correct it now while she still has time. Some
of the steps she'll need to take will be painful. But she'll
be avoiding much more financial pain in the future.
_______
Gary Foreman is a former financial planner who currently edits
The Dollar Stretcher.com website. You'll find hundreds of ways
to help make the most of the money you already earn. Visit
today!
Take the Next Step:
- Calculate how much of your income goes to repaying debt
===========================================================
Fuel Additives
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Cleaning fuel injectors
Bob,
If you were going to recommend a fuel additive to clean your
fuel injectors on your truck, what would you choose and why?
Have you ever used this product before? Did it do any damage
to your engine (that's what I'm worried about)?
Bruce
Bruce,
I am not normally in the practice of recommending a certain
product over another. However, I can tell you that the
additive manufactures (at least the ones that are diligent)
perform what they call "No Harm Testing." Once they finalize
development of their product and get expected results and then
finally get the ratio correct so it works on enough vehicles
(not all vehicles respond to all additives), they perform this
no harm test. Essentially, to put it simply, they put the
product in as big of a fleet they can find with a wide variety
of vehicles.
They let the people go out and do what ever they normally do.
Then after a predetermined amount of time, the manufacture
takes a survey of the drivers and look for things that might
not be obviously related to the additive. Some possible things
they would look for would be if the radio stops working or the
windshield wipers don't clean very well anymore. Sometimes
things that don't seem connected somehow turn out to be. Those
examples are obviously humorous, but you do get the point.
However, let's say that the manufacturer did test their
product in the exact same model as your car. We have seen that
it still may not work in your car. Some cars respond well to
additives and some don't (even cars of the same make and
model).
Good Luck!
Drive Safely!
Bob, The Auto Answer Man
_______________________
If you have a question for Bob, send it to
mailto:AskBob@stretcher.com. He's able to answer many of them
personally and we'll include the best questions in future
issues of The Dollar Stretcher.
===========================================================
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Tips, Quips, Quotes and Questions
*********
Can You Help This Reader?
*********
Future Inheritance Is Expensive Now
My mother has recently gifted half of her house to me and half
to my disabled sister with my older brother designated as the
trustee of that half. Although my mother is technically
supposed to pay property taxes as part of her lifetime rental
agreement, I don't think she will be able to. We will
obviously not evict her from her house, so responsibility for
paying taxes and upkeep will fall to me. My mother is 85 and
in good health, so it could be 10 years or more before I
actually inherit the value of half the house. As my own
finances are already tight, I would rather not put out my own
money for such expenses. What would be the best option for
paying expenses along the way, and minimizing interest
expenses on any sort of a loan?
K.
Please send your answers mailto:CanYouHelp@stretcher.com with
"Inheritance" as the subject. We'll include the best solutions
in future issues.
*********
Yes, We Can Help This Reader
What to Do With Extra Money
*********
Congratulations for getting the loan off your plate. Now your
issue is what to do with the "extra" $100 per month. I think
there may be several things to do:
1) You suggest you are putting 5% of your earnings into your
employer's deferred income plan. If your employer matches some
portion of your contributions, increase your contribution up
to the level that just gets you 100% of the available match
and no more.
2) Next, I would suggest you put the rest into your emergency
fund. 44% of a three-month cushion does not seem sufficient.
Further, I would raise the target to an amount that equals at
least six months of living expenses. A nine-month cushion
would be even better.
3) Lastly, I would work off those student loans. With an
interest rate of 5.875% fixed, this would be my last use of
the money. Of course, more money would go to this expense once
your emergency fund is fully funded.
Richard
editor's note: more suggestions on what to do with $100 a
month that used to go to a paid off debt at
*********
Unplugged!
I recently tried the experiment of unplugging all appliances
that were not being used, including cell phone chargers, and
saved $15 on my electric bill in one month.
Ilsa G.
*********
Remembering Grandma
Last year my mother-in-law died suddenly. We didn't know if
she had any insurance and we didn't have the cash to pay the
$7000 to $9000 the funeral home told us it would cost to bury
her. She already owned a plot. My brother-in-law contacted a
funeral home here about cremation. The cremation and related
services was about $1200. We did the memorial service/funeral
ourselves.
We printed flyers with the information about her on them. We
created the memorial book and customized it with the things
she loved, so it really reflected her. We printed the RESERVED
signs for the pews at the church. We asked a couple of friends
who came to the service if they would help with ushering
people in and out. My son made a CD of music for the before
and after music. We found many pictures of her from different
times in her life and created a lovely display at the front of
the church. One of her passions was her Red Hat group, so we
prepared a display of her hats and things that she had
collected around that.
I think some people in the small town may have been a bit
taken aback, but I thought it was a lovely Red Hat funeral and
befitted her. My son commented that he felt a great deal of
closure from the whole process. Our family came together and
worked together to create a time of fond memories in what was
a truly stressful time. We know that it was unconventional,
but that adds a little more to the whole experience. We
stepped out of tradition and created some new family
traditions. In the process, we probably saved at least $5000!
Penny H.
*********
Spendaholics?
While I don't know of a group specifically called Spendaholics
Anonymous, there is a support group called Debtors Anonymous
that does essentially the same thing. There are groups in New
York and around the world. This is a non-profit organization
based on the 12-step model of Alcoholics Anonymous. They deal
with many of the issues surrounding debt. People who
compulsively spend, or people who "underearn" and take low
paying jobs because they think they don't deserve to be paid
well. They provide emotional support with the psychological
issues surrounding spending and provide help developing a plan
to get out of debt. They are not a debt consolidation agency,
and they believe that people should pay off all their debt and
refrain from all non-secured debt in the future.
I'm not a member of DA, but I am familiar with their program.
Many DA members have some other addictive issues. Both Debtors
Anonymous and Workaholics Anonymous deal with concepts like
"time debting," which is similar to the time management issues
many of us face. And yes, being a workaholic is bad if you
lose your family, your friends, your health, and maybe even
your life in the process.
Alice
editor's note: Alice is referring to an article on the website
about compulsive spending at
*********
What would you do with an extra $100? Last month Patricia of
Madisonville, 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
----------
Extra Cash
What's the best way to use extra cash?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11a.cfm
Budgeting Debt Repayment
by Gary Foreman
Steps to reducing credit card debt
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11d.cfm
Fame & Fortune
Kicked out of high school, Jersey boy Steven Van Zandt managed
to score a double-whammy success, first as a legendary guitar
player and more recently as mob consigliere on "The Sopranos"
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun05c.htm
Disabled, Broke, Bankrupt Before. Help!
It's sad, but one can be too broke to file bankruptcy. On the
other hand, extreme poverty makes you look "judgment proof" to
creditors
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun05d.htm
When Credit Card Debt Is Too High
If you're still paying for a meal you can't remember eating,
you're in trouble
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04a.htm
Debt Gaining on Many U.S. Seniors
An increasing number of the nation's eldest are putting their
homes, retirement savings and livelihoods at risk to pay the
bills
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04c.htm
Investors Looking for High Yields Need to Do Homework
A Web site that advertised high-yield investments provides a
cautionary tale for investors. Here's what happened and how
you can avoid getting trapped
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun01c.htm
Garnishment Awaits Katrina Victim in Debt
An intermediary may succeed in getting a credit card company
to agree to a repayment plan, avoiding court and garnishment
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun01e.htm
4 Steps to Take before Borrowing on Home
Know your rights and understand all the terms before agreeing
to a loan
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07may31a.htm
Pluses and Pitfalls of Home Equity Borrowing
Leveraging the equity in your home can be a savvy financial
move or a step backward. Here's a look at the pluses, pitfalls
and alternatives to home equity borrowing
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun30a.htm
It Costs to Maintain Stop Payment
Another choice would be to close the account the check is
written on
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun05e.htm
Balancing Student Loans, Home Down Payment
Borrowing from IRA is probably the best choice
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04d.htm
Pending Default on Retirement Loan
Try to avoid defaulting or you'll have to pay a penalty tax
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun01f.htm
Tapping Home Equity after a Bankruptcy
First get your credit reports and score to see if you're
subprime credit
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07may31d.htm
How to Build a Credit History
You have to make sure your payments are reported to the credit
bureaus
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07may30c.htm
Dangers of Home Equity Loans
Changing behavior is safer and cheaper in the long run than a
loan consolidation
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun01b.htm
Your Family
-----------
Summer Sanity Savers
by Shaunna Privratsky
Enjoying summer's simpler rhythm
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11f.cfm
Homemaking School for Children
by Monica Resinger
Give your kids valuable lessons in housecleaning and
responsibility
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11g.cfm
Let's Party, Baby!
by Marlene Alexander
Dollar store decorating for a baby shower
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11j.cfm
Your Home
---------
Face-Lift Your Home with New Windows
Replacing tired, worn out windows is one of the fastest -- but
not cheapest -- home improvements to boost the curb appeal and
value of your home
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04b.htm
Interactive: Match Projects, Budget and Skill
Anyone who's ever owned a home has looked for ways to improve
it. This interactive tool lets you choose home projects by
price, room and skill level
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun01d.htm
Should Home Sale Prices Be Kept Secret?
Most states do disclose prices one way or another, but some
don't. Does nondisclosure help consumers? It certainly does
benefit the real estate industry
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07may31b.htm
It Might Be a Scam If ...
There are plenty of warning signs of a dishonest or
incompetent contractor
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07may30b.htm
Your Career or Small Business
-----------------------------
They Make How Much Money?
by John L. White
When you feel you're being underpaid for your work
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11b.cfm
Working Life Goes On For Serial Retirees
Whether you call it re-careering, phased retirement or serial
retirement, the outcome is the same. Many retirees continue to
work, whether by choice or necessity
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun05a.htm
Your Food
---------
My Story: Vacation Meals
contributed by Jora
Feeding your family a healthier and cheaper meal on the road
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11h.cfm
Your Auto
---------
Fuel Additives
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Cleaning fuel injectors
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11e.cfm
Your Taxes
----------
Reimbursed Medicare Premiums
Since the Medicare premium payments you pay are allowable
medical expenses on Schedule A, their reimbursement can be
tax-free
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun05f.htm
Defaulting on Retirement Plan Loans
You're about to default against yourself and trade a debt you
owe to yourself for one you owe the IRS
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun01g.htm
Claiming Foreign Dependents
To claim your parents as your dependents, they have to be U.S.
residents for income tax purposes or residents of Canada or
Mexico
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07may30d.htm
Pay-on-Death Designation Avoids Probate
Basically, the pay-on-death designation on stock and bank
accounts means you avoid probate and may not need a will
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07may31c.htm
Everything Else
---------------
Surviving the Medical Maze
by Annette and Steve Economides
Tricks to get providers to deal fairly
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11c.cfm
Taxes, Fees Increase Air Travel Costs
Ticket price from the airline is only part of what you can pay
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun05b.htm
Do You Need Life Insurance Now?
Determining your life insurance needs should be done well in
advance of your retirement
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun01a.htm
Readers' Tips
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jun11t.cfm
From Dave Ramsey
----------------
Summer Work
This summer, a surefire way to keep kids from being bored and
broke is work
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04e.htm
Debts Gone In 1 Year!
Truck payment: gone. Credit card: gone. Student loans: gone!
Check out this cool story...
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04f.htm
Do-It-Yourself Will
Should Dawn try to avoid the cost of an attorney by doing a
will herself?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04g.htm
Impulsive SUV
While my husband was out of town, I leased a brand-new $42,000
SUV
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04h.htm
An Empty Retirement Account
Don't cash in your 401k like Kelly did
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04j.htm
Getting Started
Al wants to know how to get started on his "get out of debt"
plan
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jun04k.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?
===========================================================
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