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The Dollar Stretcher
"Living Better...For Less"
July 23, 2007
Volume 12, Number 30
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"The Dollar Stretcher" and Dollar Stretcher, Inc. does not
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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.
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In This Issue:
Introduction
Old and Outdated? Get a New Face
by Elaine Snyder
Do-it-yourself home remodeling on the cheap
Understanding APR
by Gary Foreman
The difference between your APR and your interest rate
In The Dollar Stretcher Community
Stop Draining Dollars
by Barbara Sloan
A few simple steps that will lower your water and sewer bills
My Story: Nickel and Dime-ing 101
contributed by Joyce Ackley
Small steps toward big financial victories
Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
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Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
The other day I was thinking about what a Dollar Stretcher
looks like. What type of person are they? What makes them
different from other folks.
For instance, it occurs to me that Dollar Stretchers are smart
consumers. We're more likely to do some research and shop
around to get the best discount. We'll wait for it to go on
sale. I'm sure that we have other traits in common.
Then it dawned on me that who would be better able to describe
what a Dollar Stretcher looked like than our readers. So I
invite you to send
mailto:editor@stretcher.com?subject=StretcherIs to let me know
what you think makes someone a Dollar Stretcher.
BTW, it's more than just idle curiosity. We're able to do a
better job if we know more about the good people who spend
time with us every week. We understand that not all of our
readers are the same. Some are young, others are older. Some
are single, others are married. Some have children, others do
not. But we do expect that there are certain things that we
generally have in common. And, we'd like to figure out what
those things are. So please help us. You can bet that we'll be
appreciative!
All the Best!
Gary
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===========================================================
Old and Outdated? Get a New Face
by Elaine Snyder
Do-it-yourself home remodeling on the cheap
Is your kitchen outdated, but you don't have money to remodel?
Maybe your pantry is a closet full of boxes or shelves that
don't fit, or you need new furniture and don't have the
budget. Here are a few tips to help if you're willing to be a
do-it-yourselfer.
Build It Yourself
I am a big believer in building to suit my needs. One thing
stands in my way: money. I cannot call a contractor to come
build me fabulous shelves in my pantry or to fill in the hole
left by replacing my hulking ancient stove. I do not have
power tools, and this is a problem if one wants to build. And
yet, I find hope of making my pantry myself by discovering
that most local and chain lumber stores will cut lumber for a
small fee. All I need is to bring my measurements. They don't
guarantee perfect cuts, but theirs will be better than mine,
and I can afford to buy a hand saw for little fixes. If you
don't think you can build shelves without help, log onto
www.diynet.com and look up shelf building. Information there
can help you, or you can always get a book at the library.
A Little Dab of Paint
Old cupboards and furniture covered with marks and dings can
be a terrible eyesore. They are also expensive to replace.
Paint is a very inexpensive fix for old cupboards, and is
cheap to redo in case you don't like the color. Another
cupboard update is to replace old hardware. I'm not even going
to paint my cupboards, but plan to replace the handles, which
I know will freshen the cupboard faces. This same idea can
apply to old dressers or free-standing cabinets that have seen
better days. I repainted my son's old dresser while painting
his room so it would match. Changing the knobs on the drawers
really spiffed up the look. An even easier fix for wood
furniture with scrapes or dings is to buy furniture polish
mixed with stain. Just rub it on with a cloth and it restains
the marks so they aren't as noticeable. Usually you can find
it at your local grocery store.
Ask for Leftovers
One last tip for home repairs is to check out your local
decorating centers for leftovers. I'm not talking about food,
but kitchen or bath materials. For instance, if you have an
old hutch in your kitchen and you can't afford a new one, you
can paint the visible surfaces, then shop at a local
decorating center for leftover counter top that is much less
expensive because it's too small for another project. You
might have to go back every day for a month before you find
what you want to match your kitchen, but it's worth the
savings if you can be patient. The same rule can apply for an
old bathroom vanity or breakfast bar. Before you purchase the
counter, make sure the store is willing to cut it for you.
Another handy leftover is paint. Some paint stores and home
centers sell paint that is returned by another customer. This
happens when people don't like the color or look of the paint
and exchange it for something else. Rather than throw the
paint away, it's sold at a much lower price. If you carry a
color pallet with you that matches colors in the room you want
to paint, it's easy to see if the reduced price paint will
work for you. I purchased paint for every room in my house
this way, and it cost me less than $30. Bargains don't get
much better than that.
Think outside the box a little and you can find ways to save
on almost any home repair. Ask for leftovers before you buy
full price if your project is small enough. Floor tiles,
carpet remnants, linoleum, wall coverings, material, almost
anything can be found in clearance racks at the back of the
store, or if you just ask a clerk.
Take the Next Step:
- Decide what project you'd like to take on next
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Understanding APR
by Gary Foreman
The difference between your APR and your interest rate
Dear Dollar Stretcher,
Most of us have at least one mortgage these days, but there is
so much confusion over the interest. It seems that by the time
you've paid off your mortgage, the interest costs more than
your home. I would love to know how the interest is calculated
and how it can end up being way more than the home. Also what
is the difference between your APR and your interest rate.
Please help.
Jennifer in NC
Like so many people, Jennifer was surprised when she got past
the "easy monthly payment" and started learning about
mortgages. Let's see if we can't help her to understand the
basics of interest and APR (annual percentage rate).
We'll start with definitions. According to Investorwords.com,
an interest rate is "A rate which is charged or paid for the
use of money. An interest rate is often expressed as an annual
percentage of the principal. It is calculated by dividing the
amount of interest by the amount of principal." They define
APR as "the yearly cost of a mortgage, including interest,
mortgage insurance, and the origination fee (points),
expressed as a percentage."
BusinessDictionary.com defines APR a little differently.
"Standardized method of quoting the effective interest rate
(actual cost of credit) on consumer loans, specially where
interest is computed on monthly or other non-annual basis. An
APR includes all fees (except penalties), and takes into
account the continual reduction of principal amount through
amortization."
Let's first examine the definition for interest rate. Simply
put, it's a rate that the borrower pays for using the lender's
money. Just like you would pay to rent a car or a punch bowl
for a wedding, you pay to rent money.
Interest is typically stated in a percent of the amount owed
that's due every year of the loan. A real simple example would
be if I borrowed $100 from you and agreed to pay you back one
year from today along with 8% interest. When the year was up
I'd need to give you $108 (the original $100 plus $8
interest).
Next we'll examine how the frequency of compounding effects
the real cost of borrowing. In our example, the interest was
compounded once a year. But what would happen if we compounded
it twice a year? At the end of the year, I would need to pay
you $108.16.
Why sixteen cents more than the original example? I'd still
have to pay back the same $100 principal, but because the
interest is compounded twice each year, we'd need to calculate
and add two separate interest payments. For the first six
months, I'd owe $4 ($100 principal multiplied by 8% annual
interest divided by two equals 4%).
But for the next six months, I'd owe $4.16. Because interest
was owed (and unpaid) after the first six months, the
principal amount was increased by $4 to $104. And 4% (half of
8%) of $104 is $4.16. So over the entire year, I'd owe $8.16
for interest ($4 first six months plus $4.16 for the second
six months).
If we were to compound daily, the total due at the end of a
year would be $108.33. So even though the interest rate stays
the same (8%), the amount that you'll pay could vary by $0.33
depending on how often interest is compounded. Not a
tremendous amount, but it does add up when you're borrowing
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The APR will include any additional costs caused by frequent
compounding. When it's used in a mortgage situation, it also
includes mortgage insurance and any "points" that came with
the mortgage. For most of us, it's almost impossible to
calculate how much we'd owe on a mortgage with all the
different variables involved. The APR does that for us. We can
take two mortgages and compare the APR on each. You can also
use the APR to compare non-mortgage consumer loans.
Next let's look at all the interest that Jennifer expects to
pay. She's right. A traditional 30-year mortgage earns a lot
of interest for the lender. To illustrate, we turned to a
mortgage calculator on Bankrate.com. For a 30-year, $200,000
mortgage at 6% you'll pay $231,676 in interest over the life
of the mortgage. Just as Jennifer said, you'll actually be
paying more in interest than you originally borrowed.
One solution for Jennifer is to go to a shorter mortgage. A
15-year mortgage (the same $200,000 at 6%) would require
$103,788 in interest payments. That's a huge difference. The
downside is that Jennifer will need to handle a higher monthly
payment ($1,687 vs. $1,199).
The higher payments might scare Jennifer. But she still has an
option that will reduce interest expense. As long as her
mortgage allows for prepayments, she can pay more than the
regular payment each month. Have the lender apply the extra
money to a reduction in principal. Depending on how much she
prepays each month, it could be just as effective as a 15-year
mortgage in reducing the amount of interest paid.
Hopefully Jennifer will find both the home and the mortgage
that she loves and can afford.
__________
Gary Foreman is a former financial planner who currently edits
The Dollar Stretcher.com website and newsletters. You'll find
hundreds of ways to stretch your day and your dollar. Visit
today!
Take the Next Step:
- Find out the APR on your mortgage
- Check out the Mortgage Calculator at Bankrate.com
===========================================================
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===========================================================
In The Dollar Stretcher Community
Home Remodeling
http://community.stretcher.com/forums/t/835.aspx
How long has it been since your kitchen has had a face lift?
In Dreams of the Future
http://community.stretcher.com/forums/t/785.aspx
"When we have time, when we have the resources, when we have a
house..." What are your dreams?
Any Single, Frugal Folks?
http://community.stretcher.com/forums/t/744.aspx
Living alone has its challenges and its rewards!
Soup from the Garden
http://community.stretcher.com/forums/t/815.aspx
How does your garden grow? No silver bells or cockle shells
here, just good food!
===========================================================
Stop Draining Dollars
by Barbara Sloan
A few simple steps that will lower your water and sewer bills
Pour money down the drain. That's what many of us do every
time we run the water. But you can stem the tide with a few
simple steps that will lower your water and sewer bills and,
sometimes, your electric bill as well. Even if you use well
water, you will save on your electric bill and possibly pump
repairs too.
My water/sewer bill alone is 20-25% lower since I've started
using these easy tips. That means I have another $100 or more
a year to spend on other things. If you have a larger family,
you might save even more.
Let's start in the bathroom, where 25% to 60% of household
water is used. Consider replacing old toilets with low-flush
models. Newer designs eliminate double flushing while saving
as much as six gallons per flush. For older toilets, fill a
one-gallon plastic milk jug with water and place it in the
tank to save at least a gallon per flush. Alternatively, place
a solid object like a brick in the tank to displace some of
the water.
You can replace old showerheads with low flow massagers or
less expensive "navy" showerheads that allow you to stop water
flow at the push of a button while you soap up or shave.
Baths use up to 50 gallons each, but a six-minute shower with
a low flow showerhead uses only 11 gallons. That's about 1200
gallons a month per shower.
Install low-flow aerators in bathroom and kitchen faucets. A
new type has a little lever that you flip up to stop the flow
of water while you soap up and then push down to restore water
flow. I use these and find they also help keep the faucets
cleaner, since there is no more dirty water dripping off my
hands when I turn off the water while I'm soaping up.
Whenever possible, save water for later use rather than
watching it run down the drain. I fill watering cans while I
wait for my shower water to heat.
In the kitchen, I keep a dishpan in the sink to catch water
that would otherwise be wasted. I rinse dishes over the pan
and save that water too. I use it to soak pots and rinse
dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. I always run my
dishwasher on the short cycle, saving several gallons of water
each time. The dishes always come out perfectly clean.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey website, a dishwasher
uses twenty gallons of water every time it's run, so fill it
before you run it. You can add your dish drainer and dishpan
in the bottom rack and your scrubber and sponge in the top
rack. You'll save time, water, and have clean, sanitary
kitchen tools without extra work.
In the laundry room, set your washing machine's water level
for each load of wash. Try to run full loads. If you have a
laundry tub, you can install a "gray water" saver that diverts
laundry water to the tub for re-use.
According to water company websites, up to fifty percent of
home water is used outdoors. Water lawns early in the day,
providing one inch of water weekly, including rainfall. Native
and drought tolerant trees and shrubs require less water
during dry periods. A good layer of mulch does double duty by
helping to prevent water from evaporating while keeping down
weeds. I also water indoor and outdoor plants with water from
the dehumidifier.
In the garden, a soaker hose allows water to trickle down to
the roots. Keep water off sidewalks, driveways and roads and
never use the hose to clean them. Runoff contributes to
pollution of nearby watersheds.
Washing your car? Save by filling a bucket with water and mild
detergent, then use a sponge to wash one section of the car at
a time, starting at the top. Rinse each section before moving
to the next.
If you have a swimming pool, don't overfill it. Cover it when
not in use to prevent evaporation.
Fix all leaks right away. A leaky faucet can waste nine
gallons of water a day or 260 gallons a month. That's $12 a
year for a tiny leak or $150 for a big one. A toilet leak can
cost much more. Water companies and conservation groups
provide kits to check for leaks, or you can simply put a few
drops of food coloring in the tank and check back later to see
if the water in the bowl has changed colors. Do not flush
during the interim.
For directions for plumbing repairs, check out a home repair
book from your library or go to a website such as
www.doityourself.com or www.hometips.com. You can also find a
good, inexpensive home repair book at a discount bookstore.
If you qualify for energy assistance, ask for help through the
weatherization program. Your local energy program may provide
free water-saving equipment. Mine does.
So what are you waiting for? Start saving water and money now!
_________________
Barbara Sloan is a freelance writer who has published hundreds
of articles. She lives and saves in Connecticut, one of the
nation's most expensive states.
Take the Next Step:
- Decide where you could use a low flow appliances in your
home
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My Story: Nickel and Dime-ing 101
contributed by Joyce Ackley
Small steps toward big financial victories
My refrigerator door is dotted with colorful magnets holding
coupons, business cards, photos, appointment reminders, and my
grandson's artwork. Prominently displayed in the center of the
collection is a quarter-sized chip from a cabinet door in my
outdated, 1980s kitchen.
The beige Formica chip serves as an incentive for a much
needed kitchen re-do. It is also a visual reminder that since
I have no money for remodeling, the only way to have that new
kitchen is to start saving up for it by cutting expenses.
Inspired by my goal, I launched a savings plan. I started out
in small steps, which I call "nickel and dime-ing." That first
week, I clipped coupons for a savings of $8.75. Since I live
alone and don't cook a lot, I was pleased. My coupon bounty
included one coupon for $1.00 off bagged salad, a $1.00
savings on the cat food I buy, two $1.00 coupons for the
flavored coffees I prefer, and $1.00 off frozen pizza. The
most valuable was a $3.00 coupon for the hair color product I
use. Coupons for forty cents and thirty-five cents were
applied to packaged deli-meat and sliced cheese.
Instead of the expensive cookies I usually purchase, I bought
the store brand. The cookies cost ninety-four cents and were
as tasty as the pricey ones. Store brand potato chips went
into my shopping cart for a hefty savings of over a buck. I am
not yet ready to give up my sodas in favor of plain water or
tea, but I did make a sacrifice by choosing the store brand
($.64 for two liters) instead of the "real" thing. The less-
expensive cola wasn't bad at all, and each time I got ice for
my drink, I lifted my glass in a toast to the ugly, dingy,
cabinet door chip stuck to the fridge.
I laid in a supply of plastic storage bags of various sizes to
package crackers, cookies, chips, and salad croutons. Since
these items frequently lose their freshness if not used up
quickly enough, re-packaging became an important part of my
nickel and dime-ing campaign. Often I've thrown away half a
package of stale or moldy bread, but now I divide the loaf and
freeze half until I'm ready for it.
During week two of my nickel and dime savings campaign, I
began packing my own lunches. A container of yogurt, a piece
of fruit, and cheese and crackers made a tasty, inexpensive
meal. Other lunch favorites: salad or a sandwich of lunchmeat
and cheese (both purchased with cents-off coupons) and
resealable bags of my store-brand chips and cookies.
At the dollar store, I stocked up on shampoos, conditioners,
lotions, and shower gels. Many of these grooming staples were
at least half the price of grocery store products, as were
cleaning goods and supplies.
My nickel-dime savings plan has extended to other areas, as
well. A recent trip to a thrift shop yielded a pair of nearly-
new jeans for $2.00 and a barely-worn Koret blouse for $3.00.
For another three bucks, I splurged on a great looking Fossil
purse, perfect for spring. A set of four new place mats for
the back porch table was half-price at just $2.00. My total
expenditure was ten dollars!
That extra money left in my checking account at the end of the
month will be transferred into a special savings account
earmarked for my new kitchen. I'll count on tax refunds,
bonuses, and extra savings to beef up the account, but my
small-steps efforts are paying off. Save a nickel here and a
dime there. Soon, there'll be a dollar or two, then five,
maybe ten bucks. That's what I call "nickel and dime-ing" my
way to a new kitchen!
________________________
Joyce Ackley is a teacher and a writer living in central
Florida. In addition to writing, she enjoys decorating on a
budget. Joyce is currently on a quest to live well on less
money.
"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
===========================================================
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===========================================================
Tips, Quips, Quotes and Questions
*********
Can You Help This Reader?
*********
Making Compact Florescent Bulbs Work
I am interested in the new fluorescent light bulbs. I would
like to know if others are happy with them. I have not had
good experiences with them after spending quite a bit of
money. One by one they are coming back out of my lamps because
they just do not give as much light as the package says. Is
there a way to make them work?
Betty H. in Hopewell, VA
Please send your answers mailto:CanYouHelp@stretcher.com with
"CF" as the subject. We'll include the best solutions in
future issues.
*********
Yes, We Can Help This Reader
Funeral Insurance?
*********
I would sit down immediately with your parents and siblings to
ask the following questions:
- Do you have any life insurance that will cover the cost of
your funeral?
- Do you have any assets that can be sold after your death to
go towards the cost of the burial?
- Are there any military benefits for your burial? If either
parent was in the service, check with the local Veterans'
Assistance for aid.
- What kind of burial and memorial ceremony do you want? This
might be cheaper than you think. Our guilt and pain has us do
more for our loved ones' funeral than what anyone really
expects.
- Who will pay for what part of the service? This is a great
time to have a sibling or two take over the cost of food,
casket, burial plot, etc.
Also research the Internet and library for ways to save on
funeral costs. Instead of feeling tacky, just think of
yourself as an educated consumer.
June in Yelm, WA
more suggestions on how to pay for funerals at
*********
More on Unwanted Cards
Your comments about the unrequested credit card (Introduction
of 7/16 issue) was a very familiar story to me. Just a few
weeks ago, I opened a letter from Target notifying me that my
Target credit card was being upgraded to a Target Visa card
and that I would need to notify them within three weeks if I
did not want this activated automatically. I too, was furious
with Target and called their customer service and got no
satisfaction. I also asked to speak with a manager and
complained that they were taking advantage of people who were
not as observant as I happened to be that day. I do not
normally read all the credit offers that come my way as well
and shudder to think that if I had not read this offer close
enough within three weeks I would have had another Visa card
that I did not want! How can they get away with these things?
I feel very sorry for people who are not as persistent and
financially savvy! I worry about my children and hope that I
am preparing them to handle this world today!
Charisse L.
*********
Stinky!
It never fails. Shortly after you put a clean plastic liner in
the kitchen wastebasket, something really smelly gets thrown
away before the bag is full. I've found I can eliminate rotten
odors in a wastebasket by completely covering the offending
waste with a few layers of newspapers. I use the newspaper ad
supplements that fill up my mailbox each week. The paper
absorbs the smell entirely so you can use each bag to
capacity.
Julie B. in Houston TX
*********
The Hanging Heat Reducer
I did something very inexpensive this year that made a huge
difference in the temperature of our kitchen. It would work on
any room in the house.
We live in Texas. Summers are very long and very hot here. The
large window in the eating area of our kitchen faces West.
From about 2pm on each day, the sun pours through that window
and bakes the room. By the time we sit down for dinner, the
area is unbearably warm (despite air conditioning) and the
bright sun is blinding to those of us facing the window.
This year, I cut a large piece of "black-out fabric" a bit
larger than the window. Black-out fabric is actually white and
can be purchased very inexpensively at fabric stores. I
installed three grommets across the top. Then I tacked three
small finishing nails above the top of the window above the
wooden trim. At noon each day, I can easily hang up the
curtain, and by 5pm when we eat dinner, the area is much
cooler and there is no more glare! After 30 years of eating at
a miserably hot dinner table, it's finally very comfortable!
JR in Houston
*********
What would you do with an extra $100? Last month Barb from
Wallingford, CT 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
----------
Understanding APR
by Gary Foreman
The difference between your APR and your interest rate
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23c.cfm
My Story: Nickel and Dime-ing 101
contributed by Joyce Ackley
Small steps toward big financial victories
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23e.cfm
Want to Save Money? Stop Shopping
Once these budget busters discovered how much unnecessary
stuff they were buying, they stopped shopping and got their
finances in line
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul17a.htm
Fame & Fortune
"Pulp Fiction" saved John Travolta's career, but the work
ethic from his Italian-American heritage helped him build an
impressive pile of toys
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul17b.htm
Saving for Retirement Early Can Pay Big Dividends
Think you can't find any money to save? We'll show you how to
find nearly $500 for retirement savings
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul16a.htm
Decide Where to Distribute 529 Funds
It can make a difference if you end up having to pay taxes
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul16b.htm
What Do You Know About Credit Scores?
Take our poll to check your understanding of credit and see
how you compare with the nation
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul13b.htm
Glossary of Credit Scores & Report Terms
Here are simple explanations of the most-commonly-used terms
found in credit reports and scores
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul13c.htm
Retired, but Still in Debt
You might have to go back to work or declare bankruptcy
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul13d.htm
How to Avoid Credit Card Pitfalls
A low salary combined with new expenses means some credit card
debt is inevitable when you're young. Here's how to manage the
damage
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul11a.htm
Bond Yields Can Entice During Market Volatility
Yields on the five-year and 10-year Treasury bonds have spiked
to their highest levels since mid-2006. Before you jump into
the bond market, you'll need to know what to look for
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul11b.htm
Spending an Inheritance Wisely
Pay off debts and start an emergency fund
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul17c.htm
Investing in a Time Share
You shouldn't think of it as an investment
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul16c.htm
Refinancing Parents' Home in Your Name
You might want to see if there's a better way to do this
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul13e.htm
Paying Off Debt with Lottery Winnings
First you need to get out of your debt negotiation plan
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul11c.htm
Your Home
---------
Old and Outdated? Get a New Face
by Elaine Snyder
Do-it-yourself home remodeling on the cheap
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23b.cfm
Stop Draining Dollars
by Barbara Sloan
A few simple steps that will lower your water and sewer bills
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23d.cfm
How to Avoid Closing-Day Glitches
From walk-through surprises to buyer's remorse, closing day
can be a nightmare. Here's how to make it go smoothly
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul12a.htm
2007 Survey of House Closing Costs by State
New York still tops the list as the state with the highest
closing costs. See where yours ranks
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul12b.htm
Your Food
---------
Mix Your Own Beverages
by Miss Maggie
It takes commitment, but it pays off big
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23f.cfm
Your Auto
---------
Is My Timing Belt Too Old?
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23h.cfm
Will Your Rates Rise After a Claim?
After a car accident is not the time to find out how a claim
will affect your rates. Here are six things to ask before you
get a policy
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul13a.htm
Your Taxes
----------
Window Tinting Can Mean a Tax Credit
Let the government help pay while you cool down your house and
save energy
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul16d.htm
Energy-Efficient Tax Credit Still Available
The energy credit continues through the end of 2007, for both
new construction and energy-saving improvements to existing
homes
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul13f.htm
Claiming Losses on Bad Roth IRA Investments
You may be able to get some tax relief for Roth IRA
investments that went bad, but it probably won't be much
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul11d.htm
Everything Else
---------------
You've Got Mail
by Annette and Steve Economides
Finding the 'good stuff' among the junk
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23g.cfm
Burial Insurance
Is it a good deal? And, can any family member purchase it?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23a.cfm
Readers' Tips
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/07/07jul23t.cfm
From Dave Ramsey
----------------
Emergency Fund Saves the Day
Having the initial $1000 emergency fund is a genius idea. I
wish I would have come across the idea years ago!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul17d.htm
Interest-Only Loans
How bad of an idea is an interest-only loan?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul17e.htm
Slammed with Taxes
I thought I was being crafty by taking some money out of my
retirement account to pay off some bills
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul16e.htm
Timeshare Suckers
We fell for the timeshare presentation and of course lost
money on the whole deal in the long run. Read more of Chris's
story...
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul16f.htm
Anyone Can Do It!
We were facing bankruptcy and had NO hope for our future
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/07/07jul16g.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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