Back to newsletter listDate:
Sun, March 23, 2008 09:00:01 PMFrom:
editor@stretcher.com
Subject:
3/24/08: The Dollar Stretcher
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The Dollar Stretcher
"Living Better...For Less"
March 24, 2008
Volume 13, Number 12
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"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
Don't Use a Credit Card to Pay Taxes...with One Exception
by Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com
There's one interesting exception to consider
--- Inflation Fighter ---
Buying for One
by Johnny Gunn
Living alone doesn't have to be overly expensive
In The Dollar Stretcher Community
Savings or Paying Off Those Bills?
Which is more important? A member poses the question and gets
some interesting responses!
Lessening the Lawn
by Susan McCanless
You'll save time and money
DIY Mold Removal
by Alina Bradford
An expert shares how to remove mold from your home
Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
===========================================================
Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
For the first time in years, inflation is back in the news. If
you've studied economics, that's no surprise to you. In an
attempt to make it easy for people to borrow money, the
Federal Reserve has been lowering interest rates for years.
When they do that, they reduce the value of the U.S. Dollar
compared to other currencies. That has the effect of raising
the price that you and I pay.
Add to that increased demand for certain commodities (for
instance, corn to make ethanol, oil and building materials in
the far east) without an increase in the supply of those
commodities and prices will go up. That's basic supply and
demand.
But you don't need to tell that to the typical consumer. We
already KNOW that prices are going up. I bought gas and
groceries in the last week. Enough said. What we need is a
solution.
Here at the Dollar Stretcher we can't lower prices for you.
That's beyond our abilities. But we can show you how to
substitute a cheaper product, use less of a product or find it
for the best price possible. All those things will reduce the
effect of inflation on your family.
And, we're going to make every effort to do just that. We'll
be calling them "Inflation Fighters" and you'll find them in
our email newsletters, our Community Forum
Fighter" and you'll find articles to help you deal with the
inflation that we're all facing.
Here's to a less expensive tomorrow!
Gary
===========================================================
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Don't Use a Credit Card to Pay Taxes...with One Exception
by Bill Hardekopf, CEO of LowCards.com
There's one interesting exception to consider
April 15 is quickly approaching. Soon credit card issuers will
be promoting credit cards as the way to pay your taxes. In
almost every instance, you should avoid paying your taxes with
your credit card. However, the Citi CashReturns credit card
does provide an interesting exception to the rule this year.
The convenience of paying with a credit card isn't free. The
IRS uses third-party service providers to process credit card
payments. They charge a fee that is typically 2.49%. If you
pay the IRS $10,000 through one of these providers, your fee
to use a credit card will be at least $249.
If you carry a balance, don't forget to include interest
payments in your calculations. If you pay only the minimum
payment each month, it will be very expensive to pay your
taxes with a credit card. For example, if you use your credit
card to pay $10,249 (the total of your IRS payment and your
fee) and your interest rate is 14%, and you pay just the
minimum each month, then you will pay an additional $8,760 in
interest payments and it will take you 296 months (almost 25
years) to pay it off.
Even if you receive rewards for your payment, the rewards are
not worth the fee. Rewards are typically 1% of the purchase
amount, well below the 2.49% fee.
American Express even suggests that you use Membership Rewards
to pay the convenience fee. This is a terrible idea for
cardholders. It will take 49,800 reward points to pay for the
$249 fee. That is almost two airline tickets.
The exception to the rule this year is the Citi CashReturns
credit card. It currently offers 5% cash back for three months
and there is no limit to the cash you can earn. This is the
one time where paying your taxes with your credit card is a
good idea because you will make an extra 2.63% on the amount
that you owe.
If your tax bill is $10,249, you will receive $512.45 cash
back. After the $249 fee, you will make $263.45.
This is the only instance we have found where someone might
want to use a credit card to pay taxes. If you owe a sizable
amount in taxes, you can make a little extra cash. It is a
good idea to apply now and start paying as soon as possible to
take advantage of your three-month window. The clock starts
when you apply for the card and Citi could end this offer or
change the terms at any time.
If you do make your payment with a credit card, do it
correctly. The IRS has contracts with two companies to accept
credit card charges: Official Payments Corporation and
LINK2GOV. You may pay by phone or online. Do not forward your
credit card information into the IRS and do not write the
credit card number on the form.
If you receive a tax rebate, be financially prudent and use it
to pay down your credit card debt.
______________
Bill Hardekopf is CEO of LowCards.com (
http://www.lowcards.com ), which is a free, independent
website that helps consumers easily compare credit cards in a
variety of categories such as lowest rates, rewards/rebates,
balance transfers and lowest introductory rates. It also gives
an unbiased ranking and review for each card, making it easy
for consumers to compare more than 150 credit card offers and
apply securely online. It also provides advice about credit
card and debt issues, news, and credit card updates. Created
by Hampton & Associates, the company has been analyzing the
credit card industry and supplying objective websites on
various consumer expenses for over seven years. For more
information, contact Bill Hardekopf at 1-800-388-1910 or
mailto:billh@LowCards.com.
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--- Inflation Fighter ---
Buying for One
by Johnny Gunn
Living alone doesn't have to be overly expensive
When one reaches that point in life where income is limited,
and when often we find ourselves living alone, the idea of
cost effective purchases becomes more than just an accounting
phrase. This came home to me when the kids left the nest and
then the nest got even more empty. The single little Social
Security check didn't buy the things that I like to eat. I
enjoy a nice big pot roast with roasted potatoes and carrots.
I enjoy slow roasted spare ribs and a chicken in the slow
cooker always makes my mouth water. My spaghetti sauce really
is better than what is available in jars, and I can cook a
mean pot of red beans and chilies.
At the grocery store, family packs of pork chops, family packs
of hamburger, large bags of chicken breasts or thighs are
always on sale, and they are far less expensive than single
servings. This really discouraged me. What on earth is one man
to do with a five or six pound roast? The difference in price
was substantial between single servings and family packs, and
the opportunity to build a nice big pot of something just
didn't exist anymore.
It was a fishing friend that enlightened me to the concept of
"cost effective purchasing." We were plinking little flies out
across a beaver pond in central Nevada one weekend when I
played the cry-baby about not being able to buy the kinds of
food that I really like. Old Henry is big for his age, any
age, and he waded over, gently slapped me up across the side
of the head, didn't offer a bit of a smile, and said, "Buy an
apartment size freezer, dummy."
I'm sure that anyone standing by would have seen the light
bulb popping on and off above my head that day. Such a simple
answer to a problem that was giving me the fits. It didn't
take a lot of shopping around to come up with a nice little
eight cubic foot apartment size freezer for about $200. Stop
and think about the difference in price per pound between a
package of two pork chops and a family pack of ten and you can
see that the freezer will pay for itself.
I buy freezer wrap paper, pint containers that are freezer and
microwave safe, and purchase as if I was once again buying for
a family of four or more. I re-wrap the chops and chicken
thighs. After preparing a nice big roast, I slice and freeze
it in single serving size. I roast an entire rack of ribs and
cut it into single serving size for the freezer, and that
spaghetti sauce stays as fresh in the freezer as the day I
make it.
Soups and sauces freeze ever so nicely as do cakes, biscuits,
and other goodies one finds on sale and would never buy
without that little apartment size freezer sitting in the
corner. Mine is a top loader, but they also come as a front
loader. Make certain the one you get will maintain a constant
temperature of zero degrees F or less. That guarantees your
food will not spoil over a several month's time span and you
won't lose that precious spaghetti sauce.
When the weather is foul, you can't get out, and the neighbors
can't visit, make a nice big pot of soup or stew. As a single
BF (that is, before freezer), I would never do that. I would
have to eat soup for a week straight and hope it didn't go
bad. Now, I glory in a pot of beef and barley soup, and a week
or two from now, I can have some more. Possibly, a week or two
after that, I do as well. And, the beef was on sale in a
family pack that allowed me to purchase it on my limited
budget.
Cost effective purchase has an entirely different meaning for
me now that I'm living alone on a limited income, and it has
the added benefit of allowing me to eat foods that are good
for me on the one hand and that I really enjoy.
Take the Next Step:
For other great articles on Single Living, visit
===========================================================
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===========================================================
In The Dollar Stretcher Community
Savings or Paying Off Those Bills?
Which is more important? A member poses the question and gets
some interesting responses!
http://community.stretcher.com/forums/t/3571.aspx
===========================================================
Lessening the Lawn
by Susan McCanless
You'll save time and money
One of my household projects the last few years has been
reducing the size of my lawn. My modest home sits on one-half
acre of property. That's a lot of grass to mow. Gasoline and
lawn mower repairs are expensive. And if you water and
fertilize your lawn, the expenses just mount.
The first place I eliminated the lawn was in the very shady
places where grass did not grow well anyway. I am fortunate to
have one side of my yard abutting a patch of woods. It was a
simple matter of letting the leaves and pine needles lie just
where they fell in the section of the yard next to the woods
for a couple of years. I pulled up any stray clumps of grass
that emerged. I planted some ferns and sweet shrub in the
area. I had a happy surprise when a native wild orchid decided
to take up residence near the sweet shrub. The total cost of
eliminating the lawn in that part of my yard was almost zero,
since I obtained my plants from family and from native plant
digs.
The next place I eliminated the lawn was between the stands of
trees in my front and back yards. I have mostly pine trees,
but the principal is the same whatever type of tree you have.
Rake all of the leaves or pine straw into the area between the
trees, be prepared to pull grass the first couple of years,
and plant with shade-tolerant plants, preferably native
perennials. Once again I obtained many of the plants I used
from native plant digs. The biggest expense I had was the half
dozen blueberry bushes I planted near the border of the
mulched area in the front lawn. Last year I extended the
mulched area in the back yard to beyond the trees to include
an area that stayed shady almost all day. And I will be
extending the mulched area in the front yard even more this
fall.
Next were raised beds in both the front and back yards. I have
four raised beds in the front yard and six in the back yard. I
plan to add several more in the front yard, since that is
where I get the most sun. I grow vegetables, herbs, and
strawberries in these beds. I also planted a fig tree in the
front yard behind the raised beds. It will not only provide us
with luscious fruit, but also will shade our front porch when
it is grown. Some of the raised beds were more costly than
others, since we used landscaping timbers and purchased soil
amendments for them. However, it was a one-time expense. The
other raised beds were created with materials we already had
on hand.
Last fall, I planted a large patch of Jerusalem artichokes in
the back yard. When I planted them, I only dug a hole for each
one in the existing lawn. This spring, after each of the
tubers had sprouted, I put newspaper down between the plants
and covered it with a thick mulch of pine needles. They
thrived this summer, despite heat and drought, and will
probably spread further in that section of the yard.
Daylilies are also a good choice to plant in this way, as they
will quickly spread and take over an area and are quite hardy.
In addition to being decorative, their tubers and flowers are
edible.
Downhill from the Jerusalem artichokes is a patch of wild
blackberries. It wasn't hard to get them to grow in the yard.
The trick would have been to prevent them from growing there.
If you like blackberries, you should get a few plants or ask a
neighbor for root cuttings of their berry plants. The vines
grow quickly and will eventually smother any grass in the
area. They tolerate drought and some shade, unlike many other
fruit-producing plants. Put newspapers and mulch down between
the young vines to help the process of smothering the grass.
Early this summer my husband tilled up a large patch of the
lawn in the back yard and planted a mixture of clover and wild
flower seed. The clover seed only cost us about $20 at a farm
supply store and was enough to plant the whole yard. The
wildflower seed was only a few dollars from our favorite seed
catalog. The patch is coming along quite well and I expect
many blooms next year.
So far I have managed to reduce the lawn to about a quarter of
what it was originally. I am slowly working on replacing the
remaining lawn with clover, wildflowers, and more edible
landscaping. I may never be able to entirely do away with the
lawn, but I'll come as close as I can.
Take the Next Step:
- If you're faced with too much lawn to take care of, consider
how you can incorporate a few of these ideas in your
landscaping projects.
- Other articles of interest may be
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/02/02apr22a.cfm and
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/06/06apr17c.cfm.
===========================================================
DIY Mold Removal
by Alina Bradford
An expert shares how to remove mold from your home
Mold is a big problem in the steamy South where the high
humidity feeds its need for moisture. My home is constantly
under attack it seems, and every member in my family is
severally allergic to mold. Being frugal, I wanted to try
getting rid of the mold without the help of a professional,
which would cost me more than $1,000.
First, I tried scrubbing the walls with bleach. It seemed to
work at first, but within days, it looked as if I hadn't done
anything at all. Why? "Bleach does not kill mold," says
Michael Dooley, the Vice President of the New Mexico chapter
the American Society of Home Inspectors. I was shocked when I
heard this, until I did some research and realized that the
reason you use bleach on white clothes is to remove color.
Essentially, I was just removing the color from the mold;
fooling myself into thinking it was gone.
Dooley says that there are some great, inexpensive solutions
to killing mold. One of them is using a cleaning product that
contains at least 3% hydrogen peroxide for non-porous
materials. Inspired, I made a solution that was one part
hydrogen peroxide and three parts water and put it into a
spray bottle. I applied the mixture to the mold in my house,
and I have to say that it was very effective. And since a
bottle of hydrogen peroxide costs less than a dollar, it is
affordable, too.
"Another inexpensive alternative," says Dooley, "is to make a
paste with borax and water. Use the paste to scrub the surface
that is infected with mold and rinse." Borax can be found on
the same isle as laundry detergent at your local grocery
store. 16 ounces of borax is around 80 cents.
Wood with mold contamination can be sanded and/or wire-
brushed, then sprayed with an anti-microbial agent, and
refinished. I find that painting the walls in my bathroom with
Kilz brand paint has slowed, if not gotten rid of my mold
problem in that room. Many people think that Kilz kills mold.
I haven't found any proof that it kills the mold. It works by
blocking it. It seals out moisture, so the wall doesn't become
infected with mold. Kilz can be found in Wal-Mart stores, and
is cheaper than many regular paint brands.
"Most porous materials such as sheetrock, carpeting, ceiling
tiles, and so on, should be cut out and disposed of and
replaced with new materials," says Dooley. This can get
expensive! So, of course, the most affordable way to combat
mold is to avoid it growing all together. Make sure your
rooms, especially the bathroom, are well ventilated. If you
live in a humid part of the country, it is a good investment
to buy a dehumidifier (ideally, humidity levels should stay
below 60% in your home). If you see any condensation on walls
and windowsills, keep it wiped dry. Fix water leaks right away
and keep the area dry.
Remember, when you are getting rid of mold, the spores can
become air borne and travel to other places in your home.
Dooley recommends putting plastic sheeting around the
contaminated area until the work is done. He also says that,
"If you decide to remove mold yourself on an area more than a
few square feet, you should wear some protection such as a
NIOSH approved N95 protective face mask."
I had to admit, all the mold in my home made me think we were
going to have to move. Following these tips has made my home a
much more comfortable place to live. We are sick less and have
less allergy related symptoms, and I didn't have to spend very
much money.
_____________________
Alina Bradford is a freelance writer, artist, and the owner of
a website for moms. www.Defrazzledmom.com is a place for moms
to de-stress, find answers to everyday problems, and more.
===========================================================
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===========================================================
Tips, Quips, Quotes and Questions
*********
Can You Help This Reader?
*********
When Your Job Doesn't Demand Full Attention
I work 44 hours a week as a security officer during the
graveyard shift. I have absolutely nothing to do for the eight
hours that I am here, except for standing up and waiving to
residents. I bring my laptop with me to work everyday to keep
from being bored. I am already selling cheap items on eBay to
gain a small side income, but I was wondering if anyone can
suggest any work-at-home jobs for me to try out? Maybe
something like a call service operator or CSR that I can use
my cell phone with (because of free minutes)? Any other
suggestions are welcomed.
Thank You,
Mich
Editor's note: Please check with your main employer to make
sure you have their approval for any "second" job. Send your
answers to mailto:CanYouHelp@stretcher.com with "Extra Income"
as the subject. We'll include the best solutions in future
issues.
*********
Yes, We Can Help This Reader
Savings for Apartment Dwellers
*********
I lived in a small apartment for years, and the best advice I
can give is to re-think how much "stuff" you really need.
While I was packing for our move into our first house, I could
not believe the junk I came across that I never used and had
forgotten I had. Go through everything in your closets and ask
yourself if you really need each item. Do the same for your
kids or have them do it if they're old enough. After the
initial cleaning, look through the areas once a month for
items that have found their way in there. You'll be surprised!
Make a rule that for every new item brought into the home, one
old item must be pitched or donated. Try not to save too much
stuff for when you "have more room" or because you might have
use for it "somewhere down the road" (my two pitfalls!).
Realize that keeping up with the Joneses while living in a
small space is futile and adopt a simpler lifestyle. After
awhile, you'll notice yourself spending less because you're
buying less things that you don't need in the first place!
Jacki
more suggestions on savings for apartment dwellers at
*********
Vacation Deals
When my husband and I travel, we always save money on our
hotel and car rentals. I make our reservations months in
advance and secure a price with the hotel and the car rental
facility. One month prior to our vacation, I call the hotel
and car rental company and ask if they are running any
specials or have any discounts they can offer. Each time I
have received a better rate on both. In the end, we usually
save around $150-$200 per trip by calling a month prior to our
vacation. I found that if you have a reservation with the
hotel or car rental company, they are more willing to offer
discounts.
S.P. in Illinois
*********
Cheaper Doggie Diapers
Our little poodle, Mo, is 15 years old, and due to aging, he
has a problem with wetting his bed at night. Instead of buying
the expensive doggie diapers in the pet store, I went to our
local big-box store and purchased a large package (40) of
their brand of baby diapers for $4.99. After cutting a small
hole in the diapers for his little tail to stick out, I put
the diaper on him. They fit perfectly, do the job, and our
little Mo doesn't mind wearing them at all. These diapers
serve the purpose just as well as those high-priced doggie
diapers in the pet store at a fraction of the cost!
Brenda from Virginia
*********
Don't Forget...
I have had several occasions involving rechargeable items
being "left behind" and having to retrieve them at expense of
time, gas and/or money. For example, I left a cell phone at
home on a charger and had to run home to get it, or even
worse, I've left a DS, IPOD, or phone plugged in at a hotel
and had to hope they'd send it to me. I have a little trick
now. I place the item being recharged into its final
destination. So the item being recharged is actually in the
purse, suitcase, or bag and then plugged into the wall. When
you grab the larger (and more visible) bag, you just unplug
the charger from the wall and head out with the item (and
charger!) safely inside.
D.
*********
What would you do with an extra $100? Last month, Samantha
from VA 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
Money
http://www.stretcher.com/money/index.cfm
----------------------------------------
Don't Use a Credit Card to Pay Taxes...with One Exception
by Bill Hardekopf
There's one interesting exception to consider
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24b.cfm
A Couple's Portfolio
Let an expert design the perfect portfolio for you.
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18b.htm
America's Savings a Sign of the Times
Most Americans would like to save more, but the expenses of
daily living get in the way. Poll results also show that
debtors tend to be better savers than non-debtors
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18d.htm
A Single's Portfolio
An expert designs the perfect portfolio for you
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18f.htm
When It's OK to Tap Your IRA
Sometimes you need your nest egg money early. Here's when
Uncle Sam says the withdrawal won't cost you extra
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15a.htm
Excessive 529 Contributions Easily Fixed
Giving too much to a 529 plan is no big tax deal
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar17a.htm
Avoid 'Universal Default' Credit Cards
Small errors can lead to big rate changes if you hold a
"universal default" credit card
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14a.htm
Money Lessons from the Boob Tube
Wasting time watching TV? Not if you're learning about
finance. Check out our list of eight classic shows and their
hilarious lessons
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14b.htm
Portfolio for Hard Times
To get the best from your money, make sure you've got your
investment dollars in the right places
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15d.htm
Estranged Wife Can't Halt Man's Credit
A man and his estranged wife have separate credit reports,
even if they have joint accounts
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18g.htm
Delay Social Security for Bigger Payoff
Waiting to collect Social Security can pay big dividends
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar17b.htm
Find the Perfect Portfolio
The perfect portfolio depends on where you are in your life
and career
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14c.htm
Fame & Fortune: Kristi Yamaguchi
Former Olympic skating champ risks a new type of spin on
"Dancing With the Stars"
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14e.htm
Lender Not 'Pre-Charging' Interest Fee
Despite a borrower's suspicions, he is not being "pre-charged"
finance fees
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar12b.htm
In Critical Condition
http://www.stretcher.com/critical/index.cfm
-------------------------------------------
Hospital Bills Push Couple into Bankruptcy
The high cost of illness is one of the top reasons people
declare bankruptcy
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18c.htm
Borrowing Options that Offer a Lifeline
Try not to get caught in a shark feeding frenzy as you look
for an escape to safety
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18e.htm
Last Resort: Raid 401(k) to Avoid Foreclosure
Before you use retirement assets to save your home from
foreclosure, consider you could be making an irreparable dent
in your retirement assets
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar12a.htm
Debt Across a Lifespan
The debt treadmill often starts from youth and continues on
through life, sometimes into those not-so-golden years
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15b.htm
Family
http://www.stretcher.com/family/index.cfm
-----------------------------------------
'I' Is for Investing: Teaching Kids the Basics
A solid fiscal education for kids goes beyond the principles
of spending and saving to include an understanding of
investing
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18a.htm
Baby Boomers
http://www.stretcher.com/boomers/index.cfm
------------------------------------------
Don't Risk Retirement to Pay Off House
Paying down a mortgage is fine unless it jeopardizes your
retirement
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar13a.htm
Home and Auto
http://www.stretcher.com/homeauto/index.cfm
-------------------------------------------
Savings for Apartment Dwellers
Maximizing space and minimizing utility bills
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24a.cfm
Lessening the Lawn
by Susan McCanless
You'll save time and money
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24d.cfm
DIY Mold Removal
by Alina Bradford
An expert shares how to remove mold from your home
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24e.cfm
New Loan Could Slash Driver's Debt
A woman drowning in car payments should refinance if possible
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14f.htm
Man Earning $130,000 Can't Get Loan
A car owner struggling to get a loan should learn to live
within his ample means
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14g.htm
Make Sure Extra Cash Goes to Principal
Extra payments are worthwhile if the money goes toward the
loan principal
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14h.htm
Who Might Buy Your Home?
Want to sell your property? Better know who is buying
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14j.htm
Loan-Minimum Rule Frustrates Couple
Homeowners looking for a small mortgage have several options
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14k.htm
Fed Actions May Aid Homeowners
The Fed's recent actions to improve the flow of money will
help banks, but offer limited benefits for homeowners and
homebuyers
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14d.htm
Lifestyle
http://www.stretcher.com/lifestyle/index.cfm
--------------------------------------------
Buying for One
by Johnny Gunn
Living alone doesn't have to be overly expensive
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24c.cfm
But I Want That
by Jeana Owens
When your kids say it, it's a lame excuse
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24f.cfm
Save Bread
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Never toss another crust again
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24g.cfm
Get Your Recipes Together!
by Monica Resinger
Recipe collecting can be fun especially if it is organized!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24h.cfm
5 Offbeat Paths to Cheap Foreign Travel
If you're willing to volunteer your time, your home, or your
knowledge, you can travel the world inexpensively -- or at
least get a hefty tax break
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15c.htm
Your Taxes
----------
When It's OK to Tap Your IRA
Sometimes you need your nest egg money early. Here's when
Uncle Sam says the withdrawal won't cost you extra
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15a.htm
Should You Always File a Joint Return?
Usually, the experts say, but not always
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15e.htm
Figuring Investment Cost Basis
Don't pay the same tax twice. Here's how to figure the correct
cost basis of investments you sold
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15f.htm
Deducting Student Loan Interest
Interest you're paying on a college loan could help cut your
tax bill
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar15g.htm
5 Terrible Tax Surprises
The complex and convoluted U.S. tax code sometimes surprises
even tax experts. Here are five tax laws that trip up a lot of
unsuspecting taxpayers
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16a.htm
Name, ID Number Coordination Is Crucial
A mismatch between a name and a Social Security number on a
tax return could mean costly problems
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16b.htm
Tax Credit on Hybrid Not Automatic
Expecting a tax break from your hybrid? Don't be so sure
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14m.htm
Computing Rental Depreciation
When an owner occupies his former rental home as a primary
residence, he will pay tax as a percentage of the amount
deducted while it was a rental
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14n.htm
Sending Out a Tax SOS
How to get tax help by phone, Internet or from a human being
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16c.htm
When Can Real Estate Taxes Be Deducted?
Siblings paying taxes on their mother's home can deduct them,
but they can't deduct the mortgage interest if it's not their
personal residence
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar13b.htm
Finding Free Tax Help
Everyone needs a little help now and then. At tax time, it can
make a real difference, especially when it comes at no cost
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar13c.htm
Don't Dump that Old Car, Donate It
Even with tighter donation rules, that jalopy might be a
valuable tax deduction
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16d.htm
Deducting Mortgage Interest on an RV
Even moveable homes, like RVs and boats, can take the mortgage
interest tax deduction if they qualify
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar12c.htm
Can Homeowners Insurance Be Deducted?
Homeowners insurance is not deductible on a primary residence,
and probably never will be, says CPA George Saenz. However,
you can deduct mortgage insurance
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16e.htm
Claim the Adoption Tax Credit
This tax break can help pay some of the costs of your new
family member
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar14p.htm
Can One S Corp Buy Another?
In most cases, an individual has to be the owner of an S
corporation
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar18h.htm
Everything Else
---------------
Readers' Tips
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08mar24t.cfm
From Dave Ramsey
----------------
IRS, Courtesy of CPA
Lisa and her husband just found out a very unpleasant fact
concerning their taxes
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16f.htm
What Is Life Insurance Really For?
Does Winfred need life insurance on his small children? Dave
talks about what purpose insurance serves
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16g.htm
I Couldn't Get Home
The car has no gas. Lonnie has no cash. What did he do? Well,
he bought a car, of course!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16h.htm
Bankruptcy Proceedings
Arlene is headed for a 341 meeting, but has no idea what to
expect
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08mar16j.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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