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The Dollar Stretcher
"Living Better...For Less"
May 12, 2008
Volume 13, Number 19
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"The Dollar Stretcher" and Dollar Stretcher, Inc. does not
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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
Borrowing from Your 401(k)
by Damon Carr
Is it wise to borrower from your retirement plan?
Tips on Giving Good Wedding Gifts
by Marianne Giullian
When you're trying to decide what to give and how much to
spend
In The Dollar Stretcher Community
How Do You Eat Healthy and Frugal?
It's hard to get the two goals to match. Members have some
ideas.
Travel Packing: Cheap and Light!
by Olivia Fox
Just grab your bag and go in style
Wiring Problems
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions
On www.Stretcher.com This Week
===========================================================
Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com
Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
If I remember right, there's a Chinese symbol where half of it
represents danger and the other half represents opportunity.
And, I suppose that depending on how you look at it, that
could be a good description of life.
Sometimes opportunity lurks alongside danger. In fact, that's
how The Dollar Stretcher started. I was working in a job (and
profession) that was being downsized and would continue to be
downsized. It was very easy to see danger, especially for a
husband and father with typical responsibilities.
But, there was an opportunity, too. The danger spurred me to
look for another way to make a living and to be open to new
ideas. I researched a number of them. None looked promising
(i.e. a good marketable idea that fit well with my skills and
temperament) until I began to see how The Dollar Stretcher
could work out. After twelve and a half years, I can look back
and see that it was a great time for opportunity.
This week's issue is a little like that. We have an article on
borrowing from your 401k plan, which is something that you do
in dangerous times. We also have an article on wedding gifts
and another on vacations. Looks like an opportunity to me!
Hope you enjoy them all, including Ask Bob and our tipsters.
Keep on stretching those dollars!
Gary
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Borrowing from Your 401(k)
by Damon Carr
Is it wise to borrower from your retirement plan?
Comedian Earthquake said, "Being in debt is worse than being
broke. When you're broke, you simply need money. When you're
in debt, you need money so that you can have an opportunity to
be broke." Comedian Jimmy "JJ" Walker said, "Interest rates
better go down soon or the murder rate is going to go up."
Americans are drowning in debt! In the past when people found
themselves in a financial jam, they'd tap into the equity of
their home to do a debt consolidation. If the situation was
extremely dire, they'd file bankruptcy. Now that mortgage
lenders and the bankruptcy code have tightened up their
guidelines, millions of people are running out of viable
options that would allow them to reduce their monthly payments
and get a better handle on their money.
Because of diminishing options, people are looking at their
retirement plans as their saving grace. There's a loan
provision under 401(k) and similar retirement accounts that
allow people to borrower the lesser of $50,000 or 50-percent
of the vested balance. You can get up to $10,000 without
regard to your vested balance. The loan under your retirement
plan has to be paid within five years. You're entitled to a
longer repayment term if you use the proceeds from the loan to
purchase a home. There are no credit checks. Interest rates on
401(k) loans are generally lower than interest rates on other
commercial loans. Lastly, when repaying a loan secured by your
retirement account, you're in effect paying yourself back. No
credit check, guaranteed approval, favorable interest rate,
and you're paying yourself back. Sounds good! But is it wise
to borrower from your retirement plan?
I'm of the opinion that a retirement account should serve its
intended purpose, which is retirement. With Social Security on
the brink of insolvency and Company Sponsored Pensions on the
brink of extinction, saving for retirement and preserving your
retirement savings has become more important today than it was
in years past. As a result, I'm reluctant to advise anyone to
borrow from his or her retirement account. Here's my
reasoning:
Double Taxation: 401(k) loan payments do not reduce your
taxable income in the same manner as 401(k) contributions. As
a result, loans are repaid with after tax dollars. When it's
time to withdraw money from the retirement plan, contributions
and gains, which were previously taxed deferred, will be taxed
along with loan payments that were already taxed at ordinary
tax rates.
Hard to Pay Back a Loan and Continue to Make Contributions:
When money is being deducted from your paycheck to repay your
401(k) loan, it reduces your disposable income. Most people
are unable to repay the loan, pay general household expenses,
continue to make retirement contributions and have a life. As
a result, future retirement saving suffers.
No Company Match: Many companies will match your contributions
dollar for dollar up to a certain limit, helping you
accelerate the growth of your retirement savings. No company
is going to match your loan repayments. If loan repayments
force you to suspend making contributions to your retirement
account, you forfeit company-matching contributions during
that time.
Low Rate of Return: One of the pros of borrowing from a 401(k)
plan is a low interest rate. When you're investing money, the
goal is a high rate of return with acceptable risk, not a low
rate of return. The investments inside your retirement were
more than likely earning you a higher rate of return than the
interest you're paying yourself.
Potential Taxes and Penalty: Should you leave your job
willingly or be downsized from your job unwillingly the
outstanding balance on your loan becomes due in full. If
you're unable to pay the loan in full, the loan is considered
to be an early distribution. You'll have to pay federal and
state taxes on this money and you may have to pay a 10% early
withdrawal penalty if you're under age 59 1/2 at the time of
an early distribution. Taxes and penalties can run as high as
45%, depending on your tax bracket.
I believe that the reason why seniors are awarded Senior
Citizen discounts isn't because government and corporations
are charitable. Senior Citizens are awarded Senior Citizen
discounts because government and corporations know that most
Senior Citizens are broke. The median income for seniors is
$12,000. Only 4% of seniors have annual incomes that exceed
$35,000. How can this be? Many of these Senior Citizens had
401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts. What
happened? They tapped into their retirement accounts by way of
loans and early withdrawals for various reasons, such as
emergencies, debt consolidations, home purchase, home
improvements, send children to college, vacation, etc. When it
came time to retire, their retirement account amounted to a
meager savings.
To avoid going into retirement with no money, I encourage
people to avoid tapping into their retirement savings
prematurely. After all, money inside a retirement account is
protected from creditors. As an alternative to borrowing or
prematurely withdrawing from your retirement account, I
recommend that you temporally suspend contributing to your
retirement plan. By temporarily stopping making contributions,
you'll gain increased cash flow to help pay the bills. More
importantly, you'll allow the money inside your retirement
account to continue to benefit from the power of compounding.
____________________
Mortgage and Money Coach Damon Carr is the owner of ACE
Financial. Sign up for Damon's FREE online e-newsletter at
www.allcreditexperts.com. Damon can be reached at 412-856-
1183.
Take the Next Step:
- When faced with a cash flow problem, it's better to
temporarily stop making contributions to your retirement
account than to borrow from it. After all, you don't want to
miss out on the power of compounding.
===========================================================
Tips on Giving Good Wedding Gifts
by Marianne Giullian
When you're trying to decide what to give and how much to
spend
Weddings are a wonderful time. People you love come and enjoy
the celebration and bring gifts for the bride and groom. They
are grateful for the kindness and generosity of family and
friends. Even though they register at stores, many times they
get duplicate gifts. Some stores will not let the newlyweds
return items purchased through the registry without a receipt.
There are some things you can do to make the process easier
for them.
Something that has changed from the past is that some couples
live together for a significant time before they get married.
They have already set up their household, so there aren't many
things they still need. It is hard to find the perfect gift,
especially if someone has a limited amount to spend. Having
gone through this process recently, it is important to realize
that the most important thing is your presence, not the
presents. The newlyweds are just grateful for your kindness
and generosity whatever you may give. Here are a few things to
think about when trying to decide what to give.
1. Gift Cards - Although many people think these aren't
thoughtful gifts, it really is a good option. They can use the
gift card to get what they need that they didn't receive. They
don't have the hassle of returning the gift if it is
duplicated.
2. Checks - This is a good option because they can use the
money towards what they really need. There are a lot more
things to pay for when you get married, such as rent deposits,
car insurance, health insurance, utilities deposit, etc. The
money you give can really help where they need it most.
3. Cash - This is probably the easiest option for a bride and
groom. They don't have to cash any checks and they aren't
limited to a certain store to use a gift card. They can use it
for what they need most.
4. Gifts - When giving gifts, include a gift receipt. The
store where our daughter registered would not take back any
gifts listed on the gift registry without a receipt. The
retailer wouldn't even give them store credit. They received
several duplicates from the registry and could not take the
duplicates back because of the return policy. They also
received gifts like cookbooks with people's favorite recipes.
This is an inexpensive gift that is appreciated very much. A
nice card with a sincere, thoughtful message is another thing
you can give if cost is an issue.
5. Re-gifting - There is nothing wrong with re-gifting if it
is a practical gift that is new. Things from garage sales and
from your attic may not be appropriate things to give to a
bride and groom. They will probably end up back in a garage
sale or will be given to charity. Giving a book without a
barcode is a clear sign that it was bought years ago. If your
gift isn't something you would like, then don't give it to
someone else. Chances are that they will share your sentiments
about the gift.
6. If you can't make it to the reception, and the bride and
groom live out of town, ask the parents for the newlywed's
address and send it yourself. If it is just a card, it isn't a
problem for the parents to forward it. If it is a gift, the
parents will have to package and pay to send it if you don't
do it yourself.
By thinking ahead, you can give a gift that will be
appreciated and will be easier for the newlyweds to return if
it is duplicated. It will save time and frustration.
Take the Next Step:
- Have a wedding to attend in the near future? Save yourself
some time and frustration and start thinking ahead to come up
with a gift that will be appreciated.
- For other creative wedding gift ideas, visit
http://www.stretcher.com/menu/topic-r.htm#wedgift
===========================================================
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In The Dollar Stretcher Community
How Do You Eat Healthy and Frugal?
It's hard to get the two goals to match. Members have some
ideas.
http://community.stretcher.com/forums/t/3946.aspx
===========================================================
Travel Packing: Cheap and Light!
by Olivia Fox
Just grab your bag and go in style
Snag a great deal on p*** fare to Europe? Friend invite you
to go hosteling with them over school break? Indulge your
wanderlust and keep it simple by packing light. Who wants to
wait around conveyor belts for luggage, while zoning out with
jet lag? Just grab your bag and go! Here are some tested tips
to do it all in style.
Start with a good travel backpack that fits p*** size
restrictions. A non-wheeled version cuts a few pounds off the
weight. One that zippers all the way around makes life much
easier. A handle and removable shoulder strap are helpful
options. Getting a previous season's color combo yields great
discounts.
When gathering your stuff together, go for easy wash and quick
dry, preferably in dark colors. They don't show the dirt as
much. Look in places that sell camping clothes. Besides tee
shirts and pants, they offer easy wash, quick dry
undergarments and socks. Lay all the possibilities out and
pare down. Everything should go together and be simple enough
to adapt to multiple social situations. Three of each works
well. If you're a woman, add a skirt and a couple of spiffy
accessories. A nice travel shirt for men is a must. Don't
forget a swimsuit, if appropriate. Layering accommodates all
kinds of weather. An additional fleece and a thin hooded
raincoat will bring you through most situations. If baggage
weight is a problem, wear the heavier items on the p***.
Comfortable, broken-in shoes are an absolute necessity. Wear
something that anticipates a bit of foot swelling. Bringing a
second pair is optional. You may want to dress up or bring
sandals for greater versatility in good weather.
Pack it systems are really popular these days. However, sturdy
two-gallon "zippered" plastic bags are less pricey. Once the
neatly folded clothes are inside, close the "zipper," leaving
an inch opening. From the bottom end, roll the clothing and
bag tightly, pushing out the air, and then do the final zip.
Not only does this method save space, but also the clothes
tend not to wrinkle as easily. Flattened out, these "vacuum
sealed" bags stack nicely in the backpack, and allow for quick
identification. All that visibility makes baggage inspectors
happy.
If you travel a lot, a small kit bag is a good investment.
Ones with a hanging hook are especially useful. There's not
always a lot of sink space in budget accommodations. If you
can't find one in a decent price range, use a smaller
resealable bag. Gather small sample or hotel items, or fill
plastic film canisters with your lotion or shampoo.
A hidden under-clothing passport and money pouch is an
excellent investment. It is almost impossible for pickpockets
to get in it.
With the very high cost of laundromats, especially in other
countries, bring a small bit of powdered laundry detergent
with you. Wash in the sink. We loved our portable, stretchy,
braided, clothespin-free clothesline. Putting two end to end,
stretching it across the tub, and looping the ends around
things worked like a charm.
For helpful bang for the buck extras, consider a small travel
alarm and ear plugs for noisy accommodations and on the p***.
You may also want to bring an inflatable neck pillow, a super-
absorbent camping towel (great for wringing out extra moisture
from wet clothes before hanging them up on the line),
waterless hand cleaner, and a journal with felt tipped pens.
Where do you get these treasures for less? There's no need to
buy from pricey travel stores. Our favorite places to purchase
need items were ebay.com, ebags.com, campmor.com, thrift
stores, and dollar stores. Hit your search engine to find more
options.
So pack away and don't forget to write!
===========================================================
Wiring Problems
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Hi Bob,
The back window heater doesn't work, and I have checked the
fuses. Are there some in the back near it? The windshield
wipers do not work. It is not the motor, as I had it checked.
It's not getting power in one connection. What can cause this?
The gas gauge doesn't work either, but that I am sure I can do
with out for now. I hope you can help me.
CK
CK,
It sounds to me that you have a serious wiring problem going
on! My guess is that there is a broken wiring harness
somewhere. My best advise would be to locate a wiring diagram
and see if these items all travel together in the same harness
or share any common components (like a ground wire).
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?
*********
Overly Expensive Family Reunions
How do people handle over-priced family reunions? My immediate
family, all grown siblings and parents who are all in various
U.S. locations, had a summertime family reunion. It was at an
expensive resort with expensive amusement parks and
attractions nearby for the kids. It came with a kitchen so we
were able to keep some food expenses down, but people still
ate out. As a mom in a one-income family, we can't afford this
level of vacation, while my siblings (dual-incomes) seemingly
can. I felt pressured and angered that I was forced into
spending money, and subsequently did not enjoy this vacation.
How do other people handle these delicate situations?
Ann in Midwest
Please send your answers mailto:CanYouHelp@stretcher.com with
"Reunion" as the subject. We'll include the best solutions in
future issues.
*********
Yes, We Can Help This Reader
Feeding Birds without the Fuss
*********
We always bake birdseed in the oven on low for an hour or two
before feeding the birds. This prevents sprouting completely
and does not affect the nutritional value or the edibility of
the seed. Prior to learning this trick, we had some awful
surprises in the flower garden underneath the bird feeder!
Pat
more suggestions for feeding birds without creating a crop of
weeds underneath the feeder or a hunting grounds for cats at
*********
Cheaper Iced Coffee Treats
In summer, I love iced coffee treats. However, not only are
they expensive, but also they often come loaded with extra
sugar. So I make my own. I just put crushed ice (my
refrigerator dispenses it) in a mug, pour regular coffee over
it, and add a little half-and-half. It doesn't take much half-
and-half for this to feel like a decadent treat, but it's
healthier and much less expensive than many of the iced coffee
treats out there.
April
*********
Do the Math!
With gasoline prices soaring these days, it dawned on me that
I should actually do the math on some of the trips that I
make, especially the trips I make in an attempt to "save
money." Here's how to calculate the cost of your trips:
1. First figure out how many miles per gallon (mpg) your car
gets. Mine gets on average 21.1 mpg. (I averaged together the
"city" and "highway" figures or actually measure your car's
performance.) If you don't know your mpg, you can easily get
it by typing in the year, make and model of your car followed
by the words "miles per gallon" into any search engine on the
Internet.
2. Divide the cost of one gallon of gas (I just paid $3.55 per
gallon) by the number of miles per gallon your car gets. I
divided $3.55 by 21 miles per gallon. It costs me about 17
cents to drive each mile.
3. Figure out how many miles it takes to get to and from your
destination. If you don't know this number, go to "driving
directions" within Yahoo Maps (http://maps.yahoo.com/) and
input two, complete addresses (in most cases, your home and
your destination). That will yield the number of miles between
the two locations. If you don't know the address of your
destination, use the Internet to locate it first.
4. Double the number of miles you just found to calculate your
round trip.
5. Finally, multiply the number of miles in your round trip by
the amount it costs you to drive a single mile.
The number you get back will surprise you. It surprised me.
For example, there is a thrift store I love to bargain hunt
at. It's 14.7 miles from my home. That's 29.4 miles round
trip. I used to go at least once a week just for fun. Well, I
just did the math, and it costs me $4.99 to go there each time
or $22.45 a month. And often, I don't buy anything!
If you take a minute to actually do the math, you will likely
become more thoughtful about where and when you decide to
drive. Your wallet and our environment will thank you.
JR in Houston
*********
Microwave Individual Desserts
The individual, microwavable cake mixes that are popular these
days are delicious and convenient when you want dessert but
haven't prepared anything in advance. Unfortunately, they're
also on the pricey side, considering it's just one serving.
So recently, I decided to try an experiment using a box of
regular cake mix. In a microwavable bowl, I put a little of
the cake mix, just a dab of mayonnaise (which contains the two
ingredients cake mix calls for, namely eggs and oil), and
stirred in enough water to make it into a batter. I microwaved
it for a couple of minutes, and it turned out great. It was
very moist and quite tasty.
The individual cakes usually come with some sort of topping to
drizzle over the batter before microwaving, and you can
improvise with some chocolate syrup or fudge or caramel sauce,
stirring in some chocolate or butterscotch chips, nuts, or
some bits of jam. You can also add a spoonful of frosting on
top after it's baked and let it melt over the warm cake like a
glaze.
One of my favorites I came up with was lemon cake with
strawberry preserves and little bits of cream cheese. Your
imagination is the limit for combinations of cake mixes and
add-ins. Try brownie mix for a different twist. A single box
of cake mix, purchased on sale for a dollar or less, will
provide several individual warm desserts that you can easily
make in an instant as needed.
Diva
*********
What would you do with an extra $100? Last month, Richard from
Fenton, Missouri 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
----------------------------------------
Borrowing from Your 401(k)
by Damon Carr
Is it wise to borrow from your retirement plan?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12b.cfm
The Costs of ID Theft
Sleazy con artists cause a great deal of inconvenience to
consumers, businesses and government -- not to mention $45
billion in costs
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06a.htm
12-Step Program for ID Theft Victims
Follow these steps to reclaim your identity and restore your
good name
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06b.htm
Surviving Mob Mentality in Finance
Bankrate reviews the book "Mobs, Messiahs, and Markets," by
William Bonner and Lila Rajiva, which examines what the
authors allege is the mass hysteria that overcomes investors
in the stock market
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06d.htm
Resist the Urge to Splurge
Americans have a lot of saving to do to make up for their
spending frenzy of the past 20 years
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05c.htm
From Helpless to Empowered
The nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center provides
emotional support and helps ID theft victims get their lives
back
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05d.htm
Fame & Fortune: Heidi Klum
German supermodel and host of "Project Runway" has parlayed
her fame into a multimillion dollar industry
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may02b.htm
Extreme Credit Card Limits
One of the cardinal rules of responsible credit card usage is
to apply for only as much credit as you need. A sizable group
of consumers take a different approach: Apply for as much
credit as you can get
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06n.htm
Credit Card Etiquette
Etiquette experts say that when credit disputes and problems
arise, don't reach out and crush someone. Win with courtesy
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06p.htm
Fed Backs Rules to Curb Deceptive Credit Card Practices
Federal banking regulators are taking unusual steps to protect
consumers from unfair and deceptive trade practices in the
credit card industry
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06h.htm
Know Your Rights When You Charge Travel Costs
Recouping your money if your trip is canceled is much easier
with credit cards than if you paid with cash or by check
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06k.htm
Explore Options when Saving Abroad
Americans have options for tapping the higher yields of
foreign savings accounts
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may02g.htm
Banking Convenience May Come at Price
The convenience of one-stop financial services can come at a
cost
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may01b.htm
No Escape from 529 Plan Penalty
Unused 529 money cannot be recouped without paying a penalty
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08apr30d.htm
Banks and Consumers: Be on High Alert
Banks should be more accountable and publicly report basic
statistics on their fraud rates
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08apr30b.htm
FDIC 99-Year Payment Rule Is Urban Myth
The notion that the FDIC has 99 years to pay depositors is an
urban legend
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06f.htm
In Critical Condition
http://www.stretcher.com/critical/index.cfm
-------------------------------------------
Check Out Credit Counselors' Credentials First
Before you hire a credit counselor, make sure you check out
their credentials
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06m.htm
Two Years Behind on Credit Card Payments
How do you even begin to pay back credit card debt that is two
years old?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06j.htm
Converting from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7
Type of bankruptcy hinges on your income, but you may be able
to convert after the original filing
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06c.htm
Swimming Up a Debt Waterfall? Try this
Small steps can give you the energy to tackle a big debt
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05b.htm
Family
http://www.stretcher.com/family/index.cfm
-----------------------------------------
Fun, Frugal Father's Day Gift Ideas
by Belinda Cohen
Celebrate dad and make him proud of your financial smarts,
too!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12g.cfm
Baby Boomers
http://www.stretcher.com/boomers/index.cfm
------------------------------------------
Fear Can Cripple Retirement Planning
Too many people avoid retirement investing because they fear
bad choices
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05e.htm
Could You Retire in a Weekend?
In the book "Retire in a Weekend," by Bill Losey, baby boomers
are encouraged to make work optional by following their
passion
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08apr30a.htm
Home and Auto
http://www.stretcher.com/homeauto/index.cfm
-------------------------------------------
Birdfeeders
Without all the mess and aggravation
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12a.cfm
Wiring Problems
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12e.cfm
Car-Buying Services Shop for You
Here are six things to know before hiring a car-buying service
to find your next set of wheels
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may02a.htm
Trading in Gas Guzzler May Cost You
Dumping a gas guzzler may not be your best financial move
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may02c.htm
Don't Say 'I Do' to Car Loan for Fiance
Never take out a loan for your beloved until you've said "I
do"
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may02d.htm
You May Still Owe After Repossession
Lenders retain the right to collect money owed following a
repossession
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may02e.htm
Dumping Car on Lender Will Trash Credit
"Voluntary repossession" is a surefire way to trash your
credit
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may02f.htm
How Low Can You Go on a Housing Bid?
In this real estate environment, lowball bids are more common.
But how do you determine the difference between an insult to
the seller and a smart bid?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may01a.htm
Foreclosures: Tragedy or Opportunity?
This may be your big chance, but it's no place for amateurs
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06e.htm
Lifestyle
http://www.stretcher.com/lifestyle/index.cfm
--------------------------------------------
Tips on Giving Good Wedding Gifts
by Marianne Giullian
When you're trying to decide what to give and how much to
spend
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12c.cfm
Travel Packing: Cheap and Light!
by Olivia Fox
Just grab your bag and go in style
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12d.cfm
Comfortable Camping
by Angelia Crawford
Camping that fits anyone's budget and comfort level
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12f.cfm
My Story: My Daughter's "Chicken Little" Party
contributed by Laura
Or, how I stretched dinner for unexpected guests
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12h.cfm
A Frugal Shopper's Best Tip
Planning ahead helps our winner save both money and time
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08apr30c.htm
Government Jobs Offer Good Pay, Benefits
Security and better than expected pay make public service a
promising career
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05a.htm
Your Taxes
----------
Figuring S Corp Losses and Debts
When an S corp is sold, there is a difference in how debts and
losses are treated
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may06g.htm
Using an IRA for Home Closing Costs
You can avoid the penalty and some of the taxes on an IRA
withdrawal if it is used for a first-time home purchase
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05f.htm
Are Betting Spoils Taxable?
The type and amount of gambling winnings determine if they are
reportable
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05g.htm
Is a Commute Tax Deductible?
Commuters try to rev up employer's tax benefits at their own
peril
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05h.htm
Everything Else
---------------
Readers Tips
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/stories/08/08may12t.cfm
From Dave Ramsey
----------------
Check the Paper Statements
Since we did it all online and never checked the statements
themselves, we weren't counting for the interest rates
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05j.htm
We Paid Off Over $300k
Today the last payment to a debt cleared the bank. We have
paid off, including interest (but not the house), $307,501.85!
We own our lives for the first time in 15 years!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05k.htm
More Secure and Confident
Tari grew up thinking how she would always have a car payment
and house payment. However, now she realizes that was false!
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05m.htm
Storage Costs Down the Drain
We paid for storage for 7 YEARS before I finally got over my
bad self and decided to sell it
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05n.htm
Decided Not to Go to College (audio)
Is the saved college money wasted if the child decides that
school is not for him or her?
Story Here - http://www.stretcher.com/brm/08/08may05p.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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