The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter
January 7, 2008



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    "Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
    Week Of: January 7, 2008
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    Support Our Sponsor

    Piggy Banks May Be Hazardous To Your Child's Wealth!

    The history of the piggy bank is based in poverty: Peasants
    during the Middle Ages stored their coins in pots made from an
    orange clay called "pygg" because they could not use the banking
    system controlled by the ruling class.

    Although piggy banks have been used for generations since, they
    do not empower today's kids with the financial skills they need
    to succeed in the 21st century.

    Ensure your child's future financial success by learning the "7
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    ***What's Inside***

    Grandpa Terry's Free & Paid Ebooks
    Subscriber's Tip of the Week 1
    Coupon Savings
    Grandpa Terry's Update
    Credit Card Information
    Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
    Site of the Week
    Grandpa Terry's Email
    Subscriber's Tip of the Week 2
    Subscriber's Tip of the Week 3
    This Week's Articles
    Special Recipe - Funnel Cake Recipe
    Everyday Savings from http://www.thefrugalshopper.com

    Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
    Will bargain gas harm your car?

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    Subscriber Tip #1

    With the increased costs of gasoline to transport goods, almost
    everything has increased in price at my local grocery and health
    food stores.

    One way to make eating well more affordable is to freeze usable
    portions of foods that will not be used immediately after
    purchase. Don't let food go bad in the fridge, instead divide
    foods into the portion you use for a meal and place in freezer
    bags or freezer plastic containers to use later.

    Another idea is to collect all leftovers into a larger freezer
    container, and make soup every couple of weeks. Most of the time
    the leftovers compliment each other and make a hearty and
    wonderful dinner.

    Pamela/010708

    Subscriber Tip Of The Week
    Vote For Pamela's Tip and Get A Free Gift!
    Brand New:  Use the form at the link below to vote for this tip:

    All you have to do is submit a "Subscriber Tip" and if it
    appears in The Budget Stretcher you will get your choice of
    either The Complete Budget and Bill Organizer Download, 10 of
    my Budget and Credit Card Calculating Forms or my Bill Pay
    Management System to keep track of your bills and checking
    account.

    Please use the form available at to submit your tips:


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    Coupon Savings
    by Michelle Jones

    Continuing with my FREE weekly tips for when to use a grocery
    coupon and when NOT to use a coupon, here's one that will really
    help you cash them in wisely. If you have a coupon for an item
    that regularly goes on sale, then WAIT until it does! If you're
    new to using coupons, don't worry, you'll get the hang of it
    real quick! Basically, if you've even seen a particular grocery
    item on sale in the past, it will likely go on sale again soon.
    Some items even go on sale at least once a month, so all you've
    got to do is wait a few weeks and then use your coupon to get
    the BEST bargain price!

    If you would like to learn how to save more money with coupons,
    including how to use them WISELY, how NOT to use them, and how
    to FINALLY get them organized so you CAN use them, order your
    copy today!

    013006
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    Grandpa Terry's Update

    Welcome to The Budget Stretcher!

    Things have changed regarding the Subscriber Tip Contest. I now
    have a form you can use, and when you submit your vote you are
    taken to a page that gives you a free surprise gift just for
    voting. There will be a new form up each week and a new gift.
    For you savvy interneters the gift page will change each week so
    no cheating!! This link will appear at the end of each tip each
    week.

    Also, I have added my Bill Pay Management System to the list of
    gifts you receive for having your tip published in the
    newsletter. So make sure you submit those tips and get your
    chance to win. Remember, if your tip is selected as the tip of
    the month you will receive a free 1 year subscription to Budget
    Stretcher Premium.

    Congratulations to Michelle for winning December's Subscriber
    Tip Contest.  She has received an invitation to become a Budget
    Stretcher Premium Member for one full year absolutely free.
    Here is Michelle's Tip:

    This is our 5th stress free Christmas. We put $ every month
    into a savings account for gifts. We pay it religiously every
    month just like it is a bill Try it! It sure makes Christmas
    stress free and more enjoyable.

    Michelle

    My daughter sent me a link to http://www.ebates.com telling
    me you can make purchases online and get rebates for every
    purchase.  I knew about ebates but wasn't aware that they
    offer free gift cards just for signing up free.  You can choose
    one of the below cards:

    $10 Best Buy Gift Card
    $10 Target Gift Card
    $10 iTunes Gift Card
    $10 Sephora Gift Card
    $10 Office Depot Gift Card
    $5 Cash

    In Grandpa Terry's email there is an email from a lady in
    Australia wanting to know if there are other "Aussies" that
    could submit tips for our newsletter because some of what we
    discuss doesn't apply to them.

    I've made an attempt over the last 7 years to get subscribers
    from not only Australia but also the UK and Canada to provide
    input to our newsletter with no takers. Actually, input from
    those in any country would be welcome

    I think it would benefit us all to know how things work around
    the world. Please, if you live outside the US and have something
    you believe would benefit others please submit your tips and
    comments.

    That's all for now. Remember, I really enjoy hearing from you
    folks. If you have any comments, complaints, suggestions or just
    want to say Hi, please send me an email to

    If you know someone that may be interested in subscribing to our
    newsletter have them visit:


    Have a great week,
    Grandpa Terry

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    Credit Card Information

    Chuck the cards to keep within a budget
    By Bankrate.com

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    Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week

    Is 2008 Your Year?  Part 2

    To view part 1 visit our online newsletter at:

    Last week I was telling you about the year my financial life
    changed and what caused my wife and I to finally take action and
    do something about it.

    Since we had more money coming out than we had coming in and a
    second job didn't help that much the only thing we could do is
    contact our creditors and tell them we couldn't pay them.

    We decided to write them letters instead of calling because a
    letter would probably be viewed by a supervisor that could
    actually make a decision. This turned out to be a smart
    decision.

    We also decided to tell them that when my advanced pay was paid
    off we could start paying them again. Just to show them that our
    situation was serious I wrote out a short list of my income and
    bills.

    We had 5 debts that we couldn't pay. Of that 5 we receive 4 of
    the nicest letters we could have expected. All 4 agreed to delay
    the payments and add this to the end of our contract instead of
    having us make up the payments. The 5th letter turned us down
    because we had already skipped a payment and they only allowed
    one of these each year.

    This gave us the breathing room we needed but, after looking at
    our budget, we were still going to have problems when the
    payments started again.

    We knew it was going to be necessary to cut back even more. I
    won't go into detail about everything we cut but to give you an
    example, my kids thought getting a candy bar or soda was a
    luxury for about 2 years. My wife made everything we ate from
    scratch and was able to cut the grocery bill by 30%.

    By 1980, we had most of the bills paid off and enough money to
    make it through the month with a little left over. As time went
    on things got a little better because we were watching what we
    borrowed and spent.

    In 1978, people had money problems but it wasn't the epidemic
    it is now. This makes it all the more important to plan every
    bill and expense and know what you can and can't afford.

    1978 was the year I had finally had enough. I sincerely hope
    that if you are in a bad financial situation you decide that
    2008 is the year you make your move.

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    Site of the Week

    Gas Mileage Tips

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    Grandpa Terry's Email

    Crystal submitted this poem and I wanted to share it with you:

    THE FINAL INSPECTION

    The Marine stood and faced God,
    Which must always come to pass.
    He hoped his shoes were shining,
    Just as brightly as his brass.

    'Step forward now, Marine,
    How shall I deal with you?
    Have you always turned the other cheek?
    To My Church have you been true?'

    The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
    'No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
    Because those of us who carry guns,
    Can't always be a saint.

    I've had to work most Sundays,
    And at times my talk was tough.
    And sometimes I've been violent,
    Because the world is awfully rough.

    But, I never took a penny,
    That wasn't mine to keep...
    Though I worked a lot of overtime,
    When the bills got just too steep.

    And I never passed a cry for help,
    Though at times I shook with fear.
    And sometimes, God, forgive me,
    I've wept unmanly tears.

    I know I don't deserve a place,
    Among the people here.
    They never wanted me around,
    Except to calm their fears

    If you've a place for me here, Lord,
    It needn't be so grand.
    I never expected or had too much,
    But if you don't, I'll understand.

    There was a silence all around the throne,
    Where the saints had often trod.
    As the Marine waited quietly,
    For the judgment of his God.

    'Step forward now, you Marine,
    You've borne your burdens well.
    Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
    You've done your time in Hell.'

    ~Author Unknown~

    It's the Soldier, not the reporter
    Who has given us the freedom of the press.

    It's the Soldier, not the poet,
    Who has given us the freedom of speech.

    It's the Soldier, not the politicians
    That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
    Happiness.

    It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
    Who serves beneath the flag,
    And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

    ----------

    Hi there

    And Happy New Year. I have been somewhat of a silent reader of
    your newsletters. I read them with great interest although I
    have never made correspondence with you. Since I am in
    Australia, some of the stuff you talk about doesn’t apply to me,
    (we don’t have those supermarket food coupons) so I just wanted
    to find out if there are other Aussies who read your newsletter
    who can contribute some Australian related articles?

    Thanks
    Nicole

    ----------

    Response to a tip last week:

    Woolite is not especially "mild"-- the statement that it is
    best for "hand washables" is a marketing slogan the company came
    up with to sell their product. For wool and silk-- and other
    hand washables, try shampoo. Not the kind with conditioner and a
    dozen other special additives, just a plain, cheap shampoo. Dr.
    Bonner's soaps work well, too, but are more expensive.

    A lot of imported fabric items are "hand wash only" because the
    dyes bleed, not because of the fabric itself (like denim...). If
    the item is made of an animal source fiber (wool, hair, silk), a
    vinegar rinse will help set the dye... if it can stand heating,
    that (along with the vinegar) will set it even better. With
    cotton, other plant fibers or synthetics, you're pretty much
    stuck with continuing to hand wash until all the "bleeding" it's
    going to do is done or you have plenty of items in whatever
    color it is to wash with it.

    Kaytee

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    Subscriber Tip #2

    Not sure if I ever sent this idea in or not, but here goes...

    Years ago I signed up for MyPoints.com. You receive emails on a
    daily basis which you click on the link, let the page load and
    most times, I just close the page, unless the subject catches my
    eye. A few times I have signed up for free offers to earn points
    or purchased an item or two to earn even more. At one point I
    had a their credit card.

    The points are good for various gift cards from Red Lobster to
    Walmart and many more. These are great extras to use for
    yourself as a little treat or to use for presents. For many
    years, my son's teacher's Christmas presents came from MyPoints
    gift cards. One year I was invited to a 16th birthday party for
    kids who had it all and didn't settle for much less. I wasn't
    making much money. What I did was ordered a $25 gift card at a
    local electronics store in the mall (it was free and didn't cost
    me a dime, only my time clicking on a link from the email) Then
    I went to the store and purchased a $25 gift certificate for the
    other twin. It's easy to get 1/2 price merchandise, but how
    often can you get 1/2 off gift cards. For my son's birthday
    party at Chuck E Cheese, I periodically cashed in my points for
    gift cards and also presented coupons. For about 8 kids and 4
    adults, I paid a total of $12 for the whole party. This has
    saved me many times.

    Amy Gilbertsville, PA/010708

    Subscriber Tip Of The Week
    Vote For Amy's Tip and Get A Free Gift!
    Brand New:  Use the form at the link below to vote for this tip:

    ***********************************************************

    Support Our Sponsors

    Recipe Secrets Exposed

    Get Inside The Hidden Cookbooks Of America's Favorite
    Restaurants! Now You Can Have the Secrets to America's Most
    Wanted Recipes. These are the Secret Recipes You Won't Find
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    Budget Stretcher Partners

    At Home Parent
    Work-at-Home Team
    Frugal Folks.com
    Tidbits from the Pantry
    Abbys Good Stuff for Free
    Diva Tribe
    Free Credit Card Reviews
    MomsMakingMoneyOnline.com

    ***********************************************************

    Subscriber Tip #3

    We were in the Christmas parade and had Dollar Tree glow
    necklaces on. That night our power went out and I used them as
    night lights thurout the house and they had enough light to see
    where we were walking. Now I picked up a bunch just to have in
    emerency.

    Cande/010708

    Subscriber Tip Of The Week
    Vote For Cande's Tip and Get A Free Gift!
    Brand New:  Use the form at the link below to vote for this tip:

    **********************************************************

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    This Week's Article Links

    Just click the links to view the article

    Clean the House Fast
    By O Quinn

    Holiday Credit Card Debt - How to Survive and Thrive After the
    Season
    By Fletcher Harris

    Winter Educational Ideas For Preschoolers
    By Deborah Taylor-Hough

    To read more articles visit:

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    Take Advantage of your Budget Stretcher Subscriber
    Benefits Visit:

    Visit Our Forum

    Budget Stretcher Subscriber Benefits Page

    Join This Groups

    A_Simple_Life

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    Special Recipe

    Funnel Cake Recipe

    Funnel cakes are made by pouring batter through a funnel into
    deep hot fat.

    INGREDIENTS:
    3 eggs, beaten
    2 cups milk
    4 cups all-purpose flour
    1/3 cup sugar
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 tablespoon baking powder
    oil for deep frying
    sifted confectioners' sugar

    PREPARATION:
    Beat eggs with milk. Sift together flour, sugar, salt, and
    baking powder; add to eggs and milk. Beat until very smooth.
    Heat oil in deep fryer to 370°. Holding the funnel with one
    finger keeping the opening closed, fill with batter.

    Open the end of the funnel and allow batter to run out in a
    stream into deep hot fat. Move funnel from center, swirling
    outward in a circular pattern. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until
    golden brown. Transfer fried funnel cakes to paper towels to
    drain. Shake sifted confectioners' sugar over drained funnel
    cakes.

    Makes 20 to 30 funnel cakes, depending on size.

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    Everyday Savings

    These Tips provided by The Frugal Shopper

    Please show your appreciation for these great tips by visiting
    this site.

    ~~Shoulder Pads - Use them to make padded hangers. Just sew a
    pad on each end of the hanger.

    ~~Wallpaper books/samples - Use to make book covers, decorative
    envelopes, or wrapping paper. Or make your own beautiful
    envelopes: take apart any envelope you have, and trace the
    pattern onto the back side of the wallpaper, then fold and glue
    or tape.

    ~~Film canisters - Store small items such as buttons, sequins,
    and small nails.

    ~~Soap scraps - Mix with water to make soap jelly. Put in sock,
    mesh, or used pantyhose to use in bath or for scenting drawers.

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    Contact Information:
    Budget Stretcher
    1203 Madison 228
    Fredericktown, MO  63645
    FAX:  573-783-5982

    ***********************************************************

    Disclaimer:  This newsletter is only intended to provide
    information on proper money management.  Budget Stretcher or
    Terry Rigg can not accept responsibility for any injury or
    damage that may be caused to yourself, others, or property when
    following any advice given.