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The Budget Stretcher
"Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
Week Of: February 4, 2008
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there is a Secret and you can find out what it is by trying
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Grandpa Terry's Free Ebook
This is a repeat but I believe it's worth a second look.
89 Little Known Secrets To Saving Money In Today's Economy!
Please pass this along to your entire address book!
Tips Bundle of 9 Ebooks
Price: $5
Bundle Includes:
200 Problem Solving Tips For Your Home and Your Health
The Essential Guide To Organizing Your Home
97 Easy Money Savers
101 Ways To Stop The Money Leaks
404 Self Improvement Tips
60 Great Uses For Salt
The Miracle Of Vinegar (Now Includes 60 Baking Soda Tips)
Vinegar For Cleaning
Vinegar For Your Health
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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
Keys to Raising Money Smart Kids" found at:
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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 - Yellow Cake
Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
Mortgage rates rise a bunch
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Subscriber Tip #1
I keep my kitchen sponges fresh and clean by standing them up
in the dishwasher in the utensil bins. They stay sweet-smelling
and fresh and I never have to throw them out until they wear
out.
Susan/020408
Subscriber Tip Of The Week
Vote For Susan's Tip and Get A Free Gift!
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
When your budget requires you to pinch every penny a top
priority in saving money at the grocery store is usually to NOT
be loyal to any brand name items. I know this tactic well
because I have used it for many, many years. However, over time
(while shopping sales and using coupons for higher priced items
that I would not normally buy) I have developed a preference for
several brand name items. Can you just hear those manufacturers
cheering?! But not to worry, I still only buy them when they are
on sale and when I have a good coupon! When you shop wisely,
it's perfectly fine to be brand loyal. ; o) And a word to our
manufacturers... keep those coupons coming!
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!
022706
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Grandpa Terry's Update
Welcome to The Budget Stretcher!
Congratulations to Tracy for winning January's Subscriber
Tip Contest. She has received an invitation to become a Budget
Stretcher Premium Member for one full year absolutely free.
Here is Tracy's Tip:
"Each time you visit grocery stores or "supercenters" add a $5
gift card in the total, that amount shouldn't destroy the budget
however, throughout the year all those $5- will add up to a nice
pad to help out with holiday meals or presents."
Tracy
Don't forget to submit those tips. You not only receive a
valuable gift if it's used you also become eligible to win a
free 1 year subscription to Budget Stretcher Premium.
Do you want to have some fun? Try this sent in by Crystal!
Getting old, are we? Reflexes slowing down? As I remember, the
automobile driving manual Says the average driver's reaction
time is:
.75 seconds -or- 1 car length for every 10 mph... Test your
reaction time with this special test. Click here:
Here are a couple of helpful sites that I believe you can use
offered by Mvelopes.com.
Take The Financial Fitness Quiz
Free Online Calculating Budget Form
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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Makes Shopping More Fun!
The idea that there is actually software that can help
me and my family with our weekly shopping expeditions.
A program like this would make our shopping experiences
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Credit Card Information
Regulation Z: Feds move to change credit card rules
The Federal Reserve Board may decide on final disclosure rules
in 2008
By Connie Prater
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Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
Do You Support The Fair Tax?
To help you understand the Fair Tax a little better I have
another article I would like for you to read:
A 23% Federal Sales Tax!! But Wait!
I received a couple of emails about the Fair Tax this week.
Dear Grandpa Terry, Now that I have finally taken the time to
actually read and comprehend your article that explains the
concept and scope of the Fair Tax, I can tell you I
wholeheartedly agree with it. My main reason for being excited
about it is because it taxes only money that gets spent on
non-necessities, and I think that is the truly fair way of
taxing money in the United States these days. I figured out a
long time ago that the billions of dollars of drug money that
changes hands in our economy is not taxed by and large and the
only way to tax all the flashy new cars, houses, furs, jewelry,
and other luxuries that drug dealers may be able to afford would
be through a sales tax. By the same token, average citizens like
us will pay what is fair for us to pay and not one penny more.
I've also realized for a long time that our shrinking middle
class is one of the most dangerous features of our economy, and
it sounds like the Fair Tax may be the only good way to turn
this around. What are the chances this could really become a
reality, Grandpa Terry? What can all of us do to try to help it
along? I'm ready to support it any way I can. Thank you for your
efforts to do so.
Good work!!!
Pam Bridger
My Response:
Hi Pam,
I'm really glad you support the Fair Tax. I have been preparing
tax returns since 1963 and have watched this system get totally
out of control.
This is going to be a really hard sell mainly because it takes
the power out of Washington and returns it to the people. We can
determine how much tax we pay and they won't be able to use tax
policy to buy votes.
The best way to support the Fair Tax is to talk to as many
people as you can about it and write or call your Senators and
Representative.
In the coming weeks I'm going to send links giving information
about how to contact your congressman, the Fair Tax.org web site
and several other bits of information.
I was getting a little depressed about passing the Fair Tax
until I saw what happened with the recent Immigration bill. The
president and most of congress from both parties were in favor
of that bill. There was such an uproar from the people that they
had to back down. This is how we are going to get it passed.
Have a great weekend,
Grandpa Terry
-------
I don't know why you haven't received an enormous amount of
mail supporting this! Very hard to support one's self with the
rising cost of heat and gas. Thanks for your help in getting
through life, lol!
Bobbie
-------
It's not clear from your article whether corporations will be
required to pass on their savings to the consumer. We have seen,
in the past few years, how tax cuts for oil companies have not
been passed on. Oil companies have received these gifts from the
federal government, yet they have allowed gas prices to soar,
while recording record profits for their shareholders.
I'm all in favor of working out new ways of helping the poor
and middle class, moving toward a more stable economy, and
encouraging recycling rather than purchasing new. However, I'm
not willing to trust corporations to cut prices out of the
goodness of their hearts!
My Response:
Hi,
You are absolutely correct to be concerned about corporations
not passing along their savings to the consumer. In the past,
they have received tax cuts and incentives and not passed them
along to the consumer. Although, in most cases these savings
were passed to the shareholders in the form of dividends. Today,
these shareholders are not the very wealthy. Many are working
people that contribute to a 401k or other retirement funds that
invest in the corporation.
No corporation will be required to pass along their savings
from the elimination of their taxes. However, if they don't the
price of their goods will sharply increase at the retail level
because they will still be collecting those imbedded taxes and
the retail sales tax. Our free market economy will not let that
happen. They will have to compete and raising their prices when
the entire nation will know that their expenses have decreased
by about 20% will be a disaster for them. The tax cuts for
corporation you mentioned were basically hidden. Very few people
knew or even cared about them. However, if the Fair Tax is
enacted everyone will know and they will care.
Right now I'm starting to get everything together to do my own
taxes. This is my biggest problem with the current system. There
is no excuse for burdening an entire nation, individuals and
businesses with the costly and cumbersome system we have now
that not a single individual completely understands.
I want to thank you for your input. This is the kind of debate
we need to get the Fair Tax on people's minds.
Have a great week,
Grandpa Terry
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These are from my buddy Ken. Keep them coming...
-----APHORISM: A SHORT, POINTED SENTENCE EXPRESSING A WISE OR
CLEVER OBSERVATION OR A GENERAL TRUTH; ADAGE.
1. The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts
tomorrow.
2. Money will buy a fine dog but only kindness will make him
wag his tail.
3. If you don't have a sense of humor, you probably don't have
any sense at all.
4. Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs.
5. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep
water.
6. How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid
of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all
night?
7. Business conventions are important because they demonstrate
how many people a company can operate without.
8. Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than
everyone else looks?
9. Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.
10. No one has more driving ambition than the boy who wants to
buy a car.
11. There are no new sins; the old ones just get more
publicity.
12. There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong
number at 4 AM. Like this: It could be a right number.
13. No one ever says "It's only a game" when their team is
winning.
14. I've reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
15. Be careful reading the fine print. There's no way you're
going to like it.
16. The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the
same size bucket.
17. Do you realize that in about 40 years, we'll have thousands
of old ladies running around with tattoos? (And rap music will
be the Golden Oldies!)
18. Money can't buy happiness - but somehow it's more
comfortable to cry in a Corvette than in a Yugo.
19. After 50 if you don't wake up aching in every joint, you
are probably dead.
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Site of the Week
Life Organizers
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Grandpa Terry's Email
Can you help this subscriber?
I am a huge fan of you and the newsletter. Thanks so much for
all you do to enlighten us and keep us on track with our
finances.
I have a problem that I think your readers may be able to offer
advice to repair or ideas to solve the actual problem. Some of
the tips that are shared are amazing! Thanks everyone!
My problem: My aging cat has recently been diagnosed with
diabetes. While the vet has been able to get the health issue
under control and the cat doesn't mind the twice daily
injections of insulin, he has not discontinued the "bad
behavior" he adopted while he was so ill a few months ago. In
short, he is urinating on my carpet. I have used the products
made for the removal of the odor in the carpet, and had the
carpet shampooed, which helped for a few weeks. I've also used
baking soda to absorb the wet and odor, and tried making the
area inaccessible (covering it with objects). I've cleaned the
box religiously and often. So readers, what tips do you have to
help me? I am ever so appreciative of any and all ideas to try.
Thanks,
wordyblue
----------
This is in response to last week's can you help this subscriber.
Rachael Woodard, the owner of the Coupon Clippers website often
buys coupons from people.
One must have AT LEAST 20 of a particular coupon & must send
her a list first- with the brand name & size(s), restrictions,
value, and expiration dates- for her approval.
rachael@thecouponclippers.com .
----------
In regards to your tip of the week (Jan 21, 2008.... I just got
around to reading the newsletter). I was always forewarned about
not keeping a lot of open cards going that have high
available limits simply because loaning companies look at it as
possible debt you MAY at some point in the future. Even though
you may hold a $0 balance, having a $20, 000 card may scare some
companies since you could max it out at some point.
So, should you keep high limits open even though you may never
need it?
Thanks,
Joanna
My Response:
Hi Joanna,
I'm sorry it took so long to get back to you.
Yes, according to FICO, credit reporting agencies see unused
available credit as a plus and a sign of financial
responsibility.
All the best,
Terry
----------
Hi, all you animal lovers. This is pretty simple... Please tell
ten friends to tell ten today! The Animal Rescue Site is having
trouble getting enough people to click on it daily to meet their
quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and
neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (How about 20
seconds) to go to their site and click on the purple box "Click
here to give, it's free." This doesn't cost you a thing. Their
corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to
donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for
advertising. Here's the web site! Pass it along to people you
know.
AGAIN, PLEASE
TELL 10 FRIENDS!!!
----------
Grandpa Terry,
Please pass on my thanks to Olivia for her advice.
and I have to say that it's pretty exciting. Anyone can go to
their message boards and read the success stories and my
favorite, the pass-it-on stories.
To Pauline, I offer the following advice: freecycle. I'm sure
there are tons of people in her community who could really use
the coupons. As far as a site paying her to clip coupons, I'm
not sure. I do know there are sites out there where customers
pay a clipping fee (it's illegal to sell coupons) to receive
additional coupons.
Thanks again, Grandpa Terry, for a fabulous newsletter. They
just get better every week!
Iva
----------
According to the Share Food Program website, there are programs
in 25 states...North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Maryland,
DC, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, Colorado,
Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma,
Iowa, Missouri, Washington, and California. All states that have
programs do not have programs in all cities. Each area listed
has a phone number that you can call to see if there is one near
you. They do not deliver, or mail packages anywhere. This sounds
like a great thing...better than Angel Food, even! I wish there
was one near me. I live in the Southeast, very near a major
metropolitan city, and the closest Share program is several
hours away.
----------
Well...actually, I found this after reading about in the last
newsletter. I didn't dig deep enough to find exactly where the
places were, so this time I figured I'd share. And something
else...
the lady that talked about My Points so passionately last
week... I signed up for it, and have been getting LOTS of REALLY
ANNOYING junk mail ever since, and it's not the stuff that you
click on to get points. It's junk mail. Also, you have to
accumulate aprox 1400 points to "get" something, and that
something is usually a $10 gift card to a restaurant. Except for
the 50 you get for creating a profile, you get 2 to 5 points at
a time, so 1400 is a fairly long stretch. You do get more points
for SHOPPING. In other words, you have to spend money to get
points. It's just not worth all that to me. I'd rather you NOT
post this info, because she was so passionate about it, and she
told the truth...lol. It's just not worth ALL THAT to me, and I
thought I'd let you know, in case somebody asked about it.
----------
Hi, Grandpa Terry,
I'm a very frugal woman, thanks to my parents who lived the
Great Depression. :) I'm continually trying to find ways to keep
more money in my pocket. It's almost like a game for me.
I have Dish Network Satellite with 100 channels. After my 18
month contract was up, my monthly rates increased. I checked
into getting Direct TV because their prices were $10.00 a month
less. I would have less channels with them...100 with Dish
Network vs 60 with Direct TV.
I called Dish Network, told them "for financial reasons" I
needed to change over to Direct TV to save some money every
month. Of course they said that I would have less channels with
the other company. I told them I would rather stay with them,
but I needed to pare down my expenses. She transferred me over to
an operator that specializes in closing accounts. At this point,
I figured my account would be closed and I would be going over
to Direct TV.
I told the woman in the "Close Accounts Dept" what I told the
Customer Service person. She bent over backwards for me to say
the least! My bill went from $40.98 per month to $24.99 a month
for the next year.
In addition, I was having problems with my dish swaying a bit
on the pole they used to mount it into the ground. She said she
will have them come out and remount the dish at no cost to me.
She said she couldn't offer all of this to me if I didn't have
a good payment record.
As the old saying goes, "It doesn't hurt to ask"!
I think I got a good deal, but I know there are many "offers"
that come up all the time. I hope this information will help
someone else. If there are better deals out there, I'd love to
know about them as well.
Thank you, Terry for all you do!
Linda in NC
----------
17. INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS ...
This isn't true-- an urban legend more likely. I use dryer
sheets, and have since I got the dryer 10 + years ago. There was
no coating, etc on the screen-- water ran through just as easily
before as after cleaning. I just make sure to remove the lint
after each load and that the venting tube isn't clogging up.
Several friends and relations also tried this tyest/cleaning--
same result I had.
Kaytee
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Subscriber Tip #2
To save on time when I cook a casserole or any type of
"freezable" dish. I always double the recipe. That way I can
have one for now, and can throw one in the freezer for a later
when we are short on time.
Giney/020408
Subscriber Tip Of The Week
Vote For Giney'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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Stressed about Credit Card Debt?
If you have Credit Card Debt and are looking for a way out...DO
NOT DO ANYTHING until you see this Secret FREE Report. How would
you like to quickly, safely and effectively eliminate your bad
debt without filing bankruptcy? If you are in Debt, not knowing
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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
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Subscriber Tip #3
Here ya go, Terry - this one came thru our local TV consumer
people !!
Getting Great Deals On Dining Out
Reporting Keith Jones PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ¯ The average household
spends more than $2, 000 a year dining out at restaurants. While
the thought of getting that big bill may incite more than a
little indigestion, there are ways to make the pain a little
more palatable.
Savings expert Stephanie Nelson recommends logging on to
Restaurant.com. "They have, I believe, over 6, 000 restaurants
on their website nationally."
The website offers discounted gift certificates to over 100
restaurants in the Pittsburgh-area alone.
Nelson says consumers can really cash in on some hot deals.
"You can get a $25 gift certificate, for example, for only $10;
and at certain times of the month, you could probably find a
special coupon for that, so you'll pay even less -- as low as $5
or $6 for the $25 certificate."
Nelson says would-be diners who get to Restaurant.com through
her website, CouponMom.com, will save even more!
"If you go through CouponMom.com, " she explains, "my website
has a special 40% off code every single day; so you'll pay $6
for the $25 certificate -- even on the first day of the month."
We logged on and found two $25 coupons at Tambellini's for $10
each; but since we got to Restaurant.com via a link on
CouponMom.com, we saved an extra 40%.
As a result, it cost just $12 total for $50 worth of gift
certificates!
If your original bill comes to $35, but you have a $25 gift
certificate that cost $6, your final bill will amount to just
$16.
Tambellini's Owner Charles Pellegrini says the online exposure
is good for business. "Our customers are tech-savvy... and they
all get on the Internet!" (© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All
Rights Reserved.)
Key points: couponmom.com and restaurant.com sites for
obtaining those savings certificates !!!
Happy Eating !!
Nan
Nan/020408
Subscriber Tip Of The Week
Vote For Nan'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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Support Our Sponsors
Still looking for a way to stay home? I have the answer! My
Power Mall is totally different! It's FREE, you don't have to
sell anything and all your tools are free. Here is your chance
to finally succeed!
kathyskorner@charter.net
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This Week's Article Links
Just click the links to view the article
Best moves to make in 2008 Checking & Savings
By Dana Dratch • Bankrate.com
Debt Reduction Companies - What to Watch Out For
by David Berky
Easy, Cheap and Elegant Decorating for Valentines!
By Kathy Wilson
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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Support Our Sponsors
A VA Loan can keep High Interest Rates Away
In today's housing market there are a record number of
foreclosures throughout every state. Don't be a part of the
growing number of Americans staring foreclosure in the face and
obtain a loan insured by the federal government.
The VA offers many great benefits to those that have served our
country and are looking to purchase their first home. A
for veterans who are first time home purchasers with little
credit to poor credit to obtain a competitive interest rate. If
you currently have a VA Loan you may also look into a
that loan to help save you money with your mortgage to receive
the best rate.
***********************************************************
Special Recipe
Yellow Cake
2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup shortening or 1/4 shortening and
1/4 margarine or butter softened
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
Beat all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth, scraping
the sides constantly. Pour into 1 well greased and floured 9x13
inch pan or three 8-inch or two 9-inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees
for the times listed below.
9x13-inch 40-45 minutes
9-inch pan 30-35 minutes
8-inch pan 23-28 minutes
cupcakes 20-25 minutes
Cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes
out clean. Cool completely, then frost.
This recipe compliments of Living On A Dime. Get more of the
recipes you can actually use:
***********************************************************
Everyday Savings
These Tips provided by The Frugal Shopper
Please show your appreciation for these great tips by visiting
this site.
--To remove sticky residue/glue, try one of these: mayonnaise,
peanut butter, nail polish remover, "Goo Gone", or any oil.
--Tile Cleaner - Deodorized kerosene (buy at an oil company).
--Use Benzol to remove tar, paint, and wax gum from your car.
--Erasers will remove black heel marks on floors & Artgum
erasers will clean bone colored shoes.
--To keep the corners of your windowsills free of dust and
moisture, rub a white candle into each corner of the sill.
--If your polished furniture has small scratches: Try rubbing
them with a shelled walnut. You'll see the scratches just
disappear!
--Keeping silver jewelry in a zip lock or air tight container
will keep it from oxidizing.
--As soon as you notice a spot or stain on clothing, stop what
you are doing and take care of it. The sooner you attend to it,
the better the chance you can remove it.
--To clean glass containers - Use salt and lemon juice, and if
the glass is not too fragile, crushed ice. Swirl these around
until container is clean, then rinse with warm water.
--What is the best tool for scrubbing a carpet spot? Another
small piece of carpeting.
***********************************************************
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.
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