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Newsletter to Your Friends (Use this link only if you receive this newsletter by email) Week of February 15, 2010This is an OPT-IN list ONLY! If you feel that you have received this message in error, please follow the directions at the bottom of this email to unsubscribe. Thank you.Click Here to view this newsletter online. Navigate This ColumnGrandpa Terry's Update Welcome to The Budget Stretcher! The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 is going to change the way credit card companies operate. Even your statement will be changed to show how much you would have to pay monthly to pay the entire debt in 36 months. It's important that you know what these changes are and what new rights you have as a consumer. One of the best sources I've found that gives a brief discription of the changes is contained in the below link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Fact-Sheet-Reforms-to-Protect-American-Credit-Card-Holders/ 
Credit Card Math is a free debt management tool that goes behind the scenes and reveals the true hidden costs associated with credit card debt. Credit Card Math will give you the knowledge you need to get yourself out of debt fast, save money and beat credit card issuers at their own game.
Learn why it takes so long to pay off credit cards Find out how to save thousands in credit card interest penalties Learn how to develop a Rapid Debt Reduction Plan Discover common credit card traps and learn how to avoid them And much, much, more... Credit Card Math is a FREE program. You are encouraged to share Credit Card Math with your friends and associates as long as you include all the original files. (Delivered in .exe format and may not be compatible with MAC systems) Here is one of the best articles I've found to show you how much you should put away and suggestions on where to put it. Build Yourself An Emergency Fund! 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 tre2000@midwest.net If you know someone that may be interested in subscribing to our newsletter just copy and paste the below link into an email to them and have them subscribe: http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html Have a great week, Grandpa Terry Sponsor AdvertisementAre you frustrated trying to get by on the money you make? Would you like to get a good view to where all your money is going? Would you like to start saving your money, or save even more? Looking for something easier then software like Quicken or Money? Would you like to teach your children about finance? Click Here to check out My Budget Planner Today Grandpa Terry's Tip of the WeekBy Terry Rigg One thing I've noticed since I developed Budget Stretcher is that most people actually know what needs to be done to improve their financial situation. Over half the email I receive asking for help includes the solutions to their problem right in the email. Another example of this is to see what is said on forums when discussing fixing a money problem. Some of the people that are the deepest in debt give the best advice to others. So why don't they just take their own advice and fix their problems? Because that's when it becomes personal. That's also when they realize that it is their lifestyle that will require changing. Believe it or not, a shortage of money rarely creates a money problem. You may not have the money to live the lifestyle you would like, but, in most cases, you have the money to live on and pay your bills on time. I think what most people are looking for when they seek help is encouragement and possibly an easier way to accomplish the task without disrupting the lifestyle they are comfortable with. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this but at some point they must realize that things can't stay the same. It may be hard, but changes will need to be made if they are actually committed to solving their money problem. The main point to this tip is that knowing what you need to do to fix your finances is a very small part of actually getting it done. Almost anyone can tell you how to do it. The hard part can only be done by you. Grandpa Terry's EmailCan You Help This Member?I am in the same boat. There are tons of articles sites, and people who have many ideas on investments, but when it comes to a safe approach to taking the distributions and investing its like they hit a wall. If any thing surfaces, sure hope any information is good enough so you can include in the online site line up. Have a nice weekend. Regards, dean My Response: Hi Dean, You got me! I have always shyed away from making recommendations on investments because I really am not qualified. Right now, even www.ing.com is only paying 1.2% on their regular savings. I would like to throw this out to the subscribers and see if they have any suggestions for you. If I get some responses I will send them to you. All the best, Terry Dear Grandpa Terry, thanks so much for your newsletter. Having lived and worked for over 2 years in the Midwest, I decided to return to England in June 2009. I'm now trying to do my US federal and state taxes for the first (had my company file them for me while in the US) and am realizing why people don't like doing them. Would you know of any software programs that consider international earnings from employment and rental property? Thank you, Frustrated in England My Response: Hi, The tax software I normally recommend is TAXACT http://www.taxact.com It should cover the issue you are having problems with. Just a hint: If you order the Deluxe edition you will have access to their customer service for your questions. It costs $19.95 USD. I hope this helps, Grandpa Terry Featured ArticleBy Tawra Kellam http://www.LivingOnaDime.com/
We went sledding this weekend and dad and the kids really had a great time! We used some sleds that we bought last year, but there was a time in the past when the snow caught us off guard and we didn't have anything to use as a sled. Here are some ideas for alternatives to sleds that we have used or have seen used in case you find yourself caught without one. Some of them work better when the slopes have a smoother, slightly icy surface. * Baby pool - We actually saw a family using an old baby pool. The one they were using would not slide well since the snow was soft, but they turned it inside out (turning the smooth side out) and it worked great. Their entire family went down together in it and they had great fun. (Of course, if you have to turn it inside out, it probably won't hold water anymore so make sure it's a worn out baby pool! * Lids to large plastic storage containers * Laundry basket (BJ's favorite for a couple of years!) * Vinyl outdoor cushions - We saw some people using them. They worked well and the foam inside made the bumps a little less severe for the kids. * Cardboard - larger pieces work best. If the snow is soft, bend the front up a little so it doesn't get stuck. * An old tarp - These work best with smooth, almost icy surfaces. They will get bogged down in soft snow and will shred quickly if the ice has become sharp edged. * An old winter coat with plastic coating (I wouldn't do this with your best coat!) - My husband said that he and his friends (when they were kids occasionally slid down on old coats with the shiny, water resistant coating. * Smooth hubcaps - (Don't try it with wire wheels! * Innertubes - Inflated innertubes work great for sledding! If you have an old innertube that has been punctured, you can cut it open and let the kids sit inside it. Even without air, the rubber still slides well. * Office chair mat (without the pokey things) - Some mats for office chairs are smooth on one side and don't have the gripping spikes on the back. If you have one laying around, they make great sleds in a pinch. Tawra Kellam is the editor of www.LivingOnaDime.com/. Tawra and her husband paid off $20,000 debt in 5 years on $22,000 a year income. Snow Ice Cream You can see the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Ar-Zbn9TI ½ cup milk or cream ¼ cup sugar ¼ tsp. vanilla 2 cereal bowls fresh clean snow. Mix milk, sugar and vanilla together. Stir until vanilla is dissolved. Add fresh snow and stir gently until it is thoroughly mixed. Serve immediately. Serves 4. Snow Cones Crushed Ice 1 pkg. flavored drink mix (flavor of your choice) Mix drink mix with half as much water as the directions indicate. Chill 1 hour. Just before serving, crush some ice. You can use either a snow cone maker or put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and pound with hammer. Pack ice chips into cups, pour chilled drink mix over the ice and serve. You can also use fruit juice boiled down to half with food coloring added. Apple juice: green or red food coloring Grape juice: purple food coloring |
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