Powered by YourMailinglistProvider.com
This 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. This email
contains advertisements to help support Budget Stretcher.
***********************************************************
The Budget Stretcher
Week Of: March 12, 2007
AOL Users Please Visit Online
***********************************************************
Grandpa Terry's Quips
Tip #18 - Relying on Social Security as your only source of
income for retirement is like expecting your kids to pay your
bills now. Does that make sense?
***********************************************************
Support Our Sponsor
Finally Organized, Finally Free
An amazing collection of 1, 300 organizing tips, ideas and
techniques to help you organize your home, your office and your
life!
Clutter-control tips for every room in the house. Time
management systems to help you gain extra hours in your day.
Super ways to organize the paper monsters in your life. Ideas
and systems to keep you motivated, and so much more!
***********************************************************
***What's Inside***
Money Saving Tip
Subscriber's Tip of the Week
Coupon Savings
Grandpa Terry's Update
Credit Card Information
Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
Site of the Week
Grandpa Terry's Email
This Week's Articles
Special Recipe - Theresa Moyers' Outspoken Oreo Dessert
***********************************************************
Subscriber Tip
Eating healthy is not always cheap, so I have learned a few
ways to save on produce: Always weigh produce that is priced per
item. If cantaloupes are $2 each, I want the heaviest one I can
find. The same goes for those 5-pound bags of potatoes. Some
bags have an extra 8-14 ounces in them. Also, compare the price
of frozen v. fresh. My kids love Spanish omelets, and I refuse to
pay nearly $4 per pound for red and yellow Bell peppers in the
winter. I buy a one-pound bag of frozen mixed pepper strips for
$1.69. There is no waste, and the work is already done for me!
When bananas are especially high at the grocery, I buy the ripe
ones for about 29-cents a pound and make muffins and bread. It
freezes nicely and is great to pull out of the freezer for bag
lunches, a muffin or two at a time.
If you really think about it, you can come up with plenty of
ways of saving!
Norma Jean in VA
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 or 10 of
my Budget and Credit Card Calculating Forms.
Please use the form available at:
***********************************************************
Coupon Savings
by Michelle Jones
Visit Michelle's web page to find out what you can do to help
military families with expired coupons.
Expired Grocery Coupons
What to do and WHERE to send them!
Save hundreds of dollars on your groceries each month, with or
without using coupons! Read more of Michelle's FREE grocery
***********************************************************
Grandpa Terry's Update
(Quote - "Do It Now Before Your Future Becomes Your Past")
I want to personally welcome you to this week's newsletter. If
you are a new subscriber all you have to do is just sit back,
read and enjoy.
Well folks, my password protection of the Subscriber's Benefits
page was a bust! There were about 150 subscribers that weren't
able to login. I have removed the password protection and you
can access your benefits page just by clicking on the below
link:
You can still vote for the slogan until March 20, 2007 at the
below link:
If you are having problems managing your Checking Account or
would like to know more about how they are managed and what
fees normally apply you can check out the below link:
Checking Basics
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 just have them visit:
All the best,
Grandpa Terry
***********************************************************
Support Our Sponsor
My Budget Planner
Are 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?
***********************************************************
Credit Card Information
Credit Card Fine Print
By Credit Cards.com
***********************************************************
Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
Beware 0% Balance Transfers
A person that I was working with had a Chase card with a little
over $21,000 balance and was paying 24.99% interest on the
purchases plus 27.99% on about $3000 of that for cash advances.
I recommended that they try to obtain a 0% interest card for 12
months so that they could save thousands of dollars in interest
charges.
Shortly after our conversation they receive an offer for 16
months 0% interest that wouldn't expire until July 2008. I told
them to call and see if they could get the transfer.
When they called they were informed that they could transfer
the entire $21,000 to the new card but that there would be a
one time $652 fee for this transfer. They told the credit card
company that they would not pay that much just to transfer
balances.
After several attempts to obtain a 0% card from other companies
and were turned down they called me again asking what they
should do.
I guess I have been out of the loop too long on the latest
credit card fee structure so I did some checking. Apparently,
this is the latest scheme the credit card companies are using to
process balance transfers. I had heard of paying a fee but not
that much.
Since this individual always paid their bills on time we agreed
that paying the $652 might save them in the long run. They had
been paying over $400 a month in interest charges on the Chase
card for some time. If they paid their bill on time they could
save over $6400 in the 16 months before they started paying
interest.
You have to be careful if you run into this. If you are late
even once they can start charging interest immediately.
By the way, the name of the card is WorldPoints issued by Bank
They currently offer 12 months 0% interest for 12 months unless
you receive a preapproved offer in the mail.
Budget Stretcher is not affiliated with WorldPoints or Bank of
America.
***********************************************************
Site of the Week
At Home Parent
***********************************************************
Grandpa Terry's Email
Hi Grandpa Terry,
How can I get a copy of my credit report without having to go
thru the bother of signing up for those "free" but not free
scams, you know where they want to charge you a fee...
I thought we were entitled to a "free" report each year.
I really enjoy your site,
Great Gram, Joan
My Response:
Hi Great Gram Joan,
Yes, you are entitled to one free credit report from each of
the 3 credit bureaus each year.
You can order yours by visiting
This does not include your credit score.
I hope this helps,
Grandpa Terry
--------
Terry,
I'm writing to thank Suzy for letting others know about the
problem she had getting into her mother's safe deposit box after
she died. I used to work for a bank, and I know that there was
someone who read the obituaries every day looking for account
holders so they could put a hold on the accounts and lock the
safe deposit boxes. I'm guessing that still goes on, based on
Suzy's comment. In talking to groups about the importance of
putting all of their vital paperwork in one place, I always
recommend keeping the originals in a fireproof box at home, with
a copy in the safe deposit box just in case something happens to
the originals. This is so important. Like Suzy says, the person
handling the affairs for the deceased is grieving, and this is
not a good time to have to deal with additional burdens.
Joyce Pierce
--------
Hello Grandpa Terry from Springfield, Mo
My name is JackieAnn. I enjoy reading the Budget Stretcher. I
hope I am allowed to ask a question. I also am interested in
working from home. You said "The internet offers unlimited
possibilities". How do I find "all" of those possibilities or at
least several of them?
My husband and I are also grand- parents. Oh, what a wonderful
that job is :) :) :)
I thank you for all your help or at least thank you for reading
my e-mail.
JackieAnn
My Response:
Hi JackieAnn,
I always answer my email from subscribers as best I can.
I was raised in Springfield, MO from when I was 6 to about 16
years old. A great place to grow up.
Quite frankly so many of the work at home opportunities are not
what they appear to be. The link in this week's newsletter was
one of the better ones because it costs nothing. Here is the
link:
Another one that I know of is from a friend of mine but I'm not
sure exactly how it works. Here is the link for that:
I've found that some of the best work at home opportunities are
the ones you develop yourself. You take something you enjoy and
turn it into a job you can do at home. Budget Stretcher is my
work at home job although I didn't make a penny for the first 3
years I was online.
My brother in law's Mom makes dolls during the winter and sells
them at craft fairs and flea markets in the area. She makes $15,
000 to $20, 000 a year doing that.
While the work at home opportunities are unlimited on the
internet you have to take the time to investigate each one very
carefully or it could cost you a bundle.
I hope this helps a little.
All the best,
Grandpa Terry
--------
HI,
I was wondering if you could help me? When trying to work with
a hospital or other to get a debt paid off, and you offer to pay
one price because that is what you can afford to send, do they
have to accept that or can they make the payment higher than
what you can afford?
I have always heard that as long as you are making an honest
effort to pay the bill and pay every month they had to take what
you could afford as payment, is this true?
I live in Indiana, if you don't know can you tell me where to
find the information?
Thank you, Sbartman
My Response:
Hi Sbartman,
I do know that when dealing with credit card or loan companies
you have a set agreement with a due date and a minimum amount
you have to pay. The myth about them being required to accept
what you can pay is just that. You are required to make the
agreed upon payment on time or they can take legal action.
A hospital is a little different. It's my understanding that
they can demand full payment immediately and can get a judgment
against you if you don't pay although I haven't seen this happen
if someone is trying to pay.
My advice would be to write out your personal financial
statement listing all of your income and normal expenses
including your debts to show them how much you can afford to
pay. It would be best if you would take this to the hospital
business office and sit face to face with their representative.
This will show them two things. One that you can't pay more than
you stated and two that you are serious about taking care of the
debt.
If you decide to do this please let me know how it turns out.
All the best,
Terry
--------
Hi Grandpa Terry!
I LOVE your Budget Stretcher Premium website and really look
forward to your newsletter each week. I have a quick question
about daycare costs.
My husband and I are working on implementing your Budget
Organizer system. We need to put the $618 we pay per month in
daycare somewhere Do we classify this as a household expense? It
seems to me like that is going to eat up a lot of our 30%
allotment for that category.
Thanks for your help!
--Diana
My Response:
Hi Diana,
I would classify your day care expenses under other bills
category just like your credit cards and car payment.
Your household expenses should be reserved for food and running
your home (car gas, school lunches, etc.)
I hope this helps,
Grandpa Terry
***********************************************************
Subscriber Tip
A plumber gave me this tip, and I' ve found it works very
well. With my long hair I was having to use a chemical clog
buster like Liquid Plumber at least once a week in my shower.
The plumber told me to use liquid bleach instead, since it works
better and is actually a little bit safer. I tried it, and not
only do I save money, it's something I keep on hand anyway.
Right away I found I only need to use it once every six weeks
instead of once a week. What a deal!
Sandi
***********************************************************
Support Our Sponsor
/////SPECIAL SUBSCRIBER OFFER////////////
THE MORE DEBTS YOU HAVE,
THE FASTER YOU CAN PAY THEM OFF!
Paying highest-interest debt first is the SLOWEST
way out ... You can laugh at money worries - if you
follow our simple plan. Discover savvy consumer
money secrets your friends don't know and banks
won't tell you. Limited time only. ACT NOW:
/////////////////////////////////////////
***********************************************************
Budget Stretcher Partners
SavingAdvice.com
Thrifty Fun
Smart Money Tips
TheFrugalShopper.com
4 Moms at Home.com
Debt Smart
Maxxsave.co.uk
***********************************************************
Subscriber Tip
1) When you receive any *extra* money, send it straight to your
debt. Last week, we received an unexpected check for $76.13.
After talking about it, we decided to pretend we had never
received it, and we sent it directly to the bank. I then
scheduled an online payment in that amount, before we could
change our minds!
2) We have three open credit card accounts, but last week Citi
let us consolidate the balances. I then asked if there was any
way to get a smaller payment. After placing me on hold, she
informed me that the entire balance was now at 0% until March
2008! I have tried to transfer this balance at 0% to a few
places, with no luck. I never knew that my own company would
offer it to me. Now, our goal is to pay as much as possible, as
often as possible, to get that balance DOWN.
3) It is also easy to send an extra $10 payment during the
month when you use online payments. I also save change and
dollar bills for debt, and we have a 2-Liter bottle almost full
of change for a vacation this summer. We super-glued the lid,
and just cut a small slit in the plastic for the coins. This
way, noone is tempted to shake out some change when our cash
gets tight! In a true emergency, though, the money would be
available.
Leocea
**********************************************************
Support Our Sponsors
Free Coupons, rebates and freebies
Coupons, rebates, free things
Rebates, coupons and free items
Freebies, Coupons and Rebates and Refunds
***********************************************************
This Week's Article Links
Just click the links to view the article
Statute of Limitation on Debt
By BSC Alliance
Federal, State Law Enforcers Complete Bogus Business Opportunity
Sweep
Federal Trade Commission
Car-lease ads sound too good
Driving for Dollars by Terry Jackson • Bankrate.com
To read more articles visit:
***********************************************************
Take Advantage of your Budget Stretcher Subscriber
Benefits Visit:
Visit Our Forum
Budget Stretcher Subscriber Benefits Page
Join These Groups
A_Simple_Life
Frugal-Folks
FrugalMomsNews
FunOnABudget
***********************************************************
Support Our Sponsors
Samples for free - over 1500 to choose from
Free 1500 samples
Samples of candy, food and other items
Free candy samples, pet samples, + others
***********************************************************
Special Recipe
I have a treat for this week's recipe. A lady at our bank gave
my wife the below recipe and says it's great.
Theresa Moyers' Outspoken Oreo Dessert
1 stick butter, melted
1 package of Oreos, crushed
1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream
3 semi sweet chocolate squares
2/3 cup of sugar
5 ounces of evaporated milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Cool Whip
Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp. butter with half package of Oreos and
spread in a 9x13 pan. Spread half gallon of ice cream over
cookie mixture. Set in freezer for 15 minutes. Take pan out of
freezer. Repeat step 1. Set pan in freezer for 15 minutes.
Melt chocolate, sugar and butter together. Stir well to thicken.
Add milk and vanilla. Continue stirring and pour mixture over
frozen ice cream. Put in freezer for 15 minutes. Top with Cool
Whip, cover and freeze.
***********************************************************
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.
--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.
***********************************************************
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.
|