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The Budget Stretcher
"Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
Week Of: April 7, 2008
AOL Users Please Visit Online
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Upgrade Your Subscription To Premium Get 7 Days Free
Budget Stretcher Premium just keeps getting better. You know
those Special Offers I've been running? As a Premium Member
you get them free.
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Grandpa Terry's Free Audio Article
Just recently I obtain 5 of my articles in an Audio Presentation
format and there will be 5 more in the near future. All of
these will be available to Premium Members free. However, I did
want to give you access to one of the audio articles that
explains what you need to know to go through the process of
managing your money.
Just click on the link and allow the page to load. Then turn
up your speakers and follow the directions. Press F11 to view
full screen:
7 Ways To Beat The Debt Collector
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"Will Your Kids Make More Money Than You When They Grow Up?"
Like most parents you're trying to make sure your kids are
ready for the "real world" when they leave the nest. Even so,
there is a good chance you are unintentionally passing bad
financial habits on to your kids. When it comes to finances I've
found it's not what you TEACH but what you DO that kids
remember.
By analyzing your answers to 12 simple yes/no questions about
YOUR financial habits I can forecast YOUR KIDS' financial
future.
Take 60 seconds to discover your kids' Financial Future Score
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***What's Inside***
Grandpa Terry's Free Ebook
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 - Applesauce Cake
Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
Spotlight: Clark Howard *(I will run this article next week)
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Subscriber Tip #1
For inexpensive gifts this year, I'm making "spa secrets"
gifts. Mix baking soda with dishwashing soap to make a paste,
then add a few drops of scented essential oil, to make a
wonderful bathroom cleaner. Baking soda is a natural abrasive
that won't scratch. I like to use lavender oil for it's calming
effect. makes the bathroom smell great!
Bobbiego/040708
Subscriber Tip Of The Week
Vote For Bobbiego'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 the below link to submit your
tips:
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Coupon Savings
by Michelle Jones
Grandpa Terry's Note: Michelle has saved over $18,000 using the
tips she has in her new ebook and she will show you how to do
the same. Don't miss this...
If you would like to learn how to save more money with coupons,
including how to use them WISELY, when NOT to use them, and how
to FINALLY get them organized so you CAN use them, order your
copy today!
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Grandpa Terry's Update
Welcome to The Budget Stretcher!
Last week I gave you a link to check on your Stimulus Payment
Refund that is due to go out starting in May 2008. You can get
a good idea of how much you will be getting by using their
easy calculator. Here is the link:
Congratulations to Lena for winning March's Subscriber Tip
Contest. Since Lena is already a Budget Stretcher Premium member
I have extended her subscription expiration date by 6 months.
Here is Lena's Tip:
Don't throw away unused or expired manufacturers coupons!
Military families can use your coupons for up to 6 months past
the expiration date. While many of us have thought or still
think military families get "big" discounts on their purchases
on base, this is not entirely true. They do not pay sales tax,
however the mark up on many items make the prices higher,
especially on overseas bases. Our church collects coupons for a
military families from our congregation, sends a "Care Package"
along with coupons that they share with other families each
month. You probably know someone in the military already or
belong to an organization with military family members. Help
them, protect us. Many are stretching their budgets to the
breaking point and coupons can help them stretch it further!
Lena
A couple of weeks ago I promised to give you an Excel form so
that you could easily figure how much you owe on your debts
and let the form calculate for you. You can use the below
link to open the Excel form:
Can the News Give You The Economic Blues
Yes, I've written about it before but this is getting old. It's
getting to the point that I avoid the news like the plague. I
can't say that I don't moan and complain every once in a while
but the news media has it down to a science.
I just read that 86% of those polled in a survey feel our
economy isn't going in the right direction. To an extent I can
understand how they would feel that way with prices going
through the roof. I am paying $3+ for gas and $4+ for milk too.
My main problem with all of this negativity is that the media
enjoys reporting it so much. You can hear it in their voice.
But, where are the ones that say "here's what we have and here's
what we have to do to fix it".
When I was in the Navy I can't tell you how many times one of
my superiors told me "Rigg, don't come to me with a problem
unless you have a solution".
Yes, we are losing jobs right now. But, did you lose your job?
Don't worry about it unless you did. You can plan but don't
worry.
Yes, the stock market is going down. Did you sell stocks at a
loss? Don't worry about it unless you did. Plan for it.
This same media was finding fault when we were adding 1
million jobs a month and the Dow was over 14,000.
Don't let what you hear on TV or listen to on the radio or read
in the newspapers affect the way you feel about our economy. We
are in rough times right now but things will get better, they
always do. The "Power of Positive Thinking" really does work.
It may not make you a nickel or pay any of your bills but you
won't go nuts worrying about it.
Just once I would like to hear that we lost 80,000 jobs this
month but that means that over 150 million people are still
working. Fat Chance...
I'll step down from my soap box now and let you get to the rest
of the newsletter. Enjoy!
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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Special Notice
HI there,
The media alert is included below, the main addition is that the
website is now live if you would like to point to that. However,
people need to call the service for the chance to win the
tickets. Thanks again for all of your support in helping us
spread the good word of free.
Regards,
Colleen
April 2, 2008 — Menlo Park, Calif. With tax day rapidly
approaching and the press buzzing about the economy, most of us
are more than open to a few good ways to save a few dollars.
April 11th marks the annual "The Best Things in Life are Free"
Day brought to you by 1-800-FREE411. In celebration of all that
is free, 1-800-FREE411 is giving away two airline tickets* a
week during the month of April to randomly selected callers.
After all, "FREE-dom" from our hectic lives is priceless in
itself!
Please join us in celebrating by enjoying some of the great
things that won't cost you a cent like these useful, fun and
valuable free services…
Avoid paying up to $2 or more on directory assistance by
getting phone numbers and driving directions for free from
1-800-FREE411
Get fit with personalized workouts designed by a Hollywood
trainer along with easy-to-follow food plans from a celebrity
Save time on figuring out who to vote for by getting a free
evaluation of your political stance
Take advantage of a convenient way to find your next companion
without having to leave the comfort of your own home
Receive the week's top travel deals straight to your inbox.
It's like having your own personal travel agent free of
Hire your own (virtual) personal shopper that sifts through
millions of products from your favorite stores and brands and
proposes a selection of "just what you wanted" items
Manage your money by taking advantage of walk-in financial
advice from retail locations of investment banks like Charles
tailored to your personal music preferences and listen to them
Build your new bathroom without breaking the bank by borrowing
tools, equipment and "how-to" instructional materials from your
local library (yes,
A free, annual scoop of Ben and Jerry's ice cream on April 17
Free Product Samples (
Blood pressure screenings at supermarkets and pharmacies
Home maintenance tips and advice for do-it-yourself projects at
free in-store clinics provided by your local Home Depot
Old couches and other home furnishings found at The Freecycle
A copy of your credit report to make sure everything is as it
A day at the museum on free admission days
Classes offered at your local Apple store on business and
entertainment software, music programs and computer basics
1-800-FLIGHTS: 1.800.Flights is a new media company providing
flight status by phone for nearly every commercial passenger
flight arriving and departing the U.S. daily. (
Consumers have already saved over $500 million on unnecessary
fees by using 1-800-FREE411. For more details about "The Best
Things in Life are Free" Day and the giveaway visit
*Airline tickets will be awarded in the form of a voucher
valued at $600 each.
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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
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Credit Card Information
Will a debt settlement adversely affect our credit rating?
by Scott Bilker
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Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
Quick Money Tips #3 from Budget Stretcher
This is the 3rd in a series of articles that provide helpful
money tips that you can use to stretch your budget.
1. Don't blame someone else for your money problems.
2. Don't pay for Credit Card protection.
3. Review your budget and spending habits at least once every
three months.
4. Learn how to earn more on your savings through investments.
5. File your important papers, deeds, birth certificates, etc
where you have quick access to them.
6. Never pay the minimum payment on your credit cards.
7. Do your grocery shopping with a price book.
8. Look for ways to turn your hobbies into cash.
9. Keep your vehicles in good running condition.
10. Buy your kids school clothes when you find these items on
sale, not just before school starts.
Learn how to know the cost of a loan before you sign the
papers. Download the Free "Loan Calculator! Plus" by visiting
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Site of the Week
Hi Grandpa Terry,
Not sure if this will work for people living paycheck to
paycheck but maybe a good way to save for something you want
instead of putting on the credit card. Anyway I thought it was
neat and thought I would pass along to you and see what you
think and if you think it would benefit anyone on your
newsletter I wanted you to be able to pass it along.
Thanks for the awesome newsletter and ebooks!!
Leigh
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Grandpa Terry's Email
Terry,
I feel the need to reply to those who continually badmouth
Wal~Mart. I can tell you that Wal~Mart has been the saving grace
to my family! Approx 17 yrs ago... my husband was unemployed and
really didn't have a lot of self confidence. He did odd jobs but
nothing consistent, although he took great care of our 2
children while I worked as an RN.
Wal~Mart came to our community and with a little nudging, my
husband applied for a job...he was subsequently hired as a
stockman earning a whopping $4.75 /hr. But you know what... the
hourly wage was insignificant! It was a steady income every 2
weeks that we could count on, it provided him with benefits that
he had never had in any other job he had done... and I can say
these benefits cost him pennies for our whole family! But even
more than that... he was working... he was contributing to our
family... he was contributing to society.
17 yrs later... he has worked his way up the ladder... now an
Assistant Manager with Wal~Mart. ALL because he worked hard and
WAL~MART believed enough in him to offer him training and work
to do something with his life! No I am not saying that Wal~Mart
is perfect... no job is! But you have to want to contribute
something to make any job worth having! In the store that my
husband works in, the lowest paid person there makes more than
$7/hr... and many start out making much more!
I really get upset when I hear negative remarks about this fine
corporation... they are one of the largest employers and a
worker can get benefits at 28 hours where most employers require
you to work 40 hours before being eligible...Yes you have to
help pay for these benefits...but that is the case across
America! For a lot of workers... benefits are not even an
option!
So you see, Wal~Mart is a good employer and a good business for
all of us who need to save money on food and other items... with
gas prices the way they are it is nice to have a one stop shop!
Thanks,
Susan
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I had my mortgage company tell me to fax them a "Letter Of
Hardship", and wondered if you know anything about this. Long
story short....job lay off, past due bills, new extremely low
paying job, still past due bills...mortgage, electricity, phone,
property tax, credit card...all at least two months behind. I
have one credit card with a very low limit that's maxed out, no
medical bills, and no car payment. I live alone and don't have
an extravagant lifestyle. The woman on the other end of the
phone, at my mortgage company, was very kind, and told me that I
was certainly not the only one is this situation, and she told
me to write a "Letter Of Hardship" and fax it to them. She said
that it wouldn't stop the calls, or improve my credit, or pay
the past due mortgage, but that "it would be considered". I've
never heard of this, and can't help but wonder exactly what it
will do for me. Any idea?
~ NAME WITHHELD ~
----------
Hi! Krogers puts coupons that you pick out on your Kroger plus
card and they ring right off the price. kroger.com I don't know
if you have heard of this site or not, it's
deals listed for CVS and Walgreen’s every week, many FREE. She
also has many other deals posted on her site. Tell her I sent
you .
Lisa from Ohio
HI! It's me again . Lisa from Ohio. I found the site the lady
tell people to use the search button on their computer. It took
me 3 seconds to find it. You just type in San Diego morning news
, go to Fox 6, then on their site type in the search box--coupon
website. People really have the whole world to explore at their
fingertips these days . You should post an article on looking
for info. This is one of my worst pet peeves that people don't
try to find the info themselves. Oh, enough of my irritation.
Blessings to you,
Lisa
----------
I know I don't have an emergency fund or anything else like it.
If I were to lose my job I'd have to pray and start looking that
day for a new job. But you brought out a good point about
knowing where to go in the case one needs help. where do you go?
what about mortgages? what are our rights? how or do they even
work with unemployed people? Is the a process you have to go
thru? If you have any info on this, I think your readers may
like knowing also especially during these hard economic time.
thanks for your good work
My Response:
Hi,
Thanks for the question.
There are some things that anyone can do but most everything is
on an individual basis. While some will, not all mortgage
companies, credit card companies, or other creditors will work
with you and I know of no regulations requiring them to do so.
Here are some of the basics:
Contact your creditors immediately letting them know the
situation and that you are working on making their payments
Start looking for another job immediately (understand that no
job is beneath you when it comes to your family's survival)
Consider putting an ad in the paper to do any type of work you
can (handyman, gardening, etc)
Set your priorities, making sure your food, necessary health
items, rent/house payment and utilities are paid first with
any money you might have
Consider selling anything you have of value that you don't need
to earn an income (you have to be brutal on this)
Ask for help from state and local agencies, and if need be from
friends and family
All the best,
Terry
----------
Dear Terry,
Thank you for setting me strait about purchasing E-books
through Budget Stretcher "news letter' Sorry the confusion has
been all mine I have now canceled my subscription to the "free"
latter.
I have been meaning to write to you for some time now, to say
how much I have appreciated your regular news letters and the
huge effort you put into us all
You certainly appreciate and seem to know just how hard it is
to stay focused, even though we know and fully subscribe to all
what you are trying to get through to us.
Your article "The Secret " is 100% correct and I am in the 20%
group but sincerely trust that I will last more than the "couple
of days" you suggest. In fact it has been about 9 months
I have made the Premium Budget site part of my browsers "Home
Page" on my desk top.
My wife Gwen and I are both on the Old Age Pension and our 34
year old Son Andrew who is Down's Syndrome and lives with us. We
also have an older adult daughter living with us who is a great
help and support to us and her brother.
We own our family home, but see the need to "down size" in the
foreseeable future. This brings up so many things to think and
plan for, single level living, transport for Andrew and
ourselves etc, etc.
Recently I have able to get the use of a Lap Top. So I am
wondering if I could please have a link to the Premium Budget
site on the Lap top as well? Thanks
I see your web site an very valuable resource to me personally
and us as a family.
Yours very sincerely,
Ian & Gwen
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Subscriber Tip #2
Subscriber Gracie of San Diego was asking about the website that
offers a service that will load coupons onto your loyalty card.
I searched for that and found this site:
Ida/040708
Subscriber Tip Of The Week
* Vote For Ida'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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Budget Stretcher Partners
Thrifty Fun
Smart Money Tips
TheFrugalShopper.com
Debt Smart
Free Credit Card Reviews
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Subscriber Tip #3
When you boil potatoes, always save the water. Use it in soups
and stews, or cool it and use it to fertilize your house plants.
My plants are thriving since I started this.
Missy/P/040708
Subscriber Tip Of The Week
Vote For Missy'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
Excel Spreadsheet Budget System
The You Need A Budget (YNAB) Personal Budget in Excel is a
template using Four Simple Rules of Cash Flow Management.
Make your budgeting as simple and automated as possible.
Visit:
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This Week's Article Links
Just click the links to view the article
Dave Ramsey Good, Better, Best!
By Joyce Moseley Pierce
(debt)
21 Days to a Negative Money Habit
By Jennifer Derrick
(money saving)
Save on Groceries Before You Leave Home
By Jill Cooper
(food)
Bread, milk, egg prices spike, draining locals' wallets
By EMILY PREVITI Staff Writer
(food)
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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FREE $2.50 BONUS for signing up!
Money-Saving COUPONS.
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confidence.
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Special Recipe
Applesauce Cake
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1 tsp. baking soda in 2 Tbsp. hot water
1 cup raisins
1/2 cups nuts (optional)
Cream together shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs,
salt, cinnamon and cloves. Mix well. Add alternately flour and
applesauce. Dissolve baking soda in hot water and pour into
mixture. Stir. Fold in nuts and raisins. Bake in a well- greased
loaf pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
This recipe compliments of The Best Cookbook Anywhere Not Just
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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.
1. When washing dark clothes for the first time use cold water
and put salt in the water. The salt helps set the color. To
brighten dark clothes after they have been washed several times,
repeat the procedure.
2. Black clothing tends to look brown after several washings.
To restore the black color, add coffee or strong tea to the
rinse water.
3. Many garments labeled "Dry Clean Only" can be safely hand
washed using mild soap like Woolite and cold water.
4. Cut dryer sheets in half before using. They still work just
as well. Keep a Kleenex box on the dryer for the used ones - use
to dust furniture. More uses for used dryer sheets here.
5. To dye fabric a brown color inexpensively, soak it in a
bucket of strong black coffee. This technique will also
camouflage a non-removable coffee stain on a white table cloth.
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Contact Information:
Budget Stretcher
1203 Madison 228
Fredericktown, MO 63645
FAX: 573-783-5982
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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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