The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter
May 7, 2007



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    The Budget Stretcher
    "Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
    Week Of: May 7, 2007
    AOL Users Please Visit Online

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    Grandpa Terry's Quips

    Tip #28 - Make sure that you save some money each week.
    Remember, it will be just as much fun to blow it in the future.

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    ***What's Inside***

    Free Ebook Download
    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 - Spiced Honey Ham
    Everyday Savings from http://www.thefrugalshopper.com

    Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
    Shedding the world's worst credit card

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    Subscriber Tip

    If you've never tried a food co-op program, check it out! The
    one I have used for 15 years is SHARE Colorado. For less than
    $30 per month, I can buy a food "SHARE" that is equal to at
    least $100, and includes produce, frozen items, frozen meats,
    seasonal items, and lots more. The quality is usually
    exceptional. No, it isn't "normal brand names" but because the
    items are bought for the entire country, are usually "normal" in
    another part of the States.

    Another plus to the SHARE program, sponsored by Catholic
    Charities, is that they have a "volunteer requirement" of two
    hours per month, any where you like. They ask you to bring in
    proof of your volunteering each month.

    Check out the SHARE program in your area. I looked at Google,
    and came up with one for every area of the country. What easy
    shopping is this!!

    wordyblue

    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:


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    Coupon Savings
    by Michelle Jones

    Now that you're collecting coupons every week when in the world
    do you find time to cut them out? No problem, I have several
    ideas that are sure to help you so take note! First of all,
    don't clip every coupon that you see. Since the weekly coupon
    inserts to the Sunday paper are where the majority of the
    grocery coupons are that's what we'll be focusing on. The first
    tip I have for you when clipping coupons is to take just a
    moment to look through them first and toss--or give away--any
    pages (BEFORE clipping!) that you do not need or want. This can
    cut your coupon clipping time in half!

    Save hundreds of dollars on your groceries each month, with or
    without using coupons! Read more of Michelle's FREE grocery

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    Grandpa Terry's Update

    Welcome to The Budget Stretcher!

    In case you didn't receive my email yesterday, the Bill Pay
    Management System is now available.  It's only $3.95 and has a
    30 Money Back Guarantee in case it's not what you want.  Here
    is the link to order:


    I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that when my computer crashed
    I lost all of my Subscriber Tips I had stored.  If you have a
    tip you would like to share please use the above link to submit
    it to me.  If I use it in the newsletter you could win the
    Budget Organizer or the Calculating forms.  Please use the
    form at the below page to submit yours:


    My daughter just showed me her statement for a charge account
    she has.  The minimum payment was $5 but the interest would
    run about $35.  How does this happen?

    She has been paying more than the minimum balance for a few
    months.  Apparently the company has deducted her payments and
    put her in a paid ahead category.

    If she had only paid the minimum $5 payment the balance for
    next month would have been about $30 more than it was this
    month.

    Credit card companies have dozens of tricks they use to keep
    your balance high.  Take the time to review your statements
    every month to make sure they aren't pulling some of them on
    you.

    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:


    Have a great week,
    Grandpa Terry

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    Over 10,000 Frugal Tips and Articles

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    participation. Come join the discussion at ThriftyFun.com
    and view over 10,000 tips and articles to save you money
    and time!


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    Credit Card Information

    File a Complaint Against Your Credit Card Company
    By BSC Alliance.com

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    Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week

    #1 Recommendation For Your Money!

    If I had to give the most important aspect of managing your
    money and the first thing you should do, what would it be?

    Would it be:

    Paying off your credit cards?
    Making a budget?
    Cutting your spending?

    While all of those are very important they would not be my top
    recommendation.

    Actually, there are two things that you should do before you try
    anything else.

    The first is determining where you stand now.  How much money do
    you have coming in and how much of that money is obligated toward
    your bills.

    That may sound like a budget but it's not.  You can do this on
    a sheet of paper by listing your income in one column and bills
    in another.  Then subtract your bills from your income.

    By doing this you be able to see whether or not you have enough
    money to cover everything.

    The second part is control.  Most money problems are caused by
    what I call Financial Complacency.  That simply means that you
    know there is a problem but either don't know what to do about
    it or are unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to change
    your situation.

    You need to be in control of your money instead of the other way
    around.  Pay attention to your finances and make it part of your
    daily routine to know what's going on.  Make a plan and stick to
    it.

    If you accomplish these two things first you will be ready to set
    up your budget and have a much better chance of it working.

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    Site of the Week

    Abby's Good Stuff

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    Grandpa Terry's Email

    Hi Grandpa Terry,

    We love your newsletter and learn something new each time we
    read it. We just purchased a 2003 Chev 2500 4x4 crew cab pickup
    with only 10, 300 miles on it. The gentleman who owned it only
    used it to pull his fifth wheel trailer. He traded it in for a
    motor home because he got tired of towing. We were able to get a
    really great deal on a truck that would normally cost over $40,
    000 new. The only down side is that it's warranty has run out.
    What do you think of extended warranties and do you think we
    should purchase one? How do your tell if the warranty company is
    reputable? We bought this truck to pull a fifth wheel and we are
    planning on using it a great deal. Thanks for the help

    Debbie

    My Response:

    Hi Debbie,

    I can just give you my personal view on this. I have purchased
    3 extended warranties that cost between $1000 & $2000 each and
    only covered the vehicles up to 100,000 miles. I've only had 2
    warranty repairs and they were covered under the manufacture's
    warranty. I won't purchase another one.

    There is a chance you could be stuck with a major repair bill
    but the vehicles today can easily get 200,000 to 300,000 miles
    or more before any major repairs are needed.

    I couldn't begin to tell you how to determine if a warranty
    company is reputable unless you check them out with the BBB.

    I hope this helps.

    All the best, Grandpa Terry


    --------

    Dear Grandpa Terry,

    I recently read from Suze Orman's book "The Road to Wealth"
    that after a certain amount of years have passed (it varies with
    each state) we can take advantage of a "Statute of Limitations"
    law.

    She said the time begins to tick from the date someone fails to
    make a payments that was due, as long as you never make another
    payment on that credit card account. For instance, the state of
    Illinois is 5 years.

    Does that mean that if I've never spoke to my creditor for that
    time period I am "off the hook" for my debt?

    The most important question to me is: How will this affect my
    credit score?

    Thank you for your time and the great wealth of information you
    pass on to us.

    Appreciatively,
    Gwen

    My Response:

    Hi Gwen,

    I believe you need to read the information at the below page to
    make sure you are covered:


    As for your credit report, the debt has probably done as much
    damage to your credit as it's going to do since it's been there
    for at least 5 years. If you haven't checked your credit report
    this year I would request a free copy of all three reports using
    the below link:


    This debt may have been charged off.

    I hope this helps,
    Grandpa Terry

    --------

    They keep expanding the poisoned pet food list So check it
    often, because Fluffy can't read.


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    Subscriber Tip

    Doing double duty -- I use my summer time straw woven paper
    plate supporters all year long. I use them as an under-plate
    when I microwave any food. That way, I can remove the hot dish
    with my fingers under the cool straw and my thumbs bracing the
    edges of the dish/cup. No more burned fingers. I can buy these
    cheap at a thrift store for 10-cents each, usually, and if they
    get too dirty with over-spills I can toss it. Otherwise rinsing
    the fresh spill under water & drying in the dish rack is all
    that's needed.

    Val

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    tips in a variety of categories, from food to home improvement.
    We encourage reader's requests and participation. Come join the
    discussion at ThriftyFun.com and view over 10, 000 tips and
    articles to save you money and time!


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    Budget Stretcher Partners

    SavingAdvice.com
    Thrifty Fun
    Smart Money Tips
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    4 Moms at Home.com
    Debt Smart
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    Subscriber Tip

    Put a rubber band around the neck of the hand soap dispenser.
    This way, when pushing the top to get soap, the dispenser
    doesn't release as much soap. You WILL receive enough soap
    to wash your hands thoroughly and you WILL save money on the
    soap. You may also add some water to the soap inside the
    dispenser.

    Stacie

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    Support Our Sponsors

    Debt Consolidation can:

    H - Help avoid filing bankruptcy
    E - Eliminate creditor harassment
    L - Lower debt payments up to 50%
    P - Provide one monthly payment


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    This Week's Article Links

    Just click the links to view the article

    Want to save money? Don't shop
    By Dana Dratch " Bankrate.com

    11 Easy Ways to Cut Your Spending Without Feeling It
    by Scott Bilker

    Happy Homemaking the Homemade Way
    by Amy Allen Clark

    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

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    Free Coupons, rebates and freebies
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    Special Recipe

    Spiced Honey Ham

    1 ham
    1/2 cup mustard
    1/2 cup brown sugar
    1/4 cup honey
    1/4 cup orange juice
    1 tsp. cloves

    Mix ingredients.  Score the top of 1 Slow-Cook Ham.  Pour
    mixture over ham and begin basting the ham 3 hours before
    serving.  Baste every half hour or so with ham juices.

    This recipe compliments of The Best Cookbook Anywhere
    LivingOnADime.com http://tinyurl.com/yut6z8

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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.

    WHILE SHOPPING

    ~~Always check the expiration date on dairy products.

    ~~Avoid anything disposable.

    ~~Convenience foods are more expensive, you are trading
    money for time. Slice, season, mix, and cook it yourself.

    ~~Always check the day old bread basket, and the reduced
    merchandise cart.

    ~~Always ask for a rain check if an advertised special is
    out of stock. While you are waiting for the product to
    come back in, look for more coupons for that product.

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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.