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The Budget Stretcher
"Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
Week Of: July 30, 2007
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Free Ebook Download
For the next few weeks I'm going to give away an ebook each
week. All you have to do is click on the below link and the
download will start. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is required
to open the ebook and is on most computers.
101 Recipes For The Deep Fryer
$2 Online Book
Workplace Warrior
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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 - Chicken-Fried Steak
Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
Too Soon To Ditch Cash
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Subscriber Tip
If you have boys with at least a 29" waist, take a look at the
clearance racks of the men's departments because that is the
size that is most undersold for men. I recently purchased 5
jeans, size 29x30, at Dick's Sporting Goods for $2.58 each!
Elba
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Coupon Savings
by Michelle Jones
Okay, this tip is for people who get the Sunday paper each week
but simply refuse to use the free grocery coupons that are
included. And I say this with love because I understand all the
reasons you have come up with to convince yourself not to use
them. So here goes. I want you to get those coupons out of the
newspaper when you open it, and give them away to someone who
can use them! You don't even have to clip them, just pass them
on so they don't go to waste. You'll feel great knowing you
helped someone, and they'll save a bundle with your coupons that
would have otherwise ended up in the trash or recycle bin. It's
a win-win!
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!
Before I forget it, please read the Debt Consolidation Warning
article by Sharon Lapierre. Sharon is a subscriber that
wanted to share her story with us. It's a great lesson.
I get questions occasionally asking if they can save money by
refinancing their mortgage. It's next to impossible to answer
this question without know a lot of information. You have the
cost of the loan, i.e. points, application fees, title insurance,
appraisal fees, etc. Also, your credit rating will play a big
roll in the type of loan you can get.
Bankrate.com has an excellent calculator that will let you know
if you can save money by refinancing your mortgage. Even if you
haven't been considering this you may still want to run the
numbers. Here is the link:
Bankrate also has an helpful tutorial on the different types of
insurance and how you can save money and get the coverage you
need on each. Here is that link:
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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Credit Card Information
You Might Be in Credit Card Trouble If...
By Ben Woolsey
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Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
Setting Your Financial Priorities
Whether you know it or not, you are always setting your
financial priorities. Some may decide that a new stereo system
is more important than this month's electric bill. This may be a
little off the wall but it is still setting your priorities.
Anyone wanting to better manage their money would be wise to
determine what their financial priorities are and stick to them.
Of course, if you see that these priorities will not put food on
the table and pay your bills then you will have to rethink your
priorities.
Setting your priorities is simple. You just decide what is the
most important aspect of your finances and put that item on top.
However, if you decide on that stereo over your electric bill,
you may find yourself in the dark with no need for a stereo.
There are basic priorities that pertains to everyone. These are
simply a matter of survival. Here is a list of the basics:
Water
Food
Shelter
That was a tough one.
What does it take to ensure that our basic needs are met? The
main ingredient is a source of income to pay the rent or house
payment, pay the utilities, and buy the groceries. This is where
you start setting your priorities.
Before you can spend another penny, you have to take care of
what you need to survive. Don't put off the rent or house
payment, utilities and don't skimp on your groceries and
necessary health items. If you do you will start experiencing
money problems much sooner than you would if you had delayed
paying other bills instead.
What's next? If your source of income happens to come from a
job, then I would say your transportation. You have to get back
and forth to work so you can afford all of the other stuff. This
would include your vehicle payment, gas, insurance and
maintenance. If your source of income is not a job then go to
the next step.
And Now? Naturally, this would be your other bills. You can
even split this category a little further.
First, you have your bills that are secured by property. You
should always pay these bills first.
Secondly, your unsecured bills which are probably credit cards.
The reason you should always pay your secured bills first is
that it is much more likely that they can take the secured
property and probably will unless payment is made. While credit
cards companies are notorious for their threats, they very
seldom follow through. I'm not saying not to pay them, just that
they aren't as high a priority as your secured bills.
Next would be your savings. I really to hate to list savings as
your last priority because having a savings can prevent the use
of those dreaded credit cards and help in so many ways. If you
have the money to cover all of your other priorities then you
should always put savings at the top of the list. However, if
you don't have enough money to cover your bills and expenses
then your savings will have to be the first to go.
Just to recap. The below list is an example of what your
financial priorities should look like:
1. Groceries and Necessary Health Items
2. Housing (Rent or House Payment)
3. Utilities
4. Transportation
5. Secured Bills
6. Unsecured Bills
7. Savings
Let's hope that you never get in the position to have to decide
which of the above list will have to wait. But if you do,
following the above priorities is absolutely necessary to ensure
your survival.
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Site of the Week
Women-on-the-Net
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Grandpa Terry's Email
Can You Help This Subscriber?
Hey Terry...
I see all kinds of online ads for "secret shoppers", and I have
checked into some of them, but it seems they are all just
companies wanting my money for a list of places that I will
contact to see if they need me. I did go ahead and do this once,
and out of HUNDREDS of contacts they gave me, I received nothing
at all. I wonder if any of our readers are actually a "secret
shopper" and how to legitimately get into it.
Thanks,
Suzy
-------
Dear Terry,
I read Leslie's question about her b/f's credit issue in your
newsletter. I know someone who retired and had very little
income, but a great deal of money in the bank. When he applied
for a credit card, which he normally never used before, he was
rejected due to his lack of income. He had the president of his
bank write the credit card company a letter stating his net
worth and he had his credit card ASAP. Could a similar action
help this guy obtain his first credit card?
Just wondering,
a new subscriber
-------
Grandpa Terry
I noticed in a reader's question she mentioned HSBC bank.
I was wondering what bank that is and where.
I have received a couple of emails from the UK concerning an
account from this bank. I feel these emails need to be reported
to authorities. I will send them to you under separate cover.
Let me know what you think.
My response:
Hi,
Thanks for the info. HSBC is a legitimate bank and the emails
you received were a Nigerian Scam that's been around for
decades. I receive 3 or 4 of these everyday on different
companies. I have accounts with Chase Bank and PayPal and have
received nearly the same type of email on each of those.
The rule of thumb is to never click on one of their links or
volunteer any information. Even if you receive an email from a
company that you do business with always go to their site by
typing in their web address in your browser instead of using
their links. Many of these email use the same logos and similar
web addresses and it's hard to determine that they are a scam.
Most legitimate emails will include your name or other account
info that the scams won't.
As for reporting them, it's next to impossible to track them
down. However, Paypal gives an email address to forward these to
their security department. I'm sure other companies do this as
well.
I hope this helps,
Grandpa Terry
-------
You know that little item you posted recently about Sears
holding the servicemen (army, navy, ...) their jobs and original
pay scale for when they return, well things have most likely
changed now.
I usually work at sears during the summer and winter weekends
for extra cash, but when I went back to return this summer there
had been some changes made.... I seems that all their employees
(even the people with several years under their belts) pay scale
was changed to $6.00/hr plus 1% commission. The people that stock
the shelves make about a half buck more an hr. but get no
commission. So about half the people I worked with were leaving,
because they couldn't afford to take a $6 to $8 an hr. cut in
pay. Kmart has also adopted this practice and I heard other
places out here are following suit also, a certain electronics
discount center out here fired all their workers and told them
they could re-apply but they would only make minimum wage, if
they were re-hired (good luck finding someone knowledgeable there
now). There's a lot of this going on out here in Michigan
So I kind of doubt the returning servicemen & women are going
to get what they expect. Needless to say I won't shop at any of
these places any longer. Not that can afford to really shop much
these days, I shop ebay and garage sales mostly nowadays.
Rodney
-------
Dear Grandpa Terry,
If you have the time, I'd like your thoughts on my situation. I
am a 60 year old, divorced female. My two children are in their
30's and on their own. I've been paying $432.00 annually for
Whole Life insurance since 1991. Right now, the cash surrender
amount is $5550.00.
Even though I am a disabled nurse (car accident 1999), I'm
relatively fortunate to have savings and retirement plans, plus
investments. I have to be EXTREMELY careful with my spending as
Social Security Disability payments are only $932.00 a month.
(house and car are paid off)
Being I have assets, is it really necessary for me to carry
this policy? I've checked into Term Life, but even the most
inexpensive ones are more than what I'm paying now for Whole
Life. I don't need the money from this policy to live on.
Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Linda
My Response:
Hi Linda,
First, I don't consider you fortunate to have savings,
retirement plans and investments. That takes careful planning
and wise money decisions. Apparently you did that on your own.
To answer your question let's work backwards. Think about what
you want to happen with the insurance policy or the money you
would get if you surrender your policy in the event of your
death? Do you want to pass this on to your kids?
Any insurance policy that only costs $432 annually for a person
60 is a bargain. That's only $36 a month. I have one term policy
that costs me $120 per month and I'm the same age as you.
My recommendation would be to keep the policy and let it build
in value. When you reach full retirement age (66 years old for
you) you will be able to surrender the policy and reap the
rewards without losing your social security benefits.
If you have any other questions just let me know,
All the best,
Grandpa Terry
-------
Hello Grandpa Terry!
I enjoy your newsletter...I would like to tell everyone about
the Angel Food Ministries...You can log on to Angel food
ministries.com to find out for your area. We just signed up
here in IN at our church, , , You pay $25.00.for a box of food
that's worth probably $100.00. ...it will help with the
grocery budget!~
Thanks...Lisa
-------
Now for some old folks humor from Nanci:
Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the
very elderly widow and asked, "How old was your husband?" "98, "
she replied. "Two years older than me." "So you're 96, " the
undertaker commented. She responded, "Hardly worth going home,
is it?"
Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: "And what do you
think is the best thing about being 104?" the reporter asked.
She simply replied, "No peer pressure."
The nice thing about being senile is you can hide your own
Easter eggs.
I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip
replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm
half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take
40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject
to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation;
hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. I Can't remember if I'm
85 or 92 and I have lost all my friends. But, thank God, I still
have my driver's license.
I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got
my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start
exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I
bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an
hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.
An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her
preacher she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be
cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over
Wal-Mart "Wal-Mart?" the preacher exclaimed. "Why Wal-Mart?"
"Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week "
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's
not as sharp as it used to be.
Know how to prevent sagging? Just eat till the wrinkles fill
out.
It's scary when you start making the same noises as your
coffeemaker.
These days about half the stuff in my shopping cart says, "For
fast relief."
Remember: You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You
grow old because you stop laughing.
THE SENILITY PRAYER: Grant me the senility to forget the people
I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I
do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.
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Subscriber Tip
Hi Grandpa Terry
It might be easier as I live alone, but I spend a few hours on
the weekend making up lunches to freeze: homemade soup, pasta
dishes, pies and anything else portable and freezable. This
means in the morning or night before I can quickly pack a cheap
nutritious lunch without having to think about it. It also means
I am not tempted to "go out" for lunch. I'm sure for families a
larger batch will work the same.
S. Wood Canada
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is full of answers and advice about activities, techniques and
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Free Credit Card Reviews
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Subscriber Tip
Cake Moistener: To make your homemade cake moister,
use about a half-cup of sour cream (or less) along
with it. You don't taste it at all, it just makes
it super moist, but watch out; moist cakes tend to
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This Week's Article Links
Just click the links to view the article
Where to Find The Best Deals When Shopping Online
By Kyle James
Debt Consolidation WARNING
By Sharon Lapierre
10 More Ways to Find Hidden Money in your Paycheck
Copyright © 2005 Robert Dickson
To read more articles visit:
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Special Recipe
Chicken-Fried Steak
1 cup flour
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 tsp. onion powder
1 lb. ground beef
2 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
cracker crumbs
vegetable oil for frying
Put some flour in a bowl with salt, pepper and onion powder.
Put cracker crumbs in another bowl. Stir garlic into ground
beef, form into patties and smash flat. Combine milk and egg in
a bowl. Dip each patty into flour, then into the egg/milk
mixture and then into the cracker crumbs. Fry in hot oil until
golden brown on each side.
This recipe compliments of The Best Cookbook Anywhere
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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.
~~Use a powder puff to dust flour on rolling pins, pastry
boards and cookie sheets. Store puff in a margarine tub with a
small amount of flour for quick dusting jobs.
~~Leftover Safety - If food has been contaminated with germs
from a person's mouth, it should be tossed. For instance saving
baby food when you have fed the baby from the jar is hazardous.
~~You can reheat small portions of leftovers in the same pan.
Wrap individually in foil and place in enough water to cover the
bottom of the pan.
~~When converting your favorite recipe for microwave cooking
reduce the liquid by one-fourth. Liquid does not evaporate in a
microwave as much as it does in a conventional oven.
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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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