The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter
August 13, 2007



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    The Budget Stretcher
    "Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
    Week Of: August 13, 2007
    AOL Users Please Visit Online

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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.

    Great Gifts In A Jar

    $2 Online Book
    The Wizard's Brainwaves - 999 Great Business Ideas
    999 Brilliantly Thought Out Money Making Ideas
    (Use the below link to order)


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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 - Just Cooking Tips
    Everyday Savings from http://www.thefrugalshopper.com

    Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
    How much house can you afford?

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    Subscriber Tip

    This isn't a money saving tip, but it does help. When ever I am
    packing to go on a trip, each bag that I fill and zipper shut
    goes by my front door. Last year, when we were packing to visit
    our boys in Ct., my husband left his suit case in the bedroom
    and my sister had to send it to him. When they are by the door,
    you know that you are not leaving any behind.

    Malinda/Pa.

    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

    While taking my grandmother to lunch and helping her run
    errands this week I took my youngest daughter along with us. We
    enjoyed a nice meal at a nearby cafeteria and then proceeded to
    checkout. My daughter, who's 7 and often helps me clip out our
    weekly grocery coupons, noticed a sign that was located with the
    Atlanta Journal newspaper stand. I don't remember exactly what
    the sign said, but the "$200.00" worth of savings certainly
    deserved attention! My daughter was shocked by the amount and I
    told her (and everyone else in the checkout line who might have
    been listening) "Yes, that's right honey, the coupons in the
    newspaper can be worth that much money... and that's why we cut
    them out!"

    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!

    It's hard to believe that school is starting up again.  Ours starts
    August 16th.  We only have 4 of my grandsons in school this year.
    My oldest graduated last year and is headed off to the Navy in
    September following in Grandpa's footsteps.

    I was going over some old newsletters and found a couple of links
    that I think you might enjoy:


    Walmart Free Samples


    On occasion someone orders something from me and because of a
    glitch in the order process aren't taken to the page to receive
    their order.  If this has happened to you please notify me
    immediately.  I want to make sure you received your order.

    If you are considering buying a home please make sure that your
    mortgage payment, including interest and insurance, do not exceed
    30% of your disposable income (take home pay).  Mortgage
    foreclosures are at an all time high simply because people are
    taking on more house than they can afford.  I don't want to see
    this happen to 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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    Credit Card Information

    5 balance transfer trip-ups
    By Walecia Konrad • Bankrate.com

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    Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week

    Quick Money Management Tips

    This is the 1st in a series of articles that provide
    helpful money tips that you can use to stretch your
    budget.

    1.  Don't use your credit cards unless you intend to
    pay off the balance at the end of the month.

    2.  Prepare a simple budget that you can stick to.

    3.  Organize your bills and receipts so that you can
    lay your hands on anything you need within 60 seconds.

    4.  Use your checking account only to pay bills. Use
    cash for everything else.

    5.  Control your impulse spending.

    6.  Don't spend more than you make each month including
    credit card purchases.

    7.  Plan all of your purchases no matter how large or
    small.

    8.  Set your financial priorities keeping in mind you
    and your family's survival.

    9.  If you are having money problems, find out how you
    got there so you can make a plan to get out.

    10.  Set aside some money for a crisis fund you can use
    for unplanned and unexpected expenses.

    Learn how to know the cost of a loan before you sign the
    papers.  Download the Free "Loan Calculator! Plus" by
    visiting:

    Pine Grove.com

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    Site of the Week

    My Power Mall

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    Grandpa Terry's Email

    Hi Terry,

    I read the post re: the subscriber and the flood. Marcia didn't
    indicate where she lived so I'm not sure what's in her area, but
    as a member of the local Freecycle group in my area, I can say
    that I'm constantly seeing offers for free computer parts AND
    whole working computers on Freecycle all the time. Other options
    are to list in the Wanted section on craigslist.org as well as
    check out their Free section as folks who are moving or
    upgrading find it much easier to give away for free rather than
    throw away or donate. Also, she can ask friends and other family
    members outside the household to ask their local religious
    organization to mention their plight after services include
    request for help and what they need.

    I'm not sure what her current housing situation is and
    depending on her income, she should check with the city's rehab
    programs, some offer little to no interest loan programs. The
    city website should have that info.

    Hope this helps.
    Leslie

    -------

    To the woman who is looking for computer parts. Try to find out
    if there is a freecycle group in your area. The website is
    http://www.freecycle.org. People will sometimes give away
    perfectly useable stuff because they are upgrading to something
    new or moving. The only stipulation is that no money can change
    hands and you have to go get it. My husband and I have given
    away and received thousands of dollars worth in everything from
    computer parts to kitchen appliances, clothes, sewing patterns,
    and exercise equipment. Another place to try (although it may
    cost a little bit) is to try a local mom-and-pop owned computer
    store. They may receive computer parts as trade ins on new
    merchandise. Good luck on your hunt for computer parts.

    Barbara

    -------

    Hi:

    I loved the current newsletter on saving money on food, using
    Food Banks, using Thrift Shops to shop for clothes, and using
    coupons. I love the thrift shops in my town and the 3
    surrounding towns, and use coupons a lot. Many of my friends
    give me the coupons they don't use. On one shopping trip to
    Eckerd Drugs, I bought 11 full sized name brand items of make-up
    for $12 using coupons on top of the clearance prices.

    I really don't have a "clothing budget" but have a favorite
    Dept. Store, Kohl's. My favorite brand of clothing is Sag
    Harbor. This week, I bought slacks, retail $38, for $3.60. I
    came home with 10 pair! What a deal, 10 pair for the retail
    price of one! For me, looking through the 80% - 90% off racks is
    more fun than going to a yard sale! Some of the slacks were only
    marked down to $12.60, but when I pointed out to the cashier
    that they were the same slacks as the others marked at $3.60,
    she happily reduced the price for me. It never hurts to ask!

    So, thanks for spreading the word on all these ways to save
    money.

    -------

    This is for the woman who needs a hard drive for her mom. You
    can try goodwill stores. I find that they have very good
    computer items that won't cost you a lot of money. Some of them
    will even test the items at the store. Maybe you can try repair
    shops that only specialize in fixing old computers, etc. They
    too have good bargains on computer components. Hope this helps.

    -------

    Hi, I just renewed for another year, I enjoy your site and
    newsletters very much! I've always tried to be Frugal and a
    Smart Shopper so I feel a fool today because I almost made a
    huge mistake this weekend!! I went to a free Rich Dad (Robert
    Kiyosaki) seminar a few weeks ago and received a CD and I spent
    $495.00 for a 3 day seminar and books and Cd's about how to get
    rich, I went this weekend.

    My 21 year old daughter went with me. One of the first red
    flags was our homework for the first night, we were to go home
    and call 3 credit card companies to get our limits increased to
    $50, 000.00, when I told my husband he said "isn't that against
    everything we've ever learned?" Then we learned that the next
    training would cost from $9, 000 to $43, 000.00. (this is why
    you need a $50, 000 limit on your card) I was actually
    considering doing it because I got sucked in, but, my daughter
    had a gut feeling about it so she started researching online and
    found several references to "cult like following" and
    MLM/Pyramid schemes. We didn't go back for Sundays "sell".

    Thank God she stopped me!! I would have put us in more debt
    than we've ever had in our lives!! I had no idea Rich Dad was
    this type of operation-I'm thinking of selling all my Rich Dad
    books and CD's because I'm very disenchanted with what happened
    this weekend. I also worry about how many people who can't
    afford the $500.00 initial investment get sucked into spending
    the big money and end up in even worse financial shape than they
    were to begin with. Just wondering if you've heard any of this
    before?

    Thank you!
    Darlyne

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    Subscriber Tip

    Here's a tip that I have used for years. I discovered this
    because I like to make potato chip cookies... mmmmmmm!!!

    One year, the day after Memorial Day, our local supermarket had
    the large bags of chips for $.25. Well I just couldn't let that
    one go... so I bought 8 bags and put them in my chest freezer. I
    figured they would be good for the cookies. Surprise! They were
    good for eating! Since then I have always bought the large size
    and kept them in the freezer. The kids are grown and I don't
    make those cookies very often anymore. There is only my dh and
    myself, but we still have potato chips occasionally for dinner.
    I still buy the family size... they last all summer... good to
    the last chip... never go rancid.

    Ginnie

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    Budget Stretcher Partners

    At Home Parent
    Work-at-Home Team
    Frugal Folks.com
    Tidbits from the Pantry
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    Diva Tribe
    Free Credit Card Reviews
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    Subscriber Tip

    With the price of gas so high now, we try to pay all bills by
    internet, phone, or mail instead of making a trip to town just
    to pay a bill. We also shop online for things harder to find
    instead of driving from store to store or even town to town to
    find an item. Saves your gas, time, wear and tear on your
    vehicle and sometimes you can even get it shipped for free!

    Joan

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    A VA Loan can keep High Interest Rates Away

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    growing number of Americans staring foreclosure in the face and
    obtain a loan insured by the federal government.

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    credit to poor credit to obtain a competitive interest rate. If
    you currently have a VA Loan you may also look into a
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    This Week's Article Links

    Just click the links to view the article

    Save on back-to-school shopping
    By Sheyna Steiner " Bankrate.com

    Teen Bedroom Decorating: Top 5 Quick Tricks
    By Kathy Wilson

    Budget Your Finances Now, to Minimize Damage Later
    by Steven B. Smith

    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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    Special Recipe

    Just Cooking Tips

    Instead of a recipe I'm going to list a few of the great tips
    you will find in the cookbook "Not Just Beans".

    ~~Reuse squeezable mustard bottles by washing and filling with
    icing for cakes.

    ~~When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a
    bit of the dry cake mix instead. No white mess on the outside of
    the cake.

    ~~Make heart-shaped cupcakes by placing a marble in between the
    muffin tin and muffin liner. Fill half full and bake as usual.

    ~~Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield
    a beautiful glossy finish.

    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.

    Grow your own vegetables.

    Use your freezer wisely. Stock up on meat and vegetables on
    sale.

    Block all air leaks in your home to save energy.

    Use your oven wisely. Bake two things instead of one.

    Hand down clothes when possible.

    Shop Garage Sales, and Thrift Stores.

    Frequent the library for entertainment and education.

    Play board games for family fun.

    Take walks for exercise and take your children to the park!

    Stay away from processed foods.

    Reduce your meat intake.

    Buy the off-brand.

    Make and take your own lunch.

    Comparison shop.

    Know your prices, keep a price book.

    Pay off all of your credit card bills and loans.

    Switch Credit Companies or Negotiate with Existing Ones.

    Be content with what you have.

    Shop the Sales.

    Use Coupons. Send for Rebates.

    Stock up on non-perishables when on sale.

    Make saving a family affair - don't do it alone.

    Save your loose change.

    Ask about floor models.

    Use only your bank's automatic teller machines.

    Buy a used car instead of a new one.

    Cut down your mortgage pay back time with extra payments, and
    save.

    Take advantage of seasonal sales.

    Get a free energy audit and follow the suggestions they give
    you to decrease energy usage.

    Use fluorescent bulbs and save 75 percent of light costs.

    Don't speed, and drive safely.

    Spend less money ON and more time WITH your children.

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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.