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Newsletter to Your Friends (Use this link only if you receive this newsletter by email) Week of August 17, 2009This 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.Click Here to view this newsletter online. Navigate This ColumnGrandpa Terry's Update Welcome to The Budget Stretcher! For the last 5 years I've been trying to explain what it means to be a Member of Budget Stretcher Premium. This has become very difficult in the last couple of years because there is just too much to cover. Now, you can see at a glance everything a member has access to 24/7/365. I've developed a Site Map that show all of the benefits on a single web page. Now is the time for you to really get an idea of what belonging to Budget Stretcher Premium is all about. I would like for you to take just 2 minutes to look it over and I believe you will agree that it's like no other Personal Finance Program available today. Click Here To see the Budget Stretcher Premium Site Map! If you are like me you get really tired of receiving all of those Printer Ink email advertisements. My buddy Ken sent me a link to DoubleInks.com and I was actually amazed that they really could save me some money. I normally pay over $18 for my black ink on my HP Printer at Walmart. DoubleInks.com has the cartridges for 2 for $19.99 plus shipping. I'm getting a little low on ink so I will be ordering through them this time. Just about all you hear on the news lately is the pros and cons of the New Health Care Plan that is supposed to help those that don't currently have health care. I have read some of the 1017 pages of this new plan and I have to say that I don't like all of the government mandates. I personally believe that a major part of the high costs of health care now are caused by government interference. I found a site that gives a brief description of several parts of this new plan authored by Peter Fleckenstein. If you read the below description remember that this is one man's interpretation of the bill. Here is the link: Obama Administration’s Health Care Plan If you have plenty of time you may want to review the actual bill (HR 3200) at the below link: HR BILL 3200 BSP Member Karen suggested that scanning your receipts and keeping the in files on your computer would not only help you get organized but would free up a lot of filing space in your home. I think this is an excellent idea. There are several types of scanners available. I personally have a scanning feature on my computer's printer. But you can also buy stand alone scanners that connect to your computer or those nifty little mini-scanners. Here is an very informative email I received from Karen: Dear Grandpa, I am sorry. I get confused. But I use an application called SnagIt from TechSmith which is a screen capture software and saves it in a number of formats. I use PDF mostly. But you can save it as an ocr (optical character reader) or image file. I do all my bill paying, get all bills on-line. Applications that accept file attachments – this works great. I use Quicken. In the registry, when you place an item in the ledger, there is an “Attachment” tab. You can save a note, or in this case, electronic image. So I attach the Statement which I capture using SnagIt, then the payment confirmation, or anything else. It is great. I use it constantly. I am forwarding to you a copy of the executable file and a link to the Vendor’s site, so you can find out about it. I just have to state (you understand) – this is for evaluation purposes only. I know you will find it extremely, extremely useful. http://www.techsmith.com/ Attachment #4 – New snagit9 now available – very important I am including there Camtasia Studio product also. You may be interested. Last attachment order nuo. 1002863. If you need any help (I installed these things a while ago, and just went through my email and copied what I thought necessary, please do not hesitate to ask. Again, just in both our best interest, I am forwarding these to you for evaluation purposes only. I hope all is well with you, Best regards, Karen 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 tre2000@midwest.net If you know someone that may be interested in subscribing to our newsletter just copy and paste the below link into an email to them and have them subscribe: http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/confirmsubs.html Have a great week, Grandpa Terry Sponsor Advertisement\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ 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: How To Own Your Paycheck Again! \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ Grandpa Terry's Tip of the WeekAlthough it's probably been used before, I coined this term a couple of years ago to describe individuals that just couldn't bring themselves to take action on their money problems. Some were afraid of the perceived consequences and others didn't know how to get started. It was much more comfortable to keep doing what they were doing. I receive a lot of email from my subscribers thanking me for helping to get their finances organized or developing a plan for paying off their debt. While these emails are sincerely appreciated and help boost my ego, they are actually stating that "I took the info you showed me and I took Action". They did it, not me. Yes, it can be scary and hard to decide exactly what to do to make your financial future one that doesn't worry you constantly. But, to continue to do the same thing and expect different results isn't going to work either. I'm going to make a broad statement that you may or may not agree with. "For any financial problem you have there is a solution". It may not give you immediate results and it may be something that you don't want to do, but there are actions you can take. I received an email some time ago that asked me to help with their serious financial problems. This family had more money going out than they had coming in and some of their bills were behind. While I had a few ideas of what they could do my hands were tied because of what they said they didn't want do to. Their daughter was taking dancing lessons (cost about $150 per month) and couldn't give that up. Their house payment was about 45% of their income but they didn't want to move. They listed about 5 different things that could have helped solve their problem but they were not willing to change their lifestyle. The willingness to take Action is the only way that you are going to get and keep control of your money. Just do it! Find out what you can do and make it happen. Shed those fears of the unknown and make the changes. Be willing to let go of what is costing you your financial sanity. To keep doing what you are doing knowing that you need a new plan for your finances makes you guilty of "Financial Complacency". Sponsor AdvertisementAre 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? Click Here to check out My Budget Planner Today Grandpa Terry's EmailHello Terry,I am a faithful reader of your Budget Stretcher newsletter. I enjoy all the articles and the the free E-books. Unfortunately, I am not very good at listening to all of your readers advice and your suggestions other wise I would not be writing this letter to you. My husband are in quite a bind and I do not know which way to turn to try to solve this problem. I am a little confused and I could use some advice, ( I promise I will listen to you this time). First off, let me tell you what is going on at the present time. My husband is on disability because he had an accident. He broke his ankle and tore a few ligaments so he has not been working since June. So he used his sick leave and any vacation time he had saved in the beginning and now he is getting only 60% of his wages. Our money troubles started way before this and I realize now I was partly to blame. My last job, my employer cut my hours, and then let me go all together. Our financial situation snow balled and that's why we are where we are now. Once again, I now have a full time job, but it pays less than my past job. So now we are behind in our mortgage payment, and behind in many of our other bills. We have talked to our lender several times and our in the process of reworking our loan. One of the problems we have encountered is my husband's 401K plan. My husband was planning to withdraw enough money to pay up our mortgage and some of the medical bills. The company has been nothing but trouble. This withdrawl is considered a hardship withdrawl so legally it is his money and he can withdraw it at any time as long as he pays the taxes. Right? We wrote a hardship letter with our request and now they keep making excuses as if they are stalling. It just seems like they are trying to keep us from doing it. Can they with hold that money in his 401K legally? Wanting to get out of this hole we created I responded to a web site on line. You may have heard of them. Care One Credit Couseling. We were curious and completed some information on line. However, when they asked for my SSN I logged off that site. Later they actually called me at home and continued the discussion. From the information they explained that they help you with your unsecured debt and get us in a better place. You actually make a payment every month and they have lawyers that take care of the rest. However, what scares us is that the companys that we owe money to could sue us and according to the contract they sent us, will have a negative effect on our credit rating. Is that true? Plus it will also cost us more to go through them I think. I know this not much to go on, but my husband said it sounds a little shady. One of the credit cards that we were going to pay off with this company is through a bank and Careone told us right out that you may want to consider opening an account in another bank because the bank can freeze your accounts and not allow you to take any of your money out! Is that really true? I would appreciate your solid advice and if you need any more information to get a better picture, allow me to get the info you need. I am now becoming more apprehensive to know who to trust or where to go. Thank-you. My Response: Hi Denice, I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. It's scary to know how fast this can happen to anyone. First, let me say that your number 1 priority should be bringing your mortgage up to date whether it be an agreement with your lender or by taking the money from other bills. I can't emphasize enough how important this is. Food and a place to live are just basic survival. I wasn't aware of this but your employer is under no legal obligation to provide hardship withdrawals to their employees. You really need to check into the benefits of your specific plan. Also, there are very limited reasons that you can receive a hardship withdrawal. Please click on the below links to read the regulations regarding hardship withdrawals: http://www.401khelpcenter.com/hardships.html http://www.irs.gov/retirement/article/0,,id=162416,00.html CareOneCredit is a sponsor of mine and I've had some very positive feedback from clients that have used their services. This does not mean that you should agree to their plan without checking everything out before signing anything. As for your credit rating. If you are already missing payments or being late your credit rating has been negatively affected. In your situation you should put your concern for your credit score on the back burner temporarily and concentrate on bringing your bills up to date. You may want to consider doing your own debt plan first before you go to a company link CareOneCredit. To do this you need to contact each of your creditors and explain the situation. Let them know that you are determined to pay them but you need their help temporarily. Before you contact them make up a financial statement which is nothing more than a budget listing your income and your bills and expenses. Work with them and respond to their letters and phone calls promptly and the chances are good that they can help you work something out. A bank seizing your account is normally a lengthy process requiring a court judgement. Here is a link to an article that will give you a better understanding of the process: http://bankruptcy.lawyers.com/consumer-bankruptcy/Bank-Account-Seizures.html I know you've been a subscriber for quite a while and may have already read my article on Setting Your Financial Priorities. But given the current problem you may want to read it again. These are not suggestions or recommendations. This is what you must do to keep a roof over your head and food in your belly. Here is that link: http://www.homemoneyhelp.com/articles/priorities.html If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask. All the best, Terry After reading your “funnies” I went to the Prepared in Every Way website, and found “Silly Stuff for Word Lovers”. If you have not read that, you really should—these are the crazy things real people came up with. Too funny! Hi: Get those old full length or skirt length slips out if you are not wearing them anymore, cut them off to just below waist length, and you have a camisole. Most of my summer tops and blouses are light and are slightly "see thru", so this is a perfect solution. Hi Terry: Still enjoying your newsletter. Thought I've give you a tip. The big round plate cover for the microwave plates is the perfect size for popcorn! Since I don't use the bag of popcorn they make for the microwave with all that artificial stuff in it, use a paper bag and my own butter, I need a container once the popcorn is popped. I'm using it now, great! Featured ArticleWhat Your Teen Needs to Know By Shaunna Privratsky
You began preparing for it the minute you brought your child home from the hospital. You fostered independence all through the toddler years, middle school and the teens. You did your best to prepare your young adult for the world.
Now that day is here. Is your son or daughter ready? Follow these basic guidelines and you will feel confident that you raised your child to be a capable, responsible adult. Teens; living on your own is an exciting prospect. Knowing how to handle finances, living skills, navigating the workplace and juggling a social life determine how easy or difficult the transition from home will be. Adding college to the mix is another consideration to factor in. A good financial foundation is key. Understand the basics of credit cards, debit cards, checkbooks and handling cash. Set up a basic budget of income and expenses, with some money set aside for savings. Manage your money by realizing the importance of a clean credit record and protecting yourself from identity theft. Educate yourself about student loans and make the best choice for your situation. There are many living skills you will need to master. Renting an apartment or house is probably the first step. Read the lease and understand the terms and conditions before you sign. Stay safe and protect your property by utilizing secure locks and safety features like controlled access buildings and security guards. Have the numbers to doctors, police and fire departments handy. Obey the law and know what activities are illegal. Be aware of the dangers of alcohol and drugs. Cope with life in healthy ways and handle emotions appropriately. You should be able to wash clothes and iron if necessary. Keep your home clean and shop for groceries instead of wasting your money on takeout every night. Get a cookbook, watch cooking shows or go online and learn to fix simple meals. Realize that a healthy diet and some exercise will go a long way to keeping you healthy. Schedule exams with doctors and dentists regularly to keep up on your health and catch problems early. Obtain insurance for your car and health. Even basic coverage can really protect you in the event of an accident or a health emergency. Maintain a car with regular oil changes and keeping up with the service recommendations. Taking care of your car ensures you will have reliable transportation. If you are attending college, you may have to balance your studies with a job. Striking a good balance means having enough time and energy to perform at your best at both places. Setting priorities and determining what needs to be done and when are important skills you will use throughout your lifetime. You should be able to fill out applications for jobs and be skilled at interviews. Keep an up to date resume, cover letter and any letters of recommendations on file for easy access. You also need to address social skills. You should respect authority and know how to appropriately address teachers, professors, bosses and other adults you come into contact with. Effectively communicate with your family, classmates, co-workers and friends. Always socialize responsibly by never driving when intoxicated or impaired or even riding in a car with a drunk driver. Think about the consequences of making a wrong choice. Finally, know yourself and set some short and long-term goals. What do you hope to accomplish by finishing college? Do you want a degree so you can get the job of your dreams? Do you hope the experience you gain at your work will further your career choice? What are your personal values? Do you want a different life than your parents have? Only you can control your future by your choices as you make your way into the world. Parents; if your teen has mastered these life skills, they are ready to leave the nest. While your job as caretaker is ending, a new and maturing relationship with your son or daughter is unfolding. This adult relationship can hold deep and lasting satisfaction for both of you. You gave them wings; now let them fly! Shaunna Privratsky is a fulltime author who is looking forward to sending her teens off to school. Discover her money-saving secrets at The Discount Diva http://shaunna67.tripod.com/id21.html and sign up for the free newsletters. |
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