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The Budget Stretcher
"Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
Week Of: August 27, 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.
The Essential Guide To Organizing Your Home
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Support Our Sponsor
Secret Amazon Deals
Find out about hidden deals on Amazon before they are made
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My website reveals secret money saving deals on Amazon -
enabling shoppers to snap up bargains before anyone else! To see
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Save on Amazon products ranging from kitchen & furniture to
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I'm a dedicated bargain hunter and it feels good to help people
save some of their hard earned money.
Jeff Mead
The Amazon Detective
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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 - Microwave Oven Peanut Brittle
Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
The Proper Use Of Credit Cards
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Subscriber Tip
This is in reference to last week's tip about dogs and cats….
I have saved lots of money by not purchasing flea drops for my
2 dogs& 5 cats and instead purchasing a broadcast spreader (yard
sale $1) and a bag of Scott's flea and bug killer ($8). I zoomed
around my yard last year and still have no fleas on animals- one
year later. I live in the Seattle area where it doesn't get cold
enough to kill fleas in the winter.
Suzie
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
Over the years I have found it best to do our grocery shopping
soon after the weekly sales begin so I don't have to worry about
the best bargain products with coupons running out (which
happens more often in smaller towns) and needing to ask for a
rain check. Having lived in many different states I'm also aware
that some grocery stores begin their sales on Wednesdays instead
of Sundays. What is frustrating is that since we moved back to
Atlanta, one of my favorite stores begins their sale week on
Sunday and the other starts theirs on Wednesdays!
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!
We have a new sponsor this week. I've checked out the website
and believe me you can really save money. I personally plan to
do some early Christmas shopping there. Here is the link again:
I receive a lot of questions about credit cards. Most want to
know the best 0% introductory offers or no fee credit cards.
Free Credit Card Reviews is an excellent place to get the
answers to your credit card questions. Visit them today if you
have a question:
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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Support Our Sponsor
My Budget Planner
Are 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?
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Credit Card Information
Building credit when you're young
Ask Dr. Don by Don Taylor, Ph.D., CFA, CFP • Bankrate.com
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Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week
A Tribute To Mark
I know you are looking for some financial wisdom in this section
of the newsletter but please let me get personal, just this week.
At about 5AM Friday morning my nephew and buddy passed away. Mark
would have been 30 in February.
When he was born my sister-in-law was told to have him put in an
institution because she wouldn't be able to handle the burden.
She refused, and because of this the entire family had 30 years
to enjoy a personality like no other.
Mark had Downs Syndrome and suffered with heart and other
health problems for the last 3 years of his life. Even during
this time he could make you laugh and want to hug him just by
entering the room.
To give you an idea of the effect he had on people, even his
doctor will be attending his funeral on Sunday. When my wife
notified him by phone she could tell that he was very upset at
Mark's passing even though he predicted it some time ago.
I watched Mark grow up and we even got to take care of him
occasionally. It was always a treat and fun to have him
around.
One time my wife and I took him to the supermarket when he was
about 5 or 6. He got that mischievous grin on his face and ran
off. I looked all over the store and finally found him in the
storeroom pointing and laughing at me. Everybody that was
working back there thought it was hilarious.
Mark attended all 12 years of school and even graduated. All
of his teachers and classmates loved him. I never will forget
him telling me about the prom and dancing with all of the
pretty girls.
It's going to be hard knowing that I will never be called "Uncle
Turdy" again. The hole his passing has left in this family is
way to big to ever be filled. But, just his memory will always
put a smile on my face.
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Site of the Week
Flylady
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Grandpa Terry's Email
Hi Grandpa Terry!
Really enjoy your website and newsletter and am looking forward
to the new site launch! I subscribe to your Premium content and
it's fantastic. I STILL haven't discovered everything available
to me after nearly a year! Guess that means I'll be renewing my
subscription!
I have a question that I've been trying to research the answer
to, and as I read the new newsletter tonight, it hit me that
perhaps you might have some insight!
I have monthly monitoring of my FICO score through one of my
credit cards accounts. It's been a goal of mine for a long time
to reach that 720 mark. My score hit 686 back in May, and I was
really excited, as I assumed it had to do with the payoff of
several large credit card balances the previous month.
In the meantime, I've moved some accounts around and opened a
new one to take advantage of 0% interest balance transfers. I
now stand at a little less than $5000 in credit card debt (all
on one card with that 0% interest). The limit on this card is
$5500, so I am nearly maxed on the card, but I do not use it for
anything except to "hold" this debt until I pay it off over the
next couple of months.
Since the high point back in May, my FICO score has *dropped*
steadily, and the most recent August update it is down to 634. I
have 6 credit cards, none of which carry a balance anymore
except the one mentioned above. I also have two "store" credit
cards with very small limits, neither of which I ever use
anymore. I have a $12K credit line through my bank and another
$1K credit account with Amazon.com.
My guess is that I have too much credit relative to my income.
But I've heard a lot lately that closing credit cards isn't
always the best thing to do either. I am planning to close out
the store accounts anyway, since I don't need them, but am
wondering if I should close a few of the credit card accounts.
If so, which ones? The oldest? The newest? The highest credit
limit?
Any advice would be much appreciated! I have worked so hard to
clean up my credit report and FICO score the last few years, and
want to continue in that direction! If you need more
information, please let me know.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you.
Emilie
My Response:
Hi Emilie,
Thank you for those kind words and Congratulations on paying
off most of your credit cards.
While monthly monitoring of your credit score is a great idea,
it can also be frustrating. I'm not sure if this will make you
feel any better but my credit score has been dropping since May.
I haven't had any financial transactions since January.
The system FICO uses to determine credit scores is complicated.
However, I can tell you that 30% of your credit score is how
much you owe compared to your credit limits and that closing
your 0 balance credit cards and store accounts would reduce this
amount. Here are a couple of paragraphs from FICO that explain
their system:
1. The proportion of balances to credit limits on your
revolving/charge accounts is too high.
Analysis of consumer credit behavior repeatedly finds that
owing a substantial balance on revolving/charge accounts (Visa,
MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Diners Club, department
store cards, etc.) relative to the amount of revolving/charge
credit available to you represents increased risk. In fact, the
level of revolving debt is one of the most important factors in
the FICO score. The score evaluates your total balances in
relation to your total available credit on revolving/charge
accounts, as well as on individual revolving/charge accounts.
For a given amount of revolving credit available, a greater
amount owed indicates a greater risk, and lowers the score. (For
credit cards, the total outstanding balance on your last
statement is generally the amount that will show in your credit
bureau report. Bear in mind that even if you pay off your credit
cards in full each and every month, your credit bureau report
may show the last billing statement balance on those accounts.)
2. The amount owed on your revolving/charge accounts is too
high.
The score measures how much you owe on the revolving/charge
accounts (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, Diners
Club, department store cards, etc.) that are listed on your
credit bureau report. (For credit cards, the total outstanding
balance on your last statement is generally the amount that will
show in your credit bureau report. Note that even if you pay off
your credit cards in full each and every month, your credit
bureau report may show the last statement balance on those
accounts.)
I would request your free credit reports if you haven't
already. Look them over very carefully and see if there may be
something that could be affecting your score. I've heard that
almost 70% of credit reports contain errors. Here is the link to
request your credit reports:
To my knowledge your income has no bearing on your credit score
since this is not reported to the credit bureaus. However, when
you apply for a loan this information is considered in the
application process.
I would like for you to download a publication put out by FICO
that explains in great detail how credit scores are determined:
Here is the link:
Understanding Your FICO Score (PDF)
It sounds like you are on the right track and should see some
improvement in your score when you have all of your credit cards
paid off. Please believe me that your efforts will pay off over
time.
If you need any other information just let me know.
All the best,
Grandpa Terry
-------
Hi!
Really enjoyed the article on how to get my computer to
start up faster!!! Just what I needed and very easy instructions
too!
Thank you!
Mary
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Hi once again, Grandpa Terry:
I work for my best friend as her care provider. This is a job
that I get paid for. When reading your article about "Living on
What's Left Over"...I thought this is 'Susan' (Not her real
name). She does the exact same thing you mentioned. She is in
credit card debt up to her eyeballs...a good deal of it is due
to helping her family...who sad to say constantly take advantage
of her.
'Susan' makes absolutely no room for her food budget, laundry
expenses or any personal comfort money for herself. Much of what
she buys, food-wise or in cleaning products comes from the local
dollar store. I have pleaded with her time and again; not to
mention either buying her groceries or taking food over to
her...and doing her laundry at my home more often than not to
please factor her living expenses in with her other bills...all
to NO AVAIL! It's always: "I just can't do it this month...I
have this bill to pay"...or "God will provide". No offense to
the latter...I'm a devout Christian myself...but once I told her
that 'God' was low on food this week.
Grandpa Terry...What can I do to get through to her? I love her
like a sister, but she is driving me nuts with her nonchalant
attitude about her (non)living expenses. I've recently quit
doing her laundry and now she is doing it in the tub, which
hurts her a lot. I've gone some time without bringing her food
as well, but it tears me up when I see that she's not eating
right. Please help me to help her, grandpa Terry. I'm at my
wit's end.
A reply would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you and may God bless...
Mary
My Response:
Hi Mary,
Yes, I will email you when I launch the new BSP site!
It's always tough when you want an adult to do something they
don't want to do. There's not much you can do. You might tell
her that God helps those that help themselves.
I'm not sure of the age of your friend but if she qualifies you
may try Meals on Wheels to get at least one good meal a day. You
could also check into the local food pantry.
If you will pass along a message from me to her I would
appreciate it. Please tell her for me that if she has to forego
the basic necessities in life to pay her bills that she needs
financial help badly. No one other than her bill collectors
expects her to go without eating. I would urge her to contact a
credit counseling service as soon as possible to set up a plan
to manage those credit cards and lower her bills. One of the
first things they will do is ensure that she has the money she
needs to pay for food and necessary health items.
As for you, I know you are her friend but there is only so much
you can do. As an adult she can make her own decisions and even
through we want to do something, we must ultimately respect
their wishes. It sounds like you've been a good friend and done
everything you can.
I hope this helps and please let me know how this turns out,
Grandpa Terry
-------
Thank you for being here for us.
I have always been on top of my finances (when you; after
purchasing property, etc.) At this time, I'm moving towards
problems.
Thanks to you, I will obtain an equity line, lessen spending,
strengthen savings and, hopefully, will move towards, again,
being on top.
D................Ca
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HI!
I know that you probably hear this, however I want you to know
how much the Budget Stretcher emails and now the website help!
You know how it is to be a military family!! My choosing to stay
at home was a hard decision to make for our family. Do we deal
with the pitfalls of me working or take the pay cut and tighten
the belt considerable?? Your tips and strategies give us much
needed "breathing room" and a feeling that there are options!!!
I hope you know that just beyond saving families some money and
teaching them to handle finances more confidently you provide
hope and also some fun for us!!
Ali
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Subscriber Tip
You can save money by extending the time between haircuts - by
purchasing a hair trimmer (I got mine in a local drugstore). It
allows you to easily trim around your ears, and your bangs, and
is fairly "goof proof" so you don't have to get a haircut so
often. (I actually cut my own hair, but that takes more skill,
and the practicing of it has its repercussions.....)
Slee
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is full of answers and advice about activities, techniques and
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Budget Stretcher Partners
At Home Parent
Work-at-Home Team
Frugal Folks.com
Tidbits from the Pantry
Abbys Good Stuff for Free
Diva Tribe
Free Credit Card Reviews
MomsMakingMoneyOnline.com
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Subscriber Tip
Whenever I go past supermarkets I always duck in and peruse the
outside aisles. This is where all the perishables are (meat,
fruit & veg, dairy, etc). I often pick up some great mark-downs
and if I cannot use them straight away, I have a large extra
freezer just waiting for them! My groceries (I'm currently
single) cost about $25 per week this way.
Cathy
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This Week's Article Links
Just click the links to view the article
Colleges help to tame tuition
By Vanessa Richardson " Bankrate.com
The true cost of a low credit score
By Tamara E. Holmes • Bankrate.com
Saving Money on Food & Drink
by Chemain Evans
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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Support Our Sponsors
A VA Loan can keep High Interest Rates Away
In today's housing market there are a record number of
foreclosures throughout every state. Don't be a part of the
growing number of Americans staring foreclosure in the face and
obtain a loan insured by the federal government.
The VA offers many great benefits to those that have served our
country and are looking to purchase their first home. A
for veterans who are first time home purchasers with little
credit to poor credit to obtain a competitive interest rate. If
you currently have a VA Loan you may also look into a
that loan to help save you money with your mortgage to receive
the best rate.
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Special Recipe
Microwave Oven Peanut Brittle
1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 pinch salt (optional)
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
Grease a baking sheet, and set aside. In a glass bowl, combine
peanuts, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Cook in microwave for 6 to 7
minutes on High (700 W); mixture should be bubbly and peanuts
browned. Stir in butter and vanilla; cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Quickly stir in baking soda, just until mixture is foamy. Pour
immediately onto greased baking sheet. Let cool 15 minutes, or until
set. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container. Makes 16
servings
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.
~~To remove grease from wallpaper, apply baby powder to a clean
powder puff, rub, and spot disappears.
~~Cuticle remover will clear hands of nicotine stains.
~~Use Lubriderm skin lotion or Turtle Wax to shine your shoes.
~~Treat stubborn bathtub stains with a mixture of cream of
tartar and hydrogen peroxide. By the time the paste dries, the
stain should be gone.
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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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