The FREE Budget Stretcher Newsletter
December 24, 2007



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    The Budget Stretcher
    "Saving you money...One Dime at a Time!"
    Week Of: December 24, 2007
    AOL Users Please Visit Online

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    Grandpa Terry's Quips

    Tip #11 - If you complain about paying $2 or $3 for using a banks
    ATM maybe you should look at the taxes that are taken out of your
    check!

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    Support Our Sponsor

    Leadership Roles Available

    We are looking for several key people to place in leadership
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    ***What's Inside***

    Grandpa Terry's Quips
    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 - Maple Ham
    Everyday Savings from http://www.thefrugalshopper.com

    Watch for next week's newsletter featuring:
    Pay late fee, even if it's not fair

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    Subscriber Tip #1

    I like to buy a 1/2 or gallon of milk when it's on sale, but am
    only one person and can't drink it all before it spoils. I pour
    most of it into Ziploc's round 2-cup containers, leaving about
    1/2 inch of head space, and freeze it. I shake the container
    before using the thawed milk, and nothing is thrown away.

    Jessie

    Subscriber Tip Of The Week
    Vote For This Tip

    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

    Dont buy items you really dont need, even if you have a
    coupon.  As with all sales, buying things you dont need
    is NOT a good way to save money.  (Unless the item is
    practically free!)  And this is especially true if you have
    a limited grocery budget.  Years ago when our family had a
    grocery budget of less than $30 a week most of that money
    was spent on staple items that do not offer coupons, like
    milk, bread, eggs, etc  However, I still managed to keep
    our pantry full by using coupons wisely! :o)

    If you would like to learn how to save more money with coupons,
    including how to use them WISELY, how NOT to use them, and how
    to FINALLY get them organized so you CAN use them, order your
    copy today!

    011606
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    Grandpa Terry's Update

    Welcome to The Budget Stretcher!

    I want to wish you a Very Merry Christmas. If your faith
    doesn't celebrate Christmas I want to wish you the same joy and
    happiness Christians feel this time of year.

    Ok folks, I know we can do better than 10 votes for our
    Subscriber's Tip of the Week contest. Please read the tips and
    vote for your choice each week.

    At the end of each tip will be an email link to vote for your
    favorite tip. All you have to do is click on the link and send a
    blank email to me. At the end of each month I will calculate the
    votes and give the winner a free one year subscription to Budget
    Stretcher Premium (a $19.95 value). For those submitting tips,
    this will be in addition to your gift explained above.

    Budget Stretcher Premium members that win will have 6 months
    added to their subscription expiration date.

    This is just one more incentive to get your tips in to me and
    win prizes. The subscriber tips are the most popular part of our
    newsletter and provide some great info to all subscribers.

    Please take the time to submit your tips and cast your vote for
    the best. To submit your tips please visit:


    We have a new advertiser this week. Scott Bilker is a
    well-known expert on the best way to manage credit card debt and
    he has been a friend of mine for several years. See his ad below
    and please take the time to visit his site at:


    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 have them visit:


    Have a great week,
    Grandpa Terry

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    Support Our Sponsor

    What readers are saying about "Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card
    Debt," by Scott Bilker:

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    Card Debt,' getting comfortable with the strategies. Then, after
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    running! I was able to reduce my interest rate by as much as 9%.
    I called all six of my Mastercard/Visa companies and was able to
    save $1,983 per year from the finance charges plus having a
    $59.00 annual fee removed and a late fee removed ($29.00). The
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    Credit Card Information

    Would You Buy a New TV for $29,811?
    By Marc Eisenson & Nancy Castleman

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    Grandpa Terry's Tip of the Week

    Credit Card Interest Is Going Nuts!

    Last week I was surfing the web and came across a web site
    that offered all kinds of credit cards. It had a real neat table
    showing the benefits, interest, etc.

    The first table didn't look too bad because it was for people
    with a good credit rating. The interest rates run around 15%
    with no annual fee.

    When I got to the second table I almost swallowed my tongue. It
    was for people with bad credit. They listed 3 cards. One of the
    cards boasted an annual percentage rate of 39.6% with no annual
    fee. Charging that kind of money they don't need an annual fee.
    This isn't too much better than a Payday loan and I'm sure a
    loan shark would be proud to get that much for his money.

    Just some quick calculations...

    If you had a credit card with a balance of $10,000 and an
    interest rate of 39.6% your interest alone would be $333 per
    month. If you only had to add 1% for the principle your monthly
    payment would be $433 per month.

    When I bad-mouth credit cards I usually receive a ton of emails
    telling me about all of the benefits you can receive with some
    cards. They are right, but!

    I have yet to see any benefits for credit cards that would save
    money unless you pay off the entire balance each month. If you
    know of one please send it to me so I can pass it along.

    Carrying a balance on your credit cards has always been a
    losing proposition. It's getting worse. I recently read an
    article where credit card companies are raising your interest
    rates just because your credit score dips a few points.

    Now, let me get back to reality. Odds are you have credit card
    debt right now and are possibly only making the minimum payment.
    If this is the case I urge you to do what ever it takes to start
    adding more money to pay off these cards even if it's just five
    bucks a month.

    Here are a couple of articles that might help:

    Constant Credit Card Payments

    Paying Off Your Credit Cards and Other Bills

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    Site of the Week

    BillyBear4Kids.Com

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    Grandpa Terry's Email

    Grandpa Terry,

    Happy Holidays!! I read an article from your newsletter for the
    people serving overseas and thought this link might be of
    interest to your readers. For 25.00 they can send a nice package
    to a soldier. Here you go:

    There are over 150, 000 men and women currently serving
    overseas. Aside from the love of their country, they have
    another thing in common: they all deserve a special token of
    appreciation from those they're serving, especially during the
    holiday season.

    No matter what your stance on the war, sending a soldier a
    letter or package is not linked to a particular political party.

    If you don't know anyone serving, but would still like to send
    a package:

    Due to heightened security, the Department of Defense does not
    allow correspondence to "Any Service Member". Instead, the USO
    of Metropolitan Washington created the Operation USO Care
    Package (
    Operation USO Care Package with everything a soldier
    needs. The donation for the package is $25. Each month, the USO
    sends approximately 25,000 of these gifts of support. Since
    2001, over one million packages have been sent and distributed
    to service members overseas There are several other
    organizations (
    dedicated to providing comfort and reassurance to the men and
    women in uniform.

    If you know someone overseas:

    A letter is still the best gift a soldier can receive.
    Other items that rank high on the list include:

    baby wipes
    sunscreen
    toiletries
    disposable camera
    batteries
    playing cards

    References on where and what to send:

    The United States Postal Service (
    ) will provide you with information on where to send the
    packages and a list of restricted items such as obscene photos
    and pork and by-pork products.

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    Subscriber Tip #2

    This is our 5th stress free Christmas. We put $ every month
    into a savings account for gifts. We pay it religiously every
    month just like it is a bill Try it! It sure makes Christmas
    stress free and more enjoyable.

    Michelle

    Subscriber Tip Of The Week
    Vote For This Tip

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    Support Our Sponsors

    My Budget Planner

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    make?
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    money is going?
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    even more?
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    or Money?
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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 #3

    We save a lot at Christmas time. Instead of spending a lot on
    so many people, we get together the Saturday before Christmas
    with all our children, grandchildren, friends etc and have an
    old fashioned Yankee Swap. No one can spend more than $10 on a
    gift to swap. Each family brings a dish for the dinner or
    dessert table. The grandchildren have a gift that the parents
    buy just for them (they get to open their own gift instead of
    being involved in the swap as they are too young as of yet).

    No one goes broke or overspends. We focus on the Real meaning
    of Christmas, the love of family and friends, and a great time
    together.

    Karan

    Subscriber Tip Of The Week
    Vote For This Tip

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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
    http://www.vamortgagecenter.com VA loan is a great opportunity
    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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    This Week's Article Links

    Just click the links to view the article

    Parents, ward off 'childhood affluenza'
    By Brigitte Yuille " Bankrate.com

    Stop Paying Two Phone Bills: Make Your Cell Phone Your Primary
    Line
    by: Syd Johnson

    Christmas Bills
    By Deborah Taylor-Hough

    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

    Samples for free - over 1500 to choose from
    Free 1500 samples

    Samples of candy, food and other items
    Free candy samples, pet samples, + others


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    Special Recipe

    HOLIDAY COOKING

    Maple Ham (Slow Cooked)

    1 ham
    3/4 cup maple syrup
    4 tsp. ground mustard
    2 cups apple juice
    4 Tbsp. cornstarch
    3 Tbsp. water
    2 Tbsp. margarine
    6 tart apples, cored and sliced

    Combine 1/2 cup maple syrup and mustard.  Pour over ham before
    baking.  Pour apple juice in the bottom of the roasting pan.
    Bake ham at 250 degrees for 1 hour.  Reduce the heat to 175
    degrees and roast another 12-15 hours.  This is great because
    you can put in the oven overnight and it will be ready the next
    day for the noon meal.  The cooking time can go for longer if
    needed to fit your schedule, since it is at such low
    temperature.

    Remove and keep warm.  Transfer juice to a saucepan.  Combine
    cornstarch and water in a bowl and stir until smooth.  Add to
    saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 1
    minute until thickened.  In a skillet, melt margarine over
    medium heat.  Add apples and 1/4 cup maple syrup.  Cover and
    cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Slice ham and
    serve with apples and gravy.

    This recipe compliments of The Best Cookbook Anywhere Not Just

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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.