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The Infamous Mystery Means
Dear Mary: My husband has two jobs — he is an artist and a salesman. He earns commissions from both jobs, so we never know what our income will be. I work part-time and am paid hourly. How do we go about setting up a budget? — Carol, …Read more.
Handy Tools Ease the Pain
Manufactures have been making a name — and a profit — for themselves creating tools and gadgets to help consumers get a "better grip" on countless household tasks. And I'm not knocking it. But I love it when I don't have to …Read more.
Let the Decluttering Begin
I know it's time. It's been time for at least five years, possibly longer. I need to clean my kitchen. Now, before you send the Health Department to my address, let me explain. What I mean by "clean" is that I need to clean out and …Read more.
A Glimmer of Hope to Cling To
Think back to a low point in your life. Don't struggle with this, just try to recall when you were going through a difficult season and life seemed bleak. Now recall that first glimmer of hope you clung to as you could see that things were beginning …Read more.
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Buy Pet Meds Online and SaveDear Mary: I have two wonderful dogs that need to be medicated for fleas and ticks each spring and summer. The meds are expensive. Do you have any ideas on how to cut the cost of these essentials? — Tena F., Missouri Dear Tena: I can tell you generally that you can purchase most medications for your pets by mail order without prescriptions. Then administer them yourself. You'll get instructions with the medications. This can save you a lot of money. For example, a 12-pack of K9 Advantix — treatment for ticks and fleas — for dogs weighing 21 to 55 pounds is on sale at Amazon.com for $116.99. It's regularly $202.99. The same product is available at Medi-Vet.com for $140.89. That should give you an idea of the amount of money you can save when you buy pet meds online and administer them yourself. Use a good search engine, such as http://www.froogle.com, to find the best online prices. Dear Mary: I just graduated from college, and I need to buy a car. I don't have the money to pay cash, so I first considered financing a used car via my credit card. When I read your article called "Never Finance a Car With a Credit Card," I abandoned that option. I have decided to buy a used car by taking a loan from my credit union. I would get a better deal if I bought directly from an owner rather than from a used-car dealership. However, personal standard loans have higher interest rates than auto loans. Which option is better economically? — Kevin M., Pennsylvania Dear Kevin: You are on the right track in getting the financing through your credit union.
In most cases, once you have signed the loan documents, the credit union will cut you a check that will be as good as cash. You can shop private offers, as well as used-car dealers. As far as the seller is concerned, you are a cash buyer. Once you find the car that is right for you, you will have to bring the car's title and registration to the credit union. It will be transferred to the credit union's name as owner. When you pay the loan in full, the title will be transferred to you as owner. Set up an appointment to speak with the manager of the credit union to discover the exact process. Rather than borrow the most they offer you, I recommend that you borrow the least you need to get by. Better to have a fully paid-for car in 24 to 36 months that you can sell to upgrade than to be saddled with 60 car payments that will keep you strapped. Do you have a question for Mary? E-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.
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