Everyday Cheapskate

As a regular reader of this column, you know that I, your humble columnist, live in a big metropolitan area with no public transportation to speak of. I work 12.5 miles from home, yet my husband and I manage well sharing one vehicle. Most of the time, it works. However, occasionally we must rent a car when our schedules don't jibe. Learning that we have a second option earned Miriam K. the coveted Tip of the Month award for August, and now I know that a cute Zipcar car lives only a few miles from my home.

CREATIVE CARS. If you don't have a car, check out http://www.zipcar.com or http://www.AutoShare.com. My daughter uses AutoShare in Toronto. She put up $500 for membership, which is refundable when she discontinues the service. She has access to a fleet of cars parked around the city (several within a few blocks of her home). She can book the cars online. This scheme is useful when you need a car — or a second car — for a few hours to run errands. The hourly charges are reasonable and set up to discourage weekend rentals. Living in a major city where even parking is expensive, my daughter saves a ton of money by simply not having a car, without giving up the convenience of having one. — Miriam K., e-mail

SURPRISING BENEFITS. We have been helping to care for my husband's elderly uncle for a few years. Last year, we found out about a benefit that is available for veterans or their widows. It is a tax-free benefit that helps defray costs for their long-term care.

The website provides helpful information about the benefit and how to apply. Go to http://www.gbausa.org and check it out. This was an unexpected blessing for our uncle, and I'm sure others would find this information helpful. — Susan G., e-mail

OUTING OVERAGES. Check with all the medical providers you have visited in recent years to see whether you have any overages on your accounts. Sometimes the insurance company pays the doctor more than expected, after the doctor has collected from you during your visits. This results in an overage, and the office rarely will tell you about it. You have to ask. If there is an overage, stay on top of them to collect it. Sometimes it takes six to eight weeks to get it, so be persistent. — June G., Georgia

STRATEGIC SHOPPER. I follow a cash-only spending policy in my daily life, but that's difficult when I shop online. I make sure that my online shopping doesn't send me into debt this way: I make the purchase on my credit card, and then I immediately use my online banking account to submit a payment to the card issuer for the amount that I just spent online. This keeps my credit score in good standing, prevents debt and avails me of whatever bonus the credit card company offers. — Ginger H., California

Would you like to send a tip to Mary? You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. Include your first and last name and state. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including "Debt-Proof Living" and "Tiptionary 2." To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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