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Tips That Make You Feel Like a Genius
Secretly, I feel like a genius when I discover a secondary use for this or that — in case I run out of this, but have plenty of that! Like using a paper coffee filter to wash a glass top or mirror when I'm in a pinch for paper towels. Or using …Read more.
Supermarket Tricks That Makes Us Spend More
I've always thought of myself as pretty sharp when it comes to spotting supermarket trickery. I'm not even fazed by an end-cap display announcing, "Special." I know their ways. They hope we'll just assume that "special" means …Read more.
The Struggle to Actually Use up Gift Cards
My love-hate relationship with gift cards has intensified. What a pain, really. I'm one who just forgets to use them, and when I remember, I try to figure out how to use each one to the last cent. I was reminded of my situation recently when I …Read more.
Commingle Personal and Business Finances? Never!
Dear Mary: I am reading your book, "Debt-Proof Living," and have begun tracking my expenses. I have a home-based business. Should I include business expenses or just personal expenses in the tracking? — Lucy, Vermont
Dear Lucy: You …Read more.
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Keep Your Credit Card Accounts ActiveDear Mary: I have stopped using my credit cards cold turkey. Now I'm hearing that if you don't use them occasionally, the card companies may close them or cut the credit limits. I don't have the luxury of paying my balance in full each month at this time. What is my best option? — Janet B., e-mail Dear Janet: As long as you have a balance on those accounts, you do not have to add new purchases to keep them active. Those balances are keeping your accounts active enough. It's true that companies are closing accounts that have no balances and are not being used. Credit card issuers also are cutting credit limits on accounts they feel carry risks. Once you achieve $0 balances, then you want to make sure you use the accounts to make occasional purchases that you immediately repay to return your accounts to $0 each month you use them. Dear Mary: I need help with retirement planning. Do you have any information on this subject on your Web site? Do you still recommend eFinPLAN? — Maria, Florida Dear Maria: I highly recommend eFinPLAN, created by Kent and Laura Irwin. EFinPLAN is online software (no messy download) designed for anyone to use. Until recently, only professionals had planning software. EFinPLAN makes planning software widely available to people who don't have financial planners. It is easy to use, affordable and comprehensive. Here's how it works: You sign up at http://www.eFinPLAN.com.
EFinPLAN costs $98, billed $49 semiannually, with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied. If you opt out after six months, your data will be deleted. Financial planning is usually very expensive, but with eFinPLAN, you can have a clear, customized plan designed just for you. Plus, even after you have your report, you'll be able to use the software at no additional cost for 12 months. This allows you to input changes to your financial situation to see how they affect your long- and short-term goals. You can get a 10 percent discount on eFinPLAN when you access the eFinPLAN Web site through http://www.DebtProofLiving.com. If you are interested, I suggest that you give eFinPLAN a try. You don't have much to lose with the Irwins' satisfaction guarantee! 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.COM
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