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Make Your Own Sanitizing Wipes
Dear Mary: I would like to find a recipe to make hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Do you know of one? — Delores, e-mail
Dear Delores: I have been thinking about the same thing, now that we're learning that products like Purell are …Read more.
7 Simple Ways To Stretch Food Further
Buying groceries on sale and cooking meals at home are excellent ways to keep the cost of food under control, but there are other things we can do. Here, for your enjoyment, are simple ways other "Everyday Cheapskate" readers make food and …Read more.
Why You Can't Afford Credit Card Debt
Last year, the Federal Reserve Board announced new rules for banks that issue credit cards. The rules will remove unfair credit card practices. Months later, Congress passed into law the new Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure …Read more.
For You: A Few of My Favorite Things
Last year, a friend of mine had the best idea. She made gift baskets for her friends filled with her favorite things. Taking a nod from her, I'd like to give you a virtual basket filled with some of my personal favorite things.
—Real Salt. I'm …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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