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Mortgage Insurance? Not on Your Life!
Dear Mary: I just bought a house, and I've been getting a lot of flyers about mortgage protection insurance. Is it something good for a new homeowner or just a waste of money? — Donna, email
Dear Donna: Great questions. "Mortgage …Read more.
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.
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Living Below Your Means Is the Only Way To LiveDear Mary: I have read your 10-10-80 rule, which says a person should save 10 percent, give away 10 percent and then live on 80 percent of his/her net income. Our monthly household net income is $3,750. If I am correct, with this guideline in place, we would have $3,000 per month to live on for a family of six. We have no credit cards, but we are paying on two vehicle loans. We also have past-due medical bills of about $1,000 and property taxes of $2,600 per year. How do we make it all work and come out with a decent savings? — Lisa W., e-mail Dear Lisa: Your situation is challenging. Since 1992, I have devoted my life to helping people just like you learn how to manage their incomes so they can cover their families' needs while living below their means. It's not easy, but I promise you that your situation is not hopeless. If I did not believe that with all my heart, I would have gone back to teaching piano lessons and selling real estate. Lisa, I believe that the hope for you and your family is in the principles of Debt-Proof Living. It's a simple five-step money management system that is based on the 10-10-80 formula you mentioned. This column is like a tiny sample of what Debt-Proof Living is all about.
I am inviting you to do two things: First, you need to read my book "Debt-Proof Living." It is the complete Debt-Proof Living plan between two covers. Then you need to become a member of Debt-Proof Living Online. (Visit http://www.DebtProofLiving.com for both the book and membership.) This requires a financial commitment of as little as $10 for a three-month membership, or you can opt for a substantial discount for a two-year membership. I know what you're thinking: "Mary, you should do all of this for us for free!" And my response is simple: You will not value what does not cost you anything. Besides, my staff and my family like to eat. What we do represents a full-time commitment for many people. Managing money, getting out of debt and living below your means may be the hardest work you ever will do, but I promise it will be a joyful journey. 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 2010 CREATORS.COM
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