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6 Ways To Cut Pet Care Costs
As I write, a big, beautiful, brindled English bulldog is underfoot, sleeping soundly, as bulldogs do. I cannot claim ownership, but Newcastle ("Newkie" to his family) visits often. He's my granddog — and as precious as they come. So …Read more.
Fun (Cheap) Birthday Gift Ideas for Kids
Several months ago, I got a message from Elaine G., who recently had joined a moms group. With all of her newly minted friendships, she and her little one are getting invitations to lots of toddlers' birthday parties. Her dilemma took me back to …Read more.
What You Need To Know if Your Bank Fails
If it seems that more banks are closing this year than normal, you are absolutely right. Since January 2009, 106 banks and 19 credit unions have failed in the U.S. That's more than four times the number of closings in 2008. It's the most since the …Read more.
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.
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Reader Had It Her Way and Won!Dear Mary: I won a sweepstakes from a Burger King online game. I won a $5,000 American Express card, which I want to use wisely. We have no unsecured debt and a new mortgage at 7.5 percent. Our monthly payment is $1,900, and the total amount financed was $160,000. Should we pay down the mortgage, save it for the larger vehicle we are going to need soon (we have six children) or invest the $5,000 for the future? If I should invest, what is a safe investment? — Hannah B., e-mail Dear Hannah: Congratulations on your win! As for your question, you left out one important piece of information: Do you have a contingency fund to cover all of your bills for six full months if you become separated from your income or are hit with some other financial challenge? Most people don't. I suggest you use the lion's share of your winnings to jump-start your contingency fund, which should be about $10,000 for the average family. That said, I believe that life is to be enjoyed. In an act of gratitude, I suggest you give 10 percent to your church or a charity that holds special meaning for you. Take another 10 percent to pay for a special outing for the family, and save the balance. I'd put it into an online savings account or an account at your bank or credit union. If you have a contingency fund and you will not need this money for at least the next five years, investing it may be something to consider. Because I am not an investment counselor, I suggest you go to http://www.vanguard.com, get the toll-free number and call to speak with one of Vanguard's noncommissioned counselors about the best place for you to invest. Dear Mary: My husband and I would like to take our two grandchildren and their parents to Disneyland. Dear Christine: Excuse me while I pick myself up from the floor. OK, now where were we? Oh, yes. We were talking about spending a small fortune on a trip to Disneyland. I don't know where you live, but apparently, this will involve air travel. You are not a party of 20, so I'm sure you can beat that price. I'd skip all other options and head straight to http://www.costco.com. Click on "Travel." Costco Travel currently is offering several Disney travel packages, including add-ons for hotels and meals. Do an Internet search for "Disneyland cheap" to find out what others have discovered for how to visit the happiest place on earth without losing your shirt. Also, during 2009, admission is free for people on their birthdays. I hope that you hit the park when at least one in your party is having a birthday! 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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