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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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The 411 on Certificates of DepositDear Mary: You mentioned putting your savings in a certificate of deposit at an interest rate of 3 percent. What is the minimum deposit required to open a CD, and is this something that can be done through any bank? I'm clueless! — Naomi, Texas Dear Naomi: All banks and credit unions offer certificates of deposit, which are a kind of savings account. CDs require minimum deposits, $500 to $1,000, and they come with time commitments. A 90-day CD means you must leave your money in that CD for at least 90 days to get the interest promised. If you have to withdraw early, you will lose some of the interest, but your principal will be safe. Interest rates on CDs change daily. At press time, rates were way down. A handy way to shop rates is to go to Bankrate.com and click on "CDs & Investments." You can find the best rates locally and nationally. As I write, the best rate for a 5-year CD in my area is one with a 3.25 percent annual percentage yield (the compounded interest I would receive after five years) at Discover Bank. The best rate for a 30-day CD is 1 percent APY at the same bank. Dear Mary: My mom is building her credit after a bankruptcy. She applied for a line of credit with a local bridal shop to pay interest-free payments on my wedding dress and accessories for my upcoming marriage. She will have the balance paid off within a few months. We appreciate all she is doing for us, and if it came down to the wedding or my mother's ability to retire, I would rather go without. Dear Megan: She may not qualify for an account with the bankruptcy on her record. If she is granted that account, it will have a negative effect on her credit score, regardless of which store it is. Closing the account will only add another negative. Instead of putting these things on credit, she should make those payments to herself each month. After "a few months," she'll have the money to pay in full with cash, no credit necessary. Better yet, find a more economical way to have a beautiful wedding so it won't put a financial burden on anyone. Dear Mary: I bought the book that you recommended called "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day." What a delight! I never dreamed I could bake bread that tastes as if it came out of a specialty bakery. It's such fun to experiment; there's none of the drudgery usually involved when making homemade bread. It's easier than my bread machine and tastier. Thank you! — Joy P., Virginia Dear Joy: I'm happy to hear that you're enjoying bread making. So am I! You might be interested to know that the authors are getting ready to release a second book, "Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day." It's jampacked with recipes, tips and tricks that incorporate healthy ingredients using the same no-knead technique. 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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