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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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Where To Find Discounts for Universal StudiosDear Mary: We are hoping to take a short vacation in May. Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., would be great if I could find cheap or free tickets. Do you have any ideas? — Linda, e-mail Dear Linda: Head over to MouseSavers.com, a wonderful Web site that is, without a doubt, the best source for discounts at all of the Disney parks, as well as the others in the Orlando area, including Universal Orlando. At MouseSavers.com, type "Universal Orlando" into the search box. Another option is to check Costco, which often has special discounts available to its members for major theme parks. AAA offers its members nice discounts for Universal and other parks, as do the Entertainment coupon books for that area. Check out these sources to find the best deal for the time you plan to visit. Dear Mary: Which do you believe is better for regular, everyday banking and savings, a standard bank or a credit union? I am shopping around for a bank, and I have found some great deals at credit unions in my area. I also am impressed that the credit unions offer more products and services than my current bank. Will my money be as safe in a credit union? — Laura R., California Dear Laura: I am a huge fan of credit unions. The only difference between a bank and a credit union is who owns it. A bank is a for-profit corporation owned by the shareholders who buy stock in the moneymaking entity.
A credit union is a nonprofit owned by its members, the people who have accounts there. Credit unions typically have much lower fees, charge lower interest rates and are more customer-friendly. Accounts in banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., whereas accounts in credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. Credit unions are as safe as banks, but in my opinion, they're a whole lot better because they operate for the benefit of the account holders. Dear Mary: I had to tell you that I find it humorous that I picked up a copy of your book "Debt-Proof Your Marriage" at a Rite Aid while waiting for an 8-by-10 picture to print! I hope to use the principles in the book as the "right aid" at the right time and see the big financial picture. Thanks! — Cheryl M., e-mail Dear Cheryl: You are clever, for sure. I hope you enjoy the book. Be sure to write back once you've finished it. I'd love to know what you think! 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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