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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.
Commingle Personal and Business Finances? Never!
Dear Mary: I am reading your book, "Debt-Proof Living," and have begun tracking my expenses. I have a home-based business. Should I include business expenses or just personal expenses in the tracking? — Lucy, Vermont
Dear Lucy: You …Read more.
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You Need a Vacation!I am not sure exactly when it happened. It's been a gradual thing, but there is no doubt that I've fallen for a place so beautiful and so serene that it takes my breath away. It's a place called Michigan. I met Michigan through a series of television commercials, which is not like me because I have developed an auto response to hit the mute button at the very hint that a commercial is about to start. I'm not sure whether it's the background music, the beautiful photography or the poetic narrative by actor Tim Allen, but one thing is certain: Michigan has stolen my heart. The series of "Pure Michigan" ads are so well-done and so compelling that they've become my own personal one-minute vacations. Nearly half the respondents to a recent USA Today/Gallup Poll say they won't be traveling much this summer, up from 40 percent a year ago, when gas prices were near record highs. Those who will be traveling say they plan to take more day and weekend trips than longer, more exotic vacations. Many families will be taking stay-at-home vacations, opting to explore their own communities. Even in these economically challenging times, everyone deserves to have fun in the sun, and we can because there are so many things we can do that are completely free. To find out what's going on in your area, do an Internet search using your city's name plus the word "tourist." Prepare to be amazed at what's right under your nose. While you're there, look for coupons and other special offers from local merchants designed with tourists (including you!) in mind. For those wishing to get away for a budget vacation this summer, the new Web site http://www.DiscoverAmerica.com should come in handy.
If you have the ability to control your attitude and choose your thoughts, spending time on http://www.DiscoverAmerica.com will be like a vacation in itself. You will be transported to many beautiful places through photography and glowing descriptions. There's something for everyone, no matter the amount of time or money one has to spend. I hope that you can get away from the cares of life this summer, if but for one minute at a time. It'll do you a lot of good. And when you figure out where you'll go, let us all know by commenting on my blog, at http://www.MoneyRulesDebtStinks.com. We'd like to enjoy your trip right along with you, whether yours is a virtual vacation this year or a real opportunity to vacate your normal routine for something altogether new. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take a little break. Because I've found my favorite commercials online, at http://www.PureMichigan.org, I can schedule my own short vacation whenever I want. Like now. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt 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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