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Debit Cards and Motorcycles Just Aren't Safe
For decades, I've pleaded with you to not use debit cards because they are not safe. And for years, I warned my sons about the dangers of riding motorcycles because they are not safe.
Has anyone listened and taken heed? Debit cards are more popular …Read more.
Overspent and Overloaded? You Need Margin
Bill Smith sits down to his most dreaded chore — paying bills. Every month, it's the same story: Pay the most urgent, and leave the rest. There's never enough money, no matter how hard he works.
Jane Miller flies into the school office …Read more.
With Knowledge Comes Savings
Many things that we buy are simply not negotiable. The salesperson at Macy's won't negotiate with you over the price of that newly arrived collection. The supermarket checker won't haggle with you over the price of eggs. But a ring at your local …Read more.
Secret Insider Savings Info
I enjoy discovering secret information — stuff most people don't know about. And I love spreading the word. Here's an example: My supermarket, like most, offers a "rain check" if it runs out of a product that is on sale. This is …Read more.
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Bounce Back From BankruptcyDear Mary: Please give me some pointers on bouncing back from bankruptcy. Will this have any effect on future employment opportunities? — Henry, email Dear Henry: Live on cash. Have only one credit card, and if you use it, pay it in full every month. Refuse all other offers of credit, and take on no unsecured debt. Pay all of your bills early; never be late. Let nothing prevent you from saving 10 percent of your income. Many employers require credit reports from prospective employees — it's the new character reference. Your bankruptcy will appear on your credit report for 10 years; there's no way around that. This may adversely affect your job opportunities. But don't despair. In time, your credit report will reflect a radical change of behavior, and that will speak volumes to anyone looking at it, even a prospective employer. Dear Mary: I'm tired of paying $8 or more for mascara that gets all dried out and clumpy after just a few weeks! What can I do to increase the useful life of mascara? — Ellen, Pennsylvania Dear Ellen: I hear you! Choose mascara that has a thin brush and smaller opening because the smaller the opening, the less air can get in to dry out the product. Don't "pump" the mascara wand when you use it because that forces air into the tube. Instead, gently twist the brush while pulling it from the tube. For mascara that has already begun to dry out, close it tightly, and set the tube in a cup of hot water for a few minutes to soften and revitalize the product.
My pharmacist advises that mascara should be thrown out after three months to avoid bacterial contamination. Saving a few bucks is not worth risking an eye infection. Dear Mary: I'm 39 years old and have bad credit. I've tried credit rebuilding, credit repair, and I just can't get out of the mud, so to speak. How do I build positive credit? I've resorted to prepaid credit cards, prepaid cellphones and just spending cash, but I'm still stuck. —Mel, email Dear Mel: It just takes time to heal a blemished credit report. Most negative items remain for seven years. My best advice is to stop worrying so much about your credit file. Instead, concentrate on paying your bills on time and staying away from new credit. A secured credit card is a great idea because if you do not abuse that account, it will be reported positively to the credit bureau. And what's wrong with a prepaid cellphone? I advise everyone to do that. Unless you are looking to buy a home or change jobs in the near future, about the only thing you can do with a good credit report is qualify for more credit — something you probably should stay away from, at least right now. Do you have a question for Mary? Email her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "7 Money Rules for Life," released in 2012. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2013 CREATORS.COM 
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