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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.
Bounce Back From Bankruptcy
Dear 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 …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.
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When Robo Calls, Be CarefulDear Mary: I did a very stupid thing. I got a robo-call from the bank that issued one of my two credit cards. It said I was late on the payment (I was; don't ask; earlier stupid thing), and would I authorize a payment from my checking account? Hey, sure, one more thing I don't have to take care of. I blithely rattled off my checking account number, the bank routing number, a check number and the amount I authorized. After I hung up, it hit me: An anonymous robot had called me, and I shared all the information someone would need to clean out my checking account. Before I closed my account or stopped payment on any and all drafts, I called the bank. Fortunately, the call was legitimate, and the payment was being processed. But I will NEVER be that careless again! Please warn your readers. — Bonnie, Texas Dear Bonnie: You just did. Thanks! Dear Mary: As usual, my husband's New Year's resolution to lose weight and get in shape came and went. We go through this every January. But he now wants to sign us both up for gym memberships. I'm wary he will stay committed. What should we consider when joining a gym? I don't want to get stuck with high fees and an unbreakable contract. — Robin, Georgia Dear Robin: Good for both of you! Before you sign anything, check with your employer or health plan. Some offer discounted memberships for selected gyms. Most clubs offer one or more free workouts or trial memberships. Be sure to visit the gym at different times during your trial period to try the equipment and see when it's crowded.
Dear Mary: Every year my mom starts a Christmas club account in January and contributes to it each month. She swears by it and says that it makes her holiday shopping much easier because she doesn't have to charge anything on her credit card. I think it would be wiser for her to put that money in a savings account, let it earn some interest and then use some of it to buy the gifts. Who's right? — Sandy, Arizona Dear Sandy: You're both right. I love the concept of a Christmas Club because of that automatic feature. Face it, we just don't miss money we don't see. Banks and credit unions that still offer Christmas Club accounts have no minimums or fees. While these accounts pay interest, it's not much. She could easily create her own "Christmas Account." Why don't you suggest that she do some research, looking at online banks where she can boost her interest rate, not incur fees and easily link a savings account with her current checking account. 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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