https://stretcher.savingadvice.com Living Better For Less info@savingadvice.com Gary Foreman en-us https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/08/14/perspectives_29233/ How you look at your situation could make all the difference<br /> <br /> The other day I was sitting in the courtyard of a tall hotel building. I happened to notice how small some palm trees appeared against the building. Then it occurred to me that I had similar sized palm trees in my yard.... Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:14:30 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/07/18/ckeck-your-junk-mail_28398/ Just last week my wife was going through the mail and noticed an envelope from Bank of America. We have a couple of accounts with them so she opened it up. To her surprise, inside she found a new credit card. The reason that she was surprised is that we do not have a credit card account... Wed, 18 Jul 2007 05:03:59 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/06/05/how-to-do-an-inexpensive-kitchen-remodel_26901/ <i>We have kitchen doors from the 70s or earlier. We would like to change the color but don't know whether we should stop there or go as far as changing cabinets.</i> - John<br /> <br /> John's got a lot of company. Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine forecasts that there will be 6 million kitchens... Tue, 05 Jun 2007 23:34:32 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/05/21/protecting-your-credit-cards_26259/ <i>Recently, my husband and I had the displeasure of being ripped off for $400 after eating out at a restaurant. The debit card has now been closed and the bank is supposedly working on the problem of getting our money back to us.<br /> <br /> How can one eat out without being concerned that this can happen again. Is there anyway to prevent it? We are very upset and frustrated that someone ripped us off for this money and also cannot afford this big of a loss. My husband is on Social Security and is working part-time. What can we do, if anything, to protect ourselves from this happening? We have discussed buying gift cards to these restaurants, which is a pain but would prevent what happened from happening again. Do you have any other suggestions?</i>... Mon, 21 May 2007 10:26:10 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/05/19/peel-and-stick-tiles-can-you-help_26182/ We have almost decided to lay "peel and stick" vinyl tiles in our kitchen and dining room. We would like to hear pros/cons on vinyl tiles. <br /> <br /> Are they durable? Do they really stick? Do they come loose easily? Should we add more adhesive when applying them? Any help and direction will... Sat, 19 May 2007 04:40:24 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/05/19/helping-family_26181/ <i>My sister is a single mom and can't fully provide for her kids. She is receiving housing benefits where the government pays for most of her rent. She purchased a car with no money down. The payment with insurance is about $500 per month. When housing found out, she was told to get rid of that car or she would lose her housing benefits. She asked me to put the car in my name, which means that I would have to put the financing in my name as well so it does not show on her credit. She would still drive the car. I'm afraid to make that kind of commitment. She refuses to give the car back to the dealer because it's going to ruin her credit. My other sister gave her $4,000 to buy a used car when she returns her new car, but she does not want an old car. What should I do? My heart tells me help her, but my head tells me not to help her! I love her dearly, but she's always broke and I am afraid she'd get into an accident and I would be totally liable.</i>... Sat, 19 May 2007 04:37:35 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/05/07/what-to-teach-your-teens-about-money_25745/ There's an old saying that 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. For those of you too young to have heard that phrase before, it means that children will be a lot like their parents. I was reminded of that the other day when I found my twelve year old reading "The Millionaire... Mon, 07 May 2007 06:30:51 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/05/01/the-ice-fisherman-finances_25504/ A friend just sent me a video clip. It showed an ice fisherman sitting alone on the lake with a pole in his hand. In the background, you could hear the wind whistling over the frozen lake. The pole dipped a few times as the man began to reel in a fish. Suddenly, a huge shark broke... Tue, 01 May 2007 06:55:58 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/23/repaying-charged-off-debts_25208/ <i>I am curious as to whether or not charge-offs can continue to accrue interest. I was always told "no" but today an attorney for one of those "third party collectors" told me "yes." I had already paid $900 into the charged-off debt and then that collector dropped us after I confronted them about some shady practices. They withdrew funds without my authorization and a new law firm picked it up and tacked on another $1500 above what I'd already paid! The first law firm didn't charge interest, but this one is. Any information you can offer would be most appreciated!</i>... Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:11:19 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/16/auto-lease-nightmare_24941/ Can You Help Out This Reader?<br /> <br /> Auto Lease Nightmare<br /> <br /> <i>I was not thinking clearly when I signed a three-year auto lease back in October 2006. I knew what I could afford and somehow I was talked into payments that were beyond my budget. Now I'm stuck with a lease and payments that are killing me.<br /> <br /> I've talked to the dealership to see what my options are and was pretty much told that there is nothing I or they can do. How can I offload this car and get something more affordable without ruining my credit?</i>... Mon, 16 Apr 2007 12:09:37 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/13/saving-strategies_24811/ <i>Do you have any advice for a teenager with a steady job who would like her savings to grow. I have paid for my college education without taking out student loans. I contribute to an RRSP and I carefully keep track of all my income and expenses. I am not sure what to do with my savings. I set aside 10% of my income, but it is currently in a basic savings account because I don't know what to do with it. I was wondering what the best investment strategy would be for someone of my age. Any help you could give me would be great!</i>... Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:21:18 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/10/cant-afford-my-friend_24666/ Can You Help This Reader? This is what she writes:<br /> <br /> <i>My "Can't Afford" Friend<br /> <br /> I have a friend who works full time (I work part time and make half the income that she does) who just doesn't seem to understand that I can't do the things that she does. She is having a holiday from her job soon for two weeks, and when I went to see her a few days ago, she asked me what "we" are doing for her holiday. <br /> <br /> I have to work and told her so, but she knows that I work mornings and she wants to do things in the afternoon. Everything that she wants to do involves money, which I simply don't have. I have some bills to pay at the moment, and I am trying very hard to keep on top of my bills and pay off the debts that I have. <br /> <br /> I simply don't have the money to travel around and visit places with her. She won't pay for me and I wouldn't ask her to anyway. She wants me to take her places and go on trips with her, but I simply don't have those resources. She lives with family as do I, but she doesn't pay board or have a car. My car is acting up too and I need to save money to get it fixed.<br /> <br /> How do I explain to her that I simply can't keep up with her social life and let her know that my expenses are more important than running her around without her getting offended? <br /> <br /> Has anyone had a problem with someone like this? <br /> <br /> She told me that she doesn't want to sit at home on her holidays and I know that she expects me to run around after her as I have stupidly done in the past. If you or any of your readers have some advice, I would be grateful.</i> Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:17:00 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/09/finances-are-like-a-screwdriver_24623/ Had an interesting experience last weekend. I was with a friend and he pulled out an old toolbox. In the toolbox was a pretty good-sized screwdriver. The shaft was badly rusted. The toolbox had probably been sitting on a boat for quite some time. My friend is a boater and loves to... Mon, 09 Apr 2007 15:32:31 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/04/credit-score-repair_24409/ <i>My husband was out of work for two years. We were forced to live off credit cards, so we have five cards that are close to their limits, along with a mortgage and a car payment. Despite our circumstances, only a couple of credit card payments were late over that time, but our rates skyrocketed while our credit score dropped dramatically even though I had had a nearly perfect credit score before. My husband now has a job and our income has increased. What is the best way to get our financial life back on track? Does income count in calculating credit score or in assigning credit card rates? Is there something we can do besides paying off as much as we can as quickly as possible?</i>... Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:16:45 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/03/pay-off-mortgage-first-or-invest_24373/ <i>I'm 35 years old and have the option to pay off my mortgage and be totally debt free. After paying off my mortgage, I'd still have approximately $68,000 to invest for retirement. I'm really confused about whether it will be best for me to pay off my mortgage or invest all of the extra money ($98,000) instead. My financial advisor and professor from a Personal Finance class I just completed are telling me it's not in my best interest to pay off my mortgage because I will no longer have the tax benefits. Some financial experts say you should pay off your mortgage as soon as possible. I'd really like to hear your opinion on this subject.</i>... Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:39:55 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/04/02/frugal-community_24306/ Wow! Today I get to do something that I've been waiting for years to do. I get to tell you that we have created forums for The Dollar Stretcher site.<br /> <br /> I've always wanted a place where it was easier for our readers to contribute and connect. Part of our DNA around here is that everyone... Mon, 02 Apr 2007 11:13:50 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/03/26/rushing_24016/ I rediscovered something the other night. I like just a little taste of something sweet at the end of the day. Sometimes I take a short gulp of soda. Recently I was in the grocery store and saw the big Hershey's milk chocolate bars. I hadn't had one in quite awhile. So I brought one... Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:21:21 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/03/25/how-much-to-spend-on-an-apartment_23993/ <i>I just found an article you wrote on budgeting. You said to spend no more than 33% of your after-taxed salary on housing. I have to find an apartment and live on my own. I never had to do that before. I am struggling with a budget and not knowing what I can really afford for an apartment.</i>... Sun, 25 Mar 2007 12:03:45 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/03/24/how-to-stop-automatic-bill-payments_23956/ <i>I requested that my credit card account be closed in June. In November, I received a bill for $110 for automated charges that go through once a year. The credit card company said that it was my responsibility to request that these charges stop going through. The problem is that I can't get through to these companies to have these charges stopped. I had actually requested that one of these companies stop charging my card and they did not. This is a big part of the reason that I requested to cancel the card. Is it legal for the credit card company to continue allowing charges to be made to my account months after I request the account to be closed? If I can't ever get through to these companies because they are always having technical difficulties, am I just doomed to have the credit card account forever? Who can I ask for help?</i>... Sat, 24 Mar 2007 04:05:31 PST Gary Foreman https://stretcher.savingadvice.com/2007/03/22/how-to-avoid-credit-card-traps_23867/ <i>We were offered a one-year 2.99% interest rate on an existing Visa account that we didn't use very much. We wanted to use the card to make a very large purchase with the intent of paying it off within one year.<br /> <br /> Luckily we checked the "fine print." The original purchase will be at 2.99%, but any subsequent purchases on that card will be charged interest at 15.99%. There's a huge red flag! The original "loan" must be paid off before any payments will be credited to the new purchases that are made. So what we pay every month goes toward the 2.99% charge and, for example, the airline tickets I later purchased with this card will continue to accrue 15.99% interest charges until I pay off the original purchase sometime next year.<br /> <br /> I said we're lucky because we understand the rules and have put the card away until it's paid off. I shudder to think how many people don't catch this little quirk.</i>... Thu, 22 Mar 2007 07:40:19 PST Gary Foreman