DEBTSMART EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
June 5, 2002 Issue 27

Tools for financial success!
A Free E-Mail Newsletter from DebtSmart Online and Press One Publishing.

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Publisher: Scott Bilker, mailto:publisher@debtsmart.com
Editor: Richard Crammer, mailto:editor@debtsmart.com 

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For instructions to SUBSCRIBE, and DISCLAIMER, see bottom of this email.

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IN THIS ISSUE

==> Cool Quote

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> 10 Reasons You Should Love Your Credit Card Bank

==> Household Math(tm): Auto Loan Rate

==> Survey: Love the Banks

==> The Frugal Shopper's Favorite Frugal Tips

==> New Low Rate Card

==> Rewards at 0%

==> Mom's Finances

==> Phony Tax Forms Result in Identity Theft

==> DebtSmart Resources

==> Subscribe/Disclaimer Information

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PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE

If you haven't already done so, please forward this issue to one or two of your friends or business associates.

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COOL QUOTE

"I just turned off your credit; you're a spirit without a body!"
--Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) "Changing Lanes"

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Credit cards are a big part of our culture today. Many popular television shows and movies mention credit. This week's quote is from the movie "Changing Lanes." That movie, for the most part, had much to do with getting revenge on someone by destroying that person's credit.

Make no mistake--your credit is vital to your survival in our society. I know you know that because you care about your credit. I know because you're reading this email, but imagine all the people that don't care as much. They're just going along without thinking about their credit until the day comes when there's a problem.

In my article this week I'll cover "loving" the banks. You can let me know if you feel the same. Also, please take the survey.

Scott PS: It's a love-hate thing. I love it when they give me 0% and I hate them when they trick me.

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10 REASONS YOU SHOULD LOVE YOUR CREDIT CARD BANK! 
by Scott Bilker

Call me an extremist. A few issues ago I wrote to you with "10 Reasons You Should Hate Your Credit Card Bank," in this issue I will point out the other side. Boy, the banks are going to love me for this; too bad they won't be sending me a check!

Love 'em, hate 'em, it's the same old story. Credit cards themselves are not bad. There are advantages and disadvantages. This time I want to take a look at some of those advantages...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?09&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH(tm): AUTO LOAN RATE

Test your knowledge by trying to solve these DebtSmart, Household Math™ problems! After you complete the problem you'll get the solution and explanation.

Mary Jane borrowed $9,200 to buy a used car. She made equal monthly payments for 3 years and that paid off the loan in full. After that time she added up how much she paid in total to the loan. She was surprised to find that 14.81% of the total amount she paid back over the course of 3 years were interest charges for the loan! What was Mary Jane's APR for this loan?

Click below for problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?06&7428 

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SURVEY: LOVE THE BANKS

Please read "10 REASONS YOU SHOULD LOVE YOUR CREDIT CARD BANKS!" by Scott Bilker before taking the survey.

Click below to take the survey:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?11&7428 

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THE FRUGAL SHOPPER'S FAVORITE FRUGAL TIPS 
by Sandy Shields

The following are my favorite frugal tips that I use on a regular basis. I hope that they will help you as much as they have helped me and my family.

* Keep a positive attitude. When you succeed at saving money you are helping yourself. Pat yourself on the back for meeting your goals. Remember that just because you have determined to live by a budget, does not mean that you are "cheap".

* Be content with what you have. Remember that you have so much more than...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?07&7428 

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NEW LOW RATE CARD

Get the Bank One Platinum Visa Card, with an APR of Prime plus 2.29% with no annual fee.

Save now and Later, with a great rate that starts low and stays there.

Click below to apply, it only takes a few minutes to save a bundle.
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?12&7428 

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REWARDS AT 0%!!

ExtraOrdinary Rewards Platinum Visa allows cardholders to earn generous rewards on everyday purchases that can be redeemed for gift certificates, free travel, or brand name merchandise.

Earn 1 point for every $1 dollar spent on purchases, and can earn points on interest, too.

With no annual fee, and a 0% introductory APR for six months, we are expecting you'll see ExtraOrdinary results with this card!

Apply by clicking below:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?13&7428 

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MOM'S FINANCES 
by Gary Foreman

Dear Gary, My 70-year-old mother lives alone a few miles away from two of her five daughters. She's fiercely protective of her privacy and independence. However, she cannot handle her money. We think she may have early Alzheimer's. She's always been bad with bouncing checks and having the utilities cut off for non-payment. But now she's much worse...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?08&7428 

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PHONY TAX FORMS RESULT IN IDENTITY THEFT 
by Cindy Hockenberry

A rash of fake IRS forms, along with an official-looking letter from a bank have recently fooled many taxpayers into providing personal information under false pretenses. The IRS has received several reports of this latest scam surfacing nationwide. Dozens of U.S. and foreign taxpayers have been identified so far.

In this scam, a letter claiming...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?10&7428 

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DEBTSMART RESOURCES

How to advertise in the email newsletter:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?01&7428 

How to advertise in the online classifieds:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?02&7428 

DebtSmart Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?03&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?04&7428 

How to use DebtSmart articles FREE in your ezine or on your web site:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?05&7428 

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER

All recipients of DEBTSMART EMAIL NEWSLETTER have signed up voluntarily for the newsletter via our website.

TO SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter click on the below link and complete the subscription form:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020605_en.cgi?00&7428 

Please contact mailto:comments@debtsmart.com with any comments, problems, or concerns.

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The author(s), Press One Publishing, and DebtSmart.com shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in this email newsletter and/or at the DebtSmart.com web site. The information, methods and techniques described may not work for you and no recommendation is made to follow the same course of action. Every effort has been made verify the accuracy of all content contained herein. However, there may be mistakes; typographical, mathematical or in content. This email newsletter and the DebtSmart.com web site have been created for your entertainment only. You must always seek the proper professional advice before taking any financial or legal action. You have been warned.

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Copyright (c) 2002 Press One Publishing. All rights reserved. Please do not reprint, or host on your Web site, without explicit permission. However, if you found this newsletter helpful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you, to e-mail it to a business associate or a friend. Thank you.