DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
January 15, 2003 Issue 43

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 Quotes

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> DebtSmart® Basic Debt Elimination Financial Program

==> Make Payments for Son's Car

==> Household Math™: True Rate of Transfer Offer

==> Survey: Your Interest Rates

==> Quick Tips for Saving Money on Groceries

==> Smokin' Van: Options for that Expensive Car Repair

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTES

"Consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of our economy. It has been the driving force of our recovery. Yet there are warning signs I won't ignore, and I hope the Congress doesn't ignore either. Many Americans live in constant and increasing personal debt, with credit card bills so heavy they often cannot pay much more than the monthly minimum. Millions of citizens spend their entire adult lives living paycheck-to-paycheck, never getting a chance to save for their children's education or their own retirement. Americans today are paying about a third of their income in taxes. All of this puts pressure on family budget, and therefore clouds our economic future."
--George W. Bush, President (1/7/2003)

Below from White House Briefing on 1/6/2003: 
Q: Isn't it the assumption with the stimulus that in order for it to have any short-term stimulative effect that people will actually have to go out and spend this money? Isn't it a real possibility that a lot of these people who are getting back $1,000, which is less than they owe on their credit cards, that they will actually have to - that they will actually go out and spend that money, and not use it to just pay off debt?

"I think what you just heard, with all due respect, is exactly why some American people look at Washington and say Washington doesn't get it. A thousand dollars is a tremendous amount of money to most Americans. It's not just an amount of money on people's credit card -- that it's smaller than what's on their credit card. That's real money. That's a lot of real money to a lot of Americans. And the American people feel that it's their money and that they're over-taxed. And I think that anybody who hears that they may get $1,000 of their money back is very appreciative for it."
--Ari Fleischer, White House Press Secretary (1/6/2003)

Click below for quotes from all previous newsletters:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?04&7428 

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

Looks like this is going to be the email newsletter of quotes. Many from the White House and many from you! Thanks to everyone who responded to the "Success is..." survey from the last issue!

Here are a few:

"Success is waking up each morning still loving yourself and your family."
--Gary

"Success is learning to be happy and content with what you already have."
--Linda

You can read all the quotes and comments at:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?05&7428 

My 8-year-old son, Grant, really knows me well. He got me the perfect card for my 37th birthday last week. The card read on the cover, "Enclosed is the secret to wealth beyond your wildest dreams!" Then on the inside, "Once again an old person falls victim to a cruel financial scam. Happy Birthday!"

Enjoy the newsletter!

Regards, 
Scott 

PS: I have a new book coming out in March titled "Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt: Phone calls to banks that saved more than $43,000 in interest charges and fees!" I'll keep you posted as we get closer to the release date.

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DEBTSMART® BASIC DEBT ELIMINATION FINANCIAL PACKAGE

You get the best-selling, "Credit Card and Debt Management" plus "How to be more Credit Card and Debt Smart" and "No Bills! Complete Office Suite." Purchased separately, these items total $79.85! Get the DEBTSMART® BASIC DEBT ELIMINATION FINANCIAL PACKAGE for only $59.95 and start saving thousands in interest payments today!

Learn more about this book by clicking below:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?06&7428 

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MAKE PAYMENTS FOR SON'S CAR 
by Scott Bilker

Dear Scott, 
My son purchased a car for $15,000 at a high rate of interest. He's been paying for 32 months and he still owes $11,000. He has just been laid off and to top it off the car has blown the engine. I would like to help him pay the loan off to keep his credit rating but would like to negotiate the amount down. What are the chances? Would he be better off to let it be repossessed? This would be to nobody's advantage. Please advise. 
--Jim

Jim,

Thanks for writing!

The good news, certainly for your son, is that you're willing to help him. And because of that you'll be able to save him some money and keep his credit history clean. Since your son probably has your character, it's a good bet that he'd make sure to repay you when he's back on his feet.

Here are a few ideas to save money while helping your son at...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?07&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™: TRUE RATE OF TRANSFER OFFER

You're offered a balance transfer from one of your current credit lines. The offer is for 4.99% fixed with a one-time 4% transfer fee. You transfer $5,000 and pay $100 per month until the loan is repaid. What is the true APR for this loan when you include all interest rate charges and fees?

Click below to solve problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?08&7428 

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SURVEY: YOUR INTEREST RATES

Ever wonder what everyone is paying in interest? I certainly do, and I have a feeling you do as well. Please share your rates with other readers so we can compare notes and get better lending deals!

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?09&7428 

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QUICK TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY ON GROCERIES 
by Nancy Twigg

Do you want to do all you can to cut your grocery bill? Would you like to have a few more tricks up your sleeve for saving on groceries? If so, here are five quick reminders to help you get out of the grocery store with more food while spending less money:

1. Go it Alone. This one may be difficult to do, but if you can leave your kids and spouse...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?10&7428 

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SMOKIN' VAN: OPTIONS FOR THAT EXPENSIVE CAR REPAIR 
by Kyle Busch

Dear Kyle,

Have you ever been in the tough position of owning a vehicle that is not worth too much money but that needs an expensive repair? Maybe you have recently even dumped some pretty good change into the vehicle for items like new tires, a battery, a muffler, etc. And now it needs a major repair!

You realize that...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?11&7428 

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DEBTSMART® RESOURCES

DebtSmart® Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?01&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?02&7428 

How to use DebtSmart® articles FREE in your e-zine or on your web site:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030115_en.cgi?03&7428 

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO 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/030115_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 © 2003 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.