DEBTSMART EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
January 30, 2002 Issue 18

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

==> Survey: Financial Education

==> Quiz: Home Equity Scams

==> Biweekly Mortgage May Be a Rip-Off

==> Chris Peruzzi vs. the Debt Counselors

==> Debt Makeover

==> Stonewalled: They Refused to Honor the Warranty

==> Have You Freebied Today?

==> Click Away Your Debt Today

==> Save Money On Clothing

==> A Cheap Used Car

==> 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 QUOTES

Wonder Woman: "It's (the Metropolis Mall) like some kind of temple."

Superman: "Yes, for those who worship their credit cards."

--Superman (Clark Kent, Kal-El) Justice League, Cartoon Network, 1/21/02

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
by Scott Bilker

Hello again!

You HAVE to read the article by my long-time friend, Chris Peruzzi, about his experience with credit counselors. It's such a must-read! He really had problems; problems that you'll want to avoid if you're currently using, or thinking of using, the services of credit counselors, or as I sometimes refer to them, "voluntary collection agencies."

Survey on Financial Education We got such a great response from everyone last email newsletter we've decided to have the survey run for one more issue to give others a chance to respond. So if you didn't respond to this survey in the last email newsletter, please let us know what you think about financial education by taking the survey in this issue.

DebtSmart Tip Whenever you apply for a new line of credit be sure to keep all the original paperwork from the offer. Also, and most importantly, make a photocopy, front and back, of the application you submit. You want to be sure that you get the credit terms you were promised and have proof if they "accidentally" give you a higher rate!

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SURVEY: FINANCIAL EDUCATION

Do you think that a mandatory personal-finance/money-management course in high school would have helped your financial life and skills today?

Take the survey to let us know:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?06&7428 

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QUIZ: HOME EQUITY SCAMS

During 1998, subprime mortgage and home equity lenders originated $150 billion in loans, an increase of almost 58 percent over the prior year. While many subprime lenders are reputable, some unscrupulous subprime lenders make costly home-secured loans to consumers who are unable to repay them, subjecting such consumers to refinancing with additional high or unfair fees and charges and possible loss of their homes through foreclosure or forcing an undesired sale.

Take the quiz to test your knowledge of Home-Equity Scams.
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?07&7428 

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BIWEEKLY MORTGAGE MAY BE A RIP-OFF 
by Scott Bilker

Biweekly mortgages have been touted by many companies as being an excellent way to save money and pay off your mortgage earlier. Some companies even claim that "it won't cost you any more than you're paying now." What a crock!

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?08&7428 

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CHRIS PERUZZI VS. THE DEBT COUNSELORS 
by Chris Peruzzi

I've got SUCH a headache.

If you ever want to see me lose my temper really fast, talk to me about my debt counseling company. I have never had to deal with such a band of galactic level screw-ups in my life. In a roundabout way, I would guess that they are doing the job they are supposed to be doing. They are curing me of any kind of desire to ever be in debt again.

I tell you it would have been better if I...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?09&7428 

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DEBT MAKEOVER 
by Scott Bilker

Are you interested in working with me personally to save money on your debt?

Are you willing make a couple television appearances with me, in New Jersey, to talk about that experience?

If so, then please fill out an application at:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?10&7428 

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STONEWALLED: THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY 
by Craig Thor Kimmel, Esquire

QUESTION 
Dear Craig:

I purchased a new Mazda Protege. Around 32K I noticed a knocking sound in the front axel/wheel base when making right turns. I took the car to the dealership on 5 occasions but the problem was not remedied. An independent Mazda mechanic said that the factory had built a faulty front axel and that Mazda should replace it under the 50K warranty. My trip to the mechanics took me over the 50K mileage. I went back to the dealership (two more occasions) but got stonewalled; they refused to honor the warranty...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?11&7428 

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HAVE YOU FREEBIED TODAY?
a2zDeals.com is a premium discount shopping and service portal, with hundreds of great online deals, coupons, discounts, and Freebies. And, Membership is FREE! Click Here!
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?14&7428 

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CLICK AWAY YOUR DEBT TODAY
Free Debt Consolidation: It's not a loan, it's a solution. Reduce monthly payments and interest charges with one simple low monthly payment. Free Analysis and No Obligations.
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?15&7428 

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SAVE MONEY ON CLOTHING 
by Gregory Thomas

The amount you spend on clothes. Do you know how much that is? One hundred, two hundred, maybe even three hundred a month?

It really is not necessary to spend that much money on clothes. By simply adjusting your spending habits and learning to shop a bit more conservatively, you can save yourself hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars a year.

Start At The Source: So where should you start in your quest...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?12&7428 

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A CHEAP USED CAR 
by Gary Foreman

Question:
Dear Gary,
I'm a struggling, hard-working single mother who is in dire need of a car, but I can't stand the thought of making car payments for 5 years because of my bad credit. I have $3,000 saved and I'm considering going to an auto auction. If this is not a feasible way to get a car, could you please tell me the best way to get one? --Julie

Answer:
Julie is wise to avoid car payments. Paying interest on a car loan only jacks up the price of the car. And, while Julie should be able to find an acceptable car in her price range, an auction might not be the best place to look.

She probably already knows that any car in this price range will have some defects. The trick is...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?13&7428 

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DEBTSMART RESOURCES

How to advertise in the email newsletter:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?01&7428 

How to advertise in the online classifieds:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?02&7428 

DebtSmart Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_en.cgi?03&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020130_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/020130_en.cgi?05&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/020130_en.cgi?00&7428

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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.