DEBTSMART EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
February 27, 2002 Issue 20

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 Stats

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> Your Responses to "Chase Bank Tries To Pull a Fast One"

==> Write Your Financial Profile

==> Household Math

==> Band Instruments

==> Immediate Access To Your Credit Score

==> New Low-Rate Card

==> Budgeting 101

==> Don't Let Other People's Walls Fence You In

==> 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 STATS

Average Variable Rate credit-card rates fell 3.6 percentage points last year, according to BankRate Inc. At the same time, the rate at which issuers borrow, the three-month London Interbank rate, fell 4.49 percentage points.

On the $538 billion of US credit-card loans outstanding at the end of 2001, that 0.89 percentage point advantage translated to a $12.8 million rise in daily interest income for issuers in the year.

--Asbury Park Press 2/18/02

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
by Scott Bilker

In the last issue I wrote about being deceived by Chase Bank. Many of you read and commented on that article. Most agreed, some disagreed. In this issue you can see what other DebtSmart readers thought about Chase Bank's overlimit charges!

Here's an easily answered question, "Who likes math?"

Well, if you're asking my engineering friends, you can expect many hands to be raised. If I'm asking the general public, it's going to be a big "NO."

Math's most important use for most people is to figure out household money problems. With that in mind the DebtSmart Email Newsletter is starting a new section called HOUSEHOLD MATH (tm) which will focus on how to apply math to uncover the best consumer deals!

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YOUR RESPONSES TO "CHASE BANK TRIES TO PULL A FAST ONE"
by Scott Bilker

Last email newsletter I recounted my experience of handling Chase Bank when they attempted to deceive me. Many DebtSmart readers voiced their opinion about the article and the Chase letter. You'll certainly want to hear from those who agree and disagree, plus add your comments to my article or comment about other people's responses!

Enjoy!

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?06&7428 

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WRITE YOUR FINANCIAL PROFILE 
By Doris Dobkins

It's fun to read financial profiles. Humans, by nature are curious about how much other people make and how they live with what they make. Profiles can communicate someone's salary, how many children they have, how much they save, how big their mortgage payments are and what else they spend their money on.

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?07&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH(tm)

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

Problem-Coupons and Sandwiches:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?13&7428 

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BAND INSTRUMENTS 
by Gary Foreman

I just read your article about the rent to own question. Your examples are easy ones. What about the difficult ones - namely school band instruments? I read somewhere that the rule of thumb is if they are going to play the instrument for more than 2 years it's cheaper to buy. If they play it for less than 2 years it's cheaper to rent... --Mary

A lot of us share Mary's experience. We have a child who wants to try band or orchestra. And, like good parents, we encourage them. But, we all have the same problem. No one can see into the future. And that means that there's a good chance that you'll end up with an old clarinet in your closet!

Mary's estimate of two years on band instruments is about...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?08&7428 

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IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO YOUR CREDIT SCORE

Score PowerTM, from Equifax and Fair, Isacc, is the only online service that provides you access to your FICO® credit score - the score most widely used in lending. In addition to your credit score, you receive the Equifax Credit ProfileTM the score is based upon, a personalized analysis of your credit score, graphs showing how you rank among other consumers and tips on how to improve your credit rating.

Click below to learn more:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?10&7428 

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NEW LOW-RATE CARD 
Get the new Capital One "No-Hassle" Visa Platinum Card, with a low 8.9 percent fixed APR on all purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.

Apply Right Now, it only takes a few minutes:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?11&7428 

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BUDGETING 101 
by Scott W. Danger, CPA

Budgeting. Even a CPA thinks this topic is boring. So why did I choose this topic to discuss? Because unless you have an unlimited supply of cash and savings, it is probably something you should think about and consider.

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?09&7428 

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DON'T LET OTHER PEOPLE'S WALLS FENCE YOU IN 
by Jim Donovan

"How's it going?" I asked the clerk in the new bookstore.

"Well you know," she replied "it takes a long time to build a business."

I caught myself just before I muttered in agreement and instead said, "Does it?"

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?12&7428 

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DEBTSMART RESOURCES

How to advertise in the email newsletter:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?01&7428 

How to advertise in the online classifieds:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?02&7428 

DebtSmart Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_en.cgi?03&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020227_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/020227_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/020227_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.

We have done our best to ensure that all sponsors included in the DebtSmart Email Newsletter offer quality products and services. Please let us know about your experience with our advertisers by writing to mailto:comments@debtsmart.com

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.