DEBTSMART EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
June 19, 2002 Issue 28

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 Statistic

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> Are You Financially Compatible with your Spouse/Partner?

==> Household Math(tm): Car Purchase vs. Car Repair

==> Survey: DebtSmart Compatibility Test

==> Mortgages, Taxes and Bigger Homes

==> Equifax Credit Watch(tm)

==> Free CarFax(r) Lemon Check

==> Your Future

==> Innovation: Ideas Are Cheap--But Extremely Valuable

==> 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 STATISTIC

"The Outstanding Public Debt as of 13 Jun 2002 at 12:08:36 PM GMT is $6,094,090,279,241.90. The estimated population of the United States is 287,513,350 so each citizen's share of this debt is $21,195.85. The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $1,111 million per day since September 28, 2001!" 
--U.S. National Debt Clock

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hello,

I think you're really going to enjoy this week's issue! It's packed with many good articles plus the DebtSmart® Compatibility test. Take this test with your spouse/partner to see if you're both on the same financial page.

If you happen to be near Austin, TX tomorrow at 9:30 AM CT, please tune your radio to 101.5 FM. I'll be interviewed on KROX (101X) with Trina for 20 minutes.

Results from last week's survey about "loving" your bank are at:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?08&7428 

Enjoy!

Scott

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ARE YOU FINANCIALLY COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR SPOUSE/PARTNER? 
Take the DebtSmart® Compatibility Test! 
by Scott Bilker and Larissa Bilker

It is well known that money is the #1 reason for divorce! Money is very important in your relationship. It's the blood that flows through the financial veins of the family. If there is a problem with its flow, everyone in the family will suffer!

Take this test with your spouse/partner to see how compatible your philosophies and monetary strategies are when dealing with money and debt!

You both need to take the test without looking at the answer key, or each other's answers. Print two tests, one for each of you. Circle your answer for each question then, after both are completed, click on the link for the score key and calculate your score.

Click below to take the test:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?14&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH(TM): CAR PURCHASE VS. CAR REPAIR

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

CAR PURCHASE VS. CAR REPAIR

Janice pulled into her parking space at the local grocery store, got her cart, and did the usual shopping run. After she finished shopping, she packed the car with perishables, hopped in the driver seat, and put the car in reverse. Nothing happened!

She had to have the car towed to her local mechanic who then told her that the problem could be an adjustment or the transmission. It was the transmission.

The cost to repair it is $1,200.00. Janice estimates that if she repairs her current car she can drive it at least another 25,000 miles before the engine gives out. Because of this she's considering buying another used car but she wants to be able to count on that car for 50,000 miles before requiring a major repair or it just dying.

After doing some research she finds only one car that she feels will meet the 50,000-mile requirement. The total price for that car is $3,000. All other costs being equal, should she buy the used car or repair the transmission?

Click below to answer the Household Math™ problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?06&7428 

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SURVEY: DEBTSMART® COMPATIBILITY TEST

Are you interested in how everyone did? The only way to know is to tell. Please let us know how you did with the DebtSmart® Compatibility Test.

Click below to take the survey:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?07&7428 

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MORTGAGES, TAXES AND BIGGER HOMES 
by Gary Foreman

We have very nearly paid off our mortgage! We put a lot of spare money into it because the mortgage had a higher interest rate than any safe investment we could find. But for some personal reasons we would like to have a different house, probably one that is nicer than our current one. My husband says that since interest is tax-deductible, getting a new house makes financial sense especially with today's fairly low interest rates. So he's all for it. To me, as much as I'd like to have a new house, it feels as if we have finally "caught up with our tails" only to begin chasing them again. Can you give us some perspective?

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?09&7428 

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EQUIFAX CREDIT WATCH(tm)

Business Week rated this as the best Credit Monitoring product on the market. And now Equifax has made it even better with our new offer. For $69.95 you can try Equifax Credit Watch(tm) free for 30 days and also receive unlimited access to Score Power, which includes a new Interactive FICO Score Simulator(tm) to show what factors most affect your score.

Equifax Credit Watch is the only service with email notification within 24 hours of changes posted to the credit profile.

You will receive an online history of all notifications and reports by date.

You will have the ability to dispute inaccurate information in your report online, and a toll-free dedicated customer service hotline.

Use this link to learn more:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?12&7428 

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FREE CARFAX(R) LEMON CHECK

One in every 9 vehicles has hidden problems in its past that may affect its safety, performance and resale value. Smart consumers are turning to CARFAX(r) for answers. CARFAX(r) uses the 17- character Vehicle Identification Number found on every dashboard or title to compile a complete vehicle history including lemons, odometer rollbacks, and accidents. It is the only report backed with a $5,000 Clean Title Guarantee.

CARFAX(r) customer, David Clark, used the service when buying a car for his daughter. "Thanks to CARFAX(r), I saved big bucks and 10 hours of driving. I had made arrangements to drive five hours to Washington D.C. to look at a 1991 Honda Accord with 68K miles. I ran the VIN through CARFAX(r) because I was somewhat cautious of the owner working in a body shop - turns out the car was reported salvaged at 13K with a reconstructed title. Since that was for my 16-year old daughter, the peace of mind for the small fee was worth it."

Use the below link to see your car's history today!
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?13&7428 

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YOUR FUTURE 
by Doris Dobkins

Why are there so many books written on "getting out of debt" and "saving for retirement"? Why do so many people study these subjects or subscribe to newsletters that address these issues?

One of man's biggest fears is running out of money at retirement. With statistics such as below, it is no wonder:

"Household borrowing has risen almost 60% to $6.5 trillion in the past five years." The Wall Street Journal, July 5, 2000

"Despite an unprecedented economic boom, more than half of Americans are worried about...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?10&7428 

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INNOVATION: IDEAS ARE CHEAP--BUT EXTREMELY VALUABLE
by Michael Angier

At the turn of the last century there was serious discussion about disbanding the US Patent Office because many believed there were few inventions left to be patented. The common wisdom was that all the great inventions had already been taken. No doubt there are people today who feel...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?11&7428 

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DEBTSMART RESOURCES

How to advertise in the email newsletter:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?01&7428 

How to advertise in the online classifieds:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?02&7428 

DebtSmart Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_en.cgi?03&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020619_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/020619_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/020619_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 © 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.