DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
July 3, 2002 Issue 29

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

==> Providian Raised My APR to 29.99%

==> Household Math™: Pool House Rock

==> Survey: Can Money Buy Happiness?

==> Lemon Car Making Your Life Sour?

==> Bank One's New Low Rate Card

==> The DebtSmart® Low-Interest Special Report

==> How Much House?

==> Cut Expenses by 20%

==> Making Frugality a Family Affair

==> 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

"Total amount of outstanding consumer credit in April 2002 was nearly 1.7 trillion dollars!" 
--Federal Reserve

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

I'm really surprised that only one person completed the survey for last issues article about Financial Compatibility! However, the Household Math™ problem was VERY popular. In fact, it was the most popular from last issue!

I hope you're enjoying the summer! It's been quite nice here in NJ. Very hot but the pool makes it tolerable.

I tell ya, the pool takes a lot of work to run and is costly as well, but since the kids are in there all the time it makes it worthwhile. This week's Household Math™ question has to do with the cost of operating a pool.

Talk to you later.

Enjoy!

Scott PS: Can money buy happiness? Please let me know in this issue's survey. PPS: Click below to see result from last week's survey about financial compatibility:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?13&7428 

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PROVIDIAN RAISED MY APR TO 29.99% 
by Scott Bilker

Scott, I was shocked to learn my Providian credit card raised my APR from 23.99 to 29.99. I've never missed a payment or been late. I called to find out why and the rep told me they mailed out a notice of change in terms. I said I never received the notice. They basically said too bad, but we can mail you out another one. I was so angry I closed my account. I waited for the promised re- mail of the notice. It never came. I called again, this time...

Click below to read the article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?04&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™: POOL HOUSE ROCK

Summer is here and you've got the pool going. After reviewing your records from last year you figure that it cost $25 per week for chemicals, $80 per month for electricity, and $70 in replacement parts to operate the pool for the entire season. The swimming season lasts about 100 days. The good news is that the pool gets plenty of use, mostly from your three children but now there's another option. A swimming club has just opened right around the corner and the cost is $50 per month per person. Considering the known costs, is it less expensive to sign the kids up for the swimming club or use the pool?

Click below link to take the test:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?05&7428 

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SURVEY: CAN MONEY BUY HAPPINESS?

You hear it all the time, "Money can't buy happiness," but I'm not convinced. I know a family that won $1 million in the lottery. They were unhappy and cranky prior to winning. After they won, they looked 10 years younger and were much happier and nicer.

I wonder what you think. Please let everyone know your feelings by taking this issue's survey.

Click below to take the survey:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?06&7428 

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LEMON CAR MAKING YOUR LIFE SOUR? 
by Craig Thor Kimmel, Esq.

Craig, One month old car is in the shop for more than 30 days does it qualify as a lemon? 
--Jade

In most states, the answer to Jade's question is a resounding yes. If you have a car that's less than one year old and it has been in the shop for more than 30 days, chances are you have a lemon. Also, if a car has a...

Click below to read the article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?07&7428 

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BANK ONE'S NEW LOW RATE CARD

A 7.74% Interest Rate, one of the lowest in the nation! Get the Bank One Platinum Visa Card, with an APR of Prime plus 2.99% 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/020703_en.cgi?11&7428 

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THE DEBTSMART® LOW-INTEREST SPECIAL REPORT

The key to saving money on your debt is keeping your interest rates as low as possible. Detailed report of banks offering low interest rates. Transfer your balances to lower rates and save thousands of dollars! Save time locating these special offers by purchasing this concise report!

Click below to order:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?12&7428 

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HOW MUCH HOUSE? 
by Gary Foreman

Hi Gary, Considering the cost of homes these days, what is a reasonable percentage of a person's salary that should be used for a mortgage payment? And does this percentage include everything needed to run that home (utilities, water, phone, etc.)? 
--Margie

Good question! And with the current median selling price of a house being over...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?08&7428 

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CUT EXPENSES BY 20% 
by Terry Rigg

If you are like most of us you have areas in your budget that could be trimmed by at least 20%. What about your grocery bill? Unless you are using every cost-cutting method available, then you could even beat that 20% on your food bill.

Each area of your expenses has room to be trimmed. Let's just briefly discuss a few...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?09&7428 

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MAKING FRUGALITY A FAMILY AFFAIR 
by Nancy Twigg

Does it ever seem that no matter how hard you try to save for the future, all your kids want to do is spend, spend, spend? Shopping at the malls, dinners at McDonald's, birthday parties at the arcade. None of these expenditures seem very large, but put them all together and the dollars add up fast. Before you know it, the month is gone, and so is the money you intended to save. Does this sound familiar? If living and spending more frugally is...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?10&7428 

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DEBTSMART® RESOURCES

DebtSmart® Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?01&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_en.cgi?02&7428 

How to use DebtSmart® articles FREE in your ezine or on your web site:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/020703_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/020703_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.