DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
June 4, 2003 Issue 53

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 Quote

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> Reviewing DebtSmart.com

==> Consumer Credit File Privacy: The Real Deal

==> Household Math™: Which Mortgage is Better?

==> Debt Perception

==> Finally Tackling the "Spring Cleaning" Task

==> DebtSmart Help Center

==> Pay It Off Or Keep It?

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE

"Insurance companies make money when you pay them; not when they pay you." 
--Scott Bilker

Click below for quotes from all previous newsletters:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_en.cgi?04&7428 

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

What is your Wealth Destiny™? Where do you want to be, financially in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years?

Getting organized financially and becoming DebtSmart are the first stops on the road to your Wealth Destiny™. Therefore, I want to start focusing on creating a plan for wealth while working toward paying off that debt.

Please let me know your interest in this concept (what you want to see) by completing a short survey at: http://www.wealthdestiny.com 

Regards, 
Scott

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REVIEWING DEBTSMART.COM

Thank you all for your wonderful comments over the years about DebtSmart and the Email Newsletter! We're all very proud of what we do here and love reading your reviews!

I recently discovered a site where people can post their comments/review any website. Alexa.com ranks all websites and provides its readers with information about almost any online site.

Please review DebtSmart by clicking below:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_en.cgi?05&7428 

THANKS!

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CONSUMER CREDIT FILE PRIVACY: THE REAL DEAL
by The Federal Trade Commission

"Just wanted to let everyone know who hasn't already heard, the four major credit bureaus in the U.S. will be allowed, starting July 1, to release your credit info, mailing addresses, phone numbers...to anyone who requests it. If you would like to "opt out" of this release of info., you can..."

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_en.cgi?06&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™: WHICH MORTGAGE IS BETTER? 
by Scott Bilker

Scott, 
Hi, I am trying to decide whether to refinance my home mortgage (again). We would like to reduce the time to payoff and are considering a 15-year loan at 4.75% APR. We currently owe $166,312 with 341 payments of $1,060 left at 6.375%. The new loan generates 180 payments of $1,293. If I just took the extra $233 and paid toward my current loan would I be better off? 
--T-Gash (DebtSmart Reader)

Click below to solve problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_en.cgi?07&7428 

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DEBT PERCEPTION 
by Scott Bilker

Thanks for the great response to last issue's survey about good debts and bad debts! Here's what I learned from your comments:

Most responders to DebtSmart surveys are women (74%)!

Most people (75%) said there is such a thing as "good debt" or "bad debt." Most also say that it's okay to have debt on an investment like a home, college, etc.

As far as bad debt goes you said:

Credit card debt is bad, car loans aren't so bad, car leases are badder than bad, and cash advances for casino gambling are the baddest!

There are many great comments. I'm sure you will be interested in reading all the results posted at:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_en.cgi?08&7428 

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FINALLY TACKLING THE "SPRING CLEANING" TASK 
by Gregory Thomas

Spring is upon us and it's that time to tackle the wonderful chore of "Spring Cleaning" (if you haven't done so already).

It may seem a bit odd to relate saving money to a clean household, but you would be surprised to learn the impact one has on the other. When you have a clean, organized household, you'll have more...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_en.cgi?09&7428 

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DEBTSMART HELP CENTER 
by Scott Bilker

Helping you with your debt is very important to me personally! If you've been reading my articles, you know that I always encourage self-help as a first step. However, being buried in debt can be very overwhelming, which is why you may want to explore other options.

One of those options is professional, ongoing help with credit counselors. I've started to personally check out certain companies so I can recommend the ones that are worth considering!

If you would like to speak with a representative from a...

Click below to read more:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_en.cgi?10&7428 

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PAY IT OFF OR KEEP IT? 
by Doris Dobkins

Interest rates went down this week and many people are refinancing their home mortgages once again. When you refinance, it's important to make decisions based on your personal and financial goals in life.

In this article, we are going to discuss the topic of paying off your mortgage early and why you might or might not want to.

So, what about you? Where do you stand on this issue or are you as confused as many of us? The book called "Ordinary People Extraordinary Wealth, A New York Times best seller, by Ric Edelman states in his findings that most of the 5000 people he surveyed with extraordinary wealth still carry a mortgage.

While most of us have heard all our lives that it is better to pay...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_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/030604_en.cgi?01&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030604_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/030604_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/030604_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 © 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.