DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740 August 27, 2003 Issue 59

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

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IN THIS ISSUE

==> Cool Quote

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> DebtSmart® Help Center

==> Chase Bank Tries To Pull A Fast One

==> Household Math™: Punch Me for Gas

==> Mortgage Telemarketing--A Personal Story

==> Always Check Your Credit Report

==> Why Budgets Don't Work and How to Fix It

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE

“Work is a surefire money-making scheme.” --Dave Ramsey, author of “The Total Money Makeover”

Click below for quotes from all previous newsletters:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030827_en.cgi?04&7428

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
by Scott Bilker

Hello,

There are many reasons to track your transactions. This really comes in handy for subscription renewals. If you have any periodical subscriptions then you know that they’re always sending renewal notices months in advance of the end of your subscription.

I always check my records to make sure I know when these renewals do need to be paid, and I’m careful not to renew every time I get a notice or I may end up with 20 years of subscriptions without even knowing it!

Regards,
Scott
PS: There’s an article that I worked on for “Woman’s World” on newsstands today (9/2/03 issue) titled, “4 ways you can Make a bundle by using your credit card!”

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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/030827_en.cgi?05&7428

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CHASE BANK TRIES TO PULL A FAST ONE
by Scott Bilker

I knew it would happen! I read all the fine print. I reviewed every detail! I followed the instructions from Chase Bank exactly as they described in their low-rate-offer letter and they still penalized me!

How did Chase Bank attempt to trick me and maybe you? I strongly recommend that you read this entire article if you have ever done a balance transfer or you're thinking about doing a balance transfer! This article contains some details about my phone call to Chase Bank, copies of their letters, copies of my bank statement, and a response form so you can let me, and the world, know if this has ever happened to you!

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030827_en.cgi?06&7428

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™

PUNCH ME FOR GAS
by Scott Bilker and Tammi Chaney

Hello!

I enjoy the debt smart newsletter very much. I particularly like the trivia and have often thought about sending you the following, but just never get around to it. The best part is it is real! Here goes...

Out of the three gas stations in as many blocks, the middle price ranged gas station offers a punch card. For every two gallons of gas purchased, you earn one punch on the card. When you reach 100 punches, you are entitled to your choice from a variety of free goods from their store including a free large one topping pizza, taco meal deal, or $5 worth of gas. The pizza is regularly $10; the taco meal is $7, but you like the pizza because you read the DebtSmart® Newsletter.

At this particular station, the gas averages $.05 more/ gallon than the business across the street.

Also, as a Thursday only special this business offers *two* card punches for *each* gallon of gas.

Finally, this chain offers a rebate gas card that earns you 3% cash back when using your card for purchases at this particular chain. You of course pay off the balance in full each month so it is interest free.

QUESTION “At what point does it pay to buy gas here as opposed to the cheaper competitor, or is the lure of free pizza just that?”

I realize there are many variables to this puzzle, but that is what makes it interesting. Hope you can tailor it to fit your puzzles online as needed.

Thanks again for the newsletter!

--Submitted by DebtSmart® reader Tammi Chaney, who always buys gas on Thursday...with the gas card. ;)

Click below to solve problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030827_en.cgi?07&7428

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MORTGAGE TELEMARKETING--A PERSONAL STORY
by José Olivares

Scott, first I would like to thank you for all the good advice you have given me through your NEWSLETTER. In response to your question about our (readers) experience with telemarketers, I would like to share an experience that happen to me recently.

I, like many others out there, am looking to refinance my first mortgage at a lower rate than what I currently have. In my case, the loan is approximately $120,000 at 7.25% and also a second mortgage (home-equity loan) of $10,000 that I have at 12.25%. I decided to call a financial institution after receiving one of those infamous “you have been pre-approved” offers.

I spoke with a lady, who was very friendly, and she asked me if I could read the confirmation number on the right hand side at the top of the letter. I gave it to her and she asked for some other information including my Social Security number.

I explained that I would be interested in refinancing with her company if they can beat the rates on my current loans. She said she would call me back with an answer.

About an hour later, she calls and tells me she has great news for me. She said she has, “good news”, they can combine both loans at a great APR of 9.48%. Stunned at what this lady is telling me I paused and asked her...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030827_en.cgi?08&7428

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ALWAYS CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT
by Scott Bilker

I cannot stress enough the importance of periodically checking your credit report! Banks are not the only ones that look at this “financial résumé,” employers, insurance companies, and many other people will pass judgement on you based on your credit history.

You want to make sure that there are no errors in these reports...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030827_en.cgi?09&7428

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WHY BUDGETS DON'T WORK AND HOW TO FIX IT
by Terry Rigg

This article is for those families that have sat down at a desk or the kitchen table time after time trying to develop a family budget that they can live with.

Why don't they work?

There are several answers to that question. Most budgets are doomed from day one because...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030827_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/030827_en.cgi?01&7428

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030827_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/030827_en.cgi?03&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/030827_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 to 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.

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.