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DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER 
ISSN 1538-6740 
April 7, 2004 Issue 72

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

==> Jenni the Bill Collector

==> Household Math™: Debt Snowball (Paying Back 
       Lower-Balance Cards First)

==> Bundle of Money

==> Saving For Your Child's Education: Can Using a Credit 
       Card Today Help You to Avoid Debt in the Future?

==> DebtSmart Help Center

==> One Saved is Two Earned

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE 
“Winning isn't everything. The will to win is everything.” 
--Vince Lombardi

Click below for quotes from all previous newsletters: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_en.cgi?04&7428

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

Here are a few items by number:

1) Thanks to everyone for your input on the Debt Daredevil!

2) There will be no 4/21/04 issue of the email newsletter. Next 
    issue will be in your email on 5/5/05.

3) Be sure to check out the Household Math problem about 
    the “Debt Snowball.”

4) Please let me know what you think of my article, “Jenni the 
    Bill Collector” by filling out the survey on the article’s 
    web page.

5) My friend Tim Timmerman has negotiated a deal where 
    he can get  you a copy of your credit report for free! If
    you’re interested, check it out and let me know how it goes.
    More at: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_en.cgi?11&7428

Regards, 
Scott

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JENNI THE BILL COLLECTOR 
by Scott Bilker

I received a letter from Jenni about Chris Peruzzi's article, “Bad Customer Service.” Turns out that Jenni is a bill collector. I found her comments to be quite interesting in that you can get an insight into the thinking of probably, the typical bill/debt collector. I included my remarks for added entertainment.

“I am a bill collector. What a lot of people forget is that what we do is our job. We do not come to your office and cuss you out because you wanted an 8:00 meeting. Under the FDCPA (fair debt collection practices act) we are legally allowed to call from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm your local time...”

Click below to read article: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_en.cgi?05&7428

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DEBT SNOWBALL (PAYING BACK LOWER-BALANCE CARDS FIRST) 
by Scott Bilker

David Sheepsley has two credit cards with balances. Card A has a balance of $8,000 at 19.8% and minimum payments of $160 per month. Card B has a balance of $6,000 at 5.9% with minimum payments of $120 per month. David has a total of $400 per month to use for repaying his credit cards. What’s the better plan for David?

Pay the most money possible per month to the lowest-balance card (B) first and make minimum payments to the highest-balance card (A) until the lower-balance card (B) is paid off. Then send the entire payment of $400 to Card A until that debt-repayment is completed.

OR

Do the reverse. Pay the most money possible per month to Card A and make minimum payments to Card B until Card A is paid off. Then send the entire payment of $400 to Card B until that debt- repayment is completed.

Click below to solve problem: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_en.cgi?06&7428

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YOU SAVED ME A BUNDLE OF MONEY

“I have recently found your book "Talk Your Way Our of Credit Card Debt", and it has really helped me. I have had excellent credit until very recently. I had an automatic payment through the credit card. A few months ago, the minimum payment was $3 over what I had set as the auto pay. I had not noticed that there was a difference until too late. This one time problem cause my interest rates to go up from 3.9% fixed balance transfer rate and a 13% purchase rate to 24.9% and 5.9% fixed balance transfer rate and a 10.9% purchase rate to 27.9%! It affected more than just the one card. I read your book and called customer service on all of my credit card today. I had amazing success. Most of my interest rates went back to their original rates and a few I was able to get lower! One account would not budge, so I transferred to a lower rate. Thank you!!!! You have save me a bundle of money!” --R.J.

Click below to read more about this book and a special offer: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_en.cgi?07&7428

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SAVING FOR YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION: CAN USING A CREDIT CARD TODAY HELP YOU TO AVOID DEBT IN THE FUTURE? 
by Rebecca Lindsey

Here's a news flash: children are expensive. Never mind diapers, food, clothing, computers, MP3 players, trips to the mall, etc. One of the biggest expenses your child(ren) will incur is college tuition. The cost of further education is ever on the rise, and even with scholarships the costs can be staggering. The amount of federal financial aid granted to undergraduate students in the form of loans is shocking as well: according to one study by the...

Click below to read article: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_en.cgi?08&7428

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DEBTSMART HELP CENTER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

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/040407_en.cgi?09&7428

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ONE SAVED IS TWO EARNED 
by Doris Dobkins

Most of us will do anything to earn a few extra dollars but are we just as willing to spend a few hours looking for the best deal when we make a purchase?

I read a GREAT quote this week and it really made me stop and think about the cost of spending money. The quote read as follows: "A Dollar Saved Is Two Dollars Earned!"

Let me ask you a question. If you got a $400...

Click below to read article: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_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/040407_en.cgi?01&7428

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online: 
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/040407_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/040407_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/040407_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 © 2004 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.