|
" |
To a normal person,
$10 million will seem like enough. But anyone
who thinks that's enough is not the type that
can acquire that much in the first place."--James
K. Glassman, magazine publisher
Quotes from all previous newsletters |
|
|
|
IN THIS ISSUE #135 |
|
Publisher:
Scott Bilker |
|
Editor:
Larissa S. Bilker |
|
Assistant
Editor: Denise Troy |
|
ISSN
1538-6740 |
|
You can add DebtSmart® News RSS
feeds to your newsreader pages. Note: RSS feeds are not a replacement for the email newsletter but a
fast method of finding out what's new here at DebtSmart.com. |
|
|
|
|
Americans ages 65 to 69 have an average credit
card debt of about $5,800--217 percent more than
in 1992. The cost isn't just financial: Debt is
emotionally troubling, too, especially for
seniors who pride themselves on lifetimes of
responsible spending. |
|
|
|
|
Letter from the Publisher
by Scott Bilker
Hi,
Boy, it's tough to get a human on the
phone. You know what I mean. You call your phone service provider, gas
company, electric, credit card bank, department store, blah, blah, and
all you get is a voice menu. "Press 1 for this, press 2 for that." It
drives me crazy! CRAZY I SAY!
So what can you do? How do you get a
human?
Well, there is a way. I found a great list
of ways to get through the phone menu system at Get Human. Check it out
here. Give it a try before you call and see if you get through any
faster.
So let's talk about budgeting for a
minute. Do you actually have a budget? I mean a list of categories and
spending limits? Most people do not.
It's difficult to know how to change your
spending habits when you don't know what they are. That's why the first
step in setting up a workable budget is to figure out where all your
money is going.
Track your spending. Write down
everything you spend by category: dining out, gas, groceries, clothing,
etc. This is a great starting point for establishing your current
spending patterns.
If you can, compare your spending to your
peers that have a similar standard of living (income, housing, etc.). Then you can see where you might be
spending too much. You will also find that your spending in many
categories is on par.
The key is to start today. Take action
right now to move toward a stricter money-management system. The
benefits are savings and peace of mind.
Have a great day!
Best,
Scott
Calling banks for my 82-year-old mother
by Scott BilkerScott,
I help my 82-year-old mother pay many of
her credit card bills. She's scared to call the credit card companies,
and I don't want to be added as an authorized user or they will show up
on my credit report. Is there a service that she can give a power of
attorney to that will call the credit card companies on her behalf?
Currently, she is NOT past due on any credit cards--but that will change
if we can't reduce these interest rates. Thanks!
Brian
Finish reading article
"$10,706.50 saved!"
"I had to write and thank you so much for
the book. I just got it yesterday afternoon and started reading it. This
morning, I decided to try it out on one of my cards that has a very high
interest rate.
This card had been only about 9.99%, but
the interest rate skyrocketed last May. I didn't know why, and I
really didn't know what to do about it. I called the company this
morning, and in less then 5 minutes, I found out why (I'd had trouble with
another card issued by the same company) and got the interest rate
lowered from 23.99% to 8.99%.
One point lower than it had been before!
This one call paid for the book and way more. I figured out how much I
saved. It's a good thing I was sitting, because I'm sure I would have
fallen on the floor when I realized I saved $10,706.50."
--Jill King, Philadelphia, PA
Read about special offer for all three of Scott Bilker's best-selling books
Household Math™: What does Jenna owe?
by Scott
BilkerJennafer read Scott
Bilker's, Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt and called her
credit-card bank in the hopes of reducing her interest rate. Armed with
the techniques from the book, she was successful at reducing her rate by
5 percent to 9.9 percent! After doing the math, she calculated that the
debt would be paid back one year faster and she would save a total of
$3,012! How much does she owe the bank--what is her current balance?
Answer this problem
Stop Debt Collectors Cold!
Stop Debt Collectors Cold! Plus, for a
limited time, 4 bonus reports: How to Get Collection Accounts Off Your
Credit Report, How to Avoid Losing Your Home In A Foreclosure, What to
Do if You Are Behind on Your Car Payments, and Confidential Interview
With A Former Debt Collector.
Read about stopping debt collectors
Holiday Gift Giving Ideas
by Gregory
Thomas
It's that time of year again, time for
traveling, decorating, holiday parties, family, friends, relatives and
of course. . . . shopping.
How many of you simply whip out the
credit card and start charging every gift you can find, only to dread
the day when your statement arrives in the mail?
Or are you one of the few that save a
little every month just to cover the holiday expenses when they come
around?
Before you spend your money on the
latest, hottest, newest gadgets, take a look at these options that will
really save you quite a pocketful.
Finish Reading Article
More credit, more options!
Credit options are your weapon
against the banks! The key to success is using your credit lines
to save money--not to go crazy spending!
The Credit Repair Kit plus bonus
CD!
by Joe Sainz
What do you
think of when you hear the words "credit
repair"? I think of scam! That's because
many companies have made promises to
"fix" people's credit but then simply stole
their money. However, there are still
reputable sources for people to learn
how to straighten out their credit
reports.
Your
credit report is your financial résumé
and everyone from lenders to insurance
agents reviews it. It's vital that there
are no mistakes shown, and if there are,
that they're removed!
There are
many books on the subject, but my
personal favorite is The Credit
Repair Kit. That's because Joe
Sainz offers great practical advise for
correcting errors. Plus, he includes a
Credit Booster CD-ROM with the
book!
If you're
having trouble getting the rates you
deserve because of your credit report,
then you must read this book!
Read more
about The Credit Repair Kit plus bonus
CD...
|
How to UPDATE your
information, SUBSCRIBE, or UNSUBSCRIBE from this
newsletter |
|
All recipients of the
DebtSmart® Email Newsletter signed up voluntarily for
the newsletter via our website. |
|
SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter |
| Please contact
comments@debtsmart.com
with any comments, problems, or concerns. |
|
|
|
|
DISCLAIMER
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 ©2006 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.
|
