In Today's Issue:
Economic Turmoil Causing Credit Card Changes
How will recent events affect your personal finances?
Freezing Food Staples
What's the best way to freeze and store the ingredients you need for cooking?
Heat and Electricity 101
Establish good conservation habits for now and the future
My Story
Avoiding creditors will only make things worse
Faux or Real Fir?
Save on your Christmas tree with these suggestions
Skills
Good to know even if you never use them
I'm Out of Money
When there's more month than money
Tool Story
Using a dollar store, prepare for the quickly approaching winter months
A Simple Christmas
Only one gift per child makes for a challenging holiday
The Critical Pause
How consumerism and poor eating go hand-in-hand
My Story
What I learned using laundry disks for 12 years
Frugal Myths
3 things that don't work and 3 things that do!
20 Gifts Under $25
Before you hit the mall consider these ideas
Dueling Vices
When you and your spouse argue about spending on your bad habits
Convenient Floor Cleaners
Avoiding expensive prepackaged refills
Ready for Change
She had a great job, but then love happened
Romantic Bedroom
Creating a haven on a budget
Make Your Own Baking Mixes
Save money and time in the kitchen
Signs of Wealth
Follow the signs to a more prosperous future
My Story
Look like a princess on a pauper's budget
Crucial vs. Not Crucial
We all have "too much to do"
Cleaning Upholstery
A little work and you'll be ready for company!
Disinfectant Wipes
Love those disinfectant wipes but hate the price?
Feast on These Thanksgiving Savings
The bill can add up very quickly!
Helping a Packrat Get Organized
They just can't bear to part with their stuff!
Need a Little Cash?
Could you use a little extra money?
Let's Talk Turkey
What the butcher knows about buying a turkey
Burning Wood
Wood heating is no longer a social statement, it's a practical solution
Can you help this reader?
Readers want your help!
Getting Out of Drawing Names at Work
Please take a look and tell us what you think
Reader's Tips
The smartest readers on the web share their frugal living ideas!
It's Best to Shop Around
If you buy the first thing you see, you'll probably end up paying much more! Marie learned this lesson the hard way when shopping for a wedding dress
Resisting temptation
How does a successful person resist temptation to do stupid stuff and stay humble?
The LCD Television I Now Hate
Melissa fell for the salesman's slick pitch and ended up financing a TV - one that she has grown to despise
We Made It Through a Job Loss and Are Now Debt Free!
I lost a great-paying job of 8 years and my entire stock portfolio was in the company
For more Dave Ramsey Click Here
Your Story
Do you know a way to save time and money? Then please take a moment to "Tell Us Your Story"
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Content for Your Website, Newspaper or Newsletter
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Video: No-closing-cost mortgages
Offers of no-closing-cost mortgages are not always what they seem.
Target-date funds not a slam-dunk decision
Some that sport a 2010 date are aggressively positioned, and they've been hammered relentlessly by the market.
How did home values fare in your area?
Get the 3rd quarter results from National Association of Realtors national survey of existing home sales.
Crisis' effect is all about life stage
In the current financial environment the life stage you're in can mean the difference between boon and bust.
Finding a small business bank loan
Small businesses have to work harder to attract the attention of loan-shy financial institutions.
No-penalty CDs: Good deal or not?
If you want the safe haven of a CD and access to your money, make sure to shop for the best yields.
Video: Freeze credit to prevent ID theft
You can stop fraudsters in their tracks by implementing a credit freeze through the credit reporting agencies.
7 great paychecks for golden-oldies
As nest eggs dwindle thanks to stock market declines, many people facing retirement seek to supplement their income with part-time jobs. Here are some of the best options.
Video: Make money during your golden years
Some retirees find that their golden years are a good time to try out a new career.
Financing a funeral without the anguish
Thinking about funerals isn't pleasant, but there is a lot to be gained by planning ahead.
Can only one spouse file?
When one spouse owns a failed business, consider all the issues before filing for bankruptcy, says the Bankruptcy Adviser.
Budget can help tame runaway spending
Creating a budget and sticking to it is the best way to turn the tide on runaway spending, says the Debt Adviser.
2008 Gift Card Study
An analysis of Bankrate's annual survey of gift card fees and restrictions.
Gift cards for needs, not wants
In 2008, gift cards are still a popular gift. But this season, the emphasis is necessities, not luxuries.
Gift card issuer gone bankrupt? What to do
When you're holding a gift card for a store that's gone out of business, you have few options. Here's what you can do.
Multiple crises sabotage retirement plans
While the recent plunges in the stock market have affected 401(k)s and IRAs, it is only one part of a wave of attacks that are eating away at retirement funds and plans.
Trim your bottom, increase bottom line
Author Alan Corey shares some ideas about how to get wealthy and healthy at the same time.
Video: Protect yourself from identity theft
Protecting yourself from identity theft takes work, but you can do it yourself for free.
Car dealers' sneaky fees don't add up
A single trip to the car lot reveals how a slick sales pitch can make a bargain disappear fast.
Car delivery makes contract binding
A car contract becomes binding once you sign the document and take possession of the vehicle.
Driver stuck with faulty odometer
Neither the manufacturer nor the dealer are responsible for fixing a car's faulty odometer.
Try to tough out current car lease
Even if payments are straining your budget, sometimes it's best to tough out a car lease until it expires.
Video: Spotting a housing turnaround
Check supply and demand to see if the housing market is set for a rebound.
Flipping homes profitable, but not risk free
Investing in real estate requires more capital and patience these days, but opportunities abound if you play by the new rules.
HUD revises the good-faith estimate
In an effort to make it easier to understand the good-faith estimate, HUD has revised the form.
Video: Retirement planning in your 40s
Maximize workplace retirement plans and don't invest too conservatively. Skimp on college savings if necessary
Commuting costs got you down?
Some companies are making employees' treks to the office cheaper with tax-saving commuter accounts
Go for financial freedom
The secret to financial success is easy. Get rid of toxic credit card debt and save money, says columnist Liz Pulliam Weston
Is foreclosure the best option?
Walk away or stay and pay?
Ask Dr. Don
Stock swoon creates chance to 'buy low'
The stock market's recent struggles make now the perfect time to "buy low" and reap rewards later.
Most CD earnings not tax-deferred
Unless you hold CDs in a retirement account, earnings on these instruments usually are not tax-deferred.
Rollover option brings new flexibility
Increased flexibility is a major advantage of rolling a 403(b) balance into an IRA account.
Market plunge creates IRA opportunity
The recent stock market collapse has opened an opportunity for people who want to convert to a Roth IRA.
Check terms of loan before refinancing
Don't forget to check the terms of your mortgage before refinancing to a new loan.
Plan before interest-only loan adjusts
It's important to study all options before the terms change on your interest-only mortgage.
Prepay Mortgage or add to savings?
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For one couple, prepaying the mortgage may make better sense than saving extra cash
Credit report reveals 'hard' inquiries
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Reviewing your credit report can help uncover any evidence of "hard inquiries" by banks or lenders
T-bills offer safety in rough economy
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Their returns can't compete with CD rates, but treasuries offer supreme safety
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Saving you time and money since 1996
last update: November 20, 2008
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Inflation Fighters
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The Frugal Egg
Versatile, affordable and delicious!
Homemade Gifts and Games from Old Photos
Creative ways to use old photographs
Coupon Swaps
Save money and make friends along the way
Beat Energy Costs
Exploring ways to cut the high cost of hot water
Double Check Your Paycheck
Could mistakes be costing you money?
Dollar Stretcher Blogs recent posts
Become a Dollar Stretcher blogger. Send us an email with your idea for a blog. We're always looking for more great ideas to share with visitors!
Current Rates
Claiming tax-exempt status
Even students and dependents are not exempt from income tax, says CPA George Saenz.
Deductible IRA income limits
Income limits rule for spouses who want to contribute to a deductible IRA, says CPA George Saenz.
Deducting rental real estate losses
Some of the losses from rental real estate can offset passive income, says CPA George Saenz.
The tax fate of your 401(k) when you move
You're protected from state taxation of pension plans when you relocate to another state, says CPA George Saenz.
Injured spouse tax relief
Claiming injured spouse on your tax return won't prevent the IRS from collecting what it can, says CPA George Saenz.
Video: Taxes: Choosing a tax professional
- Make sure you pick the right pro to prepare your taxes
Tax breaks
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Encourage Americans to own a home, get a college education and save for retirement
Penalty for excess Roth IRA contribution
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You could pay a 6% excise tax
What portion of disability is taxable?
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If the employer pays insurance premiums, disability benefits are taxable to the employee
Trading one vacation home for another
The IRS allows vacation homeowners to save taxes through like-kind exchanges
How to add a written statement to your credit report
Your credit report is usually the final word when it comes to lending, but the rules let you make 100 of those words your own
Higher limit or second card will impact your credit score
If you think your credit limit's too low, you may consider either asking your current issuer for a higher limit or getting a second card. Either way, don't forget to consider the impact the move will have on your credit
Consumer credit report statement sample letters
Tailored to plead your case before each of the Big Three credit bureaus
Disabled vet seeks relief from credit card debt
Retailers tighten credit card standards
While it may sound enticing to save 15 percent off your purchase at the checkout counter by applying for that retail credit card, your chances of getting approved for a store credit card are getting slimmer
U.S. retail store credit card comparison table
Here are the top issuers of retail store credit cards, both those offered by the retailers themselves and those offered by banks
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