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DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
December 3, 2003 Issue 64

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

==> Reader Feedback

==> 5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt

==> Household Math™: Which sale is better?

==> Holiday Gift Giving Ideas to Save You Money

==> DebtSmart® Help Center

==> Always check your credit report

==> Remember what you said in 2001?

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE

“Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.”
--Conrad Hilton 1887-1979, Founder of Hilton Hotels

Click below for quotes from all previous newsletters:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_en.cgi?04&7428

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

This early-December issue contains classic articles from DebtSmart.com. I know you’re busy getting ready for the holidays, which makes now a good time to revisit information that has helped everyone save money year after year.

What I’ve learned since last issue...

ELECTRONIC BILLING vs. SNAIL MAIL I got a call from the electric company saying that I didn’t pay my last bill. Since I now pay online, the electric company stopped sending my snail-mail bill. I ignored their billing notification email, assuming the paper bill would soon arrive in the mail, as it does for other accounts that I pay online. Consequently, the payment was never made. The lesson here is to make sure you know how the bill is coming.

THEY’RE AT IT AGAIN! Car salesman who read articles at DebtSmart.com always criticizes my comments about their infamous profession. They say they’re getting a bad rap, but here’s why...I recently called a local dealer asking about a particular auto. It turned out the car I was interested in had already been sold however the salesman said they have another with only 24,500 miles! I told the salesman that I would be down to see that car in two hours.

My wife and I took a drive to the dealership where they took all my information and photocopied my license before showing me the car. The salesman pulled up with the car, told me all about it and then said, “I know you wanted the car with 24,500 miles but that sold earlier, this car has 68,000 miles. I know you’re a little disappointed by I’m sure we can work out a deal on this car.”

I didn’t even drive the car. We walked out promptly. I certainly feel like the usual bait-and-switch was in place. Anything to lure me to their lair where their team of con artists can more easily take advantage of unsuspecting victims. I didn’t even think there was any trickery going on until the salesman said, without prompting, “The car really sold earlier. I can show you the paperwork if you like.”

I have yet to work with one car salesman that I felt was totally honest. I’d like to believe an honest car salesman does exist but then again, maybe the Loch Ness Monster and Bigfoot are out there as well.

Regards,
Scott

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READER FEEDBACK

"Scott, I ordered your books and studied them and I have read your newsletter for quite some time. I had close to $55,000 in credit card debt with high interest rates. Following your advice I did balance transfers until I was able to get the interest rate to 3.9 percent, and I have paid off four cards and cancelled them. In two years the total has dropped to about $25,000 and is dropping fast with the low interest rate. My son lost his job 7 months ago and your advice saved their home. Keep up the good work and especially keep telling everyone not to trust the banks who issue the credit cards." --Jimmy Thomas, Texas

Click below to read about Tywooccd:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_en.cgi?05&7428

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5 WAYS TO AVOID HOLIDAY DEBT
by Scott Bilker

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas people are going to spend $121.4 billion using their credit cards!

The key is not to let this debt stick, not to allow yourself to get buried by that debt. Not ending up spending the next year paying off the purchases from this holiday season.

How are you going to pay for the gifts?

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_en.cgi?06&7428

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™

WHICH SALE IS BETTER?
by Scott Bilker

This is a situation we run into all the time. Stores always have sales, specials, etc. and thrifty people will try to take advantage of these sales. But how can you tell which discount will save you more money?

Two stores are having a sale. In Store #1 the deal is take 25% off then take an additional 25% off. In Store #2 the deal is take 50% off. Which store has the better deal?

Click below to solve problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_en.cgi?07&7428

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HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING IDEAS TO SAVE YOU MONEY
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...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_en.cgi?08&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/031203_en.cgi?09&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 more:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_en.cgi?10&7428

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REMEMBER WHAT YOU SAID IN 2001?
by Scott Bilker

In 12/2001 DebtSmart Readers completed a survey about their New Year’s Resolutions for 2002. It’s always good to look back before moving forward. To review old notes, to compare where you’ve been to what you did and where you’re going. Take a walk back in time and read about your responses to financial resolutions, self- improvement resolutions, and much more...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_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/031203_en.cgi?01&7428

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/031203_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/031203_en.cgi?03&7428

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER

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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.