DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
December 4, 2002 Issue 40

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
Editor: Richard Crammer, mailto:editor@debtsmart.com 

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For instructions to SUBSCRIBE, and DISCLAIMER, see bottom of this email.

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IN THIS ISSUE

==> Cool Quote

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> Amortized Loans

==> Household Math™: Painting a House

==> 5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt

==> Holiday Special!

==> Three Great Holiday Gift Ideas

==> Scrooge's Christmas List

==> Holiday Gift Giving Ideas to Save You Money

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE

"The secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes."
--Benjamin Disraeli

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

As always I'm proud of all my DebtSmart readers! The latest survey, "How Organized are You?" reveals that most DebtSmart readers handle your finances very well!

80% of people report that they have a filing system for paperwork and 62% said they take care of the mail as soon as it arrives. That's so important because you don't want to lose billing statements and be late paying.

The surprise is that 78% report not using accounting software to track transactions. It may be a little work but it is very helpful because you know where all your money is going--the first step in planning for the future. But the good news is that half of the people who do not use software do have another way to track spending.

Another surprise is that only 23% track credit offers. Credit offers are a great source of low rate loans. Just this year, 2002, I've had a total of $100,000 offered to me at 0%! I'm not talking about pre-approved offers for new accounts, I mean $100K from existing credit card accounts!

You can read all the survey results by clicking below:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_en.cgi?09&7428 

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

'Tis the season, and as you may expect, much of the email newsletter is focused on holiday spending.

Regards, Scott PS: Be sure to check out the holiday special because it ends in only 24 hours!

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AMORTIZED LOANS 
by Scott Bilker

I would like to know what the formula is for an amortized loan. How exactly do they calculate each payment? I suspect that all the interest for the loan term (i.e., 30 years, 15 years, etc.) is loaded up front in some way, but I would like to know exactly HOW? I want to teach my teenagers about this. I think it's very important for everyone to know.

If everyone understood these things that affect us all, there would be fewer people getting into financial trouble. Thank you. --Maria

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_en.cgi?10&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™: PAINTING A HOUSE

Dave and Jennifer just got married. They each have a little debt from student loans and decide to earn extra money on the weekends by painting. If it takes the Dave 15 hours to paint a house, and it takes Jennifer 10 hours to paint the same house, how long will it take if they both would have worked on it together?

Click below to solve problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_en.cgi?04&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/021204_en.cgi?05&7428 

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HOLIDAY SPECIAL (must act right now)!

ATM Savings Banks and a gift!

Kids love this cool, and modern toy bank that works just like a real ATM machine. It allows coin and cash deposit, tracks the amount of money in the bank, and more. Retail price is $34.99 for just one but your price is $29.95 and you'll receive a copy of "How to be more Credit Card and Debt Smart"! Act now! Only 3 ATM Banks in stock! This offer ends in 24 hours!

Take advantage of holiday special by clicking below:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_en.cgi?11&7428 

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THREE GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS 
by Doris Dobkins

It's not too early to start thinking of the holidays. They will be here before you know it and if you don't plan ahead, you could find yourself overspending, stressed out and even getting into debt. So read on, and consider one of the following three options for those on your holiday list this year:

1. Consider giving a service gift. 
Most of us have more junk and more stuff than we need. Our closets are stuffed full. We need to build on to our homes to make room for our things. The cars have to be parked outside, as the garage is too full. The last thing most of us really need is...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_en.cgi?06&7428 

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SCROOGE'S CHRISTMAS LIST 
by Gary Foreman

"Cratchit, take your Christmas grab bag and be gone. Out, I tell you, or you'll be seeking new employment!" That scene wasn't included in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" but I can easily picture crotchety old Scrooge taking Bob Cratchit to task for attempting to include him in an office holiday gift exchange. Scrooge certainly is the symbol of someone who doesn't like Christmas.

But, if you think about it, many of us harbor Scrooge-like feelings today. We really don't want to participate in yet one more gift exchange. We're out of both time and money.

The sad fact is that for many of us, Christmas shopping has become largely an obligation. We buy presents because it's expected. Take a look at your list. How many gifts are you buying because you really want to bless the person receiving it? And how many fall into the "I gotta" category?

Part of the problem for all of us is that...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_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/021204_en.cgi?08&7428 

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DEBTSMART® RESOURCES

DebtSmart® Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_en.cgi?01&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/021204_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/021204_en.cgi?03&7428 

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO 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/021204_en.cgi?00&7428 

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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 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.

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