DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
March 26, 2003 Issue 48

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

==> Credit Repair

==> 11 Easy Ways to Cut Your Spending Without Feeling It

==> Household Math™: How Much Spending

==> Survey Results: Cutting Spending vs. More Money

==> A Painful Grocery Bill

==> VW and Audi Need to Put the Pedal to the Metal Regarding Ignition
       Coils

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE

"If there is no consequence, there is no change." 
--Jen Macedo (3/1/03)

Click below for quotes from all previous newsletters:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_en.cgi?04&7428 

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

I've never received so many low rate offers! Right now I have about 10 credit cards offering me 0%. Many, many more are offering me rates of less than 10%.

The bottom line is that there are better credit options available when you create competition between the banks. Make them work for your money!

Regards, 
Scott

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CREDIT REPAIR 
by Scott Bilker

What do you think of when you hear the words "credit repair"? I think scam! That's because many companies have made promises to "fix" people's credit but stole their money instead. 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 advice 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!

Click below read more about the book and CD:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_en.cgi?05&7428 

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11 EASY WAYS TO CUT YOUR SPENDING WITHOUT FEELING IT 
by Scott Bilker

It's clear from last issue's survey that most people believe that cutting spending is the faster way to reduce debt. Of course, this is certainly true to some extent. My position is that there are three main points to be addressed when reducing debt, specifically: (1) Getting organized financially; (2) Becoming more efficient with your current debt and spending; and (3) Generating more income.

Here are some suggestions to expand on number (2) specifically as it applies to spending.

1) SHOP ONLINE If you have to make a large purchase, for example, computer, water heater, etc. ALWAYS...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_en.cgi?06&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™: HOW MUCH SPENDING 
by Scott Bilker

Jackie wanted to figure out how much money she actually spent this month. She looked at all the checks she wrote and her credit card spending. Jackie noted that she hadn't used her credit card for purchases. However, she did write a checks for: (1) $50 for cable TV; (2) $125 for groceries; (3) electric bill for $200; and (4) a minimum payment on her credit card of $80. How much did Jackie spend this month?

Click below to solve problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_en.cgi?07&7428 

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SURVEY RESULTS: CUTTING SPENDING VS. MORE INCOME 
by Scott Bilker

Last issue's survey was certainly an eye-opener. Most DebtSmart readers responded saying that cutting spending is the way to get out of debt. Perhaps most people think they spend too much money on non-essentials. After all, you can only cut spending on unnecessary items.

Some results:

What do you think is the faster way out of debt? 82.35% of respondents said "Cutting Your Spending" 10.78% of respondents said "Increasing Your Income" 6.86% of respondents said "Don't Know"

"It seems like the more you make, the more you spend." 
--Carol

What do you think would be easier for you to do? 69.61% of respondents said "Cut My Spending" 19.61% of respondents said "Increase My Income" 10.78% of respondents said "Don't Know"

"I'm unemployed at the moment, so income would be a little easier in my case, ha, ha." 
--Anonymous

Click below to read all survey results and comments:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_en.cgi?08&7428 

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A PAINFUL GROCERY BILL 
by Gary Foreman

Gary, 
My husband and I live alone. My mom comes over for dinner and breakfast 3 days a week, and I send her lunches for work 2 nights a week. We are spending over $400 a week for groceries. I am not buying extravagant things, and I really don't buy a lot of "junk" food. Where on earth are we going wrong? I see in the Tips section this week, a girl from Oklahoma says that she spent around $130 a month on groceries for herself and her husband?!?! How?! What is she eating? If someone could explain this for me. I feel like we are beyond help. What are we doing wrong? Is she adding everything into that bill? 
--Diane O.

Diane asks a great question. Groceries are the largest category of spending that we can affect without making major lifestyle changes. According to the U.S. Statistical Abstract for 2002 the typical family of three spends $6,093 on food each year. And that includes...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_en.cgi?09&7428 

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VW & AUDI NEEDS TO PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL REGARDING IGNITION COILS 
by Craig Thor Kimmel

Craig, I have a 2001 Passat and have had to bring the car in three times due to my ignition coils shorting out. My car is still in the shop, as the dealer is waiting for parts. I know the VW had identified this problem, but is there anything I can do? --Sarah, Buffalo, NY

Answer: Yes, Sarah, there is something you can do. Unfortunately, you are not the only one going through this problem. Volkswagen of America, Inc. and Audi of America, Inc. have recently announced a customer service action that will ultimately replace the...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_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/030326_en.cgi?01&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030326_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/030326_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/030326_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 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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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.