DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
July 2, 2003 Issue 55

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

==> DebtSmart® Help Center

==> Reality Road Trip: Mapping Your Way to Retirement

==> Household Math™: Timing is Everything

==> 10 Steps to Improve Your Financial Situation

==> Credit Card and Debt Management

==> Do What You Can!

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE

"If thou lend money to any of My people,...thou shalt not be to him as a creditor; neither shall ye lay upon him interest." 
--Exodus 22:24

Click below for quotes from all previous newsletters:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030702_en.cgi?04&7428 

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER 
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

I just heard the news report that mortgage rates are starting to climb. I just made it! As I mentioned before, we just refinanced our mortgage at 4.75% for 15 years, no closing costs! The final paperwork was sent in last week.

If you're thinking about refinancing, then you may want to start looking into this ASAP!

The weather here in NJ has been feast or famine. It was like 95 degrees last week, but the week before it didn't break 70!

Hope you're enjoying the summer!

Regards, 
Scott

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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/030702_en.cgi?05&7428 

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REALITY ROAD TRIP: MAPPING YOUR WAY TO RETIREMENT 
By Robert O. Stachura, CFP

Jim Barton, age 52, had his dreams. After 20 years in the military, he began a second career with the federal government and was looking forward to retirement at age 55. He and his wife Karen, a homemaker, were planning to travel more -- to their second home in Canada and throughout the country in their camper.

In addition, Jim hoped to help his 3-year-old granddaughter with college expenses down the road. Jim and Karen were living quite comfortably, enjoying their camper on weekend trips and visiting their second home in Canada several times a year for longer vacations. Looking forward to his retirement at 55, Jim figured that between his pension and distributions from his federal Thrift Savings Plan, he'd make out just fine financially.

He figured wrong. A lifetime of steady employment, with retirement benefits, was not enough to put Jim into...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030702_en.cgi?06&7428 

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HOUSEHOLD MATH™: TIMING IS EVERYTHING 
by Scott Bilker

Out-of-pocket cost versus payment timing; what is the effect? Here are three $2,000 loans that are paid off in exactly one year: (1) payments of $180 per month for 12 months; (2) eleven monthly payments of $100 and a final payment of $1,060; (3) monthly payments one through five are $100, the 6th payment is $1,060, and the remaining monthly payments are $100. Which loan is best (i.e. has the lowest interest rate)?

Click below to solve problem:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030702_en.cgi?07&7428 

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10 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION 
by Gregory Thomas

Here are ten tips you can use to help improve your personal financial situation and inevitably save more money:

1. Pay Yourself Weekly This may seem a bit odd, but this is an excellent way to start building a substantial savings. On a weekly basis, pay yourself $25-$50 and immediately put it in a safe place. You can even open a special savings account where this weekly "payday" can be placed to help minimize or eliminate impulsive spending. Think about it this way, if you...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030702_en.cgi?08&7428 

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CREDIT CARD AND DEBT MANAGEMENT 
Review by June Schiller, Taylor, MI

"Before you get in trouble--read this book! This book is excellent! It tells you the ins and outs of how credit cards work and how to use them to your advantage. It explains how to use them wisely and dispels many of the myths that so many people still believe about credit. It gives you in very simple terms the ability to compare different credit offers. The easy to use tables in the back of the book help you figure out if an offer will help or hurt you in the long run and how long it will take to pay off accounts. I also took the advice of getting a credit report. So much on there from the past that didn't need to be there that wasn't helping my rating."

Click below to read about book:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030702_en.cgi?09&7428 

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DO WHAT YOU CAN! 
By Doris Dobkins

Do you have debts that feel hopeless? Do you neglect having a savings account because you don't have any money at the end of the month to make it even worth your while?

If this is you, I want you to look at the following quote: "The greatest of all mistakes is to do nothing because you can only do a little. Do what you can."--Sydney Smith

Let's look at this quote now in the light of our personal finances. Many people I talk to don't pay extra on their credit card debts or don't start a savings program because they feel they don't have enough to contribute that would make a difference. But I want to challenge that thought process. Doing a little has a much greater impact on your...

Click below to read article:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030702_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/030702_en.cgi?01&7428 

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online:
http://www.debtsmart.com/cgi-pl/go/030702_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/030702_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/030702_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.