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DEBTSMART® EMAIL NEWSLETTER
ISSN 1538-6740
June 30, 2004 Issue 77
Tools for financial success from DebtSmart Online and Press One 
Publishing!

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Publisher: Scott Bilker

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IN THIS ISSUE

==> Cool Quote

==> Letter from the Publisher

==> No Money When Bill Arrives

==> Household Math™: Painting a House

==> Inspired to Call for a Reduction in APR

==> Money Worries?

==> DebtSmart Help Center

==> How to GUARANTEE a great day every day!

==> DebtSmart® Resources

==> Subscribe/Unsubscribe/Disclaimer Information

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COOL QUOTE

"One who restrains his appetites avoids debt."
--Chinese proverb

Click here for quotes from all previous newsletters

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

This issue is the first semi-HTML email newsletter. No pictures included in the email but links are in HTML format and sections are in bold. If you have any problems with this email issue, please let me know by email to publisher@debtsmart.com. I'll also be sending another email to help measure readership so I can determine if everyone can read the email newsletter.

Here are a few interesting items in no particular order:

TRAINED HUSBANDS
The Father’s Day card from my wife was cute so I wanted share it with you. On the cover of the card it read, "Husbands like you are hard to find!" Open the card, "You know, now that you’re trained and all. Happy Father’s Day!"

INTERVIEW ON CNNfn
The media is taking more interest in DebtSmart strategies! Two weeks ago I was interviewed on CNNfn’s "Your Money" hosted by Ali Velshi. I posted the six-minute interview online along with a few still photos.

Click here to view streaming video viewable in Windows Media Player 9 with a cable modem connection.

Click here to view still pictures from the interview.

CHANGES TO LAW PROVIDE FREE CREDIT REPORTS
The Federal Trade Commission has issued its final rule regarding free annual credit reports under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). FACTA, which was enacted on December 4, 2003, amends the FCRA and requires, among other things, that the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (CRAs)--Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union--provide to consumers, upon request, a free copy of their credit report once every 12 months.
Click here to read more

Cheers,
Scott

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NO MONEY WHEN BILL ARRIVES
by Scott Bilker

"I find your web site fascinating. I can see that you have
helped a lot of people and thought that you might be able to help me. I get paid twice a month. My first paycheck pays the mortgage and the 2nd pays the rest of my bills. The problem is that I get paid on the 1st and 15th. A lot of my debt is due between the 1st and the 15th. I have no choice but to pay late. Will my creditors change my due date if I ask them to, if not, what else would you suggest? My FICO score has suffered miserably as you can imagine. Leaving me with an HFC loan with a 26% interest rate that I can't get out from under. Please help."
--Kay

Click here to continue to reading article

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PAINTING A HOUSE
by Scott Bilker

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 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 here to solve problem

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INSPIRED TO CALL FOR A REDUCTION IN APR

"Just got your books and was inspired to call my major credit card to ask for a reduction in APR. The current rate is variable 12.74%; with a $10,000 balance that's costing more than $100 per month in interest. They reduced that rate to 9.9% with no discussion. (Not great, but better than it was.) Then I asked about the 19.74% rate on cash advances. That balance is only about $500, but the rate seems unnecessarily high. That one they refused to reduce.

But here's where I really benefited from having read your book: In talking about that rate, the account supervisor told me they will wire cash advances to my bank account for only 2.99% APR. They will provide as much as $10K per month. So, I could reduce the 19.74% rate to 2.99% rate by having the money wired to my bank and then writing a check to pay off the entire balance! (I have enough credit available on the card.) Amazing - they told me how to save money.

So, I just wanted to say that I feel I've already gotten my $19.95 worth from your books.

Here's my next step: The card, which dropped its rate for me is a frequent flyer miles card (that's why I use it). They just charged me the annual $59 "membership" fee. I am going to ask them to refund the fee. I have a 2.99% transfer offer for another card, which I never use (so it has no balance). I'm going to tell them I will transfer the balance from the ‘miles’ card to the 2.99% offer-card unless they drop the fee. After they drop the fee, I might transfer anyway! Thanks!"
--Kathy

Click here to read more about Scott’s books

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MONEY WORRIES?
by Terry Rigg

If you are worrying about your money problems it's time to STOP IT NOW! Easier said than done, huh.

In my 25 to 30 years working with personal money management problems, I have never seen worry help solve the problem. In fact it has just the opposite effect.

Worry clouds your judgment. You have certain actions that you need to...

Click here to continue reading article

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DEBTSMART HELP CENTER
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

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 here to read more

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HOW TO GUARANTEE A GREAT DAY EVERY DAY!
by Chris Widener

I have a standing interview every Monday morning on a radio station in the southeast that I enjoy very much. You can imagine though that it can become routine. So to make it a little more fun, the host nowadays doesn’t even tell me the topic before we go live on the air – that puts some excitement into it!

This past week he asked me the following question cold at the beginning of the show: How can a person guarantee that they will have a great day, every day? Now some may find that a hard question but for me it was actually a very easy question to answer...

Click here to continue reading article

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DEBTSMART® RESOURCES

DebtSmart® Books, software, reports, in-print and downloads

Archive of DebtSmart® Email Newsletters online

DebtSmart® articles FREE in your e-zine or on your website

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER

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Click here TO SUBSCRIBE to this newsletter and complete the subscription form

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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 © 2004 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.