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DebtSmart® Email Newsletter
October 18, 2006: Issue #135

Tools for financial success! A Free Email Newsletter from DebtSmart Online and Press One Publishing.

 

COOL QUOTE

" To a normal person, $10 million will seem like enough. But anyone who thinks that's enough is not the type that can acquire that much in the first place."--James K. Glassman, magazine publisher
Quotes from all previous newsletters
 

IN THIS ISSUE #135

Letter from the publisher
Cool Quote
DebtSmart® Recommended Products and Services
Calling banks for my 82-year-old mother
Scott Bilker's MySpace Page
DebtSmart® MySpace Group
DebtSmart® Amazon aStore
More credit card and debt statistics
"$10,706.50 saved!"
Household Math™: What does Jenna owe?
Stop Debt Collectors Cold!
The Credit Repair Kit plus bonus CD!
Holiday Gift Giving Ideas
More credit, more options!
Free DebtSmart® Column for in-print publication, ezine, or web site
Books, software, in-print and downloads
Archive of Email Newsletters online
Advertising
Update-Subscribe-Unsubscribe-Disclaimer Information
Publisher: Scott Bilker
Editor: Larissa S. Bilker
Assistant Editor: Denise Troy

ISSN 1538-6740

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Seniors in Debt

Americans ages 65 to 69 have an average credit card debt of about $5,800--217 percent more than in 1992. The cost isn't just financial: Debt is emotionally troubling, too, especially for seniors who pride themselves on lifetimes of responsible spending.
Read more credit card and debt statistics
 

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Letter from the Publisher
by Scott Bilker

Hi,

Boy, it's tough to get a human on the phone. You know what I mean. You call your phone service provider, gas company, electric, credit card bank, department store, blah, blah, and all you get is a voice menu. "Press 1 for this, press 2 for that." It drives me crazy! CRAZY I SAY!

So what can you do? How do you get a human?

Well, there is a way. I found a great list of ways to get through the phone menu system at Get Human. Check it out here. Give it a try before you call and see if you get through any faster.

So let's talk about budgeting for a minute. Do you actually have a budget? I mean a list of categories and spending limits? Most people do not.

It's difficult to know how to change your spending habits when you don't know what they are. That's why the first step in setting up a workable budget is to figure out where all your money is going.

Track your spending. Write down everything you spend by category: dining out, gas, groceries, clothing, etc. This is a great starting point for establishing your current spending patterns.

If you can, compare your spending to your peers that have a similar standard of living (income, housing, etc.). Then you can see where you might be spending too much. You will also find that your spending in many categories is on par.

The key is to start today. Take action right now to move toward a stricter money-management system. The benefits are savings and peace of mind.

Have a great day!

Best,
Scott



Calling banks for my 82-year-old mother
by Scott Bilker

Scott,

I help my 82-year-old mother pay many of her credit card bills. She's scared to call the credit card companies, and I don't want to be added as an authorized user or they will show up on my credit report. Is there a service that she can give a power of attorney to that will call the credit card companies on her behalf? Currently, she is NOT past due on any credit cards--but that will change if we can't reduce these interest rates. Thanks!

Brian

Finish reading article



"$10,706.50 saved!"

"I had to write and thank you so much for the book. I just got it yesterday afternoon and started reading it. This morning, I decided to try it out on one of my cards that has a very high interest rate.

This card had been only about 9.99%, but the interest rate skyrocketed last May. I didn't know why, and I really didn't know what to do about it. I called the company this morning, and in less then 5 minutes, I found out why (I'd had trouble with another card issued by the same company) and got the interest rate lowered from 23.99% to 8.99%.

One point lower than it had been before! This one call paid for the book and way more. I figured out how much I saved. It's a good thing I was sitting, because I'm sure I would have fallen on the floor when I realized I saved $10,706.50."

--Jill King, Philadelphia, PA

Read about special offer for all three of Scott Bilker's best-selling books



Household Math™: What does Jenna owe?
by Scott Bilker

Jennafer read Scott Bilker's, Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt and called her credit-card bank in the hopes of reducing her interest rate. Armed with the techniques from the book, she was successful at reducing her rate by 5 percent to 9.9 percent! After doing the math, she calculated that the debt would be paid back one year faster and she would save a total of $3,012! How much does she owe the bank--what is her current balance?

Answer this problem



Stop Debt Collectors Cold!

Stop Debt Collectors Cold! Plus, for a limited time, 4 bonus reports: How to Get Collection Accounts Off Your Credit Report, How to Avoid Losing Your Home In A Foreclosure, What to Do if You Are Behind on Your Car Payments, and Confidential Interview With A Former Debt Collector.

Read about stopping debt collectors



Holiday Gift Giving Ideas
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 the latest, hottest, newest gadgets, take a look at these options that will really save you quite a pocketful.

Finish Reading Article


More credit, more options!

Credit options are your weapon against the banks! The key to success is using your credit lines to save money--not to go crazy spending!



The Credit Repair Kit plus bonus CD!
by Joe Sainz

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

Read more about The Credit Repair Kit plus bonus CD...


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DISCLAIMER

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 ©2006 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.

 

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"The DebtSmart Email Newsletter is packed with cutting-edge strategies for solving credit problems. I highly recommend it."--Gerri Detweiler, radio host and author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook




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