The Dollar Stretcher



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In This Week's Issue:
Winning FinanciallyThere are no shortcuts to financial prosperity
Practical and Frugal Home SecurityStaying safe without a fancy home security system
Traversing the JungleDon't let a thief or scam artist ruin your vacation
Chic Wall Decor3 easy treatments to spice up your walls!
Basement FlooringCovering an uneven basement floor
The Great Laundry Detergent DilemmaWhat's the secret to laundry detergent?

Savings StrategiesSelecting a savings plan that matches your goals
Inexpensive SheetsFinding a bargain on bedsheets
How to Buy a Used CarThe two qualities you need to get a good deal
Picking ProduceA bargain isn't a bargain if it rots in your fridge!
Lost OpportunitiesCould an economic theory improve your bottom line?
Overheated ElectricWhen your electric bill is out of control
The Dollar Stretcher email newsletter "I look forward to the Dollar Stretcher every week. The Stretcher always has good ideas that have helped me save money and time! Thanks for all you do!" ~ Susie R. Subscribe Now!
Fantastic Facial MasksMake them at home for pennies!
Table for OneSolo cooking and dining on a budget
Dollar Stretcher PollWhat are you doing to reduce the costs of commuting to work?
The Power of Compound InterestA magical money concept
Dishwasher EfficiencySparkling clean dishes load after load
Wasted MomentsJust minutes make a difference
Vacation ClutterVacation what???
Summer In the CityFun activities for backyard and beyond
Surviving a LayoffLayoffs keep derailing his efforts at financial planning
Conspicuously ThriftyLet your financial accomplishments shine
Stop That Overspending SpouseWhat would you do?
Baby On a BudgetEnjoy your baby instead of worrying about the bills
Cash In the ClosetWhy not take it to the bank?
Backyard PondsAn inexpensive sea of tranquility
Quality Time: A Fresh Look"Quality Time" doesn't need to be "expensive time"
Can you help this reader?Readers want your help! Should we buy or keep renting? Please take a look and tell us what you recommend
Reader's TipsThe smartest readers on the web share their frugal living ideas!

The Guide to Understanding and Protecting Credita 14 lesson guide to your managing your credit
This week's lesson: ID Theft Victims - Immediate steps to take
Last week's lesson: Preventing ID Theft - What you need to know
Your StoryDo you know a way to save time and money? Then please take a moment to "Tell Us Your Story"
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Inflation Fighters

Bank Fees Up 41% in 4 YearsA look at how fees are affecting your wallet
Little Savings SlipsHow to build a coupon binder in 10 easy steps
My StoryUsing the net to make the most of the garage sale hunt

VA loans offer good deals Ignored in recent years, Veterans Administration mortgage loans are making a comeback
States also offer VA loans Some states offer loans or down payment help for veterans that might be even better deals than the federal VA loans
10 reasons to love a recession Even a slowing economy offers a silver lining if you know where to look. Here are 10 benefits of a recession
Rethinking retirement Traditional retirement is undergoing transformation. For many, it's likely to happen later, and it may involve work
You can negotiate a balance-transfer fee Transferring a credit-card balance to save on interest carries a fee. But you can talk that fee down
Make sure your good credit gets recorded If your timely creditor payments are not getting reported to the credit bureau, you're getting shortchanged
Savings: Are better yields ahead? Lower interest rates have depressed yields on CDs and money market funds. If the Fed stops lowering rates, it's good news for savers. Here's why
Understanding hybrid CDs Callable, bump-up and step-up CDs offer higher yields than their ordinary cousins, but need to be judged carefully
Rebuilding credit after Chapter 7 The damage to a credit report after bankruptcy can be repaired in time
High credit score can save you plenty A good credit score is possibly the biggest boost you can give your financial life
Is your credit file too thin? A credit history is important
America's retirement prospects The economic slump is forcing many to lower contributions to their retirement savings. But some are stepping it up
Guaranteed yields on savings accounts surge Some banks are competing with attractive introductory rates on accounts. Get the lowdown here on the high yields
Indexed CDs offer potential risk, reward Can't stomach the loss of principal in a volatile stock market? Indexed CDs guarantee some protection, but there's market risk too
Do's and don'ts of establishing credit Credit is a necessary part of daily life. But it's like experience: If you don't have any who will give you some?
Money market accounts: Savings on steroids Start with the first rule of careful investing: Don't lose money
Fame & Fortune: Regis Philbin For pure television longevity, no one beats Regis, who is busy reviving a game show classic
7 gas-sippers that offer rebates Several gas-sipping cars can be bought at a sizable discount
Diesel cars have two big drawbacks Two big drawbacks hurt the appeal of diesel cars in the United States
Rolling over lease usually a bad move Think twice before agreeing to a negative equity deal
Driver feels swindled by car dealer Keeping copies of your loan papers can prevent many headaches
Building blocks of a successful investment strategy Investing is not an art or rocket science either. These basics will help you develop a profitable strategy
5-step plan for dealing with deep debt Americans are carrying hundreds of billions in revolving debt. If you owe an all-too-large chunk of that, you're in trouble. But it's never too late to turn things around
Frozen HELOC can ice credit score Under some circumstances, freezing a HELOC might not change the score much; under others, the credit score can tumble enough to derail one's financial plans
This year, no rush to combine college loans Forget the usual scramble to consolidate student loans by July 1. This year, rates are expected to drop
CD tips for low-rate times Laddering CDs can help you beat lengthy low-rate cycles
Refinancing: Great deals ... if you qualify If you've kept your credit score up and can prove your income, here's where and how to find the best refi deals
Ask Dr. Don
No villains in home equity freeze - Borrowers may lament a HELOC freeze, but lenders are just protecting themselves
Paying loans with HELOC involves risk - Tapping a HELOC to reduce a debt load sometimes involves risk
With CDs, don't be 'long and wrong' - Right now, certificate of deposit yields are flat across all maturities, so there's little interest rate reward for locking up your money for years
Bond owners can keep sale hush-hush - Bond owners do not have to disclose sale information to anyone but the IRS
Dumping gas hog may not save you money - Trading in a gas guzzler for a smaller car may not translate to big savings
Check rates before trying CD auction - Investors who stay on top of rates should do fine at a CD auction
Family loan pitfalls go beyond gift tax - The gift tax is just one issue surrounding loans to family members
Why build a CD ladder? - It keeps you from trying to time the market
Prepaying mortgagor won't owe interest - A mortgagor who pays off a loan early does not owe future lost interest

Saving you time and money each week since 1996
last update: June 26, 2008
The Dollar Stretcher Community Share what you know with your frugal friends!
How much is your food budget and how many in your family? - How does your monthly or weekly grocery bill compare to others?
How to stay motivated and not get discouraged - Biting off small chunks of an overwhelming debt load seems best... is it?
Tips for using a dehydrator - Suggestions, tips and questions about drying food
How much is enough? - Stocking up and/or preparing for emergencies leads to the question: Where do you draw the line?
Never visited The Community? We'll make it easy for you to make new frugal friends in the About These Forums section
Dollar Stretcher Blogs
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Become a Dollar Stretcher blogger. Send us an email with your idea for a blog. We're always looking for more great ideas to share with visitors!
Current Rates
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30 yr fixed
6.27%
6.42%
30 yr fixed jumbo
7.38%
7.49%
15 yr fixed
5.84%
6.07%
15 yr fixed jumbo
6.77%
6.95%
5/1 ARM
5.70%
5.91%
5/1 jumbo ARM
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HELOC $30K
4.66%
HELOC $50K
4.38%
HELOC $75K
4.37%
HELOC $100K
4.60%
Loan $50K
7.40%
Loan $75K
7.68%
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36 month new car
6.80%
48 month new car
6.83%
60 month new car
6.48%
72 month new car
6.32%
36 month used car
7.14%
48 month used car
6.83%
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MMA
2.38%
2.41%
MMA $10K
2.54%
2.57%
6 month CD
2.92%
2.96%
1 yr CD
3.28%
3.33%
3 yr CD
3.58%
3.64%
5 yr CD
3.88%
3.96%
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11.68%
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11.73%
10.46%
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10.55%
11.35%
All
11.88%
11.28%
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When a job relocation forces a home sale - You might be able to exclude capital gains on the sale of a home if you move for a job
Income tax for a foreign home seller - The IRS will want withholding on a home sale above $300,000 when the seller is a foreigner
Capital gains tax on a home - When an owner-financed mortgage is refinanced, capital gains tax may not be due
Commuter tax breaks - If you take public transportation to work, your employer could give you a tax benefit
How do tax-free CDs differ from traditional? - Strategies for deferring tax on interest
Financial Calculatorscourtesy of BankRate.com
Mortgages
Autos
Credit Cards
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Micropayments: a strategy to cut credit card debt Big credit card bill too much to handle? Try multiple monthly payments. It can whittle debt faster and align billing with paycheck
When a family member steals your identity Here are the steps you can take when a family member steals your identity to open credit accounts in your name
How to finance an engagement ring Study the fine print to make sure the bauble on her finger doesn't turn into a ball and chain on your newlywed finances
Turning 18 with a credit card Legal rights and responsibilities Can you -- or your teenage son or daughter -- handle it?
Rules changing for merchants handling credit card data Safety concerns for consumers' credit card information prompt changes in the way businesses handle data
Credit card 'phishing': What it means, how to prevent it What 'phishing' means and how consumers can prevent being a victim of the scam
Retired, with $70,000 in credit card debt How to reduce astronomical credit card debt on a fixed income
Manage your credit cards before, during and after a move Prevent unnecessary expenses and maintain your credit score by keeping tabs on your credit cards and debt during a move

Getting Out of the Timeshare Trap We may have lost $5,000, but at least we aren't paying $700 this summer on an unwanted vacation
We Paid Off $650,000! Mitch was $650,000 in debt, working 3 jobs, and scared to death. Now he's experiencing life from the other side of the fence!
Finding my dream career Lindsay doesn't know how to market herself for the job she wants.
Where does the leftover money go? When you've got money left over in your envelope system at the end of the month, what is the best thing to do with it?
We Regret Buying a Camper In 2002, we purchased a large camper so we could enjoy life. We have regretted it ever since
Check the Billing Address Could you be tricked into a late fee?
Buying a More Fuel Efficient Vehicle Is it worth buying a hybrid?
For more Dave Ramsey Click Here

For Our Canadian Friends
All about contests Everything you ever wanted to know about contests, from whether your winnings are taxed to why you have to answer a skill-testing question to claim your prize
Is inflation making a comeback? Core inflation remains low in Canada. But there are signs that it could go much higher
Taking a gamble Although seniors have the most to lose, young people are most at risk of becoming problem gamblers. Here are the signs to watch out for
Brewing up savings Tap into your inner brewmaster by making your own beer
Is your pension plan under-funded? Low interest rates have hit pension plans hard. Here's how to assess the health of your plan
Unclaimed PropertyAre you owed money?"My husband and I checked for unclaimed funds. We were stunned to find out that we had $450 coming to us. You never know until you check."Bev
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