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Frugal Living at The Dollar Stretcher

In Today's Issue:

Technophobia
When you're technically challenged a friend can be very helpful

An Experiment in Business
Could Junior learn his math and some business skills at the same time?

Freezing Food Staples
What's the best way to freeze and store the ingredients you need for cooking?

Heat and Electricity 101
Establish good conservation habits for now and the future

The Frugal Egg
Versatile, affordable and delicious!

A Simple Christmas
Only 1 gift per kid makes for a challenging holiday

Frugal Myths
3 things that don't work and 3 things that do!

20 Gifts Under $25
Before you hit the mall consider these ideas

Make Your Own Baking Mixes
Save money and time in the kitchen

300250-0710-turkey

Look Like a Princess...
on a pauper's budget

Christmas for the Craft Impaired
Make a stack of Christmas treasures!

Signs of Wealth
Follow the signs to a more prosperous future

Crucial vs Not Crucial
We all have 'too much to do'

Sewing Again
Finding fabric for less

Helping a Pack Rat Get Organized
They just can't bear to part with their stuff

Disinfectant Wipes
Love those wipes but hate the price?

Thanksgiving Savings
Don't let the Thanksgiving feast gobble your budget!

The Critical Pause
How consumerism and poor eating go hand-in-hand

Laundry Discs
What I learned in 12 years of use

Double Check Your Pay Check
Could mistakes be costing you money?

Thrifty Stocking Stuffers
Small trinkets don't always come with a small price tag

Duelling Vices
When you and your spouse argue about spending on your bad habits

Romantic Bedroom on a Budget
Create a haven in your home

Holiday Treats Made Simple
Organizing a cookie swap

Love Your Cat
Without shredding your bank account

Fun and Frugal Dates
Don't let a lack of money spoil your relationship

Against His Will
Hubby didn't want to shop second hand...

Convenient Floor Cleaners
Avoiding expensive prepackaged refills

Simple Autumn Pleasures
Holidays are a wonderful time to be home

Holiday Dinner for 2
What to do when you don't expect a crowd

Choosing a Turkey
Let the butcher tell you how to choose the best turkey

Avoiding Creditors
Could you just be making things worse?

Life Skills
They're good to know even if you never need them

Homemade Window De-Icer
Be prepared for winter's storms

Can you help this reader?
Readers want your help!
Can't stop spending on their kids
Please take a look and tell us what you think

Reader's Tips
The smartest readers on the web share their frugal living ideas!

Why not sign up for our free money-saving email alerts?

Your Story
Do you know a way to save time and money? Then please take a moment to "Tell Us Your Story"

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    last update: November 20, 2009



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    Hedge funds for the average investor
    Hedge funds bar the riffraff. But investors can access mutual funds that employ hedging strategies.

    5 car deals with today's incentives
    With today's rebates and these car features, here are five models worth considering.

    Can co-signed car title prevent its sale?
    If a second name is on the paperwork, you can't sell the car separately. Better make a deal.

    Should you rent or buy a house?
    Even with the first-home tax credit, renters need to consider all the expenses before buying.

    Will you have to pay back your tax credit?
    Taxpayers who owe can take some steps now to correct overpayment of the Making Work Pay credit.

    5 tips for saving on Black Friday
    Experts suggest tips to get the most bang for your buck on the busiest shopping day of the year.

    7 ways to stretch your retirement income
    You don't have to defy the laws of physics to stretch your money so it will last. Just plan wisely.

    50s retirement planning
    You're in the home stretch. Use catch-up contributions to maximize savings.

    4 ways to face a cash-strapped retirement
    Follow this approach to socking away money and putting things in order -- before it's too late.

    Frugal mom has thrifty tips
    Meet a mom whose daily money-saving methods got her national attention.

    Should investors over age 50 own stocks?
    The stock market is a scary place, but experts say most investors should have some exposure.

    Not your father's post office
    Humor columnist Jay MacDonald says the Postal Service is getting bold in its search for revenue.

    7 ways to save on baby costs
    Food, clothing and other expenses can add up. Follow these tips so they don't add up too much.

    4 questions on $6,500 home tax credit
    Existing homeowners now have a shot at the new home tax credit. Is it the right move for you?

    How do I ... Ladder CDs?
    CD laddering offers safety, high returns and liquidity all in the same place.

    Learn how to be rich
    Can you learn how to be rich by taking a wealth-management class?

    Figuring retirement needs in shaky economy
    Take these steps to see if your nest egg can furnish your needs in best- and worst-case scenarios.

    Is my money safe after foreclosure?
    If your bank doesn't make enough when the home is sold, it can target your cash for the difference.

    Get rich without marrying a millionaire
    Forget instant wealth via a rich spouse or lottery ticket. Take charge of your financial destiny.

    5 tips for classy, frugal holiday fun
    Don't let a sagging economy prevent you from hosting an affordable holiday party with panache.

    How to prosper
    We're fortunate to live in a country where individuals can reach their goals, realize their dreams.

    Skip the supermarket and save
    You can find yummy groceries in places other than the supermarket.

    6 ways to get free gift cards
    Gift cards are offered as incentives for lots of things you already do. See how to get them.

    Video: College savings plans for kids
    The parents of young children need advice on the best way to save for their education.

    Tips for tapping needs-based financial aid
    In a last-minute push for financial aid, these tips will help you get the most bang for your buck.

    Car loan co-signer gets socked with costs
    Even if a car is repossessed, you're liable for costs the lender can't recoup when it's resold.

    Can an attorney help loan modification?
    Professional help with mortgage lenders might be a good investment -- or a waste of money.

    Ask Dr. Don
  • How do you find bond values?
    The U.S. government offers some handy online tools for determining a savings bond's worth.
  • Husband has no claim on wife's gift
    A man who lives in a community property state may have no claim on a gift his wife received.
  • Husband won't pay fair share of mortgage
    A woman continues to pay her half of the mortgage while her spouse makes excuses.
  • Don't whine about inflation rate
    A Series I savings bond investor should not grouse about the effect of a negative inflation rate.
  • Hiding assets likely to backfire
    The Internal Revenue Service and other authorities have many tools to uncover money shenanigans.
  • Messy finances unfair to heirs
    Put your financial house in order now so your loved ones won't have to sleuth after you die.


  • Financial Calculators
    courtesy of BankRate.com


    Surviving Tough Times

    Baking Day on the Weekend
    Give it a try and save yourself some time during the week!

    RV Living
    Is RV living a good option when you want to cut costs?

    Extend the Life of Your Tools
    Keeping them in good, rust-free condition is easier than you'd think

    Faux or Real Fir?
    How to save on your Christmas tree

    Burning Wood
    Wood heating is no longer a social statement, it's a practical solution

    Coupon Swaps
    Save money and make friends, too!

    I'm Out of Money
    When there's more month than money

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    Favorite Frugal Cleaners - What do you use to clean frugally?

    The Poverty Business - Started by a PBS show. Are the poor preyed upon unethically? Whose fault is it? Or does it matter?

    Does Anyone Have A Good Recipe for Making Cheese Balls? - Of course! Not just one, but several that would be great for entertaining or gifts

    Bargains, Coupons, Rebates and Freebies - Readers share the best deals they've found!

    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 recent posts

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    How bad credit affects a new marriage
    If your credit is bad and your new spouse's is good, you need to take certain steps not to taint the good credit spouse.

    Escaping co-signing: How to get out of a co-signed loan, credit card
    Despite experts' advice, you did it anyway: You co-signed a for a loan or credit card. Now that you've wised up, can you escape? Maybe.

    4 questions to ask before you co-sign on a credit card
    Explore alternatives and find out what you're in for with these questions for anyone who asks you to be a co-signer on a credit car or other loan.

    How to safely, securely destroy a credit card: 6 tips
    With credit card fraud and identity theft on the rise, a single scissor snip won't cut it anymore.

    13 ways to get gift cards for less
    Use these techniques to pay less than face value or boost buying power of a gift card.

    In default on car loan: What to do?
    If you are in default on a car loan, but want to make amends, it might help to sit down with the lender and discuss possible payment options.

    Help! My husband's debt is ruining our credit
    Before marriage, her credit was great. Now, her husband's debts are making their lives unmanageable. Is there hope?

    FICO reveals how common credit mistakes affect scores
    For the first time, the credit scoring firm discloses how many points a score will fall due to late payments or other errors.

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  • Tax credit for home energy efficiency?
    If you missed out on earlier tax credits, they are being reintroduced. But there is a limit.
  • Die in 2011 and you'll pay
    With the estate tax in flux, planning for estate taxes at death is uncertain at best.
  • Rules for the child care tax credit
    The IRS has rules for claiming the child care credit if you pay a relative to provide the care.




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    The Dollar Stretcher Poll

    If there is one thing that has the biggest impact on the health of a relationship, it's money. Financial stress can drive a wedge between couples, which brings us to our question. Is the economy stressing your relationships at home? Please tell us which one most closely fits your situation. Click on the "vote" button to tally your selection.

    Do you have some thoughts about Relationships and Financial Stress that you want to share? You can email your comments here. Or visit The Dollar Stretcher Community to share your thoughts on Relationships and Financial Stress.


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