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Frugal Living at The Dollar Stretcher

In Today's Issue:

What Consumers Should Do About CAFE Changes Today
You need to make changes long before you start shopping for a new car

How to Get Out of Debt
These 3 steps will change your financial direction

Money Saving for Dog Lovers
Reduce the cost of sharing life with man's best friend

The Pork Barbecue Secret
What restaurants don't want you to know

Entertain Chic, on the Cheap!
Cheap and easy ways to entertain indoors or out

Single Parents: A Survival Guide
Making ends meet as a single parent

Why Shop Online
Money-saving truths about online shopping

The Day Trip Vacation
Kid friendly vacations on a tank of gas

Make the World a Healthier Place
7 cost-free ideas that will make you a health-hero to someone in need

Piano Is Easy

Cheaper Summer Cooling
Cooling options for apartment dwellers and others who don't want to spend a lot

The Power of Compound Interest
What could training shoes teach him about money?

Inexpensive Landscaping
A beautiful yard for less

Natural Insect Repellents
Using essential oils to ward off insects

Are You Wasint Half Your Grocery Budget?
The easy secret to reducing your grocery bill

I'm a Make-Up Snob
Learning how to lower the cost without reducing the quality

Furniture for Less
Make shopping for furniture a fun, budget-friendly experience

Going to Restraurants With Kids
An economical way to eat out

Bargains for a Buck
Confessions of a dollar store junkie

Air Drying Clothes Without a Clothesline
Save electricity and lengthen the life of your clothes

Remodeling for Cheap
Fulfilling big plans on a small budget

The Benefits of Slow-Cookers
Prepare delicious meals efficiently

Natural Health Remedies
Check the cupboard first

Garage Sale Guru
Smile as you head to the bank

Wear, Don't Tear
Getting the most out of children's clothes

Liven Up Your Iced Tea
Refreshing and inexpensive!

Stain Treatments
Are expensive products the only answer?

Meals on the Run
No time for a leisurely meal? There's another choice besides fast food

A Festive Backyard Menu for the 4th
It's time for a celebration!

Natural Foods for Lawns
No need for nasty chemicals

Are We Snacking Our Way Into Debt?
You can learn a lot from a person's snacking habits

Natural Spider Control
Keep daddy long legs outside!

Space for Crafts
When there's little room to do what you love

Can you help this reader?
Readers want your help!
Choosing a Microwave Oven
Please take a look and tell us what you think

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

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    Saving you time and money since 1996
    last update: July 3, 2009


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    Dirt-cheap loans on new homes
    Homebuilders are offering discounted interest rates to lure buyers back into the market.

    Electric cars get a boost
    The government has paid billions to Ford and Nissan, but tiny Tesla stands to benefit the most.

    Should you buy Top Tier gas?
    Lower tier gas can hurt your engine over time. If your car's manual says to use Top Tier, heed it.

    15 ways to protect your money on vacation
    Don't let a thief ruin your vacation. Follow these tips to keep your money secure.

    10 commonly overlooked auto safety issues
    As seasons change, you should check your car for these potential safety problems.

    Illness doesn't cancel out debt
    Decide how much you can pay once you're well and working again, and map out a payment plan with creditors.

    5 tips for buying a foreclosed home
    Do the footwork first to find a deal on a foreclosed home. Here's what you need to know.

    Retirement account withdrawal
    Whether you withdraw from an IRA or 401(k), the tax implications are usually the same.

    5 scams spread like a virus in recession
    Thieves operate even in a downturn; here are a few tips to avoid fraud when you need money the most.

    Tax Blog: Eye on the IRS
    Why does the IRS care if we're prepared for storms? Because if you incur damage from an angry Mother Nature, you might be able to get some help from Uncle Sam.

    N.Y. Auto Show: 10 new cars ready to go
    This year's New York auto show was long on cars ready to go on sale and short on concept cars.

    Money camp gives kids itch to get rich
    Here is a camp offering an itch more lasting than a case of poison ivy.

    Taking money back in bankruptcy difficult
    Once your account is levied or wages garnished, prying cash away from creditors will be a struggle.

    Starting a business in a recession
    There are advantages to launching a startup in down times. Follow these tips to make it successful.

    Time to take on risk for higher yields?
    It's tempting today to take on more investing risk for higher yield, but is it wise?

    New card law will impact terms
    The Credit CARD Act forbids many of the worst practices. See what will change -- and what won't.

    Work sheet: Compare mutual fund fees
    Fees can rob your investments. Compare the fees on prospective mutual funds to narrow down your choices.

    What's new in hybrids and electric cars
    Many all-new and redesigned hybrid electric vehicles have been arriving recently in showrooms across the country.

    HEV fuel costs, mileage and price
    It's easy to compare the fuel efficiency, annual fuel costs and base prices of most hybrid and electric vehicles using this chart.

    Whose finances are whose?
    She's on disability, he makes six figures. And she's worried she'll be liable for debt he incurs.

    2009 Credit Card Study results
    Bankrate surveyed 20 cards from the top issuers to see whose cards are the best deal.

    2009 Credit Card Study: The fine print
    What's in the fine print? See which credit card issuer has the best -- and worst -- practices.

    Building a portfolio
    It takes finesse, but anyone can create the perfect investment portfolio for their life stage and risk tolerance.

    Parent, not the child, controls 529 plan
    A savings plan may be for your college education, but the parent decides what goes in and comes out.

    Is Cash for Clunkers right for you?
    Before taking up Obama on Cash for Clunkers, decide if selling your car would bring more money.

    Buying a new car with Cash for Clunkers
    Dump your gas guzzler, get that new-car smell, save money and help the environment, all at once.

    7 ways to avoid tapping retirement cash
    Borrowers looking for funds in a down economy have options other than raiding retirement savings.

    Credit Card Blog: Plastic Rap
    Equifax offers a new debt management product.

    Fed Blog: Fed Outlook
    Per the Fed: Inflation to be 'subdued for some time'.

    Ask Dr. Don
  • Roth IRA beats 401(k) in key ways
    A young worker may find a Roth IRA to be superior to a 401(k) when saving for retirement.
  • Lottery rules impact estate planning
    It's important to know the rules surrounding lottery winnings when crafting an estate plan.
  • Use mortgage broker for land refinance
    A mortgage broker can be a big help on a land refinance that includes a so-called "story loan."
  • Weigh interest-only mortgage refinance
    A condominium homeowner may benefit from a mortgage refinance on an interest-only loan.
  • 2 mortgages haunt retirement home dream
    Homeowners dream of a new retirement home but fear the nightmare of holding two mortgages.
  • IRA rollover rules protect retirement
    Following the rules carefully with an IRA CD rollover will help protect your retirement.
  • Dropped pension won't thwart retirement
    When a company drops a pension plan, seeking expert help can prevent damage to retirement dreams.


    • Financial Calculators
    courtesy of BankRate.com


    Surviving Tough Times

    The Positive Effects of a Money Gram
    Understand why you handle money the way you do

    Check Scams
    Tips on protecting yourself from check scams

    Home Canning
    How to get started

    Affordable Movers
    Making your move smooth and affordable

    Freezing Fruit
    You can add fruit to your diet year-round for less!

    The Dollar Stretcher Recommends

    Site Build It!
    Step-by-step instruction for building your own profitable website

    The Dollar Stretcher Community
    Share what you know with your frugal friends!

    Food Programs, Co-ops and Clubs - Do you participate in food programs of any kind? Come and share your experiences

    I'm just sayin'... - "Don't ever get yourself into debt. It feels like you are pushing 10 elephants up the stairs!"

    Questions about apartments - Rules, regulations, fees and limitations... what's it like in your city?

    Is it possible... - ...to work full-time and homeschool in the evening? Homeschoolers say "yes." What do you think?

    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

    Current Rates

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  • Retirement account withdrawal
    Whether you withdraw from an IRA or 401(k), the tax implications are usually the same.
  • Deciphering tax treaties
    The details of a tax treaty involving the U.S. and the Czech Republic are best left to an expert.
  • 2009 RMD rules for an IRA
    If you already took your RMD for 2009, you still may be able to roll it into another plan.


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    Credit card interest rates rise ahead of new law
    Regulations plus recession make card issuers pull the APR trigger and hike cardholders' rates.

    Consumers get new path to dispute credit report errors
    Under a set of newly introduced guidelines, consumers gain the right to take up disputes over credit report inaccuracies diirectly with the businesses that supplied the faulty data.

    Is your credit card making you sick?
    It may not be just that late fee that's making you feel ill: Flu viruses can last for hours -- even weeks -- on plastic surfaces.

    Strapped for cash? Pawnshops offer short-term solution
    Credit cards maxed out? Look no further than your jewelry box to turn valuables into cash with a quick trip to your local pawnshop.

    Can mom do time for daughter's possible credit card crime?
    A mother nervously asks if she can be charged because she knows that her 16-year-old daughter has 10 credit cards. She might not like the answer.

    How to decide to dump your rewards card for another
    With so many bonus sign-up rewards cards out there, it becomes difficult to decide when it's time to dump your old card for a new one.

    Personal loans vs. credit card cash advances
    For one-time events such as a wedding, go with the loan -- the rates are usually much cheaper.

    Dumped by your card issuer? 5 tips to survive the breakup
    What should you do if you suddenly find yourself dumped? Here are five steps to take when your credit card issuer just isn't into you anymore.

    When your ex doesn't pay on joint accounts
    If you rely on your ex to pay down on joint accounts after a divorce, expect to be disappointed.

    For Our Canadian Friends
  • Co-owning the family cottage
    Navigating the potential pitfalls of owning property with your relatives.
  • Camping can be a cheap -- and fun -- vacation
    Tips on how to stretch your dollar the furthest on your next getaway to the great outdoors.
  • The skinny on pawnshops
    Forget what you see on TV -- pawnshops are trying to clean up their image.
  • Could you survive 72 hours in an emergency?
    Everyone needs an emergency kit. Here's what to pack.
  • Economy appears to be bottoming out
    Canada's housing market appears to be stabilizing, too. How long that lasts is anyone's guess.
  • Dress up your house for a successful sale
    Experts say spending one percent of your asking price to primp your house helps set the stage for a quick sale at a high price.
  • Simpler Living
    Raising kids on the lean and green.
    • The Dollar Stretcher Poll

    Many are faced with the dilemma of saving for retirement or saving for their kids' college education. Saving for either can be difficult, but saving for both can be nearly impossible for some, which brings us to our question. Which has the higher priority in your household? Tell us which one most closely fits the age category of your oldest child. And then which is your higher priority - retirement versus college savings. Click on the "vote" button to tally your selection.

    Do you have some thoughts about retirement versus college savings that you want to share? You can email your comments here. Or visit The Dollar Stretcher Community to share your thoughts on Retirement vs. College Savings.

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