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PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Copyright "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." 2000. ISSN 1527-2974
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"The Dollar Stretcher" and Dollar Stretcher, Inc. does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.

In this issue:

Christmas Greetings
by Gary Foreman

On the Dollar Stretcher Website

Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com

Hello to all my Frugal Friends!
You probably noticed that this week's issue is much shorter than usual. There's a reason for that. The Dollar Stretcher staff is busy doing all the things that people do at Christmas. We're shopping, baking, spending time with friends and family. And all of the other things that make this time so special. So we decided that we that we would just send you our Christmas greetings and a list of the new articles that are on the website this week.

Christmas is a very interesting time of the year. Wishing you a Merry Christmas really isn't sufficient. For most people it's a great time of joy and celebration. But, for others it can be a time of great sadness. This last year might have been a struggle for you either financially or emotionally. Perhaps you lost a loved one or a job. The celebrations around you only serve to remind you of how sad and hurt you are.

It would be a lie to tell you to 'cheer up, tomorrow will be better'. Because neither you nor I know for sure what tomorrow will bring. But I do think that there's a reason to keep hope alive in your life.

Whether you're hurting or just tired of all the holiday craziness, please take a moment to relax and read a Christmas Story that we have on the website You might find that it's one of the best Christmas presents that you've ever received.

From your editor and everyone involved in The Dollar Stretcher we hope that you and everyone that you hold dear has a wonderfully blessed Christmas.
Gary

Articles on the Dollar Stretcher Website This Week:
www.stretcher.com

Mortgage Rate Analysis
Year-end slide bodes well for home buyers and mortgage holders
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001221a.htm

Overspend This Year?
Better start saving!
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001222a.htm

Mom's Time Out
by Marybeth Henry
Isn't it about time that you pampered yourself?
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001225a.cfm

Removal Guaranteed?
by Debra Vaughn
Can they legally remove bad credit references?
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001225b.cfm

My Story: Redefining Financial Necessity
by Rachel Astyk
Why wait for a crisis to evaluate your finances?
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001225c.cfm

Investing and Risk
by Doris Dobkins
You can't have one without the other. But you can manage both
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001225d.cfm

401k Accounts
Rolling them over and contribution limits
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001222t.htm

Most Annoying of All Fees
Some banks even charge for deposit slips
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001215.htm

Just Business
Banks ranking account holders with "customer profitability" scores
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001218a.htm

Auto Fraud
Don't get flattened by a used car with a rolled-back odometer
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001220a.htm

Not Yet
Fed reverses stance, but leaves rates alone
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001220b.htm

Your Mortgage
New year means new mortgage rules, new opportunities
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001221.htm

Money Outlook
Mortgage rates take the hint, drop like a rock
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001222b.htm

Online Bill Paying
Americans still shying away from online bills -- but getting acquainted
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001222c.htm

Ask the Tax Adviser
Shifting retirement investments
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001219t.htm

Ask Dr. Don
Canada cost of living comparison
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001218.htm

Ask Dr. Don
HELOC vs. home equity loan
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001220.htm

Ask Dr. Don
Credit Inquiries
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001222.htm

More About Your Fruit Trees
by Don Trotter
More steps to take now to grow better fruit next season
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001225e.cfm

Frozen Car Doors
Ask Bob: The Auto Answer Man
Old Man Winter has high-jacked his car
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001225f.cfm

Readers' Tips
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/001225t.cfm

For Your Home or Small Business

Small Business 2001
The year ahead
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001215b.htm

A Bad Year at Santa Claus, Inc.
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001218b.htm

Credit Unions
Move into the technological age -- while keeping their member focus
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001219b.htm

Rules of Thumb
Injured workers more likely to file another injury claim
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001220c.htm

Personal Use Policies
An Internet usage policy can protect your company -- and its profits
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001221b.htm

Geek on a Shoestring
How to be your own tech
http://www.stretcher.com/brm/001222d.htm

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Copyright 2000 "The Dollar Stretcher, Inc.". All rights reserved unless specifically noted.

Write to the Dollar Stretcher at:
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