THE DOLLAR STRETCHER

"Living Better...For Less"


September 28, 1998
Volume 3, Number 39

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"The Dollar Stretcher" 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 his or her own situation.

In this issue:

Introduction

GETting Money with BudGETing!
By Jane Chidester

Retire Early!
One Income Family Plans For Financial Independence
by Lucynda Koesters

Warning Signs
by Gary Foreman

Ask Bob: The Automotive Answer Man?
The Kids Did What??
by Bob DeP

My Best Bargain
by Lisa C.

Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions

NEW ON THE WEB SITE THIS WEEK

Dry Seasoning Mixes for Meats
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923a.htm

Inexpensive Baby Shower Gifts - part 2
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923b.htm

Reducing Hospital Bills
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923c.htm

An Insider Look:
Buying a Mattress
by Trish Chapanian
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923d.htm

Wiring a Florescent Fixture
by the Natural Handyman
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923e.htm

Frugal Fitness
Weight Loss That Works
by Greg Landry
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923f.htm

Introduction
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com

Hello to all my Frugal Friends!

This week I have the pleasure of announcing a new budget series to you. Jane Chidester is the author of Budget Yes! In this issue she introduces her subject. If you've ever wanted to create a budget or wanted help using a budget, this series is for you. We'll plan on running the articles about every four weeks.

Our story from a few weeks ago about "cake in a jar" has received a number of comments suggesting that it isn't safe to store the cake for long periods of time. I'm certainly no expert on canning, but being careful about spoiled foods is always a good idea. Based on what was sent to me, you probably should only use that recipe with the intention of eating the cake in a reasonable period of time.

All the Best!
Gary

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GETting Money with BudGETing!
By Jane Chidester
Jane@TulipTreePress.com
http://TulipTreePress.com

What I'm about to say will be counterintuitive to most, I know. I hope to prove in a series of brief articles that making budgeting a way of life is not the torture mechanism we've been trained to think it is! Together, let's explode some of the myths associated with budgeting--myths that prevent many people from getting the many benefits of a money plan.
With all of the information we have today about handling finances, why do the headlines still broadcast that "Bankruptcy is Up," "Saving is Down," and "Spending is Out of Control?" My experience is that most of us go through our school years focused on job or career training that teaches us how to earn money, yet leaves us with no foundation for how to spend money- -spend it wisely, that is. After years of waiting to get out of school, how quickly things can happen. Before we know it, we are out in the "real" world with rent or mortgage, groceries, kids, and bills of every description.
I like to use the analogy in my seminars that this scenario is much akin to learning all the skills to build a house--the carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc.--without ever learning how to read or draw a blueprint!
Well, I was there. My husband was there. Taking the bull by the horns, we did a lot of research and investigation and over the last 15 years have earned the dubious moniker of budgeting "gurus" in our own inner circle.
Expanding that circle about six years ago, we began teaching seminars in our community. Today our circle continues to enlarge, and I hope I can share some good information with you too!
As dedicated Dollar Stretcher readers, the message has come through loud and clear: how a person spends money is far more important than how he or she invests it!
Let's learn to spend our money right by exploring the topic of budgeting in more depth. Let me show you how to find extra money in your paycheck every month, without having to "give up" things or "deprive" yourself--terms normally associated with "going on a budget!" Deprivation is ancient thinking. I'll share the secrets of this new attitude! :) Over the coming months I will cover:
* Why Budget? SevenThings a Budget can do for YOU!
* Outdated Paradigms--Budgeting Through the Ages; Taking it to the 21st Century!
* Finding a Budget You'll Stick With; Nine Things to Look For
* Three Myths of Budgeting; The Misunderstood Miracle
* When to Begin Budgeting
* How to Begin Budgeting
* Maintaining the Budget Habit; How to make it Easier

Jane Chidester (Jane@TulipTreePress.com) is the author of BudgetYes! 21st Century Solutions for Taking Control of Your Money Now!
http://TulipTreePress.com
phone: 614-766-2050

Retire Early!
One Income Family Plans For Financial Independence
by Lucynda Koesters
lkoestrs@venus.net

Laura and Dann Miller of Clarkston, Washington are living a successful one-income life. How successful? Staying out of debt, living comfortably within their means and saving and investing enough to retire in their forties (approx. 15 years away) are just a few of the fulfilling benefits the Millers attribute to their lifestyle. This success has not come easily or quickly; they've had to make adjustments from their former two-income life by reining in spending and saving more money. But with benefits like a far less stressful life and the goal of early retirement to look forward to, the Millers believe it's all worth it.
How did the Millers get started on the road to one-income success? They began their married life seven years ago in Anchorage, Alaska. They had two children within the first two years of marriage while Dann was still in college and Laura worked as a hairdresser. Early on, both partners worked even after the children arrived. Says Laura, "Looking back, we had what I call a 'two-income mentality'. We felt we couldn't have a comfortable life on one income. We never actually sat down and worked out the cost of working vs. the cost of staying home; we just assumed two jobs were better." The family was far from being spendthrifts, though, paying off education and auto loans quickly and purchasing a new home in the first four years of marriage.
Yet Laura was not happy having to put her children in daycare, so when Dann was transferred from Alaska to Clarkston, Washington, a year and a half ago, she made the decision not to go back to work outside the home. Of this decision, she says, "It hit me that at any time in my life I can go back to work, or school, but I only have one chance to raise my children. I became determined to make it work on one income."
This was difficult, because the family was used to the money from a second income. Laura began to read all the tightwad material she could get her hands on and sought help from her grandparents, who, as she describes, are of the "waste not, want not" generation. She learned to cook from scratch and began browsing second-hand stores for good-quality used clothing. Her husband was supportive, willingly taking homemade lunches and leftovers to work and wearing second-hand jeans. She feels that all the tightwad material was motivational and helped her learn to think creatively.
Her efforts paid off: "My kids wear brand-name clothes that I find in thrift stores--it is important to me that they feel they "fit in" with their peers, but I refuse to pay GAP prices. When we both worked, our kids wore OshKosh, Nordstrom brands, Levi's, etc. Now they wear OshKosh, Nordstrom brands, Levi's, etc. How? Because these days spendthrifts throw out anything and everything. If you visit the Goodwill or other thrift stores often, you will find many brand names, and many -- believe it or not -- with all the original tags still attached. I buy used (but in excellent condition) Levi's for my husband who is required to wear jeans and goes through a pair in six months (Dann is a marketing and membership manager at Costco in Clarkston). I have never paid more than $6 per pair, even for Silver Tab. I emphasize this because if you are extremely fashion-conscious as I am, it may scare you to start shopping thrift stores. BE NOT AFRAID! I love it when my husband gets occasional comments at work about his "expensive" clothes. It's not that I think we should all be focusing on brands; I would just like to blow the "welfare" image that being a tightwad conjures up."
On the grocery side of things, Laura insists, "being frugal means NOT eating as many packaged 'cheap' foods. My family has homemade meals with no preservatives, quality, fresh ingredients, and we drink water instead of pop. This is cheaper than buying pre-packaged meals and MUCH healthier."
The family experienced other benefits from having one parent at home. Dann pursued and received a promotion requiring a more flexible schedule--an impossibility if both partners worked. He was also able to pursue a dream of becoming a (part-time) firefighter. Laura feels the family is living a more fulfilling life with less stress: "I no longer worry that my kids are doing OK at the sitter; I make all their food and know it is healthy; they are very confident and secure kids. . .no matter how great your daycare provider is, WE are the ones who matter to our children and who will make the most difference. This confidence (or lack thereof) will be with them throughout their lives."
Dann and Laura are making a financial success of their one- income life as well. With Dann's promotion, they now claim an income in the $40K range, less than many of their peers, but the Millers are saving and investing enough to accomplish an early retirement--something many people say is the "new American Dream". How are the Millers carrying out this goal? Their early attention to saving money and avoiding debt is a major factor. Says Laura, "Dann and I have never bought major purchases (other than a mortgage and education) on credit. We started a savings trick when we were first married -- we saved a set amount, then we rewarded ourselves by buying something from our "wish list." By doing this we were able to buy two vehicles outright. That saved us a lot of money in the long run because we didn't pay interest. Obviously, having the money before you buy something requires some patience and discipline, but staying out of debt frees up our income for things we'd rather be paying for."
Dann and Laura estimate they are about 15 years away from financial independence. They plan to be earning enough in interest from their saved investments that they will have the freedom to choose whether or not to work. Laura says, "Often people assume that if you're financially independent you must be BEYOND WEALTHY, but that's really not the case. Anyone with determination can achieve this. . .I don't feel that I will want to be done working in my forties, but rather I will choose work that is really fulfilling. The point is, I will have the choice because money won't be an issue."
The key to retiring early, the Millers believe, is starting a savings program as early in life as possible. Laura explains, "The key to saving for retirement is to start yesterday. The younger you are when you begin to put money away, the less you must put away and the bigger it becomes. If you are able to visit with a financial advisor (or a friend who knows something about numbers), ask him/her to show you the difference between someone who starts saving in his/her 20's vs. someone starting in their 30's. It is astounding. My husband was already taking advantage of his 401K when we married. (I was 20, he was 23) We have the maximum amount taken from his check BEFORE we even see it. This way, even during times of financial strain, we are securing our future. With every decision you make there comes a sacrifice... we are not living as "high" a life as some of our peers right now because we chose to be able to have financial independence early. If things go as planned we will be financially independent in our forties. Sadly, even though they are living it up now, our peers will be working full time into their late sixties or longer before they can quit. Some never will. That is the sacrifice they are making. To us it is not worth having to work the rest of our lives so that we can have the latest toys and the largest house and the Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer NOW."
For anyone interested in early retirement and financial independence, the Millers recommend reading the book "The Millionaire Next Door" to get started. They also suggest utilizing mutual funds as an investment vehicle: "(We) recommend mutual funds because the return is so high and the risk factor is low compared with single stocks. We buy the "Mutual Fund Forecaster" and pick no-load funds that we manage ourselves, which saves us the broker fees. We DO NOT sell and trade like brokers want you to do. This makes them money because they charge a fee each time, which cancels out much of any profit you may have made. I am not a financial advisor, I am only sharing my experience, so do your own research as well and get advice from others --but start now."
Pretty motivating advice from a single-income family working toward the new American Dream: early retirement!

You can contact Dann and Laura Miller at: lauram@clarkston.com

Lucynda Koesters is a former "two-income" spendthrift turned frugal "one-incomer." She loves to hear from anyone trying to make a similar transition. Contact her at lkoestrs@venus.net

Warning Signs
by Gary Foreman
gary@stretcher.com

Millions of people find themselves in financial trouble each year. Until the last moment many didn't realize that there was danger ahead. Are there early warning signs that can help you avoid financial disaster later? That's the question we considered after receiving this letter.

Dear Dollar Stretcher,
I recently had a bad experience with a credit card company. They raised the interest rate from 17.8%, already on the high side, to 22.95% based on my "credit history." My credit report (from Trans Union for the same month I got the notice) showed that my account with them is "paid as agreed; in prior 48 months from last update never late." If you have good credit with a finance company, they can still up your rate based on other things in your credit history like:
- outstanding balances on revolving/open accounts
- too many revolving bank trades
- recent high balance activity
I accepted their offer to pay them off at the existing rate if I closed the account, which I think was the correct action to take in this case. Is their action part of an overall trend for finance institutions to be tougher on creditors? How do actions like this affect the growing number of personal bankruptcies? Do the credit card companies promote bankruptcies by increasing interest rates? How do actions like this affect inflation?
-- Maida W.

Maida asks some interesting questions. And from the statistics available, she's not the only one in a similar situation. But is she right to be upset with the credit card company? Let's take a look and see if we can learn something from her experience. We'll begin by considering what's happened with her account. She's stayed current with her minimum payments, yet the credit card company has said that they don't want to do business with her anymore. Why is that?
The simple answer is that the card issuer is afraid that Maida will join the ranks of those declaring bankruptcy. In 1997, more than 1.3 million people took that step. It's estimated they walked away from $40 billion in debts last year. Now we all know that Maida is an honest, upstanding citizen and has no intention of walking away from her debts. After all, most bankruptcies are caused by medical bills, divorce, job loss or some other crisis situation.
So why is the company picking on her? It's because they look at her use of credit cards and see warning signs that she's more likely than the average person to be forced into bankruptcy. The 'warning signs' are based on what's happened to large numbers of credit card holders in similar circumstances. Before anyone jumps on me as a spokesman for the credit card companies, let me state that I am not paid by them in any fashion. But, frankly, I think that they're doing Maida a favor. "How's that?" you ask. Let me explain.
It's just like when you burn yourself on the stove. The pain is nature's way of telling you to move your hand or you'll do permanent damage. The wise person doesn't argue with the stove. They pull their hand away from the heat.
Maida's in a similar situation. If she learns to look at the warning signs she can avoid a lot of pain later on. Let's see if we can't all learn what those signs are.
The first is that she's not being offered lower interest rates, but higher ones. Many mailboxes are being filled with offers for low interest credit cards. When the offers stop coming and instead you're faced with higher rates from existing cards, it's time to take heed. The change in rate offered to Maida indicates that the card issuer wants an extra 5% per year to protect themselves against bankruptcy.
A second sign is when the balance owed on all your cards is increasing. Compare the total balance on all cards from a year ago to today's balance. It should be going down, not up. If it has increased by more than 10%, you're losing ground quickly. Increasing activity is another clue. Total all your credit card charges this month to those you made a year ago. If you're using your cards to make many more purchases or the total value of the purchases is up significantly, you'll want to consider whether your card usage is out of control. Take the two-page test. Unless you travel on business, a two-page credit card statement is a sign of trouble.
How much of your take-home income is going to pay off debts? A quick measurement is to total all the monthly minimums. That total really should be less than 5% of your take-home pay. If it's between 5% and 15% you're starting to get into trouble. A reading over 15% is a sign that you're running out of time to fix the problem. What about emergencies? A large number of bankruptcies are caused by unusual events. How can you predict those? You can't predict when they'll happen, but you can be sure that some 'surprises' will happen. For instance, you might not have an auto repair bill or an accident this year. But over the next five years you would almost expect a large bill of some type on your car.
I can hear some of you saying that it's impossible to save money for an emergency fund. But, not saving for the "unexpected" doesn't mean it won't happen. It just means you won't have the money to pay for it when it does happen. If you're already struggling with your bills, that could be enough to push you over the edge.
A final early warning signal is to ask yourself what would happen if you were without your job for three months. Could you keep up with your bills? In today's economy there are no job guarantees. Even in a good economy it can take weeks to months to find another job. If being jobless for a short period would mean falling behind in your payments, it's time to consider pruning your debts back.
Maida also asked about whether the card companies are actually increasing the number of bankruptcies or causing inflation. And I suppose that you could make an argument that increasing interest rates tend to do both. But, on a practical level, there's not much an individual can do except take control of your own financial affairs. I'm not overly concerned with the total number of bankruptcies. I just don't want to be one of them.
In fairness to Maida, most of us would feel the same way if we were in her shoes. No one wants to see their interest rates increase. But sometimes, by looking at events from a different perspective we can gain an idea of what the future holds. And it's a prudent person who sees danger and avoids it. The fool is the one who ignores warning signs and suffers for it later. Thanks to Maida for an interesting question.

Ask Bob: The Automotive Answer Man
The Kids Did What??
by Bob DeP
AskBob@stretcher.com

Hi Bob,
Some kids (yes, I still love them) were trying to get some gas out of my Windstar's tank by using a paper towel and a stick (the idea was they'd let the paper towel soak some gas, pull it out, and everybody would be happy).
Well, to make a long story short, they didn't get the gas, but they lost the paper towel and stick in the tank. So, I have two questions for you:
1. What's the best thing for me to do at this point? Keep the tank filled at half capacity or more so the pollutants keep floating? Get everything changed and deprive the kids of their college fund?
2. What's the worst thing that could happen if we just let things stay in there?
Thanks.
-Tom

Tom,
I bet nothing is actually in the tank. If you look at that hose from the underside of the car, you will see that it makes several 90 degree bends. I bet that your rag and stick are stuck in the first bend. Now, you could take the filler hose off the tank and remove it from the car and clear out the debris or bring it to a dealer to have it done. As for the college tuition, I'd spend it to buy a lock for that gas tank!

Good Luck!
Drive Safely!

Bob
The Auto Answer Man

Bob answers your auto questions. If you have a question for Bob, send it to him at: AskBob@stretcher.com.

My Best Bargain
by Lisa C.

We are in the process of building a very big, plain house. I was in a very pricey local plumbing/electrical store one day looking for a bathtub faucet. I live in a small town and had exhausted all discount sources without finding one in stock! While the salesperson was checking price and availability for me I noticed they were having a clearance sale on many of their fancy light fixtures. I thought, "Wow, maybe I could afford something from here if it was on clearance!" As I was looking at the fixtures I noticed a very large one marked $75. I thought it was my lucky day. Then I noticed the tag, a regular price tag not a clearance one. I asked the salesperson what was wrong with the fixture. She replied "Nothing, that's marked wrong. That bracket alone is $75, I'll have to look up the price for the globes and get you a total." She never did get me that price after she found my faucet for me.
I left the store and later on while driving home remembered the light, thinking I really liked the "old brick" finish on the fixture. I called the store manager the next day and informed him of what I saw and that I was aware he must sell it to me for that price. The fixture was even still marked $75 when I called him! He was very kind and said he would certainly sell it to me for that price and that the wrong price was his problem. I have since purchased other very inexpensive fixtures for the kitchen that initially did not match but they will be painted to match this fixture. This led me to rethinking all the other lights I had yet to purchase. I have bought the cheapest I could find and painted them or textured them to match the room. I never did receive a regular price on this fixture, just knew my rights as a consumer. I really didn't know what I had; I just knew I needed a very large light for over the island and at $75 it fit my little budget. While lying in bed recovering from having all my wisdom teeth out, my husband brought me the mail. In it was a catalog from a 50% off lighting store I found on the internet. I nearly fell out of bed when I saw my exact light fixture--for $875 retail !! Know your consumer rights....that in itself can create savings.

(editor's note: Please send your 'Best Bargains' to Gary@Stretcher.com.)

TIPS, QUIPS, QUOTES AND QUESTIONS

Can You Help This Reader?
House or Duplex?

I plan to buy a house in the next year or so in the New York city area. I am debating on whether to buy a two-family home so the income could help pay for the mortgage. But then thinking about the problems of renting makes me want to buy a single-family home. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what I should look for, avoid and any other such info. I hesitate to go to a realtor just yet as I'm not sure of what I want, what area etc. I also wanted to know what kind of down payments would be best. Should I put down a lump sum to reduce my monthly mortgage payment, or just pay 5% of the purchase price and keep the rest on reserve for expenses, repairs etc. I also wanted to know what the protocol was for purchasing a house. if I see a house I like do I make a bid or go with the asking price? Should I have it inspected before I make an offer? What are things that I should look for when inspecting a home? This will be my first house. Thanks!
-- Angela N.

Can You Help This Reader?
Crock Pot Dinner Recipes Wanted

My fiancee and I both live in Northern Indiana and commute more than an hour one way to Chicago. Needless to say, the midweek days are long and leave little time for cooking dinner, let alone packing nutritious and low-cost lunches. I love using the crockpot, as the meals are hot and deliciously DONE by the time we get home. But I'm running out of recipes and find that those in some cookbooks call for such out of the ordinary ingredients.
Are there any readers out there who have some good ideas for crockput dinners?
Thanks a bunch,
Patty

Please send your answers to: gary@stretcher.com. We'll include the best solutions in future issues.

'Dry' Meat Mixes

A long time ago our family really liked Oven-Fry mix for chicken. Finally, I looked at the ingredients and the three main ingredients were flour, paprika and salt. Now when I want to oven-fry chicken, I just put flour on a plate, sprinkle on some paprika and salt and mix it a little and roll the chicken in it. It's delicious and a whole lot cheaper.
-- Becky

Marinade Mixes

Pre-packaged marinade mixes are mostly salt, sugar, preservatives and a few (very few) herbs and spices. Buy the spices in bulk--a couple of tablespoons each until you know what you like. Grow your own herbs and sneer at plastic packages and dollar-an-ounce prices. Decide which tastes you like by mixing a tiny bit of the herb or spice with cream cheese or yogurt cheese and try it on a cracker. Once you know the combinations, you can use them as dry rubs for baking or broiling, as flavoring for rice, lentils, beans or veggies, or add them to liquid for marinades. The liquid in marinades is usually something acid, like wine, citrus, tomato or yogurt, some oil, plus the seasonings.
Teriyaki has soy sauce, citrus juice, sugar, garlic and ginger in it. Taco flavoring has chili powder, garlic, onion, cumin, salt and pepper. Curry has garlic, onion, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, turmeric, and ginger. Pesto has olive oil, basil, pine nuts, garlic, and maybe parmesan cheese.
Marinades don't have to be made ahead of time--why bother? Lemon juice, butter, garlic and breadcrumbs turn shrimp into scampi. Onions carmelized in a little orange juice with salt, pepper and olive oil can top chicken breasts for baking. Purchased or homemade salsa tops fish. Delicate chicken and fish only need 20-30 minutes of marinating. Tough cuts of beef need longer in the acid to become tender.
Consult a couple of cookbooks for the concept involved, then adjust for your own tastes. It's easy!
-- Syn F.

ed's note: more recipes and websites for meat mixes at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923a.htm.

Reducing Hospital Bills

You certainly can negotiate hospital bills! After a terrible snowmobile accident, my son accrued about $40,000 in bills and we had no insurance.
Here is what worked for us:
1. Ask if they will accept Medicaid rate. You certainly may qualify. Medicaid rates are sometimes 40% less. I don't mean that you apply for Medicaid, for someone surely pays for that. Just ask.
2. Ask if they will give you a discount for paying cash.
3. Larger hospitals will have you fill out a financial assessment form to verify what your income is and will adjust the bill accordingly. It feels like a loan application but is a small price to pay to help lower the monthly bill. One facility wanted us to pay about $600 monthly, expecting us to take out a loan to do it. We filled out the form and now pay $50 monthly.
4. Ask for an itemized bill and check over the items one by one. Sometimes there are double charges and/or mistakes. If you don't understand the items listed, consult a medical friend and/or the purchasing dept. at the facility, i.e. what is xyz that costs $50.
5. Ask to speak personally with the accounts receivable manager/accounting office. Don't waste time with the non- decision making office personnel.
We have saved thousands of dollars using all of the above suggestions. My husband is better at it than I am! Don't sign any payment agreements prior to negotiating. Best of luck and sorry about your loss.
JCH in Idaho

State Money for Hospital Bills

Most states have a Charities Fund to pay unexpected medical expenses. It is intended for those who fall between the cracks --too much money for Medicaid, but unable to pay bills uncovered by insurance. Tell the hospital business office to submit your bill to the State Charities Fund. If they say they have never heard of it, or no such fund exists, call your state representative and make him/her earn their salary. The representative can find out for you.
-- Eileen

ed's note: more suggestions for reducing hospital bills at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980923c.htm.

Easy, Personalized Gift

A great way to save and share memories! Find a picture that has meaning for the person the gift is intended. Buy a tee shirt or sweat shirt, white is best, where you can find them on sale. I buy them at the end of the seasons at 50 - 75% off. Have the picture transferred to photo transfer paper at any store that has a photo quality printer, or at home if you are lucky enough to have one. Then all you do is iron it on! People make a fortune selling these at the malls and it is the simplest craft I have ever done. I use fabric paints that squeeze directly out of the bottles for borders with unusual buttons, lace, trim, or anything that has laid around the house too long. A box of the transfer paper costs about $20 but will do 25 shirts. You can do this on pillows, aprons, or baby clothes.
-- Jan

Low Cost Apartment Decorating

Suggestion for decorating in an apartment: Cut contact paper with scallops and apply to your walls. It comes in many designs and colors and peels off before you move. Great for tile rooms, too.
- Melissa F

Finding the Right Second-Hand Stores

Just a note on shopping at Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. Go to the more affluent neighborhoods to find one. Lower- and middle-income areas don't give away things that are as nice as the upper-income areas. Where we live is a small, rural community. Everything at our local Goodwill is pretty well used up and worn out. Yet I had a friend go visit her mother in a large city and shopped at a church thrift store. Her mother gets 50% off things because she works there and they were also having a 50% off sale so they got everything at 75% off. Among the buys was a beautiful pair of imported shoes, real leather soles even. She got them for a dollar. The original price tag was still on the shoes so they were not only brand new but they were originally $64 shoes! You can't find buys like that in small town. Shopping for bargains is worth the time but only where you are pretty sure you can save some money. Time is valuable too so don't spend it if there's a better way.
-T in CA

ed's note: more great tips at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/980928t.htm.

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