THE DOLLAR STRETCHER

"Living Better...For Less"

December 20, 1999
Volume 4, Number 51

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In this issue:

Introduction

What a Party! What a Mess!!
by Robert Kravitz

Low Rate Teaser Tango
by Gary Foreman

Texture and Interior Decoration
by Nikki Willhite

Great Quotes!

Tips, Quips, Quotes & Questions

Merry Christmas!
I suspect that most of you are either skimming this before Christmas or have waited until after Christmas and are just now catching up on email (grin). In either case I hope that your holiday is a wonderful time.

Each year at Christmas we like to share a special gift with our readers. It's a story that you'll find at www.stretcher.com/stories/961223b.cfm. It won't save you time or money, but could save something much more important. Once all the rushing is over sit down with a cup of eggnog or hot chocolate and take a few moments to enjoy it. We hope it helps make this a memorable Christmas for you.

All the Best!
Gary

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What a Party! What a Mess!!
by Robert Kravitz

It's that time of year. Family, friends, gatherings, you know, a little craziness. And don't think you are the only one feeling the effects, take a look at your poor carpet and floor. They are taking a beating along with everyone else and it shows!

Here's some tips to help remove spots and stains after all the dancing, drinking and dining are over. But first, here's a few some suggestions concerning any spill or accident on the floor. Always try and clean up a spill as soon as it happens. The longer it sits, the more likely it will become a stain. Never "rub" a spill or a stain. This just spreads it around. Always "dab" it with a clean cloth or towel. And finally, take the test! Whatever you are using to cleanup a spill, try it first in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it is safe.

Well, let's begin. In most cases, I tried to suggest a solution that is handy around the house. These can do the job, are often safer and environmentally safer than the chemicals purchased at the store or at a janitorial supply house. However, if they do not work, check with a supply house in your area. There are many excellent products which do work cleaning miracles.

1. Oh No, red wine: Hold on. It's OK. Blot up as much as possible. Apply a cool detergent cleaner like dish detergent mixed with cool water. Next, if it is still there, try a little vinegar, dabbing the area with a towel. Rinse and dry and see if it is gone. You can also try some hydrogen bleach, similar to what is found in Snowy or Clorox II. Do not use chlorine bleach

2. One beer too many. If this one is on the floor, blot up as much as possible. Then apply the dish detergent again and dab it up. Use the vinegar again and then rinse with cool water. (In most cases, it is best not to use hot water. The heat often turns a spill into a stain.)

3. Well, at least that chocolate is not on my hips! Scrape off as much as possible. Again, apply cool dish detergent and blot it up. Usually this is all you need. You can also try some ammonia if it persists or an enzyme detergent. You can find enzyme detergents at most grocery stores and even major hardware stores. Read the label carefully!

4. Oh gosh, here comes the ice cream. Again, same as above. Dish detergent or ammonia or vinegar or the enzyme detergent. Always start with the dish detergent with most spills. If you get them quick enough, this one step will do the job.

5. Isn't that Jane's lipstick on the wall? Let's clean it up. Dab it with some paint, oil or grease remover found at most hardware stores. Use it very sparingly so it does not remove the wall paint as well. Be very careful to dab and not rub, this spot definitely will smear.

6. Oh brother, now they are writing on the wall! All right, to remove ink apply some rubbing alcohol. Go over it a couple of times, it should lighten up after each application. If it's still there, try a little rust remover found in a hardware store. You can also try some bleach. Just be gentle so the bleach does not discolor the surface. Works best on a glossy paint.

7. Hey, that egg missed the eggnog! Blot it up as much as possible and as quickly as possible. The yolk will stain a carpet and even a linoleum floor. Get the dish detergent out again. If attended to quickly, this will do the job. You can also try the enzyme detergent mentioned earlier. Try to keep the area moist while help is on the way.

8. Get out the coffee, let's get these folks home! You have to get coffee stains as quickly as possible. Often in offices, the carpets get covered with coffee spills from people walking with their coffee cups. In these situations, the only real way to get the stain out is to have the carpets steam cleaned. If you can catch it quick enough, dab it up with a clean cloth. Use the dish detergent again (if you still have any left) and dab it some more. You can also try vinegar or the enzyme detergent if the coffee stain has dried.

In most cases, if treated quickly enough, a spill can easily be removed and will cause no harm. If you have tried a couple of techniques and are still having problems, don't hesitate to contact a janitorial supply house. They have all types of spot removing products. For your carpets, it is a very good idea to have them professionally cleaned at least once per year. If you have children and pets, you might want to consider twice per year. Cleaning your carpets keeps them looking good and lasting longer. Dirt and spills actually eat away at the carpet fibers. A good carpet cleaner will be familiar with all kinds of spills and stains and can make your carpet look terrific.

Happy Holiday!

Robert Kravitz has been in the janitorial business for 30 years. He is the author of two books on the industry as well as several articles. He may be reached directly through his web site at www.alturasolutions.com

Dear Dollar Stretcher,
Is it true that each time you switch to another credit card company to take advantage of their lower interest rate that transaction appears on your credit report? Also, I found out the hard way that being even a couple of days late on payments is not a good thing. We lost our promotional interest rate that was supposed to last one year because our payment reached the credit card company a couple of days past the due date. Your readers might not know this as we didn't. The company did lower the regular interest rate for us when I called last week. I was told that I could even call back later and see if they can lower it for us again.
Sheryl

Sheryl sure packs a lot of good information into one letter. And she's playing one of the most popular games around. Everyone wants to find the lowest 'teaser rate'. Then when the introductory rate runs out it's time to swap again. I call it the Teaser Tango. But, as in other dances, you'll do much better if you know the steps. And when you're dealing with credit cards the steps aren't in big bold graphics on the floor. They're in the fine print. So let's get out our magnifying glasses and start the music!

We'll begin with Sheryl's first question. When you get a new credit card does that show on your credit report? The answer is yes it does. Your credit report will show all the accounts that you've used going back as far as seven years. Having a few, long-term relationships will get you a higher credit score than if you open and close credit card accounts every year.

Will having many new accounts cause a problem? Clearly it hasn't stopped Sheryl from getting offers for new credit cards. But it could make a difference if she wanted to borrow money for a car or home. Try to keep one or two long-term accounts. They don't need to carry an account balance. They just need to be open.

Another credit report consideration is how many accounts you have open and what's the total combined credit limits of those accounts. If you have eight separate credit cards and each has a credit limit of $2,000 you could conceivably go out and charge $16,000 worth of stuff today and no one would stop you. That can be scary for potential lenders who are deciding whether to give you an auto or home loan.

So when you trade one card for another don't just cut up the old card. Notify the issuer that you want the account closed. That way the unused credit won't show on your report.

Sheryl has also found out about a major 'gotcha' on those low introductory rate accounts. One false move and the music stops! In her case she was a couple of days late with a payment. It happens. But it can be especially painful if you're counting on that teaser rate to lower your monthly payments or help you pay off the balance quicker. Most accounts that offer introductory rates have similar rules. If you're just one day late the entire balance moves to a higher interest rate.

Is it fair? Probably not. But, they do tell you in writing before you open the account so it's perfectly legal. And, yes, I know that no one reads all that tiny print that comes with the offer. The credit card companies know it, too. That's why they put it there.

It's a good idea for everyone to be more careful about getting credit card payments in on time. Most issuers have increased their penalties for late payments. Many issuers have doubled their late fees in the last year or so. And remember, it's not when you postmark the payment that counts. It's when it's received.

If you're considering taking advantage of a teaser rate offer, you'll naturally want to compare rates. Currently you can find rates as low as 4% being offered. Most are will hold the lower rate for 5 or 6 months.

Make sure that the lower rate will apply not only to the balance that you transfer, but also to any new purchases you make during the introductory period. Many cards charge their regular, higher rate for new charges. There's more to consider than interest rates. Don't forget annual fees. Most are $25 or $50 but some issuers don't charge any.

Avoid 'cash advance' charges to move your balance. Some issuers offer a nice rate, but will charge you a couple of percent or more to transfer your balance. They consider it a 'cash advance'. Naturally the lower interest rate is touted in big, bold type. The cash advance charge takes a little more digging to find.

While you're looking at the fine print, don't forget to see what they'll charge you every time you use the card at an ATM. You might not be able to find an issuer without an ATM charge, but by knowing about the cost you can consider cheaper ways to get a little cash.

Finally, Sheryl points out something that can benefit many credit card holders. Sometimes if you call the issuer and ask for a lower interest rate they'll give it to you. Not always, but sometimes. A simple request by phone costs almost nothing and could get you a lower interest charge each month.

So that's the Teaser Tango. If you watch your step you can reduce the amount of interest that you pay on your credit cards. But, watch out. One false step and you could end up in a heap on the floor!

Gary Foreman is a former Certified Financial Planner and purchasing manager. He currently edits The Dollar Stretcher website and weekly email newsletter.

Ever wondered why people have become so interested in old things, to the point of distressing new furniture? Don't you find the sight a bit odd- people hitting new wood with big, heavy chains to nick and gash it?

Why are people crackling their walls to make them look old? Why are old pieces of furniture, green with age, chipped and filled with worm holes, popular?

We live in an age of plastics, steel, glass, vinyl and laminated wood. It is all smooth and without character. We have reached the point where we are nostalgic for the rough hewn wood of log cabins, and the well worn, wooden floor boards of our ancestors. People are building new, expensive homes using materials salvaged from the past.

Our society has gotten so complex that we want to retreat to a more relaxing world. Old things can have a calming effect on us.

In many instances things with texture represents our past. Most old things are rich in texture. Log homes, braided rugs, cross stitch, afghans, and quilts are all rich in texture. How different a needlepoint picture on the wall is from a poster, covered in glass and surrounded by a cold, metal frame. There is no warmth in the poster.

Lack of texture has come to symbolize wealth in some areas. The most expensive fabrics are very smooth. Sofas in formal living rooms are usually upholstered in shiny, smooth fabric. Expensive woods have high luster finishes. Contrast this with the resurgence of pine, which has more texture, and bleached woods.

A few years back texture was brought into the home by things like grass cloth and flocked wallpaper, velvet cutaway upholstery fabric, or sculptured carpet. These went out of style, and other things replaced them to add texture.

Berber carpet is one example of a highly textured home decoration. Plants are often used for the same reason. Special painting techniques now add texture to wall, and shiny, aluminum blinds are now being replaced by a linen look.

If you find yourself wanting to do something to spruce up a boring room, take a look around and see if you may be missing texture in the room. You may be able to get the results you want with the addition of just a touch of texture!

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"Modern man is frantically trying to earn enough to buy things he's too busy to enjoy."
              Frank Clark

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I am an Interior Designer but was formerly an elementary art teacher. Since the crayon is wax, try to cover the area a spot at a time with a thin absorbent towel or fabric ( like flannel). Then with a warm iron, gently go over the towel until it the heat from the iron causes the towel to absorbs most of the crayon. The rest should come off with a pencil eraser while it is warm.
You can also buy crayon remover at commercial cleaning supply stores. It is a spray and the fumes are toxic so be careful to ventilate. It could strip the paint unless you use a Qtip gently on only the crayon. Another designer trick to match the paint as closely as possible and cover the crayon area. Then using stamps , create a design over the touched up wall. You can use stamps cut from sponges, potatoes , fruit ( cut in half), leaves, almost any thing. To ink the stamps ,use a small bottle of craft acrylic paint ( 99 cents) in a color that compliments the furnishings in your room. Squirt a quarter sized puddle into a Styrofoam plate. Spread the puddle out into the dimensions of the stamp. Press the stamp into the paint gently. Blot the edged of the stamp on a paper towel . The press the stamp onto a practice sheet of poster paper that you will test your design on. Hold the poster up to the wall to see how you like it. The contrasting colored stamps should draw attention away from the touched up area if you creatively place them. My daughter did the same thing when she was three. You have a budding artist , enjoy the fun.
Susan C.

Editor's note: more solutions for removing "Misplaced Murals" at www.stretcher.com/stories/99/991220a.cfm

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