10 Ways to save at the gas pump

Have you been to the pump lately? The price of gasoline is soaring, which means there's less in our wallet. If you follow the following 10 frugal fuel-consumption tips so you won't have to leave the gas pump with a half-empty tank.


1. Use Your Smart Phone
There are plenty of money-saving apps dedicated to trimming everyday expenses, some of which include travel costs. The GasBuddy app will coordinate your location with the best gas prices in your area. Another app worth test driving is CheapGas, which provides precise directions to the nearest and least-expensive gas station.

2. Shop Online
According to a recent study by Carnegie Melon's Green Institute, shopping online saves an average of 35-percent in gas consumption. Next time you're seeking a new pair of trousers, shop online to cut down on fuel costs. Those who prefer to avoid delivery charges can find plenty of free shipping coupons at sites like FreeShipping.org or CouponSherpa.com, which offer deals for popular stores like JCPenney, Verizon, Home Depot & DELL.

3. Lay-off the Lead Foot
We know everyone is in a hurry, but zipping through traffic is anything but gas efficient. Stick to the speed limit and remember speeds exceeding 40 mph force your vehicle to overcome forceful wind resistance, thus consuming fuel faster. Keep an eye on your odometer for maximum fuel efficiency.

4. Leave Rapid Starts to the Jack Rabbits
Do you race away from stop lights at the speed of Br'er Rabbit? You're wasting a lot of gas just to reach the next stop light a second faster.


5. Coordinate Carpools
Carpooling simply makes sense -- or is it cents? Use the Carpicipate app to locate like-minded neighbors or community members interested in sharing rides.

6. Be Loyal to Your Reward Card
Grocery stores like King Soopers offer up to 10-cents off per gallon for buying groceries and filling up at their tanks. Some stores offer an additional savings if you pay cash, when combined with your reward card. Just make sure you save your cashier's receipt to get the full savings.


7. Buy Discount Gas Gift Cards
Did you know you don't have to pay full price for a gift card? Sites like GiftCardGranny.com offer a diverse selection of discount gas gift cards from various card vendors. Run out of cash on your card? GiftCardGranny offers an alert on newly available discount gift cards, so you'll be notified every time there's a new card available.

8. Fuel Up at Warehouse Pumps
Filling up at your local warehouse club can save you anywhere from five to 10 cents on fuel compared to surrounding gas stations.

9. Give Generic a Go
Just like pantry staples and other generics, buying "off-brand" gas gets your car from place to place in the same shape as fuel from name-brand stations. In fact, it's often the same gas, yet the price can differ by about 20 cents a gallon.

10. Use Low Octane
According to NPR's Car Talk, using a higher octane gas when your car doesn't need it is worthless. Check your vehicle's manual to determine how low you can go.

Visit Go Frugal With These 10 Gas-Saving Tips to view the full article.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have you ever figured The Real Cost of Living?

What do you think you'd find if you sat down and figured out the REAL cost of your choices would be? Would you be OVERPAYING for college? Is it REALLY cheaper to own than to rent? I can't even FATHOM how much it cost me to have kids (sorry Ben, but you're an expensive proposition). Not that you should make ALL of your choices based on money, but think about it.

In The Real Cost of Living: Making the Best Choices for You, Your Life, and Your Money by Carmen Wong Ulrich, she tackles how to make better decisions (both large as well as small) that involve $$$. Not only that, but she weights the real cost of money vs. the real PERSONAL cost of making certain decisions (unusual for a personal finance book).

Included in her "real costs" are:

• Home
• Marriage and Divorce
• Family
• College
• Bad Habits
• Being Your Own Boss
• Credit Cards
• Saving 
• Investing

The only problem that I have is that when it comes to saving and investing, things (and figures) change constantly... so, take her advice, and do a little research to make sure that the numbers add up.


On a personal level, I found the chapter on college to be fascinating (considering "B" is a recent graduate). The cost of an education is extremely high these days, and when weighed against the declining job market, it's a pretty interesting equation. For example what is the value of $40,000 in college debt when the pay for college grads has DECREASED by 10% yet tuition has risen 20%? She doesn't suggest that you don't go to school, but rather to look at the options to lower your costs (both during and after the college years).

Overall, The Real Cost of Living is a good guidebook to keep your finances in check. It's uncomplicated methods and straight talk is refreshing.


The Real Cost of Living: Making the Best Choices for You, Your Life, and Your Money is available at bookstores everywhere.


We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are strictly our own.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 Ways women sabotage their relationships with...

with...MONEY! We all have times when we're guilty of falling into these traps. In February we'll be talking a lot about relationships, but don't forget about your relationship with the DOLLAR.

Here are 5 ways that we tend to sabotage one of the most important relationships in our life by ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner and Certified Financial Planner Julie Casserly


1. Women put the needs of others before their own by purchasing un-necessary “just-because” items for a child or significant other.

2. Women tend to spend in order to “keep up with the Jones’” and rationalize expensive jewelry or luxury cars as purchases necessary to maintain status in their social circles.


3. Women convince themselves that a splurge purchase is a deserved special treat, but this may often come at the expense of the chance to fulfill a deeper and greater goal.

4. Women focus on what their critics say, creating a habit of ignoring their own desires and make purchases in order to feel accepted by a larger group.


5. Perhaps the biggest way women sabotage their finances is through ignoring their passions for the sake of taking care of the “necessities.”

Julie Casserly suggests that women take time out of their day to focus on what their most important needs are and develop a plan with steps towards fulfilling these needs. For more information, check out ChicagoHealers.com


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 easy tips to pay for college

1. Calculate What You Need

Estimating the amount of money you need can lead to more deliberate decisions when applying for aid or filling out scholarship applications. A simple way to calculate what you will need is to subtract your expected family contribution from the cost of attendance. The difference is the amount you will need in financial aid.

2. Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The FAFSA is the only way to be eligible for federal financial aid, and it is available January 1 of your senior year of high school. If you haven’t filed this year’s taxes, you can estimate based on last year’s tax information and any differences in income from the past year. Depending on when you submit the FAFSA, you’ll generally receive your financial aid award letters from colleges indicating how much aid you will receive by March or April.


3. Find Free Information on Scholarships 

You will undoubtedly come across many opportunities to pay for information about scholarships. Whether the offer comes from a college admissions consultant or an online ad, there is absolutely no need to pay for scholarship information that is already free and readily available. Some suggested online scholarship sites that are free and easy to navigate are Cappex.com, MeritAid.com and Fastweb.com.

4. Look Beyond Dollar Amounts

While skimming over hundreds of scholarships, be mindful not to disregard scholarships that look small in dollar amount but are actually renewable. Certain scholarships can be renewed each college year, often depending on maintaining a minimum GPA or studying within a certain major. So while a $2,500 scholarship may seem miniscule, it could potentially be $10,000 of your total tuition.


5. Pursue Merit Scholarships from Colleges 

Many colleges offer merit aid scholarships that can put higher-priced schools within your reach. Often, merit aid scholarships can be renewed, reducing your overall college cost by 50 percent or more. Interested now? These scholarships are easy to find using websites like MeritAid.com or Cappex.com which will allow you to search through thousands of merit aid scholarships offered by colleges.

“There are many great, free websites to find this scholarship information. Many sites, such as Cappex.com, offer cost comparison worksheets, scholarship matching tools, and easy navigation through thousands of scholarships — all completely free to students,” said Chris Long, president of Cappex.com. “These five simple tips can put you on the fast track to paying for school.”


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Year New Ideas for 2011

Resolve to Downsize, Reduce Debt Fast and Gain Time

If your life feels like it is spinning out of control and you are being buried under stuff with an unmanageable schedule that has you running from dawn until midnight, author Barbara Elaine Singer offers some simple solutions with a big impact that you can make today.

She has completely downsized her life and has been living mobile with 2 suitcases and a computer for 4 years and all over the world. Barbara currently has just 3 monthly bills (health insurance, cell phone and small storage unit). She works 4 months a year and lives abroad for 8 months and has adopted the European lifestyle of quality vs. quantity. She shares simple yet powerful ways to downsize your stuff and schedule, while creating a lifestyle that gives you time and freedom to choose how to spend your precious days. Are acting or reacting to life’s events? Don’t be the pinball in an arcade game anymore!

2011 - A NEW Year… A NEW way of Living !

Disconnect! Stop doing everything that doesn’t bring you joy. Busyness is a false sense of importance and robs you of time. Become acutely aware of how you spend your time and money and what influences you are allowing into your mind. Turn off the TV, turn on some music, spend time outside in nature daily by walking in your neighborhood or park or riding bike without headphones or telephone. Learn to enjoy time in the beautiful home you have created. Practice by spending a full day or long periods at home without TV and check email and your cell phone once every 4 hours. You control them, not the other way around. Give yourself unhurried time to remember your passions and things you wanted to accomplish that got pushed aside by daily life. Eat your meals sitting down in a lovely setting and enjoy every undistracted bite. Live with purpose, not circumstances. Choose how you spend your precious days. Look for the good things in your life, right them down and say thank you.

Buy Nothing. Use up household stuff you have on hand. Stay out of the stores. No one’s willpower is stronger than the power of American marketing. Don’t get sucked into consumerism. If you don’t know it existed, you won’t want to buy it. Shop with a list and only as needed, not just for 1 or 2 items. Do not shop for entertainment. Use up all the items in your pantry, freezer, garage, bathroom, bar and wine cellar. Buy only perishables in small quantities. Make it a game to find new recipes to use up whatever you have on hand until every can and dry good is used. Try www.Kraft.com. Spend $10 a week on bread and fruit rather than $100 for everything and save $360 a month.

Clean out all closets, garage, attic, and basement and sell your unwanted stuff. Have a multi-family yard sale with some friends at another location if your community doesn’t allow them. It will be more fun and you can share placing the ad, getting tables and putting out signage. Consign designer clothes or expensive jewelry. Sell values and collections on Ebay. Donate to charity. Remember, we are collecting experiences, not stuff. One woman downsized just her master walk-in closet and made $1000 selling clothes, purses and shoes and found an old uncashed check for over $500 and she was able to recover the funds. Use the “new cash” to pay directly toward the principal of a debt you are paying off. Don’t blend it with other household money.

Sell gold jewelry, even broken pieces can be worth several hundred dollars. It is at a high right now. Cash-in cans of coins but use it to pay directly to the principle of a debit. $300-$500.

Practice the Gift of Exchange. The next thing you need to buy, figure out how to get it without spending money. Get the book from the library, trade babysitting services with another parent friend or offer computer help for a hair cut. Barter for everything. Do a party dress exchange. Everyone bring a fabulous party dress they have already worn and trade it with someone else. You could do the same with shoes, bags or other gently or never used items too. Everyone wins.

Go to the dry cleaners every 2 or 3 months rather than 2 or 3 times a month. Wait until you have worn just about everything then go through what is left and decide if you really want to keep it. Sort the pieces you are taking to the cleaners and decide if you really love them and want to keep them before you pay to clean them. Then find a bargain cleaner even if they are not just around the corner. Ask the owner for a volume discount. Same with laundry, do it every 2 or 4 weeks. That will force you to wear everything in your drawers and will free you from constantly doing laundry.


Stop all reoccurring monthly charges. Do as much of the physical labor yourself as possible like mowing your own grass and cleaning your own house, pool and car. Work out at home using DVDs so you can cut your gym membership and one more drive in the car at the same time. Reduce your cable TV to just basic and save $50 a month.

Change your “current housing situation” by selling it or renting it to someone else, then you rent a spare bedroom in someone else’s home for $500 a month or less or you rent your spare bedrooms for $500 a month each. You could move into a smaller bedroom and get more money for renting the master bedroom. You pick them, so choose someone whose habits are like your own. It doesn’t have to be forever. Try it for 6 months or a year. You may even find a new life long friend. Rent your garage for $100 a month to a friend or neighbor who has a classic car or motorcycle. Park your own car in the drive way. If you live in a condo or apartment, rent your assigned, close up parking space to another tenant and you park in guest parking. The extra walking is good for you. New found income: 1 bedroom $500 a month, 2nd room $500, garage $100 = TOTAL $1100 a month. Now that is reducing DEBT FAST !!


Pick up a side job doing something you love, like pet sitting, tutoring a child, help someone with computer skills or closet organizing. Tell all your friends what you are offering and put out flyers where your potential customers spend time.
Go Green. Get all your bills and statements on line. Get no paper mail. Saves time, stamps, and paper.

If you have children or a partner, spend direct eye contact time with them by playing board games, puzzles or cooking together rather than vegging in front of the TV. Don’t take a call or text while talking to your kids or partner. You are telling them they are less important than whoever is on the phone. Incorporate your family into household chores and make them a game. Write chores on little pieces of paper and have each person randomly “pick” a chore to do for that day. Set the kitchen timer and play speed clean up for 10 minutes and everyone runs around finding stuff to put away. If your child is taking piano lessons, why not take them yourself too. You are driving and sitting right there. What a great way to bond!

Be ACUTLEY aware of what media you allow into your world. Remove TV’s from bedrooms and read or enjoy peaceful time before sleep. Don’t read the newspaper. If the there is a big news story, you will find out about it. Choose what you read and hear, don’t be bombarded with junk. Be acutely aware of what you let into your mind. Replace useless information with something you want to learn about. Fill your brain with happy thoughts, not murder, gloom and doom.

The Fastest and Easiest way to feel better about life is to help someone else. You certainly don’t have to look very far. Offer doing something you love for someone in need right in your own community. You will feel needed, loved and appreciated. There is always someone to help and you will reap the reward of the ripple in the water effect 10 times over. What a wonderful example you will be to your children, friends and family. Start the wave!


In her new memoir, Living Without Reservations, Author, Barbara Elaine Singer (www.LivingWithoutReservations.com), shares how the life altering events of divorce, empty nest and death of her fiancé changed the course of her life and lead her on a path to freedom, adventure and travel. At 44 years old, she quit her life in corporate sales, liquidated her home and took a road trip with her dad from PA to Alaska, then jumped aboard a sailboat and went island hopping in the Caribbean, on to Italy for a summer and is still going.

Thank you to Barbara for guest posting today on Champagne Living.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wish you could trade your gift cards for one that you want?

• Did hubby think he was being helpful when he bought you a Bass Pro Gift card, but you'd rather be shopping at Bloomies?
• Receive a gift card to your favorite store in Austin, but you live in Boston?
• Get an iTunes gift card, but you listen on a Sandisk Sansa?

While it's the thought that counts, wouldn't you like to be able to swap those gift cards for ones that you'd really use? Rather than hold on to them and let them go to waste, or regift for birthdays, why not SWAP or SELL your cards and get what you REALLY want. Don't forget to check these sites BEFORE you go shopping as well, you could get yourself a nice discount on those new Louboutins.

Card Woo - Buy or Sell gift cards. You simply download a mailing from the site and mail in your unused gift cards. If you'd like something a little more secure, fill out a form on their site to request a free, insured pack. In a few days you will receive a pack in the mail for sending in all your unwanted gift cards. Simply send them back using the postage-paid, pre-addressed envelope.

Gift Card Rescue- Another site which allows you to buy and sell unused gift cards, the average discount you'll take or get is 10%. They will also allow you to swap your unwanted cards for an Amazon.com credit that NEVER expires. The great thing about Amazon.com credit is that you can buy most everything and even qualify for free shipping on some items.

Plastic Jungle - This buy/sell, exchange site offers LOTS of options that include buying & selling, exchanging, getting paid by check or paypal or Amazon.com credit. Free shipping and no fees make this a great option and they pay up to 92% of the value of your unwanted cards.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kids & Money during the Holidays - guest post Steve Siebold

It’s what every kid looks forward to on Christmas morning: waking up and running to the tree to open up all those nicely wrapped presents.  But tougher times mean a leaner holiday season for many, and explaining this to kids can be a daunting task for parents.  Talking to kids about money is one of the conversations parents dread, and the holidays tend to compound the problem that much more. 

Here are some great ways to teach your kids about money that are good at the holidays, or any time during the year:

Teach your kids about money from objective reality.  It’s a nice thought to say everyone, regardless of financial status, has access to all the good things in life.  It’s also naïve and untrue.

Right or wrong, wealth offers privileges, and the sooner kids know it, the more likely they are to do something about it.

Teach your kids how to make their money work for them.  Teach them that money is a dynamic medium of exchange for goods and services that should circulate and grow.

Teach kids that money is something to look forward to and to look at it from a consciousness of freedom, possibility and abundance, not something to dread or be frightened of.

Having money won’t make you a better person; it just gives you more opportunities.

Above all else, the most important belief parents can instill in their kids is that they are smart enough to earn all they desire.  Regardless of their education level, IQ score, or performance in school, they have everything it takes to become a millionaire.  No sweeter words were ever uttered from a parent to a child than “I believe in you” and “you can do it.”

Teaching by Example

Every parent knows that the best way to teach your kids is by example.  The best news of all is that even parents who have failed to achieve their financial dreams can set an example this holiday season, by continuing to try and teach their kids about failure and success.  Parents have an unparalleled level of power with their children that can override years of fear and scarcity programming. 

Middle-class America is notorious for living beyond our means, especially at the holidays.  Between the advertisers making us believe what great deals we are getting, to our kids nagging us for this, that and everything else, it’s no wonder so many people are up to their eyeballs in debt.  If you want to teach your kids by example this holiday, don’t overspend.   

Teach your children to dream lofty dreams and prepare them for the work it’s going to take to make them a reality.  Assist your kids in identifying their natural talents and interests and help them build the belief that they can create their own futures doing what they love. 

Your little ones are watching your every move, so use the holidays as an opportunity to teach them important lessons about money.  

Steve Siebold is author of the new book How Rich People Think, which compares 100 thoughts and beliefs about money between rich people and the middle class.  Siebold is one of the world’s most noted experts in the field of mental toughness training.  His mental toughness clientele includes world-class athletes, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurs.  For more information and to download five free chapter of the book, visit   http://www.howrichpeoplethinkbook.com/


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Think Summer this Winter

Smart shoppers like you and I know that by shopping off-season you can get the BEST deals. While Ski gear costs a fortune in January and February, bathing suits and outdoor supplies can be had at a very DEEP bargain. While you're out shopping for your holiday gifts, don't forget to stock up on things that you might need next July and save, save, save.

Here are 11 ways to find GREAT DEALS NOW on warm weather products, while the kids are outside making snowmen.

1. Do you love to garden or spend time in the backyard during summer? Now is a great time to shop for products like lawn mowers, patio furniture and outdoor grills. You might even be lucky enough to find them for half price.

2. Most people will get their air conditioning units repaired just before the hot summer months begin. You’ll definitely save money by having someone do maintenance during the winter to make sure it’s still running fine from the previous summer.. air conditioning repair people tend to raise their rates when the weather gets hot. Take advantage of their "down time" by calling in January for your tune-up.


3. Prices drop on cute  little convertibles during the winter because demand is low. Check out a websites LeaseTrader.com where you can pick up the remaining 10 months on someone else’s convertible. You’ll avoid the down payment and be out of the contract by next October.


4. Are your kids going to summer camp this year? Make those arrangements now for big savings. You'll find that some camp prices are 1/3 off the regular price depending on where you’ll be sending your children.

5. Remember to shop for classic clothes for the summer months and you’ll enjoy significant savings. Trendy fashions will be OUT of style by next year, but classics will ALWAYS look great. Do some research on which sundress styles that were "in" last summer and you’ll find great bargains.

6.  Hate shopping? Why not have someone do it for you. With sites like LeConciergeSF.com  to shop for you, you'll have your OWN shopper without spending a fortune. It can be a life saver filled with bargains for those in a time pinch over the holidays.

7.  Don't forget to hit the coupon sites like CouponWinner.com and FreeShippingCoupon.com before you hit the stores!

8.  Vacations can be less if you book now, rather than wait until the last minute. If you don’t have a lot of flexibility in your summer vacation schedule, book that late July cruise today and you’ll see a major savings over prices for the same cruise come May.

9.  Planning for a late spring, early summer wedding? Make sure to buy your champagne right after the New Year’s celebrations rather than wait for spring to arrive. You’ll find deep discounts from retailers looking to shed excess inventory from the holidays and it will keep just fine.

10.  Bathing suit prices drive me NUTS! The expense for that itty, bitty bikini just doesn't seem right.Look to websites like BikiniThief.com, which offers a variety of the latest bikini styles at a very affordable price.


11.  Are you more of the adventurous type when looking for bargains?  You can check out MercadoLibre.com, the Latin American version of eBay. The seasons are switched so if you understand Spanish – or if you have a friend that does – you can find plenty of hot, summer items during spring when their season comes to a close.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

8 Ways to budget for holiday gifts

Ah, the holidays. There are sales, and promotions and the MOST wonderful things to buy. Isn't gift giving fun? But, what about the BILLS that arrive in January? The shock of having to pay off a credit card that you've spent too much on coupled with the fact that many Americans are struggling with economic issues this year = the need to make smarter decisions.

Lou Scatigna, a financial expert with a show on XM radio - The Financial Physician  says that “The truth is, it can be easier. We all have high expectations for ourselves when the holidays come around, but by simply taking a step back to look at our situations realistically, we can actually plan a joyous holiday without taking ourselves to the poorhouse to do it.”

Some of Lou's ideas include ~

1. Honestly evaluate your current financial situation and determine how much you can spend without going into significant debt 

2. Decide the maximum amount of spending that will be done on credit cards

3. Discuss with your children that during tough times, holiday expenses will be lower than when are good.

4. Start shopping now. This will give you the time to search for sales and bargains, many retailers have already discounted prices. Another reason to start now is you will wind up using more cash and less credit cards because your spreading your buying over 16 weeks instead of 3 or 4.

5. Use the internet. Great bargains can be found because online stores don’t have the traditional brick and mortar overhead of retail stores. Also, it helps you beat the crowds, the parking and the long checkout lines.

6. Instead of buying 3 or 4 expensive gifts, buy a larger number of inexpensive ones.

7. Start a holiday club bank account so next year you will have the cash saved.

8.Restrict gift buying to your immediate family. Those nieces, nephews, Aunts and Uncles can add up, I'm sure they will understand, because they are likely doing the same thing.

The holiday's should be a time to enjoy your family and friends. We need to remember that the gift giving is NOT the important part of the holiday season.

The Financial Physician: How to Cure Your Money Problems and Boost Your Financial Health by Louis Scatigna is a great resource for helping you deal with all of your financial problems, not JUST around the holiday.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 times it's OKAY to use installments to buy.

Is there ever a right time to using installments vs. paying cash for something? Normally I'd say NO....except there are a few situations where it makes sense. The people over at BillShrink.com have made a short list of when it's just as smart to pay on an installment plan as it is to pay cash...and I agree.

1. When the interest rate is zero. Or, when the interest rate is very low. If you’re confident you can pay each month, take the installment plan option. This is a great way to demonstrate that you can pay your bills and enhance your credit score. If the interest rate is below 5%, consider an installment plan versus putting a big purchase on a credit card that is likely to have a much higher interest rate. This way, you can still take the opportunity to boost your credit rating and keep your money in the bank for any unexpected expenses.

2. When there is no interest for the first months and you can pay off the balance without the interest accruing. Why pay a few grand right away when you can pay a fraction of that each month? If you’re confident you’ll have a steady income for the next year or so, it makes sense to keep some in your bank (find an interest-yielding savings account) to accrue interest instead of getting rid of it in a lump sum.

3. When you don’t have the cash to pay upfront, but expect to have enough in the future from your paycheck, investments, or other sources to pay the installments. So you don’t have enough savings in the bank to pay for a new couch, but you know that your pay check is sticking around. Just think of it like your monthly utility bill and factor it into your budget. It’s important to have a little cash in your account in case an unplanned expense pops up, like a medical emergency or layoffs at your company.

I still think that paying for items IN FULL is a much better scenario, but at least with those three options you won't be saddled with those awful interest rates and payments that seem to last forever.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Need some jingle in your claws (sic) this holiday?

If you're looking to earn a little extra this holiday season, you might be able to work from the comfort of your own home.

Convergys is hiring GIFT ADVISORS serving Harry & David's telephone customers.with their holiday shopping.

* SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
* NO TELEMARKETING
* EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT ON HARRY & DAVID MERCHANDISE
* INCENTIVE PLAN
* COMPETITIVE WAGE
* VARIETY OF SCHEDULES AVAILABLE
* PAID TRAINING
* WORK FROM HOME

These are for INBOUND calls only. They're looking for people with personality that shines over the phone.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

10 Fees you should NOT pay for

We pay enough in taxes and add-ons on day to day purchases. I know that YOU work HARD for your money (apologies to Donna Summer) and you don't want to throw it away on fees and services that you can get FREE.

Here is a list of 10 fees that you should NOT have to pay for according to billshrink.com.


1. Directory Assistance Fees. You’re not still calling 411 are you? Carriers can charge $1.25 or more for every 411 call. Try using a service like 1-GOOG-411 or (800) FREE-411 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (800) FREE-411      end_of_the_skype_highlighting for free directory assistance.

2. In-store Credit Card Fees: Beware of in-store promotional cards that offer an initial store discount. An introductory 0% interest rate can quickly leap to over 20% with just one late payment. Remember, when you apply for a new card, an inquiry is made to the credit bureau, and that can lower slightly your credit score.

3. Non Bank ATM Fees: ATM Fees can add up. They can also be slightly misleading; it’s not unusual for ATM convenience fees to cost $2.00, and for the card-issuing bank to charge up to an additional $2.50 as a non-bank ATM Fee. As a result, it may cost up $4.50 to withdraw $20.00.


4. Credit Card Late Fees/Overdraft Fees: Paying late fees on credit cards and bills, and overdraft fees on bank accounts can be a waste of your money. Especially when a minimum payment on a credit card of $15 is missed, resulting in a late fee that can be as high as $39 (and perhaps result in an APR% increase). Overdraft fees add up quickly, especially when they are made in quick succession, resulting in fees for each transaction made while an account is overdrawn. Luckily starting this week there are new consumer protections thanks to the Credit CARD Act of 2009, but interest rate hikes last year, mainly due to late fee penalties, cost Americans more than $10 billion.


5. Car Maintenance Fees: Unless a car is under warranty, going to a dealership for a repair is one sure way to overspend. Car dealerships often tell you that some types of work can only be done by authorized dealerships, and are they may not negotiate prices, something that should be done with any type of auto maintenance.


6. Airline Cancellation Fees. Here's one that I need to remember. We know that we’re all busy, and some scheduling conflicts are unavoidable. There are times when things “just come-up.” But, when it comes to travel, there are hefty fees for changing the date of a flight.

7. Cell Phone Early Termination Fees (ETFs). Most of the major U.S.-based cell phone service providers tack on significant fees if you cancel your wireless plan before the end of the two-year contract. Read the fine print on your contract and make SURE that you've gotten the best deal IN ADVANCE.

8. Cable Company Contracts Cancellation Fees. Admittedly, most of our kids love TV,  and as they grow up (or as various sports seasons start), you may get talked into upgrading your current cable provider to go for the package that gets you the shows that will keep the family happy. But be careful, canceling a TV service is not cheap!

9. Roaming Fees: Make sure that you understand the way your roaming and international charges work. Not every service charges extra fees for these, but some do. You can still be using your phone in the normal way, but in a slightly different place, it's easy to accidentally rack up large fees without doing anything that seems unusual. Some roaming rates can be as high as $2.49 per minute. And, some carriers will even charge you to access your voicemail (a charge of $4.99 for a missed call) even when you don’t pick up that call while you are roaming. The biggest “ouch” charges could occur if you happen to send a video message to your pals while on vacation, which could cost a whopping $7 per message!


10. Reward Card Annual Fees: Why pay an annual fee for rewards when you can get them for free? Beat the system and get a card with no annual fees and great perks. Capital One No Hassle Miles Rewards, Chase Sapphire Card, and Pen Fed Visa Platinum Cashback Rewards are examples of cards that charge no annual fee, but offer great rewards.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ways to Save More Money

One thing we all have in common, whether we're wealthy or just scraping by, is that we want to save money. With the holidays right around the corner, many of us start thinking of ways to save during these last few months of the year. Believe it or not, four months of savings can REALLY add up.


Here are some tips for saving your hard earned cash provided by ChicagoHealers.com Practitioner Julie Murphy Casserly, CLU, ChFC, CFP®:


Make Sure a Sale is a Sale

· With back-to-school shopping season in full swing, many retailers will be promoting and advertising sales. Make sure to do price research before heading to the store. Be certain the sale really is a sale and not the store’s creative marketing strategy to encourage you to spend your money without thinking.

· "Buy one get one free" and "50% off", will only help save money if the actual price paid is lower than what would be paid somewhere else for exactly the same product.

· Set a budget and shopping list before leaving for the store. This helps to keep the focus on buying necessities and spending within the allotted budget.

· Use Less

· In a society where consumption and waste is a huge problem, it can be difficult to keep in mind the importance of maintaining the environment.

· Consider using less shampoo when washing hair, turning the air conditioning off, or cooking in bulk and freezing the left-over’s rather than throwing them out.

· Turn off lights, the TV and the computer when not in use.

· If possible, consider walking or biking to the store or to work rather than using more gas. Each of these efforts will help save on utility bills, which leaves that extra money for savings.

· Plan Tax Savings Now

· Consider itemizing taxes and start thinking about ways to save on your 2010 tax bill now. Wait until April and it could be too late to take advantage of tax-saving maneuvers.

· Make a donation to a favorite charity. Donations made to qualified charities before the year's end can result in some serious tax savings, and good feelings to boot.

· Check with employers to see if they offer a flexible spending account (FSA) and inquire about enrollment. Under a flexible account program, funds are taken from the paycheck on a pretax basis, which reduces taxable income. Refunds are given when the appropriate claim forms are submitted to the benefits department.

Julie Murphy Casserly, CLU, ChFC, CFP® is a 15-year veteran of the financial services industry, founder of JMC Wealth Management in Chicago and author of the award-winning book, “The Emotion Behind Money.” Julie helps people understand how their emotional attitudes and behaviors affect how they earn, spend and save. For more information, please visit http://www.juliemurphycasserly.com.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 4 commandments of credit!

Money is tight for all of us, yet we have to remember how important it is the not get buried in debt. Here are four credit commandments from Laura Rowley, Yahoo! Finance personal finance guru that will help you to keep your debt under control.

· Thou shalt not live beyond thy means. Know exactly how much money comes in, how much goes out and make those numbers match up. (Try this calculator to figure out if a second income is worth it after taxes, child care and other costs.)

· Thou shalt set aside cash for emergencies. According to a recent study from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, only 49 percent of respondents reported that they had set aside funds sufficient to cover expenses for three months in case of sickness, job loss, economic downturn or other emergency.

· Thou shalt not carry a revolving balance on thy credit card. According to the FINRA study, 51 percent of Americans have carried a balance from month to month resulting in interest charges; 29 percent made a minimum-only payment; and 23 percent were charged a fee for late payment. Thou shalt not get sucked into the debt-settlement trap.


· Thou shalt not use a financial product – credit cards, auto loans, without searching for the best deal. The FINRA survey found 63 percent don't shop around for credit cards, half don't shop around for auto loans, and a third don't shop around for mortgages.

Common sense? Of course. Still, it's always good to be reminded!


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 Ways to increase your credit score

This week we're beginning to look at condos. While we love the mansion, I want to either be closer to Fort Lauderdale or move back up north. While there are a glut of short sales and foreclosures on the market, we have to remember how they got there and consider our credit score as we're not only shopping for a new HOME, but also a new mortgage.

According to Steve Kramer, VP of Electronic Payment at Western Union here are seven ways that you can improve your credit score over the next year.

1. Evaluate a purchase: If an item is on sale but takes two years with interest to pay it off, it is a ‘deal’ worth passing on.

2. Do not max out credit cards: Credit scores take into account just how much credit you have available, so it's important not to max out your credit card balances; make an effort to keep balances low.

3. Pay bills on time: This is crucial to maintaining good credit for the long-term. Take advantage of a same-day payment option to ensure just-in-time payments to billers and creditors.

4. Do not apply for new credit cards: It’s tempting to open up a new credit card while out shopping but avoid it. New open credit may decrease your credit score. Also, every credit inquiry from a finance company decreases your score by points.

5. Thaw your frozen cards every spring: Many people put their credit cards in the freezer to keep from using them all the time. Don't forget about those old credit cards. When you stop using a card, issuers may stop updating the account with credit bureaus, or worse, close down the account altogether. It's good to use those accounts, at least occasionally, for a small necessary purchase – then they go back in the freezer for another year.

6. Check your credit report: Check your report regularly and take steps, immediately, to dispute discrepancies. Make corrections a top priority. Consumers are entitled to one free report a year, under federal law, at AnnualCreditReport.com. Don’t sign up for a credit monitoring service.

7. Stay knowledgeable: knowledge is your credit power. Stay informed about the interest rates on your cards and remember the key components you control that influence your credit score, including – number of open credit accounts, balances on those accounts, timely payment record, how many cards are ‘maxed out’, whether you rent or own your home, how long you have been using credit.

.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Could YOU be a greeting card writer?

Do you think to yourself "I can do better than that" every time you pick up a birthday or greeting card and read the message inside? Are you "off the cuff" funny and everyone says that you ought to be a comedy writer? If you've always wondered about WHO it is that writes the copy in the cards you buy...then this might be the job for you


JQ Greetings Is looking to hire writers for their line of greeting cards that are humorous with that extra spark of wit and originality.


* Birthday
* General/Male/Female
* Friendship (especially woman to woman)
* Anniversary
* Thinking of You
* Just for Fun (thought for the day/ joke to share)
* Get Well
* Baby Congrats
* Missing You
* Thank You
* Hi/Hello
* Love
* Congratulations
* Hang in There/Cope


When submitting your ideas, please follow these guidelines

1.If Mailing: Text should be on 3" x 5" index cards, one piece of copy per card. Please number your cards so we can refer to a specific sentiment easily. We prefer typed sentiments unless you have really excellent handwriting anyone can decipher. Include your name, address, phone number and email on the back of each card. Send a SASE with your submission or we will not be able to return it. Mail to: JQ Greetings/verse submitions, P.O. Box 1498, Walker, MN 56484

2. If Emailing: Number each idea/verse and include name and contact info. Email to jwright406@aol.com

3. Send us only your best ideas, and no more than 12 at a time. We are not interested in receiving copy that is already out there.

4. Avoid anything too raunchy, but naughty or slightly suggestive is okay.

5. Rhymes are okay as long as they are fresh, funny and original.

6. Response time is now through next1-4 weeks.

Compensation is a flat fee for all greeting card publication rights and are paid upon (acceptance/publication??)
To familiarize yourself with their line of cards check out (www.jqgreetings.com)


EmailAddress: jwright406@aol.com

Address: P.O. Box 1498 Walker, MN 56484

ApplicationDeadline: ASAP


Payment: pay ranges from $35.00- $75.00 per published verse


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Best Rewards Credit Cards

I know that I've struggled trying to figure out which credit card has the best "deals." Do I want to snag cash back, airfare/hotel rewards or free swag at a store that I frequent?

In the June 2010 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports they've done the homework FOR you by revealing the Credit Cards with the Best Rewards. Shopping can be a rewarding experience, especially if you are able to snag a deal. But there’s nothing better than being paid to shop, and with rewards cards, consumers can do just that!

Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart says: “We’ve sifted through the fine print to offer our readers a comparative analysis of the best rewards cards out there. Just keep in mind that rewards cards tend to have higher interest rates, so be sure to pay off your balance each month.”

Here's how to Choose the Best Rewards Card for You


* Watch for sneaky fees: Many rewards cards have annual fees, which are likely to be more than offset by your rewards. But be alert for fees on balance transfers, cash advances and foreign transaction.

* Go for cash rewards: With straight-forward cash-back, avoid the temptation to spend points on unnecessary items at the car issuers’ online malls.

* Get paid for loyalty: Check your favorite retailer for a card that rewards frequent shopping.

* Look out for the fine-print gotchas: Buried deep in the terms and conditions of some credit-card agreements are clauses that could make you lose out on rewards, like cutting off rewards at a certain cap in monthly spending or requiring you to opt in every quarter for your rewards.

ShopSmart’s Picks for Top Rewards Cards

1. American Express Costco TrueEarnings

* APR: 0% for 6 months, then 15.24%
* What you get: 3% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (drops to 1% at gas stations after $3,000 is spent), 2% on travel, 1% elsewhere. No annual fee with Costco membership.

2. Capital One No Hassle Cash Rewards

· APR: 0% until March 2011, then 14.9%

· What you get: 2% cash back on gas and at major grocery stores, 1% on everything else. Rewards never expire and can be redeemed anytime. No balance-transfer fee.


3. Fidelity Rewards American Express

* APR: 13.99%
* What you get: 2 points for each 1% spent. You do not need a brokerage account to have the card. You need a brokerage account only to redeem points for cash deposits to your account.

4. PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express

· APR: 13.24%

· What you get: 5 points per $1 spent on airfare, 3 per $1 on dining and hotels until Dec. 31, 2010, 1 per $1 elsewhere; 20,000-point sign-up offer when $650 is spent in first three months. No foreign-transaction fee. Good balance-transfer offer. Military families join free; others pay a onetime $20 fee.

ShopSmart launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. ShopSmart is available by subscription at www.ShopSmartmag.org.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Memorial Day Celebration with The Debt Diva

I'm excited to introduce you to Clarky Davis, also known as The Debt Diva, is a debt management expert with more than 10 years of personal and professional experience. As The Debt Diva, Davis has appeared on ABC News Now, Fox Business, Fox and Friends, and Nightline and has partnered with the bargain retailer TJ Maxx.
She's got some GREAT ideas for saving money and having MORE FUN this upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.

• Memorial  Day Film Festival
• Gather friends for a weekend of classic (and current) war movies.  Focus on those that have some entertainment value and aren’t totally depressing, like movies mentioned here: http://classicfilm.about.com/od/epicswarmovies/Classic_Movies_Historical_Epics_and_Hollywood_at_War.htm
• Depending on your preferences you can go from Casablanca to Gone With the Wind to Tropic Thunder to Bridge on the River Kwai.  You could also dig up some old TV series and miniseries via an $8.99/month Netflix membership (http://www.netflix.com/?mqso=80025836), or at Red Box (http://www.redbox.com/) for only $.99/movie.  My favorites include China Beach, and North and the South.

Savings:

• Memorial Day movie in the theater: $45 for 4 people; $65 for 6 people
• Debt Diva’s Red Memorial Day Film Festival: $5-$9 total

• Red, White and Blue Cookout
• Use the color theme and give each guest a color – they have to bring some edible item in that hue.
• Red: Red meat, tomato salad, watermelon, cherry topped cheesecake (http://www.perfectlyprovident.com/2009/07/tips-for-making-great-cheesecake_29.html)

§         White: Baked potatoes, white bread sandwiches, marinated cauliflower (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Marinated-Cauliflower/Detail.aspx), plain cheesecake

§         Blue: Blueberry pie (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Pie/Detail.aspx), blue corn chips, grapes

o        What am I?

§         Play this classic game where party guests try to guess whose name is on their back.  Give it a Memorial Day twist – instead of people’s names, use the titles for classic war movies like Casablanca, Apocalypse Now, and M.A.S.H. For more classic war movies, see http://movies.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=144015

Savings:

§         Catering for 12 people: $210 

§         Debt Diva’s Red, White and Blue Cookout menu: $45

§         Red, white and blue swap

o        If you’re short on cash, but not desire, host the hottest modern day shopping event – the swap.  You and 10 of your girlfriends bring all your gently used but stylish clothing and house wares (and all those items you’d really like to ‘re-gift’) to one house. To stay on theme – ask participants to bring items that are red, white or blue

Savings:

§         Dress/shorts/Capri pants from Target or Old Navy: $25-$35

§         Debt Diva’s Red, White and Blue Swap clothing swap: $0

o        Serve hors d’oeuvres -  white drinks (we don’t want to stain any of those gorgeous clothes), blueberry/strawberry fruit skewers (http://www.makeandtakes.com/red-white-blueberry-skewers; http://www.webstaurantstore.com/10-bamboo-skewer-100-bag/48510SKEW.html) and bruschetta (http://friendseat.com/Bruschetta-Recipe-3, http://video.about.com/italianfood/How-to-Make-Bruschetta.htm)

Savings:

§         Catering for 12 people: $210 

§         Debt Diva’s DIY Hors d’oeuvres for 12 people: $35

Total Savings:

§         Traditional Memorial Day Spending: $495

§         Debt Diva’s Memorial Day Spending: $85-$95

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bank on Yourself

It used to be that you could sock your money away in a bank and actually SAVE for something. Now, if you don't have enough in your savings account - the bank actually CHARGES you a fee. Yes there are CD's - but have YOU SEEN THE RATES? I've always been a fan of mutual funds, since picking stocks is for the professionals, but lately that hasn't been so good either.

Conventional investing is NOT what it used to be and I recently read the book Bank On Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Protecting Your Financial Future which offers a DRAMATICALLY different approach to investing and financial planning. Pamela Yellen shows how you can forget about the stock market, and not have to worry about what's up and what's down.

Here are some of the items that she speaks about in Bank On Yourself.

• Have a rock-solid financial plan and a predictable retirement income that can last as long as you do -- with no luck, skill, or guesswork required
• Turn your back on the stomach-churning twists and turns of the stock and real estate markets
• Get back every penny you pay for your cars, vacations, home repairs, business equipment, a college education, and other major purchases, so you can enjoy more of life's luxuries today without robbing your nest egg! (The average family could increase their lifetime wealth by $500,000 to $1,000,000 or more using this method, without the risk or volatility of stocks and real estate)
• Become your own source of financing and recapture the interest you pay to banks and finance companies -- reduce or eliminate the control those institutions have over you

Throughout the book she gives example after example of how real people were able to use what she calls a "B.O.Y."  to pay for college, finance businesses, eliminate debt and build their retirement nest egg. Her claims make a lot of sense (and I'm guessing that a lot of other people feel the same way as this book has been on the NY Times Bestseller List,  USA Today and BusinessWeek's Bestseller lists). These are actually tried and true methods, but not something you would normally think of when setting up a savings program.

Now out in Paperback - Bank On Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Protecting Your Financial Future is only $10.05 at Amazon.com. That's a small investment that could really impact your financial future.

GIVEAWAY

Enter Daily



Extra Entries

1. Blog about this giveaway on YOUR blog!
2. Follow Champagne Living - on the sidebar
3. Check out "B's" new blog and subscribe at I Pity the Blog
4. Subscribe to Champagne Living for FREE
5. Link to this giveaway on your Facebook page
6. Follow me on twitter
7. Twitter this giveaway
8. Add our badge to your blog/site

• Be sure to leave a comment letting me know if you've done any of these (if you already subscribe or have our badge - please note that in the comments as well).

* This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on May 7, 2010 11:59 EST.
* The winner will be randomly chosen and their information will be sent directly to the sponsor for fulfillment.
* Good Luck


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Four tips for saving money - NOW!

These four important tips for saving money come from Pamela Yellen author of  
Bank On Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Protecting Your Financial Future. I
'll be reviewing Bank On Yourself VERY soon. In the meantime here are some easy ways to put a little away for a rainy day.



Building your savings -- not an easy task in the best of times -- has become even more of a challenge. While women typically earn less than men in most occupations, the good news is that women's jobs have mainly held up during the recession. Women have a 20% lower unemployment rate than men, according to a just-released report from the U.S. Department of Labor.

And there's the fact that women live longer and rely on Social Security more than men do, and the already-troubled trust fund will pay out more than it receives this year.

So how do you build a bigger nest egg when times are tough? Following these four tips will help you take back control of your finances and "bank on yourself."

Be forewarned, however: this isn't the same old advice you've heard many times before. If the conventional ways of saving and investing were really working, wouldn't we already have financial security, in good times and bad?

Saving Tip #1: Know the Difference between "Saving" and "Investing"

Wall Street and the financial planning industry have led us to believe that "saving" and "investing" are the same thing. However, they are not. The money you have in savings is money you don't want (or can't afford) to lose. Money you invest is subject to loss.

Most people today "invest to save," and as a result, have no idea what their nest egg will be worth when they plan to tap into it.

This is not a financial "plan," which the Merriam Webster dictionary defines as "a means of accomplishing something." It's gambling. And it has led to a nation of Americans wondering if they'll ever be able to retire, and what they'll have to give up in order to do that.

The typical equity mutual fund investor has actually been losing one percent per year for the past 20 years, after adjusting for inflation, according to the research firm, DALBAR.

Don't put money you can't afford to lose into stocks, real estate or other traditional investments. Before investing, ask yourself if your money didn't grow for 20 or more years, or even went backwards, could you live with that?


Saving Tip #2: You Don't have to Pay Down Debt before Increasing Your Savings

Often people think they must pay down their credit card balances and other debt, before they can increase the amount they save. But that's not necessarily true.

Case in point: A woman in her fifties who was paying $600 to $800 a month more than the minimum payment due on her credit cards. She discovered that by cutting back to the minimum payment and putting the difference into a guaranteed savings vehicle, she could have a nest egg worth around $50,000 more when she retires at sixty-five. I call this the "better than debt-free" way of managing your money.

Saving Tip #3: Look Beyond the Traditional Saving and Investing Methods

Consider proven and time-tested ways to grow a substantial nest egg -- without the risk or volatility of stocks, mutual funds, real estate, and other investments.

For example, there is an asset class that has increased in value during every stock market decline and every period of economic boom and bust for more than a century.

That asset is dividend-paying whole life insurance.

A dividend-paying whole life policy grows by a guaranteed and pre-set amount every year. In addition, the growth is exponential, meaning it gets better (more efficient) every single year you have the policy, simply because you stick with it.

This gives you some protection against inflation and provides peak growth at the time you need it most (retirement). And no luck, skill, or guesswork is required to make that happen.

Furthermore, there are options that can be added to the policy which turbo-charge the growth of your equity ("cash value") in the policy. When your policy is structured properly, you can use it as a powerful financial management tool from day one.

Once credited to your policy, both your guaranteed annual increase, plus any dividends you may receive, are locked in. They don't vanish due to a market correction.

These policies also give you peace of mind for retirement planning, because you'll know the minimum guaranteed income you could take in retirement, and for how long you could take it.


Saving Tip #4: Saving Doesn't Have to Mean Sacrificing

When you save up money in the kind of specially designed dividend-paying whole life policy I just described, you can borrow your equity in the policy and use it to make needed major purchases, and your policy could continue to grow as though you never touched a dime of it! (Not all companies offer this feature or type of policy.)

One couple profiled in my book hadn't taken a vacation since their honeymoon eight years earlier. They couldn't justify taking a vacation because they "felt those funds should be saved." And they hated the idea of putting it on a credit card and then having to pay all that interest.

Instead, they borrowed the money from their policy for a one-week vacation at a resort on the Mexican Riviera. They set up a schedule to pay back the loan to their policy over one year, and were thrilled, because "now we'll be able to take a nice vacation every year from now on with those same dollars. The key words are no guilt, because this is a responsible way to do good things for yourself that you wouldn't normally do."

There are many myths and misinformation about this powerful financial tool, and no shortage of experts who will tell you to avoid whole life insurance.

That's why I created the $100,000 Challenge. It lets you test your knowledge of the facts about dividend-paying whole life. And a $100,000 cash reward awaits the first person who has a different product or strategy that can match or beat a properly structured dividend-paying whole life policy.

© 2010 Pamela Yellen, author of Bank on Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Protecting Your Financial Future

Author Bio
Financial security expert, Pamela Yellen, is author of the best-selling book, Bank On Yourself: The Life-Changing Secret to Growing and Protecting Your Financial Future. For more information, visit: www.BankOnYourself.com and to take the $100,000 Challenge, visit: www.BankOnYourself.com/challenge.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------