A NOTE FROM RANDAL

Hello Everyone,

Welcome new subscribers and thanks to all of you who have been sharing The Frugal Life News with others!

We have made some changes to the newsletter. It had gotten so long that it wasn't getting through the filters. I hope you like the new version. You can leave annonymous comments at the end of this newsletter. We'd like to have your feedback.

We appreciate all you are doing to help others know about The Frugal Life.com. We have over 13,000 subscribers.

Frugally yours,
Randal

FRUGAL FINANCES

Watch for Cheap-Check Fees!

In Lesson 19 of my course, "Debt Into Wealth: Lessons From My Journey to Debt Freedom," I recommend using discount check printers like, Checks Unlimited (www.checksunlimited.com), Checks Connect (www.checksconnect.com), or Checks In The Mail (secure.checksinthemail.com) instead of your bank's checks for your personal checks.

If your bank charges for checks, you'll save money by using a discount printer.

A Bankrate.com article. (www.bankrate.com/brm/news/chk/20060825a1.asp) warns your bank might charge a fee of up to $5 per check if your discount check tears during processing. Banks are claiming these checks aren't up to their quality standards, which seems dubious given the parent companies of many discount check printers also print the checks banks sell.

Bank checks also tear during processing. If you've ever received a canceled bank check with a piece of paper containing account and routing information taped to the bottom, this check tore during processing.

Did your bank charge a fee?

Nope. Torn-check fees are only for alien checks... and generally, the smaller institutions are the ones charging these fees. Larger banks just fix and process the checks.

It's possible a printer is printing poor quality checks that gum-up check sorting machines. These beasts can process 1,800 checks per minute. But, instead of fining the customer, wouldn't it be better to alert the printer? After all, a few torn-check fees will quickly eliminate any discount advantage and send the customer fleeing into the arms of the bank's checks... and maybe that's the objective.

If your bank charges a torn-check fee, your choices are: (1) switch to a larger bank, (2) confirm your printer is a member of the Check Payment Systems Association which governs the specifications for printing checks (www.cpsa-checks.org/memlisting.htm), (3) contest the fee, especially if your printer is a member of CPSA.

Buy the least expensive quality checks you can find. The extra money you create by reducing this expense can be added to other money saving practies to help pay off debt. And stay vigilant for attempts to pursuade you to spend more than necessary on something as generic as a blank check.

Greg Moore is the Architect of the Debt Freedom System, "DebtIntoWealth -- Lessons from My Journey to Debt Freedom" - Free Lesson #1.

FRUGAL COMMUNICATIONS

Cell Phones, Long Distance, Prepaid Phone Cards & Internet Service Plans for Cellular Phones

3.9 cent Long Distance With No Access Numbers to Dial
Prepaid Phone Cards
Internet Service
No hidden fees or charges!

Shop for Long Distance, Cell Phone & Internet Service

FRUGAL HOME

Never Throw Away Books or Magazines

The disposable mentality sometimes doesn't cause us to look beyond our own use of something, but when it comes to printed matter, there are many out there who can benefit from what you are ready to discard.

Besides the typical options of public libraries and church libraries, books and magazines and inspirational pamphlets are a great aid to rehabilitation for those who've been sent to prison or juvenile detention centers. Please search out a correctional facility in your area to donate published materials of any kind.

You can also contact some neighbors to form a magazine swap. Make a list of what each neighbor has and when it's compiled let each participating neighbor check off what they'd like to swap around. Then give that list to each person with magazines to share. They can attach a sheet of paper to each issue with the names of those interested so that it can continue to be passed on till they are all checked off. If the person wants the magazine back, their name can be put on the list also.

FRUGAL HEALTH

Chinese Herbs

Many cultures around the world have been using herbs for thousands of years. Chinese herbal formulas have been passed down through generations. There's a current surge of interest in Chinese herbs. Visit a website of a friend of ours, The Chinese Elements, and learn more about them.

FRUGAL PETS

Natural Remedies and Herbal Heartworm Programs

Robin Sockness has worked with thousands of pets over the many years we have referred to her. She's great at what she does because she's seen such great success with her own pets and those she has helped. Herbs are safer and less expensive so it's a win-win situation for all. Herbal prevention programs available also. Get more information on Robin.

Healthy Pet Foods

Pet food ingredients can create a lot of health problems for our pets, and that can cost a lot of money with recurring health issues feeding the pockets of our veterinarians. Be an informed pet owner when it comes to what's in pet foods. You already know that you feel better if you eat right. Help them to feel better too.

Information Links for Pets

Healthy Pet Corner provides informational links for dogs, cats, birds, horses, rabbits, and reptiles. Visit Healthy Pet Corner now.

Free Samples of Pet Food, Supplements and Treats

We now have free samples at our Healthy Pet Net website. Get a free sample pack that offers 3 products for dogs and 4 products for cats which includes the new Distinctive Choice canned cat food. These products are formulated by nationally recognized holistic veterinarian and author, Dr. Jane Bicks. Our cat, Squeek, loves the food. We also give her the treats that are designed to keep hairballs from forming. You'll even get a sample of the vitamin supplements for dog or cat. There is a $2.95 shipping fee and quantities are limited. Visit the site now and order your free samples

FRUGAL TIPS

Recycle Sneakers and Athletic Shoes

NIKE, Inc. sponsors the Reuse-a-Shoe program which takes in used sneakers (all brands), grinds up selected parts, then remanufactures them into athletic equipment, such as playground padding gymnastic mats, and running tracks. The equipment is donated to worthy causes. Call 1-800-352-6453 for drop-off locations and a program description.

Singing Success At-Home Study Course

The Singing Success Vocal Training Program, by celebrity vocal coach Brett Manning, is the only vocal training program that guarantees a full octave increase in your vocal range. And you can do it at home. You'll learn to sing as easily as you speak, completely eliminating vocal strain, and you will learn to master the techniques of vocal style, including runs, licks and trills. 100% guaranteed. Get a full refund if it doesn't do all it promises. The best thing about it is that you can try it out and send it back for a full refund if it doesn't do all it promises to do. Read more about the Singing Success Program.

Free At-Home Piano Lessons
I know you've heard the rumours of how it take years to learn the piano! That's only true if you want to be a concert pianist, but if you want to play the piano and enjoy learning your favorite songs, you can do that the same day you start lessons. Receive 100 pages of these 350-page beginner piano lessons free. Receive 100 pages of our 350 page beginner piano lessons free. www.learnpianoonline.com/main/welcome.htm

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FORUM

Give your advice for these questions at the Frugal Life Community Forum.

Do-It-Yourself Forum

1. Ideas on how to make your own humidifier wicks?
I am unwilling to pay almost $10 for a humidifier wick to get the water closer to the fan for evaporation...but I can't think of what material I could use that would suck water but stand up...can you help? Thanks!

Finance Forum
1. I would like to get my finances and retirement portfolios in order. I need to get advice from some one that is going to give me advice or a stratagy without trying to sell me something. Can anyone lead me in the right direction? Thanks, Bob

Miscellaneous Forum

1. A few years ago a friend painted an image on my fridge. He was sent away (with work) and never got to finish the job. My question is what sort of varnish or clear finish should I use on my fridge in order to seal in the image? Also I believe he was using the little pots of paint with which you use to make models. Does anyone know what sort to use ( I am thinking a Matt finish ) As it has been some time since it was painted I just want to touch it up and then seal it in for good. Any help out there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all

2. How to meet other frugal people? - I'm "suddenly single" again and there are literally hundreds of dating sites out there, from the huge to the tiny niche sites; I haven't found any that are for frugal people, though. Non-frugal people tend to look at me as a cheapskate or tightwad, so the fact that I have very little money really puts a damper on dating, unless the other person is like-minded. Any thoughts/suggestions?

Recipes Forum
1. Years ago I had a recipe for Ongoing Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles that involved the of adding your leftover cucumbers, onions, etc. from time to time. Sort of like a never ending pickle jar in the refrigerator. The recipe was lost during a move and I have missed it ever since. If anyone has such a recipe I sure would appreciate it.

Recycle/Reuse Forum
1. Hi all, I'm new here and this is my first post. I have 3 large kitchen bags of shredded paper. Is there a way to add something to it to make firelogs for my woodstove as a firestarter. Gee I hope I'm geting my point across. Maybe add homemade glue(water and flour) or something to make it stick together and then dry. Barb

HOME BUSINESS IDEAS

Nature's Sunshine Herbs and Supplements

Make Your Own Bath & Beauty Products

Flint River Ranch Oven Baked Pet Foods

Healthy Pet Net Foods and Supplements

FORWARD TO A FRIEND

If you enjoyed what you read today, please forward this newsletter to your friends by clicking on the white envelope below --- or send them the link to this site.

COPYRIGHT, LEGAL DISCLAIMER & REPRINT INFO

© 2007 Randal J. Watkins

Information in The Frugal Life News (TFL) has been derived from sources believed accurate and reliable. In no event shall *The Frugal Life,* Randal Watkins, or the corporate sponsor, Sunshine Life Center, Inc. staff be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with the use of information herein.

There is no remuneration for suggestions, tips, or ideas submitted by readers. All suggestions, tips, and ideas, submitted for publication in The Frugal Life, become the property of The Frugal Life, notwithstanding similar rights of the reader submitting such suggestions, tips, or ideas. TFL publishes readers' names with their suggestions, tips, and ideas unless a reader requests otherwise at the time of the submission.

Forwarding and Use of This Newsletter You may forward this newsletter in its entirety and/or use this copyrighted newsletter on a website if you include the following credit:

Editor, Randal J. Watkins, of TheFrugalLife.com, provides this free newsletter to subscribers. Visit The Frugal Life website to subscribe or find frugal information to live well on what you already have. http://www.thefrugallife.com

7 Comments:

 Anonymous said...

I like the new format. It easy to use and I can skip over the sections that don't apply to me. Great job!

10:52 AM  

 Anonymous said...

Hi Randal, This is the first newsletter I recieved in a long while. Glad to see you back. I really learn a few things from each 'visit.' Thanks! -- BTW, the person who needed a pickle recipe -- I bought a jar of bread & butter ones and when all the pickles were gone, I added a few cukes and it worked! I don't know how many new pickles you can get from a jar, but some is better than none.... Susan

4:37 PM  

 Anonymous said...

I like the new look of The Frugal Life News! Very nicely done and easy to read.

10:11 PM  

 Anonymous said...

WEBTV's default background is black, so your newsletter comes in black on black and is impossible to read without some fancy manipulation. It would help if you either used a white background or a font color that showed against black.

1:50 AM  

 Anonymous said...

I have really enjoyed finding this site. I am not new to frugality nor simplicity, but many of my colleages and cohorts are invested in very different lifestyles and though I love them dearly, I have made very different choices for my life, some which just seem odd or bizarre to people who are all about the big house, impressive clothing/cars/kids/trappings and cannot understand why I would rather give money to build homes for those in need than spend it building the status home they think we must secretly desire. Thanks for being here, we are glad to be with like-minded folks.

3:16 AM  

 Randal said...

This post has been removed by the author.

10:50 AM  

 Donna said...

I love your comments on choosing to build homes for those without rather than adding space you won't need or use in the one you live in. YES! That's what it is really all about! We do not know how blessed we are. There is no need to stuff ourselves with things that bring no security whatsoever. Many people believe their home is an asset when it's actually a liability because it takes money OUT of the budget. It can only be an asset if you sell it and then what? No place to live. Real estate has never been a totally safe investment and never will be. Investing in the lives of people is always a sure bet in many ways because what we sow we truly do reap.

11:02 AM  

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