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!

It is that time of year again, (for those of us who celebrate Christmas) when many of our frugal tendencies are ignored, minimized or stopped completely. Donna has written an article on how to have a different kind of Christmas in her weekly spiritual ezine called A Healing Moment. You can find the aritcle located here. We hope this article can be a blessing to you this Christmas.

We appreciate all your doing to help others know about The Frugal Life.com

Frugally yours,
Randal

FRUGAL FINANCES

Conventional Wisdom vs. Reality

I was cruising past Bankrate.com when this headline caught my eye...

"Bigger Investing Returns Require Bigger Risks"

I've become sensitized to financial advice like this over the years. It smacks of "conventional wisdom," which generally serves the interests of the advisor, not the advised.

Noted economist John Kenneth Galbraith coined the term, "Conventional Wisdom," to describe statements which are simple, convenient, and comfortable -- but not necessarily true.

I'm not saying conventional wisdom is "never" true, only that when it comes to growing and preserving your wealth, don't make it the foundation of your decision making.

This Bankrate.com article discussed risk and higher investment returns. In particular, the relationship between "risk free" investments, like CDs paying 5%, and higher risk investments, like stocks with average historical 12% returns. In one, you're assured of earning 5%. In the other, you're assured of a chance at 12%, but no guarantees.

If you want 12%, you gotta risk losing money.

But, as Galbraith might have said, "this isn't necessarily true," if you understand wealth building, where your objective is to invest cash today to have more wealth tomorrow.

Wealth is Assets minus Liabilities.

Want more Wealth? Grow your Assets, the 5% or 12% argument, or decrease your Liabilities, i.e., your Debt. In the case of credit card debt, interest rates are easily 12% and beyond.

In either case, 12% stock market or 12% credit card payoff, your Wealth increase is identical. Your risks, however, are not.

First, paying off your 12% or greater debt is a risk-free 12% or greater investment return. This easily dispels the "higher return, higher risk" conventional wisdom.

Second, you pay no taxes on debt payoff, which makes it an even better return than stocks, and more wealth for you.

And, last but not least, you never pay a broker's commission, another real wealth enhancer.

In fact, the only person who benefits from this wealth building tactic is... you!

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

Free Lesson #1 - Debt Freedom Course

Pay off all of your debt in 5-7 years using the money you already make. Find out why financial guru and best-selling author, Suze Orman, is advising her millions of followers to "Pay Everything Off as Fast As Possible!"

FRUGAL HOME 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
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Internet Service
No hidden fees or charges!

Shop for Long Distance, Cell Phone & Internet Service

FRUGAL PURCHASING

Don't Waste What You Already Own

Our current culture seems to think of buying before thinking about other options. It's so easy to waste resources when so much is being made into disposable products. It gives this generation a disposable mindset.

Here's an article that gives you some thoughts on how to save money. Before you buy anything, you may want to consider if there are other, less material-intensive ways to meet your needs. While some of these ideas in this article are obvious, they're all worth a mention: www.greenerchoices.org/wastetips.cfm

FRUGAL FUN

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 LEARNING

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.

Play the Piano Right Away!
Isn't that what you're wishing?
Receive 100 pages of our 350 page beginner piano lessons FREE!

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!

I'm not talking about the usual 5 finger beginner songs. (Although I do admit, I have included them) but....

I've also included REAL songs that you can learn REAL FAST!

Start today with the free lessons and receive a free copy of When the Saints Come Marching In and Amazing Grace! Yes, you can play these songs quickly and easily with these Rapid Progress Techniques.
www.learnpianoonline.com/main/welcome.html

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE FORUM

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

Editor's Note:

No new questions this issue.

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

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COPYRIGHT, LEGAL DISCLAIMER & REPRINT INFO

© 2006 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