01.24.08

More Reasons to Choose Credit Cards over Debit Cards

Posted in Business, Finances at 9:51 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

Awhile ago, I wrote a blog about being careful with debit cards.  I recently read an article in the Reader’s Digest that listed three things to avoid probable fraud when using debit cards.

Clark Howard, radio consumer advocate, says to never use a debit card any place your card is taken out of sight like in a restaurant. 

Don’t use debit cards for online purchases, especially if you don’t know the retailer’s reputation.

Watch out for debit overdraw fees.  Most of us don’t carefully track our debit receipts, thus it is easy to overdraw your account.  It used to be when your  checking account had a zero balance that you could no longer make purchases, but now most banks have courtesy overdraw loans, but the catch is, the average fee for courtesy loans is $34.

07.30.07

Ask Yourself Three Questions Before Buying

Posted in Family, Finances at 9:57 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

I was reading the other day in a religious magazine, and it suggested to ask yourself or your child three questions before buying anything: 

Is this a want or a need?

What is the worst thing that can happen if we buy it or don’t buy it?

If we leave without buying it, will we still want or need it in a week or two?

I know that my kids and I have bought things that we really wanted, but in a month or two, we decide it is not as neat as we thought, and we wish we would have saved the money instead. 

07.24.07

Answer it or Ignore it?

Posted in Education, Finances, Promotional Products at 9:22 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

The caller id shows an unavailable call.  Are you going to answer it or ignore it?  If you are only kind of sure that a phone solictor is calling, you may be losing business opportunities.  Kind of sure may mean you are saving time, but it also may mean that you losing business.  I prefer not to take that chance.  I answer every call!

So why do businesses even have caller id?  That is what I asked myself, and it seemed pointless to me.   Business that comes to your doorstep is the most blessed business of all.  I say answer the phone, it may be a new customer knocking at your door, and the beginning of a  long term client relationship. 

07.20.07

Can’t Afford a Dentist, Think Again

Posted in Education, Finances, Health at 4:23 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

I had to have a root canal today.  It was actually better than some root canals I have had, but it still wasn’t much fun. 

When I was first married, we were poor like most young couples so I didn’t go to the dentist for about six years.  I had three children and breast fed each of them for at least nine months during the six year absence from the dentist.  When I finally went to the dentist, he got after me for not going to the dentist regularly because now I had a mouthful of deep cavities that would eventually lead to root canals and crowns; oh boy, how right he was.  Years later, it is exactly as the dentist predicted, I now floss a mouthful of crowns that protect teeth with root canals. 

The child bearing years are hard on women’s teeth because the baby takes all the nutrients it needs, thus, often leaving the mother depleted of minerals and vitamins that are needed to keep a healthy smile.  I learned the hard way that you don’t save money by not going to the dentist.  In actuality, you spend more, a lot more.  The only way to save money is to get regular preventative dental care whether you think you can afford it or not.  I told my new daughter in law that it is imperative for new and nursing mothers to have their teeth checked at least once a year. 

Most dentists will take a monthly fee for service rendered.  If you can’t afford to pay your dental bill in full, I suggest looking for a dentist that will allow you to pay a monthly fee, or find another solution that will enable you to go to the dentist at least once a year.

For those interested in dental promotional products, here are a few of my recommendations:

Mini Tooth Dental Floss Key Chain

Tooth Shaped Sugar Free Mints

Flashing Toothbrush

Tooth Key Tag

07.11.07

Credit Card Fees- Where do they come from

Posted in Finances at 11:33 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

I found a link on Neal Harmon’s blog to an article by Braintree Financial about where credit card fees come from.  It answered many questions that I have wondered about but didn’t know where to get the answers.Â