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Living on a Budget, Saving Money/Questions Answered by Expert tbaarr

Subject	Date Asked
Money	7/26/2011
Q: I am 32 years old, I have a 20 month year old daughter a fiance that is unemployed (also pays child ... A: might I suggest you get a second credit card that offers cashback and gives you 0% interest on ...
Money	7/22/2011
Q: I am 32 years old, I have a 20 month year old daughter a fiance that is unemployed (also pays child ... A: Ok does the 1200 include the credit card payment.. what is the interest rate of that card.. how much ...
Government Loan/Credit PAy-Off	3/29/2011
Q: I was wondering if you knew of any government program or place where I could get a loan to ... A: the only thing I can say to do is try to negotiate with your current cards while applying for a new ...
401k	3/4/2011
Q: What's the smartes strategy one could use with a 401k loan to build wealth/credit? Would one take ... A: well currently I have 60k on cards at between 3.9% to 5.9% all fixed life of the loan. 5 years ago ...
401k	3/3/2011
Q: What's the smartes strategy one could use with a 401k loan to build wealth/credit? Would one take ... A: What are your monthly bills at this time. Does your job cover those monthly bills and give you money ...
moneys tight	9/9/2010
Q: ok so i'm trying to budget my money. i'm a cars salesman and if i must say, car sales is at a low, ... A: buy a car thats 3-4k max and make your payments. the interest rate reflects your situation.. so ...
plan	8/27/2010
Q: id like to know how you did all that you did in your profile i ansked you a question before but left ... A: yer out of luck if you got bad credit..and the 1k is your typical bills for 1 month. so if you pay ...
plan	8/26/2010
Q: id like to know how you did all that you did in your profile i ansked you a question before but left ... A: I started investing in 1985 I got good enough that I could live off my earnings by 1996 but then got ...
Life, and where it's taking me.	8/4/2010
Q: I'm not entirly sure that this is the proper forum for this problem but I figure asking an expert ... A: 400 bucks is cheap for a good woman. try getting a second card with a low interest balance ...
moneys tight	7/31/2010
Q: ok so i'm trying to budget my money. i'm a cars salesman and if i must say, car sales is at a low, ... A: actually you are in the best field possible to start your credit. a car loan is the easiest thing to ...
Condo Mortgage....	5/10/2010
Q: I was just pre-approved for a brand new condo for $175K. I have to decide very soon what type of ... A: ok why are you not looking at 30 year fixed rates so your payment is around 1100 a month for the ...
$30k debt lost job	5/3/2010
Q: I was at a job for 10 years and was laid off almost 2 years ago. I was out of work for a year and a ... A: Basic math says you need to make 30 1k no interest payments to clear the debt ..thats 2.5 years. But ...
$30k debt lost job	5/3/2010
Q: I was at a job for 10 years and was laid off almost 2 years ago. I was out of work for a year and a ... A: ok step one is just collect the enevelope from each debt collector and and contact them and make ...
Mrtg down or credit crd payoff?	4/2/2010
Q: I am currently in the process of looking for a condo to purchase. I am looking for something in the ... A: since you live in canada and the mortgage interest is not tax deductable I would hold back the 10k ...
Mrtg down or credit crd payoff?	4/2/2010
Q: I am currently in the process of looking for a condo to purchase. I am looking for something in the ... A: ok why a condo.,I ask this because I was a realtor for a short while and know the headaches. example ...
keep rental home or sell and buy munis?	3/1/2010
Q: We bought home in 1993 and recently moved out to bigger home nearby. We now rent the old home for ... A: have you ever thought of asking your tenants if they want to buy it in this market its hard to buy ...
3 Types of Debt	10/27/2009
Q: I am struggling with what to do with my financial situation pretty badly and could use some advice. ... A: what I would try is pay off 1 credit card in full. IF they have a life of the loan low interest ...
Finance/Future	7/23/2009
Q: I need an outsiders perspective. I am 31 yrs old, a stay at home mom living in Sherwood, OR. My ... A: this is not legal advice its personel experience. MY best friend in cali went thru what you did ...
College?	6/7/2009
Q: I'm 13 at the time and I make straight A's,only for B's this year,I'm getting ready to go to high ... A: If your grades hold you may get a full ride scholarship. If not you may be able to get a state ...
Two-Cycle Daily Balance	2/10/2009
Q: I hope that you can answer my question regarding credit cards. Do you know how to determine the ... A: Its beyond me you need a computer the best I can say is take your interest rate divide it by 365 ...
Credit Crads	1/26/2009
Q: I recently recieved a credit card. The limit is not so high but I really plan on using it in case I ... A: Not sure what you are asking,so I will give you an example of how I bump up my credit limits. I pay ...
Income loss	1/4/2009
Q: I need help and don't know where to get advice. I am a single person that has been at the same job ... A: Sounds like 2nd job or job change is necessary.Heck at min wage 2 nights plus weekends at the local ...
Credit Cards versus Simple Interest Loan	12/10/2008
Q: I have $25,000 total in credit debt on two credit cards. One with 13.99% interest rate and one with ... A: First off you made a VERY bad deal going from 11.99 and 13.99 to 18% for 7 years if you had paid ...
Credit and Loans	8/25/2008
Q: I'm in a tight spot, I just recently got a car thats 840.00 a month for 72 months (i've already paid ... A: Bank of america and discover are my first suggestions.... but you better have a 680 or better credit ...
Rick Miller credit repair, etc.	7/31/2008
Q: I find it interesting that you are telling someone to repair their own credit, when you have ... A: shannon where are these links or ads as I dont endores any credit repair outfit any ads at this ...
0% balance transfers	7/20/2008
Q: I have great credit,(score is 707 but probably going to drop a bit as I just initiated more balance ... A: Ref the life of the loan transfers, I have found bank of america and discover and Elan are your ...
credit card business debt	7/19/2008
Q: I unfortunately have acquired $50,000 on credit card debt trying to keep my business afloat in this ... A: Those debt reduction removal programs will hurt your credit as bad as a chap 11 or 13 or 7. The ...
building credit	7/10/2008
Q: I never had a credit card, and am going to apply for a student offer from my bank. So how do I go ... A: there should be no annual fee in fact no fees of any type at all period except a late fee or an ...
Gas cards	5/27/2008
Q: Are gas cards a way, in your opinion, to pay less for gas? Any tips will be appreciated. Thanks in ... A: Yes, visa and mastercards that give 3 percent cashback,are a great way to save ten to fifteen cents ...
Credit Card	4/25/2008
Q: Does ANYONE know of a "clean" up-front credit card with no GOTCHA clauses and clear fair terms with ... A: My first choice is discover gas card 1% cashback 5% cashback on the first $100 of gas bought each ...
auto loan	4/8/2008
Q: I just recently paid off my auto loan (approx $15,000) with a credit card fixed at 4.99% for the ... A: YOU made the right choice. The only difference between a credit card and your auto loan is the auto ...
Credit clean up	3/25/2008
Q: Read your response to question asked 7/25/2006 on Rick Miller credit clean up kit. You answer ... A: Before the repunks passed their new bk laws I would have said you were ok to follow your plan of ...
Need advice - what do I apply to first?	2/10/2008
Q: I am a college student working full-time earning about $23,000 a year. I've been having a lot of ... A: I never subscribed to this 3 month rule. I have found It usually takes 30-45 days for and inquiry ...
Avoiding interest on credit card cash advances	11/30/2007
Q: I know that cash advances on credit cards should be avoided unless absolutely necessary because ... A: whats your purpose here guy if you can preload the credit card with cash why even do it you have ...
Retailers and Credit Cards - Autos	11/26/2007
Q: This is probably dumb, but here goes: I always pay my credit cards in full upon receiving the ... A: as far as i know they can they also can set a credit price and a lower cash price on fuel as you ...
credit repair agency	11/16/2007
Q: Is there an honest credit repair company you would recomend? A: I have not found one I suggest you get a secured visa from bank of america or discover and pay the ...
Credit card	10/25/2007
Q: I have heard that canceling a credit card can have an adverse effect on a person's credit report. ... A: yes it will adversely affect your credit and they dont care either way they set up their system to ...
Debt Consolidation	9/26/2007
Q: I have what I hope is a simple question. Currently I have about $40k in revolving credit. I need to ... A: ok when i ask a creditor to reduce my interest rate i rely on my past payment history and point out ...
need advice	8/21/2007
Q: okay so im 21 and want to be a musician- im singer/songwriter and want to get my stuff out there- i ... A: I hope you realize that I lived in LA for 20 years so everything I quote will be based on first ...
credit card debt	7/27/2007
Q: i have 2 credit cards. I am looking to pay them off asap, but i need some guidance on which to pay ... A: ok i will assume you have at least 500 available credit on each card still since you did not tell ...
credit report question...	5/31/2007
Q: Good evening!! I have just perused a copy of my credit report from experian, and verified what I ... A: multiple unused accounts can reduce your credit score but i dont cancel them i convert them to ...
credit card account canceal or decrease	5/25/2007
Q: 1.I live in australia W.A. I have a ge creditline card its in credit $4.00 I want to canceal the ... A: since i live in america i know american law not your countries law if this were america i would ...
Credit Card Loans vs Other Loans	5/22/2007
Q: I am interested in purchasing a used truck and investment properties, but I am have trouble weighing ... A: credit cards use add on interest some car loans do this also and some do simple interest you need ...
Interest	5/14/2007
Q: For the past several years I have been paying off a credit card debt by rolling it over to 0% for 12 ... A: 150 is roughly 1% of 14k 10% is 1400 so 1% is 140 since you are dividing it by 8 months its about ...
Interest	5/6/2007
Q: For the past several years I have been paying off a credit card debt by rolling it over to 0% for 12 ... A: divide 150 by 8 since you have 8 out of nine months where you dont have to pay off the balance ...
Debt	4/4/2007
Q: I own 2 homes the one I live in (20 acres in the country) approx 250,000 owe 220,000 on house land ... A: all i can say is why have you not tried to buy out your co-owners this would end a lot of your ...
Debt	4/2/2007
Q: I own 2 homes the one I live in (20 acres in the country) approx 250,000 owe 220,000 on house land ... A: In my opinion I would make George Bush pay your debt you make 100k a year therefore you are in the ...
home & debt	3/19/2007
Q: I will give you my situation, tell you what I want to do, and then get your opinion. Currently my ... A: i really dont see how you will integrate your debt into a bigger house your 95k home if it brings ...
student loan consolidation	2/25/2007
Q: I ‘m writing because my wife and I need to know the best way to consolidate her college loans. My ... A: i have no real experience with this area but if it were me i would ask my local banker if they can ...
Flipping 0% credit cards	2/4/2007
Q: Just wanting to pick your brain here. I have a single credit card that I use to maintain good ... A: carrying a balance will always hurt your credit score slightly just like having multiple cards will ...
Please help, debt problem	1/9/2007
Q: I am a 34 year old woman who lives in Texas and have a pretty ok job. I currently make $1876.00 ... A: from what i see your bills are about 1400 a month this is a guess since you did not disclose your ...
budget credit help	12/31/2006
Q: We are a two income family with one small child. My wife and I have alot of credit card debt from ... A: this is what i do it may not appear to be good for you but it works for me currently i have about ...
credit in general	12/14/2006
Q: I used to be terrible with money, until recently. I am getting a lot better at saving all of it and ... A: a credit score of 690 to 750 is great 850 is the max you can get if you get a credit card visa ...
canceling credit cards	12/3/2006
Q: have paid off all of my credit cards and now want to cancel them. I tried canceling over the ... A: did you get the persons name operator id and location after 2 minutes if i dont get my required ...
credit	10/30/2006
Q: I am currently a student with a fairly good credit score. I have 0% APR credit card with about 1500 ... A: if it does affect your score it wont be much doing transfers like you are describing has never hurt ...
hi	9/14/2006
Q: i have some credit debt and am wondering what points to emphasize in contesting the debt there may ... A: i would just challange and admit nothing let them prove the bad credit or remove it in 30 working ...
Secured Credit Cards	8/30/2006
Q: I have finally gotten my bills in line and am about to start putting money away. My credit is very ... A: chase and bank of america have a secured card call them up and ask them what their procedure is for ...
Credit Report Monitors	8/11/2006
Q: I am not getting accepted for card applications and want to pay for one of those Monitor services ... A: you realize you are entitled to a free credit report as a result of being denied credit as for ...
Need to get rid of my car still owe money on it.	8/4/2006
Q: In order to buy my house and to improve my purchase power, I need to get rid of one of my cars, but ... A: 1st see if a dealer will pay off the loan and maybe give you some cash 2nd have a friend buy it on ...
credit cards	7/25/2006
Q: I found this man online (rick miller www.24hrCreditFix.com), who claims he used to help manage a ... A: i'll tell you what i will make up a website and charge you 29 thats all i need to do to make his ...
HELOC skyrocketing, home repairs bulging credit cards	7/23/2006
Q: Here's my situation. I bought a townhouse in eastern San Diego county in 2004 for $322,000. The ... A: ok you are the victim of the republican trickle down lie i know this because what is happening to ...
Financial question	7/8/2006
Q: My husband and I are trying very hard to get out of debt. We are paying very high interest on credit ... A: since you did not indicate how many of your open accounts are non visa mastercard type i will have ...
Credit Card debt vs Mortgage and Home Equity Debt	7/6/2006
Q: I have three credit cards totaling $30,000 in debt, 10 each. One is 9.9% one is 7.9% and one is ... A: most credit cards are simple interest all you have to do to verify that is look at the minimum ...
Saving Money or Paying Student Loans	7/1/2006
Q: I have 17,500 in student loan debt. A few days ago, my parents decided to use their credit card to ... A: 1st question is the balance transfer is it life of the loan if yes then you need to ask how long ...
beginner questions	6/13/2006
Q: I see you offer advice on how to use credit to acheive financial goals. I am very curious as to how ... A: all businesses use credit to make a profit your contractor gets net 30 on the materials he buys he ...
Nothing owed	6/7/2006
Q: In the next month or so, all my credit cards as well as my car payments will be paid off. I won't ... A: the only thing i have heard about owing nothing is that there is no proof you can make timely ...
where to put money	5/17/2006
Q: I have 3k. I have a credit card at 29.9% that I cannot get lowered. I owe $7500. on it. I have a ... A: yes i would pay the credit card down 2500 and bank 500 as a safety net the bank loan costs half ...
Credit card or debt consolidation	5/7/2006
Q: We have very good credit and constantly get offers for debt consolidation or loans (at around ... A: you are doing exactly what i do till i get a life of the loan offer that is 3.9 or better then i ...
debt problem	5/3/2006
Q: About 4 years ago my husband and I became seperated at his choice . He continued to send me the ... A: all you can do is write a letter to the lender he is dealing with and pray they will understand ...
credit cards	4/29/2006
Q: i have recieve this check from my credit card one check show no apr for 6 months other is 3.9 apr ... A: my recomendation is to use the 6.9 life of the loan balance transfer option the short term 0% at 3.9 ...
credit card debt help!	4/21/2006
Q: I make about 35k per year, single, have about 15k in credit card debt. My Fico score is 689 and have ... A: discover has a free transfer and most chase cards do also i have never had my credit score reduced ...
money problems	2/16/2006
Q: In September 2005 my husband left me to move out of state. After about 3 weeks he asked me to go ... A: how much do you save after you pay your bills since you did not provide a breakdown of bills i ...
our first credit card	2/10/2006
Q: We are lawful immigrants who have been living in the USA for 4 months.We have SSNs but don't have ... A: ok credit cards are like borrowing money from a friend and paying them back in 25 days if you do ...
I have one Question	1/25/2006
Q: ...."retired doing this in 1996 and wish to pass on my experience. i cover such subjects as, my ... A: realize one thing i got married in 98 and have 2 kids so i am working as my income from my stocks ...
First time buyer interest rate	1/11/2006
Q: I have good credit, but it has been 22 years since I last purchased a car by financing.I have been ... A: to me it sounds like you are being sold a bills of goods i would get the car and make sure they put ...
credit card debt	9/17/2005
Q: I left a terrible job situation and was subsequently unemployed for 4 months. I now have a very ... A: are you sending your son to private school i dont understand high school costing tuition and i ...
credit card management	9/13/2005
Q: I have heard and read that having too many credit cards will leave a prospective borrower looking as ... A: yes having multiple accounts will lower your credit score the reason is that it gives you the power ...
Credit cards	9/2/2005
Q: I have a good credit and more than 15 credit cards with 0 or low balances. 1) Would closing some ... A: 1) closeing any account will help your credit because credit card companies do not like people ...
Quick Question	8/3/2005
Q: I live in Las Vegas,NV and I am in a situation where I have one particular credit card that I am ... A: ok skyler try this trick lets say your phone bill is 75 bucks a month and your credit card bill is ...
credit cards	7/19/2005
Q: Can you tell me the best way to pay off credit cards? The lowest balance first or the highest ... A: i will always pay off the highest interest card first unless i can use the same money two times by ...
credit card application	7/11/2005
Q: I have a 22 year old nephew who will graduate from college in December. He would like to establish ... A: ok if he is in college he should apply for the college program credit cards but if it was this ...
Credit Card question	6/28/2005
Q: hoepfully you can help me out or steer me in the right direction. Im looking to get my first credit ... A: my rules are simple no annual fee balance transfers available and cashback bonus is mandatory ...
Credit Cards	6/21/2005
Q: I am an Architect (40), currently with no income because I am unemployed since March 2005 (As a ... A: all i can say is keep all the good credit cards you can credit is always a good thing and empty ...
secured credit card	6/13/2005
Q: i am in the process of having to file bankrutpcy due to about 6.5 years of nothing but bad luck. to ... A: basically you show the same level of trust for corporations that i have if it was me i would ...
Getting a credit card with "no credit"	6/13/2005
Q: I've been righteously afraid of "plastic" for a long time due to the addiction process it seems to ... A: ok here is the only time i will recomend using houshold bank this is your procedure you go to best ...
need help	6/9/2005
Q: My husband and I are in debt. This is the scenario for your input, which follows this intro. ... A: ok my train of thought has always been fiscal discipline example in my personal area i have 80k out ...
unsecured credit card debt	6/8/2005
Q: tbaarr, I would appreciate your opinion on using a second mortage on a home to pay off unsecured ... A: again my question is will the equity line you get to pay off your 35k balance reduce your tax ...
credit card cancelation	5/12/2005
Q: I want to get rid of one of my credit cards. I know I need to pay it off and can within 2 months. My ... A: personally if i want to be rid of a credit card company i call them and cancel it and demand that ...
Credit card vs home equity loan	5/2/2005
Q: I have two outstanding bills. Home equity: $12,000 interest is 6.49 for 60 months. I am on payment ... A: i dont see an advantage in not paying off the home equity loan as soon as possible its 12k and ...
debt	4/24/2005
Q: I have 10k in credit card debt and a credit union loan for 7k. I have a credit score of 750 and no ... A: ok the only way i know to get a bank like providian to be human is to pay em off and cut up their ...
Credit balance management	3/23/2005
Q: I currently am running a balance on a credit card of $3,300. The APR is 14.9%. Seems my monthly ... A: 3.9 works better then 0% if you cannot pay the loan off or transfer it to another low interest card ...
smart move?	3/17/2005
Q: I am a 37 yr old male at a financial crossroads. Since I am a late bloomer finanically and ... A: watch out for discover their 0 % offer usually requires you to make a monthly purchase and you end ...
smart move?	3/16/2005
Q: I am a 37 yr old male at a financial crossroads. Since I am a late bloomer finanically and ... A: leave the college debt alone you cant borrow money cheaper then that as for a condo i would think ...
Credit Score	3/14/2005
Q: 1.I have been working with CCCS to deal with Citidcoprs on paying a $15000 debt off. Its now down ... A: anything that you do to force a creditor to accept payments on your terms will hurt your score ...
trying to get a Credit card	3/8/2005
Q: ok, i am almost 19 and i am trying to establish some credit. but the problem is i have none so im as ... A: best buy is underwritten by bank one get approved for a 0% for a year computer purchase and get ...
debt and extra money	2/15/2005
Q: I am a college student with very limited money and really tight budget. I currently have 6000 in ... A: first get 2 more credit cards if you can this will allow you to make use of the intro 0% offers ...
Credit score?	10/27/2004
Q: Just recently I purchased a copy of my credit report from all three agencies. Afterwords I contested ... A: first i am not an atty but what i would do is based on my past experience write esperian and ...
Credit Card Payments	9/30/2004
Q: I live in Massachusetts, am unemployed and owe $40,000 on 4 credit cards plus a personal loan. I ... A: if you try to pay less then you actually owe to clear an account you will get a negative credit ...
How to calculate what a person really makes	9/28/2004
Q: Can you help let me know how much does a person with a $100000USD yearly income really makes after ... A: based on only a standard deduction and personal exemption for a 4 member family based on 2003 ...
Gasoline	8/26/2004
Q: I have a bank account that only allows me to write checks. I cant get a check card from it. I have ... A: yes you can if the merchant accepts checks if not then i suggest you either get an atm card or ...
Managing My Finances	8/25/2004
Q: Here is my situation: i clear roughly 500 dollars every two weeks. I have a visa account that was ... A: number one i suggest you look at earthlink as your internet is twice what earthlink charges their ...
Credit Card Information	8/17/2004
Q: " Thank you in advance for your input. I read this in your profile, while searching for some good ... A: step one contact fleet bank boston they saved me 4 points on my equityline step 2 you need at ...

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tbaarr

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I prefer to answer only public questions so all can benefit . there is a donation button.but its not necessary for you to donate to ask me a question. if you want to donate. it will go to my daughters education fund and I thank you. Questions related to credit card management and use of credit to achieve your financial goals I have found on google that my screename has been linked to some garbage financial sites, that I have nothing to do with Please ask me to verify this if you are not sure and let me know who is making any claims so i can sue their asses off this is my website or my blog http://www.geocities.com/tbaarr/night_vision.html http://www.tbaarr.blogspot.com/

Experience

i own over 10 credit cards

8 of these have credit limits over 10k and i use 2 of them to invest with

i have the balance as a fixed life of the loan balance transfer

and make 10 points profit on the money

Organizations
none

I retired doing this in 1996

and wish to pass on my experience. BE aware I got married in 1998 and started Driving Rig in 2004 so that I could get affordable quality Heath insurance for my family as I now have 2 beautiful daughters 4 and 8 as of aug 2007, so I may take longer to answer som questions. i cover such subjects as, my approach to credit, how to establish and maintain multiple accounts, how i get single digit life of the loan balance transfers, how i use their money for 45 days interest free, how i use credit cards to invest for 30% a year profit, and how i maintain a 650+ credit rating while holding 5 or more accounts. I challege anyone have me compare any answer, that suze orman gives on her tv show, to what i would suggest as i find her answers just plain incompetant, especially when she states that borrowing money from an ira causes you to pay double taxation. Thats just plain wrong

Education/Credentials
outsourced electrical engineer with a calculus background

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