TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER

 

Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.

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July 28, 2007
Volume 5, Number 14
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. News
2. Carpenter Country
3. Top Drawer Article
4. Top Drawer Tips
5. Top Drawer Satire

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***TOP DRAWER NEWS***

Our entry in the wiseGEEK Writing Contest is on line here: What is a Non-Credit Report?

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CARPENTER COUNTRY
What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

 

Friends are wonderful. They stand by each other through the good days, the bad days and the just plain weirdo days.

Last week, while waiting to fill her plate at the Chinese Buffet, Carpenter Country’s short one had a bit of a weirdo day. It happened when the battery in her hearing aid beeped signaling its end was near.

As she let out an exasperated sigh, the woman on line in front of her turned, scowled and said...I’M NOT DONE FILLING MY PLATE YET!

Failing to connect the dots between the reason for the irate remark and her own loud exhale, the short one glanced at the shouter - and received a middle finger salute. Never handy with a quick rejoinder, she remained speechless as the woman moved on.

Back at the table, completely annoyed with herself by her lack of a snappy comeback, she mentioned the incident to the lunch group. Immediately thirteen women wanted to know what had happened.

After hearing the story, the gal in the next seat reached over to dispense a hug. “I’ll blow a raspberry at her when we leave,” she said.

“We’ll blow thirteen raspberries,” another defender agreed.

“Yes,” a different chum chimed in. “We’re friends, and friends stick together.”

Good thing that statement produced a group cheer and high-fives all around - because once again the short one was at a loss for words.

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Teens and Money
by
HL Carpenter

 

$159 billion. That’s what market researchers say teens spent in 2005. If you’re one of those free-spending teens, do you know what you bought with that money? Do you know how to develop a budget, handle money from a job, and balance a check book?

Read the entire article here

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

 

Tip: Savings, checking and money market accounts at banks and savings and loan associations are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The insurance guarantees that if the institution fails, you will still receive your money, including interest, from these types of deposits, generally up to $100,000 (restrictions exist). Certificates of Deposit and certain retirement accounts are also protected, but other securities, such as stocks and mutual funds are not, even if you buy them from or through the financial institution.

Investment Glossary Term: Annual Percentage Rate (APR). The APR is the amount of interest and certain costs that you have to repay on a loan. The figure is expressed as a percentage of the loan principal, which is the amount borrowed. Credit card companies are required to by law to tell you the APR they charge.

Financial Horoscope: Most financial newbies think money management is a difficult, complicated, boring process. The truth is that’s a myth perpetuated by folks who want to sell you financial services. You have the capacity to understand your finances and the ability to make your own financial decisions. Dollar signs are a universal language, and you can learn to speak ‘money-ese’ well, no matter your birth month or astrological sign.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

Eating Your Own Cooking
by
HL Carpenter

 

Fed up with technological complexity, poor or nonexistent customer service and a growing, incomprehensible maze of legislation? You’re not alone. A movement called “Eating Your Own Cooking” is gaining steam with millions of Americans.

Read the rest here