“Green” is a word that refers to so much more than the color of grass or money. It has
become a recent buzzword in modern society that defines products, lifestyles, and tasks that are environmentally conscious. Becoming more “green” usually involves consuming fewer resources and can result in
saving money on typical household expenses. The tips below list some simple
ways that you can “green” your life while putting more “green” in your wallet.
Monthly Economic Monitoring of Ukraine No.230, March 2024
Freedom Debt Relief - Frugal Green Tips
1. Volume 4 #3
Frugal Green Tips • FDR Client Reminders
Renting Tips • Make a Credit Comeback
Fun Online Money Games • Spare Change
Welcome to the Freedom Debt Relief monthly newsletter! As part of our
ongoing goal to enhance our services, we will be sending you a monthly
newsletter filled with interesting articles and helpful financial tips and
advice. We hope you enjoy this issue, and that you find the enclosed
1-800-655-6303 information helpful as you continue on the road to financial freedom.
Living a “green”
lifestyle will help the
environment and put more
“green” in your wallet Some people may associate
living green with abandoning
all personal possessions and
“Green” Mountain Institute modern technologies to live on
(RMI), an organization a commune. In actuality, some
is a word that refers to so that focuses on energy technological advancements can
much more than the color policy, a six-minute actually help reduce the amount
of grass or money. It has shower uses 20 gallons of waste that ends up in landfills.
become a recent buzzword of water. Taking short Consider the options below.
Keep in mind that the following
in modern society showers can reduce
tips are meant to help you get
that defines products, water consumption and
the most use out of items that
Drive greener.
lifestyles, and tasks that your water bill. For less can receive reward points
you may already own; we are not
are environmentally than $10, RMI also based on how much Most green articles urge encouraging you to purchase
conscious. Becoming recommends installing they recycle. Visit www. consumers to purchase a brand new equipment.
more “green” usually an on/off valve between recyclebank.com to find hybrid car. As you strive to
involves consuming fewer the shower arm and out if this program is settle your debts, buying a Go paperless! You can pay
resources and can result in showerhead. This available in your local new vehicle may not be an bills online, use electronic
saving money on typical temporarily shuts off the area. option. However, there are scheduling software, and send
household expenses. The flow while maintaining other ways that you can free electronic cards. Before you
tips below list some simple the temperature. It can “green” your car and save
Conserve energy. print, ask yourself if you really
ways that you can “green” be useful when lathering need to have a paper copy.
money on transportation
Simple tasks such
Take advantage of organizing
your life while putting up. For more water costs. For example, you
as turning off lights
important documents using
more “green” in your conservation tips, visit will burn less fuel if you
when you leave the
email programs or document
wallet. www.rmi.org and www. roll down your windows
room and installing a folders in your computer system
wateruseitwisely.com. in the summer instead of
programmable thermostat software. You will use less paper
using air conditioning.
Clean green. Many can reduce your utility and will not have to purchase
Performing routine
Recycle. Many local
popular household bills and overall energy expensive ink cartridges as often.
maintenance on your
cleaning products sold municipalities require consumption. When it
car may also reduce
in stores contain harsh citizens to follow comes time to buy new MP3 players come in all
price ranges and allow
gas consumption and
chemicals that pollute the mandatory recycling appliances, you may
users to download single songs
prevent costly car repairs.
earth and are hazardous ordinances. Some states consider Energy Star
instead of buying expensive
According to Treehugger.
to humans. Natural have even given incentives models, which use 10–
individual CDs. You may consider
com, if every driver’s tires
alternatives such as baking to recycle through 50% less energy and water transferring your CD library to
were properly inflated,
soda, white vinegar, and RecycleBank. This than standard models, MP3 format and resell your CDs
approximately 2 billion
lemon juice are very program gives participants according to the Energy on sites such as www.ebay.com
gallons of gas would be
inexpensive and clean just a recycle Star web and www.craigslist.org. Resell
saved each year. You may
as well as many brand bin site. You stores such as CD Warehouse
also consider relying
name cleansers. Visit this equipped can visit may also give you cash for your
on your vehicle less by CDs. Visit www.cdwarehouse.
link on the Greenpeace with a this site
com for a location near you.
walking short distances
web (www.greenpeace. unique at www.
or carpooling. Sites such
org/usa/news/green-living- built-in energystar.
Remember to properly
as www.erideshare.com
guide/basic-recipes-for- RFID tag. gov for
dispose of your electronic
allows you to search for
green-cleani) for recipes At pick more equipment, also known as e-
fellow carpoolers that
using natural products. up, the tips on waste. If you can not use it, sell
want to travel in the same
bins are conserving or donate the item. You can also
direction as you.
scanned energy.
Conserve water. visit www.earth911.org for a
and users recycling or donation center in
According to the Rocky
your area.
2. Client Reminders
D
espite of the costs associated information for Upon moving out,
difficult with owning a home. repairs. You also want make sure you leave
financial In addition to a to review the policies the rental property in
Tax Debt? If you owe money to times, the National mortgage, purchasing on terminating a lease. the same condition as
Multi Housing a home also involves Most property owners when you moved in.
the IRS and would like information
Council reports that many other expenses do not make it easy For example, clean,
on how to reduce your tax debts, the apartment industry such as maintenance, for renters. Make vacuum, and fill small
please contact our sister company, is not affected. In insurance, and sure you understand holes in the wall
fact, affordable rental property taxes. As a the provisions in case with spackle. Many
Freedom Tax Relief at 1-800-455-
units will be coming renter, your landlord circumstances arise apartment complexes
6TAX. Our tax attorneys and tax available as desperate or property manager is that do not allow you also require that
specialists are eager to immediately sellers try to rent out responsible for fixing to fulfill the terms of you have the carpets
units that are just not major repairs like a the lease. professionally cleaned
start helping you resolve your tax
selling in the current broken furnace or a before moving out.
troubles. In addition, existing FDR market, according leaky roof. Expenses Don’t alter the You are more likely to
clients are eligible for a $100 referral to Bankrate.com, such as these could property. The lease receive the majority of
an online financial really break your should also state what your security deposit,
bonus if they refer someone to
resource. Therefore, budget, especially the landlord’s rules are which is usually
Freedom Tax Relief. the number of renters while you are focusing on making alterations equivalent to one
is expected to increase. on settling your debts. to the property. One month’s rent, if you
American Consumers Union If you are currently of the downfalls of follow the move-out
renting or expect to Read the lease. If renting is that most instructions.
We have recently partnered with
sign a lease in the near you are required to property mangers do
the consumer advocacy group, future, below are some sign a lease before not allow tenants to
American Consumers Union, tips that you may want moving in to an paint walls or make
to keep in mind. apartment, make sure permanent changes
in order to provide additional
you read it. Leases to rental property
support to our clients with respect Renting may be usually include quite without written
to creditor harassment. All FDR a good financial a few pages of small permission. Even if
move. There are print and it can be you do receive written
clients are automatically given
many benefits of tedious to read. But, permission to paint,
membership into the American buying a home. keep in mind that for example, you will
Consumers Union, and are given Homeownership has you are signing a legal usually have to change
often been equated and binding contract the color back to the
the full use and support of the
with the American and it is beneficial original before you
advocacy group, at no additional Rental
dream. However, this to understand the move out, which can
charge. This is a terrific benefit for Links
dream can easily turn agreement. Pay close be a hassle. Before you
into a nightmare for attention to the rent make improvements
our clients, and we are happy to be • Search commercial
consumers that are due date, late fees, such as install an
able to provide this service to our web sites such as
not prepared for all and the contact air conditioner or a
www.rent.com, www.
clients at our expense. You can visit dishwasher, consider
apartments.com,
the fact that you may
them online at www.myacu.org. and www.rentnet.
not be able to take
com. All landlords
these items with you do not place ads for
*** when you move. This apartments. You may
can be an especially want to drive through
Customer Service costly endeavor if you your town and look
Phone Number: do not plan to live at for “For Rent” signs
the property very long.
1-800-655-6303 on various properties.
Take care of your • Tenants review
Hours of Operation: property. When apartment
moving in, note any complexes on web
6:00 AM – 6:00 PM PST
damage that is already sites such as www.
visible on the property apartmentreviews.
E-mail: net and www.
so you do not get
apartmentratings.
charged for the repair
support@freedomdebtrelief.com com.
when you move out.
3. Make a Credit
M
any classic com: http://www.bankrate.
trends and com/aff/calc/MinPayment.
fashions asp. When you begin to
seem to be reinvented re-establish your credit, use
Fun Online
throughout generations. your credit card so you can
Money Games
Fabulous fads from the show creditors that you
past suddenly resurface and can make timely payments.
Below are some
After
Before
become popular among However, only charge items
interesting online games
consumers. At one time, that you can afford to pay
that will help introduce
you may have thought in full each month.
kids to the world of
receive a line of credit for by TNS, a market research
that a wallet full of credit
money.
$300. Since a secured card firm, in partnership with
cards with high credit Less is more. Stuffing
is considered a credit card, professors from Dartmouth
lines exemplified style. But your wallet with a deck
maintaining this account College and Harvard A.G. Edwards, a
when minimum payments of credit cards is not very
with moderate charges and Business School, high levels division of Wachovia
skyrocketed or you impressive or fashionable.
on-time payments may of debt may be correlated Securities, LLC, offers
experienced an emergency, Upon completion of your
boost your credit rating. to financial illiteracy. The a variety of interesting
the allure of credit quickly program, apply for one or
survey revealed that only financial games on their
became a fad that you wish two credit cards, perhaps
35% of respondents were
Some offers only web site. Visit www.
would have been buried in one major card and one
able to correctly estimate agedwards.com, click on
look good on paper.
a time capsule. department store card.
how interest compounds the “Investor Education”
Once you have Did you ever buy a product
Remember that inquiries
over time and more than tab, and then choose
completed your debt that looked wonderful in
appear on your credit
half of respondents did not “Kids Games” from the
settlement program, you the store, but once you
report every time you
understand how minimum bar on the left hand side
will be one step closer to brought it home, it did
complete a credit card
payments are calculated of the page. You will
financial freedom. At this not perform as well as you
application. Having many
and applied to a principal then see links for several
time, you can begin to would have liked? This
recent credit inquiries will
balance. The American games. The Savings
re-establish your credit and idea could also be true of
usually not improve your
Bankers Association Quest game teaches kids
make a credit comeback! sub-prime credit cards.
credit rating.
(ABA) has developed a free about the importance of
Although your rating will Upon completion of your
resource to help consumers budgeting, saving, and
not improve overnight, debt settlement program,
Start slow. With some
make informed choices earning a pay check.
consider the following ideas be aware of credit card
fads, you may be unsure if
about credit cards. “Guide Although it is classified as
to rebuild your credit. offers that seem too good to
you want to jump on the
to Credit Cards” is available a children’s game, many
be true. Sub-prime issuers
bandwagon right away. In
on ABA’s Consumer adults may also find this
Revolving debt is may have lenient approval
order to gradually make
Connection web page at game interesting. The
guidelines, but prey upon
not in style. Many your credit comeback,
www.aba.com. Make sure Star Trader game is for
individuals with previous
consumers realize that you may also want to
that you also check your ages 10-adult and gives
credit problems by charging
fashion and trends are consider a secured credit
credit report frequently. users the opportunity to
astronomical approval
fickle because they can card. The credit limit on
You are entitled to receive a choose stocks and play
and annual fees. These
change from month to this card is based on the
free credit report every year. the market.
companies commonly
month. Credit cards make deposit that you make.
For more information, visit
apply these fees to your
it easy to charge all of the For example, if you put
www.annualcreditreport. As part of their
card. Therefore, you acquire
latest gadgets and just pay $300 on your credit
com. Schwab MoneyWise
a balance before you make
a low monthly minimum card account, you will
initiative, Schwab gives
any significant purchases.
payment. Making this
Become a teens and young adults
a habit can create costly
an opportunity to see
trendsetter. As a prelude
Educate yourself.
unwanted debt because
how major life decisions
to your comeback, you
Knowledge and education
of compounding interest.
will affect their finances
can become a trendsetter
never goes out of
Also, consider the fact that
with the “It’s Your Life”
by practicing sensible
style. Become an
you may still be paying
online game. Visit www.
budgeting techniques while
educated consumer
on merchandise that was
schwabmoneywise.com
you strive to settle your
by understanding
purchased years ago or
and then click the “It’s
debts. Your friends and
your credit card
that is no longer used.
Your Life” link.
family will hopefully follow
agreement. This
Do you really want to
you in your footsteps.
may involve
pay for holiday gifts
Planet Orange, an
Discuss with your family
reading the
three years from now
award-winning online
members various ways
tedious fine print,
or clothes that will
game brought to you by
to save money and visit
but it is beneficial
eventually wear out or
ING Direct, educates
sites for frugal tips such as
to know your
become outdated? You
kids about spending, sav-
www.Bargainist.com/tips,
annual percentage
can discover the true cost
ing, and investing. Visit
www.101waystosavemoney.
rate, due date, late
of paying the minimum
www.orangekids.com and
com/, and www.
fees, etc. According to a
with this online calculator
experience a whole new
mommysavers.com.
recent survey conducted
provided by Bankrate.
planet.
4. Spare Change:
of Americans fall victim
to out-of-control credit
card costs and as the credit
card market begins to
News, financial tips, and other resemble the sub-prime
mortgage market, U.S.
information regarding personal Senator Robert Menendez
recently announced a plan
financial freedom to put an end to deceptive
practices and irresponsible
marketing. The Credit Card
Reform Act goes beyond
Private student scores or limited credit any other current legislative
histories. Private loans also
loans are costly for proposal in curtailing
do not have the same range
borrowers. A new study skyrocketing interest rates,
of protections for borrowers curbing sudden changes in
warns that college students
that government loans have. credit card agreements, and
are risking their futures
For example, private loans restricting issuance of cards
by taking out expensive
are not subject to rate caps to consumers who don’t
loans to pay tuition and Consumer Reports National coupons in product
backed by most federally have the ability to make
other expenses. These Research Center for e-mail newsletters and
funded loans. The survey payments. More specifically,
private loans now account ShopSmart magazine, manufacturer web sites.
found that the interest rate the act will prohibit
for nearly one in every women who use coupons Use store-loyalty cards with
on some loans were as high practices such as universal
four dollars of student and store-loyalty cards those coupons to save even
as 19%. Also, issuers of default and retroactive rate
borrowing. “Paying the save over 10% a year on more. You can also visit
private loans do not offer increases. Card companies
Price: The High Cost of groceries, the equivalent the web site for ShopSmart
relief such as forbearance or will also have to receive an
Private Student Loans and of $678 a year. Consumer magazine at www.
hardship deferments. For opt-in approval form from
the Dangers for Student Reports also states that shopsmartmag.org for a
more information, visit the consumers under the age of
Borrowers,” a recent report consumers can get money- variety of money-saving tips
NCLC web site at www. 21 before they can mail this
issued by the National off coupons and free and informative articles.
nclc.org. age group card solicitations.
Consumer Law Center samples from coupon sites
The Credit Card Reform
(NCLC), finds that private such as www.SmartSource. Credit card reform
Consumers save Act has the backing of 11
student loans are almost com, www.Coupons.com strives to cease
money with coupons. major consumer groups and
always more expensive than and www.CoolSavings. deceptive practices.
According to a new unions.
federal loans, especially for com. You may also find As an increasing number
poll conducted by the
borrowers with lower credit
1875 South Grant Street
Suite 400
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: (800) 655-6303
FAX: (650) 897-8800