July Frugal Club Meeting Updates:

Big thanks to Frugal Club member Cara for providing the following report of the discussion from the July 2009 meeting:

• We discussed the “Cash for Clunkers” bill – details are at http://www.cars.gov/. Sadly, this program is reported to end on Monday, August 24th, 2009.
• We discussed the 10 most and least expensive cars to insure – visit this site for more information! http://finance.yahoo.com/insurance/article/107172/most-and-least-expensive-cars-to-insure
• Good to know: According to info found by a frugal gal, 42% of employers (including gov’t) are pulling credit reports on potential job candidates – especially those dealing with money. Jobseekers should note that head hunters and hiring agencies are looking for the “Highest quality individuals”....so, it just makes sense (and cents!!) to keep being frugal....
• In consideration of the challenging economic environment, many finance wizards recommend a 3-tiered emergency fund - $500 in cash in your house, $1000 in a checking or savings account, and 6 months of income in a CD. This is a goal everyone should work towards!
• Keep your frugal bucks safe!! To thwart of would be thieves, hide that $1000 in emergency cash at home. Consider hiding it in the following places: tinfoil wrapped in the freezer, in a picture frame between the photo and the cardboard, the “soil” of a fake plant, under an extremely heavy piece of furniture, and in a used can of soup-stacked with other cans. One member related the story of a break-in at her home and said the only thing that wasn’t touched in her house was the garbage pail. Now she keeps emergency cash in a ziplock between the garbage liner and the pail.