Dunnan on Dollars

  Personal Finance Tips from Nancy Dunnan

5 Easy Pieces
No-brainers everyone can use!

April 25, 2008 - Here are five simple tips that cost nothing and could save you money and headaches.

A. Make Two Phone Calls When A Family Member Dies

Immediately contact the Social Security Administration (http://www.ssa.gov/) and the deceased's state Department of Motor Vehicles. You want to prevent his or her Social Security number and driver's license from being used by unsavory types who read the obituaries.

B. Get A Free Tank Of Gas

Members of BedandBreakfast.com are offering free gas (or rebates) to guests via their Tanks A Lot promotion. The national group has B&Bs in 40 states, Canada and the Caribbean.

For a list of participating inns, click on "Free Gas Promo" on the website.

For example, through August 1, Tucson's family-friendly Jeremiah Inn, with a swimming pool and spa, is discounting the nightly rate by five cents per mile between Tucson and your home city - up to a maximum of $30 or 600 miles.

And, through October 18, arrive at the historic Pilgrim's Inn on Deer Isle (Maine) in a hybrid vehicle and you will receive up to $40 off your bill.

C. Make Certain Your Bank Deposit Is Insured

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has a free on-line Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator. Use it to calculate the insurance coverage on your accounts (sole ownership, joint, IRAs, business, in trust for and others) at FDIC-insured institutions.

Go to: http://www.fdic.gov/ and click on "Consumers & Communities" and then on "Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE).

D. Donate Old Sneakers - Perhaps For A Tax Deduction

o Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe Program. Grinds up old sneakers to create material for basketball and tennis courts and athletic fields. (http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/)

o Soles4Soles. Donates shoes to people in need. (http://www.soles4souls.org/)

o Your local thrift shop. Most accept gently worn shoes and, like Soles4Soles, will give you a tax deduction.

E. Find Out If It's Cheaper To Drive Or Fly

The American Automobile Association (AAA) now has a calculator that will tell you how much it will cost to drive to and from major U.S. cities. Then check the amounts with the airline(s).

For example, four people in a 2007 Toyota Corolla can drive from Denver to Memphis for $180.14. That's round trip and assumes using 57 gallons of gas.

Driving round trip from Washington, DC to Albuquerque, on the other hand, would cost $315.84 (using 97 gallons).

Go to: http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/.

- Nancy Dunnan

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If you want to suggest a column topic for Nancy, drop her a line.

Like what Nancy has to say? you might be interested in the new edition of her book:
How To Invest $50 To $5,000: The Small Investor's Step By Step Plan for Low-Risk, High-Value Investing