D10 BUSINESS Sunday Republican, August 29, 2004 Only Businesses that meet high ethical standards are eligible to belong to the Better Business Bureau. The Bureau can help your business Opportunities Charity to affiliate information with other before you give. businesses who share your Credibility commitment to for your webs site ethics. advertising Dispute Visibility resolution through through identification conciliation as a BBB mediation and Member. arbitration.
4 (413)566-3113 Fax (413)566-2111 DESIGN JOAN G. LETENDRE ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGN 484 Main Street, Hampden, MA 01036 AUTO BRAKE KING AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 867 Boston Spfld. (413)783-3727 1179 E. Columbus Spfld.
(413)788-9244 200 E. Main Rte. 20 Westfield (413)572-1735 346 King Northampton (413)5844988 519 Front Chicopee (413) 557-6908 FELIX AUTO REPAIR TOWING 914 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA 01118 (413)733-0022 BUILDING MATERIAL A. BOILARD SONS, INC. LUMBER BUILDING MATERIALS 476 Oak Street, Indian Orchard, MA 01151 (413)543-4100 CARPENTRY PHILIP BEAULIEU SON HOME IMPROVEMENT 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-1498 DRIVING SCHOOLS BELMONT DRIVING SCHOOL 153 East Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413)583-8429 DRYWALL CONTRACTORS CHAMPAGNE DRYWALL, INC.
36 Russo Circle, Agawam, MA 01001 (413)786-4989 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS GALLERANI ELECTRIC INC. 451 Springfield Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095 (413)596-5766 FLOOR COVERING AMERICAN RUG 1594 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413)533-3000 1. HOLYOKE MILLWORK TILE CARPET 518 Main Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 (413)536-2400 GAS DON CHILDREE GENERAL CONTRACTOR, INC. 89 Commerce Way, S. Windsor, CT 06074 (413) 781-4242 www.DCGCINC.com 2004 Some banks 5 can gouge card users ried a balance.
Now, I find myself being clobbered with outrageous interest rates (20 percent plus) and large ($35) late fees. Is this fair? A. Welcome to the new world of banks gouging creditcustomers. What BankOne is doing to you is unfortunately not that unusual. Under the "terms" of your card, which should have ERIC been disTYSON closed to you in a lengthy fine-print disclosure booklet which few people read, let alone understand the interest rate you're paying can soar to 24.99 percent! You might consider establishing a cash-managementtype account through one of the major mutual fund companies where you get a VISA or MasterCard debit card.
You can also get such a card through a local bank, and the debit card is linked to your checking account. With a debit card, the transaction amount is deducted from your account just as when you write a check. Thus, you don't have the hassle and costly risk of missing your monthly credit-card payment. Alternatively, if you'd like a credit card, shop around for one with better terms. Cards with higher initial rates might have much better terms if you miss a payment.
C. I have about 15 percent of my portfolio invested in bonds, in a total bond market index fund and a high-yield corporate bond fund. What should I do to prevent my principal from being eroded by the expected rise in interest rates? Should I instead invest my money in short -term bond funds? I am 50 years old. A. At your age, if 15 percent is all of the long-term money you have invested in bonds, you're being pretty aggressive.
People your age should generally have about 30 percent to 40 percent of their retirement money in bonds. Both of your current bond funds are intermediate term funds. Thus, you shouldn't lose sleep that: a rise in interest rates would severely harm your funds' values, as could happen to funds focusing on long-term bonds. Guessing where interest rates and bond prices are headed is extraordinarily difficult to do. Even the best money managers have difficulty beating the major bond market averages.
So, I don't think you should be tinkering with your portfolio as you try to guess where interest rates are headed next. Also know that when you reinvest your funds' dividends and capital-gains distributions, you're buying new shares. So, when interest rates rise and bond prices fall, some of these reinvestments will take place at lower prices and higher rates, helping to offset some of the pain from the decline. Write to Eric Tyson in care of the Sunday Republican, P.O. Box 2350, Springfield, MA 01102-2350, or send him an e- mail at From time to time, I get so busy that I don't make my credit-card payment on time.
The credit card that I got through BankOne attracted me with low interest rates if I car- MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER Get Home Delivery. The Republican. Call 788-1100 for convenient home delivery. BBB 3 This is not a complete listing of BBB members. The BBB does not endorse any company, individual, product or service.
Only Businesses that meet 3 high ethical standards are eligible to belong to the Better Business Bureau. The Bureau can help your business Opportunities Charity to affiliate information with other before you give. businesses who share your Credibility commitment to for your web site ethics. advertising Dispute Visibility resolution through through identification conciliation as a BBB mediation and Member. arbitration.
3 THE MARK OF INTEGRITY MEMBERSHIP HOTLINE: 413-734-3115 CONSUMER HOTLINE: 413-734-3114 GENERAL CONTRACTORS Home Remodeling, Inc. 263 Westerly Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413)253-0828 www.HandRHomes.com HEARING AIDS BAYSTATE HEARING AIDS W. Springfield (413)734-2886 Palmer (413)283-8491 HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SERVICES ALLIED HEATING AIR CONDITIONING 101 Circuit Avenue, W. Springfield, MA 01089 (413)732-5599 E.P. LETENDRE, INC.
W. Springfield, MA 01089 (413)733-4245 HEATING SERVICE CONTRACTORS THE HEAT DOCTOR, INC. Heating Specialists Agawam, MA 01001 DON CHILDREE GENERAL CONTRACTOR, INC. 89 Commerce Way, S. Windsor, CT 06074 (413) 781-4242 www.DCGCINC.com HOME REMODELING, INC.
263 Westerly Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413)283-4444 www.HandRHomes.com HOME IMPROVEMENT PHILIP BEAULIEU SON HOME IMPROVEMENT 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-1498 OPTICAL SERVICE RUSSO OPTICIANS, INC. 1025 Westfield Street, W. Springfield, MA 01089 413-734-5502 PELLET PELLET FUEL TURNPIKE ACRES STOVE SHOP 185 Miller Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413)589-1122 AQUARIUS POOLS SPAS 2132 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095 (413)543-1084 REAL ESTATE COMPANIES REAL ESTATE 723 Main Street, Suite 1, Agawam, MA01001 (413) 786-7982 ROOFING DON CHILDREE GENERAL CONTRACTOR, INC. 89 Commerce Way, S. Windsor, CT 06074 (413) 781-4242 www.DCGCINC.com HOME REMODELING, INC.
263 Westerly Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413)253-0828 www.HandRHomes.com PHILIP BEAULIEU SON HOME IMPROVEMENT 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-1498 1 SAND-GRAVEL JOHN'S TRUCKING OF AGAWAM, INC. 415 Silver Street, Agawam, MA 01001 (413)786-3340 1' A SEAMLESS GUTTERS SONS SEAMLESS GUTTERS, INC. Chicopee, MA MA.01007 (413)732-3934 SECURITY SYSTEMS EASTERN ELECTRONICS SECURITY, INC. 540 Main Street, W. Springfield, MA 01089 IBS INC.
225 Armory Street, Springfield, MA 01104 (413)739-2271 GARDEN ACCENTS SKIPS OUTDOOR ACCENTS, INC. 1020 Riverdale Street, W. Springfield, MA 01089 (413)739-1040 SIDING HOME REMODELING, INC. 263 Westerly Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413)253-0828 www.HandRHomes.com PHILIP BEAULIEU SON 4 HOME IMPROVEMENT 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-1498 1 WINDOWS HOME REMODELING, INC. 263 Westerly Circle, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413)253-0828 www.HandRHomes.com PHILIP BEAULIEU SON HOME IMPROVEMENT 217 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (413)592-1498 3 vr 1.
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