VTW'Vf/ TAKING by Rebecca Wolf Extension Home Economist Questioning the Fast-Buck Promises One of the things that 1 find cluttering my life is the bundles of junk mail I receive each week. Many of these are pleas for money to support an array of causes, but the ones that anger me most are people’s attempts to make a fast buck at my expense. These fast money gimmicks seem to be a bar gain on the surface, but I find myself asking "What’s the Catch?” One letter promised, “You can save as much as $70,000 on your home mortgage and pay off your Hay! • 50% reduction in capital • 70% more efficient method Joseph Swantak, Inc. H.C. 64 - Box 93 - Delhi Stage Oneonta, N.Y. 13820 Phone 607-432-0891 or 607-432-0341 Toll Free 1-800-842-9228 Fax #: 607-432-0105 Quality Farm Equipment For Over 40 Years (Dealer Inquiries Invited) SPECIAL CD OFFER Penalty for Early Withdrawal Rates Subject to Change Rates Apply to Individuals Only Minimum *2,000 Deposit Rate Compounded Dally Join our 55+ Heritage Club and get an extra 1/4% on Special CD Rates S 3 Lebanon Valley National Bank C- . -,V TIME loan in two-thirds of the time!” Along with this enticing promise came an invitation to sell this program to others and make even more money. Others promise a product that looks wonderful in the photograph, but in reality is much less exciting. These days people are out to make money, and I encourage you, for the sake of your family’s budget, to move cautiously and ask questions. "How can that company provide its product at that price and still make money?” Am I really going to get the deal they promise?” ansports - Unloads Round Bales one man job with FiEXI F-40 • 50% reduction in labor RATE B.oo* 8.33 % YIELD* ‘(Based on Annual Percentage Rate) 6 MONTHS Member FO 1C * r Some companies make their money through a pyramid scheme where a customer sells the pro ducts to Mends; those Mends sell to others. By offering commis sions for the sales that they gen erate through these others, businesses predict great earnings for little time and effort Unfortu nately, this system only works for a limited time because soon the market in an area is saturated. People can only make money if they can continue to find new buy ers and sellers. Others make money by manipu lating figures juggling interest rates. Still others profit when the product is produced with less than standard quality materials. Some companies really do make the “fast buck.” They get people to pay for a product and then go out of business or simply disappear without delivering the item. On the other hand, legitimate businesses exist that can offer you a good product or service for the money paid. In order to differenti- investment TERM v(> r • ... n iv«* •* < *f,'( Uncal* FamtafcSMmfe* Mylt, Wfrftta ate die bargain Mm the bomb, look for these features: • The company is well established and has a reputation for providing a quality product • The company provides a writ ten guarantee or method of return ing the product if you are not satis fied. • The fine print in the advertise ment or contract does not contra dict the bold headline “bargain.” • You know the exact product/ service you will receive, die price you will pay, and the date of deliv ery. With the money-saving mort gage deal, I didn't know if I would receive a computer printout, a book, a new mortgage offer, or a sheet of paper to cany when I negotiated with my own banker. If you can examine the item, do so carefully. Look for interior flaws. Be inquisitive. Ask ques tions of the salesclerk or dealer. Also ask your Mends about their Penn State Extension Offers Help In Starting Bed & Breakfast A two-day workshop, “Starting a Bed and Breakfast or Farm Vac ation Operation,” is being offered by Penn State Cooperative Exten sion on Tuesday, March 27, and Saturday, April 3, at the Penn State Great Valley Campus. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and the workshop is from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. registration for the meeting is $4O. For more information, call Penn State Extension at (717) 921-8803. The workshop is designed for anyone interested in starting a bed and breakfast or farm vacation operation. Bed tind breakfast and farm vacations are becoming an increasingly popular way to earn additional income and to meet a variety of interesting people. Many long-lasting friendships have resulted from a stay at a bed and breakfast or farm vacation operation. For travelers and vaca tioners it is an interesting and relaxing way to spend a night or a week while meeting people famil iar with the community. The first day begins March 27, with a discussion by Dr. Mary Saylor, extension specialist, on whether running a bed and break fast or farm vacation operation is for you. Russ Powell, extension agent for business management. MD Lamb Cook Off WOODBINE. MD Enter your favorite lamb recipe in the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festi val Seventh Annual Maryland Grand Lamb Cook-Off. A minimum of 1 pound of any cut of American lamb must be used. All entries will be judged on taste (40 points), appearance (20 points), originality (20 points), and ease of preparation (20 points). Prior to the May 6 Cook-Off, 10 finalists will be selected from entries. These ten finalists will be invited to prepare their recipes for the judges at the Festival. Each finalist will be provided with an electrical outlet, table, and access to a limited number of ovens. Contestants must furnish their own grills, microwaves, or other necessary cooking equipment, utensils, and serving materials to present their entries to the three judges. Entries must be postmarked no later than April 14, 1990. experiences with timilar compa nies or items. To eliminate bothersome junk mail and telephone sales offers, request that your name be removed from calling and mailing lists. Two major listing companies are: Telephone Preference Service Marketing Association, 6 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017 and Direct Marketing Association, 6 East 43td Street, New York, NY 10017. These careful shopping sugges tions will help you to avoid buy ing a get-rich-quick promise over the phone. They will also help you to avoid paying too much to a fit ness club or furniture manufactur er. Taking the time to ask ques tions may mean saving your fami ly hundreds of hard-earned dollars. You may also avoid unhealthy stress. When you hear about an unbelievably great way to save money, remember to ask “What’s the catch?” will talk about developing a busi ness plan. A first hand experience of running a farm vacation opera tion will be provided by Don and Virginia Ranck of Verdant View Farm, Paradise. Addressing the rules and regulations regarding health, sanitation, and zoning will be Joe Amy, assistant supervisor, food protection section of Chester County Planning Commission. The first day will wrap up with a discussion of insurance needs by Jan Millin, CPCU, Millin Insur ance. The second day, April 3. begins with the development of a market ing plan by Jeff Patton, extension agent of marketing. Dr. Saylor will discuss basic promoting and advertising. Hospitality issues will be discussed by Kay Hastings and Nancy Stevens, extension agents. The workshop will conclude with a panel of operators telling about their own experiences in the business. The Panel will consist of A 1 and Beth Granger of Glasbem Inn, Foglesville; Patty Benson of The Great Valley House, Malvern; and Dorothy Gillam, Philadelphia. All participants will receive Continuing Education Units (CEU) from Penn State Universi ty. All ten finalists will receive prizes provided by the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, Inc. On the basis of the judges deci sion, prize money will be awarded as follows: First Place - $150; Sec ond Place - $125; Third Place • $100; Fourth Place - $75; Fifth Place - $5O. How to Enter Type pr print your recipe on an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper. These recipes will not be returned, may be reproduced for distribu tion, and become the property of the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. List all ingredients in order used, no brand names. Give complete recipe direc tions. Please include your name, address, home phone, work phone, and name of your recipe. Mail by April 14, 1990 to Maryland Grand Lamb Cook-Off, c/o Annette Fleishell, 2222 Daisy Road, Woodbine. Maryland 21797, 301-854-6741.
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