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NEW YEAR’S 2007 IT'S OVER ....dont. fxom fig. 2 resolve to clearly label everything as you put it away. This will make it much easier come next year. 8. Put materials to good use: Have empty wrapping paper tubes lying around? Wrap Christmas lights around them and secure each end with tape. Carefully pack them away so the lights won't be tangled for next use. Used wrapping paper that is not in good condition for re-wrapping gifts can serve as packing material between delicate ornaments. Paper that doesn't have a holiday theme can be set aside for wrapping gifts for other occasions. 9. Shop for big-ticket items: Now is a good time to look for a car or that big electronic item. Think ahead to your Super Bowl party and splurge on the flat-panel television. 10. Kick back and relax: Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. Relish the joy of another successful holiday gone by. FISHING YOU A V Happy New Mr jffjk AgGaorgia Farm Mit, ALA 1 1219 Macon Road, P.0.80x 2025 i Perry, Georgia 31069-2025 Ph0ne:(478)987-1434 A . r . 5 Fax: (478) 987-6322 ® & um.aggeorgia.com ( Mull, ACA 3m CREDIT dontinusd from ficj. 5 or "introductory" interest rates are often too good to be true and should be avoid ed. Oftentimes, someone with bad credit who dives into offers such as these finds himself right back where he started, with a mountain of debt and facing debilitat ing interest rates. Always read the fine print in credit agreements before signing up for a new account. • Avoid filing for bankruptcy. In the United State, some people feel as though Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a "Get Out of Jail Free Card." In fact, it's more of a "Extend You Stay in Jail Card." People who file Chapter 7 will have that appear on their credit report for 10 years. Congress has long been considering toughening bank ruptcy laws, making it harder to file and more damaging if you do. Chapter 7 can SMILES dontinusd jxom fig. 3 snowstorm while neighbors are dash ing to home centers when the bliz zards hit. You can probably find discounts on running shoes during the summer as well. Shoe manufacturers often come up with new styles every six months, so discounts in the winter and summer are common. And the same can be said wipe out your debt, but it will make it extremely difficult for you to establish a relationship with lenders down the road. It might even make it difficult for you to get an apartment, as landlords are within their rights to refuse you, and often will if a bankruptcy appears on a background check. If you must file for bankruptcy, con sider Chapter 13, which is more a repay ment plan than a debt relief. Under Chapter 13, you are agreeing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to repay unse cured debts over as much as 60 months. Future interest rates won't be low if you file Chapter 13, but lenders have tradi tionally proven far more willing to deal with filers of Chapter 13 bankruptcy than those of Chapter 7. for getting deals on summer clothes once August rolls around. You'll have ample time to show off those discounts before the warm weather takes a hia tus. By taking creative measures to save money,consumers can stretch their already taut budgets even further. *7, o<r. 7%ilcWuf TJUmicu ’* oiU&jut-i -Hi "\ ■hJII s<it IS . ‘ j| ~<r. rju 'U* %:*•■ W ||3f; 1 OMEPTiES iWWlim m mmSSO ....dont. jxonz fy. 6 them to be driven home, either by yourself, another sober par tygoer or by a cab. You can head off confrontations by asking each party guest to hand in their keys upon entering the party, so you can keep the keys if they seem unpaired when getting ready to depart, 7. Reward designated drivers. It can often be hard to resist drinking when others ate enjoying them selves doing so. Have special gifts for the designated drivers, such as a key chain, gourmet candy or another treat to show your appre ciation. Keep in mind that in some areas a homeowner who has hosted a party can be held legally respon sible for impaired guests should an accident or fatality occur. This should be an added incentive to be safe while having fun. family Law &. Mediation Center, LLC 524 So. Houston Lake Road, Bldg. K, Suite 100 0L —— -AWirner Robins, Georgia 31088 * MV 478-971-1877 PAGE 7 422*.