Dear Dollar Stretcher, I only have a little money to spend on food this month, about $80 for a family of 4. What kind of meal suggestions can you give? Red Feeding a family of four on $80 is a challenge. But, for many families, it’s a reality. And, although it is hard, it is not impossible. Begin by checking ... Read More »

Yesterday, an Ohio resident was indicted for allegedly engaging in a fraud scheme that promised to fund more than $500 million in mortgage loans to around 20 churches and a dozen small businesses across the country. The man, Jamal Lawson, fraudulently obtained more than $300,000 in advance fees that he used for personal expenses instead of securing loans as he ... Read More »

In early December, Carlton Lewis, a former Ph.D. student was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in an identity theft and credit card fraud conspiracy. Throughout the conspiracy, Lewis, who was enrolled as a Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia, provided credit and debit card skimming devices to waitresses working in restaurants across the southeastern United ... Read More »

Last week the Justice Department announced that Merck, Sharp, & Dohme, an American pharmaceutical company, has agreed to resolve criminal charges and civil claims in relation to their promotion and marketing of the painkiller, Vioxx (rofecoxib) by paying $950 million. Yes, you read that right; just shy of $1 billion. Under the resolution terms, Mereck will plead guilty to a ... Read More »

In the business of reporting fraud and scams you often find similar situations, scenarios and stories across the huge array of scams in this world. Although I’ve heard, seen and read a lot of similar cases and continually question my faith in humanity there’s nothing like an adoption scam to get the blood boiling. A few months ago I wrote ... Read More »

I feel it’s safe to assume that since Halloween is now over we can officially label this time of the year as the Holiday Season! Which I am super excited about! I love Thanksgiving and December’s holidays – mostly for the food – but often find the obligation and burden of buying gifts a heavy strain on my wallet, as ... Read More »

Stanley Thornton, Jr. was featured, not too long ago, on an episode of National Geographic’s television show, “Taboo” where his life of living as an Adult Baby was showcased. When I first came across this news story I immediately thought of an episode of CSI I had seen once of an adult man living his life as a baby due ... Read More »

I started this article with the intention of comparing debt to food. Terms that myself and others would find much more appealing than fiscal comparisons. I started with one notion: money is boring. Unless you’re spending it of course. I laid down the ground rules and compared the amount of money we budget to the allotted calories we should consume ... Read More »

“Dear Steve, I am a single parent who put my children through college, and now am $140,000 in debt with credit cards and student loans. I don’t have enough money left for groceries after paying bills. My home needs to be refinanced this year because my ARM is up. Will I be able to refinance with all of this debt ... Read More »

getoutofdebtguy: Would you not assume this place serves Mexican food? Well they don't. Read More »

“Dear Steve, 60k in IRS debt and 20k in credit card debt, already living paycheck to paycheck supporting kids and adopted grandkids What can I do, IRS has placed a federal tax lien so i can’t get a loan and credit card company is calling my work and home 20 times a day and applying 20% interest but is unwilling ... Read More »

Kay I asked my friend, Gerri Detweiler, to also answer this question so you could get two independent points of view. You can learn more about Gerri and contact her by visiting her blog. “Dear Steve, I’m a 42 year old married woman with 2 little girls. All the credit cards are in my name. Several years ago, I added ... Read More »

So where do you turn when you are hungry and can’t afford to feed yourself or your family? Maybe a food bank is something to investigate. This morning I had the pleasure of visiting the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh. Christy, an exuberant representative, gave me the grand tour of the facility and helped me ... Read More »

I’m seeing more questions from people that are struggling with how to just find enough money to feed themselves. The stories of parents having to skip meals to pay for heat or feed the kids, concern me. I wanted to give you a free copy of a cookbook that I put together several years ago. Read More »

So Pam and I were talking about where to shop for the best prices and rather than guess, we got in the car and went price comparing. To get a wide comparison of prices we went to Sam’s Club for wholesale prices, Walmart for bragging cheap prices, Lowes Food for your typical grocery store, Food Lion for a discount grocery ... Read More »