Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/508353
Haveyoueverwondered how retailers can possibly afford to offer the no-in- terest, no- payments and or no- down-pay- ment kind of deals you see adver- tised? That was the subject of a letter I re- ceived recently. Dear Mary: There are several appliance, elec- tronic and furniture stores in our area that run tele- vision commercials offer- ing no money down, no payments and no inter- est until 2016. It sounds like I can just walk in and take what I want and not pay for two years. How do these companies really make money? — Kate Dear Kate: First, these offers are on approved credit and come with a lot of other fine print. It takes pristine credit to qualify for those attrac- tive terms. One retailer told me only about 25 per- cent of the people who ap- ply for the "amazing of- fer" qualify. The other 75 percent are offered some other deal with horrible terms, which they usu- ally accept because by the time it gets to filling out the paperwork, they're so emotionally involved and have their hearts set on that "free" big screen TV, they're anxious to sign anything. Let's say you're one of the 25 percent. You have $3,000 sitting in the bank, so you could pay cash for that TV, but you decide to go for the nothing-down deal so you can earn in- terest on your money until 2016. You still have to fill out and sign a credit appli- cation, and that requires a credit check. You still have to agree to very steep in- terest (like 24.99 percent or more), which is deferred (not waived) until 2016. The contract will read that if you are late pay- ing that balance in full at the specific ap- pointed time on a cer- tain day, you lose your deferment and you owe interest back to the day you signed the contract. From that moment on, you must be making enormous payments. Here's the ugly truth: About 78 percent of the people who qualify for these deals do not pay the account in full at the ap- pointed time for whatever reason. Life happens. The money in the bank gets used for some other more urgent situation. That means you're now stuck with enormous payments plus all the deferred inter- est on a TV (or other item) that is now two years old. My advice? Don't even think about these kinds of come-ons. If you can af- ford it, pay for it. In full. Now you own it. And if you can't afford to do that? Then make payments to yourself until you save the full amount. Discipline and delayed gratification are still excel- lent character builders. EmailMaryatmary@ everydaycheapskate.com. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE A look behind no-interest, no-payment come-ons The annual SpringFest Plant sale will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude about 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9 in the Sacramento River Dis- covery Center's Discovery Garden in the Mendocino National Forest's Red Bluff Recreation Area at 1000 Sale Lane. The drought toler- ant and deer resistant plants have been prop- agated by center volun- teers. These plants are climatized for this area and when planted in the spring hopefully with some shade and water will survive the summer temperatures. Most of the plants be- ing sold will be native to this part of California and include some spe- cies that like shade and regular summer water- ing. They will be avail- able for around $7 per gallon pot. Some plants are available in a 3 gal- lon size this year. In addition there will be offerings from area native plant nurseries available for sale and Floral Native Nursery of Chico will offer additional selections. New this year will be six packs of heirloom vegetable starts. These are ready to go into your garden as soon as you get home and offered at $2.50 each. If you are a friend mem- ber of the center, at the $50 level, or more you are enti- tled to a discount. Just ask. Not a member? You can become one on the spot. Forms are available at the cashier's table. Everyone will have an opportunity to ask ques- tions of members of the Mt. Lassen Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, who will be vis- iting from Butte County, and members of the Red Bluff Garden Club. Mem- ber of the Board of Direc- tors and staff will also be available for those needing assistance. Volunteers are being sought to assist with the propagation of plants to be sold at November's sale. For further information, call Bobie Hughes, volun- teer executive director, at 527-1196 or send an e-mail to bhughessrdc@gmail. com. SpringFestplantsalesetSaturday COURTESYPHOTO The Sacramento River Discovery Center will hold its SpringFest plant sale 9a.m. to 1p.m. Saturday. Mary Hunt DISCOVERY CENTER The following Altacal Audubon program and field Ttrip activities are planned for May. All programs and activities are free of cost unless otherwise indicated and are open to the public. Program • Uganda, presented by LeAnn McConnel, 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, at the Chico Creek Nature Center. Uganda has a tortured history that strives to over- come its past. The people are resilient and have sur- vived the ruinous reign of Idi Amin, corruption, pu- nitive laws, and witchcraft. Uganda is rich with birds and wildlife, which are making a comeback after being decimated during the many conflicts of the 1970s. Join LeAnn McConnell for a short program about her trip to Uganda in Jan- uary of 2007, high-light- ing national parks such as Bwindi Impenetrable For- est to see mountain goril- las, Kibale National Park to see chimpanzees, the White Nile where hippos and huge crocodiles live, the savanna and lakes with many mammals and birds. The presentation will be part show-and-tell and part slide show. Field trips • Birds and Trees Walk — CSUC Butte Creek Eco- logical Preserve: Sunday, May 10. The group will explore the freshly leafed out na- tive trees, shrubs and the spring birds of Butte Creek. This is a 3 to 4 mile intermediate hike along the creek and over some logs down to the pond. Violet Green Swal- lows, Wood Ducks, Yellow- breasted Chats, and Coo- per's Hawks have been some of the many species seen here in early May. Beavers and otters may also be seen. Bring sturdy shoes or boots, water and snacks for this 3 hour hike. Meet at 8 a.m. at the park- ing lot of the preserve. The preserve is on Honey Run Road about 3 miles off the Skyway, just past 1182. Contact Joseph O'Neil at josephoneil@earthlink. net. • Colby Meadows Hike: Sunday, May 17. Enjoy a leisurely Sun- day afternoon, explor- ing Butte Meadows and Colby Meadows for Butte County's higher elevation birds. Birds of interest will be Evening Grosbeak, Townsend's Solitaire, Pile- ated Woodpecker, White- headed Woodpecker, Pa- cific Wren and Mountain Chickadee. There will also be a chance to see Moun- tain Quail and American Dipper along the way. Meet at 8 a.m. at Chico Park & Ride off Hwy 32 closest to Hwy 99. Pack a lunch as the group won't be head- ing back to Chico until 2-3 p.m. Contact Matthew For- ster at findforster@yahoo. com or 619-347-2269. • Lake County Big Week- end: Saturday-Sunday, May 23-24. True bird-nerds are al- ways seeking some new list to keep or way to challenge themselves. Scott Huber will lead a two-day trip to Lake County to see as many birds in the county as possible. Great for those who keep county lists. Where possible the group enlist the assistance of lo- cal experts for that county. Plan on camping. Camp- ground locations and ren- dezvous places will be de- termined prior to the trip. Sign up early to assist in planning. Plan on bring- ing all food needed for the weekend, the group will cook dinner at the camp- site on Saturday night. Bring tents, sleeping bags, an adventurous spirit and good sense of humor. Pre- pare for the possibility of rain. Car-pooling encour- aged. Contact Scott if you are planning to attend at 321-5579 or wmscotthu- ber@gmail.com. • Lawn Replacement Workshop: Sunday, May 30. Butte Environmental Council and Altacal's Neigh- borhood Habitat Certifica- tion Program are sponsor- ing a hands-on lawn re- placement workshop. John Whittlesey with Canyon Creek Nursery will be the presenter, and will demon- strate the process of replac- ing lawn with a drought- tolerant, Native California landscape. See www.bec- net.org for required regis- tration. TO DO Altacal Audubon events include program, field trips PLEASERECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER. Thankyou! Shasta Senior Nutri- tion Program in partner- ship with the Older Adult Policy Council is proud to present the annual Healthy Aging Summit 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 8 at 100 Mercy Oaks Drive in Redding. The summit invites area seniors to learn ways to stay healthy and active, and re- ceive resources for chronic disease management. This local effort is part of the Older Americans Awareness Month activi- ties, This year's theme is "Get into the Act," with a focus on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities and making a positive impact in the lives of others. This event provides op- portunities for seniors 50 years of age and older to receive free health screen- ings, information, and re- ferrals for senior services and other health resources. In partnership with Golden Umbrella Senior Corps, this year's event will host a unique exhibit of his- toric artifacts, to commem- orate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusita- nia. There will be a free draw- ing for some prizes. For more information or questions, call 226-3060 or visit ssnpweb.org. SENIORS Healthy Aging Summit scheduled in Redding DonationsgiventoTehamaCountyFoodBank/Gleaners Help Us Stamp Out Hunger, Spread the Word Fill A Bag, Help Feed Families America's Letter Carriers Delivering Hope Sat., May 9, 2015 lettercarriersacrossthecountrywill be collecting food for families in need. It's easy to help: 1) Collect and bag non-perishable* food items Coloque los alimentos no perecederos en una bolsa junto a su buzon de correo 2) Place by mailbox for letter carrier to deliver to a local food bank or pantry El cartero las entregara a un banco de alimentos local *Donate items like canned meats, fish, soup, juice, vegetables, pasta, cereal, peanut butter and rice. Please do not include items that have expired or are in glass containers. Facebook.com/StampOutHunger @StampOutHunger We'vegotyour sandals! JOHNSON'S SHOES $10offyour1stpair and Johnson's COMFORT SHOES ChiCo Mall 342-2310 Northvalley Mall 343-8923 AGoodFitfor101YearsSince1914 Quality Product Affordable Price Caring Service website: www.johnsonshoes.net email:jfss@saber.net $15 off your second pair ++ of Rieker Shoes Regular Haircut $ 2 00 off KWIK KUTS FamilyHairSalon 1064SouthMainSt.,RedBluff•529-3540 ANY RETAIL PRODUCT 20 % off withanychemicalserviceof $50 or more Notgoodwithotheroffers Expires 4/30/15 With coupon Reg. $13.95 LIFESTYLES » redbluffdailynews.com Thursday, May 7, 2015 » MORE ATFACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS A4