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SMART MOVES
(MONEY Magazine) – -- Act quickly if you want to take advantage of today's low-interest-rate mortgages and home-equity loans. Adjustable-rate mortgages, for example, are available at initial rates of 7% or less from at least 200 lenders around the country. But economists expect rates to start heading back up as early as this month.Page 13. -- Consider switching to a money-market mutual fund if you're tired of paying high fees for your bank checking account. United Services' U.S. Treasury Securities Fund ($1,000 minimum investment; 800-873-8637), recently yielding 6.6%, offers unlimited free check-writing and sets no minimum dollar amount for your checks.Page 22. -- Save 10% to 30% off discount retail prices on brand-name medications and as much as 50% on generics by using mail-order pharmacies. Three houses that take mail and phone orders: Action-Mail Order (800-452-1976), Medi-Mail (800-331-1458) and Pharmail (800-237-8927). In addition, the American Association of Retired Persons (202-872-4700) sells to its members. Page 26. -- Take a fresh look at Ginnie Mae funds. Government-backed Ginnie Maes now yield about 9.5%, or 1.15 points more than 30-year Treasury bonds. One way to buy them is through a mutual fund, like no-load Vanguard GNMA (800-662-7447), with a five-year return of 56.5%. Page 44. |
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