CHITCHAT CORNER

If you think the holidays can be stressful wait until after the fact and you try to decipher the charges on all of those wonderful credit cards. To offset your hair from turning gray overnight we would like to share some helpful hints (tried and true) that may help you get out of the sinking feeling of remaining forever in debt. "Never charge more than what you could pay for in cash," said Barbara Highsmith. "That way you will never get behind."

Easier said than done, but according to Chris Cameron at the Kilgore Post Office, she has been away from credit card usage and this year makes her third year for cash only basis. "The first year of paying cash for Christmas purchases was one of the hardest thing for me to accomplish," she said, but it turned out to be the best Christmas ever.

"If you get caught by some companies that do not post your payments but seemingly let them lay on their desk a week or two to make sure you get hit with a late charge, certify your payments to where they must sign for it upon receipt. I guarantee you the certification is cheaper than your late fee," she said. "What you pay out for late fees can help you get the balance paid off faster - something your card holders are really not fond of happening," she added.

Other ways of clearing your accounts are to make your minimum payment the first of the month and send another amount no matter how small on the fifteenth. This causes them to have to refigure the finance charges.

Watch carefully as one Kilgoreite informs us she put the wrong check in the mail to her credit card company and they charged her a double late fee. Also, another Kilgoreite called in her payment and the company used an old, closed checking account number instead of her current one which caused a late fee to be added.

"If all else fails and you must get it in overnight, get it in to us before 3:30 p.m. and we will get there for $16.50 compared to $85 handling charges some carriers now charge," said Chris. (Thanks, Chris, May your third Christmas be even better.)

Over 90 people attended the singing held last Sunday afternoon at the Willows according to Reverend Ed Findley. "The singing helped to complete our revival that was held last week," he added.

Twenty turkeys were cooked at Forest Home Baptist Church for a congregational Thanksgiving dinner held Wednesday evening. Those turkeys fed over 400 and the desserts were plentiful many went back for seconds. And Pat Monk definitely got his share of pecan pies.

Speaking of Forest Home Baptist Church, their altar table held the most beautiful vase of roses in celebration of Ms. Gertie Lacy's 95th Birthday that was celebrated in the Richardson Fellowship Hall on Saturday afternoon. "The room was packed with people," said December Wimberly. Over 150 arrived to wish her a happy birthday. (Keep celebrating, Ms. Gertie, we love you!)

All right, turkey day is upon us - enjoy the day, eat hearty and May You Be Blessed. In the meantime, we may be reached at chitchatlinda@ aol.com or at 903-984-2593.