Ask Amy
Jul 01 The Census, The Lottery & More
Ask Amy — July 2010 A group of parents, including myself, were having a discussion about where the percentage of money supposedly allotted for our schools has landed. My understanding is that the Texas Lottery was voted in mostly because a percentage of the money brought in was going directly back to our schools. -Hilary Cowley A lot of people have asked me this question over the years. When the | read more…
Jun 01 Beauty On A Budget
Ask Amy — June 2010 From lipstick to eyeliner, a trip to the cosmetics counter can leave us feeling penniless instead of pretty. Makeup can be pricey. And makeup artist Edward Sanchez should know. He’s worked for some of the biggest, fanciest cosmetic lines in the world. But Sanchez says you shouldn’t have to be loaded to look beautiful. It’s why he’s revealing secrets those high-end cosmetic companies don’t want | read more…
May 01 Toll Troubles
Ask Amy — May 2010 You’ve heard there’s no such thing as a free ride. And Sorcha Hysmith said she wasn’t expecting one from the Harris County Toll Road Authority. She also wasn’t expecting the $1054 bill she got in the mail for using the toll road for 13 days after her tag had expired. It Could Happen to You When you sign up for an EZ Tag, the Toll | read more…
Apr 01 Cash for Appliances
Ask Amy — April 2010 How would you like $640 for replacing your old water heater? Or $180 for buying a new washing machine? Remember “Cash for Clunkers?” The government is bringing the program back, but this time they are targeting your old appliances. You can get hundreds of dollars from the state just by purchasing an approved energy efficient appliance. The money is part of $23 million in federal | read more…
Mar 01 Getting It Right At The Grocery Store
Ask Amy — March 2010 Each week we fight the crowds to get all of the goods on our grocery list. At the end of the trip, who has the energy to keep an eagle eye on the register to make sure every item rings up as advertised? After investigating grocery store pricing errors for a KPRC series in 2008, I now make it a habit to thoroughly check my | read more…
Feb 01 Don't Go It Alone To Try And Save Your Home
Ask Amy — February 2010 It’s one thing when consumers email me about a shirt lost at the dry cleaners or a new laptop that stopped working days after purchase. It’s quite another when the email begins “Please help. I am about to lose my home.” Sadly, dozens of emails echoing that refrain began pouring into my in-box last summer. Some homeowners lost their jobs; others found themselves unable to | read more…
Jan 01 Unclaimed Cash
Ask Amy — January 2010 The Christmas tree is down. The decorations are stored away. Any day now, the credit card bills for all those gifts your purchased will be due. It’s the time of year when many of us find ourselves short on cash. I may be able to help. No, I don’t have a truckload of money. What I do have is information about a little known stockpile | read more…
Dec 01 Credit Card Scams Beware
Ask Amy — December 2009 Let’s face it. Shopping this time of year can zap the spirit right out of your holiday. Depriving your body of sleep to save some bucks on deals only available at 4am, the bumper to bumper traffic that seems to start at the end of your driveway and the battle for any parking space within 2 miles of the mall. And that’s all before you | read more…
