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http://www.amazon.com/Habits-for-Success-ebook/dp/B004WLQ0H0Amazon Coupons
LinkProduct Description
Zen To Done takes the best aspects of a few popular productivity systems (Getting Things Done, 7 Habits and others) and combines them with the mandate of simplicity. It makes things as simple as possible, and no more.Zen To Done is a simple system to get you more organized and productive, and keep your life saner and less stressed, with a set of habits. ZTD teaches you:* The key habits needed to be productive, organized, and simplified... and no more than that.
* How to implement these key habits... tips on forming a habit.
* How to organize these habits into a simple system that will keep everything in your life in its place.
* How to simplify what you need to do.
* Includes an even simpler version called Minimal ZTD.Dozens of readers have written to me with comments about how ZTD has changed their lives, made them more organized and less stressed, and has worked better than other productivity systems. Its definitely worth a try.
About the Author
Leo Babauta has been a reporter, editor, speechwriter, and freelance writer for the last 17 years. Babauta lives in Guam with his wife and five children, where he posts regularly on ZenHabits.net.
Zen To Done takes the best aspects of a few popular productivity systems (Getting Things Done, 7 Habits and others) and combines them with the mandate of simplicity. It makes things as simple as possible, and no more.Zen To Done is a simple system to get you more organized and productive, and keep your life saner and less stressed, with a set of habits. ZTD teaches you:* The key habits needed to be productive, organized, and simplified... and no more than that.
* How to implement these key habits... tips on forming a habit.
* How to organize these habits into a simple system that will keep everything in your life in its place.
* How to simplify what you need to do.
* Includes an even simpler version called Minimal ZTD.Dozens of readers have written to me with comments about how ZTD has changed their lives, made them more organized and less stressed, and has worked better than other productivity systems. Its definitely worth a try.
About the Author
Leo Babauta has been a reporter, editor, speechwriter, and freelance writer for the last 17 years. Babauta lives in Guam with his wife and five children, where he posts regularly on ZenHabits.net.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/goldboxAmazon.com Review
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was a groundbreaker when it was first published in 1990, and it continues to be a business bestseller with more than 15 million copies sold. Stephen Covey, an internationally respected leadership authority, realizes that true success encompasses a balance of personal and professional effectiveness, so this book is a manual for performing better in both arenas. His anecdotes are as frequently from family situations as from business challenges. Before you can adopt the seven habits, you'll need to accomplish what Covey calls a "paradigm shift"--a change in perception and interpretation of how the world works. Covey takes you through this change, which affects how you perceive and act regarding productivity, time management, positive thinking, developing your "proactive muscles" (acting with initiative rather than reacting), and much more. This isn't a quick-tips-start-tomorrow kind of book. The concepts are sometimes intricate, and you'll want to study this book, not skim it. When you finish, you'll probably have Post-it notes or hand-written annotations in every chapter, and you'll feel like you've taken a powerful seminar by Covey. --Joan Price
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was a groundbreaker when it was first published in 1990, and it continues to be a business bestseller with more than 15 million copies sold. Stephen Covey, an internationally respected leadership authority, realizes that true success encompasses a balance of personal and professional effectiveness, so this book is a manual for performing better in both arenas. His anecdotes are as frequently from family situations as from business challenges. Before you can adopt the seven habits, you'll need to accomplish what Covey calls a "paradigm shift"--a change in perception and interpretation of how the world works. Covey takes you through this change, which affects how you perceive and act regarding productivity, time management, positive thinking, developing your "proactive muscles" (acting with initiative rather than reacting), and much more. This isn't a quick-tips-start-tomorrow kind of book. The concepts are sometimes intricate, and you'll want to study this book, not skim it. When you finish, you'll probably have Post-it notes or hand-written annotations in every chapter, and you'll feel like you've taken a powerful seminar by Covey. --Joan Price
Link
Pop star Justin Biebers angelic face graces pair of dentist-approved toothbrushes, which echo his hit singles for 120 brush-heavy seconds.Part of the joy of getting a new toothbrush is the ability to use the old one to clean hard-to-reach places, such as inside the mouth of a pet piranha. Brush your way to a beaming smile with todays Groupon: for $14, you get two Justin Bieber singing toothbrushes from Brush Buddies (a $29.90 value).The dental-hygiene heroes at Brush Buddies transform ho-hum teeth-brushing sessions into enamel-whitening extravaganzas with a signature line of fun, ergonomic toothbrushes designed to ensure kids polish their pearlies for at least 120 dentist-recommended seconds. Endorsed by dentists and screaming tweens around the country, each replaceable brush head sports soft DuPont bristles and a plastic sheathing that complements a thick handle graced with Justin Biebers dreamy doe eyes, floppy crop of hair, and incandescent halo. After pressing one of two buttonsone for both morning and evening brushescavity-crushers can enjoy Biebers cherubic croon for 120 seconds, the exact length of time dentists recommend for shining smile bones. Brushers can serenade bathroom-mirror reflections with the echoing sounds of Biebers Baby and U Smile from one brush, or whip out its counterpart to show off hygiene habits and subtly court secret crushes with midday brushes set to the tunes of Love Me and Somebody to Love.
Pop star Justin Biebers angelic face graces pair of dentist-approved toothbrushes, which echo his hit singles for 120 brush-heavy seconds.Part of the joy of getting a new toothbrush is the ability to use the old one to clean hard-to-reach places, such as inside the mouth of a pet piranha. Brush your way to a beaming smile with todays Groupon: for $14, you get two Justin Bieber singing toothbrushes from Brush Buddies (a $29.90 value).The dental-hygiene heroes at Brush Buddies transform ho-hum teeth-brushing sessions into enamel-whitening extravaganzas with a signature line of fun, ergonomic toothbrushes designed to ensure kids polish their pearlies for at least 120 dentist-recommended seconds. Endorsed by dentists and screaming tweens around the country, each replaceable brush head sports soft DuPont bristles and a plastic sheathing that complements a thick handle graced with Justin Biebers dreamy doe eyes, floppy crop of hair, and incandescent halo. After pressing one of two buttonsone for both morning and evening brushescavity-crushers can enjoy Biebers cherubic croon for 120 seconds, the exact length of time dentists recommend for shining smile bones. Brushers can serenade bathroom-mirror reflections with the echoing sounds of Biebers Baby and U Smile from one brush, or whip out its counterpart to show off hygiene habits and subtly court secret crushes with midday brushes set to the tunes of Love Me and Somebody to Love.
The iTunes App Store offers downloads of several apps for Apple iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad which have dropped in price, as listed below. Up to $4 off. The deals, all with applicable platforms noted: (Search for these deals in iTunes App Store)
Habits Pro for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($4 off): Goal achievement tool
Photo Measures for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($4 off): Photograph measuring tool
Guardian Saga for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($1 off): Role-playing game
Splashtop Remote Desktop for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($1 off): Remote desktop access
daWindci The Game for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($3 off): Puzzle game
Chuzzle for iPhone and iPod touch for 99 cents ($2 off): Puzzle game
VinylLove for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents (pictured, $2 off): Vinyl simulation tool: LINK
Habits Pro for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($4 off): Goal achievement tool
Photo Measures for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($4 off): Photograph measuring tool
Guardian Saga for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($1 off): Role-playing game
Splashtop Remote Desktop for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($1 off): Remote desktop access
daWindci The Game for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents ($3 off): Puzzle game
Chuzzle for iPhone and iPod touch for 99 cents ($2 off): Puzzle game
VinylLove for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad for 99 cents (pictured, $2 off): Vinyl simulation tool: LINK
My family went way over budget for the first time ever this year, spending about 75% more than budgeted for non-fixed expenditures. I can't pinpoint the exact cause, it was likely some combination of my wife stress-spending (her final two semesters of school were particularly difficult), rewards-driven excursions (Groupon, Envaulted, etc.), and too much time spent lurking in the Hot Deals forums. I saw the problem growing, but my attempts to curb the spending just caused more stress and frustration for my family and I backed off figuring I would be better able to address the situation when things settled down after my wife's graduation (this seems to be the case).The overspending was alarming to me because I'm very proud of my family's propensity to save (that is not to say that we're misers, our budget has always been reasonable and allowed us to easily meet our needs as well as afford the "luxuries" we enjoy). While I panic a bit every time I log in to Mint and see that large red bar, taking a step back reveals that we're still in reasonable shape financially (still debt-free except for the mortgage), though we have not been able to contribute nearly as much as planned to our emergency fund and IRAs.I believe that this period of overspending was short-lived and that we'll be able to stick to our budget as usual in 2012. We'll also have fewer expenses and (hopefully) more income now that my wife has her degree (in nursing, which pays well but is highly competitive in our area).Nonetheless, my wife and I had a discussion about it last week and we decided to try going cash-only for a couple of months to see how it will impact our spending habits. As money-conscious as we are, we still think that using cash will help us focus better on the value of purchases. While I'm disappointed to be giving up the credit card Cash Back, I think we'll actually save more money and avoid cluttering up our house with unnecessary purchases. My goal is to make up a token amount of this year's overspending and get a hands-on understanding on how payment method affects how we think about our purchases.Our cash experiment starts January 1 (convenient, since our current AARP credit card bonus ends on December 31). I can go into the mechanics of our plan if anyone is interested, but it's a simple envelope system. We'll still use the credit cards on occasion (for gas and online purchases, for example), but we'll move the cash to next month's envelope.I feel almost like I'm taking a step backwards, but I think it'll be a good experience regardless of the outcome.
Giveaway of the Day - Ad Muncher Basichttp://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ad-muncher-basic/The program is available for $19.95, but it will be free for our visitors as a time-limited offer. November 23, 2011For the 50 most popular sites in the world, of the 28 that displayed advertising, Ad Muncher improved the load time by an average of 48% and reduced the download size by an average of 39%. Ad Muncher is designed to work immediately after installing. You wont need to spend days setting up filters, and can enjoy faster and safer browsing immediately.Ad Muncher blocks many nasties on the net, such as scripts that track your browsing habits or try to install spyware, adware and dialers. Ad Muncher can significantly reduce your companys bandwidth usage, saving time and money so you can concentrate on what matters. Ad Muncher has been available and in constant development for over eleven years. With new updates released every single day of the year and excellent support via live chat, email and forum.
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD DERBY: 100 Digital Albums for $3.99 Each - Ends 11/18.
January 1, 2011, 12:00 am Los Links!Welcome to the 'Digital Download Derby.' The Yep Roc Store is offering fans a chance to stock up their digital music collection with unbeatable deals on some of Yep Roc's best releases. Now through Friday 11/18, the Yep Roc Store has reduced the full-album price on 100 of our favorite titles from the Yep Roc vault to just $3.99 each. Check below to see our featured titles and below for a full list of every album on sale now. Don't miss your chance to save on amazing releases from Chuck Prophet, Dave Alvin, John Doe, Los Straitjackets, Jukebox the Ghost, The Sadies and more!
BARB BARB
BeauSoleil Alligator Purse
Bell X1 Blue Lights on the Runway
Bell X1 Flock
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys Turntable Matinee
Bob Mould Body of Song
C.C. Adcock The Lafayette Marquis
Caitlin Cary Waltzie
Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell Begonias
Carlene Carter Stronger
Chatham County Line Wildwood
Chatham County Line IV
Chris Stamey Travels in the South
Chuck Prophet Let Freedom Ring!
Chuck Prophet Soap and Water
Darren Hanlon I Will Love You At All
Dave Alvin West of the West
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women
Dexter Romweber Blues That Defy My Soul
Doyle Bramhall Is It News
Drink Up Buttercup Born and Thrown on a Hook
Erland & The Carnival Nightingale
Fujiya & Miyagi Ventriloquizzing
Geraint Watkins Dial W for Watkins
Giant Sand Provisions
Gordon Gano & The Ryans Under the Sun
Grant-Lee Phillips Little Moon
Greg Brown Freak Flag
Heavy Trash Going Way Out With
Ian Hunter Shrunken Heads
Ian Moore Luminaria
Jason Ringenberg All Over Creation
Jim Lauderdale Country Super Hits, Vol. 1
Jim Lauderdale Bluegrass
John Doe & The Sadies Country Club
John Doe Forever Hasn't Happened Yet
John Doe A Year In The Wilderness
Josh Rouse El Turista
Jukebox the Ghost Everything Under the Sun
Kristin Hersh Learn To Sing Like a Star
Laika & The Cosmonauts Cosmopolis
Liam Finn I'll Be Lightning
Los Straitjackets The Velvet Touch of Los Straitjackets
Los Straitjackets Rock En Espanol Vol. 1
Los Straitjackets The Further Adventures of
Loudon Wainwright III Recovery
Madness The Liberty of Norton Folgate
Marah Angels of Destruction!
Mercury Rev Snowflake Midnight
Paul Weller Wake Up The Nation
Paul Weller 22 Dreams
Paul Weller As Is Now
Peggy Sue Fossils and Other Phantoms
Peter Case Wig!
Peter Case Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John
Reckless Kelly Somewhere In Time
Reckless Kelly Bulletproof
Reverend Organdrum Hi-Fi Stereo
Robbie Fulks Georgia Hard
Robert Forster The Evangelist
Robyn Hitchcock Goodnight Oslo
Robyn Hitchcock Spooked
Rodney Crowell Sex & Gasoline
Ron Sexsmith Exit Strategy of the Soul
Ronnie Dawson More Bad Habits
Sloan Parallel Play
Southern Culture on the Skids Countrypolitan
Southern Culture on the Skids Mojo Box
Spencer Dickinson The Man Who Lives for Love
Steve Wynn & Miracle 3 Northern Aggression
Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers Swampblood
Thad Cockrell Warmth & Beauty
The Apples in stereo Travellers In Space and Time
The Apples in stereo New Magnetic Wonder
The Autumn Defense Once Around
The Baseball Project Volume 2: High and Inside
The Baseball Project Volume 1: Frozen Ropes & Dying Quails
The Fleshtones Brooklyn Sound Solutions
The Fleshtones Beachhead
The Fleshtones Take a Good Look
The Fleshtones Do You Swing?
The Go-Betweens Oceans Apart
The Gourds Haymaker!
The Gourds Noble Creatures
The Iguanas If You Should Ever Fall on Hard Times
The Mayflies USA Summertown
The Minus 5 Killingsworth
The Minus 5 In Rock
The Minus 5 Down With Wilco
The Reverend Horton Heat Laughin' and Cryin' with
The Reverend Horton Heat Revival
The Sadies Darker Circles
The Sadies New Seasons
The Sadies Favourite Colours
The Soft Boys A Can of Bees
The Soft Boys Underwater Moonlight
The Soundtrack of Our Lives Communion
Todd Snider The Excitement Plan
Tres Chicas Bloom, Red & The Ordinary Girl
Two Dollar Pistols w/ Tift Merritt Two Dollar Pistols w/ Tift Merritt
Young Fresh Fellows I Think This Is
January 1, 2011, 12:00 am Los Links!Welcome to the 'Digital Download Derby.' The Yep Roc Store is offering fans a chance to stock up their digital music collection with unbeatable deals on some of Yep Roc's best releases. Now through Friday 11/18, the Yep Roc Store has reduced the full-album price on 100 of our favorite titles from the Yep Roc vault to just $3.99 each. Check below to see our featured titles and below for a full list of every album on sale now. Don't miss your chance to save on amazing releases from Chuck Prophet, Dave Alvin, John Doe, Los Straitjackets, Jukebox the Ghost, The Sadies and more!
BARB BARB
BeauSoleil Alligator Purse
Bell X1 Blue Lights on the Runway
Bell X1 Flock
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys Turntable Matinee
Bob Mould Body of Song
C.C. Adcock The Lafayette Marquis
Caitlin Cary Waltzie
Caitlin Cary & Thad Cockrell Begonias
Carlene Carter Stronger
Chatham County Line Wildwood
Chatham County Line IV
Chris Stamey Travels in the South
Chuck Prophet Let Freedom Ring!
Chuck Prophet Soap and Water
Darren Hanlon I Will Love You At All
Dave Alvin West of the West
Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women
Dexter Romweber Blues That Defy My Soul
Doyle Bramhall Is It News
Drink Up Buttercup Born and Thrown on a Hook
Erland & The Carnival Nightingale
Fujiya & Miyagi Ventriloquizzing
Geraint Watkins Dial W for Watkins
Giant Sand Provisions
Gordon Gano & The Ryans Under the Sun
Grant-Lee Phillips Little Moon
Greg Brown Freak Flag
Heavy Trash Going Way Out With
Ian Hunter Shrunken Heads
Ian Moore Luminaria
Jason Ringenberg All Over Creation
Jim Lauderdale Country Super Hits, Vol. 1
Jim Lauderdale Bluegrass
John Doe & The Sadies Country Club
John Doe Forever Hasn't Happened Yet
John Doe A Year In The Wilderness
Josh Rouse El Turista
Jukebox the Ghost Everything Under the Sun
Kristin Hersh Learn To Sing Like a Star
Laika & The Cosmonauts Cosmopolis
Liam Finn I'll Be Lightning
Los Straitjackets The Velvet Touch of Los Straitjackets
Los Straitjackets Rock En Espanol Vol. 1
Los Straitjackets The Further Adventures of
Loudon Wainwright III Recovery
Madness The Liberty of Norton Folgate
Marah Angels of Destruction!
Mercury Rev Snowflake Midnight
Paul Weller Wake Up The Nation
Paul Weller 22 Dreams
Paul Weller As Is Now
Peggy Sue Fossils and Other Phantoms
Peter Case Wig!
Peter Case Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John
Reckless Kelly Somewhere In Time
Reckless Kelly Bulletproof
Reverend Organdrum Hi-Fi Stereo
Robbie Fulks Georgia Hard
Robert Forster The Evangelist
Robyn Hitchcock Goodnight Oslo
Robyn Hitchcock Spooked
Rodney Crowell Sex & Gasoline
Ron Sexsmith Exit Strategy of the Soul
Ronnie Dawson More Bad Habits
Sloan Parallel Play
Southern Culture on the Skids Countrypolitan
Southern Culture on the Skids Mojo Box
Spencer Dickinson The Man Who Lives for Love
Steve Wynn & Miracle 3 Northern Aggression
Th' Legendary Shack*Shakers Swampblood
Thad Cockrell Warmth & Beauty
The Apples in stereo Travellers In Space and Time
The Apples in stereo New Magnetic Wonder
The Autumn Defense Once Around
The Baseball Project Volume 2: High and Inside
The Baseball Project Volume 1: Frozen Ropes & Dying Quails
The Fleshtones Brooklyn Sound Solutions
The Fleshtones Beachhead
The Fleshtones Take a Good Look
The Fleshtones Do You Swing?
The Go-Betweens Oceans Apart
The Gourds Haymaker!
The Gourds Noble Creatures
The Iguanas If You Should Ever Fall on Hard Times
The Mayflies USA Summertown
The Minus 5 Killingsworth
The Minus 5 In Rock
The Minus 5 Down With Wilco
The Reverend Horton Heat Laughin' and Cryin' with
The Reverend Horton Heat Revival
The Sadies Darker Circles
The Sadies New Seasons
The Sadies Favourite Colours
The Soft Boys A Can of Bees
The Soft Boys Underwater Moonlight
The Soundtrack of Our Lives Communion
Todd Snider The Excitement Plan
Tres Chicas Bloom, Red & The Ordinary Girl
Two Dollar Pistols w/ Tift Merritt Two Dollar Pistols w/ Tift Merritt
Young Fresh Fellows I Think This Is
This thread is probably going to be a little long winded, so Ill apologize for that in advance. My friends mother is not mentally well. She is a compulsive hoarder (as in piles to the ceiling, paths through the house, unknown smells, dead rats left floating in toilets, etc.) and he currently lives with her. He is unemployed and 24 years old. He is finishing up his AA in general education at the local community college next month. He was GE because he was planning on transferring to university and getting a Bachelors but due to financial reasons that is going to be difficult. To be blunt, he essentially has no marketable skills and very little job experience. He does have a car, so theres that. Hes been looking for work but it hasnt been going well. He has his own bedroom and bathroom and he cleans them, but she constantly imposes herself into his space and piles her stuff in. She will not allow him into her bedroom, so we aren't real sure whats going on in there but the smell suggests it isn't good. Now the complications- His mother owns 4 rather valuable properties in New York state. She lives in one, and has essentially destroyed it with her habits, rents out 2 (these are apparently in decent shape and the income from them is what sustains them, barely, as far as I can tell), and the 4th property was flooded 2 years ago (burst pipes) and she just left it to decay, which it has done. Its a tri-level home-she didnt clean up the water, all utilities were shut off and there is visible mold. It is also filled with a lot of her junk. She has already expressed her intention to leave 2 properties to him and 2 to his brother when she passes. We are essentially trying to brainstorm ideas to get him into the ruined property, get working on renovating it and protect both his and her interests in making it a habitable, rentable place. It is actually a 3 family unit- a duplex with a small apartment in the back, but the duplex was converted to single family (should be fairly easy to convert back since the house probably needs to be nearly gutted anyways). The mother has expressed interest in living in this house, but lacks both the money and wherewithal to even begin repairing it. Im kind of assuming she has just gotten very lucky with the other 2 houses and had tenants who did not destroy the place, which has allowed her to essentially coast by collecting rent checks without putting any work into the houses. He isnt interested in ripping off his mom or taking the property from her, what he wants to do is get into the house, get it repaired, live there away from his mother (if you are familiar with severe hoarders, you probably know it isnt an easy fix problem, and most advice from psychologists is to just keep your distance and try to keep them as safe as possible) and rent out the other 2 units. Sharing the money with her, even giving her all of it, would be ok. We are just looking for advice from anyone who might have been through a similar situation. The property is worth around $750k fixed up and should have rental income from all 3 units of ~$5k/mo, possibly more. Right now it is just rotting and there is no hope of her repairing it, she is elderly and getting progressively worse. Just sitting down and reasoning with her will not work, she is completely irrational and possibly(probably?) suffers from dementia. We arent looking for legal advice, and we dont need to be told we shouldnt act on advice from the internet- we are in the very preliminary stages of trying to right this situation and are just looking for ideas from people who may have been through something similar. Thanks.
I am in the market for a new car, and was planning to trade in my existing car which was financed through Penfed(72 months @ 4.75%). I could go for the new auto loan @ 2.49% for 60 months or the Payment saver loan @ 2.74% for 60 months. After tradein, I am expecting a payment of 565 for the new auto loan or 372 with a final $13,147.40 balloon payment at the end of the term. I am currently paying 465 on my existing car. So if I continue to pay the same amount towards the new car, my balloon payment at the end will be around 7500. The reason I am thinking of the payment saver is because of my buying habits, I have changed 3 cars in the last 4 years, and this loan is better than regular lease because I get to own the car and can trade it in at any point in time, instead of waiting for the lease to run out. Anybody that used this loan care to chip in with their experiences?
Hello fellow fw'ers. This is my first post, but I'm a longtime lurker/recent replier.Anyway, like many of you I'm frugal with my hard-earned money. I'm the sole breadwinner in a family of five and due to owning a business do pretty well. The problem that I'm having is that my wife of ten years likes to spend like a drunken Imelda Marcos in a shoe store. Unfortunately, this is how she grew up ended up in bad financial shape in college and expects me to pay for those mistakes which would be okay, but she keeps on making them.I've tried many things such as:1) Guilt-ridden speeches about how important saving money is for our family's future.
2) Doing a family budget with her.
3) Creating a spreadsheet of all the things she's spent money on (literally $5 - 10K per month) and showing her.
4) Taking all CC's away from her and only giving her cash.
5) Taken her off of the bank accounts, cc's, etc. (although her credit is still not great, mine is).I had started to make some headway, by making her plan her shopping trips in advance and her requesting $x before leaving. But now she says she's going to spend $200 and spends $600. When I try to approach her about it rationally she gets all emotional and starts saying I'm being disrespectful and so forth. It's getting really, really annoying and putting stress on our marriage. She spends money on all sorts of bullshit and fills our home with junk to the point where it has caused damage. Her lack of planning also makes things much more expensive than they need to be. I swear that she wakes up and thinks how can I do this as expensively as possible. She stops at every rummage sale and can spend hours and hours at a store. We literally have like 500 picture frames... with no pictures in them.I really don't want my children to learn these behaviors. As a former student of psychology I don't believe it's a pathology (for example OCD) but rather a learned behavior that can be supplanted with a more positive one.Do you have any advice for me?
2) Doing a family budget with her.
3) Creating a spreadsheet of all the things she's spent money on (literally $5 - 10K per month) and showing her.
4) Taking all CC's away from her and only giving her cash.
5) Taken her off of the bank accounts, cc's, etc. (although her credit is still not great, mine is).I had started to make some headway, by making her plan her shopping trips in advance and her requesting $x before leaving. But now she says she's going to spend $200 and spends $600. When I try to approach her about it rationally she gets all emotional and starts saying I'm being disrespectful and so forth. It's getting really, really annoying and putting stress on our marriage. She spends money on all sorts of bullshit and fills our home with junk to the point where it has caused damage. Her lack of planning also makes things much more expensive than they need to be. I swear that she wakes up and thinks how can I do this as expensively as possible. She stops at every rummage sale and can spend hours and hours at a store. We literally have like 500 picture frames... with no pictures in them.I really don't want my children to learn these behaviors. As a former student of psychology I don't believe it's a pathology (for example OCD) but rather a learned behavior that can be supplanted with a more positive one.Do you have any advice for me?
link, review(if the link is not working, the item number is #101105)$5 off coupon: WELCOME
other Sharper Image couponEconoDriver Fuel Efficiency MonitorJust enter the price you paid for fuel, and the EconoDriver Fuel Efficiency Monitor does the rest. As a gas detection monitor, it will tell you your cost per trip. As a fuel economy computer, you can find out how your driving behavior affects your gas mileage.This mileage computer is easy to install. There are no wires and no tools needed. A sensor acts as a gas monitor, sending data to your key fob. Your key fob will then become your personal mileage computer, giving you valuable information to help you economize. Gas detection monitor gives you a green rating based on your driving style. You might find that changing your acceleration and braking habits will give you a better green rating and help you save money! Improve your green rating and improve your fuel economy
Mileage computer calculates cost per trip
Easy to install gas detection monitor
No tools required
No computer needed for gas monitor
No wires
other Sharper Image couponEconoDriver Fuel Efficiency MonitorJust enter the price you paid for fuel, and the EconoDriver Fuel Efficiency Monitor does the rest. As a gas detection monitor, it will tell you your cost per trip. As a fuel economy computer, you can find out how your driving behavior affects your gas mileage.This mileage computer is easy to install. There are no wires and no tools needed. A sensor acts as a gas monitor, sending data to your key fob. Your key fob will then become your personal mileage computer, giving you valuable information to help you economize. Gas detection monitor gives you a green rating based on your driving style. You might find that changing your acceleration and braking habits will give you a better green rating and help you save money! Improve your green rating and improve your fuel economy
Mileage computer calculates cost per trip
Easy to install gas detection monitor
No tools required
No computer needed for gas monitor
No wires
Hello,I really feel this is a Finance issue since CRA topics have been kept here. I need some help on a situation and what I can do about it (if any).Situation:
-Made an online purchase, transaction was denied online saying problem with payment. Checked with card company, transactions are approved and are showing in pending area. No issue there.
-Thought maybe a problem with their credit card gateway. Found a number for a department that does order reviews at merchant. They took awhile, but then admitted that while the card auth was fine, they used another third-party database with demographics (maybe name/address/email/other stuff?) and that database said that the purchaser had a high fraud probability. This might be considered similar to a database of return purchases overuse in retail stores as known.
-Made the purchase using a different email address/new account effectively (but all other info the same), order went through fine. Merchant using database is AdvanceAutoParts.com (was my first time getting such an experience using this specific email address).I am pretty confident that it was a particular email address that triggered it that I used during the rejected times, but it was likely used by someone out there who thought it was a good 'fake' email address and did bad things with the merchant who reported it. Not an issue of normal identity theft in this case. If it helps, this particular email address is also banned from PayPal and Facebook (not through any actions of my own), but these actions I have found are not reversible with PayPal nor Facebook (they do not care). They also do not allow anyway to entirely 'delete' false accounts. It is because these sites do not (or did not in the past) verify email addresses used for accounts created and allowed these accounts to continue to be used without any good confirmation of the email address used. Many sites still do this unauthenticated email account stuff, but it is a very bad practice.Here are the questions:-Anyone out there know who is running this particular database (merchant would not disclose and said beside the fact you would have to identify which merchant is reporting the negative and get them to remove it anyway)? Companies that have created this sort of collaborative should not be hard to find. It is going to be hard for me to remove the falsely framed email address (if even possible).Obviously, recommended tips would be to use a different email address (using the varient features available from many email providers). Point noted.However, the CRA aspect was interesting. Not surprising, but I wish it was more transparent (translated: could dispute the issue). This is no different than what happens in real life with credit reports/insurance reports/etc.I could not find another thread about online flagging in this type of situation, and maybe the fact I still have an active account on an email address that someone might think is a 'fake' is not that often, but interesting nonetheless.Thanks,
Rasheed
-Made an online purchase, transaction was denied online saying problem with payment. Checked with card company, transactions are approved and are showing in pending area. No issue there.
-Thought maybe a problem with their credit card gateway. Found a number for a department that does order reviews at merchant. They took awhile, but then admitted that while the card auth was fine, they used another third-party database with demographics (maybe name/address/email/other stuff?) and that database said that the purchaser had a high fraud probability. This might be considered similar to a database of return purchases overuse in retail stores as known.
-Made the purchase using a different email address/new account effectively (but all other info the same), order went through fine. Merchant using database is AdvanceAutoParts.com (was my first time getting such an experience using this specific email address).I am pretty confident that it was a particular email address that triggered it that I used during the rejected times, but it was likely used by someone out there who thought it was a good 'fake' email address and did bad things with the merchant who reported it. Not an issue of normal identity theft in this case. If it helps, this particular email address is also banned from PayPal and Facebook (not through any actions of my own), but these actions I have found are not reversible with PayPal nor Facebook (they do not care). They also do not allow anyway to entirely 'delete' false accounts. It is because these sites do not (or did not in the past) verify email addresses used for accounts created and allowed these accounts to continue to be used without any good confirmation of the email address used. Many sites still do this unauthenticated email account stuff, but it is a very bad practice.Here are the questions:-Anyone out there know who is running this particular database (merchant would not disclose and said beside the fact you would have to identify which merchant is reporting the negative and get them to remove it anyway)? Companies that have created this sort of collaborative should not be hard to find. It is going to be hard for me to remove the falsely framed email address (if even possible).Obviously, recommended tips would be to use a different email address (using the varient features available from many email providers). Point noted.However, the CRA aspect was interesting. Not surprising, but I wish it was more transparent (translated: could dispute the issue). This is no different than what happens in real life with credit reports/insurance reports/etc.I could not find another thread about online flagging in this type of situation, and maybe the fact I still have an active account on an email address that someone might think is a 'fake' is not that often, but interesting nonetheless.Thanks,
Rasheed
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Hey guys and gals, I'm sure you've heard this one a million times on here before...First of all, this is my first post, I joined solely with the idea of getting help on this topic (and I already got free batteries!). I'm a 26 year old dude, and a registered nurse in the ICU at one of Chicago's top hospitals. In order to get here, however, I attended an accelerated nursing program at a private university. In order to get into the accelerated program (18 months for a BSN instead of 4 years), I needed to use the other Bachelor's degree I had obtained from the same private university. That one's in Graphic Design. I won't bore you with the details, but I had a change of heart, that why such different fields. Along this 6 year journey, I acquired about $180,000 in student loan debt. The way this happened was the stars aligned and I slipped into every loophole on the planet. 1) When I started school I had very little guidance from my folks and the people at school. FAFSA told me my parents made too much money and their "expected family contribution" was a good chunk of my tuition...sad to say, there's no box to check for "extremely selfish parents". I got nothing from them. I was forced to go the Private (read: Signature Loan from Sallie Mae) route. Of course I could have not gone to such an expensive school, but that's what a more mature me sees, not a younger, dumber me. In addition, I was unable to work during the accelerated program per requirements, and I was required to live off-campus since I was married, which meant I needed to include rent into my loans. Almost all of my loans are private, as said before. So, the interest (which started to get higher and higher as my debt level increased), ended up tacking like $30,000 onto my loans when I finished my first degree. Now, before anyone says anything, I was pretty frugal. My rent was $925/mo. I had no car payments, my wife was working, we didn't have "toys", etc. I just got stuck in a bad situation. Here is my current monthly situation:
Student Loans $1500 (minimum)
Rent $925
Insurance $180
Gas $300
AT&T $45
ComEd $70
T-Mobile $177
Misc. $150
Spending $60
Prescription/Dr. $60
Food/Diapers $400The Misc. is for car repairs, wedding gifts, etc. The spending is $30 for me, and $30 for my wife...per month. We do have two young daughters, but my wife makes all their food, so they don't cost much at all. I have NO credit card debt, NO car loans, NO bad habits or vices...I sold my Jeep, my dream vehicle, and bought a used Honda Civic to cut down on gas. Please help me. I am already on a special interest-only style payment plan with Sallie Mae for like 3 more years, and I'm not sure I can afford it when it comes back up. I am working full time, and the night shift to get the extra differential. I also have a second job working 2 additional 12 hour shifts (5 total) per week. I'm making like $44/hr at the second job, too, so the pay is good. We had our second daughter in February, and it didn't make much financial sense to send both our daughters to daycare when it would cost around 50-60% of my wife's salary. So, she has just started staying home. Guys, I'm doing it right. I went to school, I got a degree (in a field that is 100% devoted to helping people), and I have NOTHING. I can't even buy a car or a house because these student loans are destroying me. $1500/month? Are you kidding me? Add that to the $925 I pay in rent and I should be able to be living the good life! I fully understand it's my debt, and I have earned it, but what can I do? Is there no law against charging someone 25% of their salary for loans?Please folks, give me your advice! No one will consolidate this amount of loans, especially private. My parents have since blown through all of their money (although my four younger brothers and sisters have all learned from my mistakes, which is good). I'm just lost, and it's really starting to effect my attitude (that, and working 5-6 days a week), and that's effecting my relationship with my wife and kids...and I hate that. Thanks in advance. DanePS - my wife has recently gotten really into couponing as a way to save more money. And I understand I have a decently high phone bill, but that's the only creature comfort we really have. We're honestly considering getting rid of our dogs because they cost money to feed...
Student Loans $1500 (minimum)
Rent $925
Insurance $180
Gas $300
AT&T $45
ComEd $70
T-Mobile $177
Misc. $150
Spending $60
Prescription/Dr. $60
Food/Diapers $400The Misc. is for car repairs, wedding gifts, etc. The spending is $30 for me, and $30 for my wife...per month. We do have two young daughters, but my wife makes all their food, so they don't cost much at all. I have NO credit card debt, NO car loans, NO bad habits or vices...I sold my Jeep, my dream vehicle, and bought a used Honda Civic to cut down on gas. Please help me. I am already on a special interest-only style payment plan with Sallie Mae for like 3 more years, and I'm not sure I can afford it when it comes back up. I am working full time, and the night shift to get the extra differential. I also have a second job working 2 additional 12 hour shifts (5 total) per week. I'm making like $44/hr at the second job, too, so the pay is good. We had our second daughter in February, and it didn't make much financial sense to send both our daughters to daycare when it would cost around 50-60% of my wife's salary. So, she has just started staying home. Guys, I'm doing it right. I went to school, I got a degree (in a field that is 100% devoted to helping people), and I have NOTHING. I can't even buy a car or a house because these student loans are destroying me. $1500/month? Are you kidding me? Add that to the $925 I pay in rent and I should be able to be living the good life! I fully understand it's my debt, and I have earned it, but what can I do? Is there no law against charging someone 25% of their salary for loans?Please folks, give me your advice! No one will consolidate this amount of loans, especially private. My parents have since blown through all of their money (although my four younger brothers and sisters have all learned from my mistakes, which is good). I'm just lost, and it's really starting to effect my attitude (that, and working 5-6 days a week), and that's effecting my relationship with my wife and kids...and I hate that. Thanks in advance. DanePS - my wife has recently gotten really into couponing as a way to save more money. And I understand I have a decently high phone bill, but that's the only creature comfort we really have. We're honestly considering getting rid of our dogs because they cost money to feed...
Over the past year, I have trimmed my budget of many services, items, and bad habits, to save money with the unintended affect of leading a simpler, healthier, improved life. Some things I have done away with are considered necessities by some. Are they to you? What have you gone without to save money? Is there things you do on a daily basis that achieve both goals of living a better/healthier life and saving you some cash?
I hope some readers will try the same techniques and save themselves some money as well!
Here's some items I have cut from my budget.
1. Cable.
Having been raised on cable/satelite tv, this should've been a tough decision but it wasnt. The less you watch tv, the more active you become. You pick up better habits/hobbies. At least I think so. Instead of watching tv we go outside more, exercise more, have more time to read, go on FW, etc. =)2. Cell phone.
I was raised without a cell phone, and humans have lived for thousands of years without cell phones. They are not necessary and cause more stress, IMO. When I was required to have a cell for work, I was under constant stress and had headaches as a result. Also, people are addicted to their smart phones these days and I believe that is highly unhealthy. Finally, the jury is still out on the whole cancer/brain tumor/other health issues related to having the phone pressed against your head.3. Newer/Bigger car and not spending any money on my current car.
I've gone against what everyone else around me is doing and kept my 7 year old Toyota instead of buying a newer vehicle. Not only have I kept it, but my car got hit by a drunk driver (while my car was parked). His insurance company paid me and since it was my choice whether to get it fixed or keep the money, I chose the latter. Does my car look nice? Not really. Do I care? Yes, I care that I have another $2k in my account.
Also I don't worry about my car being dirty, getting a ding in the parking lot, etc. This leads to less stress.
I don't get regular oil changes. I get it washed once or twice a year. When the car needed new brakes and a new clutch, the mechanic noted "this thing hasn't had ANY routine maintenance." the front brakes were 95% worn. Some may say this was not good because I could've put my health at risk but I know my way around a car and can tell when the brakes are ready for a change.4. Vacation.
Haven't taken a vacation in years. Don't really need to when most vacations are filled with too much travel time, spending money, etc. We take trips to the park with my son instead. Every once in a while a day trip is fun as well. After years of taking big vacations, I've learned that they take 2 things from you: cash and energy. I would like to save both.5. New clothing/accesories.
I almost never buy new clothes. I still have sweatshirts from highschool, tshirts from college, and jackets that are over 15 years old. All are in good shape. I throw out anything that is ripped or badly faded. Actually, being ripped is the standard I use for everything, including my socks and boxers (some are over 4 years old!). I do not go shopping for hours because I would much rather spend my time outdoors, with my family, or at a training course, in a classroom, etc. Spending hours going shopping doesn't make sense to me.6. Big wedding/honeymoon.
I got married in Vegas. The dinner tab was the most expensive part of the wedding and it was picked up by my brother in law. One of the two round trip tickets was paid for by my sister. Not only did I save cash, but we got a lot of exercise, exploring all the nicest parts of Vegas. Total out of pocket expense was $5500 for the wedding/honeymoon, nice engagement ring and wedding band included.7. Insurance.
I have the cheapest auto insurance from Progressive. I pay $230 every 6 months. No renters insurance. The only life insurance I have is a $20/month gym membership that I use often.8. Going out to eat.
Only necessary when family comes in from out of town, when a gift card is involved, or I get it all free (mystery shop). Otherwise, going out to eat is unhealthy (food is never as healthy as home cooking, nor as tasty), and very expensive. Cooking a meal burns a lot more calories vs sitting for 1-2 hours being waited on hand and foot. We go to the in-laws for a dinner once or twice a week, not to eat off them for free but to come together as a family and enjoy food we all know we enjoy.9. Hair cuts or hair styles
I shave my head with a bic razor every few days. I buy a box of 52 from BJs wholesale club for about $15 and it lasts me for well over a year. Shaving cream costs me $2 each can and I use a can every month or two = less than $35 total for a year. I have done my own hair cuts since I was 17 or 18. I used buzzers on myself and my friends as far back as age 11, so I've never been a fan of the barber. The wifey is a hair dresser and does her own styles, or has her hairstylist friends do it for free. These are not cheap styles, either.
Barbershops/Hair salons tend to have chemicals/smells in the air that just aren't healthy.10. Buying seasonal items in-season/before the holiday.
Going shopping for any holiday item before the holiday exposes you to stress. Big crowds, rude people, I refuse to do that. The items also tend to be full price. We only pick up things the day after the holiday for a 50-75% savings. For easter, we bought our ham last-minute, as the timing is Crucial and we saved 25% on a great ham.11. Long commute.
After working for two years at a job 30 miles from my house, which took me 45 minutes each way on normal days and as much as 2.5 hours on snowy days, I decided to quit and seek a new career. I now average 6700 miles per year. Soon I will have a shorter commute, going against traffic. Less time fighting traffic, less time sitting in a car, talk about a healthier lifestyle!12. Buying a house.
I have decided to put off buying a house for many reasons. Prices and rates may decrease, the market isn't the best right now, take time to save up a bigger down payment, it's best to wait for the 2nd career to start before jumping into a house, etc. But buying a house that isn't relatively new will increase stress because of maintenance. The home owners here know this one all too well; cutting, seeding, watering the lawn, tending to the garden, fixing that leaky faucet/toilet, unclogging the drain, or doing bigger jobs, theres always something to do. For now I will live without repairs and rent at a very low $800/month.I'm sure there's more but that's the major items I cut from my budget over the last year.
I hope some readers will try the same techniques and save themselves some money as well!
Here's some items I have cut from my budget.
1. Cable.
Having been raised on cable/satelite tv, this should've been a tough decision but it wasnt. The less you watch tv, the more active you become. You pick up better habits/hobbies. At least I think so. Instead of watching tv we go outside more, exercise more, have more time to read, go on FW, etc. =)2. Cell phone.
I was raised without a cell phone, and humans have lived for thousands of years without cell phones. They are not necessary and cause more stress, IMO. When I was required to have a cell for work, I was under constant stress and had headaches as a result. Also, people are addicted to their smart phones these days and I believe that is highly unhealthy. Finally, the jury is still out on the whole cancer/brain tumor/other health issues related to having the phone pressed against your head.3. Newer/Bigger car and not spending any money on my current car.
I've gone against what everyone else around me is doing and kept my 7 year old Toyota instead of buying a newer vehicle. Not only have I kept it, but my car got hit by a drunk driver (while my car was parked). His insurance company paid me and since it was my choice whether to get it fixed or keep the money, I chose the latter. Does my car look nice? Not really. Do I care? Yes, I care that I have another $2k in my account.
Also I don't worry about my car being dirty, getting a ding in the parking lot, etc. This leads to less stress.
I don't get regular oil changes. I get it washed once or twice a year. When the car needed new brakes and a new clutch, the mechanic noted "this thing hasn't had ANY routine maintenance." the front brakes were 95% worn. Some may say this was not good because I could've put my health at risk but I know my way around a car and can tell when the brakes are ready for a change.4. Vacation.
Haven't taken a vacation in years. Don't really need to when most vacations are filled with too much travel time, spending money, etc. We take trips to the park with my son instead. Every once in a while a day trip is fun as well. After years of taking big vacations, I've learned that they take 2 things from you: cash and energy. I would like to save both.5. New clothing/accesories.
I almost never buy new clothes. I still have sweatshirts from highschool, tshirts from college, and jackets that are over 15 years old. All are in good shape. I throw out anything that is ripped or badly faded. Actually, being ripped is the standard I use for everything, including my socks and boxers (some are over 4 years old!). I do not go shopping for hours because I would much rather spend my time outdoors, with my family, or at a training course, in a classroom, etc. Spending hours going shopping doesn't make sense to me.6. Big wedding/honeymoon.
I got married in Vegas. The dinner tab was the most expensive part of the wedding and it was picked up by my brother in law. One of the two round trip tickets was paid for by my sister. Not only did I save cash, but we got a lot of exercise, exploring all the nicest parts of Vegas. Total out of pocket expense was $5500 for the wedding/honeymoon, nice engagement ring and wedding band included.7. Insurance.
I have the cheapest auto insurance from Progressive. I pay $230 every 6 months. No renters insurance. The only life insurance I have is a $20/month gym membership that I use often.8. Going out to eat.
Only necessary when family comes in from out of town, when a gift card is involved, or I get it all free (mystery shop). Otherwise, going out to eat is unhealthy (food is never as healthy as home cooking, nor as tasty), and very expensive. Cooking a meal burns a lot more calories vs sitting for 1-2 hours being waited on hand and foot. We go to the in-laws for a dinner once or twice a week, not to eat off them for free but to come together as a family and enjoy food we all know we enjoy.9. Hair cuts or hair styles
I shave my head with a bic razor every few days. I buy a box of 52 from BJs wholesale club for about $15 and it lasts me for well over a year. Shaving cream costs me $2 each can and I use a can every month or two = less than $35 total for a year. I have done my own hair cuts since I was 17 or 18. I used buzzers on myself and my friends as far back as age 11, so I've never been a fan of the barber. The wifey is a hair dresser and does her own styles, or has her hairstylist friends do it for free. These are not cheap styles, either.
Barbershops/Hair salons tend to have chemicals/smells in the air that just aren't healthy.10. Buying seasonal items in-season/before the holiday.
Going shopping for any holiday item before the holiday exposes you to stress. Big crowds, rude people, I refuse to do that. The items also tend to be full price. We only pick up things the day after the holiday for a 50-75% savings. For easter, we bought our ham last-minute, as the timing is Crucial and we saved 25% on a great ham.11. Long commute.
After working for two years at a job 30 miles from my house, which took me 45 minutes each way on normal days and as much as 2.5 hours on snowy days, I decided to quit and seek a new career. I now average 6700 miles per year. Soon I will have a shorter commute, going against traffic. Less time fighting traffic, less time sitting in a car, talk about a healthier lifestyle!12. Buying a house.
I have decided to put off buying a house for many reasons. Prices and rates may decrease, the market isn't the best right now, take time to save up a bigger down payment, it's best to wait for the 2nd career to start before jumping into a house, etc. But buying a house that isn't relatively new will increase stress because of maintenance. The home owners here know this one all too well; cutting, seeding, watering the lawn, tending to the garden, fixing that leaky faucet/toilet, unclogging the drain, or doing bigger jobs, theres always something to do. For now I will live without repairs and rent at a very low $800/month.I'm sure there's more but that's the major items I cut from my budget over the last year.
Hello FW, I've been a lurker on and off for some time. I'm not nearly as financially savvy as many of you, but I do read and try to understand what I can to try and get a grasp on how to make the most of my money. Like many others, however, hard times have come upon me (for different reasons, though), so I'm here, asking for some advice as to how to handle this situation.C/N: I have ~$7k in high interest CC debt (30%). What can I do to pay this down more quickly?Details:I'm a 22 year old college student. A degree is still a few years away. My parents have been paying my tuition up to this point, but my younger brother will be enrolling next semester, so I'll be finding my own way to finance my education, as I don't feel that it's fair to them that they need to keep paying while I drag my feet.This debt came to be through a combination of poor spending habits and a slew of personal problems (which I can detail if is needed). I've curbed the poor spending by creating a monthly budget and sticking to it. The personal problems are still there, but that's a different discussion.I have a crap job; I manage a fast-food 'restaurant'. $12/hr, as many or as few hours as I like, but I've been working ~35/week during school. I grossed about $21k last year. I'll work what I can during the summer if I don't take any classes. I'm constantly searching for new employment, particularly in a field related to my degree, but nothing has come through yet. I won't cry 'bad economy', because there are definitely some employers that weren't interested in me for their openings. My resume isn't exactly stellar. Most jobs that I'd qualify for would pay less than my current one, which is why I've stayed put.Credit karma says my credit score is a 720. It also says I have $10k in savings, which I don't. Maybe this is an account my parents have with my name on it; I don't really know. I have two cards; a Bank of America platinum plus something-or-other ($1k limit, open since 06) and a Citi ThankYou card ($7k limit, open since 07). Like I said, interest is at around 30%, so that's around $200/month I'm losing just paying interest. My only real expenses are rent ($500/mo for now) and utilities (maybe $200/mo in the summer, up to $500/mo in the winter).I have a car; it's not worth much, and I'd like to avoid selling it if I can (I'm a gearhead, so cars are worth wasting money on, in some respects). I've been contemplating going car-less when it warms up enough to walk, until the fall when it becomes too cold to walk anymore. This will save me some money on registration, insurance, and fuel. It's only worth about $4k as it sits, and if I sold it I wouldn't be able to replace it with something similar for anything close to that, which (in my head) is why I'm hesitant to sell it. Again, if we need to go in to more detail here, I'm glad to.I see my options as this:1) Find a CC (or several) with BT offers (anything will be better than what I'm paying now) and pay them down as aggressively as possible. This probably wont cover the full balance, I imagine. Close the accounts when finished?2) See if the credit union will give me a personal loan to reduce the interest rate. I previously had a loan at 10%, so that would help out some.3) Ask Citi if they have any programs for assisting in reducing my interest?4) ???Any and all help, advice, flames, or bashes are appreciated. Thanks for your time.
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An attorney specializing in elder law recently recommended to myself and my wife that we buy a 1% interest in my mother's home as joint tenants at fair market value as a way to 1) circumvent the medicaid look back provision in the case she needs medicaid in the future and to 2) assure that her home eventually goes to us who are the ones propviding 99% of her care(I have 1 brother but he stays mostly hands off and most everything is left to my wife and me to do). Mother has less than 50K of assets besides her paid off 300K home. She has long term care insurance but only about 18K of income from social security. I have told my brother what we are planning to do and he is not happy with it.
There are alot of additional factors including my brother milking my father for years to support his spending habits, all the while i have been the good little boy and never taken a penny. I am POA for my widow mother and she is all for this deal which would require our paying the taxes and repair costs of her home and allow her to stay there as long as possible. Mom is living at home and wants to remain there and is in relatively good health. 2 questions:
1. to any attorneysoes this arrangement of buying 1% at fair market value really skirt the look back provision of medicaid? This is NC btw.2. If my brother does not agree to this should i still go forward with it as long as my mother who is competant agrees to it? I have just had another conversation with him and promised to him that my wife and i would move in with mom as well. Thanks for any thoughts on this.
There are alot of additional factors including my brother milking my father for years to support his spending habits, all the while i have been the good little boy and never taken a penny. I am POA for my widow mother and she is all for this deal which would require our paying the taxes and repair costs of her home and allow her to stay there as long as possible. Mom is living at home and wants to remain there and is in relatively good health. 2 questions:
1. to any attorneysoes this arrangement of buying 1% at fair market value really skirt the look back provision of medicaid? This is NC btw.2. If my brother does not agree to this should i still go forward with it as long as my mother who is competant agrees to it? I have just had another conversation with him and promised to him that my wife and i would move in with mom as well. Thanks for any thoughts on this.
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-Free Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People With Diabetes
Free Meal Planning Guide (Sanofi-aventis)
Register to receive more information on insulin and managing your blood sugar. Do it today and receive a FREE meal planning guide. Quantities are limited. Sanofi-aventis reserves the right to substitute an alternate free gift relevant to diabetes patients.
....................
Free Diabetes Digest Magazine
Fill out the form below to get one FREE copy of Diabetes Digest Magazine mailed to your home. This offer is only available to residents of the United States.
....................
Free English Prevent Diabetes Library Boxed Set
Includes the following seven easy-to-read booklets and the diabetes motivational refrigerator magnet. Keep Your Diabetes Under Control
Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Keep Your Feet and Skin Healthy
Keep Your Heart and Blood Vessels Healthy
Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
Keep Your Nervous System Healthy
Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy 2006.
...................
Free One Touch UltraMini Meter for Diabetics
Free of charge. Several colors to choose from.
...................
Free Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People With Diabetes
To receive your free copy of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with Diabetes, fill out the form below (please use letters and numbers only). The offer is limited to one per person and to US residents only.
Subject: DiabeticTimes, Issue 6 February 9 2011-Free Meal Planning Guide (Sanofi-aventis)
-Free Diabetes Digest Magazine
-Free English Prevent Diabetes Library Boxed Set
-Free One Touch UltraMini Meter for Diabetics
-Free Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People With Diabetes
Free Meal Planning Guide (Sanofi-aventis)
Register to receive more information on insulin and managing your blood sugar. Do it today and receive a FREE meal planning guide. Quantities are limited. Sanofi-aventis reserves the right to substitute an alternate free gift relevant to diabetes patients.
....................
Free Diabetes Digest Magazine
Fill out the form below to get one FREE copy of Diabetes Digest Magazine mailed to your home. This offer is only available to residents of the United States.
....................
Free English Prevent Diabetes Library Boxed Set
Includes the following seven easy-to-read booklets and the diabetes motivational refrigerator magnet. Keep Your Diabetes Under Control
Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Keep Your Feet and Skin Healthy
Keep Your Heart and Blood Vessels Healthy
Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
Keep Your Nervous System Healthy
Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy 2006.
...................
Free One Touch UltraMini Meter for Diabetics
Free of charge. Several colors to choose from.
...................
Free Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People With Diabetes
To receive your free copy of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People with Diabetes, fill out the form below (please use letters and numbers only). The offer is limited to one per person and to US residents only.
I have been a longtime (mostly) lurker, and I love reading FW Finance. I've learned so much about general finances, attitudes towards money, and ways to maximize deals - but I know there is still so much more to learn. Having been raised to eschew debt and avoid credit as a sign of someone who is not able to handle their spending habits, it is certainly uplifting to see how instead these can actually be leveraged to benefit rather than hold back, if used properly.Until now, my time here time has been spent watching and learning. Today I hope to jump in and use some of the things I've learned. I hope this thread will do 3 things:
be a concrete example to other "watchers" (opposed to "do-ers") of how, in one year, significant money really CAN be gained by following FWF general philosophy, particular advice, and specific money-making/saving ideasencourage me to regularly think in ways of identifying and maximizing money-making/saving deals, every day and every placeintroduce self-accountability as I work toward my 2011 goal
After some thought, I am setting the following goal: by the end of 2011 "find" an extra $5,000. All proceeds will be put towards paying down a small-to-modest sized debt. For those interested, I am already putting away retirement and FSA money, so after much thought I believe this is the next best use for an extra $5K. I've also put some restrictions on myself, to make things more interesting:
all funds must be FW tactic-related to count towards the $5K goal (salary raises, gifts, etc. do not count)FW ideas to reduce current expenses can count towards the $5K goal, but only to a maximum of $1,000 (eating ramen every night does not count, but a FW-inspired way to cut recurring expenses does)the remaining $4K must be new income "found" from FW-relevant tactics
I've added a bonus "Reach Goal" of further reducing annual expenses by another $1K in any way possible (FW-inspired or not).
My personal situation involves an adequate emergency fund, the ability to save a portion of my income (income greater than expenses), a stable job, a small amount of free time, and a very short credit history (got the 2% Schwab card right at the end, which has been my daily driver since). I have put some thought into general strategy, but not hours. Right now I expect the following to take me at least half of the way:
milk CC and various account sign-ups for all they are worth (sign-up bonus cash / miles or points to transfer to cash, or to use in lieu of buying airline tickets)transfer all non-essential funds into a rewards checking account (looking for something local, at 4% or better)general aversion (time vs effort/stress) to things like item reselling or churning dollar coins, but may attempt this if unable to accomplish goals otherwise
I have some other ideas, such as approaching the landlord to pre-pay rent for the year at a discount (at a rate better than I can otherwise make), and some ideas involving maximizing my FSA account, but those still need thinking/work. I plan to update this thread every time I reach a milestone of 20% of the way (cash in hand). Feedback welcome, but here I go = )
be a concrete example to other "watchers" (opposed to "do-ers") of how, in one year, significant money really CAN be gained by following FWF general philosophy, particular advice, and specific money-making/saving ideasencourage me to regularly think in ways of identifying and maximizing money-making/saving deals, every day and every placeintroduce self-accountability as I work toward my 2011 goal
After some thought, I am setting the following goal: by the end of 2011 "find" an extra $5,000. All proceeds will be put towards paying down a small-to-modest sized debt. For those interested, I am already putting away retirement and FSA money, so after much thought I believe this is the next best use for an extra $5K. I've also put some restrictions on myself, to make things more interesting:
all funds must be FW tactic-related to count towards the $5K goal (salary raises, gifts, etc. do not count)FW ideas to reduce current expenses can count towards the $5K goal, but only to a maximum of $1,000 (eating ramen every night does not count, but a FW-inspired way to cut recurring expenses does)the remaining $4K must be new income "found" from FW-relevant tactics
I've added a bonus "Reach Goal" of further reducing annual expenses by another $1K in any way possible (FW-inspired or not).
My personal situation involves an adequate emergency fund, the ability to save a portion of my income (income greater than expenses), a stable job, a small amount of free time, and a very short credit history (got the 2% Schwab card right at the end, which has been my daily driver since). I have put some thought into general strategy, but not hours. Right now I expect the following to take me at least half of the way:
milk CC and various account sign-ups for all they are worth (sign-up bonus cash / miles or points to transfer to cash, or to use in lieu of buying airline tickets)transfer all non-essential funds into a rewards checking account (looking for something local, at 4% or better)general aversion (time vs effort/stress) to things like item reselling or churning dollar coins, but may attempt this if unable to accomplish goals otherwise
I have some other ideas, such as approaching the landlord to pre-pay rent for the year at a discount (at a rate better than I can otherwise make), and some ideas involving maximizing my FSA account, but those still need thinking/work. I plan to update this thread every time I reach a milestone of 20% of the way (cash in hand). Feedback welcome, but here I go = )
Sorry for the novel...How I ended up the way I am, I have no idea... I grew up with parents (that even thought they did not spend beyond their means) ended up spending most everything they made. If they had not sold their business when they retired, they would have had no savings other than the house. Often eating out well and expensive cars every 2-3 years. My siblings adopted these habits to the extreme outspending my parents.I am frugal, but (at least in my opinion) not to any extreme. I like eating out every so often, only buy new cars (but they are not luxury and I drive them forever), and buy stuff I like (after finding a coupon or deal for them of course).I've been constantly nagged about being too frugal from my parents: keeping my clothes too long, not getting a nicer car, and when we eat out they want to eat at a nice restaurant. In fact, when I got married, I accommodated them by having 2 receptions (one small one for my friends/family and a traditional one for my parents 400 "closest" friends) since it was a once in a lifetime thing.My most recent problem is with my son's 1st birthday (this is our second child). I wanted to have it at our house instead having a banquet like we did for our first child. That first banquet cost me a few thousand, but because my culture gives cash for gifts, we made about 50%-75% back which I put in my son's bank account. My parents offered to pay for the 2nd son banquet, but I don't want them to since they don't necessarily have much money themselves (in my 30s I probably am worth more than they are. They are retired and if they run out of money, I'm going to have to give them money. In addition, I don't want to have a banquet because I would like to make it a social event where people can socialize and kids can play and I'm not just treating tables of 10 to dinner. As a compromise I said I would have it catered, but they are still mad about it and are saying they will not attend my son's birthday. They will have their own birthday party that will be a banquet.So the question is: how would some of you deal with parents that want to make you spend or how you would deal with this situation specifically?Some details that may help:
I am 1st generation asian (others with a similar background might be able to relate). I would value feedback from those folks the most though any other serious suggestions would be helpful.
My parents provide childcare for me and I pay them about 10% below what I would end up paying if I had hired someone else.
I am just about to start a business this year that will cost me about the last 10 years of my savings. This has made me a bit more cognizant of money. Not to mention I have a 2 children worth of expenses.
To be fair and to give a bit of their perspective of things, my parents say our relatives are very generous and I am ripping them off of a dinner, however, my perspective is that they know that it is a catered house party and they can adjust their gifts accordingly if they'd like. Also, they say they will have to do too much work for a house party, but I am getting it catered and having it buffet style.
I am 1st generation asian (others with a similar background might be able to relate). I would value feedback from those folks the most though any other serious suggestions would be helpful.
My parents provide childcare for me and I pay them about 10% below what I would end up paying if I had hired someone else.
I am just about to start a business this year that will cost me about the last 10 years of my savings. This has made me a bit more cognizant of money. Not to mention I have a 2 children worth of expenses.
To be fair and to give a bit of their perspective of things, my parents say our relatives are very generous and I am ripping them off of a dinner, however, my perspective is that they know that it is a catered house party and they can adjust their gifts accordingly if they'd like. Also, they say they will have to do too much work for a house party, but I am getting it catered and having it buffet style.
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LINKBrand New rocker RX Footwear
Leather 'Amanda' Fitness Walking Shoes
Original Retail: $90.00
Brand New in Original Box
Firm up and lose weight while walking with rocker RX walking shoes
The Amanda features a Rocker Bottom Sole that creates natural gait and works leg muscles
Padded tongue and collar provides abrasion resistance and prevents lace bruising
High-quality sock lining facilitates air circulation and wicks moisture away from the foot
Removable insole for easy adaption for custom orthotic
Leather and textile mesh upper for super lightweight feel and wear
Quality rubber outsole offers good support and traction
It is rocker RX's passion to make people all over the world aware of the benefits of rocker RX and to help you create walking habits that will result in healthier and happier lives
Leather 'Amanda' Fitness Walking Shoes
Original Retail: $90.00
Brand New in Original Box
Firm up and lose weight while walking with rocker RX walking shoes
The Amanda features a Rocker Bottom Sole that creates natural gait and works leg muscles
Padded tongue and collar provides abrasion resistance and prevents lace bruising
High-quality sock lining facilitates air circulation and wicks moisture away from the foot
Removable insole for easy adaption for custom orthotic
Leather and textile mesh upper for super lightweight feel and wear
Quality rubber outsole offers good support and traction
It is rocker RX's passion to make people all over the world aware of the benefits of rocker RX and to help you create walking habits that will result in healthier and happier lives
Amazon.com has the Pioneer X920BT for $499.99 after $100 rebate. 2nd day shipping is free for Amazon Prime members. No tax for most!LINKREBATE
Pioneer's double-DIN AVIC-X920BT integrates sophisticated navigation capabilities with groundbreaking features, including a revolutionary 3D touch slide interface, Pioneer MusicSphere and ECO Graph. In addition, the AVIC-X920BT features 4 GB of Flash memory, a large 6.1-inch WVGA touchscreen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, USB and iPod/iPhone connectivity, a microSD card slot, back-up camera input, and more.A double-DIN navigation receiver with a wealth of groundbreaking features. Click to enlarge.ECO Graph offers a visual representation of your vehicle's environmental impact.Complete iPod control, including voice control and the unique new MusicSphere feature.Access Pandora stations through your iPhone.-Enjoy All Kinds of Media
The AVIC-X920BT offers audio and video playback from the most popular formats. Whether you're enjoying DivX files on DVD, MP3 audio on SD card, or iTunes AAC files on CD, there are dozens of playback options for your favorite media.You can also access your favorite Pandora stations through your iPhone.-Ditch the Headset with Built-in Bluetooth
Take incoming calls through the AVIC-X920BT and be heard clearly without a headset, courtesy of Bluetooth technology. Connecting your compatible phone is easy and gives you instant touchscreen access to your contacts. You can also dial a contact with the sound of your voice by simply saying, "Call Jack Smith."-Audio User Interface Revolution with 3D
A new user interface features dynamic shortcuts for all built-in or connected media sources, more prominent album art display (when applicable), and improved display of audio track data. The intuitive touch slide control is utilized for audio/video source selection and for searching through new media, such as iPod/iPhone content, with a new and improved ABC Search and dual-speed scroll for List Searches. 3D animation makes the user interface a completely new, easy-to-use, and intuitive in-car experience. The AVIC-X920BT also features a customizable home menu, which allows users to drag and drop up to 15 function icons into the home page display for easy one-touch access.-MusicSphere
Pioneer's new MusicSphere for the AVIC-X920BT allows you to easily create instant playlists from the music in your iTunes library. MusicSphere uses an advanced plug-in that works with iTunes to intelligently construct playlists from your massive music collection by analyzing attributes such as feeling (bright, energetic, gloomy, relaxing calm), rhythm pattern, beats per minute (BPM), and more. Playlists are stored on your iPod or iPhone and accessed through the AVIC-X920BT's MusicSphere interface.-Navigation at Its Best
The AVIC-X920BT offers a comprehensive map database from Tele Atlas, covering the entire United States and Canada, enabling users to route to millions of destinations, including more than 12 million points of interest (POIs). Additionally, the unit features enhanced voice recognition, including the capability to input destination addresses by voice--you can simply input an address by voice or find a place to re-fuel by saying, "Find the nearest gas station" or "Find the nearest McDonalds," and so on.-ECO Features
For eco-friendly consumers, the system also features the second generation ECO Driving function with new features that provide driving status reports and the driver's impact on the environment with visual images on-screen. Through Pioneer's proprietary AVIC FEEDS PC software, the unit can estimate the fuel cost of trip routes as well as the vehicle's CO2 emissions through detailed Drive Reports. Through a proprietary fuel consumption algorithm, AVIC FEEDS can also log and archive driving data and analyze driving habits to generate various reports with suggestions to improve fuel efficiency.ECO Graph
New to this generation of eco-conscious features, the ECO Graph feature provides a view in addition to 2D and 3D, which divides the map view screen with a new graph to provide drivers with a visual representation of their environmental impact. Additionally, when a route is set, the unit will calculate a Drive Score based on driving efficiency, which factors abrupt stops, accelerations, and idle time.-Your iPod (and iPhone) Will Thank You
On top of being an exceptional navigator, the AVIC-X series delivers an iPod experience that blows away FM transmitters or cassette adapters. Even at the first glance, you will fall in love with the easy-to-use touchscreen controls for your music and brilliant 6.1-inch display for your videos. Album art is also beautifully displayed.-With the optional cable (CD-IU230V) connected to your iPod, you will notice how easily you can find songs, videos, artists, or playlists with a few simple taps of your finger. The AVIC-X920BT also features voice-activated control of your iPod. Simply say the name of an artist, album, playlist, or genre to bring up the next song.-HD/SAT Radio Ready
The AVIC-X920BT gives you plenty of room to expand your broadcast options. With optional tuners, experience the vast channel selection of XM SIRIUS Satellite Radio and HD Radio.-What's in the Box
AVIC-X920BT main unit, installation hardware, and user's manual.
Pioneer's double-DIN AVIC-X920BT integrates sophisticated navigation capabilities with groundbreaking features, including a revolutionary 3D touch slide interface, Pioneer MusicSphere and ECO Graph. In addition, the AVIC-X920BT features 4 GB of Flash memory, a large 6.1-inch WVGA touchscreen display, a 3D graphics accelerator, DVD playback, built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and music streaming, USB and iPod/iPhone connectivity, a microSD card slot, back-up camera input, and more.A double-DIN navigation receiver with a wealth of groundbreaking features. Click to enlarge.ECO Graph offers a visual representation of your vehicle's environmental impact.Complete iPod control, including voice control and the unique new MusicSphere feature.Access Pandora stations through your iPhone.-Enjoy All Kinds of Media
The AVIC-X920BT offers audio and video playback from the most popular formats. Whether you're enjoying DivX files on DVD, MP3 audio on SD card, or iTunes AAC files on CD, there are dozens of playback options for your favorite media.You can also access your favorite Pandora stations through your iPhone.-Ditch the Headset with Built-in Bluetooth
Take incoming calls through the AVIC-X920BT and be heard clearly without a headset, courtesy of Bluetooth technology. Connecting your compatible phone is easy and gives you instant touchscreen access to your contacts. You can also dial a contact with the sound of your voice by simply saying, "Call Jack Smith."-Audio User Interface Revolution with 3D
A new user interface features dynamic shortcuts for all built-in or connected media sources, more prominent album art display (when applicable), and improved display of audio track data. The intuitive touch slide control is utilized for audio/video source selection and for searching through new media, such as iPod/iPhone content, with a new and improved ABC Search and dual-speed scroll for List Searches. 3D animation makes the user interface a completely new, easy-to-use, and intuitive in-car experience. The AVIC-X920BT also features a customizable home menu, which allows users to drag and drop up to 15 function icons into the home page display for easy one-touch access.-MusicSphere
Pioneer's new MusicSphere for the AVIC-X920BT allows you to easily create instant playlists from the music in your iTunes library. MusicSphere uses an advanced plug-in that works with iTunes to intelligently construct playlists from your massive music collection by analyzing attributes such as feeling (bright, energetic, gloomy, relaxing calm), rhythm pattern, beats per minute (BPM), and more. Playlists are stored on your iPod or iPhone and accessed through the AVIC-X920BT's MusicSphere interface.-Navigation at Its Best
The AVIC-X920BT offers a comprehensive map database from Tele Atlas, covering the entire United States and Canada, enabling users to route to millions of destinations, including more than 12 million points of interest (POIs). Additionally, the unit features enhanced voice recognition, including the capability to input destination addresses by voice--you can simply input an address by voice or find a place to re-fuel by saying, "Find the nearest gas station" or "Find the nearest McDonalds," and so on.-ECO Features
For eco-friendly consumers, the system also features the second generation ECO Driving function with new features that provide driving status reports and the driver's impact on the environment with visual images on-screen. Through Pioneer's proprietary AVIC FEEDS PC software, the unit can estimate the fuel cost of trip routes as well as the vehicle's CO2 emissions through detailed Drive Reports. Through a proprietary fuel consumption algorithm, AVIC FEEDS can also log and archive driving data and analyze driving habits to generate various reports with suggestions to improve fuel efficiency.ECO Graph
New to this generation of eco-conscious features, the ECO Graph feature provides a view in addition to 2D and 3D, which divides the map view screen with a new graph to provide drivers with a visual representation of their environmental impact. Additionally, when a route is set, the unit will calculate a Drive Score based on driving efficiency, which factors abrupt stops, accelerations, and idle time.-Your iPod (and iPhone) Will Thank You
On top of being an exceptional navigator, the AVIC-X series delivers an iPod experience that blows away FM transmitters or cassette adapters. Even at the first glance, you will fall in love with the easy-to-use touchscreen controls for your music and brilliant 6.1-inch display for your videos. Album art is also beautifully displayed.-With the optional cable (CD-IU230V) connected to your iPod, you will notice how easily you can find songs, videos, artists, or playlists with a few simple taps of your finger. The AVIC-X920BT also features voice-activated control of your iPod. Simply say the name of an artist, album, playlist, or genre to bring up the next song.-HD/SAT Radio Ready
The AVIC-X920BT gives you plenty of room to expand your broadcast options. With optional tuners, experience the vast channel selection of XM SIRIUS Satellite Radio and HD Radio.-What's in the Box
AVIC-X920BT main unit, installation hardware, and user's manual.
Sam's Club free in-store wifi will aid comparison shopping
Sam's Club is so confident they won't be undersold this Christmas season that they're introducing free in-store wifi to allow customers who have smartphones or other web-enabled devices to comparison shop their prices on the spot. The warehouse club chain has long been slagging behind competitors like Costco and BJs when it comes to sales. This latest move is a decisive sign that they're looking to reclaim lost ground. According to The Wall Street Journal, the free wifi will also help Sam's Club compete with Best Buy on the electronics front during Christmas. Both retailers are set to go head-to-head on the sale of Internet-connected TVs. In related news, Sam's Club has re-upped its commitment to offer Plus members private deals based on their individual buying habits. There's a creepout factor here because Sam's Club is tracking its members purchases, but the flip side is that you might get some great savings.
Sam's Club is so confident they won't be undersold this Christmas season that they're introducing free in-store wifi to allow customers who have smartphones or other web-enabled devices to comparison shop their prices on the spot. The warehouse club chain has long been slagging behind competitors like Costco and BJs when it comes to sales. This latest move is a decisive sign that they're looking to reclaim lost ground. According to The Wall Street Journal, the free wifi will also help Sam's Club compete with Best Buy on the electronics front during Christmas. Both retailers are set to go head-to-head on the sale of Internet-connected TVs. In related news, Sam's Club has re-upped its commitment to offer Plus members private deals based on their individual buying habits. There's a creepout factor here because Sam's Club is tracking its members purchases, but the flip side is that you might get some great savings.
Hi everyone,I been a long time lurker of this forum and have learned much about personal finance but I am seeking advice to my plan to solve my sister's credit card debt. The family just discovered that she has $30,000.00 in credit card debt; this was a result of poor vision on our part.
Here are the facts:- 26 years old, single
- Works 20 hours a week as a teller
- No college education, aspiring personal banker (40k salary)
- Rents in-law for $600.00 a month
- No car payments (belongs to parents)
- Owns a cute dog
- 632 credit score (CreditKarma)
- Two credit cards with balances (20k+10k=30k)
- Missed 5 payments on one card and 3 on the other card
- 18 credit card accounts, 9 closed and 9 open
- High spending habits
Here is my plan of action:- Move back home to eliminate the $600.00 monthly rent.
- Sell cute dog (I categorize this "asset" as a recurring cost over time.)
- Increase work hours to 50 hours a week from 20 hours a week. Direct her to obtain a full time salary job as a personal banker with the bank she currently works. While she waits, she can work another job to use her time wisely.
- Open a few new credit cards for a few 0% APR balance transfers to save on interest.
- Create and enforce weekly spending budgets.
- Monitor her spending via online accounts.
Questions:
1. She has been contacted by FIA Card Services to help resolve her debt. - Offered a 5 year plan to pay off the debt.
- Details include only charging a 1.7% interest rate (odd) on the $30,000.00 balance.
- My parents will have to co-sign and state that if she does not pay it off completely in 5 years then it will become my parent's responsibility.
- Monthly payments are only $600.00.Any advice on this company? After a quick Google search, it is a subsidiary of Bank of America. 2. We all hear and see debt consolidation companies, would these companies be a good idea to turn to?
Thank you in advance for the recommendations. Please let me know if I am missing anything that can help my sister resolve her debt.
Here are the facts:- 26 years old, single
- Works 20 hours a week as a teller
- No college education, aspiring personal banker (40k salary)
- Rents in-law for $600.00 a month
- No car payments (belongs to parents)
- Owns a cute dog
- 632 credit score (CreditKarma)
- Two credit cards with balances (20k+10k=30k)
- Missed 5 payments on one card and 3 on the other card
- 18 credit card accounts, 9 closed and 9 open
- High spending habits
Here is my plan of action:- Move back home to eliminate the $600.00 monthly rent.
- Sell cute dog (I categorize this "asset" as a recurring cost over time.)
- Increase work hours to 50 hours a week from 20 hours a week. Direct her to obtain a full time salary job as a personal banker with the bank she currently works. While she waits, she can work another job to use her time wisely.
- Open a few new credit cards for a few 0% APR balance transfers to save on interest.
- Create and enforce weekly spending budgets.
- Monitor her spending via online accounts.
Questions:
1. She has been contacted by FIA Card Services to help resolve her debt. - Offered a 5 year plan to pay off the debt.
- Details include only charging a 1.7% interest rate (odd) on the $30,000.00 balance.
- My parents will have to co-sign and state that if she does not pay it off completely in 5 years then it will become my parent's responsibility.
- Monthly payments are only $600.00.Any advice on this company? After a quick Google search, it is a subsidiary of Bank of America. 2. We all hear and see debt consolidation companies, would these companies be a good idea to turn to?
Thank you in advance for the recommendations. Please let me know if I am missing anything that can help my sister resolve her debt.
Help your kids develop healthy bedtime habits by tracking their washing, brushing and reading daily. Earn points from recording your progress to get a free Colgate Kids toothbrush!*TERMS: Offer valid August 22, 2010 December 31, 2010. Limit one Colgate kids toothbrush per childs name, per postal address. Each child will need to complete the log in order to qualify for free toothbrush offer. Please allow 10-12 weeks for delivery. Offer void if the required fields are incomplete. Offer rights are not assignable or transferrable and void where prohibited. Offer good only in the USA. Send redemption form to P.O. Box 49530 Strongsville, OH 44149-0530.
Linky
Linky
I've been asked by a lot of parents lately what parental control software I recommend. Without a doubt - Norton Online Family. The parental controls are amazing, and the software is very intuitive. No software will lock out the bad stuff 100%, but Norton has done a good job making it easy for parents to watch their kids' online habits.I have nephews that have no boundaries. When I gave them their computer, I put this software on it, and any time they do something questionable, I call and let them know I'm watching. Over time, the questionable behavior has stopped. I did this after I caught one 8-year-old nephew searching for "girls gone wild." Additionally, I can temporarily disable their accounts whenever they do something wrong.Rumors suggest that Norton will likely integrate this software with their Norton product line soon, so now's the time to sign up (while it's free). No amount of software can compare to a parent who is actively monitoring their child online, but this software helps whenever you can't be there.
Use coupon code WATCH to save $12.00 on a subscription to Weight Watchers magazine, just $2.99 per year after coupon at Tanga.
Published 6 times per year, Weight Watchers is designed to help you cultivate the eating and exercise habits consistent with a healthy weight.
It includes recipes for delicious and easy-to-make foods, exercise routines you can incorporate readily into your life and inspirational stories of individuals who've lost weight and dramatically improved the quality of their lives.
You may subscribe for up to 4 years at this very favorable rate.
This Deal Has Expired
Published 6 times per year, Weight Watchers is designed to help you cultivate the eating and exercise habits consistent with a healthy weight.
It includes recipes for delicious and easy-to-make foods, exercise routines you can incorporate readily into your life and inspirational stories of individuals who've lost weight and dramatically improved the quality of their lives.
You may subscribe for up to 4 years at this very favorable rate.
This Deal Has Expired
eBay Sellers and Tax Changes New Form 1099-K will debut for 2011 tax yearTax time is upon us again, and this year the IRS has a bit of a warning for eBay sellers: next year you'll be on the hook for the taxes you owe.
Most United States eBay sellers have long known that income generated by eBay sales and PayPal payments is taxable. If you didn't know this, you should. Conventional wisdom has long held (and the federal government believes), however, that many eBay sellers underreport their online income, assuming that it is either non-taxable or largely under the radar.Enter the 2011 Form 1099-K
Though sellers won't have to change their filing habits in 2010, a new Form 1099-K for 2011 promises to change income reporting by online sellers. The draft Form 1099-K for 2011 implements payments reporting to the IRS for PayPal and credit card merchants, much as already happens with forms W-2 or 1099-MISC for employees and independent contractors.Starting in 2011, therefore, sellers will be expected to report gross payments via online or credit card payments that coincide with reported 1099-K amounts, then to make adjustments to account for expenses and cash equivalents, fees, chargebacks, refunds, and so on.What's Reportable
Gross receipts through electronic payment processors (whether purely online like PayPal or involving credit card numbers) received by users of such payment processors. You may be subject to reporting even if you don't think of yourself as a business, provided you receive payments online via PayPal (or any other similar service or merchant account).
Details and Caveats
As a practical matter, if you're an eBay seller, this will effect you unless your gross sales are under $20,000 for the year or you receive fewer than 200 transactions. Reporting for small sellers at this level is not required.
Otherwise, if you exceed this volume, you'll be required to provide tax identification information (SSN or EIN number, for example) to payment processors like PayPal and will be expected by the IRS to account in your return for the amounts reported on your 1099-K form(s).What about 2010?
The 1099-K form wasn't introduced for the 2010 tax year, so as you do your taxes this year, enjoy the last year you'll report eBay income as a purely voluntary matter.
http://ebay.about.com/od/sellingeffectivel1/a/_sbe_tax1099k.htm
Most United States eBay sellers have long known that income generated by eBay sales and PayPal payments is taxable. If you didn't know this, you should. Conventional wisdom has long held (and the federal government believes), however, that many eBay sellers underreport their online income, assuming that it is either non-taxable or largely under the radar.Enter the 2011 Form 1099-K
Though sellers won't have to change their filing habits in 2010, a new Form 1099-K for 2011 promises to change income reporting by online sellers. The draft Form 1099-K for 2011 implements payments reporting to the IRS for PayPal and credit card merchants, much as already happens with forms W-2 or 1099-MISC for employees and independent contractors.Starting in 2011, therefore, sellers will be expected to report gross payments via online or credit card payments that coincide with reported 1099-K amounts, then to make adjustments to account for expenses and cash equivalents, fees, chargebacks, refunds, and so on.What's Reportable
Gross receipts through electronic payment processors (whether purely online like PayPal or involving credit card numbers) received by users of such payment processors. You may be subject to reporting even if you don't think of yourself as a business, provided you receive payments online via PayPal (or any other similar service or merchant account).
Details and Caveats
As a practical matter, if you're an eBay seller, this will effect you unless your gross sales are under $20,000 for the year or you receive fewer than 200 transactions. Reporting for small sellers at this level is not required.
Otherwise, if you exceed this volume, you'll be required to provide tax identification information (SSN or EIN number, for example) to payment processors like PayPal and will be expected by the IRS to account in your return for the amounts reported on your 1099-K form(s).What about 2010?
The 1099-K form wasn't introduced for the 2010 tax year, so as you do your taxes this year, enjoy the last year you'll report eBay income as a purely voluntary matter.
http://ebay.about.com/od/sellingeffectivel1/a/_sbe_tax1099k.htm
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After recently stumbling upon a new, dedicated section of the Wall Street Journal about internet privacy/security, I spent some time looking into it, and what I learned surprised me. It prompted me to institute several big changes to my computer set-up/practices. Some of the information I found seemed so genuinely protective and comparatively little-publicized that I thought it might be worthwhile to pull together some of the better sites that I had perused and put them in a new Fatwallet thread.Due to the large amount of the material available regarding internet privacy, the many aspects to privacy that one can be made aware of and can take action on, and the varying situations, exposure tolerances, and hardware/software of each person, this can't be a bullet-point list saying "Do x, y, z and you'll be set," but rather is simply a collection of some of the information for the non-specialist that I found most helpful.I could do much more reading on the subject and find other ways to increase my internet privacy and security, but I've made so many changes in the last couple of days that I need to get used to them before going further.Of course, none of this will be news to those people who are already in-the-know and on top of this kind of thing, and some Fatwallet readers will be in that camp. I'm just a typical member of the public when it comes to computers and the internet, and I'd rather not have to think about this stuff at all, unless it's totally necessary, which unfortunately it has become. There surely are dedicated forums for these issues (such as this one which I just happened upon 5 minutes ago: http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=42, http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41, http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=40). That sort of thing is way beyond what I mean to do here, which is just to pass some info along to those of us who aren't very clued-up about this stuff and only have a basic understanding.Internet (and general-life) privacy and security are rapidly-evolving (and -eroding) areas, and more organizations than one would think are operating in shady ways or in areas outside the scope of existing laws. The average person is at such a disadvantage. I am no conspiracy theorist (except when logically necessary), but I think this is a "war" that we-the-public have largely lost, without even knowing there was a battle to be had."To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle." -George Orwell=====
A. Site: Wall Street Journal1. Article: What they know
Contains: The number of tracking files installed on people's computers by the 50 most popular U.S. websites
Link: http://blogs.wsj.com/wtk/2. Article: The Web's New Gold Mine: Your Secrets A Journal investigation finds that one of the fastest-growing businesses on the Internet is the business of spying on consumers. First in a series.
Selected excerpts: "Tracking is done by tiny files and programs known as "cookies," "Flash cookies" and "beacons." They are placed on a computer when a user visits a website. U.S. courts have ruled that it is legal to deploy the simplest type, cookies, just as someone using a telephone might allow a friend to listen in on a conversation. Courts haven't ruled on the more complex trackers."
"Tracking technology is getting smarter and more intrusive. Monitoring used to be limited mainly to "cookie" files that record websites people visit. But the Journal found new tools that scan in real time what people are doing on a Web page, then instantly assess location, income, shopping interests and even medical conditions." "Some tools surreptitiously re-spawn themselves even after users try to delete them.
Information about people's moment-to-moment thoughts and actions, as revealed by their online activity, can change hands quickly. Within seconds of visiting eBay.com or Expedia.com, information detailing a Web surfer's activity there is likely to be auctioned on the data exchange run by BlueKai, the Seattle startup."
Contains: First article in the WSJ series about internet privacy/security
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703940904575395073...3. Article: What they know about you
Brief excerpt: "A few online marketers will show you what they know about you or think they know. Google Inc., Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc. and others have created "preference managers" that let you see, and change, the interests they've assigned to you based on your browsing behavior. The companies acted partly in response to concerns about the privacy of the people they're tracking.
Some, but not all, of the preference managers let you halt tracking by that company. But none will block all tracking, or prevent you from seeing ads. Some require you to register, and one lets you pick a charity to which you can donate some of the money made by selling your data."
Contains: Weblinks for checking what these companies know about you
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703999304575399041...4. Article: How to Avoid the Prying Eyes The Internet is rife with surveillance technology, but you can cover some of your tracks
Brief excerpt: "Monitor "Flash Cookies": Another kind of cookie uses Adobe Systems Inc.'s popular Flash program to save information on your computer. Flash is the most common way to show video online. As with regular cookies, Flash cookies can be useful for remembering preferences, such as volume settings for videos. But marketers also can use Flash cookies to track what you do online. To identify the Flash cookies on your computer and adjust your settings, you need to go to an Adobe website: www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/set... You can delete Flash cookies stored on your computer and specify whether you want to accept future third-party Flash cookies."
Contains: Helpful info and links
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467304575383203...5. Article: How to Use Microsofts InPrivate Filtering
Link: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/08/01/how-to-use-microsofts-inp...
Note: I found out from a post in the comments section that this article omits one important step. After you choose InPrivate Filtering for your internet session, you need to go back to the Tools menu and select InPrivate Browsing for the internet session to ensure that your browsing is actually private.6. Article: How to Control Your Privacy Online
Contains: Interactive graphic about how to set up various browsers to be safer
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703999304575399520...7. Article: Sites Feed Personal Details To New Tracking Industry
link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703977004575393173...8. Article: Microsoft Quashed Effort to Boost Online Privacy
link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467304575383530...9. Article: On the Web's Cutting Edge, Anonymity in Name Only
link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703294904575385532...10. Article: Analyzing What You Have Typed
link: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/07/30/analyzing-what-you-have-t...====
B. Site: Canadian paper The Globe and Mail
Article: The End of Online Privacy
(There is a closed chat-with-the-authors window bizarrely situated after the first three paragraphs of the article -- don't be put off, just scroll below the chat window to read the rest of the article.)
Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/the-end-of-online...===
C. Site: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse1. Article: Online Privacy: Using the Internet Safely
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs18-cyb.htm2. Article: Privacy Survival Guide: Take Control of Your Personal Information
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs1-surv.htm3. Article: How to Secure Windows and your Privacy
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/sites/default/files/pdf/PcPrivacySe...4. Article: Disasters and your Privacy
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/disasters-and-privacy5. Article: Social Networking Privacy: How to be Safe, Secure and Social
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/social-networking-privacy====
D. Site: World Privacy Forum1. Article: Search Engine Privacy Tips
Link: http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/searchengineprivacytips.html2. Article: Job Seekers' Guide to Resumes: Twelve Resume Posting Truths
Link: http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/resumedatabaseprivacytips.html===
E. Site: What the Internet Knows about You
Excerpt: "If you're like every other ordinary Internet user, you browse the Web incessantly every day and/or night, visiting dozens of websites and blogs each day. When you open up a page you probably expect to get the information you're interested in and then close the browser window or tab, without leaving more than a trace of that fact in the server log. After all, you're not typing in your personal information on just about any website, so why would it know anything about you?
Little do you know, but virtually any website you point your browser to has the ability to look inside your Web browser's history and detemine which websites you visited, allowing it to not only figure out your browsing habits, but also discover your personal preferences. This potentially includes such data as your search engine queries, the location of your and your friends' Facebook or Twitter profiles, your political affiliation, some information about your medical history and other sensitive and private data. The data could also, with a bit of luck, reveal your real name and location. At the very least, it will provide some information about the news websites you frequent and the on-line stores and products you're interested in.
By now you're probably thinking that it's either some kind of a trick, or that there must be a catch making what we're talking about impossible -- otherwise, why wouldn't you have heard about it before? (if you have heard about it, skip this intro and go to our details page). We assure you that this is not the case; the goal of this website is to show you exactly what kind of information can be retrieved from your browser and educate you about the problem.
Before we go into the details, please note that this is not a problem with any particular browser -- the techniques we talk about are a consequence of established Web standards, which are by now implemented in all major browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera and others)."
Link: http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/docs/overview.htmlExample searches at this site:
-See if they know your zip code:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/zip
-See what they have for your browsing history:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/all
-See what they know about your twitter activity:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/twitterWhat you can do to protect yourself:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/docs/solutions.html====
F. Site: Stay Invisible
"Stay Invisible is an Internet anonymity test that helps you to control your online privacy and anonymity. Concerns about privacy have been existing for a long time. However Internet makes them much more actual because of global distribution of data. In most cases only you decide what information about yourself to disclose but there are pieces of information you provide Internet servers with that can be available for other people without your agreement and even without your knowing. This test shows your ip address, location, and other important information that reveals your browser when you visit a Web page."
Link: http://www.stayinvisible.com/====
G. Site: Shields Up
"First time users should start by checking their Windows File Sharing and Common Ports vulnerabilities with the "File Sharing" and "Common Ports" buttons below."
Link: https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2====
H. Site: Ad Interest Manager
(What Yahoo knows about you and sells to advertisers. Note that if you are signed into a Yahoo email account, they will show your location, age, and gender linked to your IP address at the bottom of the page.)
Link: http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/opt_out/targeting/====
I. Site: Ghostery
Excerpt: "Detect: Ghostery sees the invisible web - tags, web bugs, pixels and beacons. Ghostery tracks the trackers and gives you a roll-call of the ad networks, behavioral data providers, web publishers, and other companies interested in your activity. Learn: After showing you who's tracking you, Ghostery also gives you a chance to learn more about each company it identifies. How they describe themselves, a link to their privacy policies, and a sampling of pages where we've found them are just a click away. Control: Ghostery allows you to block scripts from companies that you don't trust, delete local shared objects, and even block images and
iframes. Ghostery puts your web privacy back in your hands.
Link: www.ghostery.com
(Note: This was originally created for the Firefox browser and recently was adapted for Internet Explorer. According to their support blogs, people have been reporting problems in using it with Internet Explorer. I use Internet Explorer, and was excited to download this and use it, and after I got it up and running -- not as easy as it should be because they provide no instructions and I had to search their support forum to find out where to find it after it was installed -- it seemed like a great program with a wonderful purpose, but I had to uninstall Ghostery after 2 hours because it caused my laptop computer to run at a very high speed/temperature/crazy fan speed.)=====
J. Site: Google
When searching on Google, type in the extra "s" to the "http" to make it "https://www.google.com". This gives you a secure connection (meaning that your online actions can't be seen by outsiders; obviously they still can be seen and recorded by Google and anybody Google wants to sell/give your information to) when using google.
Note that this doesn't work in yahoo. I didn't try it with bing.
Link: https://www.google.com=====
K. Site: Scroogle
Apparently a cookie-less Google search
Link: http://www.scroogle.org/====
L. Site: Ixquick / Startpage
Excerpt: "Ixquick Protects Your Privacy! The only search engine that does not record your IP address. Your privacy is under attack !Every time you use a regular search engine, your search data are recorded. Your search terms, the time of your visit, the links you choose, your IP address and your User ID cookies all get stored in a database. The identity profiles that can be constructed from this cloud of information represent modern day gold for marketers. But government officials, hackers and even criminals also have an interest in getting their hands on your personal search data. And sooner or later they will..."
Recent Press Release:
"Ixquick: Search Engines Should Become Government Spies, Says EU Parliament
Ixquick and Startpage will fight "Big Brother" data retention clause in Declaration 29
June 28, 2010
BRUSSELS & NEW YORK & ZEIST, Netherlands --(BUSINESS WIRE)--A draconian proposal to retain all Internet search traffic, known as "Written Declaration 29," was adopted by the European Parliament last week. Framed as a measure to crack down on paedophiles, the controversial Declaration calls on the EU to require that search engines store all search traffic for up to two years for possible analysis by authorities.
Search engine Ixquick (www.ixquick.com), widely regarded as the world's most private search engine, has built a strong privacy reputation by storing no search data on its users. The company believes it has been singled out by the data retention proposal, and it has vowed to strongly oppose the measure becoming law.
"Since Google, Yahoo, and Bing already retain users' search data, this proposal is clearly aimed at Ixquick and our English-language subsidiary Startpage (www.startpage.com)," said Robert Beens, CEO of Ixquick. "We have worked hard to create a privacy-friendly search engine that embodies the spirit of EU Privacy Protections, in line with the strict recommendations of the EU Article 29 Data Protection Working Party. This Declaration is evidence that the left hand of the EU does not know what the right hand is doing."
Mr. Beens fears that if the measure becomes law, it will vastly undermine the privacy of over 500 million law-abiding EU citizens. Storing everyone's search data, rather than restricting surveillance to known or suspected offenders, would give the government access to a rich trove of political, medical, professional, and personal data on virtually every person in Europe. And critics say it will do little to stop child pornography.
"Sex offenders exchange files through underground networks. They don't find this stuff through search engines," said Alex Hanff of Privacy International, an advocacy group that is launching a campaign against the measure. "I spent eight years helping law enforcement track down online sex offenders and never once did we see a case where search engine data was useful."
Ixquick will join the public campaign started by Privacy International to stop the provisions of Written Declaration 29 from becoming law.
"Privacy is a fundamental right and the basis of a free society. The phenomenal success of Ixquick and Startpage proves that people don't want to be watched by their governments," said Mr. Beens. "Spying on law-abiding citizens is not the way forward, and we will stand by our principles to protect the public's ability to search in privacy.""
Link: http://www.ixquick.com, http://www.startpage.com
A. Site: Wall Street Journal1. Article: What they know
Contains: The number of tracking files installed on people's computers by the 50 most popular U.S. websites
Link: http://blogs.wsj.com/wtk/2. Article: The Web's New Gold Mine: Your Secrets A Journal investigation finds that one of the fastest-growing businesses on the Internet is the business of spying on consumers. First in a series.
Selected excerpts: "Tracking is done by tiny files and programs known as "cookies," "Flash cookies" and "beacons." They are placed on a computer when a user visits a website. U.S. courts have ruled that it is legal to deploy the simplest type, cookies, just as someone using a telephone might allow a friend to listen in on a conversation. Courts haven't ruled on the more complex trackers."
"Tracking technology is getting smarter and more intrusive. Monitoring used to be limited mainly to "cookie" files that record websites people visit. But the Journal found new tools that scan in real time what people are doing on a Web page, then instantly assess location, income, shopping interests and even medical conditions." "Some tools surreptitiously re-spawn themselves even after users try to delete them.
Information about people's moment-to-moment thoughts and actions, as revealed by their online activity, can change hands quickly. Within seconds of visiting eBay.com or Expedia.com, information detailing a Web surfer's activity there is likely to be auctioned on the data exchange run by BlueKai, the Seattle startup."
Contains: First article in the WSJ series about internet privacy/security
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703940904575395073...3. Article: What they know about you
Brief excerpt: "A few online marketers will show you what they know about you or think they know. Google Inc., Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc. and others have created "preference managers" that let you see, and change, the interests they've assigned to you based on your browsing behavior. The companies acted partly in response to concerns about the privacy of the people they're tracking.
Some, but not all, of the preference managers let you halt tracking by that company. But none will block all tracking, or prevent you from seeing ads. Some require you to register, and one lets you pick a charity to which you can donate some of the money made by selling your data."
Contains: Weblinks for checking what these companies know about you
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703999304575399041...4. Article: How to Avoid the Prying Eyes The Internet is rife with surveillance technology, but you can cover some of your tracks
Brief excerpt: "Monitor "Flash Cookies": Another kind of cookie uses Adobe Systems Inc.'s popular Flash program to save information on your computer. Flash is the most common way to show video online. As with regular cookies, Flash cookies can be useful for remembering preferences, such as volume settings for videos. But marketers also can use Flash cookies to track what you do online. To identify the Flash cookies on your computer and adjust your settings, you need to go to an Adobe website: www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/set... You can delete Flash cookies stored on your computer and specify whether you want to accept future third-party Flash cookies."
Contains: Helpful info and links
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467304575383203...5. Article: How to Use Microsofts InPrivate Filtering
Link: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/08/01/how-to-use-microsofts-inp...
Note: I found out from a post in the comments section that this article omits one important step. After you choose InPrivate Filtering for your internet session, you need to go back to the Tools menu and select InPrivate Browsing for the internet session to ensure that your browsing is actually private.6. Article: How to Control Your Privacy Online
Contains: Interactive graphic about how to set up various browsers to be safer
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703999304575399520...7. Article: Sites Feed Personal Details To New Tracking Industry
link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703977004575393173...8. Article: Microsoft Quashed Effort to Boost Online Privacy
link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703467304575383530...9. Article: On the Web's Cutting Edge, Anonymity in Name Only
link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703294904575385532...10. Article: Analyzing What You Have Typed
link: http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/07/30/analyzing-what-you-have-t...====
B. Site: Canadian paper The Globe and Mail
Article: The End of Online Privacy
(There is a closed chat-with-the-authors window bizarrely situated after the first three paragraphs of the article -- don't be put off, just scroll below the chat window to read the rest of the article.)
Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/the-end-of-online...===
C. Site: Privacy Rights Clearinghouse1. Article: Online Privacy: Using the Internet Safely
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs18-cyb.htm2. Article: Privacy Survival Guide: Take Control of Your Personal Information
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs1-surv.htm3. Article: How to Secure Windows and your Privacy
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/sites/default/files/pdf/PcPrivacySe...4. Article: Disasters and your Privacy
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/disasters-and-privacy5. Article: Social Networking Privacy: How to be Safe, Secure and Social
Link: http://www.privacyrights.org/social-networking-privacy====
D. Site: World Privacy Forum1. Article: Search Engine Privacy Tips
Link: http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/searchengineprivacytips.html2. Article: Job Seekers' Guide to Resumes: Twelve Resume Posting Truths
Link: http://www.worldprivacyforum.org/resumedatabaseprivacytips.html===
E. Site: What the Internet Knows about You
Excerpt: "If you're like every other ordinary Internet user, you browse the Web incessantly every day and/or night, visiting dozens of websites and blogs each day. When you open up a page you probably expect to get the information you're interested in and then close the browser window or tab, without leaving more than a trace of that fact in the server log. After all, you're not typing in your personal information on just about any website, so why would it know anything about you?
Little do you know, but virtually any website you point your browser to has the ability to look inside your Web browser's history and detemine which websites you visited, allowing it to not only figure out your browsing habits, but also discover your personal preferences. This potentially includes such data as your search engine queries, the location of your and your friends' Facebook or Twitter profiles, your political affiliation, some information about your medical history and other sensitive and private data. The data could also, with a bit of luck, reveal your real name and location. At the very least, it will provide some information about the news websites you frequent and the on-line stores and products you're interested in.
By now you're probably thinking that it's either some kind of a trick, or that there must be a catch making what we're talking about impossible -- otherwise, why wouldn't you have heard about it before? (if you have heard about it, skip this intro and go to our details page). We assure you that this is not the case; the goal of this website is to show you exactly what kind of information can be retrieved from your browser and educate you about the problem.
Before we go into the details, please note that this is not a problem with any particular browser -- the techniques we talk about are a consequence of established Web standards, which are by now implemented in all major browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera and others)."
Link: http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/docs/overview.htmlExample searches at this site:
-See if they know your zip code:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/zip
-See what they have for your browsing history:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/all
-See what they know about your twitter activity:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/twitterWhat you can do to protect yourself:
http://www.whattheinternetknowsaboutyou.com/docs/solutions.html====
F. Site: Stay Invisible
"Stay Invisible is an Internet anonymity test that helps you to control your online privacy and anonymity. Concerns about privacy have been existing for a long time. However Internet makes them much more actual because of global distribution of data. In most cases only you decide what information about yourself to disclose but there are pieces of information you provide Internet servers with that can be available for other people without your agreement and even without your knowing. This test shows your ip address, location, and other important information that reveals your browser when you visit a Web page."
Link: http://www.stayinvisible.com/====
G. Site: Shields Up
"First time users should start by checking their Windows File Sharing and Common Ports vulnerabilities with the "File Sharing" and "Common Ports" buttons below."
Link: https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2====
H. Site: Ad Interest Manager
(What Yahoo knows about you and sells to advertisers. Note that if you are signed into a Yahoo email account, they will show your location, age, and gender linked to your IP address at the bottom of the page.)
Link: http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/opt_out/targeting/====
I. Site: Ghostery
Excerpt: "Detect: Ghostery sees the invisible web - tags, web bugs, pixels and beacons. Ghostery tracks the trackers and gives you a roll-call of the ad networks, behavioral data providers, web publishers, and other companies interested in your activity. Learn: After showing you who's tracking you, Ghostery also gives you a chance to learn more about each company it identifies. How they describe themselves, a link to their privacy policies, and a sampling of pages where we've found them are just a click away. Control: Ghostery allows you to block scripts from companies that you don't trust, delete local shared objects, and even block images and
iframes. Ghostery puts your web privacy back in your hands.
Link: www.ghostery.com
(Note: This was originally created for the Firefox browser and recently was adapted for Internet Explorer. According to their support blogs, people have been reporting problems in using it with Internet Explorer. I use Internet Explorer, and was excited to download this and use it, and after I got it up and running -- not as easy as it should be because they provide no instructions and I had to search their support forum to find out where to find it after it was installed -- it seemed like a great program with a wonderful purpose, but I had to uninstall Ghostery after 2 hours because it caused my laptop computer to run at a very high speed/temperature/crazy fan speed.)=====
J. Site: Google
When searching on Google, type in the extra "s" to the "http" to make it "https://www.google.com". This gives you a secure connection (meaning that your online actions can't be seen by outsiders; obviously they still can be seen and recorded by Google and anybody Google wants to sell/give your information to) when using google.
Note that this doesn't work in yahoo. I didn't try it with bing.
Link: https://www.google.com=====
K. Site: Scroogle
Apparently a cookie-less Google search
Link: http://www.scroogle.org/====
L. Site: Ixquick / Startpage
Excerpt: "Ixquick Protects Your Privacy! The only search engine that does not record your IP address. Your privacy is under attack !Every time you use a regular search engine, your search data are recorded. Your search terms, the time of your visit, the links you choose, your IP address and your User ID cookies all get stored in a database. The identity profiles that can be constructed from this cloud of information represent modern day gold for marketers. But government officials, hackers and even criminals also have an interest in getting their hands on your personal search data. And sooner or later they will..."
Recent Press Release:
"Ixquick: Search Engines Should Become Government Spies, Says EU Parliament
Ixquick and Startpage will fight "Big Brother" data retention clause in Declaration 29
June 28, 2010
BRUSSELS & NEW YORK & ZEIST, Netherlands --(BUSINESS WIRE)--A draconian proposal to retain all Internet search traffic, known as "Written Declaration 29," was adopted by the European Parliament last week. Framed as a measure to crack down on paedophiles, the controversial Declaration calls on the EU to require that search engines store all search traffic for up to two years for possible analysis by authorities.
Search engine Ixquick (www.ixquick.com), widely regarded as the world's most private search engine, has built a strong privacy reputation by storing no search data on its users. The company believes it has been singled out by the data retention proposal, and it has vowed to strongly oppose the measure becoming law.
"Since Google, Yahoo, and Bing already retain users' search data, this proposal is clearly aimed at Ixquick and our English-language subsidiary Startpage (www.startpage.com)," said Robert Beens, CEO of Ixquick. "We have worked hard to create a privacy-friendly search engine that embodies the spirit of EU Privacy Protections, in line with the strict recommendations of the EU Article 29 Data Protection Working Party. This Declaration is evidence that the left hand of the EU does not know what the right hand is doing."
Mr. Beens fears that if the measure becomes law, it will vastly undermine the privacy of over 500 million law-abiding EU citizens. Storing everyone's search data, rather than restricting surveillance to known or suspected offenders, would give the government access to a rich trove of political, medical, professional, and personal data on virtually every person in Europe. And critics say it will do little to stop child pornography.
"Sex offenders exchange files through underground networks. They don't find this stuff through search engines," said Alex Hanff of Privacy International, an advocacy group that is launching a campaign against the measure. "I spent eight years helping law enforcement track down online sex offenders and never once did we see a case where search engine data was useful."
Ixquick will join the public campaign started by Privacy International to stop the provisions of Written Declaration 29 from becoming law.
"Privacy is a fundamental right and the basis of a free society. The phenomenal success of Ixquick and Startpage proves that people don't want to be watched by their governments," said Mr. Beens. "Spying on law-abiding citizens is not the way forward, and we will stand by our principles to protect the public's ability to search in privacy.""
Link: http://www.ixquick.com, http://www.startpage.com
Use coupon code BRBOGO to get a free Warner Bros. blu-ray with purchase of another WB blu-ray.
Don't let your summer movie habits fall by the wayside this autumn, as this deal at Deep Discount provides plenty of movies for your purview for an awesome low price. Some examples include:
The Green Mile
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Batman: 20th Anniversary Edition
Bonnie & Clyde
This Deal Has Expired
Don't let your summer movie habits fall by the wayside this autumn, as this deal at Deep Discount provides plenty of movies for your purview for an awesome low price. Some examples include:
The Green Mile
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Batman: 20th Anniversary Edition
Bonnie & Clyde
This Deal Has Expired
Learn to sing like a pro with the American Idol Singer's Advantage. This comprehensive set reveals advanced training methods used by vocal coach Seth Riggs to cultivate the musical talent of stars like Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Michael Jackson, Josh Groban and Kelly Clarkson.
The package includes a DVD introducing the principles of Seth Riggs' system along with 7 CD's, including a bonus CD teaching the primary steps needed to vocally master any song. The package also includes a workbook, so students can chart their progress by keeping a journal and eliminating bad habits which might be hurting their voices.
With the American Idol Singer's Advantage, aspiring singers are one step closer to achieving their dream without wasting one more dollar from their budget!
Male version also available here.
This Deal Has Expired
The package includes a DVD introducing the principles of Seth Riggs' system along with 7 CD's, including a bonus CD teaching the primary steps needed to vocally master any song. The package also includes a workbook, so students can chart their progress by keeping a journal and eliminating bad habits which might be hurting their voices.
With the American Idol Singer's Advantage, aspiring singers are one step closer to achieving their dream without wasting one more dollar from their budget!
Male version also available here.
This Deal Has Expired
WAC Market Research is conducting several focus groups during the 3rd week of August. For these studies, we are particularly interested in inviting members of the LGBT community. The topic of discussion will be banking habits. The groups will be taking place in our office in Ft. Lauderdale and the compensation will be cash gifts ranging from $125-$200 depending on which group is attended.We are interested in inviting a wide variety of individuals of all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, etc. If you are interested in being considered, please click on the link and take a brief survey.http://questionpro.com/t/ADD83ZIFXDIf your answers qualify you, a recruiter will contact you shortly.Thank you,
WAC Market Research
WAC Market Research
Assuming the inheritance tax is brought back in 2011 and remains in effect well into the future, is it legal for a person with say a $2 million estate to gift $1 million of it to an heir while still alive, using the $1 million cumulative tax exemption (just have to declare it since it's over $13K in a single year) thus lowering the value of the estate to $1 million, which will go to the same heir upon death, and which would therefore not be subject to inheritance tax?What kind of nonsense will the IRS pull that can cause potential problems with this plan? Assuming my father lives to 100, we won't have to deal with this for several decades, but we like planning ahead. Based on his current age, pension, social security, tax-deferred annuity, current investments and liquid accounts, cost of living and spending habits, and life expectancy, he should be worth anywhere from $1.8-3.3 million when he croaks, and for all intents and purposes, I'm the only heir (he might have other children he doesn't know about but they haven't come forward yet, and he has a brother and nephew who will more than likely get something, but not as much as me). I should also note that much of the predicted value of the estate hasn't been accumulated yet, since his overall personal net worth is probably just over $1 million right now, but he has a substantial pension, and the annuity is earning at well above current market rates (he still has to pay tax on any amount that he pulls out). So if he were to die sooner rather than later, the estate tax will not be an issue, or at least the impact will be minimal.Does a $1M gift like this make any sense, or would we be better off with a trust of some sort?And don't worry, I'm not about to smother him with a pillow, as what I've just described explains why the shorter he lives, the less I get, and the longer he lives, I get way more. We've even discussed the walk-in freezer in the basement scenario.TIA.
The Amazon MP3 Daily Deal for Friday, June 25, 2010 is: Blacksummers'Night, by Maxwell, for $3.99.
Reviews, track-samples and purchase-link here.Track-list: 1. Bad Habits (Uncut) 5:52 2. Cold 4:02 3. Pretty Wings (Uncut) 5:10 4. Help Somebody 4:01 5. Stop The World 3:56 6. Love You 3:35 7. Fistful Of Tears 3:39 8. Playing Possum 4:22 9. Phoenix Rise 2:41
Reviews, track-samples and purchase-link here.Track-list: 1. Bad Habits (Uncut) 5:52 2. Cold 4:02 3. Pretty Wings (Uncut) 5:10 4. Help Somebody 4:01 5. Stop The World 3:56 6. Love You 3:35 7. Fistful Of Tears 3:39 8. Playing Possum 4:22 9. Phoenix Rise 2:41
Learn to sing like a pro with the American Idol Singer's Advantage. This comprehensive set reveals advanced training methods used by vocal coach Seth Riggs to cultivate the musical talent of stars like Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Michael Jackson, Josh Groban and Kelly Clarkson.
The package includes a DVD introducing the principles of Seth Riggs' system along with 7 CD's, including a bonus CD teaching the primary steps needed to vocally master any song. The package also includes a workbook, so students can chart their progress by keeping a journal and eliminating bad habits which might be hurting their voices.
With the American Idol Singer's Advantage, aspiring singers are one step closer to achieving their dream without wasting one more dollar from their budget!
The package includes a DVD introducing the principles of Seth Riggs' system along with 7 CD's, including a bonus CD teaching the primary steps needed to vocally master any song. The package also includes a workbook, so students can chart their progress by keeping a journal and eliminating bad habits which might be hurting their voices.
With the American Idol Singer's Advantage, aspiring singers are one step closer to achieving their dream without wasting one more dollar from their budget!
Simply provide your name, address, e-mail and birth year, and answer three short questions about your current pet food shopping habits, and the nice people at Wal-Mart and StartSampling will send you a sample of Purina One Smart Blend pet food for your cat or dog (you specify).
Please allow 4 weeks for your sample to arrive.
Please allow 4 weeks for your sample to arrive.
Cowboy Bebop Remix Complete Collection $24.99 w/ FS @ DeepDiscountIn DeepDiscount's latest anime sale, I noticed they had the Cowboy Bebop Remix: The Complete Collection for $24.99 with free shipping. This is the lowest price I could find for the entire series by $10. Not only does the Remix collections include the entire series with enhanced color and sound, but they also come with bonus special features not included in the older sessions. They do have both the individual remix volumes and sessions for $14.99 each, but I figured going an extra ten bucks for the whole series wasn't a bad deal either.My anime viewing habits have dried up in the last year or two, so I didn't see anything else in the sale save for some Escaflowne and Big O. If there's anything else noteworthy you guys see in this sale, let us know by replying or posting a separate thread!
Learn to sing like a pro with the American Idol Singer's Advantage. This comprehensive set reveals advanced training methods used by vocal coach Seth Riggs to cultivate the musical talent of stars like Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Michael Jackson, Josh Groban and Kelly Clarkson.
The package includes a DVD introducing the principles of Seth Riggs' system along with 7 CD's, including a bonus CD teaching the primary steps needed to vocally master any song. The package also includes a workbook, so students can chart their progress by keeping a journal and eliminating bad habits which might be hurting their voices.
With the American Idol Singer's Advantage, aspiring singers are one step closer to achieving their dream without wasting one more dollar from their budget!
The package includes a DVD introducing the principles of Seth Riggs' system along with 7 CD's, including a bonus CD teaching the primary steps needed to vocally master any song. The package also includes a workbook, so students can chart their progress by keeping a journal and eliminating bad habits which might be hurting their voices.
With the American Idol Singer's Advantage, aspiring singers are one step closer to achieving their dream without wasting one more dollar from their budget!