Frugal Living: Jul 25, 2007

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

25 new messages in 12 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Why I hate Washington Mutual (a rant)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/02d22dacefd6cc05?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 4:24 am
From: "pj"

On the other hand, I've had very good experiences with WaMu. They weren't
paying much at all on their money market accounts so I moved my MM to
another bank to get a better rate, but otherwise, I've been very happy with
WaMu.
The people I dealt with always gave me very good service.

I have my mortgage with them and they offered me a free refinance (no
closing costs) at a lower rate than they were already charging me. I had no
plans to refinance, but they asked if I wanted to and I took them up on it.
No cost, lower rate, a no brainer. I opted for a payment schedule that
would get it paid off earlier than the old mortgage, but that was my choice.
I also think you are expecting a whole lot by trying to withdraw $30k in
cash without notice. Was this at a smaller branch?

I never buy replacement checks from the institution, they charge way too
much. I buy my replacement checks from a 3rd party check printer - never
had a problem.

"The Real Bev" <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:%tvpi.40$EG2.1@newsfe04.lga...
> 1. About 12 years ago I needed to withdraw $30K in cash. I had more than
> that in the account, but they refused to give me the cash, instead
> offering a cashier's check. I took it to Bank of America, where I had
> considerably less than that in my checking account. BofA cheerfully
> cashed the check.
>
> 2. As a result, a few months later I went to the closest branch to close
> one of the accounts. After half an hour they said they were having
> trouble getting our signature card faxed over from the main local branch.
> An hour later they got the signatures and closed our account.
>
> 3. A month or so after that I went to the main local branch, figuring
> that they wouldn't have to fax anything anywhere. After half an hour they
> said they had looked everywhere but couldn't find my signature card. I
> asked what else they could do. They said I could show them my driver's
> license. AARRGGHH.
>
> 4. I recently inherited a couple of WaMu accounts, for which I needed to
> order checks. I spent an hour in the branch (they have guard-operated
> double doors now, possibly with poison gas available Just In Case)
> watching the bankdroid order checks and verify the new statement address.
> The checks were supposed to arrive within 7-10 working days.
>
> Here it is two months later. No checks. Statements still forwarded from
> the old address. I went back into the branch where I ordered the checks.
> They had no record of the order. Moreover, they didn't seem at all
> concerned that A F*CKING BANK TRANSACTION HAD SIMPLY EVAPORATED. They
> rush-ordered more checks, waived the fee ($20 for 150 checks is
> ridiculous) and said they'd call me when they arrived at the bank (I
> figured that was a more reliable address than mine).
>
> At no time during any of these transactions did a single bank employee
> offer an apology. Nobody wondered why I was closing out my accounts.
> When I close these accounts I bet nobody will ask why. I'm going to tell
> them anyway. Loudly.
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Bev
> ===========================================================
> "You should be glad that bridge fell down -- I was planning
> to build thirteen more to the same design."
> -- Attributed to I.K. Brunel, addressing the
> Directors of the Great Western Railway

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 2:44 pm
From: "SpammersDie"

> At no time during any of these transactions did a single bank employee
> offer an apology. Nobody wondered why I was closing out my accounts.
> When I close these accounts I bet nobody will ask why. I'm going to tell
> them anyway. Loudly.

If your only relationship with WAMU was their checking accounts, they didn't
owe you any favor for having them and they'll be happy you're leaving.
Checking accounts are just offered as bait in the hopes you'll get a loan or
credit card with the bank (or at least generate lots of overwithdrawal fee
revenue.) If you didn't have any of those, you were as welcome as a shopper
who keeps eating free samples without ever buying.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Confused About Mobile Phone Plans
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/77c9e041d54a37c2?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 10:28 am
From: Brontide

On Jul 18, 11:26 pm, timeOday <timeOday-UNS...@theknack.net> wrote:
> Brontide wrote:
> > I started with
> > Vonage in 2003, they shipped me a box about the size of a hardcover
> > book I plugged in power, ethernet, and a phone and started making
> > calls. No one complained once about the quality of the call. I
> > swapped services recently. I swapped out the one box for one that is
> > smaller than a paperback. Just like last time plugged in and started
> > making and receiving calls.
>
> I'm curious why you swapped services? Did you get out of Vonage without
> a hefty disconnection fee?

1) Switched because Vonage is heaping on over 30% in fees and taxes
onto their advertised prices and it's cheaper to switch.

2) Yes, but it does take over an hour to connect with support and go
through the "retention" process.

-Eric

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:21 pm
From: "www.Queensbridge.us"

On Jul 17, 2:07 am, Five By Five <5...@5x5.com> wrote:
> I am trying to find the best mobile (cellular) phone or wireless solution.
>
> My blood relatives are within a 200 mile (360 km) radius, and I live less
> than 2 miles from my job site.
>
> My wife and daughter however are overseas, about 11,000 miles (17,000 km)
> away. I want to be able to dial from my mobile to either a mobile or
> landline to the target country.
>
> What bothers me is the widely varying per-minute rates on calls to the
> country from the United States (note: I don't want international
> roaming...I don't care if my phone works when I travel to that
> country...and it probably won't anyway, even with the promise of carriers)
>

You could you add a cheap international prepay plan for long distance
to whatever local service you subscribe to. You can get incredibly low
long distance phone rates. As low as USA-Canada 1.9CPM! Works as
prepaid phone card. PIN not needed for calls from home or cell phone.
Compare the rates at https://www.OneSuite.com No monthly fee or
minimum. Use Promotion/SuiteTreat Code: "FREEoffer23" for FREE time.
Works FROM many other countries.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Inexpensive, Easy Process To Produce Solar Panels
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1eb5a91cbd2518db?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 11:04 am
From: bob@earthlink.net (bob)

Resentful "Rod Speed"

Something every troll aspires to: his own FAQ:

Who or What is Rod Speed?
Rod Speed is an entirely modern phenomenon. Essentially, Rod Speed
is an insecure and worthless individual who has discovered he can
enhance his own self-esteem in his own eyes by playing "the big, hard
man" on the InterNet. ...

== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 11:08 am
From: bob@earthlink.net (bob)

"Don K" wrote:

>"bob" wrote:
>> Decentralized power such as this, could be a threat to the fear-based
>> boys who run the show.
>
>Nice job of turning a scientific anouncement into a political statement.

Politics is entwined in economics.
There is no free market.

Then again, as the boy said to Neo in the Matrix,
"there is no spoon".

>> http://www.njit.edu/publicinfo/press_releases/release_1040.php
>> "NJIT Researchers Develop Inexpensive,
>> Easy Process To Produce Solar Panels
>
>Ooh, an inexpensive process has been developed to use paint-on solar
>panels made from single wall carbon nanotubes. One day homeowners
>will be able to use an inexpensive inkjet printer to print their own
>solar cells.
>
>Great!
>Let's check the price of these inexpensive carbon nanotubes...

The link you gave says very little about solar panels. Your reference
was like pointing at a forest and saying "Look, there's all the toilet
paper you could want!". Sure, you could use a pine cone as toilet
paper, but that's not very efficacious, is it?

How much of a one-time payment would you make to be able to quit
paying your never-ending electric bill? Expensive as they are now, a
solar panel system could be done, if you have the cash and can do the
work. Would you like to see your electric meter run backwards, selling
electricity to the utility at the same price they sell to you? It's
legal and doable. The carbon nanotube application could make it much
easier and cheaper.

== 3 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 12:01 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind the entirely appropriate
blob <blob@earthlink.net> wrote just the puerile shit thats all it can
ever manage when its got done like a fucking dinner, as always.

== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 12:02 pm
From: William Souden

bob wrote:
>
> Resentful "Rod Speed"
>
> Something every troll aspires to: his own FAQ:
>
> Who or What is Rod Speed?
> Rod Speed is an entirely modern phenomenon. Essentially, Rod Speed
> is an insecure and worthless individual who has discovered he can
> enhance his own self-esteem in his own eyes by playing "the big, hard
> man" on the InterNet. ...
>

Rod could not post for a while today. He had to go to the welfare
offices for his semi-annual recertification for being totally unemployable.

The full Rod Speed FAQ:

Who or What is Rod Speed?

Rod Speed is an entirely modern phenomenon. Essentially, Rod Speed
is an insecure and worthless individual who has discovered he can
enhance his own self-esteem in his own eyes by playing "the big, hard
man" on the InterNet.

Why is Rod Speed worth a FAQ?

You need to brush up on your NetSpeak. Rod most certainly isn't
worth a FUQ in anybody's opinion except his own.

Rod certainly posts a lot. Why is that?

It relates back to the point about boosting his own self esteem by
what amounts to effectively having a wank in public. Rod's
personality, as exemplified by his posts, means he is practically
unemployable which means he sits around at home all day festering away
and getting worse and worse. This means he posts more and more try
and boost the old failing self esteem. Being unemployed also means he
as a lot of time on his hands to post in he first place.

But maybe Rod really is a very clever and knowledgable person?

Clever? His posts wouldn't support that theory. As far as being
knowledgable, well, Rod has posted to various aus newsgroups including
invest, comms, and politics. He has posted to all as a self professed
expert" and flames any and all who disagree with him. Logically,
here's no way any single individual could be more than a jack of all
trades across such a wide spread of subject matter.

But maybe Rod really is an expert in some areas?

Possibly. However, his "bedside manner" prevents him from being
taken seriously by most normal people. Also, he has damaged his
credibility in areas where he might know what he's on about by
shooting his self in the foot in areas where he does not. For
example, in the case of subject matter such as politics, even a view
held by Albert Einstein cannot be little more than an opinion and to
vociferously denigrate an opposing opinion is simply small mindedness
and bigotry, the kind of which Einstein himself fought against his
whole life.

What is Rod Speed's main modus operandi?

Simple! He shoots off a half brained opinion in response to any other
post and touts that opinion as fact. When challenged, he responds
with vociferous and rabid denigration. He has an instantly
recognisable set of schoolboy put downs limited pretty much to the
following: "Pathetic, Puerile, Little Boy, try harder, trivial, more
lies, gutless wonder, wanker, etc etc". The fact that Rod has been
unable to come up with any new insults says a lot about his outlook
and intelligence.

But why do so many people respond to Rod in turn?

It has to do with effrontery and a lack of logic. Most people who
post have some basis of reason for what they write and when Rod
retorts with his usual denigration and derision they respond
emotionally rather than logically. It's like a teacher in a class
room who has a misbehaving pupil. The teacher challenges the pupil to
explain himself and the student responds with "fuck off, Big Nose!"
Even thought the teacher has a fairly normal proboscis, he gets a dent
in his self-esteem and might resort to an emotional repsonse like
"yeah? well your dick wouldn't fill a pop rivet, punk", which merely
invites some oneupmanship from the naughty pupil. Of course, the
teacher should not have justified the initial comment with a
response, especially in front of the class. The correct response was
"please report to the headmaster's office right NOW!"

What is a "RodBot"?

Some respondents in aus.invest built a "vritual Rod" which was
indiscernable from the "real" Rod. Net users could enter an opinion
or even a fact and the RoDBot would tell them they were pathetic lying
schoolboys who should be able to do better or some equally pithy Rod
Speedism.

Are you saying that Rod Speed is a Troll?

You got it!

What is the best way to handle Rod Speed?

KillFile!

== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 12:05 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

bob <bob@earthlink.net> wrote:
> "Don K" wrote:
>
>> "bob" wrote:
>>> Decentralized power such as this, could be a threat to the
>>> fear-based boys who run the show.
>>
>> Nice job of turning a scientific anouncement into a political
>> statement.
>
> Politics is entwined in economics.
> There is no free market.
>
> Then again, as the boy said to Neo in the Matrix,
> "there is no spoon".
>
>>> http://www.njit.edu/publicinfo/press_releases/release_1040.php
>>> "NJIT Researchers Develop Inexpensive,
>>> Easy Process To Produce Solar Panels
>>
>> Ooh, an inexpensive process has been developed to use paint-on solar
>> panels made from single wall carbon nanotubes. One day homeowners
>> will be able to use an inexpensive inkjet printer to print their own
>> solar cells.
>>
>> Great!
>> Let's check the price of these inexpensive carbon nanotubes...

> How much of a one-time payment would you make to
> be able to quit paying your never-ending electric bill?

FAR less than this shit will ever be available for.

> Expensive as they are now, a solar panel system could
> be done, if you have the cash and can do the work.

Corse they can, some fools do it right now.

> Would you like to see your electric meter run backwards, selling
> electricity to the utility at the same price they sell to you?

Sure, BUT it costs FAR too much to get that, fool.

> It's legal and doable.

Must be one of those rocket scientist fools.

> The carbon nanotube application could make it much easier and cheaper.

Nope, it wont, you watch.

== 6 of 6 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 12:22 pm
From: William Souden

Rod Speed wrote:
> Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind the entirely appropriate
> blob <blob@earthlink.net> wrote just the puerile shit thats all it can
> ever manage when its got done like a fucking dinner, as always.
>
>

Translation: Welfare boy stopped taking his meds.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: whither the ice house?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ece54484f7063e00?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 11:26 am
From: nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu

RW Salnick <salnick@no.spam.org> wrote:

>Build the icehouse, and use it as the heat sink for conventional
>refrigeration. Would take essentially zero energy to move heat downhill
>from a 40 degree fridge to a 32 degree ice block.

Oh?

>And not much more to move it uphill from a 0 degree freezer to the 32 degree
>ice block.

That seems like a good idea, with a natural fridge, eg a room full of
ice shelves interspersed with salt water stalagtites below a roofpond.

>Would work great for air conditioning too.

Not enough ice.

Nick

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:37 pm
From: KLS

On Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:43:17 -0700, RW Salnick <salnick@no.spam.org>
wrote:

>Anthony Matonak brought forth on stone tablets:
>> Harry K wrote:
>> ...
>>
>>> Yep. We lived with an icebox until 1948 when REA came through. A
>>> messy appliance needing regular care. The lack of a freezing
>>> capability would kill any 'market' except for the die hard "back-to-
>>> nature" types.
>>
>> Perhaps we could have the best of both worlds. Start with an ice house
>> filled with trays of water/ice that has automatic doors or shutters
>> which open when the temperature outside is below freezing. Perhaps even
>> designed to make use of prevailing winds or including some kind of fan.
>> Attached to this could be a fridge and/or freezer using a heat pump
>> with a heat exchanger inside the ice house.
>>
>> You would get the modern features of an ordinary fridge or freezer
>> with minimal energy use. If you're located somewhere without lots of
>> cold weather then perhaps one of those solar ice makers could be used.
>>
>> Anthony
>
>Better yet: Take advantage of modern technology while minimizing energy
>usage.
>
>Build the icehouse, and use it as the heat sink for conventional
>refrigeration. Would take essentially zero energy to move heat downhill
>from a 40 degree fridge to a 32 degree ice block. And not much more to
>move it uphill from a 0 degree freezer to the 32 degree ice block.
>Would work great for air conditioning too. Much better than pumping the
>heat uphill into a 72 degree environment (conventional fridge/freezer),
>or even worse, into a 90-100 degree environment (airconditioning)

These are great ideas, and I'm going to think about incorporating them
all into any building plans I make, along with the solar panels I'd
like to install for heating the house water. We're in western New
York, so this could work really well. The more passive, the better!
[fyi, posting from misc.consumers.house, so followups directed
elsewhere will elude my attention]

==============================================================================
TOPIC: why should both of us be broke? - OT
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e4520df0f011ecde?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 12:16 pm
From: wallster

just for fun!

http://makewallyrich.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Things you never see in a Rod Speed post
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/210cdd19fa4cdb11?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 12:24 pm
From: William Souden

"my job"

"my family"

"my friends"

"last night I went out for dinner"

"I was wrong"

links that back up his fantasies.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Breast-Feeding: Private Act or Public Right?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/d9ae679497789a49?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 12:48 pm
From: "Mike Painter"

It's interesting that the same people who are against abortion are also
against a woman feeding a hungry child in a public place.

The right to life ends at birth for these people.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 1:29 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Mike Painter <mddotpainter@sbcglobal.net> wrote

> It's interesting that the same people who are against abortion are
> also against a woman feeding a hungry child in a public place.

Just your pathetic little drug crazed fantasy.

> The right to life ends at birth for these people.

It ends at conception for fools like you.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 2:48 pm
From: bearclaw@cruller.invalid

In article <2eiea3t4ibls64rvi622oq8kkhohc6186f@4ax.com>,
Dubh Ghall <puck@pooks.hill.fey> wrote:

> Why were you gnashing your one tooth, was your one synapse,
> overloading?

y? because we like you em oh you ess ee

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Cell Phone Question
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/fe794dfae059f032?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 1:19 pm
From: "Nancy"

Do all new cell phones come with a GPS feature? I'm in the market for a new
phone & would like this feature. I drive in rural areas quite a bit and
would like some sort of "locator" feature if there is an emergency.

Nancy

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:11 pm
From: "www.Queensbridge.us"

On Jul 25, 4:19 pm, "Nancy" <na...@nospam.net> wrote:
> Do all new cell phones come with a GPS feature? I'm in the market for a new
> phone & would like this feature. I drive in rural areas quite a bit and
> would like some sort of "locator" feature if there is an emergency.
>
> Nancy

As far as the 9-1-1 use of GPS, in NYC it is useless.
I KNOW you mentioned rural.

Are you talking about emergency services finding you,
or you simply wanting to know where you are?

If you want emergency services to locate you, you may wish to talk to
the services in your area directly.

--
Incredibly low long distance phone rates. As low as USA-Canada 1.9CPM!
Works as prepaid phone card. PIN not needed for calls from home or
cell phone. Compare the rates at https://www.OneSuite.com No monthly
fee or minimum. Use Promotion/SuiteTreat Code: "FREEoffer23" for FREE
time. Works FROM many other countries.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 4:48 pm
From: "Melissa"

"Nancy" <nancy@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:vu-dnXkQNO7_LTrbnZ2dnUVZ_smnnZ2d@wcc.net...
> Do all new cell phones come with a GPS feature? I'm in the market for a
new
> phone & would like this feature. I drive in rural areas quite a bit and
> would like some sort of "locator" feature if there is an emergency.
>
> Nancy
>
>
>

My husband and I both got Razr's last year through Verizon. They have web
browsing ability and a mapping feature too. You can use it and pay "per
use" for like $2.99, or, if you know you're going to be traveling, you can
turn the feature on for $10 a month unlimited. It works like Mapquest or
Google Maps. I would bet most of the newer phones and carriers offer a
similar feature. We like that we can use it if we want, but don't have to
pay for it each month. (our contract gave us free web etc. for the first 30
days, we played with it a little, but it's not something we want/need in a
cell phone)

Melissa

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Woman is content living in 84-sq. ft. tiny dream home.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/911886124117ed11?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:13 pm
From: Tim Campbell

On Jul 24, 3:12 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Tim Campbell <timc...@sbcglobal.net> wrote

> > If ya don't mind all that plastic and the formaldahyde vapors...
>
> Those are trivially avoidable if you're obsessed about those.

I do like to avoid known carcinogens like formaldahye vapors...if I
can...

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:35 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Tim Campbell <timcall@sbcglobal.net> wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
>> Tim Campbell <timc...@sbcglobal.net> wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote

>>>> Yeah, saw that, but an RV or trailer makes a
>>>> lot more sense because its easier to move too.

>>> If ya don't mind all that plastic and the formaldahyde vapors...

>> Those are trivially avoidable if you're obsessed about those.

> I do like to avoid known carcinogens like formaldahye vapors...

What minimal amounts of formaldahye you get with RVs and trailers
arent carcinogens and are trivially avoidable if you want to avoid them.

> if I can...

Corse you can, just like you can with a micro house too.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: craigslist rocks
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/5655b4a4967103d5?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:26 pm
From: "www.Queensbridge.us"

On Jun 11, 11:46 am, timeOday <timeOday-UNS...@theknack.net> wrote:
> SMS wrote:
> > timeOday wrote:
>
> >> I like things that are simple and effective. craigslist.com qualifies.
>
> >> I hadn't been anticipating a new TV, but my old one broke. All of the
> >> TVs advertised in the Sunday ads are new technologies - very cool, but
> >> expensive, and I just didn't feel like spending the money. Finally I
> >> thought of craigslist, which I'd never used before. I immediately
> >> found a slew of TVs for sale in my area, called a guy, and brought
> >> home a nice "new" (used) 27" Sony Trinitron for $100 this morning.
> >> Problem solved, no shipping costs, no waiting, no risk of buying
> >> sight-unseen.
>
> > With Freecycle you probably could have gotten such a TV for free. People
> > are desperate to get rid of their old 27"-36" CRT TVs when they buy a
> > plasma or LCD screen. Often they also try to get you to take the
> > furniture for it too.
>
> OK, free is good. But I just tried freecycle and I got this result:
>
> "We're sorry but there were no results for your search tv within 100
> miles of Albuquerque, NM.
>
> This may be because no Freecycle(tm) Groups nearby have been added to the
> Freecycle(tm) Finder."
>
> Am I doing it wrong?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

YAHOO has many Freecycle groups. You may want to search yahoo.

In NYC I have used Craigs to give away some stuff and sell others [at
give away prices].

Friends have gotten paying work from TALENT GIGS section of Craigs.

-------
Incredibly low long distance phone rates. As low as USA-Canada 1.9CPM!
Works as prepaid phone card. PIN not needed for calls from home or
cell phone. Compare the rates at https://www.OneSuite.com No monthly
fee or minimum. Use Promotion/SuiteTreat Code: "FREEoffer23" for FREE
time. Works FROM many other countries.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Watch Free Satellite TV on your PC or Laptop
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c33e88b9fb059ec4?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:30 pm
From: "www.Queensbridge.us"

On Jul 24, 1:16 pm, Camron S <camronst...@gmail.com> wrote:
> SATELLITE TV for PC - Amazing Software which Instantly Turns your
> Computer into a Super TV!
>
> Get over 3000 Stations.
>
> Watch all your favorite shows on your Computer!
>
> Save 1000's of $$$ over many years on cable and satellite bills.
>
> INSTANT DOWNLOAD
>
> Know More About It:http://tvonpc.xt.cx

Between Google video, YouTube Video and Veoh video
where does one fit in 3000 more stations?

How does above work anyway?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Ooma Offers Free Long Distance Forever
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/74e83ed1a5238d99?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jul 25 2007 3:41 pm
From: "www.Queensbridge.us"

On Jul 24, 8:48 am, George <geo...@nospam.invalid> wrote:
> Ablang wrote:
> > Ooma Offers Free Long Distance Forever
> > The free service also comes with a network-based message box that can
> > deliver voicemail via e-mail attachments and that can be checked via
> > the Web.
> > Tim Greene, Network World
> > Monday, July 23, 2007 8:00 AM PDT
>
> >http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,134942/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws
>
> > VOIP startup Ooma offers free domestic long-distance phone service
> > forever if you buy an Ooma appliance for $399.
>
> So the question would be how much faith do you have to prepay the $399
> given the usual result for such startups? (Especially since others in
> the VoIP space that looked more promising than this such as Voicestick
> have failed)

Another company
Norvergence
also sold a miraculous to save phone $$.
Read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norvergence

-------------
Incredibly low long distance phone rates. As low as USA-Canada 1.9CPM!
Works as prepaid phone card. PIN not needed for calls from home or
cell phone. Compare the rates at https://www.OneSuite.com No monthly
fee or minimum. Use Promotion/SuiteTreat Code: "FREEoffer23" for FREE
time. Works FROM many other countries.

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5 new messages in 4 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

misc.consumers.frugal-living@googlegroups.com

Today's topics:

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 24 2007 9:06 pm
From: Abe

>You seem to be over the top on this. You wanted to take out a very large
>sum of cash, that the bank either didn't have on hand when you wanted it
>or for some reason they felt very uncomfortable transferring that amount
>of cash to you. They lost a check order - whoopee. And you don't even
>know if it was actually the bank that lost the check order.

I disagree with cash on hand issue. I have worked in banking, even
small neighborhood branches, and 30 grand is nothing. Even the
smallest branches have many times that in the vault.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 24 2007 9:35 pm
From: Logan Shaw

Rick wrote:
> The Real Bev wrote:
>> 3. A month or so after that I went to the main local branch, figuring that
>> they wouldn't have to fax anything anywhere. After half an hour they said
>> they had looked everywhere but couldn't find my signature card. I asked
>> what else they could do. They said I could show them my driver's license.
>> AARRGGHH.
>
> And providing proof of who you were... Somehow that was a problem?

I think the problem was that they went through a whole bunch of complex
rigamarole for 30 minutes when they could have just asked for a driver's
license and had the problem solved in 30 seconds. Given that they did
this twice, and at two different branches, it almost sounds as if they
went to special training to learn how to be incompetent time-wasters.

- Logan

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Valley, Santa Clarita areas face problems with illness, poverty
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/123e617c98534333?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 24 2007 9:39 pm
From: Usenet2007@THE-DOMAIN-IN.SIG

In article
<1185315999.021844.170390@g12g2000prg.googlegroups.com>,
millhaven@intergate.com says...
> http://www.dailynews.com/ci_6447594
>
> Valley, Santa Clarita areas face problems with illness, poverty
> BY SUSAN ABRAM, Staff Writer
> Article Last Updated: 07/23/2007 11:11:30 PM PDT
>
> Residents in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys are poorer,
> mostly unhealthier and visiting emergency rooms for mental illness
> more than they were three years ago, according to a report to be
> released Wednesday.
>
> While obesity and diabetes rates have grown steadily over the past
> several years, mental health needs are surging, with more residents
> being diagnosed with various forms of psychosis at area hospitals.
>
> "The mental health diagnosis of (schizophrenia) is now among the top
> five (inpatient diagnoses) among adults and children," said Ronald
> Sorensen, director of the Providence Center for Community Health
> Improvement.

Have you ever BEEN to the San Fernando Valley? Like worked
there, or spent lots of time there? Driven around the grid of
unbelievably low-value, tedious, boring, Valley-Stuff? In the
nasty heat and smog of the summertime?

Then you would understand the mental health dangers.

> The study by the Valley Care Community Consortium, a group of health
> and mental health providers and schools, ties health to household
> incomes, education, race and ethnicity, and neighborhood crime rates.
>
> Among the findings, households that earn less than $25,000 a year have
> increased from 17 percent to 23 percent
> of the total in the San Fernando Valley and from 9 percent to 11
> percent of Santa Clarita Valley households.

So, a bunch of folks from Compton are "movin' on up"?

> Diabetes accounted for 21 percent of deaths in 2004, up from 19
> percent in 1999 in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.
>
> Obesity rates in the two areas also rose to 21 percent in 2004 from 19
> percent in 1999.

They are so miserable in the Valley, that they resort to
overeating to distract themselves from the hopelessness and
boredom.

> In one of the few positive improvements, asthma rates among children
> age 17 and younger fell in the past three years, from 8.7 percent of
> the total to 7.9 percent.

What, is the price of petrol reducing the smog, or something?

> In Glendale, nearly 12 percent of the residents have heart disease.
> The city also has the San Fernando Valley's highest rate of asthma and
> diabetes.

Personally, I don't consider Glendale (or Burbank) as part of the
Valley. It's a different vibe. Note that I didn't say a
completely good vibe.

> While the number of uninsured adults decreased from 23.6 percent to 19
> percent over three years, most adults still don't have a regular
> medical physician.
>
> The number of residents age 65 to 84 will increase by 35 percent in
> the Santa Clarita Valley in the next five years.

That's because there is nothing to do there, but sit around
getting old.

> Obesity also remains a top health crisis.
>
> "That is a real concern because that brings in a lot of issues, such
> as heart problems and diabetes," Novosel said.

Maybe they are trying to hasten their departure from the burning,
noxious Hell that is known as The San Fernando Valley?

> "This study is a picture of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita
> valleys," Sorensen said. "We'll discuss what we have, and how to delve
> deeper."

Don't bother. No matter how deeply you delve, EVERY part of the
Valley has exactly the same vibe.

--
Get Credit Where Credit Is Due
http://www.cardreport.com/
Credit Tools, Reference, and Forum

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Frugal deals
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/bcac699fb70f8bf8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 24 2007 11:30 pm
From: "Mark G."

dont forget www.fatwallet.com

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Jul 24 2007 11:46 pm
From: nicksanspam@ece.villanova.edu

Morris Dovey <mrdovey@iedu.com> wrote:
>Steve Spence wrote:
>
>| It wasn't an ice box. It was an ice house, in the basement. sort of
>| a walk-in cooler. Food was stored on shelves in the ice room.
>
>Ah! Thank you - I read "ice house" and thought "ice box". My mistake.
>
>Still, that strikes me as a project needing a considerable mass of ice
>and a substantial volume of insulation if it's to last from winter to
>winter (or harvest to harvest).
>
>Too much heavy lifting for me...

The ice might freeze in winter, then melt, then refreeze in place.