Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 10 topics

Sunday, June 8, 2008

25 new messages in 10 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: build your own auto trailer
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/520c5580f399639a?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:31 pm
From: phil scott

On Jun 5, 4:16 pm, JustMe <generalordertwentyf...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I need to haul maybe 800 lbs of junk (books mostly, also some
> computers and misc) from a storage unit about 200 miles away. I'd like
> to build a quick and dirty trailer for the job. Anyone know of plans I
> can download for nuthin? Thanks.

rent one from U haul, make the round trip in one day., it will be
cheaper...for the cheapest rental try craigs list.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 4:29 pm
From: SMS

phil scott wrote:
> On Jun 5, 4:16 pm, JustMe <generalordertwentyf...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I need to haul maybe 800 lbs of junk (books mostly, also some
>> computers and misc) from a storage unit about 200 miles away. I'd like
>> to build a quick and dirty trailer for the job. Anyone know of plans I
>> can download for nuthin? Thanks.
>
> rent one from U haul, make the round trip in one day., it will be
> cheaper...for the cheapest rental try craigs list.

This is true. You can rent their smallest trailer for about $20 a day.
Even doing it in two days would be fine.

I see ads on craigslist for the Harbor Freight trailers selling for more
than they cost new. Not sure if they're actually getting these prices
though. They're including extra wheels and the stake sides and the
plywood, but still $500 is very high. I think he could at least get back
the purchase price.

"http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/711818806.html"

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Does one point EER make a big diff in energy efficiency?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/bc91eb4ccf208fb9?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:39 pm
From: phil scott

On Jun 4, 6:54 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> I'm looking to buy a small window air conditioner
> (5000-6000 BTU) for bedroom use.
>
> Does the drop from 107 eer to 9.7 eer mean a big diff
> in electrical usage?
>
> Does on point make much diff?

yes.. and it also means the thing will last longer because of the
larger condenser surface and cooler running compressor especially in
extreme climates... the farther south you go the more imporatant this
is..not so important say in SF calif or coastal oregon.

savings in your case might be in the 15 to 20pct range...not just on
amperage but in less run time... can add up in the souther US climates
or on the humid east coast.

but dont pay a nasty premium for it... payback might be 5 years or
whatever...too long.

Phil scott (mech contractor/ engr)

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:41 pm
From: phil scott

On Jun 4, 8:26 am, Anthony Matonak
<anthony...@nothing.like.socal.rr.com> wrote:
> m...@privacy.net wrote:
> > I'm looking to buy a small window air conditioner
> > (5000-6000 BTU) for bedroom use.
>
> > Does the drop from 107 eer to 9.7 eer mean a big diff
> > in electrical usage?
>
> > Does on point make much diff?
>
> http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/roomwindow_ac_e.php
> : The EER is a simple ratio of the BTUs of the unit to the amount of
> : power it consumes in Watts. Thus an air conditioner with 10,000 BTU
> : capacity and an EER of 10 consumes 1000 watts of power
>
> http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/air-conditioner-revi...
> : With an efficiency rating of 9.7, the Kenmore window air conditioner
> : will cost 10% more to run each year than a similarly sized unit with
> : an EER of 10.7.
>
> How much difference it makes is determined by how much you use it.
> Comparing two 5000 BTU air conditioners, the 10.7 EER unit would
> consume roughly 468 Watts and the 9.7 EER unit 516 Watts or a
> difference of about 48 Watts.
>
> If you use this air conditioner some 12 hours a day for 4 months
> of the year that amounts to 1440 hours and 69 kWh difference. If
> a kWh costs you 14 cents then this is about $9.66 a year.
>
> Say you expect this air conditioner to last 10 years. This difference
> between the two units in electricity costs would be $96.60
>
> In short, it makes a difference but since the 9.7 EER units usually
> cost about $100 and the 10.7 EER units cost about $200, they both
> will cost the same over the long term.
>
> Anthony

thats right... what gets left out sometimes is the lower run times
seen with high efficiency systems since they cool better in very hot
weather due to the loss of efficiency as compressor head pressure
rises.. so the less efficient ones will run longer.. adding to the
operating costs above and beyond the eer ratio issues.

Phil Scott

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:43 pm
From: phil scott

On Jun 4, 10:21 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> Anthony Matonak <anthony...@nothing.like.socal.rr.com>
> wrote:
>
> >In short, it makes a difference but since the 9.7 EER units usually
> >cost about $100 and the 10.7 EER units cost about $200, they both
> >will cost the same over the long term.
>
> I live in north Missouri and would use it for say 3
> months a year

if money is short, get the cheap one.... if you were in south florida
or texas id say get the 10.7 eer unit.

Phil Scott

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:45 pm
From: phil scott

On Jun 4, 10:22 am, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> Anthony Matonak <anthony...@nothing.like.socal.rr.com>
> wrote:
>
> >If you use this air conditioner some 12 hours a day for 4 months
> >of the year that amounts to 1440 hours and 69 kWh difference. If
> >a kWh costs you 14 cents then this is about $9.66 a year.
>
> Would use probably say 6 hrs daily in July and
> August... mainly while sleeping in bedroom only

for sleeping only you are running it in a much cooler time frame.. and
only for a few months... get the cheapeer unit and a fan for not so
hot days.... I was in mexico last year for a few weeks and the motel
had a fan only, by the bed...worked fine.

Phil scott

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:48 pm
From: phil scott

On Jun 4, 1:18 pm, Jeff <jeff@spam_me_not.com> wrote:
> m...@privacy.net wrote:
> > I'm looking to buy a small window air conditioner
> > (5000-6000 BTU) for bedroom use.
>
> > Does the drop from 107 eer to 9.7 eer mean a big diff
> > in electrical usage?
>
> > Does on point make much diff?
>
> Anthony has covered the EER bit, but there is more in choosing an AC.
>
> There's also something called Energy Star. Energy Star appliances use
> less electricity.
>
> A 10.7 EER Energy Star AC can potentially use much less electrify
> than a non Energy Star 10.7 EER AC.
>
> Generally the savings will come when the AC is not at max cooling.
> Energy Star ACs tend to have energy savings modes. For example, in a
> "regular" AC the fan runs all the time, whether the compressor is
> running or not. So you are always using the sizable amount of energy the
> fan draws, whether you are cooling or not. In other words Energy Star
> appliance can use dramatically less power while idling.
>
> Another common feature is automatic fan speeds. When there is a lot of
> cooling to do, the fan automatically runs faster. When it is just
> maintaining a temp, it will run slower and quieter.
>
> They may also have sleep modes that let the room warm up a bit after a
> time delay, and then cycle back to the set temperature for when you are
> getting up again.
>
> All these features are switchable and you can enable or defeat them.
>
> I'd buy a better AC. I upgraded my window ACs last year and I'm much
> happier with the new units even if I wasn't saving energy. I love the
> remote and the quieter operation. And electricity pricing can only go up.
>
> I just sent someone off to buy a 600BTU AC. The 10.8 EER Energy Star
> was $138 (Lowes), the cheapest "regular" was $85 and was a 9.0 (Brand
> Smart).

not bad advice at all.... i didnt know about the variable speed fan
and that cheap price on one at lowes

Phil scott

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Turn that cell phone charger off!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/08c4c18e7cebc41e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:39 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> George <george@nospam.invalid> wrote
>>> The Real Bev wrote
>>>> Evelyn C. Leeper wrote

>>>>> My cell phone instructions say to plug the charger into the
>>>>> cell phone and *then* into the wall, rather than vice versa.

>>>> Samsung? A real nuisance, and it would have been nice of them to explain just why THEIRS is different from
>>>> everybody else's.

>>>>> Even though this sounds bizarre, in fact there can be a difference. (In London, plugging a CPAP unit in in reverse
>>>>> order could blow the fuse in it, while the right way around never did.)

>>> Whats the nuisance part?

>> Having to keep plugging and unplugging from the mains.

> And having to find the charger when you can't remember where you put it 2 weeks ago.

I'm not stupid enough to put it anywhere, its always in the same place.

>>> You need to make two connections (one to the phone and one to the AC outlet) however you look at it.

>> You can leave it plugged into the wall and just plug it into the phone when the phone needs to be charged.

> Pay attention.

You're the one that needs to do that.

> For some reason Samsung doesn't want you to do that

Duh.

> and I'm not willing to risk letting all the smoke out just because their design is less than optimal.

Or you can avoid chargers that are that badly designed.

> Having to buy another phone is even less optimal.

Getting a charger that can stay plugged in all the time and
can have the phone plugged into the charger as required
doesnt require a shred of rocket science whatever.

And you dont even have to bother if you buy a Nokia in the first place.

>>> And it really isn't a technically bad idea to connect a load to a power supply before energizing the power supply.

>> But completely routine to design it so you dont have to.

> Exactly. Too bad they didn't.

Then I wont be bothering with their phone.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 4:16 pm
From: The Real Bev

Rod Speed wrote:

> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>> Rod Speed wrote
>>> George <george@nospam.invalid> wrote
>>>> The Real Bev wrote
>>>>> Evelyn C. Leeper wrote
>
>>>>>> My cell phone instructions say to plug the charger into the
>>>>>> cell phone and *then* into the wall, rather than vice
>>>>>> versa.
>
>>>>> Samsung? A real nuisance, and it would have been nice of
>>>>> them to explain just why THEIRS is different from everybody
>>>>> else's.
>
>>>>>> Even though this sounds bizarre, in fact there can be a
>>>>>> difference. (In London, plugging a CPAP unit in in reverse
>>>>>> order could blow the fuse in it, while the right way
>>>>>> around never did.)
>
>>>> Whats the nuisance part?
>
>>> Having to keep plugging and unplugging from the mains.
>
>> And having to find the charger when you can't remember where you
>> put it 2 weeks ago.
>
> I'm not stupid enough to put it anywhere, its always in the same
> place.

There speaks a man who doesn't have to move something else in order to
set his handbag down or operate his mouse.

>>>> You need to make two connections (one to the phone and one to
>>>> the AC outlet) however you look at it.
>
>>> You can leave it plugged into the wall and just plug it into the
>>> phone when the phone needs to be charged.
>
>> Pay attention.
>
> You're the one that needs to do that.
>
>> For some reason Samsung doesn't want you to do that
>
> Duh.
>
>> and I'm not willing to risk letting all the smoke out just because
>> their design is less than optimal.
>
> Or you can avoid chargers that are that badly designed.
>
>> Having to buy another phone is even less optimal.
>
> Getting a charger that can stay plugged in all the time and can have
> the phone plugged into the charger as required doesnt require a shred
> of rocket science whatever.
>
> And you dont even have to bother if you buy a Nokia in the first
> place.

I chose from what was available at the time. It may be noted that you
don't find out about ALL a complex product's details until you've
actually had to deal with it for a while.

If I ever have to buy another phone, I'll insist on one with voice
recognition so I don't have to negotiate a menu tree to call a number I
have in phone memory but not in brain memory. I really didn't
appreciate it when I had it.

--
Cheers, Bev
============================================
Buckle Up. It makes it harder for the aliens
to suck you out of your car.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 5:31 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote
>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>> George <george@nospam.invalid> wrote
>>>>> The Real Bev wrote
>>>>>> Evelyn C. Leeper wrote

>>>>>>> My cell phone instructions say to plug the charger into the
>>>>>>> cell phone and *then* into the wall, rather than vice versa.

>>>>>> Samsung? A real nuisance, and it would have been nice of them to explain just why THEIRS is different from
>>>>>> everybody else's.

>>>>>>> Even though this sounds bizarre, in fact there can be a difference. (In London, plugging a CPAP unit in in
>>>>>>> reverse order could blow the fuse in it, while the right way around never did.)

>>>>> Whats the nuisance part?

>>>> Having to keep plugging and unplugging from the mains.

>>> And having to find the charger when you can't remember where you put it 2 weeks ago.

>> I'm not stupid enough to put it anywhere, its always in the same place.

> There speaks a man who doesn't have to move something else in order to set his handbag down

Indeed, never need one to bash someone with.

> or operate his mouse.

Never stupid enough to operate the mouse where the phone charger is.

>>>>> You need to make two connections (one to the phone and one to the AC outlet) however you look at it.

>>>> You can leave it plugged into the wall and just plug it into the phone when the phone needs to be charged.

>>> Pay attention.

>> You're the one that needs to do that.

>>> For some reason Samsung doesn't want you to do that

>> Duh.

>>> and I'm not willing to risk letting all the smoke out just because their design is less than optimal.

>> Or you can avoid chargers that are that badly designed.

>>> Having to buy another phone is even less optimal.

>> Getting a charger that can stay plugged in all the time and can have the phone plugged into the charger as required
>> doesnt require a shred of rocket science whatever.

>> And you dont even have to bother if you buy a Nokia in the first place.

> I chose from what was available at the time.

You should choose where you do that choosing more carefully.

> It may be noted that you don't find out about ALL a complex product's details until you've actually had to deal with
> it for a while.

Anyone with a clue downloads the manual of something like that before buying it.

> If I ever have to buy another phone, I'll insist on one with voice
> recognition so I don't have to negotiate a menu tree to call a number I have in phone memory but not in brain memory.

Yeah, its quite handy.

> I really didn't appreciate it when I had it.

What, brain memory ?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Walk Score(tm) for Your Address
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/2bdcce5683876326?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 1:48 pm
From: Al Bundy

On Jun 7, 2:32 pm, SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> wrote:
> http://walkscore.com/
>
> They take your address and they use Google Maps to index the businesses,
> services, etc that are close enough to walk to.
>
> It's got a lot of errors, but it's still interesting.
>
> Some of the errors I found:
>
> One of the "schools" it listed near me was the "AAA Driving School."
>
> One of the libraries it listed is actually a State Farm insurance agency
> owned by someone I know.
>
> An AMC movie theater that opened about a year ago, about 1 mile away
> from me, isn't listed.
>
> Most of the distances over 2 miles are completely wrong. I.e. Google
> maps shows one of the movie theaters listed as being 9.2 miles away,
> while Walkscore shows it as 5.48 miles away.
>
> Several of the businesses it lists are not in business any more or have
> changed names.
>
> One of "libraries" it showed was a library inside an HP building on an
> HP campus.

Interesting, but too full of errors for practical use. Stuff across
the street is absent while stores closed a decade ago are shown as
active. A Google search on the zip code and address is more
comprehensive and one can do their own comparison without the little
house progress bar.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: frugal towels?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7e4690da26b3e36b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 2:09 pm
From: val189

On Jun 2, 5:33 pm, The Real Bev <bashley101+use...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Dark colors require less frequent washing. Come on, just how filthy do
> bath towels ever get?

So, how many times DO you use a bath towel?

Reminds me of something once heard in a dressing room:"I only buy
black underwear cuz ya don't hafta wash it." EEEWWWWW....

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 3:40 pm
From: Anthony Matonak

val189 wrote:
> On Jun 2, 5:33 pm, The Real Bev <bashley101+use...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Dark colors require less frequent washing. Come on, just how filthy do
>> bath towels ever get?
>
> So, how many times DO you use a bath towel?

With a body dryer there isn't any more need for towels than
there is with the hand driers found in most modern rest rooms.

http://www.savortex.com/body_dryer.html
http://www.aircon247.com/p/390261/triton-luxury-body-dryer.html

Anthony

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 4:30 pm
From: "Chloe"

"Anthony Matonak" <anthonym40@nothing.like.socal.rr.com> wrote in message
news:484c6067$0$20192$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> val189 wrote:
>> On Jun 2, 5:33 pm, The Real Bev <bashley101+use...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Dark colors require less frequent washing. Come on, just how filthy do
>>> bath towels ever get?
>>
>> So, how many times DO you use a bath towel?
>
> With a body dryer there isn't any more need for towels than
> there is with the hand driers found in most modern rest rooms.
>
> http://www.savortex.com/body_dryer.html
> http://www.aircon247.com/p/390261/triton-luxury-body-dryer.html

"The high speed spinning filtered hot air brushes water off in an
invigorating fun way, and reaches areas missed by towels." That pretty much
says it all as far as I'm concerned <g>.

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 6:07 pm
From: The Real Bev

Chloe wrote:

> "Anthony Matonak" <anthonym40@nothing.like.socal.rr.com> wrote:
>> val189 wrote:
>>> The Real Bev <bashley101+use...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Dark colors require less frequent washing. Come on, just how
>>>> filthy do bath towels ever get?
>>>
>>> So, how many times DO you use a bath towel?

Lots.

>> With a body dryer there isn't any more need for towels than there
>> is with the hand driers found in most modern rest rooms.

I HATE those things. You should be able to dry your hands in 5 seconds
or less, and one of the last things I want is to be trapped in a hot
room with increasing amounts of hot air.

>> http://www.savortex.com/body_dryer.html

>> http://www.aircon247.com/p/390261/triton-luxury-body-dryer.html
>
> "The high speed spinning filtered hot air brushes water off in an
> invigorating fun way, and reaches areas missed by towels." That
> pretty much says it all as far as I'm concerned <g>.

92 seconds is way too long and you can buy a lot of towels for 300 lb.
"No heating element." So what does it use, friction?

--
Cheers,
Bev
************************************************************
"Let them eat shit."
-- Marcel Antoinette, Marie's little-known brother

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Gasoline breaks through $4.00 a gallon
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/bb94fea1c432a5b3?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 2:32 pm
From: Paul M. Eldridge

On Sun, 8 Jun 2008 13:30:12 -0700 (PDT), Al Bundy
<MSfortune@mcpmail.com> wrote:

>Paul M. Eldridge wrote:
>> On Sun, 8 Jun 2008 07:44:14 -0700 (PDT), Al Bundy
>> <MSfortune@mcpmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Paul M. Eldridge wrote:
>> >> According to the AAA, the U.S. national average for regular unleaded
>> >> now exceeds $4.00 a gallon.
>> >
>> >Thank you for this timely news Paul.
>> >What can you tell us about summer? Will it be hot?
>>
>> Yes, it will be, especially under the collar. ;-)
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Paul
>
>Ever since I was a kid, I enjoyed Good Humor.

Mais Oui ! C'est moi... l'homme de bonne humeur !

Cheers,
Paul

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Oil Boycott: Non oil based products?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/c81559a594ac920c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 2:43 pm
From: clams_casino

Bill wrote:

>Seems to me both manufacturers of products and consumers are fed up with
>these high oil prices. I think the manufacturers would like to get away from
>oil based materials if possible. Maybe consumers can help them do this by
>buying non-oil based products when available...
>
>So the question: What products can I buy at the store which are not oil
>based nor have oil based packaging? What do I look for?
>
>
>

Firstly, only about 5% of oil is used for petrochemicals (plastics,
detergents, pesticides, food preservatives, candle wax, pharmaceuticals,
etc).

Secondly, a lot of plastics as well as fertilizers are made from coal
and natural gas (especially those derived from ethylene, polypropylene,
etc).

Is your goal to avoid products derived from oil or all (man made) carbon
based products?

Acetate & rayon are primarily made from trees. Polyester (fabrics &
plastics) is primarily made using oil-based materials (paraxylene).
Silk & cotton are other natural products, but the dyes & chemicals used
to convert them into colorful fabrics / garments likely have many
oil-based components.

Bottom line - it's unlikely there is much you can do to avoid oil-based
chemicals/ products. It's much more effective to minimize using
oil-based fuels.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 7:03 pm
From: Jeff

Bill wrote:
> Seems to me both manufacturers of products and consumers are fed up with
> these high oil prices. I think the manufacturers would like to get away from
> oil based materials if possible. Maybe consumers can help them do this by
> buying non-oil based products when available...

I'm a little surprised at the shift to non petroleum sources. Goodyear
is using more natural rubber and other manufacturers are subbing oils
such as rapeseed. Trouble for them is those products are rising in cost
also.

2.6% of all petroleum is used for the production of all plastics

80% of all petroleum is used for gasoline, jet and diesel fuel and
home heating fuels

17.2% of all petroleum is used for the production of asphalt, road
oils and lubricants

http://www.polystyrene.org/news/PSPC_flyer.pdf

Where are the whales now that we need their oil?

Jeff
>
> So the question: What products can I buy at the store which are not oil
> based nor have oil based packaging? What do I look for?
>
> I did find this on the internet...
> http://www.greenhome.com
>
>

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 7:11 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Jeff <jeff@spam_me_not.com> wrote
> Bill wrote

>> Seems to me both manufacturers of products and consumers are fed up with these high oil prices. I think the
>> manufacturers would like to get away from oil based materials if possible. Maybe consumers can help them do this by
>> buying non-oil based products when available...

> I'm a little surprised at the shift to non petroleum sources.
> Goodyear is using more natural rubber and other manufacturers are
> subbing oils such as rapeseed. Trouble for them is those products are
> rising in cost also.

> 2.6% of all petroleum is used for the production of all plastics

> 80% of all petroleum is used for gasoline, jet and diesel fuel and home heating fuels

> 17.2% of all petroleum is used for the production of asphalt, road oils and lubricants

> http://www.polystyrene.org/news/PSPC_flyer.pdf

> Where are the whales now that we need their oil?

The Japs have eaten them.

>> So the question: What products can I buy at the store which are not
>> oil based nor have oil based packaging? What do I look for?

>> I did find this on the internet...
>> http://www.greenhome.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Gasoline "Boycott": The Next Generation
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7b5aa5d3dc9c38b8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 4:19 pm
From: The Real Bev

Shawn Hirn wrote:

> Starrfleat@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Obviously, gasoline prices have gotten asinine.
>
> Not at all. The price of gas in the United States is still a bargain.
> Most Americans have become spoiled by unrealistically low gas prices.

Having the freedom to travel when and where we want is NOT being
spoiled, it's the way EVERYBODY should be and until recently that's the
way we were. Stuffing us into slow public transportation is a step
backward, not forward.

--
Cheers, Bev
============================================
Buckle Up. It makes it harder for the aliens
to suck you out of your car.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 7:35 pm
From: Shawn Hirn

In article <7OZ2k.91$Mk4.62@newsfe05.lga>,
The Real Bev <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

> Shawn Hirn wrote:
>
> > Starrfleat@gmail.com wrote:
> >
> >> Obviously, gasoline prices have gotten asinine.
> >
> > Not at all. The price of gas in the United States is still a bargain.
> > Most Americans have become spoiled by unrealistically low gas prices.
>
> Having the freedom to travel when and where we want is NOT being
> spoiled, it's the way EVERYBODY should be and until recently that's the
> way we were. Stuffing us into slow public transportation is a step
> backward, not forward.

Wrong. Public transit is a viable means of transportation for millions
of people in some of the world's greatest cities and it works better
than private transportation. The problem with the United States is that
far too many urban and suburban areas are poorly served by public
transportation. You have a right to travel where you want, but you also
have a responsibility to pay the full cost of your travel expenses if
you want the luxury of private transportation.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Just Canceled Cable TV
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6cd6ada4aaa4d5bc?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 4:28 pm
From: George Grapman

The Real Bev wrote:
> barlow@amnia.com wrote:
>
>> timeOday wrote:
>>> BeaForoni@msn.com wrote:
>>>> Frugal movie watching can be found at Red Box. Instant gratification
>>>> and cheap at redbox.com . I down graded my cable and the movies I
>>>> watch are more current then the cable movie channels.
>>>
>>> Redbox is a good service. My only problem is it ends up costing us
>>> about $5 / movie because we never, ever manage to return them on time.
>>> That's why I'm thinking netflix might be better for us.
>>
>> That is why I prefer Netfix. I have one movie that has been sitting on
>> the tv for two weeks with no late fee when I return it.
>
> Your actual cost per movie depends on how quickly you watch and return
> the movies. Your scheme makes sense only if you have the
> one-movie-per-month plan, and not much even then.
>
> We got our Netflix cost down to less than a buck a movie, but we had to
> work at it. Not pleasant, which sort of defeats the purpose.
>
I have three at a time for $16. I rent about 10 a month so about
$1.50 a movie and no gas or parking meters.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 7:47 pm
From: Gordon

timeOday <timeOday-UNSPAM@theknack.net> wrote in
news:m9mdnVljQdk_V9fVnZ2dnUVZ_j6dnZ2d@comcast.com:

> Well, after noticing my most recent bill was $110 just for Internet +
> analog "Standard Cable," I finally pulled the plug. I can afford it,
> but it's just not a good value. They made me work to cancel, I was on
> hold over 15 minutes. (Comcast has one submenu for upgrading service,
> and a separate one for downgrading, hmmmm.) I couldn't cancel
> Internet, but I did downgrade to the sub-megabit service, so my total
> savings should be close to $70 per month! That's unless I come
> crawling back for the 6mps Internet, which might happen, but still I'd
> be saving $50/mo.
>
> My kids are bracing themselves for the disconnect tomorrow by watching
> Disney right now. I think this will be good for all of us. I
> realized flipping channels wasn't adding much to my quality of life,
> and the networks, for all their supposed demise, have most of the
> programming I watch anyways. I got a digital receiver for my PVR and
> discovered free digital broadcast is much better quality than the
> analog cable I was paying for. So I also applied for the government
> coupons to get a digital->analog box for my TV. I might also get the
> $9/mo netflix plan.
> Heck, for the money I saved, I could go to a concert every month.
>
> Anyways, I struck my blow for frugality this month.

Good move,
O yanked the cable last February.
Since then we have been finding that the internet is full
of TV programming. The kids watch all the Squarebob they
want over the internet, and Joost has enough on demand
programing to add veriety.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 8:21 pm
From: Dennis

On Sun, 08 Jun 2008 13:18:59 -0700, The Real Bev
<bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote:

>Dennis wrote:
>> Lost episodes are available online at http://abc.go.com.

Quite good
>> video quality and you only have to put up with 3 or 4 30-second
>> comercials. You can even start/stop/pause/replay the video like a
>> PVR.
>
>Or you can record them onto the DVR's HD or DVD off the air and then
>watch them all at once skipping over the commercials. Much more
>enjoyable --

I do record Lost on my PVR (OTA in HDTV), but we watch them once a
week as the season progresses. Agreed, the skipping commercials part
does make a big difference in the enjoyment level. But I find that I
lose interest/overload after watching the second or third episode
back-to-back.

I didn't start watching until Season 2, so the ABC site has been nice
for me to catch up on the Season 1 details/backstories that I missed.

> you don't have to keep saying "Huh? Where did HE come from?"
>
>When continuity counts, watching one episode per week is unsatisfactory.

Not a problem for me, and my wife has me to fill her in for her "Huh?"
moments. ;-)

Dennis (evil)
--
I'm behind the eight ball, ahead of the curve, riding the wave,
dodging the bullet and pushing the envelope. -George Carlin

==============================================================================
TOPIC: N.Cal. Gas at $4.46 a Gal. & What I did.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/d183151627948ad4?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Jun 8 2008 5:36 pm
From: 7derek <7dereklondon@gmail.com>

I have a service business and drive a lot. In the last few months some
of my monthly accounts have canceled as people began to cut back. Most
people are on a fixed income and can not ask for a raise every month
to stay up with our outrages inflation. Seems the first to go are the
home service people.

A few months ago I saw this coming as some of my trade related friends
where beginning to lose a few accounts here and there. A friend had
asked me if I was interested in looking at a private, by invitation
only investment club that had low money investments for short term
returns. Low investment sounded good to me and without any previous
investment experience I had little to lose. I did not lose, I am
gaining, more than enough to compensate for my canceled accounts.

The point I am making is during these extraordinary times we may have
to take extraordinary action if we want to maintain any semblance of
the lifestyle we all came to know and love. Who knows, some people may
need to get a part time job, some may start an internet business and
others will do what they can to survive.

Things in my opinion will never again be as we knew them. A year ago I
would have never believed I would be investing a few hundred dollars
here and there to make ends meet - I wonder how many other people out
there are doing novel things to raise money.

Frugal-living and surviving - Derek

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Sunday, June 8, 2008

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