Frugal Living: Jun 13, 2008

Friday, June 13, 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: Just Canceled Cable TV
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6cd6ada4aaa4d5bc?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Thurs, Jun 12 2008 11:40 pm
From: Gordon

Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply <samhill@TRASHsonic.net> wrote in
news:48512685$0$17146$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net:

> Gordon wrote:
>> Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply <samhill@TRASHsonic.net> wrote
>> in

> Do you have any hints on mastering Joost? I like some of the series
> they have on there, but I always feel like I am bumping around in the
> dark trying to figure out how to use it, and for some reason, it
> ALWAYS goes back to the first thing I ever watched on there, which is
> INCREDIBLY aggravating. Please, share your knowledge! I would love
> to see more of the stuff on Joost and to be able to find more things
> other than junk.

Joost is still in beta, so it's going to have a few querks. When you
start with Joost you should begin in the explorer. With the interface
up, click in the Explore bubble on the left side of the screen. Select
a catagory from the list that comes up on the left, or choose the "ABC"
item to see an alphabetical list. Remember that programs in Joost are
arranged in Chanels, which contain episodes. When you see a channel
that you like, hover over it's tile and three icons will appear. The
Play icon should be obvious. The channel will start playing with the
first episode of the channel. You can pause the playback and go back to
the explorer at any time.
As you watch channels, they will be added to your channel list. With
the interface up, you will see a control box at the bottom of the
screen, this is the channel control. The first line has the search box
and a few viewing controls. the 2nd line is your channel history list.
Navigate it by clicking on the arrows to flip from one channel to the
next. The play button to the far right will start playing the current
episode in that channel.
The last line is the episode of the channel that you were last watching.
You can flip through the episodes, same way that you flipped through
the channels. What ever you were watching last is what will come up
when you restart Joost.

>
> As far as I know, Veoh does CBS programming, Hulu does NBC and Fox
> programming, AOL captures some of these and rebroadcasts them, and
> nobody else does ABC besides their weird interface that inexplicably
> claims to have won some award for being best video stream.

Hulu has a back end that allows other services to use it's content.
A quick browse through Veoh shows that many of it's programs source
from Hulu. Yahoo and Aol also capture Hulu content as well.
But you are right, Veoh has other sources other than Hulu. So Veoh
seems to be the better choice since you will always get more
programming than just Hulu.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: DTV Converter box major snafu in the US
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/5479512ec399c625?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 12:07 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Logan Shaw <lshaw-usenet@austin.rr.com> wrote:
> Derald wrote:
>> What I don't understand is why the coupons are redeemable only
>> against mediocre models from select manufacturers. High-end
>> converters with adequate sensitivity for low-signal "fringe"
>> reception do not qualify for the coupon and are currently priced in
>> the $170 range.
>
> If I had to guess, I'd say the manufacturers are targeting two niches:
> converters that are cheap enough so you can almost/mostly pay for
> them with the coupon, and converters that you can't and are more
> full-featured.
>
> The restriction that you can't use the converter on one with certain
> features (such as a digital output) is a little strange, but I can see
> why that restriction exists. It exists because if it didn't, just
> about every video-related piece of equipment in the world would
> suddenly start sporting an analog TV output and an ATSC tuner. That
> would make it technically a "converter" and suddenly the manufacturer
> has produced a product that the consumer gets a free $40 toward.
> For example, a camcorder already probably has an analog video out.
> Just add an ATSC tuner, and suddenly it's a "converter". Likewise,
> a Tivo model with an ATSC tuner and an analog output would be a
> "converter" as well.
>
>> Although, teevee aerial reception in my area has been adequate,
>> IME, since 1977, within the past year, increased noise and noticeably
>> weaker signals, AWA recent acquisition of a color teevee -- our
>> first -- have caused me to replace the antenna, downline, etc.
>> Subsequently, largely from curiosity, I purchased a thoroughly
>> medium quality digital SDTV just to see what is what.
>
> I didn't even know they made standard-def televisions with ATSC
> tuners. I have no doubt at all that it's possible, but I just wasn't
> aware any manufacturers were doing it. Lo and behold, now that I've
> googled it, it appears they in fact do make them.
>
>> The digital set has since been returned
>> to the retailer. Guess what is what: Not surprisingly, at its best,
>> the set's cheapo analog tuner would ( only sometimes) receive as
>> many as three of the eight (English language) channels normally
>> accessible to me; the digital tuner would receive a total of one of
>> the four-or-five digital broadcast stations available to me.
>
> Well, if it's receiving fewer analog stations than your old analog
> set, then it sounds like the tuner section of the television was not
> very good. Nevertheless, one of the things about digital TV is that
> once the signal degrades past a certain point, it fails pretty much
> catastrophically and the entire signal is lost. With analog TV, you
> could always stare at a screen that is 90% snow and 10% picture.
> With digital, you do not have that option.
>
> On the other hand, what's worse for some people is actually better
> for others. My parents finally broke down and got cable TV when
> someone built an office building a mile or so away from them. It was
> in just the right position that once it was built, several of the
> local stations had horrible ghost images that they didn't have before.
> It made it almost unwatchable. The thing about ATSC is that because
> of the type of modulation it uses, multipath interference like this
> is supposed to allow an ATSC tuner to, quite amazingly, get *better*
> reception[1]. So because of digital TV, there are people who for the
> first time in years actually have a chance of receiving a clear
> signal over the air.

> [1] Essentially, an ATSC tuner and the ATSC transmitter are changing frequencies really often.

No they dont.

> By the time the echo from the office building (or what have you) arrives, the transmitter and the receiver have
> moved on to another frequency.

Wrong.

> Thus the echo conflicts with nothing and can be picked up by the receiver too and used as a second source to
> supplement the information that was available in the main signal.

Utterly mangled all over again.

> It's sort of an instant replay for your TV tuner in case it missed the signal the first time.

Utterly mangled all over again.

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 6:03 am
From: Derald

Logan Shaw <lshaw-usenet@austin.rr.com> wrote:

>
>I didn't even know they made standard-def televisions with ATSC tuners.
>I have no doubt at all that it's possible, but I just wasn't aware any
>manufacturers were doing it. Lo and behold, now that I've googled it,
>it appears they in fact do make them.
Well, why wouldn't they? I know I would: For little-to-no
investment, it provides another price tier against which to market
premium-priced HDTV, which I doubt costs significantly more to produce.
Of course, the new sets have chintzy analog sections; why wouldn't
they? Analog is obsolete technology with a date certain time limitation
that was imposed on an unwilling industry and a disinterested public by
fiat. The analog sections "really" only need be sensitive enough for
cable signals.
>
>standard-def televisions with ATSC tuners
If that means standard definition digital reception, those units
represent the majority on shelves at the two big-box retailers that I
visited and, I suspect, will capture the biggest portion of the
potential market. Surely, I'm not the only occasional viewer who is
being compelled into a subjectively imperceptible "improvement" and who
is unwilling to pay a premium for so-called high definition anything.
Certainly, if the performance of demonstration units that one sees in
retailers is typical HD, then I suspect a mass occurrence of BMW
Syndrome.

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 8:16 am
From: Dennis

On Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:03:32 -0500, Derald <derald@invalid.net> wrote:

> If that means standard definition digital reception, those units
>represent the majority on shelves at the two big-box retailers that I
>visited and, I suspect, will capture the biggest portion of the
>potential market. Surely, I'm not the only occasional viewer who is
>being compelled into a subjectively imperceptible "improvement" and who
>is unwilling to pay a premium for so-called high definition anything.
>Certainly, if the performance of demonstration units that one sees in
>retailers is typical HD, then I suspect a mass occurrence of BMW
>Syndrome.

I'm not sure what you saw demo'ed, but full resolution HDTV is a major
improvement over SD (analog or digital). On some sets, about 2
megapixels vs. 1/4 megapixel.

Unfortunately, the improved picture quality doesn't do anything to
improve content. ;-)

Dennis (evil)
--
I'm a hands-on, footloose, knee-jerk head case. -George Carlin

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 2:22 pm
From: Derald

Dennis <dgw80@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I'm not sure what you saw demo'ed, but full resolution HDTV is a major
>improvement over SD (analog or digital). On some sets, about 2
>megapixels vs. 1/4 megapixel.
I don't know, either. DW&I haven't exactly kept up with the wonders
of video technology so I just did the old detune and cruise the aisle
sort out in three stores. It's a safe bet each was receiving Bright
House cable or Direct TV. Nothing on any of the shelves grabbed me so I
didn't pay any more attention and shopped moderately. Guess I didn't
notice any significant differences. Of course, there's no assurance that
any was properly set up or tuned to an appropriate signal. DW&I are not
exactly video-visual-movie oriented. ...and we both worked in the
movie-making industry for years! LOL ;-) What I did notice about many is
an unnatural and annoying, hard-edged granularity similar to, say, a
laptop monitor.

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 2:41 pm
From: Jamie

I tried to use my coupon a Rite Aid last Sunday, but they had just
gotten the boxes ins tock and the clerk had no clue had to scan the
coupon and the register didn't take it. Today I tried it at Best Buy
and it worked fine. I'd ordered mine in Febraury and received it at
the end of April. It expires July 10.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Why hot shower? Pools have cool water and ok!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/69288bc2ea817862?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 4:46 am
From: Dan Birchall

billnomailnospamx@yahoo.com (Bill) wrote:
> Why is it necessary to have a hot shower?
> People jump into swimming pools which have cool water and find it
> refreshing!

That's because they're in an environment they believe to be "hot."
First thing in the morning, straight out of bed, your body probably
doesn't feel the need to be "refreshed." Especially if it's winter
in New York City, and this event is also how you find out that there's
been a steam boiler failure, and ConEd says it'll be 2-3 days before
it's fixed...

http://08016.com/ - Burlington City history on the internet, since 1995.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: For Sale: Premodded Consoles, Ori / Backup Games Plus Retro Stuff
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/69e8a47e28a82b26?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 5:20 am
From: ben_lby@yahoo.com

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USD 350 (with worldwide shipping)

XBOX 360 Elite (with HDMI)
- 120GB Pack (NTSC/U & NTSC/J) comes with two controllers and Nyko
cooling fan.
Modded and able to run XBOX 360 backups, homebrew softwares and able
to go online via XBOX Live.
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- 20GB Pack (NTSC/U & NTSC/J) comes with two controllers and Nyko
cooling fan.
Modded and able to run XBOX 360 backups, homebrew softwares and able
to go online via XBOX Live.
USD 330 (with worldwide shipping)

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- (NTSC/U & NTSC/J) comes with 1 controller.
Modded and able to run XBOX 360 backups, homebrew softwares and able
to go online via XBOX Live.
USD 260 (with worldwide shipping)

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cooling fan.
Modded and able to run Nintendo Wii backups and homebrew softwares.
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Able to run PSP backups and homebrew softwares.
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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==============================================================================
TOPIC: 2009 Prius - why such a big engine?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/64b8bb7586b7de99?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 5:46 am
From: Brian Elfert

"Lou" <lpogoda@verizon.net> writes:

>Swapping battery packs seems problematic to me - everything degrades with
>time. You buy a new car with a spanking new battery pack, drive it around a
>day or two or three, and you need to recharge. Go to the local "filling"
>station, out comes your new batteries, and you get in exchange a charged,
>but older pack just about at the end of its useful life. Whups, you're out
>a few thousand bucks.

The filling station would be responsible for replacement of failing
battery packs. Part of the fee would cover the replacement costs.

Kinda like a propane tank exchange program.

== 2 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 9:33 am
From: cr113

On Jun 12, 9:37 pm, SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> wrote:
> > Personally I'd rather they left the performance the same and lowered
> > the price and raised the mpg. Instead they basically raised the
> > performance while keeping the price and mpg the same. I just get the
> > feeling they are still marketing this car as a gimmick for people who
> > want to make a statement about being "green". Not as a true "economy"
> > car.
>
> Your first mistake is believing that the price they charge for the
> Prius, or any vehicle for that matter, is directly related to the size
> of the engine. The 1.8 l engine will not cost them any more than the
> 1.5l engine.

I'm having a hard time believing that. All engine sizes cost the same
to manufacture?

> Even if it did, the price is not determined by adding
> together the cost of parts and labor then marking it up a fixed amount,
> it's determined by what the market will pay for a particular vehicle.

It's where the demand curve meets the supply curve. If Toyota can make
a Prius for less it will shift the supply curve to the left thus
reducing the price and increasing the quantity sold.

To understand the concept imagine if Toyota could build a Prius for
$100. Still think they'd be selling it for $21,000 to only a few
thousand people?

== 3 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 10:56 am
From: "Rod Speed"

cr113 <cr113@hotmail.com> wrote
> SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> wrote

>>> Personally I'd rather they left the performance the same and lowered
>>> the price and raised the mpg. Instead they basically raised the
>>> performance while keeping the price and mpg the same. I just get the
>>> feeling they are still marketing this car as a gimmick for people
>>> who want to make a statement about being "green". Not as a true
>>> "economy" car.

>> Your first mistake is believing that the price they charge for the
>> Prius, or any vehicle for that matter, is directly related to the
>> size of the engine. The 1.8 l engine will not cost them any more
>> than the 1.5l engine.

> I'm having a hard time believing that.

You shouldnt.

> All engine sizes cost the same to manufacture?

No, but two engines which are identical otherwise except
the total capacity wont cost any more when they are so close.

>> Even if it did, the price is not determined by adding together the
>> cost of parts and labor then marking it up a fixed amount, it's
>> determined by what the market will pay for a particular vehicle.

> It's where the demand curve meets the supply curve.

Nope. There are no nice tidy curves.

> If Toyota can make a Prius for less it will shift the supply curve
> to the left thus reducing the price and increasing the quantity sold.

Its MUCH more complicated than that.

> To understand the concept imagine if Toyota could build a Prius for $100.
> Still think they'd be selling it for $21,000 to only a few thousand people?

Its MUCH more complicated than that.

== 4 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 11:37 am
From: cr113

On Jun 13, 12:56 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:
> cr113 <cr...@hotmail.com> wrote
>
> > SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> wrote
> >>> Personally I'd rather they left the performance the same and lowered
> >>> the price and raised the mpg. Instead they basically raised the
> >>> performance while keeping the price and mpg the same. I just get the
> >>> feeling they are still marketing this car as a gimmick for people
> >>> who want to make a statement about being "green". Not as a true
> >>> "economy" car.
> >> Your first mistake is believing that the price they charge for the
> >> Prius, or any vehicle for that matter, is directly related to the
> >> size of the engine. The 1.8 l engine will not cost them any more
> >> than the 1.5l engine.
> > I'm having a hard time believing that.
>
> You shouldnt.
>
> > All engine sizes cost the same to manufacture?
>
> No, but two engines which are identical otherwise except
> the total capacity wont cost any more when they are so close.

You're probably right. I was thinking about the way outboard motors
ramp up steeply in price according to size. I still bet it costs a
little more to make a 1.8L.

>
> >> Even if it did, the price is not determined by adding together the
> >> cost of parts and labor then marking it up a fixed amount, it's
> >> determined by what the market will pay for a particular vehicle.
> > It's where the demand curve meets the supply curve.
>
> Nope. There are no nice tidy curves.
>
> > If Toyota can make a Prius for less it will shift the supply curve
> > to the left thus reducing the price and increasing the quantity sold.
>
> Its MUCH more complicated than that.
>
> > To understand the concept imagine if Toyota could build a Prius for $100.
> > Still think they'd be selling it for $21,000 to only a few thousand people?
>
> Its MUCH more complicated than that.

Can you elaborate?

== 5 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 12:09 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

cr113 <cr113@hotmail.com> wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote
>> cr113 <cr...@hotmail.com> wrote
>>> SMS <scharf.ste...@geemail.com> wrote

>>>>> Personally I'd rather they left the performance the same and
>>>>> lowered the price and raised the mpg. Instead they basically
>>>>> raised the performance while keeping the price and mpg the same.
>>>>> I just get the feeling they are still marketing this car as a
>>>>> gimmick for people who want to make a statement about being
>>>>> "green". Not as a true "economy" car.
>>>> Your first mistake is believing that the price they charge for the
>>>> Prius, or any vehicle for that matter, is directly related to the
>>>> size of the engine. The 1.8 l engine will not cost them any more
>>>> than the 1.5l engine.
>>> I'm having a hard time believing that.

>> You shouldnt.

>>> All engine sizes cost the same to manufacture?

>> No, but two engines which are identical otherwise except
>> the total capacity wont cost any more when they are so close.

> You're probably right. I was thinking about the way outboard
> motors ramp up steeply in price according to size.

Most of that increase is artificial too.

> I still bet it costs a little more to make a 1.8L.

Not if its just an increase in stroke most obviously.

Not necessarily even if its an increase in bore either,
there isnt necessarily even any more steel involved.

>>>> Even if it did, the price is not determined by adding together the
>>>> cost of parts and labor then marking it up a fixed amount, it's
>>>> determined by what the market will pay for a particular vehicle.

>>> It's where the demand curve meets the supply curve.

>> Nope. There are no nice tidy curves.

>>> If Toyota can make a Prius for less it will shift the supply curve
>>> to the left thus reducing the price and increasing the quantity sold.

>> Its MUCH more complicated than that.

>>> To understand the concept imagine if Toyota could build a Prius for $100.
>>> Still think they'd be selling it for $21,000 to only a few thousand people?

>> Its MUCH more complicated than that.

> Can you elaborate?

What would happen if they could build it for $100 has nothing to do with
what happens when they can make a small difference to the $21K price.
The second case is swamped by reputation and brand loyalty and other
basic stuff like the body etc, not by price, particularly when the bodys
are significantly different like with the Prius and the Camry.

== 6 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 3:59 pm
From: max

In article
<e0e9715d-9287-41e2-ba27-bdaeb0215456@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,
cr113 <cr113@hotmail.com> wrote:

> > Your first mistake is believing that the price they charge for the
> > Prius, or any vehicle for that matter, is directly related to the size
> > of the engine. The 1.8 l engine will not cost them any more than the
> > 1.5l engine.
>
> I'm having a hard time believing that. All engine sizes cost the same
> to manufacture?

Of course not, only an ass would ask such a stupid question.

this is rocket science, and very difficult to understand. impossible,
even.

.max

--
This signature can be appended to your outgoing mesages. Many people include in
their signatures contact information, and perhaps a joke or quotation.

== 7 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 4:03 pm
From: max

In article
<e0e9715d-9287-41e2-ba27-bdaeb0215456@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,
cr113 <cr113@hotmail.com> wrote:

> It's where the demand curve meets the supply curve. If Toyota can make
> a Prius for less it will shift the supply curve to the left thus
> reducing the price and increasing the quantity sold.
>
> To understand the concept imagine if Toyota could build a Prius for
> $100. Still think they'd be selling it for $21,000 to only a few
> thousand people?

my god, you are an idiot.

--
This signature can be appended to your outgoing mesages. Many people include in
their signatures contact information, and perhaps a joke or quotation.

== 8 of 8 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 4:03 pm
From: max

In article
<e0e9715d-9287-41e2-ba27-bdaeb0215456@t54g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,
cr113 <cr113@hotmail.com> wrote:

> It's where the demand curve meets the supply curve. If Toyota can make
> a Prius for less it will shift the supply curve to the left thus
> reducing the price and increasing the quantity sold.

maybe they don't want to make more. Maybe they're faced with a
situation where demand outstrips their ability to produce. There are
distinct bottlenecks in automaker's ability to manufacture hybrid
vehicles right now. It's not as simple as "build another prius
factory".

--
This signature can be appended to your outgoing mesages. Many people include in
their signatures contact information, and perhaps a joke or quotation.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Capital One Bank overauthorizes then charges high late fee
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ddf6473f33b6ed21?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 7:15 am
From: seeker

Hi i have noticed that Capital one routinely authorizes more than the
account limit only to assess a $39 late fee

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 7:51 am
From: George Grapman

seeker wrote:
> Hi i have noticed that Capital one routinely authorizes more than the
> account limit only to assess a $39 late fee

Don't go over your limit.

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 7:52 am
From: George Grapman

seeker wrote:
> Hi i have noticed that Capital one routinely authorizes more than the
> account limit only to assess a $39 late fee

Read your account agreement, you allowed them to do that.

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 10:22 am
From: "ChairMan"

In news:604bc868-3816-4b98-8bbe-b45b0a4ee065@j22g2000hsf.googlegroups.com,
seeker <mothman20052002@yahoo.com>spewed forth:
> Hi i have noticed that Capital one routinely authorizes more than the
> account limit only to assess a $39 late fee

It's probably not a late fee, it's probably an over your limit fee.
Don't like the fee?
Don't go over your limit.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Citizens Bank giving misleading checking balances, causing overdrafts
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/3d48fca6397df945?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 7:48 am
From: seeker

I know several people who have called their 800 number and not had
included in the balance pending transactions, causing them to revise
their check registers with faulty balances. The bank has assessed huge
overdraft fees and even reported them to NCPS and others. Someone i
know complained about the fees and had their account reviewed and
perks assigned to the account cancelled at the initiation of the bank
itself.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 4:21 pm
From: "Chloe"

"seeker" <mothman20052002@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:33739af7-4b50-4951-9433-bb8d01852ce6@f63g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>I know several people who have called their 800 number and not had
> included in the balance pending transactions, causing them to revise
> their check registers with faulty balances. The bank has assessed huge
> overdraft fees and even reported them to NCPS and others. Someone i
> know complained about the fees and had their account reviewed and
> perks assigned to the account cancelled at the initiation of the bank
> itself.

Am I missing something here? It's incredibly easy to keep track of one's day
to day charges right at the time they're made, either by entering them in a
program like Money, or onto an Excel spreadsheet, or simply in an
old-fashioned check register. I guess if you carry a balance and are having
interest computed daily, you might have to estimate that, but even that
shouldn't be an insurmountable problem.

Since when did it become the bank's responsibility to make sure you didn't
exceed the limit they authorized AND THAT YOU AGREED TO via your use of the
card?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Take a hot shower w/o your water tank
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6609772e61aaa34e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 9:04 am
From: Cheapo Groovo

Just use a solar/camp shower in the summer
http://store.sundancesolar.com/sosh5ga.html

http://www.cheapogroovo.com

==============================================================================
TOPIC: FA: Gemstone jewelry, Bali silver jewelry & mermaid art, LOW PRICES!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/eb2eb7d32d93bd72?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 12:14 pm
From: Jewelry by Yael

Hello, I have over eBay 30 auctions that are ending tonight.
Absolutely beautiful gemstone
jewelry, mermaid art, Bali silver jewelry (Harmony balls) & MORE. A
lot of
auctions starting at just $9.99! Visit:
http://stores.ebay.com/Orions-Online-Fleamarket_W0QQsspagenameZMEQ3aFQ3aSTQQtZkm
There is definitely something for everyone! I also have about 200
other auctions that are in progress so please take some time to visit
my other items that I have for sale. For additional savings you can
take advantage of my combined shipping policy.
Thank you!

==============================================================================
TOPIC: I figured if living frugally already, why not also try this?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/9ad4146af2a051b9?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jun 13 2008 2:03 pm
From: cashbeeman@gmail.com

( I actually know this lady and it's all true
RE: her story and what she went through. )

The name of the new google group is BECOME AN INTERNET MILLIONAIRE.

I finally talked her into writing her story down on paper. I begged
her permission for 3 years before she would allow me to create a
Google group so that other people could learn more about how to climb
back from the abyss financially. One of the main things she taught me
was selecting the right company to back you up, then NEVER giving up
on what you INTEND to achieve financially. Negative thinking also
seems to destroy the purpose driven goal. When she talks, believe me,
I listen. (I just got my first check too. That helped. I believe, I
believe!)

So I just started the group for her. Now I am inviting new members who
want or need to earn extra money with no experience or start up cash,
who would like to work from home, can read and follow simple
instructions, who are diligent and want to build something financial
THAT WILL ENDURE for years to come. Please be patient new members.. I
have tons of material to upload that will take weeks to format and
edit for ease and speed of reading online. She tends to be verbose,
whereas I cut to the chase.

You are cordially invited to join BECOME AN INTERNET MILLIONAIRE

One woman's story of how she made it big, lost it all, went to hell
and back financially, then finally made her first million using the
web. You MUST read this story to believe it. Start a home based biz,
work part time, no exp, includes a link to the co. which helped her
make her first million. Join as an affiliate for FREE. Not a stupid
pyramid scheme, totally NOT a get rich quick pile of junk. Oh yeah,
it's for people all over the world, not just Americans. Hispanic
families would be very interested in this opportunity too.

I joined six months ago, just got my first pay out, I am VERY pleased,
so I am passing this on to others who could use some extra cash and
the dream of a brighter financial future.

As she likes to say: "I am rooting for you!"
-signed, Cash Beeman

Visit the group and download "yesyoucan.doc"
to read her story here:
http://groups.google.com/group/internet-millionaire/files

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3 new messages in 2 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:

* Just Canceled Cable TV - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6cd6ada4aaa4d5bc?hl=en
* DTV Converter box major snafu in the US - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/5479512ec399c625?hl=en

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Thurs, Jun 12 2008 10:39 pm
From: The Real Bev

timeOday wrote:

> The Real Bev wrote:
>> Bob F wrote:
>>> "The Real Bev" <bashley101+usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> The problem with that is dark movies are pretty much unwatchable. I
>>>> also like to curl up on the couch, and that doesn't work very well.
>>>
>>> You can adjust the brightness, contrast, etc in your computer video
>>> boards "video" settings - at least I do. Mine has a seperate
>>> adjustment for video content.
>>
>> Linux. Nvidia. The monitor has a brightness control, but that's it.
>
> On mplayer, the 3 and 4 keys adjust brightness.
> I'm pretty sure settings like that can also be put into a config file so
> they come up how you like them by default.

No bind found for key KP3
No bind found for key KP4

The volume control frequently doesn't work either. Other stuff just
isn't right, like the slider for syncing the sound with the picture.
Last thing I watched was maybe 5 seconds off. Blech.

gxine works better...sometimes...

--
Cheers,
Bev
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Some people are alive only because it is illegal to kill them."
-- Lionel

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Thurs, Jun 12 2008 11:40 pm
From: Gordon

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Thurs, Jun 12 2008 10:46 pm
From: larry

It's another government program, and you can read the
enabling legislation on-line. It was to provide assistance
to the remaining 10% limited to receiving broadcast TV.
The converter limitations were to limit cannibalizing the
new TV set market. It was not a handout to help everyone get
the latest in video technology. But to allow those limited
to a standard TV to still receive a comparable TV signal
after the switch.

The coupon fund was an advance from the spectrum auctions.
The coupon expiration would quickly recover unused coupons
for new coupons, or return the funds back to the auction.
Coupons wouldn't be spent if the holder just bought a
digital tv. Near the end of the program, there could be
another smaller funding if a certain dtv reception level
wasn't met. Also, there was a generous advertising budget
connected to the coupon fund. Of course, the converter
manufacturers and retailers were late, and are now inundated
with buyers and nothing to sell. Also, even though 90% have
cable/dish/etc, there are many of those still receiving
broadcasts on analog sets that now want converters. So, the
goal is to get as many analog viewers reconnected as
possible, but also get every unused dime back.

-larry / dallas

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Frugal Living

Blog Archive

Friday, June 13, 2008

25 new messages in 10 topics - digest

3 new messages in 2 topics - digest