http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en
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Today's topics:
* CNN: Half-ton woman indicted in slaying of nephew - 4 messages, 4 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/935cc02fc86d96ba?hl=en
* Walmart Prices: Urban vs Rural? - 17 messages, 10 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/85719f2d4728a958?hl=en
* Spyware - 2 messages, 2 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a9b0f8fafb3d4415?hl=en
* Sanyon Enerloop any good? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1c30a867749390d0?hl=en
* Separate hot water heater rather than off the furnace - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/970a1e327b6d9cdb?hl=en
==============================================================================
TOPIC: CNN: Half-ton woman indicted in slaying of nephew
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/935cc02fc86d96ba?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 10:22 am
From: "Dave"
>
>>And what was so important that this so-called mother had
>>to leave her two year old in the care of this bedridden monster?
> \
> paper siad she was taking her other child to the dentist.
That makes no sense. You can take two children to the dentist, even if only
one has an appointment. -Dave
== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 11:03 am
From: NA
In article
<c71e03e2-b68c-4af9-aaa2-c25708d515c3@s50g2000hsb.googlegroups.com>,
Ragnar <Ragnarsghost@hotmail.com> wrote:
> The fault falls squarely on the mother of the victim. What competent
> parent leaves their two year old child in the care of an incapacitated
> babysitter? And what was so important that this so-called mother had
> to leave her two year old in the care of this bedridden monster? Maybe
> the media should scrutinize that issue a little more and worry about
> the logistics of moving this woman a little less.
> As I see it the whole situation is fucked. On one hand you have an
> individual growing to incredibly enormous proportions on what is most
> likely public assistance and on the other a mother of a child that
> doesn¹t have brain one when it comes to parental responsibility.
> Obviously this is an extreme case of child neglect and it probably
> wasn¹t the first dangerous situation this child was placed in its
> young life. There are so many fucked up issues surrounding this case,
> the alleged murders size being only one of them that most people
> wouldn¹t even know where to start.
This reminds me of the TV show "Monk". The "whale" who weighs 700 pounds
and has his own apartment in the sf jail :)
== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 1:47 pm
From: lisajoe@privacy.net
On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:22:24 -0400, in misc.consumers.frugal-living "Dave"
<noway@nohow.not> wrote:
>
>>
>>>And what was so important that this so-called mother had
>>>to leave her two year old in the care of this bedridden monster?
>> \
>> paper siad she was taking her other child to the dentist.
>
>That makes no sense. You can take two children to the dentist, even if only
>one has an appointment. -Dave
Toddlers are difficult to take anywhere.
== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 1:52 pm
From: The Master
On Mon, 25 Aug 2008, lisajoe@privacy.net wrote:
> Toddlers are difficult to take anywhere.
And the USA is full of "loving parents" who don't want to be bothered by
their own children. I'm a parent, I know how much a pain in the ass a
toddler can be, and I wouldn't trade in those years for anything.
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Walmart Prices: Urban vs Rural?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/85719f2d4728a958?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 10:29 am
From: "Dave"
>
> in my case the nearest station is the Shell, which also has
> the most convenient entrance/exit set up. they're also the
> source the MBTE in my well... (formerly. now i probably have
> ethanol in my well), but in order to go shopping i have to
> drive through Chichester, past the Hess & X-press stations
> with the lowest prices in the area anyway, so i only get gas
> at the Shell station when i'm running on fumes.
You might want to re-think that. I had one car that ran NOTICEABLY better
on Shell gasoline...engine was smoother, seemed to have more power. AND,
when I refilled (after filling with Shell) I always found that my MPG had
gone up slightly while the fuel in the tank was (mostly Shell). I'd be
inclined to stop at a Shell station now, even if they were a bit more
expensive.
> we must have different definitions of better roads :)
> i have never seen the levels of potholes & lack of
> maintainance on NY roads that i see here.
> it could have to do with what part of NY you're talking about
> as well. it's a much larger state than NH, & i'm sure road
> maintainance varies by county as well. i'm most familiar with
> Wayne, Oswego, Monroe, and Chautauqua.
>
> lee
I'm somewhat familiar with the general area you live in. I can understand
why you would think NH roads aren't well maintained. :) -Dave
== 2 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 10:30 am
From: "Dave"
"jdoe" <jdoe@aol.com> wrote in message
news:l8g5b453esf6fdiurdb2iakm24547irr1e@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:05:10 -0400, "Dave" <noway@nohow.not> wrote:
>
>
>>I used to live in NH. I currently live in NY, and still visit NH
>>frequently. NH roads are in MUCH better shape than NY roads. So I have
>>no
>>idea where the extra tax money is going, but it's not going into
>>maintaining
>>the roads here. -Dave
> in NY much of the taxes collected from gas sales are diverted from
> highway use to fund mass transit around NYC and other cities in the
> state
That figures. -Dave
== 3 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 10:43 am
From: "Dave"
>
> Around here there is a "convenience" chain called Casey's. They have a
> nifty trick at the pump $3.65 for premium, $3.75 for regular unleaded.
> Unwary customers (me) assuming premium costs more simply press the 87
> button out of habit instead of the 90 button. Buyer beware is their motto.
There is a myth that higher octane fuel is better, or has more power, than
lower octane fuel. Quite the opposite is true. Lower octane fuel burns
easier, giving you more energy output per gallon. So why is the myth so
widespread that higher octane is better? Simple really. Most engines
that -require- higher octane fuel are high performance engines tuned for
higher octane fuel, and run at higher compression ratios. That is, they
don't just run better on high octane fuel, but they also PERFORM better than
the average engine designed for lower octane fuel. So regardless of the
fuel you put into the engine, you are getting more power out of the engine.
:)
Having said that, if your car was designed to run on 87 octane unleaded (for
example) and you put 89 or 91 octane unleaded gasoline in it, you will NOT
hurt the engine. Your fuel economy might drop slightly, but probably not
that you'd really notice. If the higher octane is 10 cents per gallon less,
you will probably come out ahead in the end, even if the higher octane fuel
gives you a slightly shorter range on each tankful.
On a side note, the various ethanol blends of gasoline muddy the waters a
bit. Ethanol doesn't have as much energy per volume as gasoline does. So
if you have an 85 octane ethanol blend gasoline, you would think it would
have more energy (greater range per gallon) than 87 or 89 or 91 octane
gasoline. But the ethanol skews the numbers. Most people find that their
cars perform worse on ethanol blends. That is, they have less power, and
MPG is lower. -Dave
== 4 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 10:49 am
From: jdoe
On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:29:41 -0400, "Dave" <noway@nohow.not> wrote:
>
>
>>
>> in my case the nearest station is the Shell, which also has
>> the most convenient entrance/exit set up. they're also the
>> source the MBTE in my well... (formerly. now i probably have
>> ethanol in my well), but in order to go shopping i have to
>> drive through Chichester, past the Hess & X-press stations
>> with the lowest prices in the area anyway, so i only get gas
>> at the Shell station when i'm running on fumes.
>
>You might want to re-think that. I had one car that ran NOTICEABLY better
>on Shell gasoline...engine was smoother, seemed to have more power. AND,
>when I refilled (after filling with Shell) I always found that my MPG had
>gone up slightly while the fuel in the tank was (mostly Shell). I'd be
>inclined to stop at a Shell station now, even if they were a bit more
>expensive.
>
one size doesn't fit all, while your car might do very well with
shell, others may not share your experiences
__________________________________________
Never argue with an idiot.
They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
== 5 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 11:15 am
From: "Rod Speed"
Neon John <no@never.com> wrote
> catalpa <catalpa@entertab.org> wrote
>> In NJ you don't even have to leave a town to see different gas
>> prices. In the East part of Trenton gas is $3.42 and in the West
>> part of Trenton $3.51. A couple of miles more to the East out of
>> Trenton it drops to $3.35 and a couple of miles more to the West out
>> of Trenton it rises to $3.59.
>
> Does Joesy still have the prohibition against self-serve?
>
> A friend who owns a decent sized chain of C-stores once told me that
> in areas where there is a powerful fuel dealer's association, gas
> prices vary little. The association disciplines dealers who "get out
> of line". Conversely, in areas where the price varies widely over a
> small area, that is an indication that there is either no dealer's
> association or else a toothless one.
Anyone whose govt lets them get away with that sort of thing deserves all they get.
== 6 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 11:27 am
From: clams_casino
AL wrote:
> c
>
>
>
> What this country needs is an old fashion gas war - man, that was back
> when life was good...
>
>
>
Considering most stations barely turn a profit on gasoline, don't hold
your breath.
== 7 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 11:45 am
From: Brian Elfert
"rick++" <rick303@hotmail.com> writes:
>The people that compile "Black Friday" prices
>(day after thanksgiving) do notice prices are
>different by location.
Certain states do not allow sales below cost and some even require a
minimum markup.
State laws seemed to be the only reason that Walmart BF prices varied.
== 8 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 11:47 am
From: Brian Elfert
"Anthony Diodati" <mrbreezeet1NO SPAM@verizon.net> writes:
>> Canned goods seem reasonable at Wal-Mart, but the meat is a good 50% more
>> expensive than even the most expensive supermarket in the area, and I
>> consider THEIR (the supermarket's) prices on meat to be outrageously high.
>> And the deli stuff at wal-mart? You'd think it was made of gold or
>> lver. -Dave
>Yeah, there Deli is out of sight too!
The Deli prices at Walmart, at least the stuff I occasionally buy, is way
less than any other store in the area. SuperTarget's deli is far and away
the most expensive.
== 9 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 12:14 pm
From: don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein)
In article <g8ue6k$3m9$1@registered.motzarella.org>, Dave wrote:
>> there are 3 gas stations in my town, Irving, Shell & Mobil.
>> Irving & Shell tend to be the same price. if Irving lowers
>> their price, Shell will usually lower theirs to match within a
>> few hours. Mobil, OTOH, is *always* at least .04 cents higher,
>> & sometimes as much as .07. i don't know why people even buy
>> there if high prices are so horrible. you'd think they'd be
>> looking to save those pennies...
>
>When gas gets up to ~$4/gallon or more, a few pennies per gallon doesn't
>make that much difference. If you're going to spend ~$60 or more to fill
>your tank, is it worth it to bypass the nearest station to save less than a
>buck? Not really. At close to $4 per gallon, being within say 25 cents of
>each other actually means that all the stations in the area are the same
>price.
At 25 MPG, 25 more cents per gallon means 1 cent more per mile.
If the tank takes 15 gallons and the low price is $3.75 and the high
price is $4, going a mile out of the way costs 15 cents to save $3.75.
- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)
== 10 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 1:12 pm
From: Jim
Don Klipstein wrote:
> Dave wrote:
> >> there are 3 gas stations in my town,
[....]
> >> looking to save those pennies...
> >
> >When gas gets up to ~$4/gallon or more, a few pennies per gallon doesn't
> >make that much difference.
[....]
>
> At 25 MPG, 25 more cents per gallon means 1 cent more per mile.
>
> If the tank takes 15 gallons and the low price is $3.75 and the high
> price is $4, going a mile out of the way costs 15 cents to save $3.75.
but just suppose there's a really really good coffee shop right
next to the cheap gas station and what do you think will happen
to the savings for a coffee lover?
== 11 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 1:34 pm
From: clams_casino
Don Klipstein wrote:
>
> If the tank takes 15 gallons and the low price is $3.75 and the high
>price is $4, going a mile out of the way costs 15 cents to save $3.75.
>
>
>
>
Even if the gas was free, it would cost a lot more than 15 cents to
drive a mile.
== 12 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 1:36 pm
From: "Rod Speed"
clams_casino <PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com> wrote
> Don Klipstein wrote
>> If the tank takes 15 gallons and the low price is $3.75 and the high
>> price is $4, going a mile out of the way costs 15 cents to save $3.75.
> Even if the gas was free, it would cost a lot more than 15 cents to drive a mile.
Nope, thats nothing like the marginal cost of that extra mile.
== 13 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 1:46 pm
From: "catalpa"
"Neon John" <no@never.com> wrote in message
news:1055b4lutfpsbu7ng60unfcseu965dmktv@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:56:44 GMT, "catalpa" <catalpa@entertab.org> wrote:
>
>
>>In NJ you don't even have to leave a town to see different gas prices. In
>>the East part of Trenton gas is $3.42 and in the West part of Trenton
>>$3.51.
>>A couple of miles more to the East out of Trenton it drops to $3.35 and a
>>couple of miles more to the West out of Trenton it rises to $3.59.
>
> Does Joesy still have the prohibition against self-serve?
>
> A friend who owns a decent sized chain of C-stores once told me that in
> areas
> where there is a powerful fuel dealer's association, gas prices vary
> little.
> The association disciplines dealers who "get out of line". Conversely, in
> areas where the price varies widely over a small area, that is an
> indication
> that there is either no dealer's association or else a toothless one.
>
> John
>
Yep, no self serve in NJ. Just over the border in PA you get to pay at least
20 cents more a gallon for the privilege of pumping your own.
== 14 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 1:59 pm
From: "h"
"Dave" <noway@nohow.not> wrote in message
news:g8uq7g$ov3$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>
> "jdoe" <jdoe@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:l8g5b453esf6fdiurdb2iakm24547irr1e@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:05:10 -0400, "Dave" <noway@nohow.not> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I used to live in NH. I currently live in NY, and still visit NH
>>>frequently. NH roads are in MUCH better shape than NY roads. So I have
>>>no
>>>idea where the extra tax money is going, but it's not going into
>>>maintaining
>>>the roads here. -Dave
>
>> in NY much of the taxes collected from gas sales are diverted from
>> highway use to fund mass transit around NYC and other cities in the
>> state
>
> That figures. -Dave
Oh, yeah. I live in boondock, rural upstate NY and we pay MUCH higher (top
ten in the nation!) per capita taxes than any other part of the state.
However, we see very little or no benefit from these exorbitant taxes. Those
residents south of the Tappan Zee reap the vast majority of the rewards, as
it has always been in NY. 40% of my income goes to income and
property/school taxes. Damn good thing my mortgage is nearly paid off!
== 15 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 2:04 pm
From: "h"
"Brian Elfert" <belfert@visi.com> wrote in message
news:-L-dnUbAG5XIYy_VnZ2dnUVZ_tzinZ2d@posted.visi...
> "Anthony Diodati" <mrbreezeet1NO SPAM@verizon.net> writes:
>
>
>>> Canned goods seem reasonable at Wal-Mart, but the meat is a good 50%
>>> more
>>> expensive than even the most expensive supermarket in the area, and I
>>> consider THEIR (the supermarket's) prices on meat to be outrageously
>>> high.
>>> And the deli stuff at wal-mart? You'd think it was made of gold or
>>> lver. -Dave
>>Yeah, there Deli is out of sight too!
>
> The Deli prices at Walmart, at least the stuff I occasionally buy, is way
> less than any other store in the area. SuperTarget's deli is far and away
> the most expensive.
>
I've never understood "Deli" purchases. Unless you're buying a ready-made
sandwich from a store why on earth would you not make your own sandwich
meat? Anything from a "deli" is uber expensive and processed to the enth
degree. Roast a chicken or a turkey or a ham or a ribeye, then carve it up
and make sandwiches. You can freeze leftovers in small packs. It's not
exactly rocket science.
== 16 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 2:08 pm
From: "h"
"catalpa" <catalpa@entertab.org> wrote in message
news:GSEsk.768$w51.596@trnddc01...
>
> "Neon John" <no@never.com> wrote in message
> news:1055b4lutfpsbu7ng60unfcseu965dmktv@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:56:44 GMT, "catalpa" <catalpa@entertab.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>In NJ you don't even have to leave a town to see different gas prices. In
>>>the East part of Trenton gas is $3.42 and in the West part of Trenton
>>>$3.51.
>>>A couple of miles more to the East out of Trenton it drops to $3.35 and a
>>>couple of miles more to the West out of Trenton it rises to $3.59.
>>
>> Does Joesy still have the prohibition against self-serve?
>>
>> A friend who owns a decent sized chain of C-stores once told me that in
>> areas
>> where there is a powerful fuel dealer's association, gas prices vary
>> little.
>> The association disciplines dealers who "get out of line". Conversely,
>> in
>> areas where the price varies widely over a small area, that is an
>> indication
>> that there is either no dealer's association or else a toothless one.
>>
>> John
>>
>
> Yep, no self serve in NJ. Just over the border in PA you get to pay at
> least 20 cents more a gallon for the privilege of pumping your own.
>
I've had my credit card "skimmed" three times over 5 years. Each time was
exactly 3 weeks after I had my car filled at some random (different part of
the state) NJ gas station. I've only used my credit card at 3 NJ gas
stations in my whole life. Funny...not. Now I only pay cash at full-serve
stations, no matter what the state.
== 17 of 17 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 4:01 pm
From: Jeff
enigma wrote:
> Jeff <jeff@spam_me_not.com> wrote in
> news:KP6dnYWIBbd3ni_VnZ2dnUVZ_qXinZ2d@earthlink.com:
>
>> enigma wrote:
>>> Jeff <jeff@spam_me_not.com> wrote in
>>> news:7YOdnZ6T_r1e7yzVnZ2dnUVZ_v3inZ2d@earthlink.com:
>>>
>>>> enigma wrote:
>>>>> Jonathan Grobe <grobe@netins.net> wrote in
>>>>> news:slrngb14vp.9b3.grobe@worf.netins.net:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Does Walmart have the same prices in its urban and
>>>>>> rural Walmarts? How much latitude do individual store
>>>>>> managers have in pricing?
>>>>> i don't shop at Wal-Mart, but as an ex-retail manager, i
>>>>> can say that they most likely have "zone pricing" for
>>>>> various stores, depending on their location. it doesn't
>>>>> so much have to do with suburban vs rural, but with the
>>>>> various local economies. most retail companies have 3 to
>>>>> 5 "zones", or pricing levels.
>>>>> individual store managers would have very little leeway
>>>>> in
>>>>> adjusting prices in their store. they would likely be
>>>>> able to price match a competitor, but they couldn't make
>>>>> the price lower than the competition.
>>>> Some Walmarts may have more flexibility. I've see that in
>>>> particular in a Walmart that had a Target open up across
>>>> the street.
>>> um, that falls under price matching a competitor...
>>>
>> beating...
>
> by what? their standard penny less?
A lot. And the prices on other nearby Walmart store was markedly higher.
I didn't notice, I heard about it from shoppers, several shoppers.
Obviously it was marked enough that it was reasonably well known. Some
of them even had the figures. Not an unenlightened bunch!
This is not say that I believe Walmart is anybodies friend.
Jeff
> it's unlikely they'd even have to do that, because, IME,
> Wal-Mart shoppers don't even bother to price check other
> stores. they just swallow the "Always Low Prices" line... and
> in many rural areas, there *is* no other store to price match
> because Wal-Mart is the only game left in town. lee
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Spyware
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a9b0f8fafb3d4415?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 11:35 am
From: chief_thracian@yahoo.com (Chief Thracian)
On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:34:33 GMT, Parallax <Parallax-G@???????.com>
wrote:
>http://www.techsupportalert.com/pc/security
Page not found. :(
== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 2:25 pm
From: Parallax
Chief Thracian wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:34:33 GMT, Parallax <Parallax-G@???????.com>
> wrote:
>
>> http://www.techsupportalert.com/pc/security
>
> Page not found. :(
>
>
Must have shuffled things right after I went to get the url:
http://www.techsupportalert.com/pc/security-tools.html
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Sanyon Enerloop any good?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1c30a867749390d0?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 3:05 pm
From: SMS
me@privacy.net wrote:
> Vic Smith
> <thismailautodeleted@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Bought a Sanyo setup off ebay,
>
> Is eBay the cheapest place to get the
> "kit"...batts and charger?
Costco tends to be the cheapest (if you're a member of course).
==============================================================================
TOPIC: Separate hot water heater rather than off the furnace
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/970a1e327b6d9cdb?hl=en
==============================================================================
== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Aug 25 2008 4:24 pm
From: Raff
I have an oil fired steam heat furnace with the hot water off the
furnace. Considering the price of oil is it worth it to switch to
electric hot water rather than the hot water supplied by the furnace?
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