Frugal Living: Feb 2, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 13 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: the great coffee wars
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/81d399d7a689e8a0?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:01 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Woody wrote:

> On a different tack: Is it worthwhile to invest in a coffeemaker,

I just drink tap water and beer now.

> or do you get the same bang for your buck from instant?

Nope, real coffee is nothing like instant.

> (Experience tells me that cheap and crappy coffeemaker coffee tastes no better than instant does.)

When I was still drinking coffee, I used one of those cheap espresso things
the italians make that goes on the normal stove. Left instant coffee for dead.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:12 pm
From: Patricia Martin Steward

On Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:24:34 -0500, clams_casino
<PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
>Gary Heston wrote:
>>
>>Personally, I can't tell the difference between the
>>coffee at McDonalds or the (free) coffee at work.
>
>Or the hot water tap.

BWAH!

I'm reminded of a line from the movie Baghdad Cafe:
"This is not coffee. This is varm brown vater."

--
January 20, 2009
The end of an error

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Any one here going out of your way for free coffee?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/f9fa62160d926d42?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:09 pm
From: "Dave"

> > BTW how much is a happy meal? They got a special 2 days a week for
> > $1.39. Don't have kids so don't know the regular price.
>
> Do you have to be a child to buy a happy meal, or can an adult buy one for
> himself?
>
> Woody

Anyone can buy a happy meal. You can be a full-grown adult and order a
happy meal and eat it in the store. McD's doesn't care. A sale is a sale.
If you want to buy a happy meal, they will gladly sell one to you. Every
once in a while my wife will buy a happy meal at McD's as a quick snack. We
have a young son who loves happy meals. But she buys them for herself. Not
my thing, I try to avoid McD.s -Dave

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:53 pm
From: "Woody"

"Dave" <noway1@noway2.not> wrote in message
news:gm7qu5$48g$1@news.motzarella.org...
>
>
>> > BTW how much is a happy meal? They got a special 2 days a week for
>> > $1.39. Don't have kids so don't know the regular price.
>>
>> Do you have to be a child to buy a happy meal, or can an adult buy one
>> for
>> himself?
>>
>> Woody
>
> Anyone can buy a happy meal. You can be a full-grown adult and order a
> happy meal and eat it in the store. McD's doesn't care. A sale is a
> sale.
> If you want to buy a happy meal, they will gladly sell one to you. Every
> once in a while my wife will buy a happy meal at McD's as a quick snack.
> We
> have a young son who loves happy meals. But she buys them for herself.
> Not
> my thing, I try to avoid McD.s -Dave

I never feel properly McD'd unless I've had two Big Macs and a large fries.
A happy meal would be a coffee break snack for me. But, then, that's why I'm
5'6" and 203 lbs. :-(

Woody

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:36 pm
From: Dave Garland

Woody wrote:

> Do you have to be a child to buy a happy meal, or can an adult buy one for
> himself?

I've got a friend who's a diabetic, and buys the happy mean because
that's about the right portion size. He saves the toys and passes
them on to me to give to my nieces and nephews.

Dave

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:53 pm
From: "Dave"

>
> I've got a friend who's a diabetic, and buys the happy mean because
> that's about the right portion size. He saves the toys and passes
> them on to me to give to my nieces and nephews.
>
> Dave

I'm surprised to hear a diabetic eating at McDs. But that is a good point,
the happy meal portion size is about right for a full-grown adult for a
meal. -Dave

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:59 pm
From: clams_casino

Dave wrote:

>>>BTW how much is a happy meal? They got a special 2 days a week for
>>>$1.39. Don't have kids so don't know the regular price.
>>>
>>>
>>Do you have to be a child to buy a happy meal, or can an adult buy one for
>>himself?
>>
>>Woody
>>
>>
>
>Anyone can buy a happy meal.
>
>

I've bought a number of them for me, but often times the dollar menu is
a better price, unless you really want that toy.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Sakshat, Tata Nano, then Homes
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/fc4a6e0878fb732e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:44 pm
From: vjp2.at@at.BioStrategist.dot.dot.com

India is producing the $1000 car, the Tata Nano.
India is producing the $10 laptop, the Sakshat.

Now India must produce the $10,000 house.

India will save Western Civilisation! In the Succession outlined by
Andrew Roberts and Walter Russell Meade, India will follow America,
England, Britain, Byzantium and Alexander as the heart of
globalisation.

USA returning World War Two soldier needed homes, so sheetrock was
invented. Steel stud housing (the steel is really a c-section of
sheet metal) had began to replace wood studs becauseof New Orleans WW2
termites, but now, after Katrina, the industry really took off. India
can take it further. See links.

http://www.usabldg.com/
http://www.gensteel.com/
http://www.anthemsteel.com
http://www.buysuperstud.com/
http://www.nucorbuildingsystems.com/
http://www.abc26.com/pages/abc26news_completestorylist_landing/?Termites-Threaten-New-Orleans-Levees=1&blockID=106530&feedID=1154

- = -
Vasos Panagiotopoulos, Columbia'81+, Reagan, Mozart, Pindus, BioStrategist
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/vjp2/vasos.htm
---{Nothing herein constitutes advice. Everything fully disclaimed.}---
[Homeland Security means private firearms not lazy obstructive guards]
[Urb sprawl confounds terror] [Remorse begets zeal] [Windows is for Bimbos]

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 5:43 pm
From: PeterD

On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 22:44:38 +0000 (UTC),
vjp2.at@at.BioStrategist.dot.dot.com wrote:

>India is producing the $1000 car, the Tata Nano.

Bull shit, not in any civilized country they aren't.

>India is producing the $10 laptop, the Sakshat.

More bull...

>
>Now India must produce the $10,000 house.

Bwa-ha-ha-ha... OK, we've had our laugh.

Now go away, troll... (See, I'm not calling him a spammer since his
post is so silly that it isn't spam!)

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Consumer Reports coffee value test
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/ee5c0c1d161da281?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:55 pm
From: "Woody"

Eight O'Clock Coffee's 100% Colombian, at $6.28 a pound, was chosen as
Consumer Reports best coffee buy in their latest study:

http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2009/02/02/priciest-coffee-isn-t-necessarily-the-best.aspx

There *must* be someone somewhere who disagrees with this; nyet?

Woody

== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:18 pm
From: Patricia Martin Steward

On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 17:55:31 -0500, "Woody" <email@munged.com> wrote:

>Eight O'Clock Coffee's 100% Colombian, at $6.28 a pound, was chosen as
>Consumer Reports best coffee buy in their latest study:
>
>http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2009/02/02/priciest-coffee-isn-t-necessarily-the-best.aspx
>
>There *must* be someone somewhere who disagrees with this; nyet?

GOD, yes. Six dollars a pound? Insanity.

My regular coffee is Melitta Classic. When it goes on sale for $4.99,
I stock up. I just looked at the can, and it's 1 lb. 7 oz.

It's very finely ground, so it makes a strong cup, which is what I
like.
--
January 20, 2009
The end of an error

== 3 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:59 pm
From: Derald

"Woody" <email@munged.com> wrote:

>There *must* be someone somewhere who disagrees with this; nyet?
To what purpose?

== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 4:06 pm
From: "Woody"

"Patricia Martin Steward" <patstew@noteranews.com> wrote in message
news:7lveo4t1r93g17n66gkeo8j4qadt14u77u@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 2 Feb 2009 17:55:31 -0500, "Woody" <email@munged.com> wrote:
>
>>Eight O'Clock Coffee's 100% Colombian, at $6.28 a pound, was chosen as
>>Consumer Reports best coffee buy in their latest study:
>>
>>http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2009/02/02/priciest-coffee-isn-t-necessarily-the-best.aspx
>>
>>There *must* be someone somewhere who disagrees with this; nyet?
>
> GOD, yes. Six dollars a pound? Insanity.
>
> My regular coffee is Melitta Classic. When it goes on sale for $4.99,
> I stock up. I just looked at the can, and it's 1 lb. 7 oz.
>
> It's very finely ground, so it makes a strong cup, which is what I
> like.

I think the Consumer Reports recommendation was based on a combination of
price and taste quality, not just price.

On the other hand, taste is kinda subjective.

To quote a random Dungeons & Dragons player, "Beauty is in the eyes of the
Beholder."

Woody

== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 4:22 pm
From: SMS

That's quite expensive. If you find a Costco that has a roaster in the
store, 3 pounds of 100% Columbian beans are around $13, available in
different roasts.

== 6 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 5:18 pm
From: George

Woody wrote:
> Eight O'Clock Coffee's 100% Colombian, at $6.28 a pound, was chosen as
> Consumer Reports best coffee buy in their latest study:
>
> http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2009/02/02/priciest-coffee-isn-t-necessarily-the-best.aspx
>
> There *must* be someone somewhere who disagrees with this; nyet?
>
> Woody
>
>
Been buying it for years (but beans not the pre-ground stuff) and turned
a couple friends onto it when they asked why the coffee tasted so good.
The 2 lb 4 oz bag sells for under $10 at the large local family owned
market where we buy most of our stuff.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: The IRS, viabilty and the perfection of no resistance
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/bec600159a8cbc04?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:58 pm
From: albundy2@mailinator.com

On Jan 30, 8:02 am, phil scott <p...@philscott.net> wrote:
> There is no lasting economic or other viability without a moral/
> ethical base...
>
> debunkable as merely a respect for Life generally, and humanity,
> including oneself (not to be mistaken for blind arrogance, thats
> fatal)...
>
> A prerequisite to morality and ethics however is intelligence,
> Intelligence only occurs with abject honesty.
>
> Stepping though that in reverse, beginning with abject honesty, you
> can bail yourself out of a degraded condition.... pay your karmic and
> other debts and be graciously viable... (takes decades in my
> experience) ....Yer girl friend catching fish for you off the poop
> deck as you panay them in the galley...
>
> with a few hundred yards between you and the vicious morons working
> for the IRS... who are now forced to give up globally .... btw....
> their ruthlessness had indeed produced their desired result, no
> resistance,,, in fact the perfection of no resistance, death,
>
> smart those folk.
>
> no money honey, and their attempts to collect from the collapsing
> economy merely destroying the last viable vestigages of their own
> interests, their own personal sit on their ass 'job' ..... and their
> own sit on their ass retirements....total wastes to the end.
>
> . pooooof.
>
> we had been discussing this eventuality for a while you know.
>
> Phil scott

The IRS never give up. They will find a way to tax poverty. Negative
interest rates might be coming. Tom Vu will return to Vietnam rather
than pay up. Even Obama appointees are now paying taxes.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: glennsacks.com: "In the UK You Can't Sue For Paternity Fraud" (plus
some GOOD news)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/d491bf5fd66821a6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:58 pm
From: lenona321@yahoo.com

On Feb 1, 7:39 pm, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed....@gmail.com> wrote:

> > albeit rarely.
>
> Not that rarely now that DNA allows incontrovertible proof of paternity.
>
> > So why in this case? What distinguishes it from other cases of paternity fraud?
>
> The circumstances, just like with every legal ruling.

Unfortunately, "circumstances" don't necessarily help the man. See
this (you may not believe it, but Reason Magazine is pretty reliable).

http://www.reason.com/news/show/29035.html

Since this is from 2004 (I read it about 2 years ago) I don't
understand why it showed up in Google News just over three weeks ago,
on Jan. 12th. (I was searching on "paternity fraud" when I
rediscovered it.)

In a nutshell, it tells the story of California's Tony Pierce, who got
targeted for child support by a woman who knew perfectly well she'd
never even met him - and the courts didn't care what Pierce's DNA test
said. Apparently, the courts' attitude is pretty common, even if women
like that aren't. The reason? Quote:

Once paternity is "established," even if the government has never
communicated with the father, the county court imposes a payment rate
and schedule under the statistically mistaken assumption that he makes
a full-time salary at minimum wage. (State audits have found that a
full 80 percent of default dads don't make even that much.) To collect
the money, the county may put a garnish order on the purported
father's paycheck or place liens on his assets. If the mother has
received welfare assistance after the child was born, the man will be
hit with a bill to pay back the state, plus 10 percent annual
interest. "That's what they're trying to do, is get some reimbursement
to the state," says Carolyn Kelly, public relations officer for the
Contra Costa County DCSS. "As you can imagine, [that's] millions and
millions and millions and millions of dollars."

(end)

>
> > Apparently the mother, Jamie Hope and the biological father Oba
> > Wallace, knew or strongly suspected the child was Wallace's from the
> > time it was two years old. Nevertheless, when Hope filed an action to
> > collect child support from Samuels, she unequivocally named him as the
> > father. That's what Judge Roper didn't like; he said it constituted fraud
> > and obligated her to repay Samuels. (Of course Wallace never made any
> > such claim in court, so why he should have to pay Samuels isn't clear.)
>
> It aint just about claims.

Glad you think so, but, assuming the real father didn't want a child,
Franklin and other MRAs (men's rights activists) have an unfortunate
tendency to lump unwilling fathers together with men who were never
biological fathers at all, as if they both deserved complete sympathy.
(Of course, we're not talking about adoptive fathers here.) Maybe
Franklin was saying that since the crime lies with the mother, she
should be paying for everything. However, the biological father SHOULD
have been supporting his child, so why not try to ensure the child
doesn't suffer, as she would if the mother had to make all the
payments to Samuels?

Lenona.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Wall St. Journal: On saving on phone service and cable
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/159cdc61827d4f54?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:02 pm
From: lenona321@yahoo.com

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123310097165622001.html

Granted, this article isn't exactly aimed at people who are truly
struggling, but I thought I'd post it anyway.

Lenona.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: the electronic cigarette: a good buy?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/424be27492308245?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:25 pm
From: Coffee's For Closers

In article <owIhl.183120$9i5.11073@en-nntp-07.dc1.easynews.com>,
email@munged.com says...
> This is obviously addressed to smokers. Anti-smoking Nazis wishing to preach
> on the evils of smoking are free to reply in another thread, preferably with
> the header "I'm an anti-smoking Nazi."
>
> I'm wondering if electronic cigarettes are a good buy. Up here cigarettes
> are quite expensive, plus you can't smoke indoors almost anywhere. If you
> use an electronic cigarette, has there been a problem with you smoking it
> on, for example, a long bus ride?

They might get kind of expensive if you are one of those smokers
who automatically flicks/drops/tosses the butt, as a reflexive
part of the smoking ritual.

Those types remind me of monkeys flinging turds.

--
Want Privacy?
http://www.MinistryOfPrivacy.com/

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Reason Magazine: "Americans Are Saving More...As if Things Weren't Bad
Enough"
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/4385a9b919271f2e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 3:21 pm
From: lenona321@yahoo.com

Yes, the headline is tongue-in-cheek.

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/131449.html

By Jacob Sullum.

First paragraph:

"In November I noted how the recession has turned standard economic
wisdom on its head, so that formerly good things, such as frugality,
are bemoaned, while formerly bad things, such as unconstrained
borrowing and spending, are recalled with nostalgia. The New York
Times has a good example today, treating an increased saving rate as
bad news.....

(snip)

.......Not until the 11th paragraph are we obliquely reminded that
economists used to complain about how terrible Americans were at
saving money, preferring instant gratification even when they couldn't
afford it, thereby reducing the availability of capital so that the
U.S. economy (and government) became dangerously dependent on foreign
investors....."

And here's his November article:

http://www.reason.com/news/show/130142.html

BTW, Sullum is the author of "Saying Yes." From the back cover:

"Jacob Sullum has produced a thoughtful, sane, and logical analysis of
our drug laws. Is that even LEGAL?"
-- Dave Barry.

"I've never used a recreational drug (or even had a sip of alcohol) in
my life, but Jacob Sullum makes a great case to stop the drug wars. He
exposes the tricks of the drug warriors, who scam the crowd with
huckster patter about magical substances that force people to do
evil."
- Penn Jillette, the larger, louder half of Penn & Teller

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1585423181/reasonmagazineA/

Lenona.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: truth in advertising
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/3dde73ec7dbfb978?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 4:11 pm
From: "Woody"

TV ad by a local furniture chain: "We've demanded lower prices from our
suppliers to save you money!"

Heh. As if. More like, "We'd love to charge you higher prices but then you
won't buy, so we demanded lower prices from our suppliers in order to match
the prices our competitors down the street charge so we can try to drive
them out of business, and we still get to keep our profit margin."

I've heard people can get arrested and flung in gaol for lying in an
advertisement. Any lawyers out there wanna take on this case pro bono?

Woody

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 6:35 pm
From: albundy2@mailinator.com

On Feb 2, 7:11 pm, "Woody" <em...@munged.com> wrote:
> TV ad by a local furniture chain: "We've demanded lower prices from our
> suppliers to save you money!"
>
> Heh. As if. More like, "We'd love to charge you higher prices but then you
> won't buy, so we demanded lower prices from our suppliers in order to match
> the prices our competitors down the street charge so we can try to drive
> them out of business, and we still get to keep our profit margin."
>
> I've heard people can get arrested and flung in gaol for lying in an
> advertisement. Any lawyers out there wanna take on this case pro bono?
>
> Woody

The courts have pretty much ruled that you can say almost anything in
an ad. The wording is too subjective to pin them down. Even when the
claims are egregious, they often only have to cease and desist from
that particular add. I always like the Grapefruit 45 ads where you
were supposed to lost weight while you slept. The acid in the fruit
burned off the fat. Of course sleeping instead of eating all night
helps lose weight too.
My local food chain has an add very similar to that furniture ad of
yours. About the only cheap thing they sell is milk for some reason,
and a quality brand at that. I went in today just for milk and it was
$1.79 a gallon. I joked with the clerk that they were giving it away.
He pointed to the small print that said you had to purchase $10 to get
that price. Well, I wanted the milk regardless and went to the self
scanner. Low and behold, it gave me the $1.79 price for the single
purchase.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: 2.5 million Americans lost jobs - ObaMa0 hires 1.5 million foreigners
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/62b42e3e14d96437?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 5:07 pm
From: hpope@lycos.com

On Feb 2, 5:35 pm, obamao.sux.donki.dix...@gmail.com wrote:
> 2.5 million Americans lost jobs - ObaMa0 hires 1.5 million foreigners
>
> http://www.numbersusa.com/content/resources/video/commercials/elevato...

Ain't it wonderful?

mitch

==============================================================================
TOPIC: It's Not Going to Be OK
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/cc41abba01c2e475?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jan 30 2009 5:28 pm
From: josejarvie@ssnet.net

Published on Monday, February 2, 2009 by TruthDig.com

It's Not Going to Be OK
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090202_its_not_going_to_be_ok/

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Ping SMS: What abt this?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/8f8f2807aa1f8064?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 6:01 pm
From: me@privacy.net

If wanting a "data" plan yet not wanting a contract
what abt this? Read link

http://www.informationweek.com/news/personal_tech/smartphones/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=213000430&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_News

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misc.consumers.frugal-living - 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: Hawaii prices
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/9e0c0da39dcac6ce?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 11:26 pm
From: Dan Birchall

I would expect prices at chain restaurants to be a bit higher than on
the mainland, due to transportation costs. Certain supermarket items
(milk and cereal for two) tend to be significantly more expensive.

--
Some people wear black t-shirts to make some kind of fashion statement.
I'm the type who wears black t-shirts because they don't show the blood.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: find find find
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/89a08f72cf233d56?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 1:47 am
From: shin.ramyon09@gmail.com

HI ALL,

NOW YOU CAN FIND LOVE AND ROMANCE FOR LATIONS WORLDWIDE ....

ITS JOIN FREE. CLICK HERE

http://amigos.com/go/g1050477-pmem

== 1 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 4:24 am
From: clams_casino

Gary Heston wrote:

>In article <WDthl.165907$se4.141036@en-nntp-03.dc1.easynews.com>,
>Woody <email@munged.com> wrote:
>
>
>>Let's say you absolutely have to have a mocha or latte. I know, that kind of
>>thing is never a must, but let's say for argument's sake that it is. The
>>default place to get one is Starbucks, but now McD's and Dunkin' Donuts are
>>offering them, too. Are their cheaper versions worth the likely decline in
>>quality?
>>
>>
>
>Since all variations of coffee and such are a matter of individual taste,
>your fastest way to resolve your question is to buy one of each and see
>how it tastes to you. Personally, I can't tell the difference between the
>coffee at McDonalds or the (free) coffee at work.
>
>
>
>
Or the hot water tap.

== 2 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 4:43 am
From: Vic Smith

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:16:33 -0800, The Real Bev
<bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>I finally found a 1-cup Bialetti espresso maker at a yard sale. It was nothing
>special either, and took just as much time to make as the 8-cup Mr. Coffee.
>
>There are no miracles.

I think Starbucks has miracle paper cups.
One of my daughters, who is in college, working, and constantly
socializing, uses them.
The way it works is she makes coffee in the morning, pours it in a
Starbucks cup, and takes it with her to school.
I suppose she pays for the Starbucks cup of coffee originally, but
maybe not. Plenty of other ways to get those cups.
I found out about this when she took me to task for tossing an empty
Starbucks cup in the garbage.
"Did you throw away my Starbucks cup?"
"Yeah, it was empty."
"I reuse that cup."
"Oh, sorry. It'll never happen again."
Though one son mocks her for pretense, it doesn't bother her.
Or me.
It is a well designed cup.
What would bother me is if she actually paid +$3 for a cup of coffee,
when she works hard for her money to go to school, pays for her own
car, insurance, etc. She opts for the free coffee here.
Good for her.

--Vic

== 3 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 6:49 am
From: SMS

Vic Smith wrote:
> On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:16:33 -0800, The Real Bev
> <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I finally found a 1-cup Bialetti espresso maker at a yard sale. It was nothing
>> special either, and took just as much time to make as the 8-cup Mr. Coffee.
>>
>> There are no miracles.
>
> I think Starbucks has miracle paper cups.
> One of my daughters, who is in college, working, and constantly
> socializing, uses them.
> The way it works is she makes coffee in the morning, pours it in a
> Starbucks cup, and takes it with her to school.
> I suppose she pays for the Starbucks cup of coffee originally, but
> maybe not. Plenty of other ways to get those cups.
> I found out about this when she took me to task for tossing an empty
> Starbucks cup in the garbage.
> "Did you throw away my Starbucks cup?"
> "Yeah, it was empty."
> "I reuse that cup."
> "Oh, sorry. It'll never happen again."
> Though one son mocks her for pretense, it doesn't bother her.
> Or me.
> It is a well designed cup.
> What would bother me is if she actually paid +$3 for a cup of coffee,
> when she works hard for her money to go to school, pays for her own
> car, insurance, etc. She opts for the free coffee here.
> Good for her.

She could buy an insulated thermal mug with the Starbucks logo, and
maintain the pretense.

Incidentally, coffee at Starbucks isn't $3. Regular coffee is well under
$2. To me, even that's too much considering I can brew a whole pot of
fresher coffee for about 50¢ with very good beans from Costco.

Starbucks is about the socializing and the pretense. It was never about
the coffee, just as McDonald's was never about the food.

If I do have the urge to spend $4 for an espresso drink, we have two
independent coffee houses within walking distance (as well as one Peet's
and four Starbucks). I keep thinking that $4 can still buy lunch at a
Chinese restaurant.

== 4 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 7:11 am
From: Vic Smith

On Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:49:14 -0800, SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com>
wrote:

>
>Incidentally, coffee at Starbucks isn't $3. Regular coffee is well under
>$2. To me, even that's too much considering I can brew a whole pot of
>fresher coffee for about 50¢ with very good beans from Costco.
>
>Starbucks is about the socializing and the pretense. It was never about
>the coffee, just as McDonald's was never about the food.
>
>If I do have the urge to spend $4 for an espresso drink, we have two
>independent coffee houses within walking distance (as well as one Peet's
>and four Starbucks). I keep thinking that $4 can still buy lunch at a
>Chinese restaurant.

When I worked the corp cafeteria had a Starbucks kiosk, and I liked
the "Morning Blend." It was $1.50 for a large cup, but I thought it
was subsidized down, as all the food was.
I see they do a fair morning drive-thru business around here, so some
people probably prefer them to Dunkin Donuts, MacDonalds, etc.
They do have decent coffee, though I prefer my own.
I've actually only been in a Starbucks twice. Once to visit a family
friend who worked at one. He insisted it be on the house, so I never
noticed prices. Another time I promised a fellow I would get myself
an espresso, and I sat down in one for a double shot. It was good.
Too bad about their troubles. At least when the yuppies spend their
money there most of it stays local.

--Vic

== 5 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 9:12 am
From: hchickpea@hotmail.com

On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:57:49 -0600, gheston@hiwaay.net (Gary Heston)
wrote:

>Personally, I can't tell the difference between the
>coffee at McDonalds or the (free) coffee at work.

Dude, you must have some bad coffee at work. I gave up on McD coffee
years ago. It ALWAYS was served too hot and tasted burned with a
nuance of stainless steel.

Hi thee to Publix and some of their 2/1 Eight O'Clock beans. The
hazelnut is my normal morning drink. If you can find them, look in
the spice section for cardomom seeds. Crack open one or two and pop
them with the shells into the filter basket.

== 6 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 12:08 pm
From: "Woody"

"Vic Smith" <thismailautodeleted@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:h6qdo4pcordto0ej779nf501lh3o9th327@4ax.com...
>
> Though one son mocks her for pretense, it doesn't bother her.

If she pretends that she bought her coffee at Starbucks, then it's pretence.
If she just uses the cup because it's a good-quality cup and doesn't care
about the logo on it, then it's not pretence, just frugality.

> What would bother me is if she actually paid +$3 for a cup of coffee,
> when she works hard for her money to go to school, pays for her own
> car, insurance, etc.

Why would it bother you that a competent adult chooses to spend her lawfully
earned money in a certain way? When she's out late at night does she have to
phone you to "check in" and "let you know she's all right?" Parents! :-p

== 7 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 12:10 pm
From: "Woody"

<hchickpea@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d2aeo45vma7rfnkbghh4midco2rdg5vtj8@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:57:49 -0600, gheston@hiwaay.net (Gary Heston)
> wrote:
>
>>Personally, I can't tell the difference between the
>>coffee at McDonalds or the (free) coffee at work.
>
> Dude, you must have some bad coffee at work. I gave up on McD coffee
> years ago. It ALWAYS was served too hot and tasted burned with a
> nuance of stainless steel.

It's the truly rotten nature of McD's coffee that led me to make my comment
about "decline in quality." There's no way an espresso made at McD's is
going to measure up to one made at Starbucks. Buying one there is like being
one of those people who dillute half a glass of Coca Cola in half a glass of
water to make their Coke last longer. :-p

Woody

>
> Hi thee to Publix and some of their 2/1 Eight O'Clock beans. The
> hazelnut is my normal morning drink. If you can find them, look in
> the spice section for cardomom seeds. Crack open one or two and pop
> them with the shells into the filter basket.

== 8 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 12:11 pm
From: "Woody"

On a different tack: Is it worthwhile to invest in a coffeemaker, or do you
get the same bang for your buck from instant? (Experience tells me that
cheap and crappy coffeemaker coffee tastes no better than instant does.)

Woody

== 9 of 11 ==
Date: Fri, Jan 30 2009 12:37 pm
From: josejarvie@ssnet.net

On Sun, 1 Feb 2009 22:20:20 -0500, in misc.consumers.frugal-living "Woody" <email@munged.com> wrote:

>Let's say you absolutely have to have a mocha or latte. I know, that kind of
>thing is never a must, but let's say for argument's sake that it is. The
>default place to get one is Starbucks, but now McD's and Dunkin' Donuts are
>offering them, too. Are their cheaper versions worth the likely decline in
>quality?
>
>Woody
>

Starbucks coffee is nasty AND I can't afford latte's and the owner of Starbucks is a rabid Zionist so the
choice is clear to me.. I'm sitting in a Starbucks right now.. not drinking coffee just using the free
Internet..

== 10 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 1:11 pm
From: Dave Garland

Woody wrote:
> Is it worthwhile to invest in a coffeemaker, or do you
> get the same bang for your buck from instant? (Experience tells me that
> cheap and crappy coffeemaker coffee tastes no better than instant does.)

IME, a cheap and crappy drip coffeemaker will make fine coffee, if you
put good coffee into it (I use a Mr. Coffee I got at a garage sale).
And almost any (even bad) dripped coffee tastes better than instant,
although the very cheapest coffees aren't "good" by any stretch. But
your tastes may be different.

Dave

== 11 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 2:01 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Woody wrote:

> On a different tack: Is it worthwhile to invest in a coffeemaker,

I just drink tap water and beer now.

> or do you get the same bang for your buck from instant?

Nope, real coffee is nothing like instant.

> (Experience tells me that cheap and crappy coffeemaker coffee tastes no better than instant does.)

When I was still drinking coffee, I used one of those cheap espresso things
the italians make that goes on the normal stove. Left instant coffee for dead.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Krugman on the bailout: Obama's going to screw us with yet more "Lemon
Socialism"
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/728c6a85628f9e21?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 6:28 am
From: "david7gable@aol.com"

Just in case you thought Obama the Republican-appeasing centrist was
going to bring in new ideas, here's Paul Krugman's new column on the
bailout.

"Question: what happens if you lose vast amounts of other people's
money? Answer: you get a big gift from the federal government — but
the president says some very harsh things about you before forking
over the cash."

"[Obama's plans] are shaping up as a classic exercise in 'lemon
socialism': taxpayers bear the cost if things go wrong, but
stockholders and executives get the benefits if things go right."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/opinion/02krugman.html?_r=1

-david gable

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 8:18 am
From: George

david7gable@aol.com wrote:
> Just in case you thought Obama the Republican-appeasing centrist was
> going to bring in new ideas, here's Paul Krugman's new column on the
> bailout.
>
> "Question: what happens if you lose vast amounts of other people's
> money? Answer: you get a big gift from the federal government — but
> the president says some very harsh things about you before forking
> over the cash."
>
> "[Obama's plans] are shaping up as a classic exercise in 'lemon
> socialism': taxpayers bear the cost if things go wrong, but
> stockholders and executives get the benefits if things go right."
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/02/opinion/02krugman.html?_r=1
>
> -david gable

Not sure why anyone was expecting any different. The red and blue teams
have done their best to transfer wealth to a select few by carefully
preserving and fostering the capitalist profit/socialist loss system.
The only change that happened in the last month is that there are
different names on the doors in Washington.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 8:43 am
From: George

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Bailed-out banks sought to hire 21,800 foreign workers in past 6 years.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/758819ccc404b655?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 6:35 am
From: mg

On Feb 1, 6:19 am, GLOBALIST <free.tun...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Feb 1, 5:27 am, wis...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:53:17 -0500, Harry Hope <riv...@ix.netcom.com>
> > wrote:
>
> > >During the last three months of 2008, the largest banks that received
> > >taxpayer loans announced more than 100,000 layoffs.
>
> > >.......................................................................................................................
>
> > >Foreigners are attractive hires because companies have found ways to
> > >pay them less than American workers.
>
> > >From The Associated Press, 2/1/09:
> > >http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-bailout-foreign-work...
>
> > >AP Investigation: Bailed-out banks sought to hire 21,800 foreign
> > >workers in past 6 years
>
> > >By FRANK BASS and RITA BEAMISH | Associated Press Writers
>
> > >SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) —
>
> > >Banks collecting billions of dollars in federal bailout money sought
> > >government permission to bring thousands of foreign workers to the
> > >U.S. for high-paying jobs, according to an Associated Press review of
> > >visa applications.
>
> > >The dozen banks receiving the biggest rescue packages, totaling more
> > >than $150 billion, requested visas for more than 21,800 foreign
> > >workers over the past six years for positions that included senior
> > >vice presidents, corporate lawyers, junior investment analysts and
> > >human resources specialists.
>
> > >The average annual salary for those jobs was $90,721, nearly twice the
> > >median income for all American households.
>
> > >The figures are significant because they show that the bailed-out
> > >banks, being kept afloat with U.S. taxpayer money, actively sought to
> > >hire foreign workers instead of American workers.
>
> > >As the economic collapse worsened last year — with huge numbers of
> > >bank employees laid off — the numbers of visas sought by the dozen
> > >banks in AP's analysis increased by nearly one-third, from 3,258 in
> > >fiscal 2007 to 4,163 in fiscal 2008.
>
> > >The AP reviewed visa applications the banks filed with the Labor
> > >Department under the H-1B visa program, which allows temporary
> > >employment of foreign workers in specialized-skill and advanced-degree
> > >positions.
>
> > >_____________________________________________________
>
> > >Harry
>
> > Business scumbags care not for Americas future, only quick profits
> > count. Vote-grubbing political hacks only seek reelection. America
> > needs a total strip-down and rebuild.
>
> > ted
>
> >http://www.wvwnews.net/ Western Voices World News
>
> >http://www.vdare.com/ V-Dare- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> I read the article. It's pretty funky journalism. All accusations
> with no credible numbers or data to back it up. I.T. depts all over
> America have been hiring foreign computer folks for years, out of
> necessity. I love how that buzz word "foreign" should make us all
> react as BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD.

When you do a Google search on the news, you get 636 news articles and
they reference research by AP. So, this information looks pretty
reliable to me. Here's an example of another news source:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-bailout0201,0,4893584.story

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 6:38 am
From: mg

On Feb 1, 4:27 am, wis...@yahoo.com wrote:
> On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:53:17 -0500, Harry Hope <riv...@ix.netcom.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >During the last three months of 2008, the largest banks that received
> >taxpayer loans announced more than 100,000 layoffs.
>
> >.......................................................................................................................
>
> >Foreigners are attractive hires because companies have found ways to
> >pay them less than American workers.
>
> >From The Associated Press, 2/1/09:
> >http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-bailout-foreign-work...
>
> >AP Investigation: Bailed-out banks sought to hire 21,800 foreign
> >workers in past 6 years
>
> >By FRANK BASS and RITA BEAMISH | Associated Press Writers
>
> >SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) —
>
> >Banks collecting billions of dollars in federal bailout money sought
> >government permission to bring thousands of foreign workers to the
> >U.S. for high-paying jobs, according to an Associated Press review of
> >visa applications.
>
> >The dozen banks receiving the biggest rescue packages, totaling more
> >than $150 billion, requested visas for more than 21,800 foreign
> >workers over the past six years for positions that included senior
> >vice presidents, corporate lawyers, junior investment analysts and
> >human resources specialists.
>
> >The average annual salary for those jobs was $90,721, nearly twice the
> >median income for all American households.
>
> >The figures are significant because they show that the bailed-out
> >banks, being kept afloat with U.S. taxpayer money, actively sought to
> >hire foreign workers instead of American workers.
>
> >As the economic collapse worsened last year — with huge numbers of
> >bank employees laid off — the numbers of visas sought by the dozen
> >banks in AP's analysis increased by nearly one-third, from 3,258 in
> >fiscal 2007 to 4,163 in fiscal 2008.
>
> >The AP reviewed visa applications the banks filed with the Labor
> >Department under the H-1B visa program, which allows temporary
> >employment of foreign workers in specialized-skill and advanced-degree
> >positions.
>
> >_____________________________________________________
>
> >Harry
>
> Business scumbags care not for Americas future, only quick profits
> count. Vote-grubbing political hacks only seek reelection. America
> needs a total strip-down and rebuild.
>
> ted
>
> http://www.wvwnews.net/ Western Voices World News
>
> http://www.vdare.com/ V-Dare

I have an idea. For every engineer, computer programmer, and banker
they import, let's also import one doctor and see what we can do about
these medical costs.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Good place to buy wool diaper covers?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/212b318d6a5da024?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 6:47 am
From: OhioGuy

My wife told me to bid on Ebay for wool diaper covers for our baby
that will be arriving in about a month.

I checked on Ebay, and only seem to find them sold as singles, and
they seem to be running $15 or more.

Can anyone suggest a place where you can buy several, and they are
not treated as "specialty items" - with the associated high price?

I thought we would be able to find them in a multi pack for about $8
or $9 each, but so far I haven't found any luck.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: ~ Baby Spice Naked Photo Shoot
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/4e22c7c3da17b0dc?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 7:23 am
From: systemofadownsyndrom2@gmail.com

Nice http://imival.blogspot.com/ - Baby spice nude photos as well as
Britney and brooke hogan. And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and
go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Boost Mobile: May have to try it
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/349d16161b538880?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 7:44 am
From: Zuke

On Sun, 1 Feb 2009, clams_casino wrote:

> clams_casino wrote:
>
>> clams_casino wrote:
>>
>>> Mark Anderson wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:59:14 -0800, SMS wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> The best deal in prepaid, by far, is PagePlus which uses the Verizon
>>>>> network. As little as $10 every four months (a bit less since the
>>>>> refills are often discounted a few percent). As little as 5.3 cents per
>>>>> minute. But it's not just the low cost, it's that you get excellent
>>>>> coverage. With any prepaid provider on the iDEN or Sprint networks
>>>>> you'll get poor coverage outside of urban areas. Regular Sprint phones
>>>>> can roam onto other CDMA networks in areas with no Sprint coverage, but
>>>>> Virgin, which is on the Sprint network, can't roam. With Boost, there is
>>>>> nowhere to roam onto, as Nextel has about the only iDEN network in the
>>>>> U.S. (there are a couple of other very small iDEN networks, but none of
>>>>> any size).
>>>>>
>>>>> See "http://prepaiduswireless.com"
>>>>>
>>>>> The prepaid providers to avoid are:
>>>>>
>>>>> Boost
>>>>> Tracfone
>>>>> Virgin
>>>>> Net10
>>>>> Jitterbug
>>>>> InPulse (Verizon)
>>>>> GoPhone (AT&T)
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thank you so much for this info. I've been looking into prepaid phones
>>>> and they all seem like a ripoff (greater than 20 cents/minute plus setup
>>>> charges). This site laid everything out pretty clearly and I've decided
>>>> to try PagePlus.
>>>>
>>>> Now I just need to find a phone.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> SMS is quite down on Tracfone, but I recently picked up a Tracfone, camera
>>> phone (W376g) at Target for $30 that includes a double minute for life
>>> plan that normally costs $50 by itself and 20 minutes for setup. I could
>>> care less about the camera part, but really like the built-in speaker
>>> phone and fold-over nature of the phone (also has a bluetooth feature that
>>> we will probably never use). We were reluctant to give up our land line
>>> because we like to be on the phone at the same time with occasional calls
>>> to/from family members. As an added, unexpected bonus, they included a
>>> second year's usage for an additional $50 with the purchase of their
>>> one-year 400 minute plan (doubled to 800 minutes), plus another 300 bonus
>>> minutes. Bottom line was a two year plan with 1120 minutes and a
>>> decent folding phone (far superior to the ones offered at $10 & 20) for
>>> $195 up-front total cost, including taxes - no setup fees.
>>>
>>> Granted, that works out to 14.5cents / minute (total costs, except cost of
>>> phone), where I doubt we will use more than 1100 minutes over two years.
>>> It'll take me about six months to break even vs. our land-line costs, but
>>> will then enjoy no phone costs for the next 18 months while having the
>>> advantages of a cell phone. It's a second tracfone phone for us where
>>> we've been very pleased with its coverage / reception which we use very
>>> occasionally at about another $7/mo.
>>>
>>> Our land line was costing about $10/mo for basic connection plus $16 in
>>> taxes & fees and up to another $5/mo for long distance calls. Our total
>>> expected cost is now under $7/mo for each phone - two phones at less than
>>> the cost of taxes & fees alone on our land line.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> After double checking the Page Plus site, it appears they might be as much
>> as $25/year cheaper than Tracfone for my expected usage (about an
>> hour/mo), but they also charge about $25 more for phones (if desired,
>> Tracfone provides free, basic refurbished phones). Considering SMS is the
>> only person I'm aware of in favor of (don't actually know anyone using them
>> vs. a number of people I know pleased with Tracfone coverage), I'm not
>> willing to try them just to save potentially $1-2 / mo. From what I'm
>> seeing on their coverage map, some of than savings may also be lost in
>> (double) roaming charges. However, I can see where that $1-2/mo savings (or
>> somewhat more) may be worthy if one is interested a very limited usage
>> phone (the 83 minute/4 month $10 plan at 12 cents/min appears to be a good
>> deal for 20 min/mo usage) - after buying a phone & provided coverage is
>> adequate. A lot of that savings, however, could be eaten up, depending on
>> the cost of the phone.
>
>
> I also just noticed a $10 activation fee (no charge via tracfone), plus in
> inability to transfer / port a current phone number (no fee via Tracfone).
>
> Bottom line - It's quite difficult to compare plans, as their costs of
> features vary significantly.

I too was curious about why Tracfone would be listed as a bad
deal. I've had mine for about three years and have had no
problems. Of course I don't do a lot of travelling outside
of the major cities but I have never heard of coverage problems
with Tracfone.

In addition, I have had really good luck with their customer service.
And having had a phone go dead I was able to buy a new one at Meijer
and transfer without any problem.

Admittedly I am paying a bit higher for minutes but since I don't
burn up the phone lines it's not that big an issue for me.

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 12:16 pm
From: "Woody"

This is obviously addressed to smokers. Anti-smoking Nazis wishing to preach
on the evils of smoking are free to reply in another thread, preferably with
the header "I'm an anti-smoking Nazi."

I'm wondering if electronic cigarettes are a good buy. Up here cigarettes
are quite expensive, plus you can't smoke indoors almost anywhere. If you
use an electronic cigarette, has there been a problem with you smoking it
on, for example, a long bus ride?

Woody

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 1:30 pm
From: albundy2@mailinator.com

On Feb 2, 3:16 pm, "Woody" <em...@munged.com> wrote:
> This is obviously addressed to smokers. Anti-smoking Nazis wishing to preach
> on the evils of smoking are free to reply in another thread, preferably with
> the header "I'm an anti-smoking Nazi."
>
> I'm wondering if electronic cigarettes are a good buy. Up here cigarettes
> are quite expensive, plus you can't smoke indoors almost anywhere. If you
> use an electronic cigarette, has there been a problem with you smoking it
> on, for example, a long bus ride?
>
> Woody

It seems like a good idea for everyone, no second hand smoke and
convenient for the smoker.
This is a new concept in smoking. It looks just like a cigarette. I
wonder if some facilities would prevent using it out of ignorance of
the fact that there is no smoke. Also, would there be liability on the
e-smoker's behalf if an observer gave himself a hernia laughing when
they discovered an adult using such a product. Will school children be
allowed to use e-cigarettes?

I look forward to some genuine responses to these issues.

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 1:14 pm
From: James

McD's giving out free coffee every morning in February. I'm passing
because I would only save pennies after cost of gas to get to McD's.

BTW how much is a happy meal? They got a special 2 days a week for
$1.39. Don't have kids so don't know the regular price.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Feb 2 2009 1:48 pm
From: "Woody"

"James" <j0069bond@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:e8ccbdff-57d3-470d-be14-2706403c908e@y23g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
> McD's giving out free coffee every morning in February. I'm passing
> because I would only save pennies after cost of gas to get to McD's.
>
> BTW how much is a happy meal? They got a special 2 days a week for
> $1.39. Don't have kids so don't know the regular price.

Do you have to be a child to buy a happy meal, or can an adult buy one for
himself?

Woody

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misc.consumers.frugal-living - 13 new messages in 9 topics - digest

misc.consumers.frugal-living
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Today's topics:

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 3:22 pm
From: George

SMS wrote:
> me@privacy.net wrote:
>> Gordon <gonzo@alltomyself.com> wrote:
>>
>>> That's why I was
>>> disapointed to hear that Boost uses the iDen network.
>>
>> How come?
>>
>> Its not a good network?
>
> Look at the January Consumer Reports for the results for Nextel in each
> market. That's the coverage you'll get. But it's misleading, because
> coverage in urban areas is _all_ you'll get. No roaming in rural areas
> (nothing to roam onto).
>
> A publication in my area (SF Bay area) did their own survey of coverage
> and quality. Nextel wa always second to last, just ahead of MetroPCS,
> except they beat two other carriers in sound quality.
>
> The unlimited data is what's attractive about that offer. $50 would buy
> you 934 voice minutes a month on PagePlus.

But isn't iDEN data something like a screaming fast 9kb if all of the
planets are properly aligned?

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 4:45 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

me@privacy.net wrote
> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote

>> I use the builtin voip on a Nokia N95 8GB.

> Wow the N95!

Thats what almost everyone says, specially kids |-)

> That's quite a phone.

It is indeed.

> Did you buy it unlocked?

Yep.

> How you like it?

Love it. Its got a couple of downsides that I would prefer were done differently.

No touch screen is the main one.

No card slot. Superficially you dont need one since its the 8GB, but a card
is a very quick way of moving very big stuff like a long video recording etc.

Leaves the iphone for dead in a number of areas.

Main irritation is that the damned thing costs as much as a laptop.

Not very surprising given that its as capable as a laptop, just with a much smaller screen.

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 3:50 pm
From: hpope@lycos.com

On Feb 1, 9:35 am, AndyS <andysha...@juno.com> wrote:
> wis...@yahoo.com wrote:
> > On Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:53:17 -0500, Harry Hope <riv...@ix.netcom.com>
> > wrote:
>
> > >During the last three months of 2008, the largest banks that received
> > >taxpayer loans announced more than 100,000 layoffs.
>
> > >.......................................................................................................................
>
> > >Foreigners are attractive hires because companies have found ways to
> > >pay them less than American workers.
>
> > Business scumbags care not for Americas future, only quick profits
> > count. Vote-grubbing political hacks only seek reelection. America
> > needs a total strip-down and rebuild.
>
> > ted
>
> >http://www.wvwnews.net/ Western Voices World News
>
> >http://www.vdare.com/ V-Dare
>
> Andy writes;
>
> I agree with everything you said...
>
> However, you should be aware that the purpose of starting and running
> a business in America is to make profit for the owners of the
> business,
> and not to be some charity whose purpose is to provide jobs for people
> at higher salaries than the competition....
>
> One possibility is for the IRS NOT to allow salaries paid to non-
> citizens
> to be deducted as a business expense.... That would be reasonable,
> and would just about even up the cost of domestic vs foreign labor....
>
> So, rather than just bitch and moan about "the man" , why not suggest
> solutions about how people who start and run business can make a
> profit by using American workers, without driving the business into
> the
> ground, as the Big Three auto companies seem to have done...????
>
> Andy in Eureka, Texas- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Yes, how can we get the right workers for modern industry. Personally,
I've
always been an advocate for special funds to support the "best and the
brightest"
if any help is needed. (that would include reasonable expense funds)
Let us pour
the funds into the very highest levels of technology plus economics.
Money, is
what "it's" all about.

mitch

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 4:39 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

lenona321@yahoo.com wrote:

> http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=3246&cp=all#comments

> You may have to scroll upwards to read Robert Franklin's article,
> which includes a link to the case in point. Check Celia's comment at
> #19 - I think she's a lawyer.

> Excerpts from Franklin's article:

> The judge, sitting with Lord Justice Aikens and Mr. Justice Bennett, said:
> 'This whole case can be categorised as a misfortune to all those engaged
> in it. I would not wish to be the one to extend their misfortunes further.'

Wota terminal fuckwit.

> With those words a British judge declined to allow a man who
> had been the victim of carefully calculated paternity fraud for
> 18 years, to recover damages for that fraud from his ex-wife.

That does not however mean that no one will be able to
do that in future with more flagrant examples of fraud.

> Cuckoldry is now officially enshrined in British law.

Like hell it is.

> It appears to be the policy of the British state

A particular judge is not the british state.

> to, if not outright promote it, not discourage it either.

Utterly mangled all over again.

> (snip)

> But all is not lost elsewhere. In Georgia, U.S.A.:

> http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=3254#comments

> (also by Robert Franklin)

> First paragraphs:

> Hard as it may be to believe, a Georgia man is actually going to get
> back the money he paid in child support for a child who wasn't his.
> Read about it here (The Augusta Chronicle, 3/2/08). The judge in the
> case, David Roper, ruled that the mother and the biological father
> would have to pay Kenneth Samuels, the duped dad, over $14,000 in
> child support he paid over several years.

> And apparently this order is not unique; there've been others like it,

Yep, right thruout the world which has law derived from the english system.

> albeit rarely.

Not that rarely now that DNA allows incontrovertible proof of paternity.

> So why in this case? What distinguishes it from other cases of paternity fraud?

The circumstances, just like with every legal ruling.

> Apparently the mother, Jamie Hope and the biological father Oba
> Wallace, knew or strongly suspected the child was Wallace's from the
> time it was two years old. Nevertheless, when Hope filed an action to
> collect child support from Samuels, she unequivocally named him as the
> father. That's what Judge Roper didn't like; he said it constituted fraud
> and obligated her to repay Samuels. (Of course Wallace never made any
> such claim in court, so why he should have to pay Samuels isn't clear.)

It aint just about claims.

> This directly contradicts the laws of at least some other states, like those of Texas, where I live.....

Yep, some states have chosen to have black letter law on the subject.

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 7:20 pm
From: "Woody"

Let's say you absolutely have to have a mocha or latte. I know, that kind of
thing is never a must, but let's say for argument's sake that it is. The
default place to get one is Starbucks, but now McD's and Dunkin' Donuts are
offering them, too. Are their cheaper versions worth the likely decline in
quality?

Woody

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 7:57 pm
From: gheston@hiwaay.net (Gary Heston)

In article <WDthl.165907$se4.141036@en-nntp-03.dc1.easynews.com>,
Woody <email@munged.com> wrote:
>Let's say you absolutely have to have a mocha or latte. I know, that kind of
>thing is never a must, but let's say for argument's sake that it is. The
>default place to get one is Starbucks, but now McD's and Dunkin' Donuts are
>offering them, too. Are their cheaper versions worth the likely decline in
>quality?

Since all variations of coffee and such are a matter of individual taste,
your fastest way to resolve your question is to buy one of each and see
how it tastes to you. Personally, I can't tell the difference between the
coffee at McDonalds or the (free) coffee at work.

Gary

--
Gary Heston gheston@hiwaay.net http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

"Behind every successful woman there is an astonished man"
General of the Army (four stars) Ann Dunwoody

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 9:16 pm
From: The Real Bev

Gary Heston wrote:

> Woody <email@munged.com> wrote:
>>Let's say you absolutely have to have a mocha or latte. I know, that kind of
>>thing is never a must, but let's say for argument's sake that it is. The
>>default place to get one is Starbucks, but now McD's and Dunkin' Donuts are
>>offering them, too. Are their cheaper versions worth the likely decline in
>>quality?

I used to like McD's ordinary coffee, but I haven't had any for decades. I'd
rather spend the calories on donuts than fancy coffee, even ignoring the price.

> Since all variations of coffee and such are a matter of individual taste,
> your fastest way to resolve your question is to buy one of each and see
> how it tastes to you. Personally, I can't tell the difference between the
> coffee at McDonalds or the (free) coffee at work.

A friend felt he had to buy some coffee at the Panera place whose wifi we were
using. The coffee tasted just like mine, which is nothing special. Nice place
to hang out, though, and the goodies looked very good and not outrageously
expensive. I still haven't bought anything at a Starbuck's.

I finally found a 1-cup Bialetti espresso maker at a yard sale. It was nothing
special either, and took just as much time to make as the 8-cup Mr. Coffee.

There are no miracles.

--
Cheers, Bev
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
"He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already
earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by
mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice."
-- Albert Einstein

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TOPIC: Google email
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 7:32 pm
From: The Real Bev

draft200902@gmail.com wrote:

> Does it have a short URL address?

Shorter than gmail.com?

--
Cheers, Bev
=====================================================
"It's too bad stupidity isn't painful." - A. S. LaVey

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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 8:31 pm
From: systemofadownsyndrom4@gmail.com

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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 10:48 pm
From: "electroniccigs@gmail.com"

HTTP://ITSSMOKING.COM

http://itsSmoking.com

Please take a moment to explore this site. You will find that
http://itsSmoking.com
offers an exciting business opportunity driven by an amazing,
innovative product, offering tremendous earning potential electronic,
nicotine delivery device that simulates the sensation of smoking
without the worry of taking in cancer causing agents and other
harmful
chemicals that are normally associated with traditional tobacco
products. It produces simulated smoke that is actually a vapor mist
that looks, tastes, feels and reacts very similar to actual tobacco
smoke. When exhaled, the vapor harmlessly evaporates in the
surrounding air within a few seconds. It does not use tobacco at all.
In fact, the nicotine that is used is synthetic and derived from
other
natural sources other than tobacco

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 11:02 pm
From: "Woody"

<electroniccigs@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:ed5b4b9d-dbea-4c92-b4e3-f9f3840a2b29@n33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> HTTP://ITSSMOKING.COM
>
>
>
> http://itsSmoking.com
>
>
>
>
> Please take a moment to explore this site. You will find that
> http://itsSmoking.com
> offers an exciting business opportunity driven by an amazing,
> innovative product, offering tremendous earning potential electronic,
> nicotine delivery device that simulates the sensation of smoking
> without the worry of taking in cancer causing agents and other
> harmful
> chemicals that are normally associated with traditional tobacco
> products. It produces simulated smoke that is actually a vapor mist
> that looks, tastes, feels and reacts very similar to actual tobacco
> smoke. When exhaled, the vapor harmlessly evaporates in the
> surrounding air within a few seconds. It does not use tobacco at all.
> In fact, the nicotine that is used is synthetic and derived from
> other
> natural sources other than tobacco

This is the so-called "electronic cigarette," and it has existed for quite
some time. There are several brands available on the net. What makes yours
better than the next guy's?

Woody

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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 11:13 pm
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Feb 1 2009 11:26 pm
From: Dan Birchall

--
Some people wear black t-shirts to make some kind of fashion statement.
I'm the type who wears black t-shirts because they don't show the blood.

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misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 13 topics - digest

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misc.consumers.frugal-living - 13 new messages in 9 topics - digest