Thursday, February 20, 2014

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 24 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:

* Are there still squatters in the UK? Was: Re: anyone from UK????? - 1
messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/1b64171cf8cc7700?hl=en
* OT: My personal test of 20 free offline Android gps map routing applications
- 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/245df0dfbccb1f4c?hl=en
* Interview with Amy Dacyczyn's daughters! - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/6e42eaf43f260057?hl=en
* Credit card security - 5 messages, 5 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/37c8e84f3cd045aa?hl=en
* Inexpensive commuter car - 11 messages, 6 authors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/ea340ea468b880bd?hl=en
* Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/fc91538c09253cb0?hl=en
* Expensive new glasses! - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/c47878997e4a5f21?hl=en
* Montreal Wedding Dresses - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/bacbe7b3c15162ba?hl=en
* alternative to Google Voice to use with Obihai voip? - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/8927d6ec9e4423a8?hl=en
* Google Worsening Google Voice on May 15, 2014. Dropping XMPP support. No
more free "landline" service. - 1 messages, 1 author
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/dd2212bdda4c6b03?hl=en

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Are there still squatters in the UK? Was: Re: anyone from UK?????
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/1b64171cf8cc7700?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 8 2014 8:52 pm
From: nessshares


On Tuesday, 18 May 1999 08:00:00 UTC+1, andrea lea baker wrote:
> Hi!
>
> I'm not originally from the UK but I did live there for about 3 years.
> Are there still squatters, particularly in London? That always seemed
> like the ultimate in frugal living;-)
>
> Andrea Baker


http://bambuser.com/v/4101256
This was the High Court Eviction of the Bohemia in November last year (2013) It was occupied by a group. They didn't get IPOes but the owner still hired out private bailifs and dogs etc to get them out. It's an interesting building, go past it if you get a chance, its on Finchley High Road.





==============================================================================
TOPIC: OT: My personal test of 20 free offline Android gps map routing
applications
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/245df0dfbccb1f4c?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 8 2014 9:53 pm
From: krw@attt.bizz


On Wed, 08 Jan 2014 12:28:19 -0800, The Real Bev
<bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:

>On 01/07/2014 12:34 PM, krw@attt.bizz wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 06 Jan 2014 22:28:29 -0800, The Real Bev
>> <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>On 12/27/2013 09:42 AM, krw@attt.bizz wrote:
>>>> <dannyd@is.invalid> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>About the only software I need to pay for to get good quality is
>>>>>Adobe Acrobat & TurboTax & kid's PC games.
>>>>
>>>> Better Acrobat than Acrobat can be had, free. TurboTax, obviously. I
>>>> don't have kids anymore and I don't play games.
>>>
>>>Curiously enough, HRBlock sent me a FREE one this year to encourage me
>>>to come back after using TT last year. TT never did anything like that
>>>-- they say they give you this monumental deal as a valued returning
>>>customer, but you can ALWAYS get it cheaper at
>>>Costco/Sam's/Staples/Office Depot etc. Cheesy.
>>>
>>>It's nice that both programs will suck in last year's return from either
>>>program.
>>
>> That's nice to know, thanks. My taxes this year and next are going to
>> be a RPITA (last year was no picnic) so I may have it done - haven't
>> decided.
>
>One year I persuaded my mom to use TT instead of her expensive
>accountant, to whom she always gave meticulous records. The only
>difference was where they placed some trivial amount of foreign
>investment income, but it made no difference in the totals. Her vision
>was getting worse so that was the only year she used TT, but she would
>have if I'd forced it on her earlier. OTOH, I couldn't have done it
>before we forced the computer on her...

I'm renting a house this year. Do I depreciate it and then back it
out next year as income? Might be worthwhile. Since this is the only
year (well, three months next year) that I'll have this issue, I'm not
sure there is anything to gain. I don't know how to start doing it,
either.

>Estate tax was completely different, of course. I don't think there's
>any way that ordinary humans can even understand the forms, much less
>complete them.

Silly.

>Look at the website(s) and see which version(s) provide the forms you
>need. The TT user interface seems a bit less clunky than H&RB (TaxAct?
> TaxCut? They seem to change the name from year to year.) but that
>seems to change for both programs.

The problem is knowing what forms I need. TT was pretty good at
telling me how to do some business deductions, while making sure that
they weren't giving me tax "advice". It was interesting how they
danced around that line.






==============================================================================
TOPIC: Interview with Amy Dacyczyn's daughters!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/6e42eaf43f260057?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Sun, Jan 12 2014 1:42 pm
From: lenona321@yahoo.com


For any newcomers, Amy Dacyczyn is the author of "The Complete Tightwad Gazette," which used to be a newsletter in the 1990s.

The interviews are from last May.

Apparently, the three sons just didn't want to talk....but the daughters' interviews are pretty good. The three now range from age 22 to 28. Jamie is the oldest.

http://thefrugalshrink.blogspot.com/2013/05/dacyczyn-interviews-jamie-part-1.html
(Jamie, part 1)

http://thefrugalshrink.blogspot.com/2013/05/dacyczyn-interviews-jamie-part-2.html
(Jamie, part 2)

http://thefrugalshrink.blogspot.com/2013/05/dacyczyn-interviews-rebecca.html
(Rebecca)

http://thefrugalshrink.blogspot.com/2013/05/dacyczyn-interviews-laura.html
(Laura)


Great quote from Laura:

"My advice to parents is that children depend less on money for happiness than adults do. It doesn't matter if the toy costs fifty cents or fifty dollars, they are just going to play with the box it came in anyways. My fondest memories of childhood are not of the toys or clothes I owned, instead they are of the family I spent my time with and the general wonder of being a child. On the flip side, the most negative memories I have of childhood are in no way connected to money."



Lenona.





==============================================================================
TOPIC: Credit card security
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/37c8e84f3cd045aa?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 14 2014 8:43 am
From: KenK


I'm begining to wonder how to pay for groceries, etc. any more, with all
the security breaches such as Target's and many others. I shop mostly
Walmart for groceries and other stuff they carry. (Price is important to me
on my slender income.) If I use checks I suspect the store keeps a record
of check bank account numbers and other info which could be stolen.
Carrying that much cash or even keeping it at home bothers me. Wish there
was some other alternative that was secure.

Then there's the problem of mail order purchases, on line purchases,
repeating monthly or annual non-local charges best paid by credit card.
Then untilities and mailed bills such as trash, electric, etc.,
conveniently paid by check rather than driving to their office and paying
with cash. Cancelled checks and credit card reports make nice payment
recipts too.

When your credit card number is stolen it is a real PITA, answering many
and often repeated letters from the card company concerning the illicit
charges, getting a new card, notifying everyone who has the number on
record for monthly, annual or whatever charges, etc. BTDT

What best to do.

Comments?

TIA



--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon









== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 14 2014 1:36 pm
From: wilma6116@gmail.com


On Tuesday, January 14, 2014 8:43:52 AM UTC-8, KenK wrote:

>
> When your credit card number is stolen it is a real PITA, answering many
>
> and often repeated letters from the card company concerning the illicit
>
> charges, getting a new card, notifying everyone who has the number on
>
> record for monthly, annual or whatever charges, etc. BTDT
>
>
>
> What best to do.
>
>

If you are worried about CC theft, ala Target, not much to worry about, the bank already knows about it and you would have to just point out the bad charge.

If it is an individual thing, a little perseverance works good enough. Thing is with thieves, once is usually not enough, they tend to make a habit of their criminality, so once again you're not alone in your claim.

The biggest risk comes from dealing with small, new businesses. I recently dealt with the CC people over a shuttle driver that was using my card to buy male potency pills. After a few weeks, the CC people recognized that the shuttle driver had stolen several card numbers and was making the same purchases. So, the charges were reversed in short order- no harm, no foul.

The big advantage to using a credit card (besides the fraud protection built in) is that muggers now know most people don't carry cash. They instead focus their stealing to shoplifting or identity theft, which results in fewer deaths and injuries.

Life- you pays your money and you takes your chances.






== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 14 2014 5:20 pm
From: The Real Bev


On 01/14/2014 08:43 AM, KenK wrote:

> I'm begining to wonder how to pay for groceries, etc. any more, with all
> the security breaches such as Target's and many others. I shop mostly
> Walmart for groceries and other stuff they carry. (Price is important to me
> on my slender income.) If I use checks I suspect the store keeps a record
> of check bank account numbers and other info which could be stolen.
> Carrying that much cash or even keeping it at home bothers me. Wish there
> was some other alternative that was secure.

Use your credit cards. Watch your statements. If you see something you
didn't do, notify the CC company immediately.

Target is giving everybody (or an least everybody they have email
addresses for, maybe real addresses too) a free year of Experian
monitoring, which is what AAA gave me when they were hacked last year.
No problem so far.

> Then there's the problem of mail order purchases, on line purchases,
> repeating monthly or annual non-local charges best paid by credit card.
> Then untilities and mailed bills such as trash, electric, etc.,
> conveniently paid by check rather than driving to their office and paying
> with cash. Cancelled checks and credit card reports make nice payment
> recipts too.

You still get cancelled checks? I don't even get prints any more. Not
that I use that many checks, I use Bank of America's bill-paying
function. Banks have to be reliable or nobody would use them.

> When your credit card number is stolen it is a real PITA, answering many
> and often repeated letters from the card company concerning the illicit
> charges, getting a new card, notifying everyone who has the number on
> record for monthly, annual or whatever charges, etc. BTDT
>
> What best to do.

Do what's convenient. If they want your money, they'll get it.
Fortunately the CC companies are good about fraudulent charges -- they
have to be or nobody would use their services.

I don't have any automatic payments -- I figure if something goes
belly-up with the payees it WILL be a bitch to straighten out.

A friend's trust account was wiped out and transferred to an account in
Panama or someplace by an employee of the trust company who forged the
friend's signature on an actual piece of paper. He got it all back, but
it was a nuisance too.

--
Cheers, Bev
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Screw the end users. If they want good software,
let them write it themselves." -- Anon.





== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 15 2014 1:08 pm
From: "Annie Woughman"




"KenK" wrote in message news:XnsA2B562FEEF563invalidcom@130.133.4.11...

I'm begining to wonder how to pay for groceries, etc. any more, with all
the security breaches such as Target's and many others. I shop mostly
Walmart for groceries and other stuff they carry. (Price is important to me
on my slender income.) If I use checks I suspect the store keeps a record
of check bank account numbers and other info which could be stolen.
Carrying that much cash or even keeping it at home bothers me. Wish there
was some other alternative that was secure.

Then there's the problem of mail order purchases, on line purchases,
repeating monthly or annual non-local charges best paid by credit card.
Then untilities and mailed bills such as trash, electric, etc.,
conveniently paid by check rather than driving to their office and paying
with cash. Cancelled checks and credit card reports make nice payment
recipts too.

When your credit card number is stolen it is a real PITA, answering many
and often repeated letters from the card company concerning the illicit
charges, getting a new card, notifying everyone who has the number on
record for monthly, annual or whatever charges, etc. BTDT

What best to do.

Comments?

TIA



--
"Where there's smoke there's toast!" Anon

Credit cards are by far the safest way to shop anywhere. Like Bev said, pay
attention to your statements every month and if there is anything on there
you didn't buy, call the CC company and report it and they will send you new
cards immediately. No hassle. It is so much easier to dispute charges made
on a credit card than on your debit card. The debit card sucks the money
out of your checking account immediately and you don't get that money back
until the situation is settled. Credit cards don't use a dime of your money
until you pay the bill. And checks--like you said, you hand them your name,
address, phone number, bank account number and routing number on the
spot--not a good idea.

Another up side to credit cards--get one that pays you for using it.
Bankamericards not only pay you money back, they give you a 10% bonus if you
have them deposit your rewards into one of their checking or saving
accounts.







== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 15 2014 1:55 pm
From: sms


On 1/14/2014 8:43 AM, KenK wrote:
> I'm begining to wonder how to pay for groceries, etc. any more, with all
> the security breaches such as Target's and many others. I shop mostly
> Walmart for groceries and other stuff they carry. (Price is important to me
> on my slender income.) If I use checks I suspect the store keeps a record
> of check bank account numbers and other info which could be stolen.
> Carrying that much cash or even keeping it at home bothers me. Wish there
> was some other alternative that was secure.
>
> Then there's the problem of mail order purchases, on line purchases,
> repeating monthly or annual non-local charges best paid by credit card.
> Then untilities and mailed bills such as trash, electric, etc.,
> conveniently paid by check rather than driving to their office and paying
> with cash. Cancelled checks and credit card reports make nice payment
> recipts too.
>
> When your credit card number is stolen it is a real PITA, answering many
> and often repeated letters from the card company concerning the illicit
> charges, getting a new card, notifying everyone who has the number on
> record for monthly, annual or whatever charges, etc. BTDT
>
> What best to do.

For non-recurring online purchases you can use a credit card provider
that provides virtual credit card numbers. BOA offers this service but
it isn't all that common, see
<https://www.bankofamerica.com/privacy/accounts-cards/shopsafe.go>.
Paypal also shields a company from seeing your actual credit card
number. Actually there is a way to do recurring payments with a virtual
account.

I'd avoid checks at all costs. All of your checking account information
is on your check.

I'm a lot more inclined to pay cash at restaurants and for small
purchases than in the past. Several times I've had to replace a credit
card when it was compromised, and it is indeed a PITA.





==============================================================================
TOPIC: Inexpensive commuter car
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/ea340ea468b880bd?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 20 2014 12:56 pm
From: BrianRosenthal



Elio is planning a 3 wheel 2 person car.

* 49/84 MPG
* Fully enclosed
* Heat, A/C, radio, power windows
* 5 star crash rating

All for $6800. Shipping early 2014 (perhaps).

ElioMotors dot com.




== 2 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 20 2014 2:48 pm
From: wilma6116@gmail.com


On Monday, January 20, 2014 12:56:23 PM UTC-8, BrianRosenthal wrote:
> Elio is planning a 3 wheel 2 person car.
>
>
>
> * 49/84 MPG
>
> * Fully enclosed
>
> * Heat, A/C, radio, power windows
>
> * 5 star crash rating
>
>
>
> All for $6800. Shipping early 2014 (perhaps).
>
>
>
> ElioMotors dot com.

5 star? Show me.

84MPG? Show me.

I don't like motorcycles, three or two wheeled.




== 3 of 11 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 20 2014 2:57 pm
From: wilma6116@gmail.com


On Monday, January 20, 2014 12:56:23 PM UTC-8, BrianRosenthal wrote:
> Elio is planning a 3 wheel 2 person car.
>
>
>
> * 49/84 MPG
>
> * Fully enclosed
>
> * Heat, A/C, radio, power windows
>
> * 5 star crash rating
>
>
>
> All for $6800. Shipping early 2014 (perhaps).
>
>
>
> ElioMotors dot com.

One can lease a Smart Car for $99 a month for 36 months.

Or you can get the electric version for $139/mo. and get 122/mpg equiv.

Four wheels AND air bags




== 4 of 11 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 21 2014 8:24 am
From: brian@rosenthalmn.com


On Monday, January 20, 2014 4:57:57 PM UTC-6, wilm...@gmail.com wrote:
> One can lease a Smart Car for $99 a month for 36 months.
>
> Or you can get the electric version for $139/mo. and get 122/mpg equiv.
>
> Four wheels AND air bags

Lease requires $999 down, only covers 10K miles per year, and the Smart car only gets 34/38 mpg.

The Elio will have air bags, too. If they actually get to building them.




== 5 of 11 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 21 2014 8:44 am
From: wilma6116@gmail.com




On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 8:24:57 AM UTC-8, br...@rosenthalmn.com wrote:

>
>
> Lease requires $999 down, only covers 10K miles per year, and the Smart car only gets 34/38 mpg.


It is a commuter car, not a road trip car. And the electric version gets 122MPG equiv.
>
>
>
> The Elio will have air bags, too. If they actually get to building them.

If!

They still would be considered a motorcycle. They would require a motorcycle license. Your insurance company may raise an eyebrow. And don't forget, you'll have to wear a helmet.

Why wait to drive a tin can, when you can get one now? With four wheels!

Besides, if you want to be frugal, buy two really cheap used cars- one to drive while the other is in the garage. Eight years ago I bought a Ford Aspire, I paid $2,100 and today KBB says it is worth $1,600. I put about $500 in tires and a starter. I drive less than 1,000 miles a year. Total cost has been about $1,000 divided by eight, and you can see I have been a frugal car owner.





== 6 of 11 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 21 2014 8:52 am
From: brian@rosenthalmn.com


On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 10:44:51 AM UTC-6, wilm...@gmail.com wrote:
> They still would be considered a motorcycle. They would require a motorcycle license. Your insurance company may raise an eyebrow. And don't forget, you'll have to wear a helmet.

Some states don't require a motorcycle endorsement for an enclosed three-wheeller (Elio is working on the rest). Motorcycle insurance is cheaper than car insurance. Most states waive the helmet law for enclosed vehicles.

> I drive less than 1,000 miles a year. Total cost has been about $1,000 divided by eight, and you can see I have been a frugal car owner.

Very! The best way to be frugal driving is to not drive...but I need to get to work.




== 7 of 11 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 21 2014 12:10 pm
From: wilma6116@gmail.com


On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 8:52:31 AM UTC-8, br...@rosenthalmn.com wrote:

>
> Very! The best way to be frugal driving is to not drive...but I need to get to work.

Bicycle, public transportation, walk, move closer, or change jobs. I drove a taxi for many years, more than 50K miles a year. There are many ways to avoid driving, and I am trying to figure them all out.

Eliminating an automobile commute (see above) can save more than $10,000 a year just in car expenses, not even considering the health benefits. And that $10K is after taxes $10K which is like $15K salary.





== 8 of 11 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 21 2014 5:33 pm
From: "terrable"



"BrianRosenthal" <brian@rosenthalmn.com> wrote in message
news:1b12877e-908b-4d00-a933-e3915a54838b@googlegroups.com...
> Elio is planning a 3 wheel 2 person car.
>
> * 49/84 MPG
> * Fully enclosed
> * Heat, A/C, radio, power windows
> * 5 star crash rating
>
> All for $6800. Shipping early 2014 (perhaps).
>
> ElioMotors dot com.

Just a modern ripoff of the Messerschmitt KR200.









== 9 of 11 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 22 2014 11:15 am
From: sms


On 1/20/2014 2:57 PM, wilma6116@gmail.com wrote:

<anip>

> One can lease a Smart Car for $99 a month for 36 months.

It should be called the "Dumb Car" since you have to be really dumb to
buy one.




== 10 of 11 ==
Date: Sat, Jan 25 2014 4:56 pm
From: Ivan The Not-So-Bad <1suf41n@yahoo.com>


On 2014-01-22, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
> On 1/20/2014 2:57 PM, wilma6116@gmail.com wrote:
>
><anip>
>
>> One can lease a Smart Car for $99 a month for 36 months.
>
> It should be called the "Dumb Car" since you have to be really dumb to
> buy one.
>

Were you going to follow up with some reasons or...?




== 11 of 11 ==
Date: Tues, Jan 28 2014 6:35 pm
From: Sofa Slug


On 1/25/2014 4:56 PM, Ivan The Not-So-Bad wrote:
> On 2014-01-22, sms <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote:
>> On 1/20/2014 2:57 PM, wilma6116@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>> <anip>
>>
>>> One can lease a Smart Car for $99 a month for 36 months.
>>
>> It should be called the "Dumb Car" since you have to be really dumb to
>> buy one.
>>
>
> Were you going to follow up with some reasons or...?
>

How about...

- Slow; scary to drive on the freeway, especially in windy conditions
- Very limited carrying capacity
- Crappy transmission is notorious for failures

The 2014 Ford Fiesta is close in price & fuel economy but is a much
better vehicle. For a bit more $, the Honda CR-Z is even better, and
gets about the same mileage as a Smart. You also don't look like a dork
driving it :)





==============================================================================
TOPIC: Fake microsoft "your computer is infected" call
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/fc91538c09253cb0?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 22 2014 5:45 am
From: Shoe-Chucker 2


In article <l60emd$j8u$1@dont-email.me>,
Moe DeLoughan <moe@notmine.null> wrote:

> On 11/13/2013 10:35 AM, Bob F wrote:
> > I just got my second one of these calls.
> >
> > Hi: I'm from microsoft support calling to warn you that your computer has
> > many
> > infections...... and I am calling to help you get rid of them"
> >
>
> > I wonder how many people get scammed by this? Must be a lot to have a room
> > full
> > of people doing this.
>
> One of my sisters was taken in by this, because she was desperate for
> help regaining access to her third Gmail account (she keeps losing her
> password and totally losing access, thus requiring her to create a new
> account). He strung her along using the standard ploy and she bought
> into it completely - well, until he told her he needed $300 to clean
> her pc and regain her password. She's broke and unemployed. She told
> him she didn't have that much in her savings account. He obligingly
> lowered the fee to just below what she told him was left in her
> savings account. She belatedly acquired some common sense, declined,
> and hung up.
>
> He called back. This time the fee was a mere ninety-nine cents. She
> refused and hung up again.
>
> He kept calling the rest of the afternoon.
>
> >
> > If you get such a call, have a little fun too. Let's really waste their
> > time.
> > Anyone think my action will get me off their call list?
>
> No, because they haven't got a call list. They have sequential
> diallers that phone numbers in sequence.
>
> If you annoy them, they're ready and willing to annoy you right back.
> Personally, I see nothing to be gained by interacting with criminals.
> Safer and faster to just hang up.

Once , I got such a call. They asked for me and I said Oh, I'll go get
him. then I left the phone off the hook for 1/3 hour. I wonder how long
they waited for me to come back. Hey, I'll never know.
Another thing i'll never know.
Oh, well.
Now, I let the machine field all incoming calls. My friends don't call
the land line.
--
Karma ; what a concept!





==============================================================================
TOPIC: Expensive new glasses!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/c47878997e4a5f21?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 22 2014 5:51 am
From: Shoe-Chucker 2


In article <b6383d65-e19a-4955-b40d-6e3e79d1343e@googlegroups.com>,
21blackswan@gmail.com wrote:

> i got a little carried away and
> bought about 6 pairs of glasses,
> for under $100, from
>
> ZenniOptical.com
>
> can't be beat
>
> marc

Some can actually improve their vision and not need glasses at all.
Hey, I've done it.
Google; Vision Improvement.
--
Karma ; what a concept!





==============================================================================
TOPIC: Montreal Wedding Dresses
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/bacbe7b3c15162ba?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Fri, Jan 24 2014 10:12 pm
From: Montreal wedding


Montreal weddings celebrations can be done without the help of a wedding planner. Partly true but there are actually a number of benefits that couples get when having a professional wedding planner plan out everything for their wedding compared to planning everything for themselves.

See more at: http://www.marketplaceweddings.com/Montreal





==============================================================================
TOPIC: alternative to Google Voice to use with Obihai voip?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/8927d6ec9e4423a8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Jan 29 2014 11:35 pm
From: SMS


On 1/6/2014 10:08 PM, The Real Bev wrote:
> On 12/28/2013 09:45 PM, Ohioguy wrote:
>
>> I have a ~30 Obihai VOIP box that I use with Google voice to get free
>> phone service. I hooked up a cordless phone, and can't tell the
>> difference between this and a landline.
>>
>> Trouble is, I've read that as of about 130 days from now, Google
>> Voice will no longer work with these little boxes, so I'm looking for an
>> alternative.
>>
>> Everything else I've seen charges a cent per minute or more. That
>> doesn't sound like much, but it is a lot more than free. I was hoping
>> to find something that charged about a tenth of a cent per minute.
>>
>> Anyone else on here use Google Voice with a voip box like the Obihai?
>> Have you found any cheap alternatives to Google Voice?
>
> Ooma uses its own VOIP system. The device is $100-$140 and service is
> $5-$15 month.

You can get outgoing service for 0.5¢/minute with Localphone. It's the
most like Google Voice. No E911 service.

This whole situation is being discussed on the Obihai forums
<http://www.obitalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=6968.0>, you must log in
to see them.








==============================================================================
TOPIC: Google Worsening Google Voice on May 15, 2014. Dropping XMPP support.
No more free "landline" service.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/dd2212bdda4c6b03?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Thurs, Jan 30 2014 5:56 am
From: SMS


Google is dropping support for Extensible Messaging and Presence
Protocol (XMPP) in Google Voice on May 15, 2014.

If you are using Google Voice with an ATA (analog telephone adapter),
such as one of the Obihai or Grandstream VOIP devices (or a hacked
MagicJack Plus), this combination will no longer work after May 15,
2014. Google Voice is very popular with these devices since together
they enable local phone service completely free of any monthly charges
(but no E911).

The reason for this change is probably because users of these devices
are not seeing any advertising when using Google Voice.

There are no no-cost alternatives, though Localphone and Callcentric are
pretty low cost alternatives, especially if you're not making thousands
of minutes of local calls per month. Ooma is a good alternative as well,
but it costs a bit more and you must use their VOIP adapter.

<http://blog.obihai.com/2013/10/important-message-about-google-voice.html>




==============================================================================

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "misc.consumers.frugal-living"
group.

To post to this group, visit http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living?hl=en

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to misc.consumers.frugal-living+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

To change the way you get mail from this group, visit:
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/subscribe?hl=en

To report abuse, send email explaining the problem to abuse@googlegroups.com

==============================================================================
Google Groups: http://groups.google.com/?hl=en