Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 14 topics

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

25 new messages in 14 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: I am thinking of starting a business making custom t-shirts and ties
featuring my poetry
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ad8edf0142f367c8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 2:24 pm
From: Al Bundy

On Jul 23, 3:41 pm, "artworks4wo...@gmail.com"
<artworks4wo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Looking for advice, honest critique....I am a writer, essayist
> mostly,
> but really my blood is prose.
> But I am an apostle of sorts, and want to heard. Is poetry a vehicle
> anymore for ideas?
>
> I write haikus too and my friend is a painter. We have a cafe press
> store, a blog and lost of ideas.
>
> Do people want unique artworks, or is that extravagant. I am cheap
> myself, but do buy a piece of art a year as a rule, usually under
> $500. Is art a feasible way to make a living?
>
> ford free friday prose (this is the free day at the art museum)
>
Don't quit your day job.
Opps. You probably don't have a job.
Do they still teach English in school? That helps a lot in writing.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Car batteries: Walmart any good?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a7caa1bfb7945071?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 2:31 pm
From: Al Bundy

On Jul 23, 1:39 pm, m...@privacy.net wrote:
> My battery in my Mazda died the other day.
>
> Strange, I've never had a car battery die in the
> summer. Its always been the winter when low temps and
> load is present.
>
> Anyway..... I bought a replacement battery from
> Walmart cause it was an emergency (no time to shop
> around).
>
> Are their batteries any good?
>
> What brand/model car battery IS good?

I bought a Wal-Mart battery three years ago because it was cheap and
convenient. It was the better 1000CCA model. A light was on a year ago
and the car was parked for a week. The battery was totally flat as you
would expect. It charged up fully and passes the load tests. I was
impressed because that abuse can kill a battery. I think it has a 7
year warranty. I don't go by warranty. I check it periodically and at
four years I get anxious and start looking for sales.

== 2 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 3:20 pm
From: ranck@vt.edu

Usenet2007@THE-DOMAIN-IN.SIG <Usenet2007@the-domain-in.sig> wrote:
> In article <f83252$c65$2@solaris.cc.vt.edu>, ranck@vt.edu says...
> > me@privacy.net wrote:
> > > ranck@vt.edu wrote:

> > > I cant seem to get any more than 3 years out of a
> > > battery now days!

> > I had that problem on a car of mine. One car kept needing
> > a new battery every 3 years. I finally checked and found
> > the voltage regulator was off and overcharging. It took me

> Some garages will do a free or cheap charging system test. It
> just takes a couple of minutes. Sometimes problems with the
> alternator or other parts can either abuse the battery, or make
> it look like the battery is bad.

Yes, and I had that done, but the problem was just a *slight*
overcharge condition not picked up by the tester they used.
I spotted it with my own voltmeter. I tried having them test it
again at that point, and they still said the alternator/charging
system was fine. Replacing the alternator fixed the short lived
batteries, though.

But, yes, I totally agree that you should have them test the
charging system when you replace a battery. It's usually free,
and will find *most* problems.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

== 3 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 6:09 pm
From: clams casino

The Real Bev wrote:

>
> We got more than that out of Sears batteries, and last time I was
> pleasantly surprised at the amount of credit I received on the new
> battery.
>
I'm on my 6th year with my Sears Diehard. I'm guessing this winter
will be time. Made it through last winter with zero problems.

== 4 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 6:42 pm
From: "Dave L"

"clams casino" <PeterGriffin@drunkin-clam.com> wrote in message
news:xjcpi.2312$dA7.41@newsfe16.lga...
> The Real Bev wrote:
>
>>
>> We got more than that out of Sears batteries, and last time I was
>> pleasantly surprised at the amount of credit I received on the new
>> battery.
>>
> I'm on my 6th year with my Sears Diehard. I'm guessing this winter will
> be time. Made it through last winter with zero problems.

I've also had good luck with Sears Diehard batteries. Consumer Reports does
a test from time to time on car batteries. I can't remember which one rated
the highest, but the Diehard is normally decent.

Also Sears do not make their own batteries. I read somewhere before that
their batteries used to be made by Johnson Control and worked great. When
they switched to Exide the quality dropped until they went back to Johnson
Control to make the Diehards. Then again it was at least several years ago
I read this...

-Dave

== 5 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 6:56 pm
From: "Lee K"

<me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:09v9a39nhv0s48s6hn6vvcs5qjk137un4i@4ax.com...
> ranck@vt.edu wrote:
>
>
>>Car batteries are like personal computers. They are
>>commondities and one is pretty much the same as another
>>if they have the same CCA and AmpHour specs. There are
>>really only 2 or 3 companies that actually make lead-acid
>>batteries and the technology is pretty much as mature
>>as it gets.
>
> Understood. It says the Exide made the Walmart battery
> I bought. Well Exide distributed it anyway
>
>
>>I know there will be a bunch of people in here claiming
>>this brand or that is far superior. I don't buy it. They
>>all last about 5 or 6 years, with some exceptions, and
>>the cheapest you can buy (assuming same specs) will work
>>the same and last as long as the most expensive.
>
> I cant seem to get any more than 3 years out of a
> battery now days!

I got a strange one. I bought my 97 Ranger new in June '97. The original
battery is still in use in the truck today, after 10 winters of use in
Central Connecticut. Had to replace the clamp on the Neg terminal a couple
of weeks ago, though. I should replace it, but at this point I just want to
see how long it will last.

== 6 of 6 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 7:29 pm
From: Zilbandy

On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 21:09:52 -0400, clams casino
<PeterGriffin@drunkin-clam.com> wrote:

>I'm on my 6th year with my Sears Diehard. I'm guessing this winter
>will be time. Made it through last winter with zero problems.

If I got three years on a battery, I was doing good. The heat of the
Arizona desert in the summertime just kills batteries. On my 4x4, I
had an auxiliary battery mounted under the hood with a dual charging
system. If your main battery dies in the desert, miles from anywhere,
it's sometimes handy to have a backup. I bought a new battery just
about every year, just to be sure one of my batteries would probably
be good, should I ever need it... and there were a few times, I did
need it. :) Of course, going on 4x4 trips with a group was the safest
way. :)

--
Zilbandy

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Buy first, think later
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/4aa3acc947fe0dec?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 2:34 pm
From: ""

I went to the local JiffyLube for a basic oil change.
.. they tried to sell me an air filter,
and a cabin filter. ( I declined )

When all was done, the oil change
still cost close to $30....

Further, in wrestling the parts around,
they screwed things up to where I had to
go to the BUICK dealer to get things straightened out.

Now, when I go for an oil change, I specify;
"DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING...DON'T TEST ANYTHING"
Don't swee p the carpets, don't wipe the windshield.
Just change the oil and filter.... nothing else !

<rj>

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 5:34 pm
From: max

In article <uX5pi.23827$RX.12908@newssvr11.news.prodigy.net>,
George Grapman <sfgeorge@paccbell.net> wrote:

> The last time I went to a Jiffy Lube I decided to have lunch while
> they were working on my car. I was in the process of removing my car key
> from the key chain and twice the employee told me that would not be
> necessary. Made me wonder why he noticed or cared.

Word of advice -- i once watched a car wash employee lock a woman's car ...
with the keys in it. Boy was she pissed! Not such a big risk at Jiffy
Lube, but still... Since seeing that, I always keep at least the
transmitter fob in my pocket when i go to one of those places.

,max

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Vitamin C useless in combatting colds
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/498d68c0ba1d2e0f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 2:55 pm
From: "Mark K. Bilbo"

On Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:25:47 +1000, 345 wrote:

> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>> Rod Speed wrote
>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>> Michael Gray wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Geoff wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Michael Gray wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wilson <wilson@universal.com> wrote
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news/2007/07/18/nvit118.xml
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Vitamin C useless in combatting colds
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a.. Taking vitamin C supplements to prevent a cold is a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> waste of time and money, say researchers. A review of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 30 studies involving more than 11,000 people found that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> taking the tablets had no effect on the average person.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But Echinacia seems to be beneficial...
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Actually, that one was debunked some time ago...
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What about those zinc tabs like Cold-Eze?
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nope.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's all marketing fluff.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Are you going to tell the publishers of "The Lancet"??
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Zinc may have some effectiveness but I haven't seen a medical
>>>>>>>>>>>> expert yet that hasn't pointed out that obtaining vitamens
>>>>>>>>>>>> via vegetables is immensely better than any pill. Further,
>>>>>>>>>>>> much of what's on the market is dreck. At least in the US,
>>>>>>>>>>>> the suppliment market is totally unregulated and you can put
>>>>>>>>>>>> pretty much anything into a bottle and call it anything you
>>>>>>>>>>>> want.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> The bottom line being your mother was right, eat your
>>>>>>>>>>>> veggies...
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Pity that doing that hasnt been shown to PREVENT colds.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Vegetarians still get colds.
>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Well, other than being irrelevant,
>>>
>>>>>>>>> Nope, prevention of colds is clearly what was being discussed.
>>>
>>>>>>>> Yeah that explains that Subject line up there huh?
>>>
>>>>>>> Irrelevant to what the cited article was clearly about.
>>>
>>>>>> Dingleberry, the topic is whatever the people in the thread are
>>>>>> talking about.
>>>
>>>>> Wrong, as always.
>>>
>>>> This from the guy who is screaming about vitamen C not preventing
>>>> colds when we were talking about zinc.
>>>
>>> You're lying, as always.
>>>
>>>> And whether supplimentation is an effective way to otbain vitamens to
>>>> begin with.
>>>
>>> You're lying, as always.
>>>
>>>> But, well, don't let *that* stop you...
>>>
>>> None of your shit ever does.
>
>> Okay, fruit cup, the killfile is that way...
>
> Fat lot of good that will do you, fuckwit.

yawn.

<plonk>

--
Mark K. Bilbo a.a. #1423
EAC Department of Linguistic Subversion
------------------------------------------------------------
"Warned you we tried! Listen you did not! Now screwed
we will all be!"

http://www.sequentialpictures.com/moviestarwarsepisode3.html

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 4:58 pm
From: "wwrrtt"

Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Jul 2007 04:25:47 +1000, 345 wrote:
>
>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>>>>> Rod Speed wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Michael Gray wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo <gmail@com.mkbilbo> wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Geoff wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mark K. Bilbo wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Michael Gray wrote
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wilson <wilson@universal.com> wrote
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> news/2007/07/18/nvit118.xml
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Vitamin C useless in combatting colds
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a.. Taking vitamin C supplements to prevent a cold
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is a waste of time and money, say researchers. A
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> review of 30 studies involving more than 11,000
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> people found that taking the tablets had no effect
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> on the average person.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> But Echinacia seems to be beneficial...
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Actually, that one was debunked some time ago...
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What about those zinc tabs like Cold-Eze?
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Nope.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's all marketing fluff.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Are you going to tell the publishers of "The Lancet"??
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Zinc may have some effectiveness but I haven't seen a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> medical expert yet that hasn't pointed out that obtaining
>>>>>>>>>>>>> vitamens via vegetables is immensely better than any
>>>>>>>>>>>>> pill. Further, much of what's on the market is dreck. At
>>>>>>>>>>>>> least in the US, the suppliment market is totally
>>>>>>>>>>>>> unregulated and you can put pretty much anything into a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> bottle and call it anything you want.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The bottom line being your mother was right, eat your
>>>>>>>>>>>>> veggies...
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Pity that doing that hasnt been shown to PREVENT colds.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Vegetarians still get colds.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Well, other than being irrelevant,
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Nope, prevention of colds is clearly what was being
>>>>>>>>>> discussed.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Yeah that explains that Subject line up there huh?
>>>>
>>>>>>>> Irrelevant to what the cited article was clearly about.
>>>>
>>>>>>> Dingleberry, the topic is whatever the people in the thread are
>>>>>>> talking about.
>>>>
>>>>>> Wrong, as always.
>>>>
>>>>> This from the guy who is screaming about vitamen C not preventing
>>>>> colds when we were talking about zinc.
>>>>
>>>> You're lying, as always.
>>>>
>>>>> And whether supplimentation is an effective way to otbain
>>>>> vitamens to begin with.
>>>>
>>>> You're lying, as always.
>>>>
>>>>> But, well, don't let *that* stop you...
>>>>
>>>> None of your shit ever does.
>>
>>> Okay, fruit cup, the killfile is that way...
>>
>> Fat lot of good that will do you, fuckwit.
>
> yawn.
>
> <plonk>

Fat lot of good that will do you, fuckwit.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 5:15 pm
From: William Souden

wwrrtt wrote:
>
> Fat lot of good that will do you, fuckwit.
>
>

How did we know this is welfare Rod using yet another name on this
thread.
What does "wwrrtt" stand for? Welfare whiner regularly reposts temper
tantrums?
Might be time to repost the Rod Speed work history.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Problems signing up with Citibank online banking
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/83b0dc0eb54d21c9?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 3:36 pm
From: thaiokie@gmail.com

On Jul 4, 3:39 pm, AllstonParkingRefu...@hotmail.com wrote:
> So I recently decided to break my never-click-on-banner-ads rule and
> clicked on an ad for a Citibank web-based bank account that appeared
> when I was logged into my Citibank credit card's site. They were
> offering a $50 bonus for signing up for their Ultimate Savings
> Account, which was supposed to have no fees and no minimums, and I
> have no complaints about their credit card (except that they reduced
> their cash back offer for supermarkets, drug stores, and gas from 5%
> to 2%).
>
> I thought it would be a straightforward web-based application process,
> but two weeks later, the account still isn't working properly. After
> I applied, the website said I had to print and fax a signature card
> and a copy of a utility bill, and that they'd call me to verify my
> phone number. I knew right away that both of these steps would cause
> big problems.
>
> I faxed the stuff right away. A week and a half later, I hadn't
> gotten the phone call, and I got a welcome package in the mail that
> said I still needed to fax the signature card. I called them up, and
> since it was outside business hours, I could only reach their call
> center in India, who could tell me that something was blocked on my
> account but they couldn't see why. They told me I had to call the
> direct banking number during business hours. (I've never reached an
> Indian call center that could accomplish anything I needed.)
>
> So I called back during the workday, and they said I had to fax the
> signature card again, as well as a copy of my driver's license. I
> asked how I could find out if they actually got the fax this time, and
> they said it takes them 3 days to process the fax and I should call
> back then. They also said I could expect the phone call the next day,
> but it still hasn't happened. And they wouldn't let me give them my
> work phone number so I could actually be there to get the call (even
> though I could have given them that number in the first place if I'd
> known).
>
> In short, don't use Citibank's web-based bank. It's far more hassle
> than ING Direct or Emigrant Direct (which was a bit of a hassle
> itself).
>
> -Apr

Hello,

I have had the same problems. I started to open my account with
Citibank by phone. It has now been nearly a month and my account is
still not activated. I mailed them my last two pay stubs, phone bill,
signature card and initial deposit on July 5. After a week my account
was still not activated. I called. This time they said my paystubs
(from a large State University) could be verified. Now they wanted a
letter on letterhead from my employer. So called HR and they gave me
that. I faxed it on Monday July 16. Two days later still no
activation. Call on Wed, they say 24 to 48 hours. 24 hours later no
luck. Call again on Friday. Now they say it takes two to three
business days. Monday I talk to Customer Service in India. I get
the fellow to promise me that the account will be activated by
evening. He talks to his supervisor and promises me that it will be.
I call a 4:00 to find out the status. Why haven't I been called? I
had been told that before activation that they would call me and give
me an activation code, which I must then call Citibank and by phone
tell them my activation code. I get customer service in the US. They
do some checking. The girl then tells me she has "Vinnie" with Direct
Banking on the line. The call is transferred. I say Hi to Vinnie.
Then I get cut off. I know in my heart that the reason I got cut off
was that it was two minutes until 5:00 PM and Vinnie just wanted to go
home. I called back hoping to reach someone in the US Center (San
Antonio). No luck my call goes to India. This time I get Akash.
Akash verifies my info and says my account will be activated tonight.
I don't believe him. I think he justs wants to get ready and pretend
everything is taken care of. Its not ok. I am PO'd. Stay away from
Citibank unless you have at least 30 days to wait to get your account
open. Dang I hate them! This has caused me so many problems.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Resole glued on soles??
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/77d41a56c4a63e34?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 4:08 pm
From: Jim

Hi,

I bought a pair of Ecco shoes years ago and hardly ever wore them. I
waited until my other (cheap) shoes wore out. I started wearing them
and noticed the rubber soles were cracking and pieces are falling
out! Geesh--I paid over $200 for them. A web search showed I wasn't
the only one with the problem.

The soles aren't sewed on like my other shoes. Can they be resoled?

Thanks,

Jim

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 6:23 pm
From: JimL

On Jul 23, 6:08 pm, Jim <adirondack...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I bought a pair of Ecco shoes years ago and hardly ever wore them. I
> waited until my other (cheap) shoes wore out. I started wearing them
> and noticed the rubber soles were cracking and pieces are falling
> out! Geesh--I paid over $200 for them. A web search showed I wasn't
> the only one with the problem.
>
> The soles aren't sewed on like my other shoes. Can they be resoled?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim

Your opening line said it all. You bought them "years ago." The glue
dried out. Shoes are seldom stitched any more. Also you bought
rubber, not leather.

Resoled? Well, take them to a cobbler and ask. That's also a dying
breed.

ANd you paid 200 for Ecco?: They saw you coming.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 9:02 pm
From: Logan Shaw

JimL wrote:
> On Jul 23, 6:08 pm, Jim <adirondack...@yahoo.com> wrote:

>> I bought a pair of Ecco shoes years ago and hardly ever wore them. I
>> waited until my other (cheap) shoes wore out. I started wearing them
>> and noticed the rubber soles were cracking and pieces are falling
>> out! Geesh--I paid over $200 for them. A web search showed I wasn't
>> the only one with the problem.
>>
>> The soles aren't sewed on like my other shoes. Can they be resoled?

> Your opening line said it all. You bought them "years ago." The glue
> dried out. Shoes are seldom stitched any more. Also you bought
> rubber, not leather.

I pretty much agree with that. Glues dry out, and in general materials
age. However, I don't think leather is always a better choice than
rubber. In my experience at least, leather soles don't hold up to
moisture well and often aren't as comfortable. It's a trade-off.

> ANd you paid 200 for Ecco?: They saw you coming.

I bought a pair of Ecco shoes for $199 about 1.5 years, and looking
up the same type on the web, the lowest price I can find for them
anywhere is about $189. So I don't think $200 for Ecco shoes is
unreasonable, depending on the type.

Incidentally, although one of them wore a bit weird for a month
or two (it had a sort of lumpy spot which has since disappeared
and gone back to normal -- weird), these have still been some of
the best shoes I've owned. Since I bought them 1.5 years ago, I
have worn them to work every day, and they have held up quite well.
They still look good, and they're still comfortable. Comfort, by
the way, was the reason I bought them in the first place. The
difference between them and the next best shoe I tried on was so
obvious that it wasn't hard to accept the price difference, even
though it was a large difference. And I still think they have
been worth it.

- Logan

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Frugal luxuries that you treat yourself to
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/47c53b3bb3c6299b?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 4:30 pm
From: Usenet2007@THE-DOMAIN-IN.SIG

In article <%cSmi.22234$RX.16779@newssvr11.news.prodigy.net>,
souden@nospam.com says...
> Two things for my self. The cost of the first is almost
> infinitesimal. I use a fresh towel each day when I shower . If I go out
> in the evening I use two towels that day.

I do that with pillow cases.

--
Get Credit Where Credit Is Due
http://www.cardreport.com/
Credit Tools, Reference, and Forum

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Ooma Offers Free Long Distance Forever
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/74e83ed1a5238d99?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 5:49 pm
From: Ablang

Ooma Offers Free Long Distance Forever
The free service also comes with a network-based message box that can
deliver voicemail via e-mail attachments and that can be checked via
the Web.
Tim Greene, Network World
Monday, July 23, 2007 8:00 AM PDT

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,134942/article.html?tk=nl_dnxnws

VOIP startup Ooma offers free domestic long-distance phone service
forever if you buy an Ooma appliance for $399.

Forever is a long time not to take in any revenue, so the company
plans to offer supplemental services for a fee, such as ringtones,
says CEO and founder Andrew Frame. More supplemental services are in
the works, Frame says.

The service differs from VOIP carrier Vonage's services in that
customers pay a monthly fee for Vonage calling packages. They also
have to buy an adapter that translates analog phone dialing and
conversation to IP and vice-versa.

Vonage is running into trouble over patents that Verizon claims it
owns, so its future is uncertain. Another VOIP start-up SunRocket went
belly-up this week, underscoring how tough it is to make a profit as a
pure VOIP provider.

Ooma's service is designed for residential customers, and it uses the
Internet when it can to complete calls. When it can't, it uses the
public switched telephone network (PSTN), Frame says.

The free service also comes with a network-based message box that can
deliver voicemail via e-mail attachments and that can be checked via
the Web.

Some of the calls go over the Internet exclusively, some go over the
public phone network and some go over both.

For instance, if a person uses Ooma to call another Ooma customer, the
call goes over the Internet, hub to hub. Ooma won't say how hubs tap
address tables to find other Ooma hubs.

If the call is long distance, it starts as an Internet call until it
finds an Ooma box (called a hub) in the local calling area of the
number dialed. That local Ooma hub makes a local phone call over the
public phone network and patches the call through at no cost.

If the call is local, it goes out over the public phone network.
Emergency 911 calls also go out over the public phone network as well.

The preferred method of deploying the device is with both a broadband
Internet connection - at least 256Kbps - and a traditional phone line.
If the customer doesn't have a traditional voice landline, an Ooma hub
will connect the call to the public phone network through its network
and termination agreements with carriers.

If Ooma hubs penetrated every calling area, and the hubs all had POTS
lines, all the long distance calls could be completed with local calls
rather via an Ooma-to-carrier connection with a public phone provider.

"We will handle the termination some way or other," says Frame.

Ooma hubs plug into an electrical socket and a phone line equipped
with a DSL Internet connection or into a cable Internet connection. A
standard analog phone plugs into the hub as well and is used to make
and receive calls. The hub automatically creates a second line to
accept two calls at once.

Adding an extra extension to the system requires a second Ooma device
called a scout that plugs into an electrical socket and communicates
with the hub using IP over power line technology.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: An unhappy online shopping
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/f05b605376d67977?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 5:57 pm
From: clams casino

Mary wrote:

>I bought a battery of IBM thinkpad t42 from a online shop
>
>

You bought a battery from your own site and now you are having problems?

Why would you brag about that?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Anybody using t-mobile's hotspot at home service?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/42ba5c276f6eb553?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 6:10 pm
From: nono@way.com (Preacher)

I'm wondering how well this works -- anyone got a perosnal experience?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: scroogle scraper:a new way to search google?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a2c9af560b9ed40d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 6:17 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"

http://www.scroogle.org/cgi-bin/scraper.htm

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Woman is content living in 84-sq. ft. tiny dream home.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/911886124117ed11?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 6:58 pm
From: Myal

miles wrote:
> Myal wrote:
>
>> are way past due time to shipped to the knackery / old folks home ,
>> your usefullness as a productive tax paying drone has come to an end ,
>> pleas make way for younger drones who have more to contribute than you .
>
>
> I'm still waiting for you to contribute something.

you missed it ?

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 7:38 pm
From: miles

JerryD(upstateNY) wrote:

> Why do you have to keep talking to a TROLL ????
> I have him blocked so I don't have to look at his nonsense but I STILL see
> his posts because YOU answer him. (like a nitwit)

Sigh...If it's not blocked by you then you just gotta read and reply
huh? Try self control. Some peoples kids!

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Repost: The Rod Speed work history
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/747e854fc8f838c0?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 7:25 pm
From: William Souden

Looks as if it is time to repost the pitiful work history of Rod Speed.
He has had a total of one job as an adult.
A fast food place made the mistake of hiring him. He was moved from
the register because he could not handle public contact (customers
rarely enjoy being called fuckwits) and was moved to the fry grill.
He dropped a burger. The manager said "no problem, we all make
mistakes". Rod went into a tantrum and blamed the manager because, as we
know, he is never wrong.
He was then given the job of cleaning the rest rooms. He was fired
when , rather than scrub a toilet, he kept flushing it while yelling
"reams of puerile shit flushed down the toilet.
This all happened before lunch on the first day.
Rod has never had a another job. Keep in mind when one starts a new
job these things happen:
Your boss tells you what to do- Rod can never bear that.
You have questions-Rod never admits to not knowing everything.
You make a mistake-Rod can never admit to one.

Ever since then Rod has been on the dole. The check comes twice a
month and near the end of the cycle his posts make it obvious that the
meds have run out.
Each new case worker at the welfare office is assigned to Rod. They
keep hoping that a new person is hired to take over his case.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Style of life- to be a star and realize your wishes!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/12fad13f5331067e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jul 23 2007 8:39 pm
From: WizardNIK

Hi, everyone!
I,m Wizard NIK and I want to to say hello to
everyone who interesting in magic work, how its can help in the life,
what its mean and if its true. I just give to you option to feel this
in realizing your wishes. So, if you want to try, just write you wish,
your name and email. If its will be realize in next two month you will
be pay, if not you not pay, its very easy.
Conditions of payment I will say a little later, but its a percent of
summ of realized wish (the wishes need to be only material, not to
wish for example love of all people or peace in all world)
So, want to try? Just ask and wait.
Wizard NIk.

http://wishrealtrue.blogspot.com/

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

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Frugal Living

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007

25 new messages in 14 topics - digest

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