Frugal Living: 11 new messages in 9 topics

Thursday, August 30, 2007

11 new messages in 9 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: need advice on choosing a major
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b0e5b7a504fc5e80?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 5:55 pm
From: "Nicik Name"

"s" <s@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:1188186510.932556.301160@57g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
> I will be completing high school in May 08 and I will be 17 then.
> Who is your ghost writer?
What spell checker?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Paper towels in rest-rooms?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/0311d5c09a0dfa57?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 6:05 pm
From: "Nicik Name"

"A Veteran" <georgek@humboldt1.com> wrote in message
news:georgek-DDD2EA.20443023082007@sn-ip.vsrv-sjc.supernews.net...
> If you use them, use it to open the door on the way out.
> esp. if you're eating out. Hint. not everyone washes their hands in the
> public toilets and why touch the handle?
I use the sink to wash my hands in, not the toilet.
Once your out the door..........the paper towel?
>
> --
> when you believe the only tool you have is a hammer.
> All problems look like nails.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: "The New AT&T" [WAS: AT&T Modem Rebate]
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/012562f812078897?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 6:19 pm
From: Logan Shaw

Rick wrote:
> larry wrote:
>> The new at&t is very much the old AT&T,
>> their billing system is STILL screwed up.

> Oh Jeez, I was REALLY hoping this wasn't going to happen when Cingular
> became "the new AT&T." I though Cingular was just absorbing some
> piddling remaining AT&T consumer equipment,

It's not like that at all. Cingular didn't buy or absorb anything[1].

Instead, ownership of Cingular had for many years (always?) been shared
between SBC and BellSouth. Both of these are basically Baby Bell
companies, SBC being essentially Southwestern Bell.

Then SBC bought both AT&T and BellSouth. The only thing AT&T had of
value by that point was its name. BellSouth had a bunch of local
subscribers (traditional landlines) and the other piece of the puzzle
of ownership of Cingular.

So this gave SBC full ownership of Cingular and ownership of the name
"AT&T". Since essentially everyone hates BellSouth and SBC, they
renamed themselves to "AT&T", just like any shady or disreputable
business changes its name after people catch on to their antics.

- Logan

[1] Well, except for the long-defunct AT&T Wireless, which had been
spun off of the real AT&T 5+ years ago and acquired by Cingular
after then, but that was long before all this "the new AT&T" stuff.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 8:28 pm
From: Rick

Logan Shaw wrote:
>
> Rick wrote:
> > larry wrote:
> >> The new at&t is very much the old AT&T,
> >> their billing system is STILL screwed up.
>
> > Oh Jeez, I was REALLY hoping this wasn't going to happen when Cingular
> > became "the new AT&T." I though Cingular was just absorbing some
> > piddling remaining AT&T consumer equipment,
>
> It's not like that at all. Cingular didn't buy or absorb anything[1].
>
> Instead, ownership of Cingular had for many years (always?) been shared
> between SBC and BellSouth. Both of these are basically Baby Bell
> companies, SBC being essentially Southwestern Bell.
>
> Then SBC bought both AT&T and BellSouth. The only thing AT&T had of
> value by that point was its name. BellSouth had a bunch of local
> subscribers (traditional landlines) and the other piece of the puzzle
> of ownership of Cingular.
>
> So this gave SBC full ownership of Cingular and ownership of the name
> "AT&T". Since essentially everyone hates BellSouth and SBC, they
> renamed themselves to "AT&T", just like any shady or disreputable
> business changes its name after people catch on to their antics.
>
> - Logan
>
> [1] Well, except for the long-defunct AT&T Wireless, which had been
> spun off of the real AT&T 5+ years ago and acquired by Cingular
> after then, but that was long before all this "the new AT&T" stuff.

Doesn't work in this case. 8-)

On the east coast we hated AT&T as a long distance carrier and for their
internet service. Just hearing that same, tired "All Around The World"
1990's anthem song in the background of their "new" TeeVee commercials
is annoying me enough to drop them as my "new" cellular carrier. I mean,
why on earth would they recycle the same d*mned song they used in their
old commercials through the point when their consumer services went
belly up, and and try to call the company "new" anything? All it does is
bring back memories of how bad the "old" AT&T was.

Where's the marketing genius that came up with that one? "Hey! I know
everyone loved AT&T! I didn't research that, but I just *know* it! So
let's remind them we're just like AT&T used to be by using the same
background music and the same voiceover guy in the "new" AT&T
commercials we used over six or seven years ago! This will be great!"

Oh well, their business probably won't last very long - again.

Anyone remember AT&T Worldnet? Remember when they tried to change from
unlimited monthly internet to a fixed number of hours for the same
price, plus extra per hour fees if you went over? The most bass-ackward
decision an isp provider could have possibly made at the time. After
people dumped the service in droves in the billing period before the
change went into effect, they tried to get you to come back, promising
unlimited internet again - at a higher price than you paid before. And
as it was, they waited a couple months before the mailers went out,
begging people to come back. Ummm - THAT didn't work very well.

There was even a usenet news group created over this for Worldnet users
alumni who left the service - part bitch about Worldnet, part posting
board for people trying find each other at new isp addresses after they
dumped AT&T.

Puleeze, remind us of anything but the old AT&T...

Sorry for the rant, but I so don't want this. Cingular was good. AT&T
anything could always be counted on to come up with the dumbest customer
service and policies. "New" customer service has already slid off the
face of the earth. Sound familiar to "old" AT&T customers?

Rick

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Rented apartment with drywall - best fastener options to hang stuff?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/ed95e7ab1375335f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 6:21 pm
From: "Mark"

Not sure where you are at, but some places require the landlord to paint if
the place was occupied more than 6 mo or a year, and minor damage is
expected. Go ahead and use nails or screws - carefully.

If there is wallpaper, I've used a utility knife and cut a small 'flap'
where I was putting the nail. Fold the paper back carefully so you don't
damage it, and put your nail or screw only thru the drywall. When you
remove the nail, patch the whole carefully with spackle (I've even used
white toothpaste to fill small whole -dries pretty hard and doesn't shrink
all that much!). A dab of glue under the flap of wallpaper and you're as
good as new.

<DouhetSukd@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1188324376.187316.151510@r23g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>I just moved into this new high rise apartment and I'd like to hang
> some stuff up. Mostly a few small paintings, but also a few heavier
> (6.5 pounds/3kg) masks off the walls.
>
> Anything wrong with the walls when I move out will obviously be my
> fault, because the building just went up and I am the first renter.
> So I'd like to minimize my visible exit damages to the drywall.
>
> I have written down the paint color codes from Benjamin Moore for the
> building, so I think I can touch up stuff when I leave.
>
> Any suggestions as to what type of fasteners to use? And best ways to
> fix things up when I leave? I've owned a house and am moderately
> savvy about repairs.
>
> In fact, let's extend the question all the way up to what adhesives to
> use for my kids' posters. Ideally, I don't want my landlady to have
> any excuses to bill me a repainting job.
>
> Cheers
>

==============================================================================
TOPIC: CELL-PHONE INTERNET ?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a58dda7795017b1a?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 6:29 pm
From: Logan Shaw

<RJ> wrote:
> We're hearing about so many people
> who've given up their land-lines
> and gone completely to cell-phone.
>
> What do they do for internet ?
> I know they advertise cell-plans with unlimited minutes.
> Can you hook your PC to the cell phone
> and maintain dial-up net service ?

You can't use a modem through a cell phone. Basically, the sound quality
is not sufficient for it. So you can't do dial-up over a cell phone.

But yes, you can hook a PC up to a cell phone and access the Internet
through the cell service. In order to do this, you would need a cell
phone plan that includes an "data" service (usually called "unlimited
data"), i.e. the ability to not just place voice calls but send network
traffic out to the Internet. In practice, most of these plans are very
low speed (not much better than modem) and they're more expensive than
DSL or cable modem. So while it's possible, it's not economical. The
main value in a cell phone data plan is that it's portable. Also, you
can't send or receive calls, usually, when the phone is being used
for data transfer.

Also, in most places, you can get both cable modem and DSL without
landline phone service. In other words, canceling your home phone
service does not mean you can't get DSL. So that's usually a much
better option.

- Logan

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 8:03 pm
From: Gordon

"<RJ>" <baranick@localnet.com> wrote in
news:61sbd3du7udsjhaah27resks8s7krarfr5@4ax.com:

> We're hearing about so many people
> who've given up their land-lines
> and gone completely to cell-phone.
>
> What do they do for internet ?

Verizon fios doesn't require the telephone service.
Cable internet doesn't use the phone line at all.
Borrowing your neighbor's wi-fi is free but unethical.
Some people will pool a broadband connection vie wi-fi.

> I know they advertise cell-plans with unlimited minutes.
> Can you hook your PC to the cell phone
> and maintain dial-up net service ?

It's not dial-up. It's more like DSL via you cell phone.
Although I'm not surew of the speed. Actulaay there are
several speeds depending on the equiptment at the cell tower.
Verizon is rather spendy on this.
AT&T and Sprint both have better all you can eat data plans.
Usually these plans are used to allow the smart phone to
access the internet. But when I plug my phone into the
computer, the computer detects the CDMA modem and asks
if it should create a network connection. I intend to check
out this feature.

>
>
> <rj>

==============================================================================
TOPIC: preparing meals ahead of time
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7febc7f7a48ea034?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 7:12 pm
From: larry

> The plastic bags that overwrap produce can be reused. So can plastic
> containers from butter, cottage cheese, etc.
>
I think reusing glass containers is a better idea, some
(most?)paper or plastic is now designed to decompose.

> Use the bags to cover plates, bowls, etc for the freezer. Suck as much air out
> as you can with your mouth, then tie a knot to seal it. Use the containers
> with their own covers.

Used to use plastic frig containers to store things like 5
oz portions of (can) spaghetti sauce etc. Froze in 5 oz cups
used as forms. But found 50 count sandwich zipper bags @ $1
at the $G/A$ stores work much better. Will hold 3 servings
each and take up less space in freezer. They get smaller as
you use servings and at 2 cents, just trash them. Also, use
a soda straw inserted along zip to draw out the air.

Freeze "egg pucks" (2 oz egg omelet mix microwaved 3-5 min
medium power* in glass ashtrays) freeze and zipper bag. Also
bake big biscuits and freeze and bag them. To use, zap puck
45 sec, slice biscuit, add puck, zap 20 secs more. (Add
sausage if desired, isn't the egg bad enough?)

* start low power and short times, otherwise you get to
clean up an eggsplosion!

Sautee chopped onion and mushrooms and freeze/bag 3oz pucks
for quick mushroom burgers. Do when boss will be away for
hours, I like HOT skillet sautee. Put smoke alarm on
vacation ;-)

-larry / dallas

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Buying a fleet vehicle AND dickering with a used car salesman
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/de8938e00c36ad6d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 7:25 pm
From: Wooly

Wooly wrote:

I ended up passing on the vehicle after the remote indy Volvo mechanic
(recommended by the local indy Volvo mechanic) found some problems the
dealer wasn't willing to address.

So I'm still shopping...

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Freecycle skank?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/0fdea79cc1fba129?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 10:21 pm
From: Usenet2007@THE-DOMAIN-IN.SIG

In article <46d5cd0a$1$15351$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>,
justsayno@spam.com says...

> I have no reason to think future experiences on Freecycle would be any less
> hassle than the bike was. I had a number of responses that basically said
> "oh please, oh please, NICE LADY, PICK ME to give the bike to! I have
> <insert serious medical condition here> and I need it so much. Sob Sob!"
> Then these people simply didn't show at the time they said they would,
> didn't call, I just didn't hear from them again. I assume there's some kind
> of head game where people get off on trying to get someone to offer them
> free stuff. I don't live in a neighborhood where people leave their trash
> just sitting out by the curb, so I kept having to move the bike in and out
> of the house for days on end.
>
> My experience with Craig's List was completely different. I sold a set of
> fairly nice living room furniture for the full asking price. The young lady
> who bought it and her parents showed up when they said they would, with the
> cash in hand. Obviously people put more value on a transaction when there's
> money involved.

Perhaps there was effect from the different nature of the item.

The bike represents physical exercise.

And it seems that lots of people do a, "I'm gonna start
exercising and get in shape! Real soon now..." To feel good,
and try to solicit admiration from others. And then, they
proceed to lose interest or make excuses when it is time to
actually get off their bum and put forth the effort.

On the other hand, living room furniture represents relaxation.

And people's commitment to sitting on a nice, comfortable couch,
tends to be more reliable than their fantasies about exercise.

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

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Vacuum Cleaners Galore!!!
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/be3e110b57cb9392?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, Aug 29 2007 11:38 pm
From: MsWeb

---------------------------------------------------
J Blint
TANA Enterprises eMarketing
http://www.vacuum-cleaner.xtz.cc
---------------------------------------------------

Hey, check out this website! They have a wide selection of vacuum
cleaners for all your vacuum cleaner needs.

Visit this site: http://www.vacuum-cleaner.xtz.cc

---------------------------------------------------
J Blint
TANA Enterprises eMarketing
http://www.vacuum-cleaner.xtz.cc
---------------------------------------------------

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

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

Frugal Living

Blog Archive

Thursday, August 30, 2007

11 new messages in 9 topics - digest

No comments: