Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 10 topics

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

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: -!-!-!!! FREE GUIDE TO MAKE $1000 PER DAY !!!-!-!-
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/415887f216e5223f?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 8:47 am
From: Nic Clark

Learn to Earn $1,000+ Every Day Working at Home From Your Computer.

· Work part time or full time as you like
· Make quick good cash working 2 to 3 hours a day
· Work anywhere from home/ office without restrictions
· Genuine job program for life and not fake
· Guaranteed payment month after month

Get the Secret Formula Money Making Formula a the link below

http://onemillionin30days.blogspot.com

WARNING: If someone tells you there are no secret techniques for
making money fast -- they either don't know what they're talking
about... or, they don't want YOU to know what THEY know.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Cheap perosnla checks to order?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/8ca197d343a4a408?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 7 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 8:59 am
From: me@privacy.net

Anyone have advice on where to order some printed
checks for my personal checking acct?

My local bank is outrageous on check printing charges.

== 2 of 7 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 9:37 am
From: Rick

me@privacy.net wrote:
>
> Anyone have advice on where to order some printed
> checks for my personal checking acct?
>
> My local bank is outrageous on check printing charges.

Personally, we've been using "Checks in the Mail" for about 8 years and
have never had any problem with them. The web address is:

www.citm.com

Rick

== 3 of 7 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 12:38 pm
From: me@privacy.net

>Since I finally started paying bills on line (late learner), I've cut my
>check usage to about 10 / year (seems to be primarily tax payments & a
>quarter water bill).
>
>Save the stamp, pay at your convenience & save on the check costs.

Understand

But my landlord does not take electronic payments that
I know of

== 4 of 7 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 1:17 pm
From: skarkada@gmail.com

Wal-Mart does check printing. We have been using their service for the
past couple of years and didn't have any problems.

Go to http://www.walmart.com/moneycenter and click on the link or go
directly using http://www.walmartchecks.com/

== 5 of 7 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 1:24 pm
From: goaway@fractious.net

me@privacy.net writes:

> >Since I finally started paying bills on line (late learner), I've cut my
> >Save the stamp, pay at your convenience & save on the check costs.

> But my landlord does not take electronic payments that
> I know of

If your landlord has a name and postal mailing address, most banks
with online bill-payment will simply print and mail a paper check
to him.

Some landlords, of course, may not like that, either. One place
I used to live, the landlord insisted that I leave the paper
check in his mailbox on the first of the month. (according to
my lease, while it was *due* on the first, I had like 9 days
to get it to him before it was considered late - but if it
was not in his mailbox on the first, he'd start calling me
each day. Annoying as hell and, IMO, rather petty on his part).

Anyway, I've got at least three or four bills that I pay
via my bank's online payment deal where they cut a paper
check and mail it. Nice - no cost to me - no printing
of checks, no buying of stamps, nada.

FWIW2, I've used Checks in the Mail in the past to have
checks printed and never had a problem at all. Reasonable
price, surprisingly fast turnaround.

== 6 of 7 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 1:33 pm
From: me@privacy.net

>Anyway, I've got at least three or four bills that I pay
>via my bank's online payment deal where they cut a paper
>check and mail it. Nice - no cost to me - no printing
>of checks, no buying of stamps, nada.

OK will check it out

>FWIW2, I've used Checks in the Mail in the past to have
>checks printed and never had a problem at all. Reasonable
>price, surprisingly fast turnaround.

Good to know thanks!

== 7 of 7 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 1:35 pm
From: me@privacy.net

>Wal-Mart does check printing. We have been using their service for the
>past couple of years and didn't have any problems.
>
>Go to http://www.walmart.com/moneycenter and click on the link or go
>directly using http://www.walmartchecks.com/

Interesting!

Can you do this thru any local Walmart store?

Or is it online only?

I'm wondering if I could place and order and pick it up
at local super Walmart to save shipping costs?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Home safe odors
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/1b82176d55c73873?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 9:19 am
From: Dennis

On Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:04:59 -0400, Marsha <mas@xeb.net> wrote:

>Dennis wrote:
>>>>"Marsha" <mas@xeb.net> wrote in message news:fdorrk$jv2$2@news.datemas.de...
>>>>>The contents of my small home safe feel slightly damp and they smell odd. Does anyone
>>>>>have any suggestions on solving this problem?
>
>>
>> There are active dehumidifiers that are made to work inside safes.
>> Goldenrod is one brand. It is essentially a very low wattage radiant
>> electric heater. I have one and it seems to work, but my safe is in a
>> dry (but unheated) spot to start with.
>>
>>
>> Dennis (evil)
>
>The safe is very small, 14" x 10" x 6". Would that
>work in a safe that size?

I know that they offer various sized Goldenrods, but I doubt that
there is one that small. You might do some googling though.

With that size, you are probably better off using the silica gel
packs. (Just remember, as tempting as it may be -- DON'T EAT! :-)

Dennis (evil)
--
The honest man is the one who realizes that he cannot
consume more, in his lifetime, than he produces.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 9:33 am
From: Wooly

Marsha wrote:
> josh@phred.org wrote:
>> In article <fdorrk$jv2$2@news.datemas.de>, mas@xeb.net says...
>>
>>> The contents of my small home safe feel slightly damp and they smell
>>> odd. Does anyone have any suggestions on solving this problem?
>>
>>
>> "Crystals" type cat litter is silica gel, the same stuff sold in
>> overpriced little packets for drying things. Buy a 4lb jar of it,
>> pour it into a dry cloth bag (or a clean pillowcase) and put it in the
>> safe.
>>
>> Bake it in the oven overnight to dry it out occasionally.
>>
>
> You're serious...this would work?
>
> Marsha/Ohio
>

Yes, it works, and it's cheaper than buying the little packets.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: This group is dying from spam.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e13559a60a40f78d?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 9:32 am
From: difdrummer@webtv.net (Bob Young)

It depends on how you cook the spam. I prefer some barbeque sauce and
onions and fry it. Not sure if I heard of spam killing anyone though.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 10:08 am
From: Warren Block

Bob F <bobnospam@gmail.com> wrote:
> It just keeps getting worse. I wonder why this group gets so much more than
> others?

You can avoid worthless content on a TV by never tuning to worthless
channels.

A killfile gives you similar control over newsgroups. For example,
killfile everything from the top newsgroup spam source--Google
Groups--and that spam won't be visible. How to do that depends on your
newsreader. Outlook might not be able to do it. Certainly there are
plenty of free news clients that can.

--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Disney Mobile calls it Quits
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/db605ad0907838b0?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 10:11 am
From: dold@86.usenet.us.com

In alt.cellular.cingular Todd Allcock <elecconnec@americaonline.com> wrote:
> At 01 Oct 2007 17:14:01 +0000 dold@86.usenet.us.com wrote:
> > Don't forget the bluetooth headsets. Those work fine for cordless
> VoIP.
> True. Re-pairing everytime I switch between phone and PC is a
> hassle, tho'. I guess that's an excuse to buy more earpieces! ;-)

I bought two, after going through the re-pairing excerise a couple of
times. I have a pocket sized headset for cellular, and a larger headset
for PC. Plantronics touts their ability to switch seamlessly.

> > Who would one of these "more typical" SIP providers be?
> The small-fry- Voicestick, OneSuite, callwithus.com, etc.

Darn. I want name recognition and flexibility from the same vendor. ;-(

> need to be using 1000-1500/minutes a month or more for that $19.99 to
> be a good deal.

I was using it as my home phone replacement, so with unlimited LD it was
cheaper than the basic landline.

> The problem with most if not all WiFi VoIP phones is the lack of web
> browser. Too many public WiFi APs (including most hotels) require
> you toagree to a TOS page in a browser before you get access to the
> 'net. This wipes out the ability for those phones to connect. When
> I want to Skype over WiFi when traveling, I use my Pocket PC.

I wonder if that's behind the T-Mobile "hotspot@home" signup. There's
something about pre-authorized hotspots. The Netgear page mentions some
ISP roaming standard.

> Skype's improved quite a bit in the connection to POTS department, IMO.

I expected that with the eBay involvement. At least they would be
US-centric. I have had Skype-out calls arrive at my home from Australia
and Germany in the last couple of days that sounded good, undetectable from
"being there". i should just cough up a few bucks and try it again.

> I just can't take a "phone" service seriously that needs my PC on to
> work. (While the WiFi phones are cute, I like being able to hook
> "real phones" into a VoIP box.)

A piece of software on the PC, or a standalone ATA... same-o.
Some of the other Skype WiFi phones are not self contained, and have a
widget to plug in. I plugged my "real" phones into the Callvantage ATA.
I don't mind it being PC-only. The WiFi phone might be less handy. I'd
carry more junk when I had the laptop already.

> > housemates didn't like 10 digit dialing. Not 7, not 11, 10.

> That can be fixed with most ATA boxes in their setup by editing the

I didn't see that with Callvantage. I think it was even answered as a FAQ
with "because that's the way it is" or words to that effect.

> > Unplug one wire, plug in another wire. No drama, no skills required.

> Many people often forget the "unhook the local telco's line from the
> entrance bridge/test interface" part and fry a perfectly good VoIP
> box!

That's just bad hardware design. There's no excuse for frying
telco-certified parts at telco-certified line voltages. Once upon a time,
I did some work where our gadget sat inline with telco, and we routed LD
calls, and let the local calls go through. We weren't trying to drive
volts out the same connector, but still. Nothing fried if you hooked it up
backwards. The ATA should be able to detect line voltage, and post a red
blinking error message on the management page.

--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 10:48 am
From: Todd Allcock

At 02 Oct 2007 17:11:38 +0000 dold@86.usenet.us.com wrote:

> Darn. I want name recognition and flexibility from the same
vendor. ;-(

Sadly, I think you won't get that- I suspect advetising is the single
largest expense with the big guys like Vonage and CallVantage.

> I was using it as my home phone replacement, so with unlimited LD
it was
> cheaper than the basic landline.

Absolutely.

> I wonder if that's behind the T-Mobile "hotspot@home" signup.
There's
> something about pre-authorized hotspots.

No- the T-Mo service isn't really VoIP in the tradtional sense- it's
more like "GoIP"- the actual GSM packets are delivered via the
internet instead of over the air, which is why you can seamlessly
sWitch between WiFi and cellular mid-call.

> The Netgear page mentions some
> ISP roaming standard.

The T-Mo service has the same problem as the Skype phones- no way to
authenticate with a browser- you can put in a WEP/WPA key, but that's
about it.

> I expected that with the eBay involvement. At least they would be
> US-centric. I have had Skype-out calls arrive at my home from
Australia
> and Germany in the last couple of days that sounded good,
undetectable from
> "being there". i should just cough up a few bucks and try it again.

If you're going to lug the laptop around, why not? It's cheap
enough, and it works pretty well. If you have a PocketPC or Symbian-
based phone you can even use Skype from them.

> > I just can't take a "phone" service seriously that needs my PC
on to
> > work. (While the WiFi phones are cute, I like being able to hook
> > "real phones" into a VoIP box.)
>
> A piece of software on the PC, or a standalone ATA... same-o.

For traveling, no problem. For home landline replacement I'd rather
nothave it PC-based, all else being equal.

> Some of the other Skype WiFi phones are not self contained, and
have a
> widget to plug in. I plugged my "real" phones into the Callvantage
ATA.
> I don't mind it being PC-only. The WiFi phone might be less handy.
I'd
> carry more junk when I had the laptop already.

True enough!

> > That can be fixed with most ATA boxes in their setup by editing
the
>
> I didn't see that with Callvantage. I think it was even answered
as a FAQ
> with "because that's the way it is" or words to that effect.

Depends on what model ATA they use, orif they allow you to access the
settings. They might "lock" customers out of it to prevent them from
screwing things up.

> > > Unplug one wire, plug in another wire. No drama, no skills
required.
>
> > Many people often forget the "unhook the local telco's line from
the
> > entrance bridge/test interface" part and fry a perfectly good VoIP
> > box!
>
> That's just bad hardware design. There's no excuse for frying
> telco-certified parts at telco-certified line voltages.

Agreed, but many VoIP ATAs look like something hobbled together off
the parts wall at a RadioShack! ;-)

> Once upon a time,
> I did some work where our gadget sat inline with telco, and we
routed LD
> calls, and let the local calls go through. We weren't trying to
drive
> volts out the same connector, but still. Nothing fried if you
hooked it up
> backwards. The ATA should be able to detect line voltage, and post
a red
> blinking error message on the management page.

Agreed!

Take care!

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 10:50 am
From: Steve Sobol

["Followup-To:" header set to alt.cellular.sprintpcs.]
On 2007-10-02, dold@86.usenet.us.com <dold@86.usenet.us.com> wrote:

> I wonder if that's behind the T-Mobile "hotspot@home" signup. There's
> something about pre-authorized hotspots. The Netgear page mentions some
> ISP roaming standard.

Yes. T-Mobile HotSpot customers can roam on several other companies'
WiFI networks. The charges vary (some are per-minute or per-hour,
some per-day). This is useful when you're stuck in a place that does not have
T-Mo HotSpot service (like an airport waiting for a layover).

--
Steve Sobol, Victorville, California PGP:0xE3AE35ED
"Drench yourself in words unspoken / Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins / The rest is still unwritten"
- Natasha Beddingfield

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Apples
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/408e635a462df7fd?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 10:31 am
From: PaPaPeng

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:56:50 -0000, "charleymccormick@gmail.com"
<charleymccormick@gmail.com> wrote:

>Bagging has been used in America and Japan for sometime. I really
>think the bagging of fruit witnessed in the documentary might have
>been one of the organic farms that cater to China's elite and
>political leaders. With literally millions of individual farmers in
>China growing apples, most of them small farmers, I find it hard to
>believe that they have access to an "idle" work force to grow apples
>in such a manner.

You are so out of touch with what is going on in China that the only
cure is for you to pay a visit there. You are free to travel anywhere
within China (Tibet requires an easily obtainable permit) and no one
gives a damn that you are there. That is you can see and ask anyone
anything you like. The cost of everything there is at almost giveaway
prices that a 1000 dollar budget will make you spend like a
millionaire.

Unemployment and underemployment is an endemic problem. Even a
university graduate is lucky to get a job as a security guard at 800
Yuan a month, the equivalent of just over USD 100. A mid management
job pays just around 300 to 500 dollars a month. In the countryside
the income is much less. That is why the peasants are streaming into
the cities by the tens of millions to find work. This option is not
available to most of the older peasants as they have to maintain their
farms and families. These stay at homes number in the hundreds of
millions since some 80 percent of China's 1.3 billions still live in
the countryside.

On this apple thingy, do give your theory on how China managed to grow
from nothing to its domination in so short a time. That's the OP's
question I tried to answer. He and I am certainly very interested in
another explanation.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: How much do you pay to get your furnace serviced?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/54d6a0aa3c0f8dbd?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 10:36 am
From: Joe

I'm a new homeowner and was told that I should have my oil furnace
cleaned and serviced every year. I've gotten a couple of quotes that
vary between 100-200 dollars. How much do you pay each year?

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 11:36 am
From: PaPaPeng

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:36:48 -0000, Joe <joe5345@gmail.com> wrote:

>I'm a new homeowner and was told that I should have my oil furnace
>cleaned and serviced every year. I've gotten a couple of quotes that
>vary between 100-200 dollars. How much do you pay each year?

Does it look like the previous owner cleaned his furnace every year?
If not then you don't need to either. If it looks dirty enough its
quite easy to shut it off and clean it yourself unless you consider
$200 worth not having to do it yourself.

I always kept my own 30 year old gas furnace clean myself. It looks
as new as the day I had built the house. I asked the gas company to
inspect the heat exchanger tubes and innards two years ago and he said
everything is in pretty good condition.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Converting AVI file collection to DVD
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6b4db90d576019f0?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 11:25 am
From: Fred the Red Shirt

On Oct 2, 4:40 am, hansonfox <hansen.J....@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:05:12 +0000 (UTC), -Art- (not Art) wrote:
> > On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:18:26 -0400, TJ wrote:
> >> I want to convert avi files into DVDs
>
> DVDFlickfreewarehttp://www.dvdflick.net
>
> Just drag the AVI file onto DVD flick and it will create the DVD files.
>
> Then burn the DVD with ImgBurn freewarehttp://www.imgburn.com
>
> Just drag the VIDEO_TS folder onto ImgBurn and it will create the DVD disc.

== 2 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 12:06 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

** Frank ** <noemall@xyz.net> wrote:
> "hansonfox" <hansen.J.fox@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:hfkMi.56720$YL5.52691@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
>>
>> Is there an easy lookup table that shows us which DVD media is good
>> quality?
>
> Don't know, but don't buy the store junk brand especially from Fry's
> junk GQ(Great Quality) media. Great for hanging on fruit trees to
> scare off the birds though. Stick with known quality brands. Check
> out Google -some prefer one brand over the other, maybe someone put
> out a table too. My experience is a good burner is just as important
> as the media as it solves much of the bad burns.
>
> Unlike the retail movies and music which can last for decades, DVD
> and CD blanks don't last long due to "rot" and delamination/oxidation
> - maybe 5 years.

I've got heaps that have lasted a hell of a lot longer than that.

In fact havent ever lost any.

== 3 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 12:15 pm
From: Fred the Red Shirt

I've been trying to use DVDFlick 1.2.2.1 bluild 442 and Roxio Build:
2.4.32b to create a DVD from some of the Star Trek: Hidden Frontier
files after downloading them in Apple Quicktime (.mov) format.

I've tried creating merging a couple of the shorter episodes into one
iso file with one chapter per video source, and also tried putting a
longer one one with one chapter every ten minutes. In both cases
I get a iso that autoplays when I open it with VLC media player.
Clicking on the VLC media player menu button does nothing and
the playlist only shows one file.

If I burn the iso file to a DVD using Roxio, it does the same thing.

What's up with that? Do other users here get better results?

I'm running Win XP Pro, if that makes a difference.

== 4 of 4 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 1:13 pm
From: "Rod Speed"

Fred the Red Shirt <fredfighter@spamcop.net> wrote:
> On Oct 2, 4:40 am, hansonfox <hansen.J....@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 19:05:12 +0000 (UTC), -Art- (not Art) wrote:
>>> On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 09:18:26 -0400, TJ wrote:
>>>> I want to convert avi files into DVDs
>>
>> DVDFlickfreewarehttp://www.dvdflick.net
>>
>> Just drag the AVI file onto DVD flick and it will create the DVD
>> files.
>>
>
> I've been trying to use DVDFlick 1.2.2.1 bluild 442 and Roxio Build:
> 2.4.32b to create a DVD from some of the Star Trek: Hidden Frontier
> files after downloading them in Apple Quicktime (.mov) format.
>
> I've tried creating merging a couple of the shorter episodes into one
> iso file with one chapter per video source, and also tried putting a
> longer one one with one chapter every ten minutes. In both cases
> I get a iso that autoplays when I open it with VLC media player.
> Clicking on the VLC media player menu button does nothing and
> the playlist only shows one file.

> If I burn the iso file to a DVD using Roxio, it does the same thing.

> What's up with that?

You need to setup a proper menu with the two
separate episodes as separate entrys in the menu.

> Do other users here get better results?

Yep.

> I'm running Win XP Pro, if that makes a difference.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Frugal air travel tips
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/f74cce039262a897?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 12:17 pm
From: PaPaPeng

On Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:09:27 GMT, William Souden <souden@nospam.com>
wrote:

> While waiting at the airport instead of paying for wireless net
>access sit near the members lounge and you might get a signal,

I do only holiday travel and the last thing I want is to be tied to a
computer. Its delicate and a theft bait. I don't need the
aggravation. I don't carry any road warrior stuff like a cellphone,
iPod or stuff like that. Its a holiday free from everything.
>
> Request a seat near the rear. Many people choose seats up front so
>they can get off first. You have a better chance of getting a middle
>seat empty or maybe all three if you are near the rear. Never take the
>last row as those seats do not recline but as you take off check to see
>if those seats are empty. If all three are vacant you can lie down and
>sleep. Keep checking the airlines web site to see what seats are open.

I always pick an aisle seat so that I can stretch my legs and one
elbow space doesn't have to be restricted by the next passenger. The
seat row by the emergency exit is even better as it has more leg room.
I also prefer the aisle seat on the right row of seats as I am more
comfortable leaning my head to the left when I sleep. I bring my own
pillow and its really wonderful to be able to sleep comfortably on
long flights or even on airport seats in between a long wait for the
connecting flight. Having a good thick book I always wanted to read
helps. I make a quick spin around the waiting area for newspapers
left behind and they're good for an hour or two reading the local
news and doing the crosswords.
>
> If you have a long delay politely request access to the members
>lounge. The most that can happen is a polite "no".
>
> Pack your own food-sandwiches from home, stuff from the deli and only
>but water at the airport. You eat better than your fellow passengers and
>do it on your schedule. I can not recall the last time I took anything
>beyond soda,coffee or juice on a plane.

I am lucky in having flexible mealtimes and can comfortably endure 36
hours without a meal. Whenever the refreshment cart comes around I
always ask for two servings of orange juice. This keeps me hydrated.
The sugar and orange pulp is enough to take care of any need to eat
food. Pop doesn't do it. I have food sensitivities and avoid the
usual airport cafeteria foods as much as possible. I avoid bringing
personal snacks as they only set the hunger juices flowing without
being able to satisfy it.
>
> If you are renting a car the off-airport places have better prices.
>If you are not renting check options besides taxis. At Newark Airport NJ
>Transit take you right to Penn Station in NYC.

I try to use the airport to downtown bus service first and come back
the same way. Taxi from downtown to the hotel is a lot cheaper. I
travel light with no more luggage than I can carry comfortably with
one or both hands. If I buy stuff on my travels I buy a cheap gym bag
to carry them in.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: How Marketing Manipulates You
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/2d9db3821c2b5972?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Oct 2 2007 1:42 pm
From: Too_Many_Tools

On Sep 30, 1:38 pm, Scott in SoCal <scottenazt...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Logan Shaw <lshaw-use...@austin.rr.com> said in
> misc.consumers.frugal-living:
>
> >I don't think the writer from The Motley Fool is a marketing person trying
> >to get you to buy a new car rather than a used one. Instead, I think it's
> >an article about the fact rules have exceptions. In this case, the rule
> >that buying a late-model used car is a better deal than buying new is the
> >rule with exceptions.
>
> >And, as far as I can tell, it's a bona fide exception. In recent years,
> >some hybrids have been just as expensive used as they have been new.
>
> Maybe, maybe not.
>
> The Motley Fool neglected the fact that, for several years, the Prius
> and other hybrids were selling for several thousand dollars OVER MSRP
> (via Added Dealer Markup stickers). So the used ones on the market now
> are actually selling for less than they cost new, as they should.
> Another factor propping up the prices of used Priusi, at least in
> California, is the fcat that CA is no longer handing out Carpool Lane
> Access OK stickers for hybrids. If you want one of those (and, IMNSHO,
> that's the primary advantage to owning a hybrid), you have to buy a
> used Prius that already has one. This demand helps keep prices for the
> used ones high, as well.
> --
> More reasons why PayPal SUCKS:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr_7--e5A1g

This only lends more support to my contention that this is an article
to get you to the dealers to BUY another car.

They are taking an exception to the rule and trying to use it to
motivate the reader to act.

TMT

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Frugal Living

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Tuesday, October 2, 2007

25 new messages in 10 topics - digest

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