Frugal Living: 26 new messages in 9 topics

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

26 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: Gas Prices
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/0ee1641a39c5a013?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 7:15 am
From: Larry Caldwell

In article <9t8Uj.1885$tM1.502@newsfe20.lga>,
PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com (clams_casino) says...
> Larry Caldwell wrote:

> >The rule of thumb is that you should have 50% of your annual income in
> >cash for emergencies.

> Glad I never used your advice. Having 50% cash is a sure way to never
> get ahead - equal and maybe worse than having credit card debt..

That's 50% of your annual income, not 50% of your assets. If you make
40 grand a year, having 20 grand available for emergencies is a good
idea. What if you lose your job? It would save you from selling
yourself into debt slavery.

By the time you hit retirement, that 20 grand better be about 5% of your
savings.

--
For email, replace firstnamelastinitial
with my first name and last initial.

== 2 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 7:22 am
From: "ChairMan"

In news:betatron-61387D.00074707052008@news.ftupet.com,
max <betatron@earthlink.net>spewed forth:
> In article <MPG.228ae535c5883768989be4@news.individual.net>,
> krw <krw@att.bizzzzzzzzzz> wrote:
>
>> In article <betatron-D44FC7.20243006052008@news.ftupet.com>,
>> betatron@earthlink.net says...
>>> In article <MPG.228ac50f3840d8ce989be0@news.individual.net>,
>>> krw <krw@att.bizzzzzzzzzz> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've found I make far more money getting off my ass. Perhaps you
>>>> should try it?
>>>
>>> are you a stripper?
>>
>> No, but unlike you, at least they have jobs.
>
> jobs are for chumps. i live off my grandfather's trust fund.
>
> .max

I guess your grandpa was a chump then.

== 3 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 9:07 am
From: crumbcake

In article <MPG.228a95ef96312186989e64@news.peaksky.com>,
Larry Caldwell <firstnamelastinitial@peaksky.com> wrote:

> You need to ask yourself how you got so broke you can't afford an
> unexpected expense.

Of course, when your blood is spurting from a major artery, that might
not be the best time to think about why you didn't attend medical
school. It might be better to think about how to make and apply a
tourniquet. Some people might be able to perform both actions, but not
everybody can multitask.

Why is there time? So that everything doesn't have to happen all at once.

== 4 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 9:32 am
From: max

In article <4821bbab$0$1590$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosting.com>,
"ChairMan" <why4@fu.com> wrote:

> In news:betatron-61387D.00074707052008@news.ftupet.com,
> max <betatron@earthlink.net>spewed forth:
> > In article <MPG.228ae535c5883768989be4@news.individual.net>,
> > krw <krw@att.bizzzzzzzzzz> wrote:
> >
> >> In article <betatron-D44FC7.20243006052008@news.ftupet.com>,
> >> betatron@earthlink.net says...
> >>> In article <MPG.228ac50f3840d8ce989be0@news.individual.net>,
> >>> krw <krw@att.bizzzzzzzzzz> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> I've found I make far more money getting off my ass. Perhaps you
> >>>> should try it?
> >>>
> >>> are you a stripper?
> >>
> >> No, but unlike you, at least they have jobs.
> >
> > jobs are for chumps. i live off my grandfather's trust fund.
> >
> > .max
>
> I guess your grandpa was a chump then.

drug dealer.

--
This signature can be appended to your outgoing mesages. Many people include in
their signatures contact information, and perhaps a joke or quotation.

== 5 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 9:50 am
From:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Elmo" <ElmoHateSpam@noSpam4U.org> wrote in message
> The point is to be first in line. I think.
> Today as I came up to the stop light, I saw a little Suzuki
> dirt/road bike go through from my left to right just as the
> light was changing. As I passed through going straight, I
> saw it sitting in the exit of the bank on the corner. The
> guy had cut through the lot to try to get ahead. Only he
> ended up with 4 cars in front of him before he could get out
> onto the road. Five or six miles later he finally found a
> place where he could blow past us all and promptly found
> himself behind a school bus.
>
> Being on that little rice burner, he didn't use as much
> fuel as the guy in the F-250 4x4 who represents a more
> common case of "gotta pass". He may have gotten where he
> was going a few minutes faster and I guess that was very
> important to him.

Back when I still had to commute I was one of the first people to sign up
for E-ZPass (NY) for automated toll lanes. Nearly every morning I'd see this
little red car whip past me going 80mph in a 55 zone, only to get caught in
the long lines for a manned toll booth. I'd see the red car waiting, I'd go
through the empty automatic lane, and get on the highway. A few minutes
later the same red car would whip past me going 90 in a 65. I'd get to the
toll booths and there he was, waiting again. I'd go through the automatic
lane, and continue on. Just as I reached my exit, the red car would go
whizzing by. So, this guy had to go 25mph over the speed limit to get to the
same destination at exactly the same time as I did, yet I was going the
speed limit (or at least the speed of traffic). How much extra gas did this
idiot burn?

== 6 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:19 am
From: "Dave"

> Back when I still had to commute I was one of the first people to sign up
> for E-ZPass (NY) for automated toll lanes. Nearly every morning I'd see
> this little red car whip past me going 80mph in a 55 zone, only to get
> caught in the long lines for a manned toll booth. I'd see the red car
> waiting, I'd go through the empty automatic lane, and get on the highway.
> A few minutes later the same red car would whip past me going 90 in a 65.
> I'd get to the toll booths and there he was, waiting again. I'd go through
> the automatic lane, and continue on. Just as I reached my exit, the red
> car would go whizzing by. So, this guy had to go 25mph over the speed
> limit to get to the same destination at exactly the same time as I did,
> yet I was going the speed limit (or at least the speed of traffic). How
> much extra gas did this idiot burn?

If true, your post is a good argument why toll booths should be BANNED for
environmental concerns. -Dave

== 7 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:23 am
From: Elmo

h wrote:
> "Elmo" <ElmoHateSpam@noSpam4U.org> wrote in message
>> The point is to be first in line. I think.
>> Today as I came up to the stop light, I saw a little Suzuki
>> dirt/road bike go through from my left to right just as the
>> light was changing. As I passed through going straight, I
>> saw it sitting in the exit of the bank on the corner. The
>> guy had cut through the lot to try to get ahead. Only he
>> ended up with 4 cars in front of him before he could get out
>> onto the road. Five or six miles later he finally found a
>> place where he could blow past us all and promptly found
>> himself behind a school bus.
>>
>> Being on that little rice burner, he didn't use as much
>> fuel as the guy in the F-250 4x4 who represents a more
>> common case of "gotta pass". He may have gotten where he
>> was going a few minutes faster and I guess that was very
>> important to him.
>
> Back when I still had to commute I was one of the first people to sign up
> for E-ZPass (NY) for automated toll lanes. Nearly every morning I'd see this
> little red car whip past me going 80mph in a 55 zone, only to get caught in
> the long lines for a manned toll booth. I'd see the red car waiting, I'd go
> through the empty automatic lane, and get on the highway. A few minutes
> later the same red car would whip past me going 90 in a 65. I'd get to the
> toll booths and there he was, waiting again. I'd go through the automatic
> lane, and continue on. Just as I reached my exit, the red car would go
> whizzing by. So, this guy had to go 25mph over the speed limit to get to the
> same destination at exactly the same time as I did, yet I was going the
> speed limit (or at least the speed of traffic). How much extra gas did this
> idiot burn?
>
>

Not knowing make, model, transmission, etc. there's no way to tell how
much gas got used. The Magliozzi Brothers (Car Talk) claim that maximum
fuel economy happens somewhere between 40 and 55 mph. Their argument
is that most cars will be happy in their highest gear somewhere around
40. Without a higher gear to shift into, the engine has to use more
power to go faster (Other Things Being Equal) and that somewhere around
55 the extra drag begins to have a significant effect because wind
resistance increases geometrically while speed increases linearly or
something like that.

However, there is a significant body of evidence which suggests that many
human males believe that driving slowly causes a decrease in the amount
of testosterone their body produces so they not only need to drive as
fast as possible, they need to reach the fastest possible speed in as
short a time as possible. Waiting for stop lights and toll booths does
not reduce testosterone as much as driving less than 80 mph does so it's
all right to drive as fast as possible even if it doesn't actually get
you where you're going any faster.

--
This is an election year. By common law,
the truth is legally suspended.

== 8 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:40 am
From: George Grapman

Dave wrote:
>> Back when I still had to commute I was one of the first people to sign
>> up for E-ZPass (NY) for automated toll lanes. Nearly every morning I'd
>> see this little red car whip past me going 80mph in a 55 zone, only to
>> get caught in the long lines for a manned toll booth. I'd see the red
>> car waiting, I'd go through the empty automatic lane, and get on the
>> highway. A few minutes later the same red car would whip past me going
>> 90 in a 65. I'd get to the toll booths and there he was, waiting
>> again. I'd go through the automatic lane, and continue on. Just as I
>> reached my exit, the red car would go whizzing by. So, this guy had to
>> go 25mph over the speed limit to get to the same destination at
>> exactly the same time as I did, yet I was going the speed limit (or at
>> least the speed of traffic). How much extra gas did this idiot burn?
>
> If true, your post is a good argument why toll booths should be BANNED
> for environmental concerns. -Dave

A number of years ago a San Francisco radio station was fined by the
FCC for tying up traffic on the Bay Bridge (they were replicating the
Bill Clinton haircut on the LAX runway which urban legend says shut down
the airport. They had to pay the average toll revenue fir,I think, three
days during which drives crossed for free. The funny thing was that
traffic did not move and faster as the tie ups are caused more bu a
reduction in lanes than by toll collections.
Speaking of the Bay Bridge I often see cars making multiple lane
changes all across the bridge yet they have gained maybe 25 feet on me
at the end.

== 9 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:44 am
From: "Rod Speed"

clams_casino <PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com> wrote
> krw wrote
>> firstnamelastinitial@peaksky.com wrote
>>> rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com (Rod Speed) wrote

>>>> Nope, because they promise to pay interest on bonds
>>>> and continue to do so and repay the capital too.

>>> Not in this world they don't bunkie. The feds haven't made an interest payment in 60 years. They just borrow more
>>> money to keep the pyramid scheme running.

>> Haven't made an interest payment? Surely you don't mean that.

> In theory, they do make interest payments, but in practice, it's all with borrowed money.

Nope, some of the interest is paid with taxes.

> It's much like using your credit card to pay the previous month's payment.

Nope, nothing like.

> You are paying the interest & minimum payment, but simply borrowing to make the payment.

The fed doesnt do it like that.

== 10 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:53 am
From: "Rod Speed"

Larry Caldwell <firstnamelastinitial@peaksky.com> wrote
> PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com (clams_casino) wrote
>> Larry Caldwell wrote

>>> The rule of thumb is that you should have 50%
>>> of your annual income in cash for emergencies.

>> Glad I never used your advice. Having 50% cash is a sure way to never
>> get ahead - equal and maybe worse than having credit card debt..

> That's 50% of your annual income, not 50% of your assets.

He didnt say 50% of the assets. 50% of your annual income
in cash is a stupid waste of a return on that much cash.

> If you make 40 grand a year, having 20 grand available for emergencies is a good idea.

Nope, thats a stupidly excessive amount of cash to have.

It makes a hell of a lot more sense to have that much in a
decent liquid investment that produces a decent return instead.

> What if you lose your job?

With an unemployment rate of 4.x%, you get another one.

> It would save you from selling yourself into debt slavery.

You dont need $20K of cash to avoid that. That $20K in a decent liquid investment
makes a hell of a lot more sense, because that produces a decent return when you dont
have the emergency and is still available if you do have an emergency like say Katrina.

> By the time you hit retirement, that 20 grand better be about 5% of your savings.

Wrong again. Some choose to not retire because they enjoy working. Others
choose to live well while healthy and to pull the plug when their lifestyle doesnt
appeal to them anymore when they end up with the usual downsides of old age.

Only a fool would choose to be a vegetable in some nursing home etc.

== 11 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 11:02 am
From: SMS

Dave wrote:

> If true, your post is a good argument why toll booths should be BANNED
> for environmental concerns. -Dave

They are a huge waste of fuel. What should be done is to charge much
higher tolls for those that opt to not use the electronic system, with
some exception for out-of-state drivers. In California there's really no
reason to not get a FasTrak. They don't cost anything (actually there's
a one-time bonus that makes the net cost negative). Even for just
occasional use they make sense. I was surprised to see that they are
also accepted at the SFO parking garage for parking fees.

OTOH, on bridges, one of the reasons for toll booths is to meter the
traffic onto the bridges so even if everyone had electronic payment
systems, they'd still need metering lights.

At the same time, a lot of stop signs could be changed to yield signs to
save fuel.

== 12 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 11:09 am
From: clams_casino

Bert Hyman wrote:

>don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein) wrote in news:slrng22729.erk.don@manx.misty.com:
>
>
>
>> USA's national debt decreased during most of Clinton'as second term!
>>
>>
>
>No. Not at all.
>
>See
>
>http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt_histo4.htm
>http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt_histo5.htm
>
>You'll see that the "national debt" increased each and every year.
>
>
>
So the national debt increased about 40% during the "liberal" spending
Clinton years, but has only doubled under the "conservative" GW?

== 13 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 11:13 am
From: clams_casino

Chloe wrote:

>"clams_casino" <PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com> wrote in message
>news:Kz8Uj.71291$y05.38528@newsfe22.lga...
>
>
>><snip> That, we can agree upon. There is very little that can be justified
>>with credit card debt (interest). Borrowing for a car makes can make sense
>>when one is younger, but only for the minimum car that's necessary. After
>>perhaps age 35, it makes little sense to borrow for a car.
>>
>>
>
>I'm in my late 50s and put about 7,500 miles a year on a car. I bought the
>car I'm currently driving on a 60-month loan at 0.9% interest. It's pretty
>much a no-brainer to invest the money I didn't use to pay cash for the car
>and get a better return. You can't generalize about whether borrowing makes
>sense without considering interest rates.
>
>
>
>
Depends. Did you give up a rebate to get the 0.9% loan? Usually, it's
much better to take the rebate than jump on a "subsidized" loan. I
have, however, seen a few exceptions where a car company was attempting
to move low selling models & they didn't want to play with their selling
prices (primarily on some Honda civic models, as few years back).

== 14 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 11:18 am
From: clams_casino

Larry Caldwell wrote:

>In article <9t8Uj.1885$tM1.502@newsfe20.lga>,
>PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com (clams_casino) says...
>
>
>>Larry Caldwell wrote:
>>
>>
>
>
>
>>>The rule of thumb is that you should have 50% of your annual income in
>>>cash for emergencies.
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
>>Glad I never used your advice. Having 50% cash is a sure way to never
>>get ahead - equal and maybe worse than having credit card debt..
>>
>>
>
>That's 50% of your annual income, not 50% of your assets. If you make
>40 grand a year, having 20 grand available for emergencies is a good
>idea. What if you lose your job? It would save you from selling
>yourself into debt slavery.
>
>By the time you hit retirement, that 20 grand better be about 5% of your
>savings.
>
>
>
>
It would take someone earning $40k a rather long time to amass $20k via
savings accounts. As I commented elsewhere, it would be a lot wiser to
have a month, maybe two in quick cash, but save the other 10 months
paying down mortgage where one could effectively earn (save) perhaps 6%
vs. the 1-2% typical of savings account. The same money could be
available via home equity loan, plus perhaps an additional 4-5% growth
/year with no added risk or work.

== 15 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 11:18 am
From: Bert Hyman

PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com (clams_casino) wrote in
news:0fmUj.71321$y05.5206@newsfe22.lga:

> Bert Hyman wrote:
>
>>don@manx.misty.com (Don Klipstein) wrote in
>>news:slrng22729.erk.don@manx.misty.com:
>>
>>
>>
>>> USA's national debt decreased during most of Clinton'as second
>>> term!
>>>
>>>
>>
>>No. Not at all.
>>
>>See
>>
>>http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt_histo
>>4.htm
>>http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt_histo
>>5.htm
>>
>>You'll see that the "national debt" increased each and every year.
>>
>>
>>
> So the national debt increased about 40% during the "liberal"
> spending Clinton years, but has only doubled under the
> "conservative" GW?

So? That's not what the OP was asserting.

If you want to talk about that, start your own thread.

--
Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | bert@iphouse.com

== 16 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 11:20 am
From: clams_casino

SMS wrote:

> Dave wrote:
>
>> If true, your post is a good argument why toll booths should be
>> BANNED for environmental concerns. -Dave
>
>
> They are a huge waste of fuel.

and a major cause of accidents. CT removed their toll booths many
years ago, largely in part of the accidents.

== 17 of 17 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 11:20 am
From: George

==============================================================================
TOPIC: where did the Pope get those Red Shoes?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/83215826cab2e976?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 7:21 am
From: Al Bundy

troll wrote:
> K-mart?
> --
I suppose he had his posse purchase them off the Internet from one of
those Chinese posters. That shade of red is suspiciously Chinese if
there is such a color. Where does Ronald McDonald get his shoes?
Obviously not the same place. The Pope's shoes look like light
loafers, not to state the obvious though.

Al Bundy,
Shoeman

==============================================================================
TOPIC: BEST VIDEO
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e617c94335c818d7?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 7:49 am
From: tobik000@vp.pl

BEST VIDEO!!! HAHA

http://rozrywka.yeba.pl/show.php?id=2073
http://rozrywka.yeba.pl/show.php?id=2079

==============================================================================
TOPIC: china wholesale throw jersey womens jersey throwback jersey nfl jerseys
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a12f6223a5cfde45?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 8:01 am
From: myniceshoes5@yahoo.com.cn

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==============================================================================
TOPIC: Medicare claim denied - physical therapy provider does not accept
Medicare
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/de8e7d8d868e22e5?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 8:58 am
From: sarge137

On May 6, 3:04 pm, "JR Weiss" <jrweiss98155rem...@remove.comcast.net>
wrote:
> "mehlREMOVET...@cyvest.com" <m...@cyvest.com> wrote...
> > I filed the claim, using form CMS-1490S. The claim was denied,
> > saying
> > - information required to make payment was incorrect
> > - your provider must complete and submit your claim
>
> > The service was prescribed by a licensed physician.
>
> > The claims processor, Bene Submit Placeholder, Nhic Corp, will not
> > accept calls from beneficiaries, meaning that I can't find out what
> > information was incorrect.
>
> > More important, however, seems to be that Medicare says that any
> > provider that provides a claimable service must participate in
> > Medicare ... they won't pay otherwise.
>
> > Do I understand this correctly?
>
> > Is there a way that I can receive Medicare reimbursement for this
> > claim?

Unless the rules have changed since I helped my parents with their
Medicare claims (5+ years ago) Medicare should honor a claim for
treatment they cover whether or not you use a network provider, up to
what they've determined to be "reasonable and customary" charges for
your area. Any difference will need to be worked out between you and
the therapist if you went outside the network.

> Fill out a new claim form as much as you can. Take it and an addressed, stamped
> envelope to the provider and ask him to finish it and send it. If he gets $$
> from them, he'll refund it to you.
>
> Next time ask your doctor to recommend a therapist that accepts Medicare.
>
Excellent advice. My primary care provider is in my insurance
company's network, and I always allow them to select specialists
within that network. Other than my normal co-pays I've never gotten a
bill. Most claims processors won't take phone calls because if they
did they'd never get anything done. Even when they have a customer
service line, about the only thing you can do is talk to a CSR who
will escalate your problem or question, unless it's very routine, to
an adjuster or claims investigator who will get back to you when they
can.

Next time you need a specialist, if your primary care doctor can't or
won't do a network referral, ask the specialist if they're in your
network, not if they accept your insurance. Almost everyone accepts
almost every insurance. By becoming a network provider they've agreed
to either provide the service for what your insurance is willing to
pay (less your copay), or at least disclose any additional charges
before you commit to the treatment.

Regards,
Sarge

==============================================================================
TOPIC: MSN article: "High food prices? Here's how to save"
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b9e63977d717a2cc?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 9:57 am
From: Cheapo Groovo

A price book is a good tool

An apple tree takes care of apple prices

Use local farmers markets - you can haggle price with these folks

http://www.cheapogroovo.com

In article <237d25e2-2047-4ab4-bb27-144c0d610e61@
26g2000hsk.googlegroups.com>, lenona321@yahoo.com says...
> http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/HowToFight5FoodBudgetKillers.aspx?GT1=33009
>
> It's 3 pages long and includes a link: "How to shop organic on a
> budget"
>
> They also ask for your personal tips on saving!
>
> One thing I hadn't heard of before was how to make powdered milk more
> palatable.
>
> Lenona.
>

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:08 am
From: mavigozler

lionel <lionel@yahoo.com> wrote in misc.consumers.frugal-living:

> On Tue, 06 May 2008 13:11:48 GMT, mavigozler <mavigozler@turkiye.gov>
> wrote:
>
>>lenona321@yahoo.com wrote in misc.consumers.frugal-living:
>>
>>> http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/RaiseKids/HowTo
>>> Fi ght5FoodBudgetKillers.aspx?GT1=33009
>>>
>>> It's 3 pages long and includes a link: "How to shop organic on a
>>> budget"
>>
>>I was in the grocery store (Safeway in Davis, CA) and I bought FIVE
>>granny smith apples for $5.49. That works out to about $1.10 per
>>apple.
>>
>>Has the dollar gone down the toilet THAT MUCH???
>
> Yeah, food prices are going up and up due mostly to fuel increases
> but you are shopping at Safeway, a unionized chain of grocery stores
> (I am not knocking union jobs at all, but its just a fact that they
> cost more, if you can afford it. ) and the simple fact is that you
> would be better off shopping at Food-4-Less or a Winco
> supermarket, then a Safeway or Raleys' grocery supermarket.

Food-4-Less in Woodland, where I used to live until the end of last month,
were selling the apples @ 1.58/lb a couple of weeks ago. Safeway was
selling them @ 1.99/lb, which is why I paid $5.49 for 5 apples.

I don't live in Davis: the farmer's open-air markets are on Sat morn and
Wed afternoon, and it is not always convenient. Much of the time, they
are selling higher-priced organics anyway. I don't even think the non-
organics are allowed a stand.

I returned to the USA several months ago after 15 years abroad. I was
telling the people among whom I was living that food and other essentials
were a small percentage of the necessary living costs of the household
budget. I have to make a special trip back to tell them I was sadly
mistaken.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: New SPAM Posts by Cheapo Groovo
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/3be3fcd033e12b5c?hl=en
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== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:00 am
From: Cheapo Groovo

In article <0a2Uj.31716$KJ1.11389@newsfe19.lga>,
PeterGriffin@DrunkinClam.com says...
> Cheapo Groovo wrote:
>
> more links to his spam
>
CAN SPAM bill cost $11 billion in annual sales according to a DMA study!

Why don't you fight against all this:
You pay for cable yet still get bombarded with ads.
Your tax dollars support public Tv, yet they buy ads with your money.
You paid for sports stadiums, then you let the politicians sell the
naming rights - are ticket prices or your local tax rate going down?
KFC from Space http://youtube.com/watch?v=fsH4gws35ro
The average 1970s city dweller was exposed to 500 to 2,000 ad messages a
day, Smith says. Now, it's 3,000 to 5,000.
In 2005, MTV viewers had to put up with 21% more prime-time commercials
per hour than in 2004, says TNS Media Intelligence and media firm
MindShare.
Marketers shelled out 71% more =3F $941 million =3F to integrate brands into
TV shows in 2005 vs. 2004, PQ Media says.
There are now ad-supported TV screens at airports, gas stations, health
clubs and on buses and subways. Wal-Mart has its own network. ABC (DIS)
signed with the In-Store Broadcasting Network to promote TV shows in
Kroger supermarkets.
Spending for on-screen movie theater ads swelled 21% to $453 million in
2005 vs. 2004. Off-screen ads, such as lobby promotions, rose 18% to $75
million, according to the Cinema Advertising Council.
Marketers raised "out-of-home" spending, from billboards to elevator
ads, by 9% last year to $6.3 billion, the Outdoor Advertising
Association of America says.
There's more to come. Marketers see small-screen devices =3F iPods,
cellphones, laptops and video games =3F as the growth frontier:
Spending for ads on Web-enabled mobile phones is expected to be $150
million this year, up threefold vs. 2005, according to consulting firm
Ovum. By 2009, that will swell 766% to $1.3 billion.
In 2005, $21 million was spent to place products in video games, a 38%
rise over 2004, PQ Media says.
Last year, companies shelled out $13 billion on Internet classified,
search and display ads, JupiterResearch says. That's expected to double
to $26 billion by 2011.

I guess if you pay for it, that is OK. I know the truth is the best
products, the best information, the best quality often goes under
appreciated becuase entrepreneurs cannot compete against oigopolies.

You have been brainwashed into thinking marketing is all about paying
for ads, It's not. Promotion is just as important. No one puts a gun to
your head and makes you click links.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Converter coupon was refunded for cash/credit! Not allowed is it?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a64662c90137e4f1?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:18 am
From: me@privacy.net

I bought an Insignia brand converter box at local Best
Buy abt two weeks ago.

I used one of my $40 coupons and paid the difference
with credit card.

I took it back to get money back .. and fully expected
to ONLY get my out of pocket money back.... but instead
credited my Visa card with FULL amount of the box....
abt $60 when combined with my coupon and the out of
pocket cash.

What gives?! I thought once you used the coupon there
was no way to get the value back if returning an item?
No?

==============================================================================
TOPIC: cover all brand products ,order more $500 can have a free website
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/126b63643361d796?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Wed, May 7 2008 10:43 am
From: air jordan wholesale

cover all brand products ,order more $500 can have a free website

accept PAYPAL AIR JORDAN AIR MAX 90 LOW IN 19USD
www.elecserver-yhnetstore.cn

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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

26 new messages in 9 topics - digest

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