Frugal Living: 24 new messages in 12 topics

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

24 new messages in 12 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: Anybody have experience with mortgages?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a3e6bcce6f05e17d?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 11:44 am
From: "Dave"

"OhioGuy" <none@none.net> wrote in message news:g91i1m$rck$1@aioe.org...
> We currently owe approx $11K on our double, presently paying $350 a month
> at 5.25% interest, on a 10 year loan. (we live on one side)
>
> We are in a situation where we would like to get moved to another home in
> the next 12 months. In order to do this, we need to free up some $. We
> had originally considered simply refinancing our mortgage to a 30 year,
> and freeing up some equity at the same time - until we saw how much all
> the fees added up to, and the new high interest rate we were offered.
>
> I've done some calculations, and we need between $15,000 and $20,000 to
> fix up the old furnaces in our double so that this place is in good shape
> to rent when we're moved out, and so that we have enough cash to make
> payments on a land contract home for about 15 months - while we make the
> transition from living here to a new place, and get this one paying for
> itself. (we spoke to a loan specialist at our credit union this morning,
> and she suggested that a land contract might work out for us well,
> especially given the number of houses presently sitting vacant)
>
> Right now, most of our cash is being used up because we opted for a 10
> year mortgage - which makes the move, and saving up any $ difficult.
>
> We DO have about $12,000 in stocks set aside for our eventual auto costs,
> when our present car wears out. I've been thinking that perhaps we should
> use it to completely pay our house off? Part of me hates doing this to
> pay off a 5.25% loan though - especially when I've made a 43% return over
> the past 17 months on it. (MVL, BPL, then FNM & FRE) However, that's
> really about the only way we could "retire" the original loan and make it
> so we don't have to pay the $350 a month - at least that I can think of.
> (Ideas, anyone?)
>
> We could either get a home equity loan now for the $15 to $20K we'd need,
> or else get a traditional second mortgage for that amount - a 30 year loan
> should get us $15 to $20K for roughly $100 to $140 a month in payments,
> right?
>
> Then we could pay off our primary loan, and only have the $140 a month to
> worry about on this property. As soon as someone moved in and started
> paying rent, it would be taking care of itself.
>
> Am I missing anything obvious here - another simple solution that might
> work out better for us?

Do you owe more than the home is worth? If not, the most obvious solution
would be to sell the property, get a check from the buyer, and use that as a
down payment (and closing costs) on a new home.

You really don't want to be a landlord. And you can sell the current place
without putting a single penny into it. -Dave

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 1:07 pm
From: "h"

"Dave" <noway@nohow.not> wrote in message
news:g91iu6$mi1$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>
> "OhioGuy" <none@none.net> wrote in message news:g91i1m$rck$1@aioe.org...
>> We currently owe approx $11K on our double, presently paying $350 a
>> month at 5.25% interest, on a 10 year loan. (we live on one side)
>>
>> We are in a situation where we would like to get moved to another home
>> in the next 12 months. In order to do this, we need to free up some $.
>> We had originally considered simply refinancing our mortgage to a 30
>> year, and freeing up some equity at the same time - until we saw how much
>> all the fees added up to, and the new high interest rate we were offered.
>>
>> I've done some calculations, and we need between $15,000 and $20,000 to
>> fix up the old furnaces in our double so that this place is in good shape
>> to rent when we're moved out, and so that we have enough cash to make
>> payments on a land contract home for about 15 months - while we make the
>> transition from living here to a new place, and get this one paying for
>> itself. (we spoke to a loan specialist at our credit union this morning,
>> and she suggested that a land contract might work out for us well,
>> especially given the number of houses presently sitting vacant)
>>
>> Right now, most of our cash is being used up because we opted for a 10
>> year mortgage - which makes the move, and saving up any $ difficult.
>>
>> We DO have about $12,000 in stocks set aside for our eventual auto
>> costs, when our present car wears out. I've been thinking that perhaps
>> we should use it to completely pay our house off? Part of me hates doing
>> this to pay off a 5.25% loan though - especially when I've made a 43%
>> return over the past 17 months on it. (MVL, BPL, then FNM & FRE)
>> However, that's really about the only way we could "retire" the original
>> loan and make it so we don't have to pay the $350 a month - at least that
>> I can think of. (Ideas, anyone?)
>>
>> We could either get a home equity loan now for the $15 to $20K we'd
>> need, or else get a traditional second mortgage for that amount - a 30
>> year loan should get us $15 to $20K for roughly $100 to $140 a month in
>> payments, right?
>>

I wrote myself a check from my credit card when they were offering a "3.99%
until the balance is paid" option. The trick is to not use that card to
charge anything else until the balance is paid. So, I got $28k for home
improvements for a $150.00 "service fee" while paying 1.26% interest less
than my mortgage. It was just easier and cheaper than getting another loan.
It's not secured so there were no hoops to jump through, and there's no time
limit. Plus, I can just pay the minimum for a few months while I make up
that huge bite my once-yearly heating oil payment just caused!

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 1:46 pm
From: "AllEmailDeletedImmediately"

"h" <tmclone@searchmachine.com> wrote in message
news:g91n6m$he8$1@aioe.org...
>
> "Dave" <noway@nohow.not> wrote in message
> news:g91iu6$mi1$1@registered.motzarella.org...
>>
>> "OhioGuy" <none@none.net> wrote in message news:g91i1m$rck$1@aioe.org...
>>> We currently owe approx $11K on our double, presently paying $350 a
>>> month at 5.25% interest, on a 10 year loan. (we live on one side)
>>>
>>> We are in a situation where we would like to get moved to another home
>>> in the next 12 months. In order to do this, we need to free up some $.
>>> We had originally considered simply refinancing our mortgage to a 30
>>> year, and freeing up some equity at the same time - until we saw how
>>> much all the fees added up to, and the new high interest rate we were
>>> offered.
>>>
>>> I've done some calculations, and we need between $15,000 and $20,000 to
>>> fix up the old furnaces in our double so that this place is in good
>>> shape to rent when we're moved out, and so that we have enough cash to
>>> make payments on a land contract home for about 15 months - while we
>>> make the transition from living here to a new place, and get this one
>>> paying for itself. (we spoke to a loan specialist at our credit union
>>> this morning, and she suggested that a land contract might work out for
>>> us well, especially given the number of houses presently sitting vacant)
>>>
>>> Right now, most of our cash is being used up because we opted for a 10
>>> year mortgage - which makes the move, and saving up any $ difficult.
>>>
>>> We DO have about $12,000 in stocks set aside for our eventual auto
>>> costs, when our present car wears out. I've been thinking that perhaps
>>> we should use it to completely pay our house off? Part of me hates
>>> doing this to pay off a 5.25% loan though - especially when I've made a
>>> 43% return over the past 17 months on it. (MVL, BPL, then FNM & FRE)
>>> However, that's really about the only way we could "retire" the original
>>> loan and make it so we don't have to pay the $350 a month - at least
>>> that I can think of. (Ideas, anyone?)
>>>
>>> We could either get a home equity loan now for the $15 to $20K we'd
>>> need, or else get a traditional second mortgage for that amount - a 30
>>> year loan should get us $15 to $20K for roughly $100 to $140 a month in
>>> payments, right?
>>>
>
> I wrote myself a check from my credit card when they were offering a
> "3.99% until the balance is paid" option. The trick is to not use that
> card to charge anything else until the balance is paid. So, I got $28k for
> home improvements for a $150.00 "service fee" while paying 1.26% interest
> less than my mortgage. It was just easier and cheaper than getting another
> loan. It's not secured so there were no hoops to jump through, and there's
> no time limit. Plus, I can just pay the minimum for a few months while I
> make up that huge bite my once-yearly heating oil payment just caused!

but what happens when the ccc decides to just up and change the terms and
raises
your interest to 30%? they can do that you know.

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 1:55 pm
From: Al Bundy

OhioGuy wrote:
> We currently owe approx $11K on our double, presently paying $350 a month
> at 5.25% interest, on a 10 year loan. (we live on one side)
>
> We are in a situation where we would like to get moved to another home in
> the next 12 months. In order to do this, we need to free up some $. We had
> originally considered simply refinancing our mortgage to a 30 year, and
> freeing up some equity at the same time - until we saw how much all the fees
> added up to, and the new high interest rate we were offered.
>
> I've done some calculations, and we need between $15,000 and $20,000 to
> fix up the old furnaces in our double so that this place is in good shape to
> rent when we're moved out, and so that we have enough cash to make payments
> on a land contract home for about 15 months - while we make the transition
> from living here to a new place, and get this one paying for itself. (we
> spoke to a loan specialist at our credit union this morning, and she
> suggested that a land contract might work out for us well, especially given
> the number of houses presently sitting vacant)
>
> Right now, most of our cash is being used up because we opted for a 10
> year mortgage - which makes the move, and saving up any $ difficult.
>
> We DO have about $12,000 in stocks set aside for our eventual auto costs,
> when our present car wears out. I've been thinking that perhaps we should
> use it to completely pay our house off? Part of me hates doing this to pay
> off a 5.25% loan though - especially when I've made a 43% return over the
> past 17 months on it. (MVL, BPL, then FNM & FRE) However, that's really
> about the only way we could "retire" the original loan and make it so we
> don't have to pay the $350 a month - at least that I can think of. (Ideas,
> anyone?)
>
> We could either get a home equity loan now for the $15 to $20K we'd need,
> or else get a traditional second mortgage for that amount - a 30 year loan
> should get us $15 to $20K for roughly $100 to $140 a month in payments,
> right?
>
> Then we could pay off our primary loan, and only have the $140 a month to
> worry about on this property. As soon as someone moved in and started
> paying rent, it would be taking care of itself.
>
> Am I missing anything obvious here - another simple solution that might
> work out better for us?

I question that $15-20K furnace installation. It seems absurdly high.
Why can't it be repaired? If you sell the place, you won't get half
the investment back. When you are renting, the tenant pays the
utilities.

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:09 pm
From: SMS

h wrote:

> I wrote myself a check from my credit card when they were offering a "3.99%
> until the balance is paid" option. The trick is to not use that card to
> charge anything else until the balance is paid.

The problem with that is that you still have to make the minimum
payments, which is what he's trying to avoid.

I took advantage of a deal from Discover a few years back that was 0%
for life on no-fee balance transfers, with the caveat that after six
months you had to make two $1 (minimum) charges a month, and interest
would be charged on those, plus a late payment or not making those two
charges would end the rate deal. I stuck the $30K into a 5% CD.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: AIR JORDAN FUSION, JORDAN FUSION & AIR FORCE 1, NIKE JORDAN SHOES 1 3 5
7 9 11 13 15 20 23
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/769d8f769dff42bf?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 11:54 am
From: 814229943@qq.com

Nike Jordan www.aaashoe.com
AIR Jordans Fusion 1 Jordan 2 Fusion AIR Jordan 3 Nike Jordan Fusion 4
Jordan 5 shoes Nike Air Jordan 6 VI Force 1 Jordan Fusion AJF 6 AJF6
AJ6F Jordan 6 Rings Jordan 6 fusion

AIR Jordan Fusions 13 NIKE Jordan Fusion 14 AIR Jordans 15Nike Jordan
16 Fusion Jordan 17 shoes Nike Air Jordans 18 XVIII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF18 AJF18 AJ18F Jordan 18 fusions

AIR Jordan Fusions 7 NIKE Jordan Fusion 8 AIR Jordans 9 Nikes Jordan
Fusion 10 Jordan 11 shoes Nike Air Jordan 12 XII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 12 AJF12 AJ12F Jordans 12 fusions

NIKE AIR JORDAN FORCE FUSION SHOES AJF 5 V JORDANs 5 FUSION NIKE
JORDAN 5 FUSION SHOES AJF5 Nike Air Jordan XXIII 23 Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 23 AJF23 AJ23F

Nike Jordans Fusion 23 AIR Jordan 22 Jordan Fusions 21 AIR Jordans
Fusion 20 Jordan 19 shoes Air Jordan Force Fusion VIII (8), AJF 8 Nike
Air Jordan 17 XVII Force 1 Jordan Fusions AJF 17 AJF17 AJ17F Jordan
17 fusion
Air Jordan Spiz'ike
Air Jordan XXIII 23
Air Jordan I 1
Air Jordan II 2
Air Jordan III 3
Air Jordan IV 4
Air Jordan V 5
Air Jordan VI 6
Air Jordan VII 7
Air Jordan VIII 8
Air Jordan IX 9
Air Jordan X 10
Air Jordan XI 11
Air Jordan XII 12
Air Jordan XIII 13
Air Jordan XIV 14
Air Jordan XV 15
Air Jordan XIX 19
Air Jordan XX 20
Air Jordan XX2

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 11:54 am
From: 814229943@qq.com

AIR Jordan Fusions 13 NIKE Jordan Fusion 14 AIR Jordans 15Nike Jordan
16 Fusion Jordan 17 shoes Nike Air Jordans 18 XVIII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF18 AJF18 AJ18F Jordan 18 fusions

AIR Jordan Fusions 7 NIKE Jordan Fusion 8 AIR Jordans 9 Nikes Jordan
Fusion 10 Jordan 11 shoes Nike Air Jordan 12 XII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 12 AJF12 AJ12F Jordans 12 fusions

NIKE AIR JORDAN FORCE FUSION SHOES AJF 5 V JORDANs 5 FUSION NIKE
JORDAN 5 FUSION SHOES AJF5 Nike Air Jordan XXIII 23 Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 23 AJF23 AJ23F

==============================================================================
TOPIC: NIKE AIR JORDAN SHOES, JORDAN FUSION, AIR FORCE JORDAN FUSION 1 ( 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23)
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/0339c800b5ead2ac?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 11:55 am
From: 814229943@qq.com

AIR Jordan Fusions 13 NIKE Jordan Fusion 14 AIR Jordans 15Nike Jordan
16 Fusion Jordan 17 shoes Nike Air Jordans 18 XVIII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF18 AJF18 AJ18F Jordan 18 fusions

AIR Jordan Fusions 7 NIKE Jordan Fusion 8 AIR Jordans 9 Nikes Jordan
Fusion 10 Jordan 11 shoes Nike Air Jordan 12 XII Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 12 AJF12 AJ12F Jordans 12 fusions

NIKE AIR JORDAN FORCE FUSION SHOES AJF 5 V JORDANs 5 FUSION NIKE
JORDAN 5 FUSION SHOES AJF5 Nike Air Jordan XXIII 23 Force 1 Jordan
Fusion AJF 23 AJF23 AJ23F

==============================================================================
TOPIC: "A Quick Message"
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/36191a8f1448ac74?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 12:06 pm
From: turtlelover

Al Bundy wrote:
>
> Robert Brealey wrote:
>
>>Hello Member,
>>
>>Recently a friend sent me an email about a free ebook that
>>makes him good money.
>>
>
> When someone starts off with a lie right off the bat, that's a
> turnoff.

How can you be so sure that he doesn't have any friends?

Ha ha,
T

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:01 pm
From: Al Bundy

On Aug 26, 3:06 pm, turtlelover <turtlelo...@DONOTenter.net> wrote:
> Al Bundy wrote:
>
> > Robert Brealey wrote:
>
> >>Hello Member,
>
> >>Recently a friend sent me an email about a free ebook that
> >>makes him good money.
>
> > When someone starts off with a lie right off the bat, that's a
> > turnoff.
>
> How can you be so sure that he doesn't have any friends?
>
> Ha ha,
> T

Robert is a guy with a lot of mirrors around the house and one in each
back pocket. He always has a close friend.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Faggots, maggots, kikes and dykes, plus jigs galore, whatta assortment
at Dem. convention.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/d7472a2c0380c4e6?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 12:27 pm
From: hpope@lycos.com

On Aug 26, 9:20 am, wis...@yahoo.com wrote:
> Whew! Won't see many of that bunch at the golf course or tennis club.
> Did you notice the black ladies singing, clapping hands, and swaying?
> Looked like a frigging revival! Retired schoolmarms, labor union
> bohunks, and spics rounded out the spectacle.
>
> ted

Though a bit rough, the above captures the essence, no pun intended,
of the event.

Mitch

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 1:35 pm
From: Al Bundy

On Aug 26, 3:27 pm, hp...@lycos.com wrote:
> On Aug 26, 9:20 am, wis...@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> > Whew! Won't see many of that bunch at the golf course or tennis club.
> > Did you notice the black ladies singing, clapping hands, and swaying?
> > Looked like a frigging revival! Retired schoolmarms, labor union
> > bohunks, and spics rounded out the spectacle.
>
> > ted
>
> Though a bit rough, the above captures the essence, no pun intended,
> of the event.
>
> Mitch

And that was just the airport reception area.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Whirl your mind
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b8e88065e2c02ad1?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 12:32 pm
From: clams_casino

kiran-travelfury wrote:

>
>Read some of my posts....
>
>

Do You really believe any gives a rat's ass about your blog?

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 1:41 pm
From: Al Bundy

On Aug 26, 2:30 pm, kiran-travelfury <hi.mypleas...@gmail.com> wrote:
> After traveling for more than 30 years in India, mostly to exotic and
> undiscovered places, I believe it whirls your mind, dazzle your eyes
> and eventually you fall in love with India's extremes.
>
> During course of my travel I met many foreigners travelers in India-
> some were only too happy to leave, while others stayed for a life
> time. Yes! India could be a litmus test for many foreign tourists but
> if you enjoy entering into intricate cosmologies and thrive on a very
> high level of sensuality, India is one of the most rewarding dramas
> unfolding on earth.
>
> I have not delved into Indias's size, clamour and diversity nor I have
> commented on it's chaos but instead mentioned what my eyes have seen
> and other senses have felt- its 5000 years of glorious history,
> heritage grandeur, numerous religious centers, royal retreats, rich
> wildlife, lofty Himalayas, spellbinding back-waters, breathtaking sand
> dunes, sun kissed beaches and above all it's hospitable people.
> perhaps I wanted to see only good.
>
With a population of 1.13 billion, somebody must like it or be stuck
there. I doubt whether very many people are able to enjoy the scenery
as you do. More power to you. Makes it less crowded where I am.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: RIP Bobbi Sanchez
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a3ef1cf02aaa72c4?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 12:56 pm
From: SneakyP

mike@nowhere.com (Mike) wrote in news:20080826182750.2561E4E629
@outpost.zedz.net:

> On Tue, 26 Aug 2008, Ragnar <Ragnarsghost@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>Why can't you post under one name? Do you have some kind of
>>personality disorder or are you just too fucking stupid and lazy to
>>keep your sock puppetry coordinated?
>>Fucking dumb-assed loser.
>>
>>Steels Fans Suck
>>NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>>
>>Frank Arthur
>>NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>>
>>Electrician
>>NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>>
>>Whiteslave
>>NNTP-Posting-Host: FDYZ6s6RiUAQ5Pw6qznCjQ.user.aioe.org
>>
>>Dude watch your socks, and learn about headers. If you are going to be
>>a complete fuckwit loser at least have the decency to use a remailler.
>>Come on back when you want to be spanked like the little bitch that
>>you are.
>
> You've become quite good at reading headers since your foray into
> sockpuppetry was documented.
>

Links please.

--
SneakyP
To reply: newsgroup only, what's posted in ng stays in ng.

Some choose to swim in the potty bowl of nan-ae rather than flush it
down :0)

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Questions About Stand Alone DSL
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/a4655242e06b438e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 1:33 pm
From: Windswept@Home (Jack)

Rather than get DSL thru Verizon phone co., I'm thinking of using a
local ISP whose people speak English and which has a good reputation
for its dial-up service. The sales guy said that this requires a
stand alone connection which involves an installation fee.

1) Do they connect the router/modem to the phone box that's located on
the outside of the house?

2) If so, is there any need for them to come in the house for any
hardware or software installation?

3) If I keep a cheap-dial-up as a back up, would I need to uninstall
any of the stand alone stuff, either inside or outside, in order to
connect with the dial-up? Thanks guys.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:58 pm
From: "Dave"

"Jack" <Windswept@Home> wrote in message
news:48b466c4.32859781@news-60.giganews.com...
> Rather than get DSL thru Verizon phone co., I'm thinking of using a
> local ISP whose people speak English and which has a good reputation
> for its dial-up service. The sales guy said that this requires a
> stand alone connection which involves an installation fee.
>
> 1) Do they connect the router/modem to the phone box that's located on
> the outside of the house?

No, there are two installations to be done. Neither will touch the box on
the outside of the house, unless you want a special jack installed just for
DSL use. (not necessary, you can use any existing jack)

The first is inside your home. You connect the DSL modem straight to a
phone plug. (then connect the DSL modem to your computer with an ethernet
cord). If you have normal telephones or fax machines on the same line, you
will need to install "filters" on those plugs so that the DSL doesn't
interfere with your normal phone use. You can install the filters yourself.
They are a small box that goes between your wall plug and your phone (or
answering machine or fax machine, whatever). This part of the install
should take about 10 minutes total, if you are slow, and have to read the
directions for 9 minutes. (!)

The second installation is done at your local CO, which is equipment outside
your home that is owned by the phone company. No matter who you order DSL
from, your LOCAL phone company will have to do this part of the install.
Basically, the DSL is connected (at the CO) to your specific wire that leads
to your house/apartment. This happens outside your home, far away from your
property. Again, keep in mind that the PHONE company does this part of the
install. So if you order and the installation is delayed, don't yell and
scream too loudly at the ISP that you ordered DSL from...the second part of
the install is out of their hands. But if the install doesn't happen as
scheduled, you still need to call the ISP to let them know, so that they can
call the phone company and light a fire under their asses.

> 2) If so, is there any need for them to come in the house for any
> hardware or software installation?

They shouldn't NEED to come into your house, unless you feel that you need
help in hooking up the modem. It's pretty easy though, so you should be
able to do it yourself. Main thing is to not get confused about the
filters. The filters are for all equipment that is NOT the DSL modem. Oh,
and whatever you do, make sure that the DSL modem provided by your ISP has
an ETHERNET connection (not USB) to your computer. Brand doesn't matter
much, as long as it's got the ethernet connection for the computer (or
router, see below)

>
> 3) If I keep a cheap-dial-up as a back up, would I need to uninstall
> any of the stand alone stuff, either inside or outside, in order to
> connect with the dial-up? Thanks guys.

Nope. As long as you remember to install the filters on all plugs NOT used
by the DSL modem, then your regular dial-up modem should work the same as it
does now. If you forget to install a filter, the DSL might interfere with
dial-up modem use. But if you install the filters correctly, dial-up modem
should be happy.

On a side note, get yourself a broadband sharing router for DSL use. This
is mandatory, IMHO. You do not want to install PPPOE software on any
computer, ever. The router will maintain the PPPOE connection for you, with
firmware. Don't get me wrong, DSL is AWESOME. But PPPOE software sucks,
big time. So use a router instead. Your install instructions from the ISP
will state to install PPPOE software (skip this part) and then enter user
name and password into PPPOE software. Instead, take that same user name
and password, and use it to program the PPPOE settings in your router setup
menu. The router should be between your DSL modem and your computer.
DONE! -Dave

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Unusual Problem With DVD+RW Disc
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/4d4160dd09d34750?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 1:37 pm
From: nospam@nospam.home (Jack)

Bought a spindle of Memorex. The Lite-On recorder/player rejected
five of them outright but the other 20 have recorded and re-recorded
TV shows OK so far .... until last night.

The disc read OK so I programmed a show. This morning, the timer
screen said that the recording was "done," in other words,
successful. But the disc wouldn't play on either the player/recorder
downstairs or the Philips player upstairs.

In fact, the upstairs player shuts off and says "no disc" and the
player/recorder downstairs says "invalid disc." Other discs still
work OK.

I missed a damn good movie. Have you ever heard of a disc going from
acceptable to invalid while it sat in the recorder??

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:37 pm
From: "Dave"

"Jack" <nospam@nospam.home> wrote in message
news:48b46957.33518578@nntp.aioe.org...
> Bought a spindle of Memorex. The Lite-On recorder/player rejected
> five of them outright but the other 20 have recorded and re-recorded
> TV shows OK so far .... until last night.
>
> The disc read OK so I programmed a show. This morning, the timer
> screen said that the recording was "done," in other words,
> successful. But the disc wouldn't play on either the player/recorder
> downstairs or the Philips player upstairs.
>
> In fact, the upstairs player shuts off and says "no disc" and the
> player/recorder downstairs says "invalid disc." Other discs still
> work OK.
>
> I missed a damn good movie. Have you ever heard of a disc going from
> acceptable to invalid while it sat in the recorder??

Ok, you've learned a valuable lesson...don't buy memorex brand CDR/W media.

If 5 of 25 were rejected outright, that means that the best of the bunch are
MARGINALLY compatible with your recorder. Considering that the media has to
be perfectly compatible with the recorder for you to have any chance of
playing that recording in another player...

I'd say you had pretty good luck with your incompatible disks, until you
lost a recording which you REALLY wanted.

I'd suggest you switch to maxell or ritek / ridata brand media, immediately.
But don't buy a large quantity, just buy a few at a time. Maxell and ridata
are both very good brands, with wide compatibility with a wide range of
recorders and players of many brands. But you won't know if any brand of
media is compatible with all YOUR equipment, until you try it.

You've ruled out Memorex, now it's time to move onto a different (hopefully
better) brand of disk. -Dave

==============================================================================
TOPIC: CNN: Half-ton woman indicted in slaying of nephew
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/935cc02fc86d96ba?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:27 pm
From: timeOday

Jabba the Hut is real and she is a child abuser.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Walmart Prices: Urban vs Rural?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/85719f2d4728a958?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:45 pm
From: sarge137

On Aug 26, 9:35 am, David Harmon <sou...@netcom.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:08:51 -0400 in misc.consumers.frugal-living,
> "h" <tmcl...@searchmachine.com> wrote,
>
> >stations in my whole life. Funny...not. Now I only pay cash at full-serve
> >stations, no matter what the state.
>
> It's becoming common for the cheapest stations here in So. Cal. to
> charge a few cents extra per gallon for credit cards.
>
> .

If they're doing that with their own brand CCs that's their business.
But it's a violation of their merchant agreement with VISA and MC to
assess fees for the use of the cards. If people will complain to CC
companies they'll have to stop the fees,or stop taking the cards.
Also, the California Attorney General's Office has one of the most
aggressive consumer protection divisions in the country. They'll get
involved as well if you file a report.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:46 pm
From: sarge137

On Aug 26, 11:16 am, "h" <tmcl...@searchmachine.com> wrote:
> "David Harmon" <sou...@netcom.com> wrote in message
>
> news:kIadnQ_1ANp3vynVnZ2dnUVZ_vCdnZ2d@earthlink.com...
>
> > On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:08:51 -0400 in misc.consumers.frugal-living,
> > "h" <tmcl...@searchmachine.com> wrote,
> >>stations in my whole life. Funny...not. Now I only pay cash at full-serve
> >>stations, no matter what the state.
>
> > It's becoming common for the cheapest stations here in So. Cal. to
> > charge a few cents extra per gallon for credit cards.
>
> Around here it's $.05 cheaper per gallon for cash, but I get 5% back on gas
> purchases from my credit card, so it's cheaper to use the card.

Same as above. Lower price for cash is also a violation of their
merchant agreement.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 3:03 pm
From: clams_casino

sarge137 wrote:

>On Aug 26, 11:16 am, "h" <tmcl...@searchmachine.com> wrote:
>
>
>>"David Harmon" <sou...@netcom.com> wrote in message
>>
>>news:kIadnQ_1ANp3vynVnZ2dnUVZ_vCdnZ2d@earthlink.com...
>>
>>
>>
>>>On Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:08:51 -0400 in misc.consumers.frugal-living,
>>>"h" <tmcl...@searchmachine.com> wrote,
>>>
>>>
>>>>stations in my whole life. Funny...not. Now I only pay cash at full-serve
>>>>stations, no matter what the state.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>It's becoming common for the cheapest stations here in So. Cal. to
>>>charge a few cents extra per gallon for credit cards.
>>>
>>>
>>Around here it's $.05 cheaper per gallon for cash, but I get 5% back on gas
>>purchases from my credit card, so it's cheaper to use the card.
>>
>>
>
>Same as above. Lower price for cash is also a violation of their
>merchant agreement.
>
>

But it's not a lower price for cash. Cash costs more than the credit
card.

I typically save 5-15 cents / gallon by using a credit card vs. paying cash.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: One-time credit card numbers?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/b77ead67078c8cf2?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Aug 26 2008 2:58 pm
From: The Real Bev

Samantha Hill - remove TRASH to reply wrote:

> Ken wrote:
>> I've read that credit card companies will supply their card holders with
>> a credit card number good for only one transaction, for example for a
>> mail order or internet purchase.
>>
>> If true, how does one get one of these numbers? Phone call? Web site?
>> I've seen no info in the billing stuff I get, but I could easily have
>> overlooked it - I'm mainly interested in the current charges and balance
>> amount.
>
> I get it online with my Citicard. Go to the same web site where I pay
> my bill, and there's an option to get a one-time card.

Not necessarily one time only, you get to choose the amount and duration.

--
Cheers, Bev
============================================================
If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting
them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for
no good reason. - Jack Handy

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

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

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

24 new messages in 12 topics - digest

No comments: