Frugal Living: 25 new messages in 11 topics

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

25 new messages in 11 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: Skype higher than onesuite.com
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7af523d960b00177?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Nov 10 2008 10:34 pm
From: Zar

On Oct 31, 6:17 am, DoctorTime <doctor...@kamaloca.com> wrote:
> I was fairly impressed with Skype - until I compared their prices with
> onesuite.com.
> I already have been using onesuite.com and been happy with the service
> but people kept telling me how cheap and great skype.com was and I
> tried it at someone else's home and it seemed fine, quality wise.
>
> So I went out and bought a headset/microphone for my computer and then
> as I was signing up for skype I began to look at the rates.
>
> What I found out is that in almost every case, onesuite.com is cheaper
> than skype!
>
> For domestic USA to domestic USA phones (not skype to skype but skype
> to phone), skype is .001 cheaper than onesuite.
>
> But for calls to foreign countries, onesuite is cheaper in most or at
> least many cases.
>
> So before you get hooked into the skype hype, try onesuite. With
> onesuite you don't have to go out and buy a mic/headset.
>
> *I do not work for onesuite and have NO personal gain from posting
> this, I do so only as a public service.
>
> I have not investigated other aspects of skype such as their message
> service and so forth so maybe with other aspects of their service it
> is still as good or better of a deal then onesuite. But for just the
> price of calling long distance, it seems to me onesuite wins out.

Another Onesuite user here. I also use Skype but only for chatting or
calling another Skype user (PC to PC) but for my usual long distance
calls, I use Onesuite.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: black mould washing machine door seal
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/640ed11ee759b1bc?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 5:43 am
From: trader4@optonline.net

On Nov 10, 9:52 pm, "aineec...@gmail.com" <aineec...@gmail.com> wrote:
> bleach will be the best solution..
>
> xoxo,
> aineecumi
>
> neway, my secret to release tension is playing this game <a
> href=http://www.gamestotal.com>http://www.gamestotal.com</a> <a
> href=http://uc.gamestotal.com>http://uc.gamestotal.com</a> <a
> href=http://gc.gamestotal.com>http://gc.gamestotal.com</a> <a
> href=http://3700ad.gamestotal.com>http://3700ad.gamestotal.com</a>
> <a href=http://manga.gamestotal.com>http://manga.gamestotal.com</a>

If you do a google for "front loader smell" you will find lots of
discussion about problems of mold, odor, etc unique to front loaders.
And contrary to what one would think, if you have an odor problem
related to this, isn't easy to solve. I've seen lots of posts from
people that have used bleach, vinegar, hot water, etc. In some
cases, that works. In others it only helps a bit, or not at all.
Lots of people had done everything they could think of, replace door
seals, run hot clean cycle numerous times with bleach, etc and they
still could not get rid of the smell.

From what I can gather from people who seem to know what they are
talking about, one thing that has made it worse now is the elimination
of phosphates in detergent. It also may depend on what the local
water contains, climate, etc. Some of the recommendations culled from
a lot of the people who had success in dealing with mold/odor:

Always leave the door open after use

Use only HE detergent, many said switching to Tide helped

Don't use softener. Apparently softener builds up a waxy residue over
time inside the washer that won't come out and mold grows on.

Run aafresh in it periodically, like once a month. (This is a tablet
designed to run by itself with hot water to clean it)

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Low water toilets false frugality
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/e5254ebab3c47538?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 6:21 am
From: Seerialmom

On Nov 10, 5:58 pm, Siskuwihane <Siskuwiha...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Nov 10, 6:22 pm, Seerialmom <seerial...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Nov 10, 12:52 pm, Siskuwihane <Siskuwiha...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 10, 3:38 pm, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
>
> > > > Dennis wrote:
> > > > >On Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:52:27 -0800, "Annie Woughman"
> > > > ><anniewough...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > >>We did a little remodeling last year and replaced both our older toilets
> > > > >>(ugly colored ones from the 60's) with new Kohler "5-star flush system"
> > > > >>toilets. These toilets are supposed to be good for the environment because
> > > > >>they use less water for each flush. The problem being--over 75% of the time
> > > > >>the toilet has to be flushed at least twice to get everything to go down.
> > > > >>Ours are even worse because they have the elongated bowl, so toilet paper
> > > > >>usually lands in the front of the bowl and then it never gets washed down
> > > > >>with the first flush and even sometines on the second flush. Also, the
> > > > >>consumer isn't given a choice, because the older style toilets using more
> > > > >>water per flush are not available for purchase. You would think that at
> > > > >>some point they would have tested the newer toilets to make sure they were
> > > > >>in fact actually using less water in everyday household use.
>
> > > > >I installed Gerber power flush toilets in my house and they have never
> > > > >failed to clear the bowl on the first flush. That's over 10 years,
> > > > >with 3 children in the house. They were top-rated by Consumer Reports
> > > > >at the time.
>
> > > > >Now there are also conventional flush toilets that are as highly
> > > > >rated. Look at the Toto line.
>
> > > > >Dennis (evil)
>
> > > > We have a Kohler low flush that has always worked fine - over eight
> > > > years now. Could be the model. Could the tank possibly need an
> > > > adjustment?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > We do too, but ours are 1.6 GPF where as some of these newer models
> > > are .8 GPF.
>
> > > Don't know what the OP's is, I believe they also meant "Class 5"
> > > instead of "5 Star" flushing system which is anywhere from 1.28 GPF to
> > > 1.4 GPF.
>
> > No, they meant 5 Star; that's how they're advertised at the big home
> > improvement stores. I've been considering some lately and that's
> > where I've seen the ratings. BTW I like this one toilet that has a
> > dual flush system; 2 buttons on the top, one for #1 and one for #2
> > (decides how much flushing power is needed).- Hide quoted text -
>
> Ok, but one of Kohlers flushing systems is called the "Class Five™
> flushing system".
>
> Kohler doesn't have anything called "5 Star flush system" as stated,
> sounds like something the Home Depot/Lowes uses in store with a lot of
> other products.

That's right and that's where I saw those "star" systems used. Of
course the ratings could be arbitrary based on profit margins, too.

== 2 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 6:22 am
From: Seerialmom

On Nov 10, 9:38 pm, Zar <zahirle...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Nov 11, 7:22 am, Seerialmom <seerial...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Nov 10, 12:52 pm, Siskuwihane <Siskuwiha...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 10, 3:38 pm, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
>
> > > > Dennis wrote:
> > > > >On Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:52:27 -0800, "Annie Woughman"
> > > > ><anniewough...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > >>We did a little remodeling last year and replaced both our older toilets
> > > > >>(ugly colored ones from the 60's) with new Kohler "5-star flush system"
> > > > >>toilets. These toilets are supposed to be good for the environment because
> > > > >>they use less water for each flush. The problem being--over 75% of the time
> > > > >>the toilet has to be flushed at least twice to get everything to go down.
> > > > >>Ours are even worse because they have the elongated bowl, so toilet paper
> > > > >>usually lands in the front of the bowl and then it never gets washed down
> > > > >>with the first flush and even sometines on the second flush. Also, the
> > > > >>consumer isn't given a choice, because the older style toilets using more
> > > > >>water per flush are not available for purchase. You would think that at
> > > > >>some point they would have tested the newer toilets to make sure they were
> > > > >>in fact actually using less water in everyday household use.
>
> > > > >I installed Gerber power flush toilets in my house and they have never
> > > > >failed to clear the bowl on the first flush. That's over 10 years,
> > > > >with 3 children in the house. They were top-rated by Consumer Reports
> > > > >at the time.
>
> > > > >Now there are also conventional flush toilets that are as highly
> > > > >rated. Look at the Toto line.
>
> > > > >Dennis (evil)
>
> > > > We have a Kohler low flush that has always worked fine - over eight
> > > > years now. Could be the model. Could the tank possibly need an
> > > > adjustment?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > We do too, but ours are 1.6 GPF where as some of these newer models
> > > are .8 GPF.
>
> > > Don't know what the OP's is, I believe they also meant "Class 5"
> > > instead of "5 Star" flushing system which is anywhere from 1.28 GPF to
> > > 1.4 GPF.
>
> > No, they meant 5 Star; that's how they're advertised at the big home
> > improvement stores. I've been considering some lately and that's
> > where I've seen the ratings. BTW I like this one toilet that has a
> > dual flush system; 2 buttons on the top, one for #1 and one for #2
> > (decides how much flushing power is needed).- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> This is what we have. You usually press the low flush for pee and the
> stronger plush one other than peeing.

Does it work as well as advertised? I haven't seen them in the big
box stores so I'm presuming I'd have to hit up a specialty retailer.

== 3 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 6:23 am
From: Chris

Annie Woughman wrote:
> We did a little remodeling last year and replaced both our older toilets
> (ugly colored ones from the 60's) with new Kohler "5-star flush system"
> toilets. These toilets are supposed to be good for the environment
> because they use less water for each flush. The problem being--over 75%
> of the time the toilet has to be flushed at least twice to get
> everything to go down.
>

You did not mention this, so I have to ask. My toilet has a short and a
long flush, meaning that if I keep the lever down a second or so it will
discharge more water, usually enough to avoid having to flush again.

If I hit and immediately release the lever it will discharge only about
half of the water in the tank.

May be you should look into this if yours doesn't have the same feature

== 4 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 8:20 am
From: "h"

"John Weiss" <jrweiss@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:gfa7to$l86$1@registered.motzarella.org...
> "Dennis" <dgw80@hotmail.com> wrote...

> Indeed! I bought a Toto Drake (long bowl, ADA height) several years ago.
> It
> worked so well that I replaced all the toilets in my house with them.
> We've
> NEVER required a double-flush, and they are quiet.
>
> Lots of info at http://www.terrylove.com/crtoilet.htm
>

Agreed. I checked out that site when I remodeled a bathroom two years ago. I
got the Toto Drake Ultimate one-piece, and it's 100% better than the old
high-flow toilet we had in there. I found a site that shipped it for free,
overnight, for around $450. In the past two years we have never had to flush
twice, never had to plunge, and it's whisper quiet. The weirdest part is
that the bowl stays much cleaner than the old high flow. What's not to love?
When we build an addition next year both new bathrooms will be getting these
toilets.

== 5 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 11:37 am
From: Wilma6116@gmail.com

I have the old style, lots of water per flush. I am a firm believer
that if it is yellow let it mellow, if it is brown flush it down. I am
willing to bet my per person average toilet water usage is better than
most.

Also, if is red run to the doctor.

== 6 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 11:43 am
From: lisajoe@privacy.net

On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:37:55 -0800 (PST), in misc.consumers.frugal-living
Wilma6116@gmail.com wrote:

>Also, if is red run to the doctor.
>

every month?

== 7 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:01 pm
From: Dennis

On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:29:21 -0500, E Z Peaces <cash@invalid.invalid>
wrote:

>Vortens-Lamosa is a state-of-the-art Mexican manufacturer. Earlier this
>year, apparently the only Vortens-Lamosa toilet sold by Lowes was the
>Pegasus Tulip EL. It has no flapper valve. Tests showed that it would
>get rid of 400 grams in one flush, so it should be adequate for
>households without elephants.

In Mexico the plumbing is so bad that it is customary to put the used
toilet paper in the waste bin in public restrooms rather than flushing
it. My (gringo) friend who worked as a janitor in southern California
was not pleased to learn about this custom first-hand. ;-)

Dennis (evil)
--
"There is a fine line between participation and mockery" - Wally

== 8 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:12 pm
From: joshhemming@fastmail.fm

On Nov 11, 7:22 am, Seerialmom <seerial...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Nov 10, 9:38 pm, Zar <zahirle...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 11, 7:22 am, Seerialmom <seerial...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 10, 12:52 pm, Siskuwihane <Siskuwiha...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > On Nov 10, 3:38 pm, clams_casino <PeterGrif...@DrunkinClam.com> wrote:
>
> > > > > Dennis wrote:
> > > > > >On Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:52:27 -0800, "Annie Woughman"
> > > > > ><anniewough...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > > >>We did a little remodeling last year and replaced both our older toilets
> > > > > >>(ugly colored ones from the 60's) with new Kohler "5-star flush system"
> > > > > >>toilets. These toilets are supposed to be good for the environment because
> > > > > >>they use less water for each flush. The problem being--over 75% of the time
> > > > > >>the toilet has to be flushed at least twice to get everything to go down.
> > > > > >>Ours are even worse because they have the elongated bowl, so toilet paper
> > > > > >>usually lands in the front of the bowl and then it never gets washed down
> > > > > >>with the first flush and even sometines on the second flush. Also, the
> > > > > >>consumer isn't given a choice, because the older style toilets using more
> > > > > >>water per flush are not available for purchase. You would think that at
> > > > > >>some point they would have tested the newer toilets to make sure they were
> > > > > >>in fact actually using less water in everyday household use.
>
> > > > > >I installed Gerber power flush toilets in my house and they have never
> > > > > >failed to clear the bowl on the first flush. That's over 10 years,
> > > > > >with 3 children in the house. They were top-rated by Consumer Reports
> > > > > >at the time.
>
> > > > > >Now there are also conventional flush toilets that are as highly
> > > > > >rated. Look at the Toto line.
>
> > > > > >Dennis (evil)
>
> > > > > We have a Kohler low flush that has always worked fine - over eight
> > > > > years now. Could be the model. Could the tank possibly need an
> > > > > adjustment?- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > We do too, but ours are 1.6 GPF where as some of these newer models
> > > > are .8 GPF.
>
> > > > Don't know what the OP's is, I believe they also meant "Class 5"
> > > > instead of "5 Star" flushing system which is anywhere from 1.28 GPF to
> > > > 1.4 GPF.
>
> > > No, they meant 5 Star; that's how they're advertised at the big home
> > > improvement stores. I've been considering some lately and that's
> > > where I've seen the ratings. BTW I like this one toilet that has a
> > > dual flush system; 2 buttons on the top, one for #1 and one for #2
> > > (decides how much flushing power is needed).- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > This is what we have. You usually press the low flush for pee and the
> > stronger plush one other than peeing.
>
> Does it work as well as advertised? I haven't seen them in the big
> box stores so I'm presuming I'd have to hit up a specialty retailer.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

== 9 of 9 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:53 pm
From: E Z Peaces

Dennis wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:29:21 -0500, E Z Peaces <cash@invalid.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>> Vortens-Lamosa is a state-of-the-art Mexican manufacturer. Earlier this
>> year, apparently the only Vortens-Lamosa toilet sold by Lowes was the
>> Pegasus Tulip EL. It has no flapper valve. Tests showed that it would
>> get rid of 400 grams in one flush, so it should be adequate for
>> households without elephants.
>
> In Mexico the plumbing is so bad that it is customary to put the used
> toilet paper in the waste bin in public restrooms rather than flushing
> it. My (gringo) friend who worked as a janitor in southern California
> was not pleased to learn about this custom first-hand. ;-)
>
> Dennis (evil)

What a backward country! Don't they have handkerchiefs?

In the test, a machine deposits condom-cased "sausages" into the bowl.
Then an engineer drops in four wads of toilet paper. The toilet must be
flushed 9-11 seconds after the paper is dropped.

Lamosa, started in 1890, is said to be the fourth largest manufacturing
company in North America. Their Vortens subsidiary started in 1996.
Maybe they saw a big market for modern plumbing in Mexico. They brag
about low prices, crediting automation.

Of 31 Vortens toilets tested in 2008, one cleared 300 grams, which is
the 95th percentile for North American poops. Ten cleared 350, which is
the 99th percentile. The other twenty cleared more.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: BAGBINGE.COM
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/7c1c18b254594cd8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 6:43 am
From: "Bagbinge.com"

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==============================================================================
TOPIC: Laundry hints and tips
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/6a6dcfdf36423bda?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 8:09 am
From: bummy01@gmail.com

Great Laundry Hints and Tips: http://www.lanuova.co.nz/index.php?page=Hints-and-Tips

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 1:44 pm
From: Al Bundy

On Nov 11, 11:09 am, bumm...@gmail.com wrote:
> Great Laundry Hints and Tips:http://www.lanuova.co.nz/index.php?page=Hints-and-Tips

Somewhat out of necessity, I discovered that I was wasting time and
money using a gas dryer. Now I simply wash and hang. I have provided
enough room to hang everything in one room where I turn a rotating fan
on to speed the process. I wash in the morning and let nature and the
fan do their job. Later, most items can simply be moved on the hangers
to complete the process. I'm saving money, effort, and time folding
stuff.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Skype/Onesuite Versus Comcast Digital Phone
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/415ed0480cf07be8?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 9:33 am
From: Cheapo Groovo

In article <4fb76ead-4540-42a9-bcac-ef0d8437ffe5@
35g2000pry.googlegroups.com>, zahirletap@gmail.com says...
> > Here's another flavor that might work. The same AT&T DSL at $19.95 a
> > month without AT&T phone service.
> > I saw a post from SoCalMike that got me interested in Skype, because
> > he plugs the phone into the router and doesn't have to have the PC on
> > for the phone to ring.
> > Depending on Skype costs and whether it will work with the AT&T DSL
> > package I mentioned, it might be better than going all AT&T.
> > We prefer having a few phones in the house and I don't know if that's
> > practical with the Skype setup. We could go to one phone though.
> > Haven't even got around to looking at OneSuite yet.
> > Anyway, I'm interested in any comments about this, especially from
> > those with experience in what I discussed.
> > Really not sure about the DSL, which I have never had, and how
> > suitable it is when using Skype or OneSuite.
> > TIA,
> >
> > --Vic
>
> Getting an all voip service to replace your landline depends on how
> you use your phone. If you have a mobile phone then its safe to do but
> if the voip service is all you got then its quite risky as voip
> depends on internet and power. Either one of those fail then you will
> have no phone service at all. Comparing Onesuite and Skype has its own
> pros and cons. I use Onesuite in favor of Skype because its better for
> my calling habits. SkypeIn is $18/3 mos or $60/year (http://
> www.skype.com/prices/) which you get a phone number and unlimited
> calls to landlines in US. You need to buy a Skype credit to call other
> numbers (mobile phones or international numbers).
>
> For Onesuite voip (http://www.onesuite.com/access_VOIP.asp) you pay
> $2.95 a month if you want a voip phone number and outgoing calls are
> pay as you go basis.If you will just use it for outgoing calls then
> you don't need a phone number then you can skip the $2.95 a month fee.
> You may also request to port your current number fro free to your
> Onesuite voip account if you want to retain your current phone number.
> On top of that, your account is also good for their prepaid phone card
> service (which is their main product) which comes handy if you find
> yourself with no internet connection but with phones around
> (payphones, house phone, etc)
>
> If you intend to use a voip service, then I suggest you check your DSL
> speed as voip will work better on 512kbps connection but can get away
> with only 384kbps connection but don't expect a good call quality all
> the time.
>
>
Just use the MagiJack

http://cheapogroovo.vox.com/library/post/phone-service-for-1995-a-
month.html

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Evading parking tickets
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/42a5ea644e061d72?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 10:35 am
From: "Bruce C. Miller"

I've gotten two parking tickets yesterday, both for expired license
plate tags. Normally, I'd give in and pay it, but since the expired
plates are from Pennsylvania and I moved to Virginia a year ago, I'm
thinking that if they tried to send a bill to my old address, it would
be returned to sender. I never got valid Virginia license plates, so
tracking me to my current address might not be easy.

Anyone tried to evade parking tickets or have a good reason to think I
might be able to get away without paying these? Together they are $80,
so it'd be nice to keep my hard-earned money, not to mention I'd hate
to see money going to a local government that hassles people with
stupid stuff like this.

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 11:29 am
From: Wilma6116@gmail.com

On Nov 11, 10:35 am, "Bruce C. Miller" <bm3...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've gotten two parking tickets yesterday, both for expired license
> plate tags. Normally, I'd give in and pay it, but since the expired
> plates are from Pennsylvania and I moved to Virginia a year ago, I'm
> thinking that if they tried to send a bill to my old address, it would
> be returned to sender. I never got valid Virginia license plates, so
> tracking me to my current address might not be easy.
>
> Anyone tried to evade parking tickets or have a good reason to think I
> might be able to get away without paying these? Together they are $80,
> so it'd be nice to keep my hard-earned money, not to mention I'd hate
> to see money going to a local government that hassles people with
> stupid stuff like this.

I at one time had more than 100 parking tickets all on the streets of
Los Angeles with a car that had expired Pennsylvania tags. I think
they may have got me for felony parking.

First thing is hide the tickets, you don't want some unrelated
incident to lead to the discovery that you are a scoflaw.

Next was I had to be careful getting in my car in the morning. I would
look carefully to see if maybe their was a police officer nearby
waiting to arrest me. Sometimes paranoia is a good thing.

Then, one must drive carefully. If the police are suspicious of you
they will run your plates and find you have no respect for laws, not a
good first impression with the po-po.

Lastly, you can never sell your car or register it. States do talk to
each other and before you can register or reregister the car they are
going to make you pay. Ride you car until it is junk.

I remember the day I said goodby to my car with more than 100 parking
tickets. The period to pay the infractions had passed and each ticket
ballooned in price, what was once a $25 ticket had now become
something like $100. I was tired of running and looking over my
shoulder. I removed the tickets, anything that could be traced back to
me and or my name, and for good measure I wiped down the interior to
remove any fingerprints. With a tear in my eye I bid fond farewell to
the car that served me so well over the years and left it on the curb.

I had left the car on the street in front of my apartment complex. It
continued to gather parking tickets. It grew dirty and the tires went
flat. Some one had broke a window and stole the radio that never
really worked right. I remember thinking, what an eyesore, I wish the
city wouldn't allow junk on the streets.

Then one day the inevitable happend; the car was removed and a load
was lifted from my heart. I promised my new car I would never allow it
to get a ticket and if it did, I would stand up and pay it right away.

Of course all this was before computers and The Denver Boot. Today
they know if you have a certain number of unpaid parking tickets and
then they boot it.

There is a difference between frugal and cheap. Get your cheap ass in
gear, pay the ticket, register your car and become a contributing part
of society

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 11:48 am
From: zzyzzx

Pay up, deadbeat!

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:04 pm
From: "Bruce C. Miller"

On Nov 11, 2:29 pm, Wilma6...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Nov 11, 10:35 am, "Bruce C. Miller" <bm3...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> There is a difference between frugal and cheap. Get your cheap ass in
> gear, pay the ticket, register your car and become a contributing part
> of society

I have zero shame in being cheap or a non-contributing member of
society.

I'll pay it, but I'll make a note to destroy some government property
equal to around $80 in value sometime in the future to make up for it.
It's only fair, after all.

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:56 pm
From: curly'q

Bruce C. Miller wrote:
> On Nov 11, 2:29 pm, Wilma6...@gmail.com wrote:
>> On Nov 11, 10:35 am, "Bruce C. Miller" <bm3...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> There is a difference between frugal and cheap. Get your cheap ass in
>> gear, pay the ticket, register your car and become a contributing part
>> of society
>
> I have zero shame in being cheap or a non-contributing member of
> society.
>
> I'll pay it, but I'll make a note to destroy some government property
> equal to around $80 in value sometime in the future to make up for it.
> It's only fair, after all.

There is no government property worth $80.00

The lowest priced item is a single round wooden toothpick and they start
at 97.50

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Can I drop AT&T Long Distance, Keep Local?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/f4018914d4032866?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:34 pm
From: joshhemming@fastmail.fm

I've been paying around $5.00 a month in fees and taxes just for the
priviledge of having AT&T Long Distance service on my land line. I
never use their LD service, preferring to use prepaid calling cards
instead. I'd like to drop the long distance part of my AT&T phone
service to save those wasted bucks, but keep the land line for local
calls and continue using calling cards for LD. But I'm not sure it's
possible:

If there is no long distance service for my land line, can I still
call toll-free 1-(8xx) numbers from it? I have to first call one of
those 800 numbers to place a calling card call.

And I'm assuming if I only have local service on my land line, I can
still RECEIVE long distance calls....is this correct?

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 1:38 pm
From: Al Bundy

joshhemm...@fastmail.fm wrote:
> I've been paying around $5.00 a month in fees and taxes just for the
> priviledge of having AT&T Long Distance service on my land line. I
> never use their LD service, preferring to use prepaid calling cards
> instead. I'd like to drop the long distance part of my AT&T phone
> service to save those wasted bucks, but keep the land line for local
> calls and continue using calling cards for LD. But I'm not sure it's
> possible:
>
> If there is no long distance service for my land line, can I still
> call toll-free 1-(8xx) numbers from it? I have to first call one of
> those 800 numbers to place a calling card call.
>
> And I'm assuming if I only have local service on my land line, I can
> still RECEIVE long distance calls....is this correct?

Sure you can. I have done that for as long as possible. When I need to
make a LD call out I use one of those 10-10 dial-arounds. The rates
are pretty good. Incoming calls are not affected by not taking the
AT&T LD. I also use the old pulse dial system, known as rotary. My
phone has buttons and dials the pulse. If the destination has a menu
that requires a touch tone phone, I switch the phone to tone instead
of pulse and the menu options work fine. I switch back after the
call.
The phone companies like to charge more for touch tone service when it
actually saves them money over accepting a pulse. They are caught in a
marketing conundrum and can't/won't change it. I suppose they could
continue to charge extra for the touch tone and a premium over that
for rotary service. Please don't give them any ideas. They are
overpaid already.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Old MAD magazine: "Middle Class Poverty is......
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/54aa6aa3d50dab69?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:38 pm
From: lenona321@yahoo.com

Unfortunately, I can't remember more than two quotes, since this is
from more than 20 years ago.

"Middle Class Poverty is........not being able to yell at your son's
long hair because you can't afford the haircut."

"Middle Class Poverty is........getting compliments from your friends
on your antiques when you never knew you owned any antiques."

If anyone remembers more, do tell.

Lenona.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: MacLean Magazine cover story: "Frugality. It's the new frivolity."
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/eeffbcde33755ab7?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:46 pm
From: lenona321@yahoo.com

It's five pages long. For those who don't know, MacLean is a Canadian
weekly magazine.

http://www.macleans.ca/business/economy/article.jsp?content=20081022_87650_87650

Excerpt:

"It's not just the planet; it turns out when times are tough and
unemployment is on the rise, people actually get healthier too. It
sounds counterintuitive, admits Christopher Ruhm, an economics
professor at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, a researcher
who has conducted several studies over the last decade into the
phenomenon. But his research has found people tend to dramatically
overhaul their lifestyles during economic downturns, for the better.
'This goes against what people might first think, but my work has
found that when an economy weakens people are less obese and exercise
more. They drink less, smoke less, and have healthier habits than when
times are good.' For instance, in a 2000 study Ruhm found that a one
per cent rise in unemployment reduces the mortality rate by 0.5 per
cent. There are a number of factors at play. For one thing, when an
economy booms, smog levels typically rise, leading to an increase in
coronary heart disease. Roads get clogged with transport trucks and
commuters, and traffic fatalities rise. A downturn slows the economy,
but also all of those side effects. It's worth noting that California
has seen a significant drop in highway traffic around its major cities
as a result of soaring gas prices."

(end)

Here's a more cynical view of the simple life, which mentions the
above article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081028.COWENT28/TPStory/National

Lenona.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: MSN: "9 big credit card myths"
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/browse_thread/thread/19c223f683a62ddb?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Tues, Nov 11 2008 12:48 pm
From: lenona321@yahoo.com

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/CreditCardSmarts/9BigCreditCardMyths.aspx

There were a couple of things I hadn't thought of. Though I don't
usually have to think about anything they talk about, since, like so
many here, I hate spending.

Lenona.

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

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Frugal Living

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

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