Frugal Living: misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 8 topics

Monday, January 12, 2009

misc.consumers.frugal-living - 25 new messages in 8 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: Couponclippers.com?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/479a768fe15c093e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 9:35 am
From: tweeny90655@mypacks.net

On Jan 12, 12:28 pm, Stray Dog <sdog2...@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
> My wife has perfected the "coupon racket" to the point that she saves us
> $50-100 a month on food bills.

But, how much DO you spend on food in a month, and how many mouths are
you feeding? And how much of that couponed stuff is just junk?

once she went into the grocery story, came
> out with a bag of stuff and more money than when she walked in (when they
> "double" or "triple" coupons,

I'd like to know where these doubling and tripling store are located.
None in MY area, for sure.

== 2 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 9:55 am
From: itsjoannotjoann@webtv.net

On Jan 12, 11:28 am, Stray Dog <sdog2...@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
>
>
> Your local newspapers should have coupons, too.
>
>
I stopped my subscription to our local Sunday paper about 6 weeks ago,
therefore I don't have access to the coupons. And many times there
*might* be 3 or 4 coupons that were useable for my needs. I don't buy
something just because it has a coupon.
> My wife has perfected the "coupon racket" to the point that she saves us
> $50-100 a month on food bills. once she went into the grocery story, came
> out with a bag of stuff and more money than when she walked in (when they
> "double" or "triple" coupons, sometimes the result is more than the price
> of the stuff, so you get money back).
>
>
Very rarely have I ever been in the situation where the items I am
buying ends up free, I just see a savings on double coupons.
>
>
> Also, remember that when you get the Sunday papers, they are full of
> coupons, too. Sit in the car and look through what they are selling at X%
> off. If you need it, then go back into the store and buy one or two more
> copies of the same newspaper to get extra coupons that will save you more
> than the price of the paper.
>
>
Buying another paper to just to get the coupons defeats the purpose of
the coupon. The Sunday paper here is around $2.00 and buying two or
more copies to get the coupons would run me around $6 or more. NO
savings there on coupons and I don't need nor use Pampers, Iams
dogfood, Gerber babyfood, sugar laden/over priced snacks, etc., etc.
Coupon clipping is great if it's used wisely but buying 6 bottles of
kosher dill pickles because I have a coupon is a waste of money and
storage space.

== 3 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 10:02 am
From: Evelyn Leeper

tweeny90655@mypacks.net wrote:
> On Jan 12, 12:28 pm, Stray Dog <sdog2...@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
>> My wife has perfected the "coupon racket" to the point that she saves us
>> $50-100 a month on food bills.
>
> But, how much DO you spend on food in a month, and how many mouths are
> you feeding? And how much of that couponed stuff is just junk?

I find that buying the store brand is usually a much better deal than
using coupons. For me, the big savings are in January (and now also
July) when Shop-Rite has their "can-can" sale. For example, canned
mushrooms and canned beans for fifty cents a can. (Yes, I know dried
are cheaper, but they take much longer and often make too much for two
people.) Canned tuna was about 85 cents a can, as were the pouches.

> once she went into the grocery story, came
>> out with a bag of stuff and more money than when she walked in (when they
>> "double" or "triple" coupons,
>
> I'd like to know where these doubling and tripling store are located.
> None in MY area, for sure.

Here (in Central NJ) they double, but not triple. They used to triple
in western Massachusetts; I'm not sure if they still do.

In any case, I think they limit the discount to the value of the item,
and won't double any coupon of $1 or more.

--
Evelyn C. Leeper
Be braver. You cannot cross a chasm in two small jumps.

== 4 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 10:34 am
From: James

I tried it years ago but ended up with a bunch of stuff that I never
used.

== 5 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 11:26 am
From: Stray Dog

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009, tweeny90655@mypacks.net wrote:

> Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:35:42 -0800 (PST)
> From: tweeny90655@mypacks.net
> Newsgroups: misc.consumers.frugal-living
> Subject: Re: Couponclippers.com?
>
> On Jan 12, 12:28 pm, Stray Dog <sdog2...@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
>> My wife has perfected the "coupon racket" to the point that she saves us
>> $50-100 a month on food bills.
>
> But, how much DO you spend on food in a month, and how many mouths are
> you feeding? And how much of that couponed stuff is just junk?

Just two of us, but stuff we stock up on (toilet paper, freezer bags, lots
of things, garbage bags, etc.). Anything that makes sense.

You do have to watch for them. If you have not a lot of stores in your
area, then they don't need to compete with each other. Here we have a
number of major chains and that stimulates competition.

She also watches hard for sales, particularly on meats. A lot of her
savings are on that, too, where they knock a few bucks off per pound of
whatever.

She also bought a bread machine, now about 20 years old (panasonic) and,
believe it or not, still works. Makes a small loaf of bread for 20 cents
worth of flour, etc (she gets all components on sales, coupans), makes
kits (all compoents pre mixed, and stored in refrig/freezer, until
needed). We (she) did have to replace the teeflon coated insert for where
the stuff goes and gets mixed because the surface deteriorates over time
and then the baked loaf doesn't fall out easily. But, that fresh bread and
smell and taste are worth a million bucks. Been going through about 3-4
loaves a week on that bread meachine, continuously, for the last 20 years.

== 6 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 11:30 am
From: Stray Dog

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009, itsjoannotjoann@webtv.net wrote:

> Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:55:24 -0800 (PST)
> From: itsjoannotjoann@webtv.net
> Newsgroups: misc.consumers.frugal-living
> Subject: Re: Couponclippers.com?
>
> On Jan 12, 11:28 am, Stray Dog <sdog2...@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Your local newspapers should have coupons, too.
>>
>>
> I stopped my subscription to our local Sunday paper about 6 weeks ago,
> therefore I don't have access to the coupons. And many times there
> *might* be 3 or 4 coupons that were useable for my needs. I don't buy
> something just because it has a coupon.

Sometimes, you can find papers in public libraries, laying around in
restaurants, pub transportation, etc.

Sometimes, in convenience stores on mondays, after the sunday paper is
obsolete, they cut off the title page to get credit, and the rest of the
paper is dumped in the garbage. If you get my drift.

>> My wife has perfected the "coupon racket" to the point that she saves us
>> $50-100 a month on food bills. once she went into the grocery story, came
>> out with a bag of stuff and more money than when she walked in (when they
>> "double" or "triple" coupons, sometimes the result is more than the price
>> of the stuff, so you get money back).
>>
>>
> Very rarely have I ever been in the situation where the items I am
> buying ends up free, I just see a savings on double coupons.

I leave it to her to decide. Me? I fix the computers and keep the techie
stuff working, she doesn't understand that stuff, but she is great on the
couponing stuff (also the thrift store, watching sales, etc).

>>
>> Also, remember that when you get the Sunday papers, they are full of
>> coupons, too. Sit in the car and look through what they are selling at X%
>> off. If you need it, then go back into the store and buy one or two more
>> copies of the same newspaper to get extra coupons that will save you more
>> than the price of the paper.
>>
>>
> Buying another paper to just to get the coupons defeats the purpose of
> the coupon. The Sunday paper here is around $2.00 and buying two or
> more copies to get the coupons would run me around $6 or more. NO
> savings there on coupons and I don't need nor use Pampers, Iams
> dogfood, Gerber babyfood, sugar laden/over priced snacks, etc., etc.
> Coupon clipping is great if it's used wisely but buying 6 bottles of
> kosher dill pickles because I have a coupon is a waste of money and
> storage space.

When it works, she gets much more than the price of the papers.

>
>

== 7 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 11:32 am
From: Stray Dog

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009, James wrote:

> Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:34:20 -0800 (PST)
> From: James <j0069bond@hotmail.com>
> Newsgroups: misc.consumers.frugal-living
> Subject: Re: Couponclippers.com?
>
> I tried it years ago but ended up with a bunch of stuff that I never
> used.
>
>

You have to follow your own draconian rule that you only buy what _you_
need, not what _the store_ wants you to need.

== 8 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 1:44 pm
From: itsjoannotjoann@webtv.net

On Jan 12, 1:26 pm, Stray Dog <sdog2...@sdf.lonestar.org> wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Jan 2009, tweeny90...@mypacks.net wrote:
>
>
> Just two of us, but stuff we stock up on (toilet paper, freezer bags, lots
> of things, garbage bags, etc.). Anything that makes sense.
>
>
Yes, the toilet paper, paper towels, laundry and dishwashing
detergents are some of the best bargains, for me. You're gonna need
those things eventually, and they don't spoil, so they are good items
to stock up on.
>
>
> > once she went into the grocery story, came
> >> out with a bag of stuff and more money than when she walked in (when they
> >> "double" or "triple" coupons,
>
> > I'd like to know where these doubling and tripling store are located.
> > None in MY area, for sure.
>
> You do have to watch for them. If you have not a lot of stores in your
> area, then they don't need to compete with each other. Here we have a
> number of major chains and that stimulates competition.
>
>
There is one store here, Harris Teeter that will triple coupons up to
99 cents and I only shop there when I'm at work. It's a 25 mile round
trip from my house so no big savings if that were my number shopping
store.
>
>
> She also watches hard for sales, particularly on meats. A lot of her
> savings are on that, too, where they knock a few bucks off per pound of
> whatever.
>
>
Yes, the meat sales, and particularly the marked down meat that has
been in the display case 4 or 5 days can save a nice chunk of change!

The only coupon place I ever was dissatified with was "Carol Wright."
You filled out a questionnaire of sorts as to the type of coupons you
wanted. What a joke, they sent everything but what I wanted. I
wanted catfood coupons and I got dogfood coupons. They sent baby
stuff galore, but no baby here, etc. I was quite disappointed and
finally got off that stupid list and have received others from that
site through the mail and I got burned once, not again!

== 9 of 9 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 2:09 pm
From: "JonquilJan"

James <j0069bond@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0d61b8c0-c8b4-44ea-be7c-f45357b26399@e1g2000pra.googlegroups.com...
> I tried it years ago but ended up with a bunch of stuff that I never
> used.
>

With couponclippers.com you select only the coupons you want - and that you
have use for. You can get the coupons in quantity - some have a limit and
some you must get 5 - but you still only get what you can use.

As said before, I have dealt with them for years and have saved hundreds of
dollars. About 35% off my grocery bills. The grocery in my area (would
have to travel 15 miles to another) will double coupons under $1 - but not
more than the cost of the item. That still means I get some things for free
(not a lot but some) and many more half off. Have to watch and be very
aware of the local prices - and brand names stocked - and watch what is on
sale. Recently - toilet paper was on sale - a 4 pack for $2.99. I
immediately ordered ten coupons from couponclippers.com - for 75 cents off.
Since they ship within a week - I got the coupons - and used them - before
the sale was over. So just a bit over half off - and I stocked up on TP.

You just have to be aware of what you want - what the stores stock - and
watch the adds.

JonquilJan

Learn something new every day
As long as you are learning, you are living
When you stop learning, you start dying

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Coffee Filters--who knew?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/b66c409cbb4be451?hl=en
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== 1 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 9:39 am
From: Jamie

On Jan 12, 12:34 am, Dan Birchall <nob...@imaginary-
host.danbirchall.com> wrote:
> Quite the list. Best, of course, if coffee filters happen to be
> insanely cheap compared to all the other things that might be used
> to do the jobs. :)
>
> (I have no idea if they are - I don't drink coffee.)
>
> --http://ChocoLocate.com/- The Chocolate Lovers' Page, established 1994.

I don't drink coffee either, I should add.

== 2 of 2 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 2:40 pm
From: hchickpea@hotmail.com

On Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:17:48 -0800 (PST), Jamie
<jannghi@ihollister.net> wrote:

>4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a
>wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

In a pinch, I guess. Tried this very thing a little while back and
the sediment clogged the filter almost immediately.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: classic Mobile Home q.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/64184a7b40f05c3d?hl=en
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== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 9:44 am
From: tweeny90655@mypacks.net

On Jan 9, 12:15 am, doc marten <georgewks...@humboldt1.com> wrote:
> we have a '59 Rex Mobile home and we love it. but I was curious.
> why does it have complete running lights , two permanent axles , electric
> brakes and hitch .

Prob. too expensive to remove that gear?

Wasn't it towed to its location at one time?

If you are not on your own property, you may want to move it someday.

It is 45 x 10 ?
> No ones going traveling with this monster. It's a long , long long
> trailer. It features a lot on built ins. like cabinets and a full
> kitchen not the construction office type.

Just be sure you are always ready and able to get out of that
firetrap - they can be history in minutes.

== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 11:58 am
From: The Real Bev

tweeny90655@mypacks.net wrote:

> On Jan 9, 12:15 am, doc marten <georgewks...@humboldt1.com> wrote:
>> we have a '59 Rex Mobile home and we love it. but I was curious.
>> why does it have complete running lights , two permanent axles , electric
>> brakes and hitch .
>
> Prob. too expensive to remove that gear?

If you remove those it may become a house and you'll have to pay property tax on
it -- generally more than what it costs to license a trailer.

--
Cheers, Bev
<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
Some mornings it's just not worth chewing through the straps.

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 1:41 pm
From: BigDog1

On Jan 10, 7:54 am, Siskuwihane <Siskuwiha...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Jan 9, 8:06 pm, MSfort...@mcpmail.com wrote:
>
> > On Jan 9, 12:15 am, doc marten <georgewks...@humboldt1.com> wrote:
>
> > > we have a '59 Rex Mobile home and we love it. but I was curious.
> > > why does it have complete running lights , two permanent axles , electric
> > > brakes and hitch . It is 45 x 10 ?
> > > No ones going traveling with this monster. It's a long , long long
> > > trailer. It features a lot on built ins. like cabinets and a full
> > > kitchen not the construction office type.
> > > --
> > > When the Power of Love,replaces the Love of Power.
> > > that's Evolution.
>
> > You are truly living life large, Doc.
> > That's 450 square feet not counting the deduction for partitions and
> > the 1" wall thickness, kitchen cabinets and such.
>
> What's wrong with living in a home that only has the area you need and
> not the area needed to impress the neighbors?
>
> Heating and cooling costs would be reduced along with the associated
> energy used to produce them.
> Raw materials used to build them would be reduced. Less "stuff' would
> be needed to fill them. Less space would be needed to site them.
>
> Sounds like a good thing to me.

I lived in one of those things for a couple of years back in the late
60s. Same size and vintage as OPs. It cost three or four times to
heat and cool as the 1800 sq ft home I moved into. They're not very
well insulated, and aren't the least bit energy efficient. Sometimes
like living in a cardboard box.

There's a lot to be said for a well built, well insulated small
house. But this ain't it.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Cheap doesn't mean frugal.
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/236d9191f133039a?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 10:37 am
From: James

I bought 4 chickens because they were on sale for 69 cents a pound.
Now I like dark meat better and can get leg quarters for the same
price. So I got the better deal but will probably enjoy it less.

== 2 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 10:45 am
From: Omelet

In article
<ce89f2c7-3056-467b-a6d9-958da52c72c4@i24g2000prf.googlegroups.com>,
James <j0069bond@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I bought 4 chickens because they were on sale for 69 cents a pound.
> Now I like dark meat better and can get leg quarters for the same
> price. So I got the better deal but will probably enjoy it less.

Just make chicken salad out of the breast meat!

Works for me.....
--
Peace! Om

"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once." -- Anonymous

== 3 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 11:25 am
From: aem

On Jan 12, 10:37 am, James <j0069b...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I bought 4 chickens because they were on sale for 69 cents a pound.
> Now I like dark meat better and can get leg quarters for the same
> price. So I got the better deal but will probably enjoy it less.

At least with whole chickens you can bone them properly. These "leg
quarters" they sell always have the hip bone and bits of the back
attached, which are just scrap for the stockpot. One thing you can do
is bone out the breasts and save them for chicken stirfrys. Toss the
breast bones/ribcage into the stockpot. -aem

== 4 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 11:58 am
From: "cybercat"

"aem" <aem_again@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:066c4e18-8b8a-47db-a503-a17d8b868f4c@g3g2000pre.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 12, 10:37 am, James <j0069b...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> I bought 4 chickens because they were on sale for 69 cents a pound.
>> Now I like dark meat better and can get leg quarters for the same
>> price. So I got the better deal but will probably enjoy it less.
>
> At least with whole chickens you can bone them properly. These "leg
> quarters" they sell always have the hip bone and bits of the back
> attached, which are just scrap for the stockpot. One thing you can do
> is bone out the breasts and save them for chicken stirfrys. Toss the
> breast bones/ribcage into the stockpot. -aem

I scored two very fresh looking chickens yesterday for 59 cents a pound. The
limit was two. We like a mix of white and dark meat in most dishes.

== 5 of 5 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 1:54 pm
From: Nancy2

On Jan 12, 12:37 pm, James <j0069b...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I bought 4 chickens because they were on sale for 69 cents a pound.
> Now I like dark meat better and can get leg quarters for the same
> price. So I got the better deal but will probably enjoy it less.

Actually, frugal doesn't mean cheap. Frugal means using everything,
not just the best bits. Or sort of.

The Frugal Gourmet didn't buy cheap ingredients - but he promoted the
idea of using all the bits of whatever he bought.

==============================================================================
TOPIC: Most effective grease removal from clothes?
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/50e041b05a439b9e?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 10:38 am
From: Pat in NJ

brassplyer wrote:
> Grease stains seem to be really tenacious. Thinking primarily
> petroleum-based grease - automotive etc. Anyone found a product or
> combination of products a/or methods that's really effective getting
> it out without damaging the cloth?

I use lestoil. It doesn't smell good but it does the job

Pat in NJ

==============================================================================
TOPIC: OT - Survivalism Retail Style
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/da641b3711ca2726?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 12:35 pm
From: Curly Surmudgeon

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:24:36 +0000, EskWIRED wrote:

> In misc.survivalism Curly Surmudgeon <CurlySurmudgeon@live.com> wrote:
>> On Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:05:18 +0000, EskWIRED wrote:
>
>> > In misc.survivalism Curly Surmudgeon <CurlySurmudgeon@live.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >> "House prices" wasn't in the statement to which I responded nor are
>> >> they a component of official inflation figures.
>> >
>> > Curly - your ignorance of facts colors your conclusions.
>
>> Fuck you and your insults.
>
> It was't an insult, it was a suggestion.

Bulllshit, it was a ad homenim. It's even wrong as proven below so, fuck
you and the horse you rode in on.

> Your response doesn't change
> the fact that housing is one of the eight categories specifically
> included in CPI.

Bullshit again, you're twisting under scrutiny. The issue was, and is,
"House prices" not "housing." By snipping you are removing history and
attempting to morph the thread. Stop snipping, it's deceitful.

>> > Look at the BLS website. Indeed, housing is one of the eight major
>> > groups of products and services that is considered when computing the
>> > number.
>> >
>> > I can find a more precise cite if that would help you.

Yes, find a federal cite that shows "house prices" to be part of the
CPI. I've already shown that real estate is specifically eliminated as
part but you deceitfully snipped that. Here it is again:

"The CPI does not include investment items, such as stocks, bonds, real
estate, and life insurance. (These items relate to savings and not to day-
to-day consumption expenses.)"

>> I'm well aware of the real figures, not your opinion:
>
>> * HOUSING (rent of primary residence, owners' equivalent rent, fuel
>> oil, bedroom furniture)
>
>
>> The closest the CPI gets to "home prices" is rent which is barely a
>> correlation to a very long term moving average.
>
> The figure you want is "owners' equivalent rent". I haven't looked into
> it in detail, but likely it is some sort of opportunity cost number,
> relevant to a homeowner who is choosing between staying put in his
> expensive home, or selling it in order to be able to buy other stuff.
>
> BTW, there was no need to post the irrelevant categories from the BLS
> site, so I snipped them.

Yes, there was a need to post all categories for they disproved your
allegation above. "House prices" are not, were not, won't be, part of
the CPI despite your insults.

And your snippage is deceitful for it removes the context and pertinent
text:

"The CPI does not include investment items, such as stocks, bonds, real
estate, and life insurance. (These items relate to savings and not to day-
to-day consumption expenses.)"

As you will see, "real estate" is specifically exempted, NOT part of the
CPI. Yet you snip this out and continue to assert bullshit.

You are a very poor lawyer. Sneaky and deceitful, as lawyers are
trained, but very poor none the less. When an untrained layman can rip
your lies to shreds you've failed utterly.

I've actually agreed with some of your screeds and gone easily but now
the gloves come off. Unethical behavior, lies and treachery, can never
be tolerated.

Do not take the liberty of snipping my postings and misrepresenting what
the snipped text said. Your insults and assertions have been proven
false and your lack of ethics repudiated.

"The CPI does not include investment items, such as stocks, bonds, *REAL*
*ESTATE*, and life insurance. (These items relate to savings and not to
day-to-day consumption expenses.)" [emphasis added]

http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpifaq.htm#Question_1

--
Regards, Curly
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Republicans: http://chan.stanleylieber.com/n/thumb/1231702816044s.jpg
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== 2 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 1:57 pm
From: EskWIRED@spamblock.panix.com

In misc.survivalism Curly Surmudgeon <CurlySurmudgeon@live.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:24:36 +0000, EskWIRED wrote:

> Yes, find a federal cite that shows "house prices" to be part of the
> CPI.

You are correct that the raw median average house prices are not reflected
in CPI. I misundersood the reference to house prices, and took it to mean
housing prices.

> > BTW, there was no need to post the irrelevant categories from the BLS
> > site, so I snipped them.

> Yes, there was a need to post all categories for they disproved your
> allegation above.

Wouldn't it be clearer to just say: I think you are mistaking what I am
talking about. I meant ____.

> I've actually agreed with some of your screeds and gone easily but now
> the gloves come off. Unethical behavior, lies and treachery, can never
> be tolerated.

Wow! Treachery? Cool!

--
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so
certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
-- Bertrand Russel

== 3 of 3 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 2:11 pm
From: Bob Brock

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:57:47 +0000 (UTC), EskWIRED@spamblock.panix.com
wrote:

>In misc.survivalism Curly Surmudgeon <CurlySurmudgeon@live.com> wrote:
>> On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:24:36 +0000, EskWIRED wrote:
>
>> Yes, find a federal cite that shows "house prices" to be part of the
>> CPI.
>
>You are correct that the raw median average house prices are not reflected
>in CPI. I misundersood the reference to house prices, and took it to mean
>housing prices.
>
>
>
>> > BTW, there was no need to post the irrelevant categories from the BLS
>> > site, so I snipped them.
>
>> Yes, there was a need to post all categories for they disproved your
>> allegation above.
>
>Wouldn't it be clearer to just say: I think you are mistaking what I am
>talking about. I meant ____.
>
>
>
>
>> I've actually agreed with some of your screeds and gone easily but now
>> the gloves come off. Unethical behavior, lies and treachery, can never
>> be tolerated.
>
>Wow! Treachery? Cool!

Yeah, but how did you like my prediction of the exact month that the
stock market drop? Really cool huh?

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== 1 of 1 ==
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TOPIC: Save Money By Rethinking Your TV, Internet And Phone Needs
http://groups.google.com/group/misc.consumers.frugal-living/t/5b96a58f8901a1f2?hl=en
==============================================================================

== 1 of 1 ==
Date: Mon, Jan 12 2009 1:57 pm
From: Too_Many_Tools

Your thoughts?

TMT

Save Money By Rethinking Your TV, Internet And Phone Needs
CHICAGO -- The shaky economy is putting many Americans in saving mode.
One place people might look to trim their budgets: monthly Internet,
TV and phone bills.

According to research from Consumer Reports, competition for cable and
satellite customers between AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS high-speed
fiber providers has driven down rates for Internet, phone and TV
service.

All types of Internet/TV/phone-service bundles have dropped in cost by
up to 20% over the past year, to as low as $80 a month, according to
the research. And although promotional rates are usually applicable
for the first one or two years, providers are reluctant to raise rates
after the period is up -- especially in competitive markets.

For households that use all three services, bundling often provides a
better deal than purchasing services a la carte, and often will come
with extras such as free installation, the research found. Still, some
consumers are finding they don't need all three services, especially
if they can find decent substitutes and trim bills at the same time.

"When times are good, we tend to put our finances on automatic pilot,"
said Gail Cunningham, spokeswoman for the National Foundation for
Credit Counseling. Today, consumers are becoming a lot more thoughtful
with their spending decisions -- and even small cuts in monthly bills
can make a huge difference over the course of a year.

Make sure, however, that whatever changes you make to your budget are
right for your family's lifestyle and can be sustainable over the long
term, Cunningham said.

"Don't go cold turkey," she said. Instead, focus on changes that are
harder to notice. If you have a choice, "cutting back is always better
than cutting out," she said.

Decide what you need

More people are dropping their landlines and relying entirely on their
cell phones, Cunningham said. Dumping an unlimited local calling plan
from AT&T, for example, could save about $20, according to pricing
information on the company's Web site.

But if you decide to eliminate a landline to cut costs, make sure you
have a cell-phone plan with enough minutes to handle all of your
calls, Cunningham said. Those interested in keeping a landline only
for emergencies should make sure they subscribe to the most bare-bones
option available.

Others are scaling back cable lineups and turning to DVD services like
Netflix and streaming online video to fill the gap, said Marc Hedlund,
CEO of the personal finance site Wesabe.com.

Visitors in forums on Wesabe.com aren't necessarily talking about
sacrificing services they're used to -- they're discussing how to
replace higher cost services with less expensive ones, Hedlund said.
"Essentially, they're coming up with substitutes, some of which might
be free or lower cost, that in better times we might not think twice
about," he said.

Unlimited DVD packages from Netflix start as low as $8.99 a month, and
include unlimited streaming videos that can be watched on a computer
or on a television, according to Netflix.com. (To watch the streaming
movies on TV, a connection device is necessary, which could require an
added upfront charge.)

In the Chicago area, for example, there's a $50 difference between the
promotional monthly rates of the lowest and highest priced digital
packages offered through Comcast, according to its Web site. In this
scenario, scaling back a cable plan from the biggest to the smallest
and adding a Netflix subscription could save a family about $41 a
month.

And don't overpay for Internet speed: Consumer Reports recommends the
typical 5 megabits per second download and 1 Mbps upload speeds for
most users. Unless you're doing a lot of downloading or sharing
lengthy videos, anything more may be a waste of money.

Comparison shop

Before calling your provider in an effort to cut your bill, take a
look around the Web to see what specials are available from all the
providers in your area, including cable, satellite, DSL and fiber-
optic service. Sites including WhiteFence.com can help consumers
compare rates for services side by side, but Consumer Reports
recommends also going to the companies' own sites to check for the
best deals.

It's a good idea to ask a customer representative if the price that is
quoted is the best available offer. Sometimes representatives of the
same company can even quote different rates, according to the Consumer
Reports, so it might be wise to check back again.

"If you want to be sure about it, ask for a sample bill and make sure
it matches up," said Donato Vaccaro, associate director of survey
research for Consumer Reports National Research Center. Confirm taxes
and fees, as well as one-time expenses.

Do some haggling

It costs advertising dollars to reel in new customers, so often
companies will do what they can to keep existing customers happy.

Hedlund often tells this story: When he lost his job during the last
recession, he attempted to cancel a newspaper subscription. He was
told by the representative that he could receive the paper free for
three months; by the time that period was over, Hedlund already had
another job. He remained a subscriber.

These days, people may have more resistance getting a similar response
when they inquire about canceling service, Hedlund said, as companies
worry about their own bottom lines. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

Be armed with information about what competitors are offering and
indicate a willingness to switch. If there's a special rate for new
customers, don't be afraid to request the discount, Cunningham said.
"In this economic environment, much is lost for lack of asking," she
said.

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