I would like to point out that it is harsh to use labels to condemn Sam and others on this one topic. There are many deal sites out there that post the money-back guaranteed rebates for consumers to use, knowing full well that they will be used for reasons other than they were intended.
I disagree with this use, as do others in my article, and while Sam may feel otherwise, it is important to remain civil. Sam's entire book is a based on consumers getting more for their money, whether you agree with the tips or not. I believe his intentions really are to help people save money.
As far as being taken out of context, I asked for opinions on this topic, and I was given a few sentences from each interviewee (including Sam.) I posted everything that I was told from each respondent, with the exception of a few lines of Sam's email, as the content was a bit too "colorful" for our audience. It was in line with the rest of his comments. It's also in line with what I perceived to be the tone of Retail Anarchy and the book. See the product description of Retail Anarchy below:
And how do you get an entire car-full of pudding for free? “Stand-up economist” Sam Pocker delves into these hard-hitting questions—and the result is a fascinating, wry, and amusing account of consumers’ non-sensical habits and the stores that prey upon them. With a dash of vitriol and a dose of sarcasm, Pocker exposes the sheer inanity of marketing schemes, the plague of rude cashiers, and shows how the “little guy” can rise up and beat the system by outsmarting the stores with their overly-complicated rules for rebates. Retail Anarchy is a satirical look at the self-imposed consumer coma that America has fallen into—and Sam Pocker’s mission is to wake readers up!
Regardless of whether you agree with Sam, I appreciate his candor and sharing with us. Let's leave the vitrol out, if possible, and keep this a community that can explore issues and speak opinions without injury.
If you do buy a Eurail pass, be sure to read the fine print before filling it out EVERY SINGLE TIME. I was fined 50 Euro twice over the span of a trip through Europe because I had neglected to have the pass validated after first use, and because I had filled in the wrong date of travel when traveling overnight (you must put the date of arrival when traveling overnight, instead of the date of departure). Minor infractions, but it cost me dearly...
It's always good to have options, but the way to have the most options is to not get into debt in the first place. I would recommend looking for help long before credit card and debt settlement come into play.
I work in the credit industry and I feel that debt settlement with credit card companies is not a good idea. Most companies will accept a settlement on your debt but will list the remaining amount as a charge off on your credit report. If you are going to do anything, it should be with a company like Consumer Credit Counseling Service who will work with you and your credit card companies to pay down your debt. They have ways to freeze your accounts and some will even stop charging interest. It also protects you from tons of calls from bill collectors as once you notify your creditor that you are working with CCCS, they, by law, have to stop calling you....unless you miss a payment.
Home remedies via the Internet can be a mixed bag, but at least one has been very effective for me. Tea tree oil can be used to treat toenail fungus. Not only is it much cheaper than Lamisil, it's also better for your liver.
I thought about it last year but went in another direction. I decided to refinance my house and pay them off fully. Mainly because the other way would have been pretty damn close to being treated as a bankruptcy and didn't want to wait 7 years to have good credit again.
I have not done it but recommend it to clients as a possible alternative. In her new book "Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan" Suze notes that to qualify for settlement you need to be very behind on payments and have enough cash to immediately pay the reduced balance.
Transaction costs for debt settlement can often eat up the "savings" you think you have off your debt. These guys aren't offering to help you for free! Plus, you're involving a third party into the debt relationship. Own up, pay what you owe, and if that's not possible, work it out directly with the company or file for bankruptcy.
I think much more to your advantage to use a debt settlement company rather than trying to do it yourself. You can get results doing it both ways, but why not let a professional handle it. Debt settlement companies have been there done that before and now what their doing. Their providing a service so there is a fee but that's more than made up for by the extra money they can save you.
I compare it to representing yourself at a criminal trial. As they say "Any one who represents himself, has a fool for a client"
One time my dog was limping and my mom searched on the internet for limping Pekingeses, and then she found that these dogs are prone to vertebrae disk ruptures and they're easily crippled from jumping. She also saw some pekes with wheels on their backlegs. This made her cry all night. Then she took the doggy to the vet and it turned out to be just an urinary tract infection. The doctor gave the dog a lot of water and some antibiotics and he was all healed after some furious peeing sessions. Lesson learned is that internet diagnoses can often make you more frightened than you should be, and going to the doctor isn't a bad thing because you might have something more serious.
I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction and I think you've hit the nail on the head here. The most important part is keeping positive and having an open mind. I think one of the hardest thing for people to get over when trying to apply the LOA is while they don't genuinely believe that they deserve what it is they're thinking on and miss the opportunities that arise. Nothing is going to fall into any one's lap, but truly believing you're deserving and keeping an open and positive mind, it's absolutely incredible what will come your way.
Have tried it and found out it is better to do it on your own. It was costing me $20.00 a month, now I just put the money towards the credit card bill.
I found your experience to be way more informative than the article itself. I'm seriously considering paying in cash for a house in Puerto Rico that I'd use as a vacation home (asking price $52,000). Thanks for sharing your experience.
Bravo! One of my definitions of clutter is that it is stuff that is not cared for properly. If you don't put stuff away, a new container isn't going to help. Same with purchasing organizing "systems". No closet organizer is going to work if you throw your clothes on the floor.
If stuff is truly clutter and isn't worth my time and attention and care, I am better off getting rid of it.
I tried both ways, but when I read the fine print on the settlement company I noticed it was not a good idea. I am doing it on my own little by little and feel more accomplished.
I guess credit card and debt settlement is a better option than bankruptcy, but I still wouldn't do either. If I spent the money, then I would feel obligated to pay it back.
As economic depression sets in, more and more people are waking up and printing money like lawless governments do. Now this may lead to hyperinflation but in reality quickens the pace toward money obsolesce.
What are you waiting for?
PRINT MONEY and be merry.
I am not surprised at all, knowing where America's moral is these days, especially the financial sector.
Most of us here are not exactly the target of NetSpend. They just cannot sort us out of a bunch of financial morons & delinquents out there.
My guess is this company would be around for a while bugging us and causing all kinds of hassles to innocent people and eventually disappear just like any other financial diseases.
I would like to point out that it is harsh to use labels to condemn Sam and others on this one topic. There are many deal sites out there that post the money-back guaranteed rebates for consumers to use, knowing full well that they will be used for reasons other than they were intended.
I disagree with this use, as do others in my article, and while Sam may feel otherwise, it is important to remain civil. Sam's entire book is a based on consumers getting more for their money, whether you agree with the tips or not. I believe his intentions really are to help people save money.
As far as being taken out of context, I asked for opinions on this topic, and I was given a few sentences from each interviewee (including Sam.) I posted everything that I was told from each respondent, with the exception of a few lines of Sam's email, as the content was a bit too "colorful" for our audience. It was in line with the rest of his comments. It's also in line with what I perceived to be the tone of Retail Anarchy and the book. See the product description of Retail Anarchy below:
Regardless of whether you agree with Sam, I appreciate his candor and sharing with us. Let's leave the vitrol out, if possible, and keep this a community that can explore issues and speak opinions without injury.
Thanks,
Linsey Knerl
If you do buy a Eurail pass, be sure to read the fine print before filling it out EVERY SINGLE TIME. I was fined 50 Euro twice over the span of a trip through Europe because I had neglected to have the pass validated after first use, and because I had filled in the wrong date of travel when traveling overnight (you must put the date of arrival when traveling overnight, instead of the date of departure). Minor infractions, but it cost me dearly...
So according to the medical journal, the bad pine nuts were from China. Did your pine nuts come from China too?
It's always good to have options, but the way to have the most options is to not get into debt in the first place. I would recommend looking for help long before credit card and debt settlement come into play.
I work in the credit industry and I feel that debt settlement with credit card companies is not a good idea. Most companies will accept a settlement on your debt but will list the remaining amount as a charge off on your credit report. If you are going to do anything, it should be with a company like Consumer Credit Counseling Service who will work with you and your credit card companies to pay down your debt. They have ways to freeze your accounts and some will even stop charging interest. It also protects you from tons of calls from bill collectors as once you notify your creditor that you are working with CCCS, they, by law, have to stop calling you....unless you miss a payment.
Home remedies via the Internet can be a mixed bag, but at least one has been very effective for me. Tea tree oil can be used to treat toenail fungus. Not only is it much cheaper than Lamisil, it's also better for your liver.
I thought about it last year but went in another direction. I decided to refinance my house and pay them off fully. Mainly because the other way would have been pretty damn close to being treated as a bankruptcy and didn't want to wait 7 years to have good credit again.
I would feel much better about paying it all back rather than settling, but wouldn't rule it out.
I have not done it but recommend it to clients as a possible alternative. In her new book "Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan" Suze notes that to qualify for settlement you need to be very behind on payments and have enough cash to immediately pay the reduced balance.
I don't have any problem with the idea of it. I think if I felt like I needed to I would evaluate it along with other options.
Transaction costs for debt settlement can often eat up the "savings" you think you have off your debt. These guys aren't offering to help you for free! Plus, you're involving a third party into the debt relationship. Own up, pay what you owe, and if that's not possible, work it out directly with the company or file for bankruptcy.
I think much more to your advantage to use a debt settlement company rather than trying to do it yourself. You can get results doing it both ways, but why not let a professional handle it. Debt settlement companies have been there done that before and now what their doing. Their providing a service so there is a fee but that's more than made up for by the extra money they can save you.
I compare it to representing yourself at a criminal trial. As they say "Any one who represents himself, has a fool for a client"
One time my dog was limping and my mom searched on the internet for limping Pekingeses, and then she found that these dogs are prone to vertebrae disk ruptures and they're easily crippled from jumping. She also saw some pekes with wheels on their backlegs. This made her cry all night. Then she took the doggy to the vet and it turned out to be just an urinary tract infection. The doctor gave the dog a lot of water and some antibiotics and he was all healed after some furious peeing sessions. Lesson learned is that internet diagnoses can often make you more frightened than you should be, and going to the doctor isn't a bad thing because you might have something more serious.
I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction and I think you've hit the nail on the head here. The most important part is keeping positive and having an open mind. I think one of the hardest thing for people to get over when trying to apply the LOA is while they don't genuinely believe that they deserve what it is they're thinking on and miss the opportunities that arise. Nothing is going to fall into any one's lap, but truly believing you're deserving and keeping an open and positive mind, it's absolutely incredible what will come your way.
Great post, thank you!
Have tried it and found out it is better to do it on your own. It was costing me $20.00 a month, now I just put the money towards the credit card bill.
No way - it seems too shady for me. Not to mention, it seems like an avoidance of responsibility.
Jane,
I found your experience to be way more informative than the article itself. I'm seriously considering paying in cash for a house in Puerto Rico that I'd use as a vacation home (asking price $52,000). Thanks for sharing your experience.
D. L. Blanco
If I spent the money, it's my responsibility to pay it back.
Bravo! One of my definitions of clutter is that it is stuff that is not cared for properly. If you don't put stuff away, a new container isn't going to help. Same with purchasing organizing "systems". No closet organizer is going to work if you throw your clothes on the floor.
If stuff is truly clutter and isn't worth my time and attention and care, I am better off getting rid of it.
No = lately I've only heard bad things about it.
I tried both ways, but when I read the fine print on the settlement company I noticed it was not a good idea. I am doing it on my own little by little and feel more accomplished.
I guess credit card and debt settlement is a better option than bankruptcy, but I still wouldn't do either. If I spent the money, then I would feel obligated to pay it back.
As economic depression sets in, more and more people are waking up and printing money like lawless governments do. Now this may lead to hyperinflation but in reality quickens the pace toward money obsolesce.
What are you waiting for?
PRINT MONEY and be merry.
http://groups.google.com/group/the-venus-project
It requires effort and more than just positive thinking or sending positive vibrations out into the world..
I am not surprised at all, knowing where America's moral is these days, especially the financial sector.
Most of us here are not exactly the target of NetSpend. They just cannot sort us out of a bunch of financial morons & delinquents out there.
My guess is this company would be around for a while bugging us and causing all kinds of hassles to innocent people and eventually disappear just like any other financial diseases.