Recent comments

  • You did WHAT with my SSN?   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Just wanted to add, legality and personal security issues aside, once you called and let her know you were uncomfortable it was very poor customer service for her to brush aside your concerns. Ridiculous.

  • 5 Benefits of a Task Management System   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I found Teux Deux too simplistic. Then I tried Remember the Milk. It was not as user-friendly.

    Thanks for writing about Toodledo. I've already signed up to give it a trial.

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Thanks for the chance to win!

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I like spinach so Spinach-Ricotta Skillet Lasagna looks tasty and budget-friendly.

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    This cookbook will help me work on both my resolutions, saving money and eat better than I have been.

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I hate cooking, but have been trying to do more of it (to save money and to eat healthier). I'm also kind of a picky eater because I like my food simple, but these recipes look like easy recipes that I would love to try. I would love to be the recipient of one of these books.

  • Are Rebates Worthy of You?   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Regarding Debit Cards, I recently purchased a Droid with a $100 rebate from Verizon. I received the rebate well before I was expecting it, and it came in the form of a debit card.

    When I read the enclosed documents on how to use it, I found that I could transfer the debit card to my bank account! So I followed the directions, and 2 days later, voila! $100 in my bank account. Soooo easy!

    Do all rebate debit cards do this, or is this a first?

  • 5 Reasons Not to Apply for a Loan Modification in the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    On March 4th, 2009 the Obama administration revealed its plan to help millions of distressed homeowners in danger of foreclosure. The program was proudly touted as the definitive way out of the current housing and mortgage crisis. Since April 2009 the program is responsible for 728,408 active modifications. 697,026 are in the trial period and 31,382 have been made permanent.

    Although there has been plenty of time for loan servicers and lenders to strengthen their efforts and start making a considerable difference in preventing home foreclosures, many servicers have repeatedly chosen to aggravate the crisis through noncompliance and excuses.

    Prior to the introduction of HAMP, servicers' efforts to modify loans had picked up a considerable amount of steam. By March of 2009 loan servicers' efforts in private in house modifications were running at a pace of 120,000 per month. That means that if left to their own devices servicers and lenders had they continued at that pace would have completed modifications on more than 1.2 million loan modifications.

    It is now harder than ever to get assistance from your lender due to the new heavy documentation and government bureaucracy created by HAMP. It is not however an impossible task. Even with its bureaucratic red tape many homeowners have been able to get payment reductions that helped them save their homes.

    If you are looking for assistance with HAMP be sure to get up to speed and learn everything you can about the guidelines and requirements. Talk to your lender BEFORE submitting an application. With HAMP you only have one bite at the apple. You have to get it right on the first try.

    Here is what you will definitely need to submit a complete file to your lender:

    Last 4 paystubs for everyone in the house who earns money. If you don't have paystubs, you will need a cash letter from the wage earner defining what they take home monthly. (Yes your lender WILL accept this, it's in their best interest).
    2 years W2's for each wage earner in the home.
    2 years tax returns
    2 months bank statements - your lender will require ALL pages of your statements. If you don't have them, go to your bank and get a 2 month printout, make sure that someone in the branch stamps and signs the printout or your lender may not accept it
    If you are self employed you will need to provide a profit and loss statement that spans a minimum of 3 months, I recommend you do this for a 6 month period
    A well written concise ONE PAGE hardship letter
    An income and expense sheet that shows Monthly Numbers for Gross Income, Net Income and all household expenses

    If you take the time to prepare and do it in a well organized manner you will improve your chances of getting a modification under HAMP greatly. Get educated QUICKLY; learn everything you can about the HAMP guidelines and what your lender offers in the way of assistance. Plan your request for assistance and be organized and prepared BEFORE you submit anything to your lender.

    Remember the disclaimer they read you when you call?

    It's the one where they tell you they are required by law to advise you they are attempting to collect a debt and anything you tell them will be used for that purpose. No matter how nice the representative sounds, they work for the lender and they are there to help collect your payments.

    Homeowners looking to take advantage of HAMP should always make sure to Get Educated so they can Get Modified and Get On With Their Lives...

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I love the idea of seeing pictures of each meal. This way I know if what I'm about to cook is presentable enough for company, and they won't need to know that I am actually being frugal.

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Points to this book for no super long list of ingrediants...or really odd ingrediants (that you'd only use once and then waste). I'm interested in trying the corn chowder and lemon chicken recipies...thanks!

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I really like the looks of the cookbook. I especially like the fact that each recipe has a picture. I have turned down many cookbooks because there were no pictures. I would love to win a copy!

  • The Cheap Lazy Foodie: 3 Frugal Dishes Without Compromise   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Gotta love mushrooms and pasta.

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I also love SEEING the pictures of items in a cookbook!

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    The butternut squash sounds really yummy and is making me even hungrier than I already am!

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Sounds like a very appropriate book for nowadays... I would be very happy to win it!

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Always want to try new recipes. Especially ones that save a little money.

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    This looks like a fun & great cookbook, I have a huge collection on cookbooks, love to add to the collection, The recipe in the review-Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage sounds wonderful!!! I am going to try it for sure! Thanks for a chance!

    Jeccica Simpson
    @jessa1130-twitter id

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    The Ancho Chili-Rubbed Flank Steak sounds easy enough to make, but is still hearty enough to be considered "man food" by my husband. I can't wait to try this!

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I would love to try some new recipes out! It is hard being frugal and still expanding your recipe base. You get stuck on the same ones for awhile until you get a book like this!

  • Welcome to Container City - How Shipping Containers Are Recycled into Green Dwellings   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I was wondering if you could come up with an estimate of the speed and cost with which such containers could be shipped to Haiti and fabricated.

    As I understand it, large numbers of these crates are sitting around in the US's West Coast lingering in stockpiles. The means of transporting them is also readily available.

    What type of effort would be needed to fabricate them once they reach Haiti?

  • Sex Up Your Sandwich: Ideas for Budget Conscious Brown Baggers   16 years 15 weeks ago

    What a slamming idea about checking through the Greek Orthadox community. Also, there's a Greek meat shop and deli up the road. I picked up some sausage there once but never even looked for Haloumi as it didn't even cross my mind they might have it. But I noticed that had incense and stuff for orthadox ceremonies on one of their displays, so just maybe . . .

    You can also follow me on Twitter and Trek Hound.

  • How to Make Moonshine   16 years 15 weeks ago

    I've updated the text above, but I thought I'd also mention down here for people who follow the comments that Tin House Books has reissued the classic manual on frugal living that taught me everything I know about making moonshine: Possum Living: How to Live Well Without a Job and with (Almost) No Money. It's wonderful to see this important book available at a reasonable price.

  • Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook (Review and Giveaway!)   16 years 15 weeks ago

    As a person that is now furloughed 2-days a week, I could use a cookbook that helps me save money. This book will definitely teach me how to cook on a budget. Hope I win!

  • You did WHAT with my SSN?   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Oh, and I have a check back from a bank, Wachovia, which decided that they owed me some funds and mailed me a check for: $00.01 yes, one penny, on paper all the way to Alaska where I live. How much do you think it cost them to send me my refund check? I can hardly calculate that, can anyone else? I'm tempted to cash it...but it's too much fun just to have it.
    So, how do these people such as "Linda" get away with such buffoonery?

  • You did WHAT with my SSN?   16 years 15 weeks ago

    Wow, I'd be looking into a new bank, too! Linda's actions do not inspire confidence, and her manager's reaction would be the confirmation that it is time to move my business.