I am a credit counselor with a non-profit. We do not steer someone towards a DMP. We look at the overall budget and see if they can afford to possibly on their own negotiate with their creditors or a possible consolodation of debt via a loan If their busget does not support the DMP we refer them for bankruptcy which we do not make a dime off of. We also seldom charge a fee. We also counsel them on how they got to the point of over whelming debt and action steps to avoid this repeating itself in the future. If we depended on the grants from financial institutions we would be out of business tomorrow. We also get grants from Unted Way and local Agenices and Trust. We work hard at Finacial Education/ Fraud Prevention/Senior Financial Issues/Housing Isuues. A DMP is just a tiny corner of what we do. We are not here for the money, we are here because we care. Most folks could not live on what I make. Your article could easily scare someone away from a good counselor and cause them financial ruin and stress.
I usually love your posts, Phillip but this one smells of "high horse" mentality. You (and I) can afford to make these sort of decisions but there are many who can't. And the only people that will benefit from NOT buying products made in sweatshops or by child labor are the ones making the purchase because their conscience may be clearer. It would be simplistic to think that the lives of these laborers would be better if we just eliminated their jobs. And the last time I checked, most of the local stores sell the exact same stuff as the big box stores. Couldn't it be better to save a few bucks at Walmart and send the difference to provide schools and immunization for these children? Also, big-box retailers provide jobs in all our communities. Big-box stores also offer career opportunities for their employees that local stores may not.
I also don't believe prices are going to go up when the mom-and-pop shops are closed. The competitive pricing in the big-box stores is not due to the local stores, rather the other big-box retailers. There is not a single big-box retailer without a direct competitor (let alone the online competition).
The real essence of this proverb is that if you do not need to buy something because you are able to find an alternative, you are in practice doing the same as making money. So spending time earning money in order to buy something that would take you less time to do yourself if counter productive. This is more difficult to see in a culture where most people are dependent on a salary, but it is a very clear principle in societies where people produce for themselves. In subsistence based economies the system is based on producing what you need. Moving to a more money based economy can be much less rewarding and less beneficial.
I'd be careful of hidden shipping costs involved with a lot of freebies. That's where a lot of places make a profit, by the shipping.
For those that use computer software, you can great deals on various applications by checking the bog box retailers like OD, Office Max and Staples. Lots of times they have free after rebate items that rerally come in handy
My friends kid spilt bubble solution in the back seat of my car, I did not notice it until it was completely dry and stuck like glue. It is the bubbles that last 10sec and then you pop them. any idea on how to get it out of dark grey fabric. It is sooo thick you can tap the seat and its hard. please help as I am selling the car and this is not a very good selling point.
thanks
I had $50,000 worth of medical dept from a hospitalization, and after applying to the charity department of the hospital got it erased. BUT I still have $3,500 in radiology bills that I cannot pay and weren't covered by the charity department. (I'm 20 and still in school, I have 2 jobs and still don't have enough to even live on...)
Are there ANY options for me? I can't do a repayment plan, I don't have enough money to make monthly payments...
I'm a CPA. Effective tax planning starts right now, and ends 12/31, when it's time to grind out the returns, it's just sumarize what you did.
I do a lot of personal, corporate, and non-profit returns. The most successful (1) own real estate, and (2) plan during the tax year, not when it's time to send in a summary of what you've done.
"Better Off Deadbeat: Craig Cunningham Has a Simple Solution for Getting Bill Collectors Off His Back. He Sues Them.
By Kimberly Thorpe
published: January 21, 2010
...
While most Americans with unpaid bills dread the collector's call, Cunningham sees them as lucrative opportunities. Many collection and credit card companies, intentionally or not, violate little-known consumer rights laws, and Cunningham's favorite pastime is catching them doing so and then suing them. In fact, it's a profitable side job.
...
In the next four years, Cunningham accused debt collectors of misrepresenting the amount he owed (an FDCPA violation that entitles a consumer to collect up to $1,000). He sued over prerecorded and auto-dialed calls to his cellular phone (a TCPA violation worth up to $1,500 per call). He also filed complaints that agencies failed to investigate his claims that his credit file contains inaccurate information, a breach of the Fair Credit Reporting Act worth up to $1,000 per violation. All told, he filed 15 other lawsuits in federal court without the help of a lawyer, earning himself settlements totaling more than $20,000."
Maybe I'm just being too greedy, then...I usually sign up for only the "good offers", like hats n tee shirts, etc.
I don't bother with little samples, and nutrition bars and stuff.
(I'm the first poster, who isn't getting her free stuff!)
Has anyone mentioned Freecycle.org?
I'm in a hurry, and I don't feel like reading everyone's posts!
But I've gotten a cushion for a folding bed, and my Son's actual twin bed (minus the mattresses) from there. Freecycle rocks...if you are the one chosen to get the stuff!
But I've also gotten rid of a TON of stuff laying around my house, on there, too. From old spices in my cabinet, to a bunch of unneeded blankets and sheets, that someone from an animal shelter came and got.
And you can just leave stuff on your porch or lawn, and wait for the person to pick them up, from the safety of your locked house!
I've personally used the same email for giveaways and freebies as I do for most everything else, and have had little problem. BUT I'm also very good about using spam filters and only signing up for stuff I'm sure will come. Not everyone is comfortable doing that, so that is a really good tip!
What about keeping belongings safe within your carry-ons?
One time in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport I went with a friend to grab a sandwich. Not wanting to lug our bags around with us, we left them with friends. Unfortunately these friends fell asleep and the lovely MSP police security deemed that our bags were "unclaimed baggage." When we returned to find our bags missing (of course, dangerously close to when we were leaving) we tracked down the nearest security officer to figure out where we were to go. Once we finally reached the necessary office, we actually had the pleasure of speaking with the officers who took our bags. They claimed "we stayed there for like 5 minutes looking through your bags, but your friends didn't wake up." Uhh...did you ever think of tapping the FRIENDS, not the bags??? Additionally, they claimed we were paged over the intercom after they found identification in one bag...but we did not hear ANYTHING over the intercom in the time we were gone, and neither did anyone else we asked.
oh, I forgot to mention...we had to exit the security-cleared part of the terminal to get our bags so we had to go through that process YET AGAIN. We got to our gate 5 minutes before the flight left. It wasn't until we were on the plane that I discovered ALL of the cash from my wallet missing. (Saw an article on Yahoo's reel the next day about increased theft of cash by airport employees. Irony?)
Definitely my most frustrating day of flying ever.
You say that you are not convinced, I am never convinced. People always seem to be self serving. So the bottom line is always their angle. If you can get a friend to help you out that is the only way that that is going to work.
You forgot to tell people... If you are going to start signing up for "Freebies" to get a seperate email address just for "freebies" because most freebies will then send you additional advertising and newsletters. This will keep your regular email junk free.
And Yes, I would say that only 50% of the freebies I have requested have arrived.
I have heard pretty terrible things about credit counsellors and like one of the previous posters, the bottom line rather than the clients welfare seems to be the overiding priority.
Please, help me get a mental Disability Handicapped Grant to expand my business so that me and my wife to live together and help other people with disabilities. If you can't help me; then, forward this request to source that will help me find a mental handicapped loan to expand my business for me. Please read the following: I can't expand my business because I have Tourettte Syndrome who was fired from teaching 7 out of 9 school districts abusing students mentally and physically. I'm a 70-year-old male with a mental disability of a Tourette Syndrome disorder. .... I would like to get grant money to help me expand my business since I can't work or be around people in public or private. Please contact me about this: 909-336-0472 or email jimculler@verizon.net More infor about me and applying for grants: I have a rare mental disability: Tourette Syndrome. It's a disability that doesn't allow me to function in society. I applied to 99 federal agencies on grant applications of which they don't give grants to individuals because of the scams telling people that they can get a grant for them just by sending $1.95 and they will will send a CD telling how to processed a grant; then, will charge up $99 every month on your credit card.
Here two unique things that separate myself from other individuals getting a grant.......
1. Senior Citizen relating to helping older people. 2. 20 years experience of marketing needs of individuals in life. 3. Compiled and edited a "Manifesto of Life" that has over 1000 affirmations of getting what you want in life documented by Bible verses. 4. 30 years of teaching experience. 5. Seeing objectives and goals through.
Here, are (5) examples of replies saying that about my application for a grant...
(1) Your application and proposal have been reviewed and has been determined
not to meet the requirements of this Grant opportunity. We were seeking a
cooperative agreement with a local entity which would work closely with the
BLM to provide maintenance of existing campsites, trail improvement, kiosk
repair, eradication of non-native invasive species, and other restoration
activities along the Molalla Corridor, allowing the targeted participants
in Clackamas County, Oregon, a mix of work experience, natural resource
education, citizenship values and skills in service to their community,
not for a comprehensive approach of reaching out to individuals who are
experiencing hardship during these economical times. The funds are
intended for support of community crews working in the natural resource
environment rather than in workshops and seminars do not qualify you for grant.
Again, thank-you for your interest.
(2) The grant opportunity was for a single source entity. It has very specific qualifications on who can apply for the grant, one of them being for salmon and Steelhead facilities located in the Snake River basin to compensate for the lower Snake River fish losses in the state of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The grant opportunity also listed the facilities that could receive the funds. Your organization did not qualify.
(3) We appreciate the effort you have put forward in your application but regret to inform you
you do not meet the minimum requirements; specially a state agency, territorial
government, or tribal organization community. We wish you the best in your search for
funding and incite to apply for future opportunities.
(4) The grant opportunity was for a single source entity. It has very specific qualifications on
who can apply for a grant, one of them being for salmon and Steelhead located in the Snake River basin..... Th grant opportunity opportunity also listed the facilities that could
receive the funds. Your organization did not qualify.
(5) Thank-you for your recent submission of the project entitled "Manifesto of Life" to the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie region Migratory Bird Management
Program........
Unfortunately we are not able to fund your project at this time for the following reason:
X Your project does not fit within our current highest regional and/or national
priorities.
Another good example of a scam:
#1 Government Funded Grants Professional Review - NEW!
Click Here To Visit The Site:
Product Price: Free (Just Pay $1.00 One-Time Shipping & Handling)
(The above 6 examples are incomplete letters to myself and the personal signatures and names were left out for protection. If you need t see the full letters of rejection, the letters are on file for review for documentation.)
In cooperation for reply,
James L. Culler
909-336-0472
Mailing address: Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352-2486
Email: jimculler@verizon.net
JANUARY 2010.... who would of thought that americans will be fighting against introducing socialism in the USA?! crazy!! Hopefully the amero will never come thru....
I've also had good luck with the Wise Bread freebies. I would suggest to stick with reputable companies and have some patience.
I would be interested to hear more about peoples success with Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. I'm kind of scared to use those due to some negative press (like some psyco is going to get you :P).
I am a credit counselor with a non-profit. We do not steer someone towards a DMP. We look at the overall budget and see if they can afford to possibly on their own negotiate with their creditors or a possible consolodation of debt via a loan If their busget does not support the DMP we refer them for bankruptcy which we do not make a dime off of. We also seldom charge a fee. We also counsel them on how they got to the point of over whelming debt and action steps to avoid this repeating itself in the future. If we depended on the grants from financial institutions we would be out of business tomorrow. We also get grants from Unted Way and local Agenices and Trust. We work hard at Finacial Education/ Fraud Prevention/Senior Financial Issues/Housing Isuues. A DMP is just a tiny corner of what we do. We are not here for the money, we are here because we care. Most folks could not live on what I make. Your article could easily scare someone away from a good counselor and cause them financial ruin and stress.
I usually love your posts, Phillip but this one smells of "high horse" mentality. You (and I) can afford to make these sort of decisions but there are many who can't. And the only people that will benefit from NOT buying products made in sweatshops or by child labor are the ones making the purchase because their conscience may be clearer. It would be simplistic to think that the lives of these laborers would be better if we just eliminated their jobs. And the last time I checked, most of the local stores sell the exact same stuff as the big box stores. Couldn't it be better to save a few bucks at Walmart and send the difference to provide schools and immunization for these children? Also, big-box retailers provide jobs in all our communities. Big-box stores also offer career opportunities for their employees that local stores may not.
I also don't believe prices are going to go up when the mom-and-pop shops are closed. The competitive pricing in the big-box stores is not due to the local stores, rather the other big-box retailers. There is not a single big-box retailer without a direct competitor (let alone the online competition).
The real essence of this proverb is that if you do not need to buy something because you are able to find an alternative, you are in practice doing the same as making money. So spending time earning money in order to buy something that would take you less time to do yourself if counter productive. This is more difficult to see in a culture where most people are dependent on a salary, but it is a very clear principle in societies where people produce for themselves. In subsistence based economies the system is based on producing what you need. Moving to a more money based economy can be much less rewarding and less beneficial.
I'd be careful of hidden shipping costs involved with a lot of freebies. That's where a lot of places make a profit, by the shipping.
For those that use computer software, you can great deals on various applications by checking the bog box retailers like OD, Office Max and Staples. Lots of times they have free after rebate items that rerally come in handy
My friends kid spilt bubble solution in the back seat of my car, I did not notice it until it was completely dry and stuck like glue. It is the bubbles that last 10sec and then you pop them. any idea on how to get it out of dark grey fabric. It is sooo thick you can tap the seat and its hard. please help as I am selling the car and this is not a very good selling point.
thanks
I had $50,000 worth of medical dept from a hospitalization, and after applying to the charity department of the hospital got it erased. BUT I still have $3,500 in radiology bills that I cannot pay and weren't covered by the charity department. (I'm 20 and still in school, I have 2 jobs and still don't have enough to even live on...)
Are there ANY options for me? I can't do a repayment plan, I don't have enough money to make monthly payments...
Thanks for the suggestions. I use www.moneysavercouponsonline.com for coupons here in South Florida- great stuff for food and dry cleaners.
We get money back for giving Uncle Sam that interest free loan (although we do owe taxes for local)so yes, we look forward to tax time.
Christine
dazed1821@aol.com
Right after EVERYTHING ELSE!
I'm a CPA. Effective tax planning starts right now, and ends 12/31, when it's time to grind out the returns, it's just sumarize what you did.
I do a lot of personal, corporate, and non-profit returns. The most successful (1) own real estate, and (2) plan during the tax year, not when it's time to send in a summary of what you've done.
"Better Off Deadbeat: Craig Cunningham Has a Simple Solution for Getting Bill Collectors Off His Back. He Sues Them.
By Kimberly Thorpe
published: January 21, 2010
...
While most Americans with unpaid bills dread the collector's call, Cunningham sees them as lucrative opportunities. Many collection and credit card companies, intentionally or not, violate little-known consumer rights laws, and Cunningham's favorite pastime is catching them doing so and then suing them. In fact, it's a profitable side job.
...
In the next four years, Cunningham accused debt collectors of misrepresenting the amount he owed (an FDCPA violation that entitles a consumer to collect up to $1,000). He sued over prerecorded and auto-dialed calls to his cellular phone (a TCPA violation worth up to $1,500 per call). He also filed complaints that agencies failed to investigate his claims that his credit file contains inaccurate information, a breach of the Fair Credit Reporting Act worth up to $1,000 per violation. All told, he filed 15 other lawsuits in federal court without the help of a lawyer, earning himself settlements totaling more than $20,000."
Read the rest at http://bit.ly/4BDkvV
Maybe I'm just being too greedy, then...I usually sign up for only the "good offers", like hats n tee shirts, etc.
I don't bother with little samples, and nutrition bars and stuff.
(I'm the first poster, who isn't getting her free stuff!)
Has anyone mentioned Freecycle.org?
I'm in a hurry, and I don't feel like reading everyone's posts!
But I've gotten a cushion for a folding bed, and my Son's actual twin bed (minus the mattresses) from there. Freecycle rocks...if you are the one chosen to get the stuff!
But I've also gotten rid of a TON of stuff laying around my house, on there, too. From old spices in my cabinet, to a bunch of unneeded blankets and sheets, that someone from an animal shelter came and got.
And you can just leave stuff on your porch or lawn, and wait for the person to pick them up, from the safety of your locked house!
:)
Props to Robert for mentioning Craigslist. Not only can you get something for free, but you are reusing and recycling.
I am not looking forward to doing my taxes this year. I had a couple of sweepstakes wins that are going to kill me on taxes.
DO not care about taxes. Only pay, pay, pay... All the money goes to stuff I disagree with...
I've personally used the same email for giveaways and freebies as I do for most everything else, and have had little problem. BUT I'm also very good about using spam filters and only signing up for stuff I'm sure will come. Not everyone is comfortable doing that, so that is a really good tip!
Linsey Knerl
It's a unique idea, that's for sure.
What about keeping belongings safe within your carry-ons?
One time in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport I went with a friend to grab a sandwich. Not wanting to lug our bags around with us, we left them with friends. Unfortunately these friends fell asleep and the lovely MSP police security deemed that our bags were "unclaimed baggage." When we returned to find our bags missing (of course, dangerously close to when we were leaving) we tracked down the nearest security officer to figure out where we were to go. Once we finally reached the necessary office, we actually had the pleasure of speaking with the officers who took our bags. They claimed "we stayed there for like 5 minutes looking through your bags, but your friends didn't wake up." Uhh...did you ever think of tapping the FRIENDS, not the bags??? Additionally, they claimed we were paged over the intercom after they found identification in one bag...but we did not hear ANYTHING over the intercom in the time we were gone, and neither did anyone else we asked.
oh, I forgot to mention...we had to exit the security-cleared part of the terminal to get our bags so we had to go through that process YET AGAIN. We got to our gate 5 minutes before the flight left. It wasn't until we were on the plane that I discovered ALL of the cash from my wallet missing. (Saw an article on Yahoo's reel the next day about increased theft of cash by airport employees. Irony?)
Definitely my most frustrating day of flying ever.
@Guest - Thanks! I like your angle: to buy insurance as a way of transfering risk, not gaining profit.
You say that you are not convinced, I am never convinced. People always seem to be self serving. So the bottom line is always their angle. If you can get a friend to help you out that is the only way that that is going to work.
You forgot to tell people... If you are going to start signing up for "Freebies" to get a seperate email address just for "freebies" because most freebies will then send you additional advertising and newsletters. This will keep your regular email junk free.
And Yes, I would say that only 50% of the freebies I have requested have arrived.
I have heard pretty terrible things about credit counsellors and like one of the previous posters, the bottom line rather than the clients welfare seems to be the overiding priority.
for a business expansion. Can you get one for me?
Please, help me get a mental Disability Handicapped Grant to expand my business so that me and my wife to live together and help other people with disabilities. If you can't help me; then, forward this request to source that will help me find a mental handicapped loan to expand my business for me. Please read the following: I can't expand my business because I have Tourettte Syndrome who was fired from teaching 7 out of 9 school districts abusing students mentally and physically. I'm a 70-year-old male with a mental disability of a Tourette Syndrome disorder. .... I would like to get grant money to help me expand my business since I can't work or be around people in public or private. Please contact me about this: 909-336-0472 or email jimculler@verizon.net More infor about me and applying for grants: I have a rare mental disability: Tourette Syndrome. It's a disability that doesn't allow me to function in society. I applied to 99 federal agencies on grant applications of which they don't give grants to individuals because of the scams telling people that they can get a grant for them just by sending $1.95 and they will will send a CD telling how to processed a grant; then, will charge up $99 every month on your credit card.
Here two unique things that separate myself from other individuals getting a grant.......
1. Senior Citizen relating to helping older people. 2. 20 years experience of marketing needs of individuals in life. 3. Compiled and edited a "Manifesto of Life" that has over 1000 affirmations of getting what you want in life documented by Bible verses. 4. 30 years of teaching experience. 5. Seeing objectives and goals through.
Here, are (5) examples of replies saying that about my application for a grant...
(1) Your application and proposal have been reviewed and has been determined
not to meet the requirements of this Grant opportunity. We were seeking a
cooperative agreement with a local entity which would work closely with the
BLM to provide maintenance of existing campsites, trail improvement, kiosk
repair, eradication of non-native invasive species, and other restoration
activities along the Molalla Corridor, allowing the targeted participants
in Clackamas County, Oregon, a mix of work experience, natural resource
education, citizenship values and skills in service to their community,
not for a comprehensive approach of reaching out to individuals who are
experiencing hardship during these economical times. The funds are
intended for support of community crews working in the natural resource
environment rather than in workshops and seminars do not qualify you for grant.
Again, thank-you for your interest.
(2) The grant opportunity was for a single source entity. It has very specific qualifications on who can apply for the grant, one of them being for salmon and Steelhead facilities located in the Snake River basin to compensate for the lower Snake River fish losses in the state of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The grant opportunity also listed the facilities that could receive the funds. Your organization did not qualify.
(3) We appreciate the effort you have put forward in your application but regret to inform you
you do not meet the minimum requirements; specially a state agency, territorial
government, or tribal organization community. We wish you the best in your search for
funding and incite to apply for future opportunities.
(4) The grant opportunity was for a single source entity. It has very specific qualifications on
who can apply for a grant, one of them being for salmon and Steelhead located in the Snake River basin..... Th grant opportunity opportunity also listed the facilities that could
receive the funds. Your organization did not qualify.
(5) Thank-you for your recent submission of the project entitled "Manifesto of Life" to the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Mountain-Prairie region Migratory Bird Management
Program........
Unfortunately we are not able to fund your project at this time for the following reason:
X Your project does not fit within our current highest regional and/or national
priorities.
Another good example of a scam:
#1 Government Funded Grants Professional Review - NEW!
Click Here To Visit The Site:
Product Price: Free (Just Pay $1.00 One-Time Shipping & Handling)
(The above 6 examples are incomplete letters to myself and the personal signatures and names were left out for protection. If you need t see the full letters of rejection, the letters are on file for review for documentation.)
In cooperation for reply,
James L. Culler
909-336-0472
Mailing address: Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352-2486
Email: jimculler@verizon.net
JANUARY 2010.... who would of thought that americans will be fighting against introducing socialism in the USA?! crazy!! Hopefully the amero will never come thru....
I wish we were as organized as Michele. Wow. Quite impressive.
Like most here, I do not look forward to collecting all the documentation and then actually filing my taxes.
But I always get a refund and that usually comes in handy this time of year for me.
I suppose it is a necessary part of our society....but we still don't have to like it.
I've also had good luck with the Wise Bread freebies. I would suggest to stick with reputable companies and have some patience.
I would be interested to hear more about peoples success with Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. I'm kind of scared to use those due to some negative press (like some psyco is going to get you :P).