I recently filed a complaint with the Fair Housing Act for being denied housing because, "this place isn't suitable for children." I'll let you know how it goes...
I have heard my friends complain about such charges that parents didn't authorize or were confused by advertisements and 6-pt fine print. Your best advocate might be the credit card company; call and explain the problem, tell them that the charges are disputed, and let them resolve the problem. The cc companies are typically vigilant about addressing problems such as these thanks to federal regulations pertaining to credit.
Just a note, if the charges were incurred by a debit card, you won't have the same protections.
I have so many Consumer Advocate stories.....I am known throughout my circle for my "poison pen" talents!
I will share my latest and greatest challenge, and try to keep it short:
My Mother & her husband are in thier late 60's and retired, living on the east coast of our state about 3 hours away. My Mother has recently been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, and her husband with early onset Alzheimers. Due to their health, my siblings and I have been taking turns going over and staying with them to help with Doctor appts, surgeries, paying bills, etc. I was put in charge of bill paying. While going through their credit card bills, I was seeing all sorts of new charges for things like "Great Fun", "Buyers Advantage", "AutoVantage", etc...ranging from $9.95/month upwards to $199.99! It seems they are all under the same parent company by the TLG prefix on the bill. Parental units have no idea what these charges are, or where they came from. After further research I found the parent company wwas TRILEGIANT in Connecticut, and they have MANY complaints against them for fraudulent behavior towards consumers, including a class action lawsuit! I not only had to spend hours on the phone getting OVER $2500 in charges removed from my Mom's credit card, but wrote letters to the Better Business Bureau (they filed a complaint, Trilegiant never responded - surprise), Trilegiant (never responded, big surprise), and, most recently, the State Attorney General's Office in CT...waiting to hear back. I am happy to have the charges removed, and have my voice heard...and it would be a bonus if I can get at least some of their money back.
I haven't yet seen enough of the Bernanke Fed to make a prediction. If the discount rate cut is a signal of further rate cuts to come, then we need to worry about the future value of the dollar. But if it's a substitute for more significant cuts, then it's a really clever move that preserves the value of the dollar while calming markets.
I'm afraid it's a "time will tell" kind of situation.
When I was 16 I wanted to see Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back in theaters with my friends. My mom bought our tickets but left before we went into the movie. When we got to the door, the ticket taker wasn't going to let us in because we weren't 17, despite the fact we had tickets. After some arguing and saying 'this is ridiculous' a couple hundred times, we finally got into the movie.
Though the material in a pencil is commonly referred to as "lead" it is graphite, i.e. it is carbon (C) not lead (Pb). See http://science.howstuffworks.com/question465.htm. So, breathing fumes from its burning probably wouldn't be much worse than breathing the smoke from burning logs. If it was really lead (Pb), it would be much worse.
I've read money management articles that have financial planners advising clients to pay off credit card balances using special rates. I would call these teaser rates, which sometimes they are, but there are also offers that are good until the balance is paid; with the caveat being if you are late on any loan (not just the one owed to the credit card company offering the great rate) then your rate can get switched to a higher rate, something like 32%. I get these offers quite a bit though I don't know if the person with mounds of credit card debt gets them. What is your take on using this approach to digging out of the credit card hole?
These debt roll-up plans address a problem that no personal loan or other "house-cleaning" line of credit will fix. The problem here is overspending, not the inaccessibility of loans. Surely, there are several versions of these plans and some will cost more than others (e.g., targeting high interest rates vs. smaller balances first).
But the point here is to help reinvigorate fiscal discipline in a way that is personally rewarding and effective. Personally, I've found this strategy of rolling up debts to be unbelieveably effective. In a period of a couple of years, my wife and I went from 6 or 7 credit accounts and thousands in debt to holding only two loans -- a mortgage and a car loan. We were working on the latter -- at which point we'd have scaled our plan way back -- when we sold a house for a large profit, paid off the car, and moved to another home that fit our needs better. The interest rate we got was very low. Why? Because we'd spent the previous couple of years cleaning our financial house by reducing our debts in a disciplined, consistent manner. These plans can help.
This approach may not work for everyone. But I'm telling you, it is effective because it targets the real issues. Best of all, it is empowering. Try it. And start with lower balances if you think you'll need an early and strong reinforcement to keep going. Else, target your higher interest debts.
1) Garlic needn't be expensive. Grow your own. One clove and a crack in the sidewalk is all that is needed (per plant, or course). Our garlic is much stronger than that wimpy store bought pit run too. Whoa nelly.
2) How does one administer a placebo for garlic? I mean, everyone in the study would know who got the real deal. Wouldn't they?
3) Guest, do we have a reference to a properly conducted controlled study supporting your claim on the ineffectiveness of millions of prayers on behalf of amputees? Well do we, Guest? Your conclusion may seem plausible; however, I know we're not making unsubstantiated claims directly after such a troll's rant on the same.
With this plan, you're going to end up paying a total of $27,000 on a debt of $16,000. If you just take out a personal loan for the entire amount, you can pay it off in 3 years instead of 5, and save yourself quite a bit of interest in the process.
Okay, this is really cool (and I'll remember it next time I need some of those battery types). However, you really need to compare prices a little more consistently! You can get 394's for $0.99 on Amazon too. At 16 per pack, that's still a ~10x savings though if you need that many!
Thanks - this helps a lot. I've been coming up with the same plan myself, and this is a great way of finishing up the plan.
I recently paid off a few small debts and got a - literally - cheap thrill ;), I then checked the interest rates on my debts. Wow! My major credit card is running at 32%. Luckily I have some money coming in soon so I'll be throwing cash at that debt, which will (if the plan works) turn my monthly income around so I'll be cash positive, and I'll to continue to pay it down then work on the other smaller debts which also have much lower interest rates. (So I guess I'm lucky for this plan - the size of my debts correlates with the size the interest rates).
My only problem in the past has been allowing myself to "carry" about 10% of any credit line. Which I now realize to be, uh, misguided ;)
For me, an acelerated loan repayment is an important component of a comprehensive debt management and wealth building plan. In our cash-based household, we max out our retirement accounts, pay-off any credit card debts the month they occur (we use them for big/emergency costs only), set aside funds for savings and investment, AND add 1/12 of a morgage payment each month toward principal. For us, an accelerated loan repayment plan for a home we love and may keep for 20+ years (who knows) works for us, even if it offers less reward than one might (might) obtain elsewhere. But the key here is that is only one of several approaches we use for managing debts and building assets.
I recently filed a complaint with the Fair Housing Act for being denied housing because, "this place isn't suitable for children." I'll let you know how it goes...
about batteries from China. You may end up getting burned by that one. Pun intended.
Hey it sounds like a nifty idea...that is until someone tries it and their car battery blows up in their face, or they are burned, or shocked.
Who they gonna sue...probably not the guy who made this video.
Before I go cutting open batteries, I wonder if this hack only applies to the Energizer brand or with cheaper no-name or from China Batteries?
I have heard my friends complain about such charges that parents didn't authorize or were confused by advertisements and 6-pt fine print. Your best advocate might be the credit card company; call and explain the problem, tell them that the charges are disputed, and let them resolve the problem. The cc companies are typically vigilant about addressing problems such as these thanks to federal regulations pertaining to credit.
Just a note, if the charges were incurred by a debit card, you won't have the same protections.
The day a hearing aid uses batteries that large is the day we all fail as a technologically advancing world.
I have so many Consumer Advocate stories.....I am known throughout my circle for my "poison pen" talents!
I will share my latest and greatest challenge, and try to keep it short:
My Mother & her husband are in thier late 60's and retired, living on the east coast of our state about 3 hours away. My Mother has recently been diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, and her husband with early onset Alzheimers. Due to their health, my siblings and I have been taking turns going over and staying with them to help with Doctor appts, surgeries, paying bills, etc. I was put in charge of bill paying. While going through their credit card bills, I was seeing all sorts of new charges for things like "Great Fun", "Buyers Advantage", "AutoVantage", etc...ranging from $9.95/month upwards to $199.99! It seems they are all under the same parent company by the TLG prefix on the bill. Parental units have no idea what these charges are, or where they came from. After further research I found the parent company wwas TRILEGIANT in Connecticut, and they have MANY complaints against them for fraudulent behavior towards consumers, including a class action lawsuit! I not only had to spend hours on the phone getting OVER $2500 in charges removed from my Mom's credit card, but wrote letters to the Better Business Bureau (they filed a complaint, Trilegiant never responded - surprise), Trilegiant (never responded, big surprise), and, most recently, the State Attorney General's Office in CT...waiting to hear back. I am happy to have the charges removed, and have my voice heard...and it would be a bonus if I can get at least some of their money back.
I haven't yet seen enough of the Bernanke Fed to make a prediction. If the discount rate cut is a signal of further rate cuts to come, then we need to worry about the future value of the dollar. But if it's a substitute for more significant cuts, then it's a really clever move that preserves the value of the dollar while calming markets.
I'm afraid it's a "time will tell" kind of situation.
Where would I find the vidio for this. I dont understand how this would work.
thanks
When I was 16 I wanted to see Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back in theaters with my friends. My mom bought our tickets but left before we went into the movie. When we got to the door, the ticket taker wasn't going to let us in because we weren't 17, despite the fact we had tickets. After some arguing and saying 'this is ridiculous' a couple hundred times, we finally got into the movie.
I can imagine this being pretty damn useful for people with hearing aids etc.
That video sounds just like an infomercial - I kept waiting for the "and if you call now, we'll throw in..."
Though the material in a pencil is commonly referred to as "lead" it is graphite, i.e. it is carbon (C) not lead (Pb). See http://science.howstuffworks.com/question465.htm. So, breathing fumes from its burning probably wouldn't be much worse than breathing the smoke from burning logs. If it was really lead (Pb), it would be much worse.
I've read money management articles that have financial planners advising clients to pay off credit card balances using special rates. I would call these teaser rates, which sometimes they are, but there are also offers that are good until the balance is paid; with the caveat being if you are late on any loan (not just the one owed to the credit card company offering the great rate) then your rate can get switched to a higher rate, something like 32%. I get these offers quite a bit though I don't know if the person with mounds of credit card debt gets them. What is your take on using this approach to digging out of the credit card hole?
lol! Those little battery sellers must hate energizer and this video!
These debt roll-up plans address a problem that no personal loan or other "house-cleaning" line of credit will fix. The problem here is overspending, not the inaccessibility of loans. Surely, there are several versions of these plans and some will cost more than others (e.g., targeting high interest rates vs. smaller balances first).
But the point here is to help reinvigorate fiscal discipline in a way that is personally rewarding and effective. Personally, I've found this strategy of rolling up debts to be unbelieveably effective. In a period of a couple of years, my wife and I went from 6 or 7 credit accounts and thousands in debt to holding only two loans -- a mortgage and a car loan. We were working on the latter -- at which point we'd have scaled our plan way back -- when we sold a house for a large profit, paid off the car, and moved to another home that fit our needs better. The interest rate we got was very low. Why? Because we'd spent the previous couple of years cleaning our financial house by reducing our debts in a disciplined, consistent manner. These plans can help.
This approach may not work for everyone. But I'm telling you, it is effective because it targets the real issues. Best of all, it is empowering. Try it. And start with lower balances if you think you'll need an early and strong reinforcement to keep going. Else, target your higher interest debts.
h2so4...if it is a car or acid based battery..
H2SO4 in your face anyone?
be starting your car right after you've been drinking wine.
1) Garlic needn't be expensive. Grow your own. One clove and a crack in the sidewalk is all that is needed (per plant, or course). Our garlic is much stronger than that wimpy store bought pit run too. Whoa nelly.
2) How does one administer a placebo for garlic? I mean, everyone in the study would know who got the real deal. Wouldn't they?
3) Guest, do we have a reference to a properly conducted controlled study supporting your claim on the ineffectiveness of millions of prayers on behalf of amputees? Well do we, Guest? Your conclusion may seem plausible; however, I know we're not making unsubstantiated claims directly after such a troll's rant on the same.
With this plan, you're going to end up paying a total of $27,000 on a debt of $16,000. If you just take out a personal loan for the entire amount, you can pay it off in 3 years instead of 5, and save yourself quite a bit of interest in the process.
Okay, this is really cool (and I'll remember it next time I need some of those battery types). However, you really need to compare prices a little more consistently! You can get 394's for $0.99 on Amazon too. At 16 per pack, that's still a ~10x savings though if you need that many!
Thanks - this helps a lot. I've been coming up with the same plan myself, and this is a great way of finishing up the plan.
I recently paid off a few small debts and got a - literally - cheap thrill ;), I then checked the interest rates on my debts. Wow! My major credit card is running at 32%. Luckily I have some money coming in soon so I'll be throwing cash at that debt, which will (if the plan works) turn my monthly income around so I'll be cash positive, and I'll to continue to pay it down then work on the other smaller debts which also have much lower interest rates. (So I guess I'm lucky for this plan - the size of my debts correlates with the size the interest rates).
My only problem in the past has been allowing myself to "carry" about 10% of any credit line. Which I now realize to be, uh, misguided ;)
For me, an acelerated loan repayment is an important component of a comprehensive debt management and wealth building plan. In our cash-based household, we max out our retirement accounts, pay-off any credit card debts the month they occur (we use them for big/emergency costs only), set aside funds for savings and investment, AND add 1/12 of a morgage payment each month toward principal. For us, an accelerated loan repayment plan for a home we love and may keep for 20+ years (who knows) works for us, even if it offers less reward than one might (might) obtain elsewhere. But the key here is that is only one of several approaches we use for managing debts and building assets.
Whoa, thats pretty sweet! Do you if the batteries last as long as their expensive counterparts?