I use mostly credit card reward cards for holiday gifts. Either I give the card (say, for a restaurant), or I spend the card on the gift. Then I am just using the rewards from my credit cards rather than having to spend more. I even get a card to use at the grocery store to buy all those ingredients for holiday baking.
Pay attention to whether the fire-rating is for paper or media. Magnetic media (who uses that anymore) as well as CDs/DVDs will become unusable at far lower temperatures than it takes to burn paper (451F).
Of course everyone already has off-site backups of this important digital information anyway, right?
Lately I just pick up enough for the day's meal. I no longer buy a weeks worth of groceries at a time including meat.
I find it's just as easy to stop in the store as it is to pick up take out.
Great for living on a budget and for cooking a meal for two. Not worth worth it to me to buy a lot of stuff and freeze it and then never use it, this way I know it's fresh and I won't waste it!
Great article. I live in a varied income too and find it's best to work with the lowest figure and throw the extras straight into savings when the money comes in. I am working at using the extra savings to pay off debt and then I can start having some fun with the big months :)
These are great ways to earn Xmas $$. I left this goal by the wayside but I'm going to pick it up again. I'll have a few Amazon cards, MyPoints gift cards and Lightspeed Panel cards by then, and I've got a ton of stuff from Walgreens for gift baskets, all free or pennies on the dollar. Sadly, ToysRUs is going out of business here so it looks like I'll get some deals on toys too.
The thing I'm most irked by is the grocery coupon game - or any approach that deals primarily with trying to get deals on food. It's extremely important to me to support my local farmers, food producers, and greengrocers. I buy processed food as little as possible. Coupons are either a) not available for the things I want to buy, or b) take money directly out of the pockets of the individuals who work very hard to grow my food. If anything is worth spending money on, it's nutrition and local farmers.
Under the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act, you are allowed to challenge the validity of a debt that a collection agency states you owe to them. Use this letter and the following form to make the agency verify that the debt is actually yours and owed by you. Keep a copy for your files and send the letter registered mail.
Your Name
123 Your Street Address
Your City, ST 01234
ABC Collections
123 NotOnYourLife Ave
Chicago, IL
Date:
Re: Acct # XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on September 30, 2002). Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.
This is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.
Please provide me with the following:
# What the money you say I owe is for;
# Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
# Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
# Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
# Identify the original creditor;
# Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account
# Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state
# Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent
At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau’s (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following:
* Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
* Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
* Defamation of Character
If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist.
Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.
If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.
I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.
It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.
I live in Florida, where the max unemployment rate is tragically LOWER than federal minimum wage. So the chances of being offered a job paying less than unempoyment are virtually impossible.
Remove razors from the shower in between uses. It extends the life of the razor because it's not repeatedly exposed to water. Also, checkout freecycle.org. They have tons of free stuff. Don't have cable? Watch tv shows for free at hulu.com
I see everal posts about grocery chains lowering their prices so that Costco, BJ's, etc isn't a bargain anymore. But you have to remember, before the gorcery chains start cutting prices, they start cutting quality. I used to work for a small grocery chain and I can tell you over the last year and a half, their new yorks have lost almost a 1/4 in thickness and only gone down 15% in cost. I've never measured the steaks at Costco, but they don't look any thinner to me.
I like what you have just said, it is so true. I'm also 26 struggling to figure what I wanna be in life to not end up as a loser. I never went to the Uni, it just didn't happened for me. I was made redundant twice in the recent two yrs but I knew it was for the better even tho It wasn't easy at first I didnt despair I was happy to loose my second burden 9-5 boring job in administration. Just did my PTLLS, enrolled for another teaching course this time support at schools, although I am not sure whether I want to be a teacher, simply because English is my second language so I would have to finish the Uni, another 5 yrs studying or more. I don't think I could manage that, although I love to learn I am doing plenty of part time studying, in so varied subjects, usually evening courses. I am striving for challenges and so on. The recent challenge It was volunteering in a local theatre helping out with stage management among people with leaning difficulties. Now, that's something I would never think of doing but when proposition came I simply took it and I am enjoy it now. Now I'm thinking of taking some acting classes so I could grasp the concept on performing on stage. It gives me that feeling that maybe I could be doing this in the future, helping people out who really needs it.
Recently I've applied for an Internship to charity organisation as I'm thinking of becoming fundraiser, campaigner, I would like to get involved in the events and be pro-active. I am still waiting for the outcome but that interview was like I was aplying for a manager position already, it lasted over half an hour and I didn't know what to expect afterwards. Anyway What I was gonna say, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone even it sounds lame, heheh I can relate to you, and just wanna say: never give up. Your efforts will pay off. Just try to do what you can relatively enjoy and stay positive - the most constuctive way od being I have learnt!
All the best!
Eating lasagne for 3 years is the most stupid thing I can imagine. I would rather be broke forever than eat your way. What's the money for at all? Food in the first place! That's the basic life quality element.
Japan was where US is now in 1990! US baby boom now 49years is about to pop - exactly as Japan did 1991 when their BB was 49years old. Peak spenders turn to savers.
The difference is Japan had 20years of global growth to export stuff. The US will have next to none. They won't have any cash to save!
The big difference with Japan:
They will starve! Yes - no food = in two weeks your dead!
185 mil in population - only about 5 days food reserves.
World wide breakdown in food export and ramping up of food prices + a failing of the Japanese economy = millions starving over night.
Funny thing = They have thousands of rice silos around the country used in the depression - ALL EMPTY TODAY.
I say "Konickiwa you should store some food under your house" The say " He he We don't have an 'under our house!"
Thanks for reminding me...a couple years ago I came up with a domain name and discovered someone was already using that domain name for an unrelated purpose.
(mine was a phrase of two short words with an obvious social meaning and the person using the domain name was using it in a contrived sense for commercial purposes.).
Turns out the domain name is now available.
And I have a five-letter idea (available) for a domain name which concisely describes a popular product AND a specific place.
Wish I knew this earlier! Just hired http://www.hartscarpetcleaning.com to come take care of all my embarrassing carpet stains for me. Oh well, at least it's less work for me!
Awesome post on a topic I didn't know much about previously. Never seriously considered credit card balance transfers but their are definitely some instances where it makes sense.
How can this be regarded as insulting? Was the publisher referring to you PERSONALLY? I doubt it. Besides, I know far too many people that should definitely be using this advice.
Why is it that people always want savers to spend more? It's like telling a fit person that they don't need to work out because they're so fit. They wouldn't be fit (or have lots of money) if they didn't work out (or didn't save money).
I have Roth IRAs funded between 2006 and 2009 in a variety of mutual funds. Some will convert at a gain and some at a loss. Will I be taxed on the net gain of all of them combined or taxed individually on only the gains?
On the topic of chlorine, it's worth distinguishing between the carrots being *rinsed* in chlorinated water and being *soaked* in chlorine. The former is true; the latter is not as far as I've been able to determine.
Has anyone gone to the trouble of checking to see whether the resulting carrots actually have any trace of chlorine on them, when they arrive in your kitchen?
Note also that the reported 30% reduction in beta carotene will, for some people at least, be more than compensated for by the increased consumption of carrots over all.
I use mostly credit card reward cards for holiday gifts. Either I give the card (say, for a restaurant), or I spend the card on the gift. Then I am just using the rewards from my credit cards rather than having to spend more. I even get a card to use at the grocery store to buy all those ingredients for holiday baking.
Pay attention to whether the fire-rating is for paper or media. Magnetic media (who uses that anymore) as well as CDs/DVDs will become unusable at far lower temperatures than it takes to burn paper (451F).
Of course everyone already has off-site backups of this important digital information anyway, right?
OR: Become a vegetarian and quit paying people to torture and murder animals for your consumption.
Lately I just pick up enough for the day's meal. I no longer buy a weeks worth of groceries at a time including meat.
I find it's just as easy to stop in the store as it is to pick up take out.
Great for living on a budget and for cooking a meal for two. Not worth worth it to me to buy a lot of stuff and freeze it and then never use it, this way I know it's fresh and I won't waste it!
Great article. I live in a varied income too and find it's best to work with the lowest figure and throw the extras straight into savings when the money comes in. I am working at using the extra savings to pay off debt and then I can start having some fun with the big months :)
These are great ways to earn Xmas $$. I left this goal by the wayside but I'm going to pick it up again. I'll have a few Amazon cards, MyPoints gift cards and Lightspeed Panel cards by then, and I've got a ton of stuff from Walgreens for gift baskets, all free or pennies on the dollar. Sadly, ToysRUs is going out of business here so it looks like I'll get some deals on toys too.
The thing I'm most irked by is the grocery coupon game - or any approach that deals primarily with trying to get deals on food. It's extremely important to me to support my local farmers, food producers, and greengrocers. I buy processed food as little as possible. Coupons are either a) not available for the things I want to buy, or b) take money directly out of the pockets of the individuals who work very hard to grow my food. If anything is worth spending money on, it's nutrition and local farmers.
Thank you for this post, I will pursue my dreams no matter what.
This normally never fails to make them disapear.
Attempt to Validate Debt.
Under the Federal Debt Collection Practices Act, you are allowed to challenge the validity of a debt that a collection agency states you owe to them. Use this letter and the following form to make the agency verify that the debt is actually yours and owed by you. Keep a copy for your files and send the letter registered mail.
Your Name
123 Your Street Address
Your City, ST 01234
ABC Collections
123 NotOnYourLife Ave
Chicago, IL
Date:
Re: Acct # XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter is being sent to you in response to a notice sent to me on September 30, 2002). Be advised that this is not a refusal to pay, but a notice sent pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 USC 1692g Sec. 809 (b) that your claim is disputed and validation is requested.
This is NOT a request for “verification” or proof of my mailing address, but a request for VALIDATION made pursuant to the above named Title and Section. I respectfully request that your offices provide me with competent evidence that I have any legal obligation to pay you.
Please provide me with the following:
# What the money you say I owe is for;
# Explain and show me how you calculated what you say I owe;
# Provide me with copies of any papers that show I agreed to pay what you say I owe;
# Provide a verification or copy of any judgment if applicable;
# Identify the original creditor;
# Prove the Statute of Limitations has not expired on this account
# Show me that you are licensed to collect in my state
# Provide me with your license numbers and Registered Agent
At this time I will also inform you that if your offices have reported invalidated information to any of the 3 major Credit Bureau’s (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) this action might constitute fraud under both Federal and State Laws. Due to this fact, if any negative mark is found on any of my credit reports by your company or the company that you represent I will not hesitate in bringing legal action against you for the following:
* Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
* Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
* Defamation of Character
If your offices are able to provide the proper documentation as requested in the following Declaration, I will require at least 30 days to investigate this information and during such time all collection activity must cease and desist.
Also during this validation period, if any action is taken which could be considered detrimental to any of my credit reports, I will consult with my legal counsel for suit. This includes any listing any information to a credit reporting repository that could be inaccurate or invalidated or verifying an account as accurate when in fact there is no provided proof that it is.
If your offices fail to respond to this validation request within 30 days from the date of your receipt, all references to this account must be deleted and completely removed from my credit file and a copy of such deletion request shall be sent to me immediately.
I would also like to request, in writing, that no telephone contact be made by your offices to my home or to my place of employment. If your offices attempt telephone communication with me, including but not limited to computer generated calls and calls or correspondence sent to or with any third parties, it will be considered harassment and I will have no choice but to file suit. All future communications with me MUST be done in writing and sent to the address noted in this letter by USPS.
It would be advisable that you assure that your records are in order before I am forced to take legal action. This is an attempt to correct your records, any information obtained shall be used for that purpose.
Best Regards,
Your Signature
Your Name
I live in Florida, where the max unemployment rate is tragically LOWER than federal minimum wage. So the chances of being offered a job paying less than unempoyment are virtually impossible.
Another informative and entertaining article. Some new shopping sites to try!
Remove razors from the shower in between uses. It extends the life of the razor because it's not repeatedly exposed to water. Also, checkout freecycle.org. They have tons of free stuff. Don't have cable? Watch tv shows for free at hulu.com
I see everal posts about grocery chains lowering their prices so that Costco, BJ's, etc isn't a bargain anymore. But you have to remember, before the gorcery chains start cutting prices, they start cutting quality. I used to work for a small grocery chain and I can tell you over the last year and a half, their new yorks have lost almost a 1/4 in thickness and only gone down 15% in cost. I've never measured the steaks at Costco, but they don't look any thinner to me.
Using the coupon code EMMA15 will save you 15% on MozyPro, or you can use EMMA for a 15% discount on MozyHome
I like what you have just said, it is so true. I'm also 26 struggling to figure what I wanna be in life to not end up as a loser. I never went to the Uni, it just didn't happened for me. I was made redundant twice in the recent two yrs but I knew it was for the better even tho It wasn't easy at first I didnt despair I was happy to loose my second burden 9-5 boring job in administration. Just did my PTLLS, enrolled for another teaching course this time support at schools, although I am not sure whether I want to be a teacher, simply because English is my second language so I would have to finish the Uni, another 5 yrs studying or more. I don't think I could manage that, although I love to learn I am doing plenty of part time studying, in so varied subjects, usually evening courses. I am striving for challenges and so on. The recent challenge It was volunteering in a local theatre helping out with stage management among people with leaning difficulties. Now, that's something I would never think of doing but when proposition came I simply took it and I am enjoy it now. Now I'm thinking of taking some acting classes so I could grasp the concept on performing on stage. It gives me that feeling that maybe I could be doing this in the future, helping people out who really needs it.
Recently I've applied for an Internship to charity organisation as I'm thinking of becoming fundraiser, campaigner, I would like to get involved in the events and be pro-active. I am still waiting for the outcome but that interview was like I was aplying for a manager position already, it lasted over half an hour and I didn't know what to expect afterwards. Anyway What I was gonna say, just wanted to let you know that you're not alone even it sounds lame, heheh I can relate to you, and just wanna say: never give up. Your efforts will pay off. Just try to do what you can relatively enjoy and stay positive - the most constuctive way od being I have learnt!
All the best!
Eating lasagne for 3 years is the most stupid thing I can imagine. I would rather be broke forever than eat your way. What's the money for at all? Food in the first place! That's the basic life quality element.
Have you seen http://www.copykat.com ? They have recipes that taste like restaurant recipes.
Well Da!
Japan was where US is now in 1990! US baby boom now 49years is about to pop - exactly as Japan did 1991 when their BB was 49years old. Peak spenders turn to savers.
The difference is Japan had 20years of global growth to export stuff. The US will have next to none. They won't have any cash to save!
The big difference with Japan:
They will starve! Yes - no food = in two weeks your dead!
185 mil in population - only about 5 days food reserves.
World wide breakdown in food export and ramping up of food prices + a failing of the Japanese economy = millions starving over night.
Funny thing = They have thousands of rice silos around the country used in the depression - ALL EMPTY TODAY.
I say "Konickiwa you should store some food under your house" The say " He he We don't have an 'under our house!"
Thanks for reminding me...a couple years ago I came up with a domain name and discovered someone was already using that domain name for an unrelated purpose.
(mine was a phrase of two short words with an obvious social meaning and the person using the domain name was using it in a contrived sense for commercial purposes.).
Turns out the domain name is now available.
And I have a five-letter idea (available) for a domain name which concisely describes a popular product AND a specific place.
Wish I knew this earlier! Just hired http://www.hartscarpetcleaning.com to come take care of all my embarrassing carpet stains for me. Oh well, at least it's less work for me!
Awesome post on a topic I didn't know much about previously. Never seriously considered credit card balance transfers but their are definitely some instances where it makes sense.
How can this be regarded as insulting? Was the publisher referring to you PERSONALLY? I doubt it. Besides, I know far too many people that should definitely be using this advice.
Why is it that people always want savers to spend more? It's like telling a fit person that they don't need to work out because they're so fit. They wouldn't be fit (or have lots of money) if they didn't work out (or didn't save money).
I have Roth IRAs funded between 2006 and 2009 in a variety of mutual funds. Some will convert at a gain and some at a loss. Will I be taxed on the net gain of all of them combined or taxed individually on only the gains?
On the topic of chlorine, it's worth distinguishing between the carrots being *rinsed* in chlorinated water and being *soaked* in chlorine. The former is true; the latter is not as far as I've been able to determine.
Has anyone gone to the trouble of checking to see whether the resulting carrots actually have any trace of chlorine on them, when they arrive in your kitchen?
Note also that the reported 30% reduction in beta carotene will, for some people at least, be more than compensated for by the increased consumption of carrots over all.
Chris MacDonald
http://Food-Ethics.com