I'm hopeful but also scared because I will be making a lot of big decisions in the coming year. I'm hoping that the economy and the job market will improve greatly.
I happened to come across this blog by accident but it just so happens that I have a netspend card. I also recieved this card in the mail and no i did not apply for it either. However, I called and asked questions about the card and they informed me that it is a prepaid debit card that I can control because I deposit money on it myself. I have had this netspend card for over a year now and I am sorry but none of you have the right facts. One, I have set up direct deposit using my Netspend card and for the past year Netspend has deposited my checks THREE days early then I am scheduled to be paid as an added bonus for using them. Secondly, Netspend has bill pay options for their clients that ables them to set-up bill arrangements with thousands of compaines throughout the U.S. Third, they have a loan service they use for the times when you come up short between paydays. You just simply enroll they tell you how much you qualify for and they deposit the amount you need onto your Netspend card in less than 5 minutes. No paperwork, no hassle, and they just take what you owe off of your card on your next payday deposit. Finally, Yes netspend does charge 0.50 for checking your account balance by phone but it is always free to check it via internet. They charge this fee because if you lose your card and someone picks it up and trys to call and get information by phone they can trace your card by the last phone number they used to call about your card. Overall, netspend is for people who don't want to use credit cards and get themselves into something they can't handle. There are no hidden fees because YOU control your account, if you dont put money on it you cant use it or go and overdraw your account, its simple as that. So instead of criticizing or just jump on the bandwagon about how terrible this card is, you should research more and talk less.
I hope for 2010 what I did not see this year ...
-I hope for advancement in individual freedoms not only in the US, but abroad ... that makes living worth while
-I hope for Americans to get back to our roots and re-discover what it means to be an American ... the way we did during 911 ... take care one another w/o government enforcement and its unintended consequences
-I hope to be proud of our country ... be able to tell my daughter that we come from the greatest country in the world ... make my day-to-day efforts seem important ... making a better place to leave behind
-I hope that the inventive/entrepreneurial spirit comes back to America ... that way we can solve our problems
-I hope that we move back to the "values" of our founding fathers ... that way we will have direction, a compass
-I hope that we put Americans back to work
I have hope but am going to make efforts to turn that hope into reality. This year I got the finanaces under control, this coming year I plan to do the same with exercise.
I'm looking forward to 2010, though I'm also a little nervous as well. I'll be graduating this coming May, so the summer and beyond remain murky for me. But I embrace the challenge, and am excited for what I'll do and achieve in 2010.
I'm pretty hopeful for 2010! Going to be planning for my wedding, have a new sister-in-law, and going to be better balancing life in general. Yay to a new start!
I haven't had a very good year this year, starting off with illness that lead to job loss and prolonged unemployment, so I am very hopeful 2010 will be a much better year for me. I can't see it getting much worse! I am looking foward to the new/fresh start that comes with each new year.
In Jan of 2008 I acquired a NetSpend PrePaid Card for the sole purpose of doing online ordering so I would not have to use my issued cards and risk the chance of having my credit files and identity stolen. As it turns out I have experienced the great ripoff of NetSpend. I deposited $3100.00 on the card to purchase items from a Computer Manufactoring Company. The funds went missing before I could place the order the next day and netspend has till yet to explain what has happened to the funds or make good on them. I have only been lied to, jerked around, charged time and time again for customer service calls and have been told that I am at thier mercy and if I want to take legal actions against them that I would never get my funds returned to me. It has now been 11 months and still waiting for thier mercy.
Good article, but there's one important, and easily overlooked, aspect you forgot, the GPU. The GPU is a crucial component for people who may want to watch video or play games on their netbooks, especially for netbooks with 10 or 11 inch screens that often have higher resolution.
There are currently 4 GPUs used in most of todays netbooks. The first is the Intel GMA950. This is an older GPU used in cheaper and older netbook models. It's also the worst one out there. Avoid it if you plan on using your netbook for any sort of media.
The next step up in Intel's newer GMA4500. It's a big step up over the GMA950, and handles higher resolution screens much better. However, it struggles with 3D applications. If you're getting a netbook with a high res screen, but don't plan to play games or other 3D applications, then the GMA4500 may work ok for you.
The current top dog in Netbook GPUs though is the Nvidia 9300M, sometimes referred to as Ion. It will handle High def video, newer 3D games on moderate visual settings, and all of Windows 7's UI bells and whistles with ease. The trade off is that you'll often pay $50-$100 more compared to similar netbook models and you might sacrifice a bit of battery life as well.
The last one isn't a GPU at all, but Intel's newest Pinetrail ATOM processors, which incorporate the GPU into the CPU. Early reviews show that they perform somewhere between the GMA950 and the GMA4500. They're cheap though, and they use moderately less power than othe GPUs, so if your graphics needs are modest, these may be a good solution.
I currently have both a 529 account for college savings and a UTMA account with a brokerage company (I went with Charles Schwab).
I'm happy with the amount that I have in both. So far, the dividend stocks I'm in don't return enough of a dividend to be tax yet, and I haven't sold many stocks so I don't have many capital gains or losses. I keep a close eye on it since the changes to the Kiddie Tax took effect.
I think I'll start buying some stocks in my account then at a later point in time consider transferring them over to my kids (as you suggested above). That way I know that they won't all blow it on an expensive car or a fancy vacation once they turn 21 (or 18 depending on the state that you are in).
My wife and I bought a Gateway netbook right after Thanksgiving. I absolutely love it. It is very light, and the complaints about a small screen and keyboard have not registered with me. I have very wide fingers, and I have as much trouble typing on my full-sized laptop as I do typing on the netbook.
We use no Microsoft software on the netbook. We only use web-based software like Google Docs and OpenOffice.org in case we don't have a wireless connection. We have not missed MS Office one bit. I even run my business operations on the netbook since I use all web-based software. As more businesses use web-based software, I can see the day where a netbook and a smartphone will be all a "road warrior" needs to be productive.
I may still ultimately purchase a Macbook to replace my existing Gateway laptop in the future, but I am sold on the benefits of a netbook. At the very least, I'll use a netbook when I travel instead of lugging a full-sized laptop with me.
The old pot still has more flavour, hands down. See it this way, when the mash starts to steam up, it carries the fruity flavours with it. It goes up and the first thing that condenses is the water, it falls back down, most of it. The alcohol and flavour is still carried on with some water. Now you have a funnel collecting steam and squeezing it to the pipe. If the funnel runs up hill, what condenses runs into the pot, the flavour and some more water fall out? If it runs down hill, it falls out and runs into the coil. You will get more flavour with an old time pot still with the funnel running down hill. You will also get more water, fusel oils and yes, hangovers.
A reflux still is different. It does the same thing in the pot itself, some water falls out. When it hits the first part of the column, some water falls out, the rest moves up a few inches in the column. Now its a little cooler and more water falls out, and some flavours and oils. They drip back down to try again. What is left goes up higher. This process takes place every couple inches and strips away anything that is not alcohol. What comes out is very strong and pure the first time thru. No much for the flavour is left.
If you want some artistry or flavour to your run, use a doubler or thumper. It goes between the still and the condenser. It is essentially a still that gets its heat from a still. You have some product in the thumper. It will be a mash with lots of flavour. The steam off the still comes in with low flavours and high alcohol. It heats up the liquid and causes it to steam. It is infused with alcohol from the steam, strips out the alcohol and flavours in the thumper and caries it to the condenser. Viola, you have strong flavourful liquor!
@kitchen table: A notebook is just another word for a laptop, so it's the same thing
@David: My husband agrees with you. He'd never get a netbook when a laptop is just as affordable, but he can see why traveling with a few less pounds and a much smaller computer makes sense with me, especially when it's my secondary travel-only computer, too.
As of today, Wisconsin has not adopted to new rules regarding Roth IRA's. Here is a link that explains more from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/taxpro/news/091030.html
Unless one travels a lot, or needs a laptop in many different places, I would be deadset agaist a netbook.
I think my head would explode if I had to look at that tiny screen all the time, and my big fingers have enough trouble fitting on a full size keyboard--I doubt I could type anything on one of those.
Plus, I don't think the price differential is enough to make it worthwhile. Spend the extra 100 or so dollarrs and get yourself a laptop
John Cleese did just this in his nice film about how to enjoy wine. No one could tell a $5 bottle from a $200 bottle.
That being said, what one seems to find, or at least I do, is that more people tend to prefer a sweeter wine for a while but soon the sweetness becomes offensive, especially if you drink more than one glass.
Here is the Cleese film, available for free viewing on Hulu:
1/4 sack of flour - .75
1 pack yeast - .70
1 - 2 tsp salt - nearly free
water - nearly free
Mix, let rest in covered container for at least one day. 1.5 days is better.
1/2 bottle of Ragu pizza flavor spaghetti sauce - 1
1 ball Precious Mozzerella - was on sale for 2.50 w/ coupon
3 Tbs olive oil - .25 ?
running the oven - .50 ?
Knead the dough. Let rest, stretch into circle on a pizza pan (kind with holes in it). Let rest to rise.
Turn up the oven to 500F. Coat dough with olive oil. Add shredded cheese and sauce in desired proportions, with desired layering (or omit either). Bake until done. Brown cheese in the broiler.
Knowing what you owe and own is central to knowing how debt is affecting your life. This exercise can create the "aha" that I have to chenge my ways to get ahead. On the flip side, it may tell someone what a great position they have created. Good post!
Have you visited the website Shortcuts.com? You create an account with the website and link it to your shopper's card (I use my Kroger card). Then on the website you click on the coupons that you want to "clip" or add to your card. It's as simple as that!
When you go to redeem your coupons, you simply swipe your shopper's card at the register and your coupons should register on the receipt that they were redeemed. I hope this helps :)
Nice blog. A Box of Wine, a Loaf of Bread, and Thou makes a perfect combination. The “Wine Cube” looks economical. It was nice going through your blog.
I also want to find out what the difference of the two is and also what functions best. I am planning to give my kid a laptop but he likes notebook. It is confusing. I thought it was the same.
Guest, Cheryl F. and David, thanks for commenting. I agree with you -- the prices are just too hard to ignore. I'd love to try the wines from Georgia and Moldova, David! That'd be fun.
Rachel, what a great idea for a true experiment. Unfortunately, on this island, I don't have the same box/bottle availability. It's a great idea for a party -- just in time for New Year's Eve!
I'm hopeful but also scared because I will be making a lot of big decisions in the coming year. I'm hoping that the economy and the job market will improve greatly.
I happened to come across this blog by accident but it just so happens that I have a netspend card. I also recieved this card in the mail and no i did not apply for it either. However, I called and asked questions about the card and they informed me that it is a prepaid debit card that I can control because I deposit money on it myself. I have had this netspend card for over a year now and I am sorry but none of you have the right facts. One, I have set up direct deposit using my Netspend card and for the past year Netspend has deposited my checks THREE days early then I am scheduled to be paid as an added bonus for using them. Secondly, Netspend has bill pay options for their clients that ables them to set-up bill arrangements with thousands of compaines throughout the U.S. Third, they have a loan service they use for the times when you come up short between paydays. You just simply enroll they tell you how much you qualify for and they deposit the amount you need onto your Netspend card in less than 5 minutes. No paperwork, no hassle, and they just take what you owe off of your card on your next payday deposit. Finally, Yes netspend does charge 0.50 for checking your account balance by phone but it is always free to check it via internet. They charge this fee because if you lose your card and someone picks it up and trys to call and get information by phone they can trace your card by the last phone number they used to call about your card. Overall, netspend is for people who don't want to use credit cards and get themselves into something they can't handle. There are no hidden fees because YOU control your account, if you dont put money on it you cant use it or go and overdraw your account, its simple as that. So instead of criticizing or just jump on the bandwagon about how terrible this card is, you should research more and talk less.
I hope for 2010 what I did not see this year ...
-I hope for advancement in individual freedoms not only in the US, but abroad ... that makes living worth while
-I hope for Americans to get back to our roots and re-discover what it means to be an American ... the way we did during 911 ... take care one another w/o government enforcement and its unintended consequences
-I hope to be proud of our country ... be able to tell my daughter that we come from the greatest country in the world ... make my day-to-day efforts seem important ... making a better place to leave behind
-I hope that the inventive/entrepreneurial spirit comes back to America ... that way we can solve our problems
-I hope that we move back to the "values" of our founding fathers ... that way we will have direction, a compass
-I hope that we put Americans back to work
I have hope but am going to make efforts to turn that hope into reality. This year I got the finanaces under control, this coming year I plan to do the same with exercise.
I'm looking forward to 2010, though I'm also a little nervous as well. I'll be graduating this coming May, so the summer and beyond remain murky for me. But I embrace the challenge, and am excited for what I'll do and achieve in 2010.
I definitely have hope for the New Year. Without hope, you have despair....and who needs more of that....?
I'm pretty hopeful for 2010! Going to be planning for my wedding, have a new sister-in-law, and going to be better balancing life in general. Yay to a new start!
I haven't had a very good year this year, starting off with illness that lead to job loss and prolonged unemployment, so I am very hopeful 2010 will be a much better year for me. I can't see it getting much worse! I am looking foward to the new/fresh start that comes with each new year.
In Jan of 2008 I acquired a NetSpend PrePaid Card for the sole purpose of doing online ordering so I would not have to use my issued cards and risk the chance of having my credit files and identity stolen. As it turns out I have experienced the great ripoff of NetSpend. I deposited $3100.00 on the card to purchase items from a Computer Manufactoring Company. The funds went missing before I could place the order the next day and netspend has till yet to explain what has happened to the funds or make good on them. I have only been lied to, jerked around, charged time and time again for customer service calls and have been told that I am at thier mercy and if I want to take legal actions against them that I would never get my funds returned to me. It has now been 11 months and still waiting for thier mercy.
C P Borer
Good article, but there's one important, and easily overlooked, aspect you forgot, the GPU. The GPU is a crucial component for people who may want to watch video or play games on their netbooks, especially for netbooks with 10 or 11 inch screens that often have higher resolution.
There are currently 4 GPUs used in most of todays netbooks. The first is the Intel GMA950. This is an older GPU used in cheaper and older netbook models. It's also the worst one out there. Avoid it if you plan on using your netbook for any sort of media.
The next step up in Intel's newer GMA4500. It's a big step up over the GMA950, and handles higher resolution screens much better. However, it struggles with 3D applications. If you're getting a netbook with a high res screen, but don't plan to play games or other 3D applications, then the GMA4500 may work ok for you.
The current top dog in Netbook GPUs though is the Nvidia 9300M, sometimes referred to as Ion. It will handle High def video, newer 3D games on moderate visual settings, and all of Windows 7's UI bells and whistles with ease. The trade off is that you'll often pay $50-$100 more compared to similar netbook models and you might sacrifice a bit of battery life as well.
The last one isn't a GPU at all, but Intel's newest Pinetrail ATOM processors, which incorporate the GPU into the CPU. Early reviews show that they perform somewhere between the GMA950 and the GMA4500. They're cheap though, and they use moderately less power than othe GPUs, so if your graphics needs are modest, these may be a good solution.
I currently have both a 529 account for college savings and a UTMA account with a brokerage company (I went with Charles Schwab).
I'm happy with the amount that I have in both. So far, the dividend stocks I'm in don't return enough of a dividend to be tax yet, and I haven't sold many stocks so I don't have many capital gains or losses. I keep a close eye on it since the changes to the Kiddie Tax took effect.
I think I'll start buying some stocks in my account then at a later point in time consider transferring them over to my kids (as you suggested above). That way I know that they won't all blow it on an expensive car or a fancy vacation once they turn 21 (or 18 depending on the state that you are in).
Thx for the great info!
My wife and I bought a Gateway netbook right after Thanksgiving. I absolutely love it. It is very light, and the complaints about a small screen and keyboard have not registered with me. I have very wide fingers, and I have as much trouble typing on my full-sized laptop as I do typing on the netbook.
We use no Microsoft software on the netbook. We only use web-based software like Google Docs and OpenOffice.org in case we don't have a wireless connection. We have not missed MS Office one bit. I even run my business operations on the netbook since I use all web-based software. As more businesses use web-based software, I can see the day where a netbook and a smartphone will be all a "road warrior" needs to be productive.
I may still ultimately purchase a Macbook to replace my existing Gateway laptop in the future, but I am sold on the benefits of a netbook. At the very least, I'll use a netbook when I travel instead of lugging a full-sized laptop with me.
The old pot still has more flavour, hands down. See it this way, when the mash starts to steam up, it carries the fruity flavours with it. It goes up and the first thing that condenses is the water, it falls back down, most of it. The alcohol and flavour is still carried on with some water. Now you have a funnel collecting steam and squeezing it to the pipe. If the funnel runs up hill, what condenses runs into the pot, the flavour and some more water fall out? If it runs down hill, it falls out and runs into the coil. You will get more flavour with an old time pot still with the funnel running down hill. You will also get more water, fusel oils and yes, hangovers.
A reflux still is different. It does the same thing in the pot itself, some water falls out. When it hits the first part of the column, some water falls out, the rest moves up a few inches in the column. Now its a little cooler and more water falls out, and some flavours and oils. They drip back down to try again. What is left goes up higher. This process takes place every couple inches and strips away anything that is not alcohol. What comes out is very strong and pure the first time thru. No much for the flavour is left.
If you want some artistry or flavour to your run, use a doubler or thumper. It goes between the still and the condenser. It is essentially a still that gets its heat from a still. You have some product in the thumper. It will be a mash with lots of flavour. The steam off the still comes in with low flavours and high alcohol. It heats up the liquid and causes it to steam. It is infused with alcohol from the steam, strips out the alcohol and flavours in the thumper and caries it to the condenser. Viola, you have strong flavourful liquor!
Seems more complex than it needs to be - using something like mint.com or quickenonline.com would probably help to simplify this process
@kitchen table: A notebook is just another word for a laptop, so it's the same thing
@David: My husband agrees with you. He'd never get a netbook when a laptop is just as affordable, but he can see why traveling with a few less pounds and a much smaller computer makes sense with me, especially when it's my secondary travel-only computer, too.
As of today, Wisconsin has not adopted to new rules regarding Roth IRA's. Here is a link that explains more from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/taxpro/news/091030.html
Unless one travels a lot, or needs a laptop in many different places, I would be deadset agaist a netbook.
I think my head would explode if I had to look at that tiny screen all the time, and my big fingers have enough trouble fitting on a full size keyboard--I doubt I could type anything on one of those.
Plus, I don't think the price differential is enough to make it worthwhile. Spend the extra 100 or so dollarrs and get yourself a laptop
John Cleese did just this in his nice film about how to enjoy wine. No one could tell a $5 bottle from a $200 bottle.
That being said, what one seems to find, or at least I do, is that more people tend to prefer a sweeter wine for a while but soon the sweetness becomes offensive, especially if you drink more than one glass.
Here is the Cleese film, available for free viewing on Hulu:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/79439/wine-for-the-confused
1/4 sack of flour - .75
1 pack yeast - .70
1 - 2 tsp salt - nearly free
water - nearly free
Mix, let rest in covered container for at least one day. 1.5 days is better.
1/2 bottle of Ragu pizza flavor spaghetti sauce - 1
1 ball Precious Mozzerella - was on sale for 2.50 w/ coupon
3 Tbs olive oil - .25 ?
running the oven - .50 ?
Knead the dough. Let rest, stretch into circle on a pizza pan (kind with holes in it). Let rest to rise.
Turn up the oven to 500F. Coat dough with olive oil. Add shredded cheese and sauce in desired proportions, with desired layering (or omit either). Bake until done. Brown cheese in the broiler.
Cost is $5.70.
Knowing what you owe and own is central to knowing how debt is affecting your life. This exercise can create the "aha" that I have to chenge my ways to get ahead. On the flip side, it may tell someone what a great position they have created. Good post!
The best black google I found so far is
www.pixeleco.com
very cool black search.
;-)
Have you visited the website Shortcuts.com? You create an account with the website and link it to your shopper's card (I use my Kroger card). Then on the website you click on the coupons that you want to "clip" or add to your card. It's as simple as that!
When you go to redeem your coupons, you simply swipe your shopper's card at the register and your coupons should register on the receipt that they were redeemed. I hope this helps :)
Nice blog. A Box of Wine, a Loaf of Bread, and Thou makes a perfect combination. The “Wine Cube” looks economical. It was nice going through your blog.
I also want to find out what the difference of the two is and also what functions best. I am planning to give my kid a laptop but he likes notebook. It is confusing. I thought it was the same.
Guest, Cheryl F. and David, thanks for commenting. I agree with you -- the prices are just too hard to ignore. I'd love to try the wines from Georgia and Moldova, David! That'd be fun.
Rachel, what a great idea for a true experiment. Unfortunately, on this island, I don't have the same box/bottle availability. It's a great idea for a party -- just in time for New Year's Eve!