Top (Somewhat) Tame Halloween Movie Picks By Age or Chicken-ness!

Children’s: 

1. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
2. Daffy Duck’s Quackbusters
3. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
4. Monsters Inc.
5. Winnie the Pooh Spookable Pooh
6. Clifford’s Big Halloween

Pre-Teens:

1. Monster House
2. Haunted Mansion
3. Casper
4. The Little Vampire
5. The Goonies
6. Neverending Story
7. Dragonheart
8. James and the Giant Peach

Teenagers:

1. Harry Potter (All)
2. Campfire Tales
3. Scooby Doo
4. Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein
5. Addam’s Family
6. Gremlins & Gremlins 2:  The New Batch
7. Beetlejuice
8. Edward Scissorhands

Adults:

1. Van Helsing
2. Sleepy Hollow
3. Underworld
4. High Spirits
5. Young Frankenstein
6. Clue
7. Ghostbusters
8. Willow
9. Scary Movie
10. Dracula:  Dead and Loving It
11. The Haunting
12. Queen of the Damned
13. Interview with the Vampire

 

 

 

 

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Mosey On Over To Mozy

If you are anything like me, you have had your fair share of disasters where your computer suddenly decided to take an unscheduled siesta.  Sometimes it returns and your valuable programs and data is restored; sometimes not.  Being the tightwad that I am, I have never invested in an online backup system (I’m also a bit paranoid about ANYONE having access to my information other than me).  However, after having gone through countless times when I had to pull out this CD or that CD or this backup or that backup, I’ve decided to take the plunge into an online backup supplier.  After careful reviewing and searching, I’ve decided to try Mozy.com.

Award-winning and with 2GB of FREE online backup space provided with little information requested, it seems like the optimal choice.  This is my first foray into this type of backup system.  So I wanted something easy to setup, use and access also.

So far it has been easy.  I completed a very easy registration form, clicked the emailed link, downloaded a quick program and already started backing up my files in just 5 minutes!  We’ll see how long it takes to upload all these files.

The Mozy program preselected some basic files to begin the process but promised to allow me to select any additional files I want after this initial file upload.  So far I am impressed by the ease of use.  On the main page, Mozy shows what computers I have backed up and offers the option of restoring files or deleting them.  The upload feature is retained on my home computer and offers another layer of protection against unwanted access…I control when and what gets backed up.

Mozy offers you two options in security, their 448-bit security encryption program or your own 228-bit personal password created program.

Their Terms of Service (TOS) is fairly standard.  I was annoyed to see that they offer a 3 day window of guarantee in trying to contact you should they discontinue service or terminate your account.  While this does not prohibit them from further efforts to contact you, it is the only time frame they have obligated themselves to provide legally.  This time frame is still better than most cyber-related information guarantees…most of which offer NO time frame or guarantee to the user.

One other feature to Mozy which I find appealing is the option of receiving an additional 1GB of FREE storage for your referrals to their program.  Unlike other referral programs that allow you to reap the benefits if your referral results in a sign-up, Mozy has used real business savvy in requiring that the referral actually create a backup prior to being considered a successful referral.

All-in-all, it has been a very pleasant online experience.  I wish the same for you.  And, of course, if you’d like to try Mozy out for yourself, visit Mozy.com.  I appreciate it if you entered my referral code:  7QUFNH.  After all, I’d appreciate that additional 1GB of FREE backup too!

 

 

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Investing in Gold

By now, you’ve probably seen commercial after commercial regarding selling your “unused or broken gold jewelry” for profit.  Perhaps you’ve even seen commercials asking you to invest in gold futures.

Here’s what you should know:

Selling your gold to a middleman will provide some profit IF the gold you are selling meets their specifications.  Your gold will also only net you the price they are willing to pay before reselling it to someone else.  So if you have some broken jewelry taking up space and just want to get rid of it, it may be worthwhile IF you do your homework. 

Make sure whoever you choose to sell your gold is a reputable dealer who has been in the business for at least the last 10-25 years…the longer the better.  They will have a realistic idea of what your gold is worth and the background to ensure that they are not wheeler and dealers who will leave you hanging.

Some items to look for in a reputable dealer include:

    Better Business Bureau certified
    An appraiser certified by the American Society of Appraisers
    No negative reviews by the Jewelers Vigilance Committee
    No negative reviews by Trust-E
    Licensed Corporation with a physical address

Beware of offers that seem too generous.  Legitimate dealers will not offer you 85% or 90% of the value you spent on an item.  Most dealers work on a small profit threshold and deal primarily in futures speculations.  Keep this in mind when considering selling your gold.

Make sure that whoever you decide to consider allows you the option of rejecting their offer and having your gold returned to you in the same condition it was presented.

When considering buying gold coins or investing in futures, remember there is no guarantee in your investment…you are taking a risk.

No matter what the previous history of gold investment has been there will always be the risk that times change and interest in investments change with them.  Gold has historically been a staple of investments.  However, more and more interest and need is being placed in water.  You might consider this before jumping onto the gold bandwagon.

That being said, some of the biggest companies that deal in gold coins and bullion are big because the have the highest profit margins.  Do you homework.  All coin and bullion dealers rely on the same sources to provide for their clients.  Compare apples to apples and get the best deal for your money.   Think of it as though you are buying the same exact item and shopping Target, Walmart and Best Buy for the best price. 

Whatever you decide, never allow someone to pressure you into making a decision “right now”.  The gold market is fluid, but not that fluid.  If they are pressuring you, odds are they are not the most legitimate representatives of the gold market.

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Going Green With Your Lawn Mower?

Image via Wikipedia

So you’ve thought about it long and hard.  After examining your responsibility to the environment (and your wallet), you’ve come to the conclusion that you need to get rid of that old lawn mower and get one that runs on electricity.

The first thing you need to realize is that $200 is about the least amount of money you can hope to spend on an electric lawn mower.  If you consider that a push wheel mower runs around $100 (easy), it’s not a bad deal at all.

So where do you start?

Your electric company should be your first stop.  Most power companies now offer incentives and rebates for customers to purchase electric lawn mowers.  Usually they will provide a list of preapproved brands and models that are covered by the rebate.  Get the list FIRST in order to qualify for any discounts available.  Make sure you check to see when the discount ends and what information you must provide to receive it.  You might also consider checking to see if you would receive additional savings by turning in your old mower.

Second, you need to decide whether you want a corded or cordless model.  Your individual needs will likely determine which you purchase.

Since corded mowers are continually attached to a power source, they allow the user the option of completing all mowing at once.  They are also priced around $100-$150 less than a cordless and do not need to be routinely charged to keep working.  However, purchasing an extension cord to reach the furthest parts of your mowing area may negate any potential savings.

Cordless models offer the convenience (and in some cases, safety) that corded mowers do not have.  Besides the absence of risks associated with running over a cord, a cordless mower has a smaller risk of electrical shock when exposed to moisture since its power source is not as exposed.  This is especially true if used near water areas such as a pool.  Some models are designed to allow for removal of the battery which would allow you to purchase an additional battery backup.  These batteries often require monitoring to prevent overcharging and regularly scheduled charging even in non-use months.

Once you decide on a type, you need to determine the options you need.  Do you have a large yard?  A wider cutting path reduces the number of passes you’ll have to make.  Want a clean, cut-free lawn?  Ensure your model choice includes a bagger.  Want to feed and protect your yard without the hassle of dealing with clippings?  A mulching mower works great.  Each of these options are available on both types of mowers.  Be sure to consider the additional cost of adding your option.  For example, you may need to purchase a bagging attachment separately or pay more for a wider path mower.

Now that you know exactly what you want, check out some reviews on the mowers you are considering.  Craftsman generally come highly recommended while Neutrons have mixed reviews.  Find out what other owners say BEFORE you buy.  Don’t buy by brand, but rather investigate the brand AND the model before putting down your hard earned money.

Finally ready to make a purchase?  Don’t think you have to go somewhere special to get the best mower and deal.  Some of the best models/brands and prices can be found at places like Wal-Mart and Home Depot.  In addition, special financing offers are sometimes available.

Hopefully this guide has helped you in your quest for the best electric lawn mower.  Let me know what you think!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Neuton battery-powered lawn mowers actually seem affordable (crunchgear.com)
• Select the right mower for your lawn (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Making The Switch To Dish?

Unless you have not watched television anytime in the last year, you almost certainly know about the digital switch that is coming this June.

Right now cable and satellite companies are vying for your affection and defection from standard TV signals.  Many major companies like Time Warner Cable and Dish Network are offering enticing new customer promotions.  Of course advantages and disadvantages are inherent no matter what direction you decide to take.

If you don’t want to pay per TV, odds are you are leaning towards cable.   Cable does offer practically unlimited hook-ups with (unless you need a converter box) no additional fees other than the installation.  You don’t have to worry about weather-related outages or whether you have a direct line of sight to a satellite or permission to install a system from your apartment complex.  However, cable has historically charged more for basic service than satellite and has a bad reputation for increasing its rates with little notice regardless of whether you are under contract with them.

That being said, the industry itself has some inherent issues that, until now, were more closely associated with cable.  Time Warner has historically had difficulties with contract disputes between itself and the programming carried by it.  Most have been resolved in favor of the consumer.  However, Dish Network joined the ranks of those providers who found themselves having to make the choice between bottom line and consumer satisfaction.  Local stations who found themselves with expiring contracts requested an increase in payments from Dish Network to carry their broadcasts or face losing local access for Dish customers.  Eventually agreements were made and the consumer continued to receive their same programming.  Why is this important?  Because every carrier whether cable or satellite has its own package line up.  So if you want a certain channel, you better do your homework before you subscribe.  Getting a deal on a package that doesn’t carry your favorite station is no deal at all!

When it comes to deals, Dish Network continues to lead the industry in value pricing and service.  With HD programming, On-Demand Services and Pay-Per-View, Dish has become quite the competitor.  However, even with all the competitive bells and whistles, it still has not overcome the reality of satellite communications.  Consumers still must purchase or obtain additional equipment to transfer the signal to their television.  In some cases multiple units are necessary to meet consumer needs despite advances in technology allowing equipment to work on simultaneous televisions.  The ever present dish receiver still requires placement outside with clear line of sight to the southern sky (for most US. consumers).  Consumers should know that improvements in technology have lessened the chance that their service would be disrupted due to weather…and Dish Network has a good reputation for customer service.  What everyone should know is that Dish Network recently raised its rates even for those in contract with them, a first for Dish.  Consumers who thought they had locked in a price and programming found changes to both their pocketbook and viewing enjoyment.   Most found basic switches to their programming that were inconsequential and maybe even an improvement, but not having the power to dictate what you are paying for is a real “turn off” for most consumers and a worrying trend in business/consumer relations in general.

So with all this in mind…I urge you to check out the programming packages of all providers, their introductory offers (including the length of their introductory price) and compare their everyday programming rates to get a real idea of which provider will be worth your business in the long run.  Every household’s needs are unique…for some who have a smaller audience, the use of more than two to three televisions at a time is highly unlikely (if at all).  For other households with multiple members, having the versatility to watch and record various programs on differing and competing schedules may prove to be the deal breaker when choosing a provider.

Choose carefully and budget for increases to your programming rates…because apparently no one is safe from changes even with a contract.

For those of you who do decide to choose Dish Network as your new satellite provider.  Please feel free to use any of the following promotional certificate numbers to obtain an additional $30 credit on your first bill along with free activation and the offer of HBO free for three months and Cinemax for a penny/year with auto pay.  These numbers can be used only once…please let me know if you used a certificate so that I can remove it.

DRC286032176

DRC503070698

DRC145278370

DRC091863063

VCD0003075465

VCD0004143294 (latest certificate #)

Part Deux: Your Living Will Matters

As discussed in an earlier article, a Living Will Declaration is one of three documents that should be completed by you today.  The purpose of a Living Will is to determine under what circumstances you would wish to stop medical intervention from delaying, prolonging or extending your life by artificial means or medical intervention.

Impossible to predict, changes of circumstances can force anyone of any walk of life into an Emergency Room under dire circumstances.  In these situations, people who don’t know you or loved ones already reeling from the impact of your condition will be called upon to make decision on your behalf which can ultimately determine your quality of life.  A Living Will Declaration allows you to express your wishes rather than rely on others’ interpretations of your beliefs.  Once completed, medical personnel are bound by law to follow those wishes as outlined.

Some decisions included in a Living Will include whether you wish medical personnel to administer:

• Cardiopulmonary, heart-lung resuscitation (CPR), drugs, electric shock, artificial or mechanical breathing
• Artificially or tube fed food/nutrition, water or fluids and whether you agree to receive them by mouth, nose, IV or stomach/gastric tube
• Life sustaining surgery
• Experimental treatments

You also have the option of noting whether you would wish to spend your last days in a hospital, or similar setting, or prefer to be at home with you family if at all practical and unless it would not burden your family unduly.

When does a Living Will become effective?

Each Living Will contains the circumstances under which it may be enforced.  For any Living Will to become effective, you must first be in need of medical life sustaining or life support systems or procedures.  Generally speaking, a Living Will states that two or more licensed physicians or medical doctors (the number of any additional to be dictated by law) who have personally examined you must deem you to be unable to make or communicate medical decisions and that you have been diagnosed with one or more of the following situations:

• Terminal/incurable
• No reasonable hope of recovery to a meaningful quality of life
• Persistent vegetative state
• Extreme mental deterioration
• Permanently unconscious

If diagnosed as being pregnant, a Living Will cannot be enforced for the duration of the pregnancy.

If I sign a Living Will, will doctors allow me to suffer pain?

A Living Will explicitly states that unless you specify otherwise nothing contained in it should inhibit the ability of medical personnel to administer pain relieving medication or any other type of care that would provide relief or comfort to you including drugs or treatments which might:

• Shorten your life expectancy
• Become habit forming
• Have adverse effects

Careful consideration should be considered before determining the level of care you wish to receive.

Keep in mind that any intervention or combination of interventions can be useful when dealing with critical care of your body. 

Some individuals will sign a Living Will with the intent of keeping themselves from being eternally connected to a ventilator for months.  While many of us do not relish the idea of being on a ventilator, choosing the option of NOT being able to receive artificial or mechanical breathing intervention could lead to your death even in cases where your survivability was possible. 

The extent to which you wish to extend the possibilities of your survival usually coincide with the extent to which you wish medical personnel to intervene.  Keep in mind that denying medical care can result in your premature death while the lack of limitations to intervention can lead to financial and emotional ruin for your loved ones.

A Living Will becomes effective from the date you sign it and is legally binding.  Your wishes and the ability for others to intervene are determined by what it contains.  Choose carefully, consider the ramifications of each level of care you wish to deny yourself and the impact of your decisions on family, friends and finances.  What is important to you, in what order and to what extent can be expressed in a Living Will.

 

Disclaimer:  No information on this blog should be taken to be legal advice of any kind.  ALWAYS consult an attorney before signing any legal document.

The Big Three in Personal Legal Documents

Image by gjs via Flickr

Most of us think about legal paperwork as something we can do in the future or when the time arrives.

Unfortunately, you may never know if that time is now. So get out your pen, write down this list, and get it done today.

The top three legal documents are:

a DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

a LIVING WILL

a HEALTHCARE POWER OF ATTORNEY and, for some, its matching DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Let’s talk about the Durable Power of Attorney first.

A Durable Power of Attorney basically names a person(s) or institution as your lawful representative to act on your behalf in any legal matter you have listed.

Examples of powers given in a Durable POA include authority over your property, tangible or intangible; money, debts or rights involving money or debts; government, retirement, insurance, pension, Medicare or other program benefits or proceeds; safe deposits, vaults or storage areas; taxes; gift giving; any transaction, business interaction or application for such including life insurance, litigation, suits, disputes etc regardless of whether you have set aside certain items as part of estate planning or a pattern of management of a particular item or entity.

You should be aware that these powers are sweeping, BUT YOU determine what and to whom receives any or all of these powers. You do not have to appoint all powers to one individual or any one power to anyone. You can create a Durable Power of Attorney that covers certain areas for certain people as long as you clearly spell out their rights and limitations of representing you. So, for instance, if Uncle Wilbur is really good at real estate, but lousy with stocks, give Uncle Wilbur the power over your real estate needs but exclude him from your stocks. Aunt Martha may be great at taxes, but likely will give the farm to Aunt Edna; so you’d want to limit her ability to give that away.

Splitting powers amongst representatives can be a very smart move, but it is not without some potential problems:

Make sure you do not overlap powers, unless you draw up a seperate POA that lists just the joint powers given, you have the potential for confusion or denial of the validity of each POA.

VERY important-when listing more than one representative on a document, make sure that you clearly state whether you wish the representatives to work independently or together and how any disagreement should be resolved. In many states, if you fail to list that the representatives can work independently and to what degree, they are bound by law to work together and agree on all things. This may be impractical if you list individuals who live far away from one another. You should also spell out how such an arrangement would be handled if one of the individuals were to become unable to fill their obligations as your representative. You do not want your business to be tied up because you named two people and one of them is unable to sign for you.

If you are going to seperate powers, make life easier for others by listing the general powers given under each POA in its title. For example, if it is a Durable Power of Attorney covering real estate matters, title the POA: “DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR REAL ESTATE PURPOSES” or something similar. This helps diminish the odds that someone will fail to read your POA and assume that your representative has the power to make other decisions in your stead.

Make sure that all copies of your POA are registered with the county clerk’s office. The county clerk’s office will then have a registered copy that cannot be altered and that can be referred to in the instance of any dispute of power or authority.

You should also determine when your appointee is allowed to exercise POA powers. Some Durable POA’s state that the representative has full powers upon the completion of the documents notarization. Other Durable POA’s state clearly that the powers allotted are NOT available to the representative until such time as the grantor (YOU) is determed to be “disabled” or “incapacitated” and usually only after this is certified by a physician.

With all these pitfalls you may be wondering why you would ever want to complete a Durable Power of Attorney. The bottom line is this…if you are involved in a car accident and unable, whether physically, emotionally or mentally, to conduct your everyday activities like paying your bills, would you rather have someone who can temporarily act on your behalf or face financial ruin because you were unable to pay your bills even though the money was there all along?

Choose someone or an institution you trust, ensure that you have expressed your ideologies and wishes regarding the types of transactions you will be empowering them to perform, ensure you have limited the powers given to an individual based on your knowledge of their own weaknesses or skill level without prohibiting their ability to perform on your behalf in such a way as to make it impossible or difficult to do their job as your representative…and finally, ensure that you have discussed what, if any, compensation you are willing to provide them for providing you this service. You do not have to compensate them, but they do not have to act as your represenative either.

Put yourself in their shoes and try to imagine what information you would need to know to make decisions that you would approve, and ask yourself to what extent you would be willing to represent someone else and under what circumstances.

Granting the power to represent you is an act of trust and faith; taking on that responsibility is an exercise in character.

Choose wisely.

Disclaimer: No information on this blog should be taken to be legal advice of any kind. ALWAYS consult an attorney before signing any legal document.

Clearing the Clutter in 8 Steps or Less

If you haven’t already started on that oh-so-infamous, New Year’s resolution to clear out the clutter in your home/office/car/brain/whatever…you’re probably not alone.  Millions of us make the same resolution year after year about how we will FINALLY get rid of all the junk in our lives and start living it instead.  So for all the ones that haven’t made it that far, here are some helpful tips to get you started:

GET PREPARED MENTALLY!

Yep, that’s right.  You have to psyche yourself up for something like this.  It didn’t get that way overnight, and it’s probably not the result of just a time crunch.  We get cluttered because we don’t or won’t deal with the stuff cluttering our lives.  An emotional process usually goes hand-in-hand with clutter, BUT take heart.  It’s not that hard!  It may look overwhelming, but you CAN do it.

1. The first mental step is telling yourself you can do it.
2. The second is to put yourself in the frame of mind that this is simply a quick organization of items based on use.
3. Psyche yourself up mentally to purge, baby, purge.
4. Remember clearing the clutter is a step-by-step process…take it one mental step at a time!
5. DON’T ruminate over how you are going to do it or what will stay or go before you even start!

PICK A DATE!

That’s right.  This is a planned event that deserves as much attention as anything else in your appointment book.  If you can fit in an entire day, that would be super!  But, plan on at least a couple of hours for a small area…and only do one small area at a time!  Don’t try to declutter the entire house in one day…it won’t work.

GET PREPARED!

Before your de-cluttering day arrives, you need to make sure you have the equipment and tools you’ll need to make it as smooth as possible.

• Five boxes labeled “KEEP”, “TRASH”, “DONATE”, “SELL”, “UM-MM”
• 1 roll of tape
• Pad of paper
• 1 marker
• 1 Timer
• Measuring tape (if you plan to sell anything)
• A Camera (again, if you plan to sell anything)
• A friend (optional, but almost always a big bonus)
• Scheduled donation pick-up on or the next day after your de-clutter day or a cleared out trunk in your vehicle to put donations

START CLEARING!

On your planned day, clear that space quickly and with as little thought as possible.  If you use an item on a regular basis, keep it.  If you don’t, sell it or donate it.  If you’re emotionally attached, but don’t really use it, put it in the “Um-mm” box for now.  If it’s broken or unusable, it goes in the trash.

A little note about the “Um-mm” box:  we all have items that for one reason or another we never use, yet are unwilling to easily part with them.  Don’t feel bad about your attachment, but recognize it for what it is and put it in the “Um-mm” box so you can deal with it later.  Too often we dwell on little “um-mm’s” so much that we become paralyzed and cannot deal with the other stuff in our lives.  Set it aside for now and deal with the rest of the clutter.

GO FOR IT!

You’ve purged a lot; you’ve done it quickly and with little thought, and you’ve put aside some items.  You’ve made a lot of progress.  Keep going!

Get out the timer, grab hold of that “Um-mm” box and give yourself two minutes to purge that box.  There is only one rule for determining what stays and what goes…Only those items which you absolutely cannot live without get to leave the box…

If you couldn’t decide, it all stays in the box!

DUMP, DONATE, DO!

It’s time to take out the trash.  Move the donation items and your “Um-mm” box to the porch or trunk of your car.  Get them out of there ASAP!

Do NOT even think of trying to sell anything in the “Um-mm” box.  You and I both know that you’ll probably talk yourself into keeping it.  In a week, give yourself permission to grieve over it and remind yourself that someone somewhere is loving your beloved item as much as you did, and they are actually using it!

If you have a “For Sale” box, put it in another room so you won’t be distracted by it.  If you have a friend, have him/her take the items in another room, take pictures of each while documenting any blemishes or unique characteristics and any applicable measurements.  (Once you’ve taken down all the information, move the box somewhere where you won’t see it on a daily basis, but is accessible when someone is interested in purchasing it….storage units and garages are great for these types of situations!)

ORGANIZE!  ORGANIZE!  ORGANIZE!

Now is the time to sit back and think of how you really use the items you are keeping.

• Are there any items that are in your “keep” box which don’t belong in your cleared space?  Set them aside.
• Do you reach for a certain item with your left hand or right hand?  If you use a keypad with your right hand, but are often interrupted because you have to answer the phone, consider moving the phone to the left side of your area so that you can easily do both.
• What items do you use most frequently?  Consider moving them closer to where you use them.
• Group items together like paper and the printer.

Set up your newly cleared space in a manner more friendly to how you use it.  It will help you keep de-cluttered.

THE PAYOFF!

Your final step is to post, submit or consign your “For Sale” items.

Set aside a time just for that.  Submit the photos and information to your local consignment shop, Craigslist, newspaper or on-line group.  (see my article on selling and donating items on-line for more information.)

Now that you’ve de-cluttered your space (and maybe made a little money too!) and definitely improved someone else’s life…enjoy your new found freedom and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Cell Phone Sense

The last time you went to purchase a new cell phone, did you go to a branded carrier’s store or somewhere else? Odds are you went to your local brand name carrier’s store. If you did, then you probably had to wait to be helped and then were given a personal cellular salesperson. While all this attention is flattering, it does nothing for your wallet.

So if you want to save some money, some stress and keep away those gray hairs, read on for some information you really ought to know.

Branded Cellular Stores and Kiosks

One of the biggest potential benefits to exclusive stores (like AT&T and Sprint) is their commitment to personal service. In fact, quite often you are assigned a representative to give you 100% of their attention. Getting personal service is a bit like waiting to be called for your table at a restaurant; you may know what you want and where you‘d like to be, but you aren‘t getting there until your called.

Branded stores and kiosks offer an extensive variety of phones, some which are not available elsewhere. Depending on the store, consumers may have the option of inspecting each phone and trying out various basic features. This can be especially helpful if you are considering a PDA or frequently use your phone as a camera and want to test picture resolution.

Representatives are trained to answer specific questions and, in the event they don’t know, the benefit of being able to ask or contact someone else in the company on the spot. The downside to such personal service (other than suffocation) is that these representatives are only as good as the information they have been given. Competitors’ services and side-to-side comparisons between networks is next to impossible. Very seldom are representatives able to answer based on anything other than information their company has provided. Most cellular store representatives either do not know about or are prohibited from revealing any alternative methods of obtaining service that would undercut their ability to sell to you.

Remember, these individuals are professional sales people hired to ensure, to the maximum extent possible without alienating you, that you won’t leave without buying and purchasing as much as possible. Their job is to steer you to higher contracts, more expensive phones and ensure you don’t forget an accessory.

Perhaps the worst outcome from purchasing at these establishments is their reputation for quoting one price, activating your new phone and then leaving you speechless as the total is much more than anticipated. Much of this can be attributed to the rebates offered at these stores. The consumer is required to pay upfront and redeem the “rebate” later either after submitting paperwork and/or after a certain period of service. Your redemption money may not come in the form of a credit or money either.  Most rebates are now offered through VISA or MasterCard debit cards.

Options for the Discriminating Consumer

For those that have service through AT&T or another carrier that offers SIMS cards and just need a basic phone immediately, your best bet is Wal-Mart or any other “GO Phone” seller. For around $20, you can purchase one of these phones, switch out the SIMS card and continue with service as usual.

For those who are looking to replace their existing phone and are satisfied with waiting for their new one to arrive, online shopping can be a better alternative.

If you’re trying to replace your phone mid-contract, your best bet is a cell swapping service. Cell swapping services such as Cell Swapper or Cell Trade USA offer you the opportunity to get out of or into a contract and/or new phone without the activation fee, long-term contract or purchase of a new phone depending on your goal. Phone resellers or auction houses including Ebay can offer big discounts but come with some risks. Anything from non-working phones to no support services are possible, and often you cannot return your purchase.

If you want a new phone and a new or extended contract, you may find the big providers, like AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, offer some enticing deals and specials for online customers only. A wide variety including refurbished phones is usually available. Online orders typically include an instant rebate and may offer a combination instant rebate and account credit after a certain period of service. Sometimes accessories bundles are also offered with your purchase, but, unless you are the type of consumer that insists on name brand accessories, bundles usually do not save you money.  Keep in mind a new contract is often mandatory and some rebates or savings are provided only after a period of service has been completed or via a debit card instead of cash rebate.

The most flexible and usually cheapest way to purchase a new phone does not involve online or cellular store purchases. Your local electronics retailer (my favorite is Best Buy) usually has a nice selection of phones from various carriers, instant savings and additional instant discounts not offered elsewhere. Though you’ll certainly enjoy the large selection of accessories, you can really benefit by comparing phones and plans within and across carriers.  One advantage to purchasing from your local electronics retailer is that they often accept returns (check for limitations on time & use).  Almost all carriers whether online or in the store do not.  While your billing and all other services will be handled by your carrier after purchase and in-store activation, usually your local electronics retailer will still offer guidance when possible.  Perhaps the biggest benefit is the neutrality and information local retailers gain through servicing so many carriers and their customers.

Food for Thought

Every carrier has a reputation. Talk to co-workers, friends and even strangers. Ask how they like their service, what they would change and why they would stay. If you get enough people saying the same thing, some truth is bound to be in their answers.

Freezer Paper Find

Have you ever wondered what use freezer paper provides…especially in the 21st century?

I used to think freezer paper was for people who had never heard of vacuum sealing or freezer bags…or were still locked up in their homemade, 1950’s bomb shelter…

Anyway, I had purchased aluminum foil.  The box LOOKED like alumninum foil, but, “Suprise!”, it was freezer paper.  Ugh. 

Being notoriously bad about returning items and having stared at the now infamous freezer paper for almost 6 months, I had to find some use, any use, for it.  At first, I secretly pretended I was a 1950’s housewife whose husband would appreciate the effort made to protect beautiful steaks from freezer burn.  Of course I snapped out of that real quick when he walked right past me and only mumbled “What a crappy day!.”  

My daughter, on the other hand, became my inspiration…in a painful, childbirth sort of way.  She had taken her wonderful, “washable” markers and wrote all over the dining room table.  After removing the markings from the table and removing my daughter to her room, it came to me…”DUH!  Why not use the freezer paper to protect the table?”  In the process, I realized that placing it wax side up made for a cool, dry erase board for her also.  BONUS!!

Now she’s happy.  I’m happy.  I think I even heard the table sigh in relief, or was that me?

For more freezer paper finds, visit:

Awlafon’s 5 kids’ craft uses for freezer paper on Viewpoints.com.

From HGTV, get freezer paper notecards.

SuperCapes for SuperKids on Panjokids blog has amazing step-by-step instructions for creating your very own fabric stencils.  Your kids will love them; you’ll love the savings and the fun!

Find more fabric fun on DIYNetwork.com including how to put fabric through your inkjet!