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.

Going Green With Your Lawn Mower?

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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!

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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 #)

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.