Comments for The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:18:14 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 Comment on Shoot, Gasoline is Cheap! by The Corner Office Blog – An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » A lapse in frugality… http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2006/03/30/shoot-gasoline-is-cheap/comment-page-1/#comment-57773 The Corner Office Blog – An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » A lapse in frugality… Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:18:14 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2006/03/30/shoot-gasoline-is-cheap/#comment-57773 [...] long time ago I wrote about how I paid good money (and a lot of it) for a bottle of water, when there was a water fountain right next to the concession [...] [...] long time ago I wrote about how I paid good money (and a lot of it) for a bottle of water, when there was a water fountain right next to the concession [...]

]]> Comment on I’m basically back to even… by Winston http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2010/02/17/im-basically-back-to-even/comment-page-1/#comment-57450 Winston Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:58:23 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1332#comment-57450 Amen G. Good discipline, good strategy. Amen G. Good discipline, good strategy.

]]> Comment on The power of options by Cheryl C http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2008/01/21/the-power-of-options/comment-page-1/#comment-56805 Cheryl C Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:57:36 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2008/01/21/the-power-of-options/#comment-56805 My husband's company was switching away from Verizon but I wanted to stay. Thankfully my phone was "out of contract" (i.e., we had already fulfilled the two year contract agreement) as I'm not yet ready to commit to another two year plan. When I called Verizon to discuss my options, I repeatedly asked about the cheapest plan, and was finally told about the Nationwide Loyalty Plan. They have three versions: $20/month [= 50 daytime (i.e., 6a-9p)/250 nights & weekend minutes]; $25/month [= 100 daytime/500 nights & weekend minutes]; and $35/month [= 300 daytime/unlimited nights & weekend minutes]. As my phone still had service for another 2 weeks from the time of my initial call, I called back later when I was ready to switch. The rep I spoke to admitted to me that they don't publish or advertise the Nationwide Loyalty Plan, and she was surprised the first rep had told me about it. This blog is basically the only reference that hits with a Google search. Hope this info is helpful! My husband’s company was switching away from Verizon but I wanted to stay. Thankfully my phone was “out of contract” (i.e., we had already fulfilled the two year contract agreement) as I’m not yet ready to commit to another two year plan. When I called Verizon to discuss my options, I repeatedly asked about the cheapest plan, and was finally told about the Nationwide Loyalty Plan. They have three versions: $20/month [= 50 daytime (i.e., 6a-9p)/250 nights & weekend minutes]; $25/month [= 100 daytime/500 nights & weekend minutes]; and $35/month [= 300 daytime/unlimited nights & weekend minutes]. As my phone still had service for another 2 weeks from the time of my initial call, I called back later when I was ready to switch. The rep I spoke to admitted to me that they don’t publish or advertise the Nationwide Loyalty Plan, and she was surprised the first rep had told me about it. This blog is basically the only reference that hits with a Google search. Hope this info is helpful!

]]> Comment on My USAA Banking Experience by Grant http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/05/11/my-usaa-banking-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-56528 Grant Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:57:58 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1215#comment-56528 No regrets at all. Probably not the highest interest rates on the planet, but the customer service is like none other, I can use any ATM in the world, and I can deposit checks from my desk using my scanner. I keep an account at BofA solely for the purposes of having access to the safe deposit box. No regrets at all. Probably not the highest interest rates on the planet, but the customer service is like none other, I can use any ATM in the world, and I can deposit checks from my desk using my scanner.

I keep an account at BofA solely for the purposes of having access to the safe deposit box.

]]> Comment on My USAA Banking Experience by Rodlie Ortiz http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/05/11/my-usaa-banking-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-56524 Rodlie Ortiz Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:40:19 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1215#comment-56524 So you kinda left me hanging a little at the end. So what do you think? Are you liking your experience with USAA banking? Any regrets? I'm also thinking of coming over from BOFA. Thanks. So you kinda left me hanging a little at the end. So what do you think? Are you liking your experience with USAA banking? Any regrets? I’m also thinking of coming over from BOFA. Thanks.

]]> Comment on What to make of the jobs number… by MJ http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/12/06/what-to-make-of-the-jobs-number/comment-page-1/#comment-56356 MJ Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:32:35 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1322#comment-56356 Honestly I think your going to see a leveling off due to two reasons. Companies have truly slowed the firing and now are at their minimums. Second, those whom have been on unemployment are going to run out of unemployment compensation, thus stop being counted as such. Merry Christmas too, my friend. Honestly I think your going to see a leveling off due to two reasons. Companies have truly slowed the firing and now are at their minimums. Second, those whom have been on unemployment are going to run out of unemployment compensation, thus stop being counted as such.

Merry Christmas too, my friend.

]]> Comment on Educational Tech Overload by Christina http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/12/05/educational-tech-overload/comment-page-1/#comment-56218 Christina Sat, 12 Dec 2009 06:24:15 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1319#comment-56218 I have to agree with you..."the teachers" - they overlooked the important investment they should bank on...interesting article, thanks. I have to agree with you…”the teachers” – they overlooked the important investment they should bank on…interesting article, thanks.

]]> Comment on Don’t Tell Me It’s “Affordable”. by The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » The Problem with Healthcare Reform http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/05/03/dont-tell-me-its-affordable/comment-page-1/#comment-55205 The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » The Problem with Healthcare Reform Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:26:07 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1210#comment-55205 [...] Our government is setting out to provide affordable healthcare to everyone, and you can read my rant on the word affordable in a previous post. [...] [...] Our government is setting out to provide affordable healthcare to everyone, and you can read my rant on the word affordable in a previous post. [...]

]]> Comment on Verizon and the Battle for Subscribers by Winston http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/10/29/verizon-and-the-battle-for-subscribers/comment-page-1/#comment-54207 Winston Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:52:09 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1306#comment-54207 nice post. it really does seem like the phone technology is becoming more level amongst the providers. i still have a plane-jane flip phone, not ready to tie myself to an all-doing 'smart phone'. i'm sure one day i will step off the edge and purchase one of these gadgets, and hopefully by then the phones will be the second factor of my purchase, first being my monthly rate. right now i'm perfectly content being away from email, quotes, weather, scores, and all the other impulsory features these phones provide...because i know it will all be available on my laptop or pc at home and can digest all of it at once and move on with my day (i must preface i'm not corporate and for work i'd rather talk to an actual person than be involved in a series of emails). don't get me wrong, it's pretty cool to be sitting in a bar, i.e. 2 hours ago, being able to look up ku's and mizzou's bball schedule on my buddies iphone, thus the beginning of a conversation/argument that leads to betting/shots with the entire bar. but, for the time being, i will always know someone who has a smart-phone...kind of like friends with boats...better to know a person who has a boat than to have one yourself... nice post. it really does seem like the phone technology is becoming more level amongst the providers. i still have a plane-jane flip phone, not ready to tie myself to an all-doing ’smart phone’. i’m sure one day i will step off the edge and purchase one of these gadgets, and hopefully by then the phones will be the second factor of my purchase, first being my monthly rate. right now i’m perfectly content being away from email, quotes, weather, scores, and all the other impulsory features these phones provide…because i know it will all be available on my laptop or pc at home and can digest all of it at once and move on with my day (i must preface i’m not corporate and for work i’d rather talk to an actual person than be involved in a series of emails). don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty cool to be sitting in a bar, i.e. 2 hours ago, being able to look up ku’s and mizzou’s bball schedule on my buddies iphone, thus the beginning of a conversation/argument that leads to betting/shots with the entire bar. but, for the time being, i will always know someone who has a smart-phone…kind of like friends with boats…better to know a person who has a boat than to have one yourself…

]]> Comment on Verizon and the Battle for Subscribers by Grant http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/10/29/verizon-and-the-battle-for-subscribers/comment-page-1/#comment-54206 Grant Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:31:02 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1306#comment-54206 Hey Dong, Good points all around. I guess the only place I'd disagree is that if Verizon and AT&T compete on phones, then locking people in to 2 year agreements really runs against the grain. Personally, I'd like to pay full price for the phone and forgo the contract. But that's just me. Thanks for chiming in. Grant Hey Dong,

Good points all around. I guess the only place I’d disagree is that if Verizon and AT&T compete on phones, then locking people in to 2 year agreements really runs against the grain.

Personally, I’d like to pay full price for the phone and forgo the contract. But that’s just me.

Thanks for chiming in.

Grant

]]> Comment on Verizon and the Battle for Subscribers by dong http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/10/29/verizon-and-the-battle-for-subscribers/comment-page-1/#comment-54182 dong Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:44 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1306#comment-54182 Verizon can do what it does because ultimately they care a little less about the consumer market and more about the corporate market. Most consumers want good coverage, but primarily good coverage where they live. As result Verizon's great nationwide coverage is actually not that big of deal. However for a corporate customer, nationwide coverage is critical. Verizon is still really out front here especially in terms of data service. AT&T is second, and T-mobile and Sprint cannot even compete. A large business customer is scattered across the nation, and usually only support or want to support one provider. Plus business travel is across the nation. I'm no fan of Verizon, but they do know what they're doing, and they are evolving. One of the biggest gripes about Verizon from more techy users has always been the lack of good phones or cripping of the phones they did support. The new Droid phones are a step in the right direction. I think both AT&T and Verizon realize that if they were to compete soley based on service, price is the only game in town. However, if they compete on phone products they know they can latch onto branding of the phones. AT&T has already hooked it's star to Apple, and I don't expect AT&T to give that up. Verizon is trying to do same thing with Droid... Verizon can do what it does because ultimately they care a little less about the consumer market and more about the corporate market. Most consumers want good coverage, but primarily good coverage where they live. As result Verizon’s great nationwide coverage is actually not that big of deal. However for a corporate customer, nationwide coverage is critical. Verizon is still really out front here especially in terms of data service. AT&T is second, and T-mobile and Sprint cannot even compete. A large business customer is scattered across the nation, and usually only support or want to support one provider. Plus business travel is across the nation.

I’m no fan of Verizon, but they do know what they’re doing, and they are evolving. One of the biggest gripes about Verizon from more techy users has always been the lack of good phones or cripping of the phones they did support. The new Droid phones are a step in the right direction.

I think both AT&T and Verizon realize that if they were to compete soley based on service, price is the only game in town. However, if they compete on phone products they know they can latch onto branding of the phones. AT&T has already hooked it’s star to Apple, and I don’t expect AT&T to give that up. Verizon is trying to do same thing with Droid…

]]> Comment on The Battle for Wireless Data by The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » Verizon and the Battle for Subscribers http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/06/22/the-battle-for-wireless-data/comment-page-1/#comment-54180 The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » Verizon and the Battle for Subscribers Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:28:47 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1256#comment-54180 [...] to me.  I’ve written about AT&T and Verizon before, and more specifically about the battle for subscribers and the expansion of wireless data network [...] [...] to me.  I’ve written about AT&T and Verizon before, and more specifically about the battle for subscribers and the expansion of wireless data network [...]

]]> Comment on Bought in to Cree by The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » CREE Still Looking Strong http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/07/12/bought-in-to-cree/comment-page-1/#comment-53521 The Corner Office Blog - An entrepreneurs thoughts on business, personal finance and investing. » CREE Still Looking Strong Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:06:12 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1271#comment-53521 [...] LED manufacturer, CREE (CREE: chart, web, Y!), is still looking strong, and I’ve been able to take advantage of some pull backs in the market since making my last purchase. [...] [...] LED manufacturer, CREE (CREE: chart, web, Y!), is still looking strong, and I’ve been able to take advantage of some pull backs in the market since making my last purchase. [...]

]]> Comment on Part of my 2009 financial goal met… by Grant http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/10/07/part-of-my-2009-financial-goal-met/comment-page-1/#comment-53472 Grant Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:04:34 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1294#comment-53472 I'm not real excited about ZTR. Yes, they pay a decent distribution; hovering around 10%. But more than 80% of that distribution is a return of capital. Also, it's extremely thinly traded with only 300,000 shares traded per day, on average. This could make it tough to get out of in a hurry if one had to. Also, they've got a significant position in bonds, which if interest rates go up won't look nearly as attractive as they do today. Probably not a good enough reason NOT to by the fund, but something to be looking out for, regardless. They've formed a pretty solid history of lowering the monthly distribution over the last 10 years, and while the current $0.03 per share payout isn't the lowest on record, the track record speaks for itself. You note correctly that Zweig doesn't technically run the fund, but it should be noted that he isn't even on the board of directors for the fund. He may still have some pull over the direction of the fund, but I wouldn't count on it. I’m not real excited about ZTR. Yes, they pay a decent distribution; hovering around 10%. But more than 80% of that distribution is a return of capital.

Also, it’s extremely thinly traded with only 300,000 shares traded per day, on average. This could make it tough to get out of in a hurry if one had to.

Also, they’ve got a significant position in bonds, which if interest rates go up won’t look nearly as attractive as they do today. Probably not a good enough reason NOT to by the fund, but something to be looking out for, regardless.

They’ve formed a pretty solid history of lowering the monthly distribution over the last 10 years, and while the current $0.03 per share payout isn’t the lowest on record, the track record speaks for itself.

You note correctly that Zweig doesn’t technically run the fund, but it should be noted that he isn’t even on the board of directors for the fund. He may still have some pull over the direction of the fund, but I wouldn’t count on it.

]]> Comment on Part of my 2009 financial goal met… by Winston http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/10/07/part-of-my-2009-financial-goal-met/comment-page-1/#comment-53439 Winston Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:02:28 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1294#comment-53439 The market will always be tumultuous and people will always be contemplating whether or not to get into the "action". My advice is to find something that pays a moderate dividend. There are plenty of etf's that track a sector or index or managers that have their own mix of things that provide an etf as the vehicle. The one I have is Marty Zweig's Zweig Total Return Fund ZTR ( http://quote.morningstar.com/cef/f.aspx?t=ZTR ). It isn't technically run by Marty, but I like their approach, it's fairly conservative for my risk-tolerance. Check it out, lemme know what you think. The market will always be tumultuous and people will always be contemplating whether or not to get into the “action”. My advice is to find something that pays a moderate dividend. There are plenty of etf’s that track a sector or index or managers that have their own mix of things that provide an etf as the vehicle. The one I have is Marty Zweig’s Zweig Total Return Fund ZTR ( http://quote.morningstar.com/cef/f.aspx?t=ZTR ). It isn’t technically run by Marty, but I like their approach, it’s fairly conservative for my risk-tolerance. Check it out, lemme know what you think.

]]> Comment on The True Colors of the Commander in Chief by Grant http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/10/04/the-true-colors-of-the-commander-in-chief/comment-page-1/#comment-53400 Grant Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:44:09 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1290#comment-53400 Nope, I mean stars and bars; as it pertains to U.S. military aircraft. <a href="http://www.victory-girl.com/images/decal-stars-bars-web.jpg" rel="nofollow">Stars and Bars</a> Nope, I mean stars and bars; as it pertains to U.S. military aircraft.

Stars and Bars

]]> Comment on The True Colors of the Commander in Chief by mapgirl http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/10/04/the-true-colors-of-the-commander-in-chief/comment-page-1/#comment-53385 mapgirl Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:34:31 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1290#comment-53385 "Stars and bars" refers to the Confederate flag. Surely you mean 'Stars & Stripes?" “Stars and bars” refers to the Confederate flag. Surely you mean ‘Stars & Stripes?”

]]> Comment on Oil Prices vs. Gasoline Prices by Gandolph http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/01/17/oil-prices-vs-gasoline-prices/comment-page-1/#comment-53379 Gandolph Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:31:51 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=961#comment-53379 I wrote a blog about oil and gasoline prices. I found that the two were strongly correlated until recently. Please check it out: http://www.peterdolph.com/2009/07/are-oil-companies-screwing-us-over.html I wrote a blog about oil and gasoline prices. I found that the two were strongly correlated until recently. Please check it out:
http://www.peterdolph.com/2009/07/are-oil-companies-screwing-us-over.html

]]> Comment on A Banking Alternative: USAA? by Dorsey http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/04/10/a-banking-alternative-usaa/comment-page-1/#comment-52925 Dorsey Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:32:15 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1182#comment-52925 Pandora's box was opened when I called to ask USAA about a $24 charge on my auto insurance bill. Eventually, a CS rep told me it was for the jewelry rider on my homeowner's insurance on our house in Alaska. Pandora’s box was opened when I called to ask USAA about a $24 charge on my auto insurance bill. Eventually, a CS rep told me it was for the jewelry rider on my homeowner’s insurance on our house in Alaska.

]]> Comment on Another step towards new media. by Ken M http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/2009/08/22/another-step-towards-new-media/comment-page-1/#comment-51957 Ken M Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:43:21 +0000 http://www.thecornerofficeblog.com/?p=1288#comment-51957 I ran across that article and a few others, this should be an interesting shift. Personally, I thought something akin to Kindle going live, where newspapers, magazines, etc, would send your subscription to your "Kindle like device" being the next move. This looks like a hybrid route to test the market for something bigger. I ran across that article and a few others, this should be an interesting shift. Personally, I thought something akin to Kindle going live, where newspapers, magazines, etc, would send your subscription to your “Kindle like device” being the next move. This looks like a hybrid route to test the market for something bigger.

]]>