Wise Bread

The Pros and Cons of Retail Health Clinics

Healthcare Hacks — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:19:42 +0000

Next time you are heading to the grocery store, remember to add “healthcare” to your shopping list! Yes, healthcare services are now being offered at local grocery stores, drug stores and general merchandise retailers, such as Shopko, Carnival, Cub Foods, Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens to name a few.

These retail clinics treat common medical conditions, such as colds, sinus infections, earaches, rashes, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, etc…and provide some preventative and wellness services such as flu shots and other immunizations. Care is usually delivered by a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and many clinics accept common health insurance plans. The first clinic opened at a Target store in Minneapolis in 2000, and the number of retail clinics has grown exponentially over the last eight years to include approximately one thousand clinics nationwide. If you are contemplating using a retail clinic, here are some things to consider.

Wait Time

If you are frustrated from having to wait three weeks to get to see your family doctor and irritated from having to wait a couple of hours once you get there, you might want to give retail clinics a try. No appointments are needed, evening and weekend operating hours are provided and wait times are 15 minutes or less. And in case they can’t see you right away, they give you a restaurant-style pager so you can walk around the store while you wait.

Cost

Retail clinics have an upfront menu style pricing that is not typically found in any other healthcare setting. For example, MinuteClinic charges $62 for allergies, $67 for bladder infections, and $77 for step throat. Minor burns also cost $62 while wart removal costs just $69. Therefore, if you do not have health insurance or prefer to pay out-of-pocket, the prices range between $60 and $70 for most conditions. If you do have health insurance, you will be charged your regular co-pay.

Staff

Retail clinics are staffed mainly by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner. A doctor typically serves as a clinic supervisor and is available for phone consultations and performs routine chart reviews, but is not required to be physically present at the clinic. Therefore, the care is provided by non-physician providers all the time. And while these providers are well trained and appropriately qualified to treat minor ailments, their scope of practice is obviously not as wide as that of a primary care or family doctor. Therefore, the important question is who can they and who can’t they treat?

Physician Assistants

Physician Assistants are healthcare professionals that deliver healthcare services under the supervision of a physician. They diagnose and treat illnesses, write prescriptions in all 50 states, order and interpret tests, and can conduct physicals and counsel patients on prevention. Their education typically consists of 2-3 years of specific graduate studies after a bachelor degree.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse Practitioners are advanced practice nurses that offer a broad range of healthcare services but do not need to practice under the supervision of a physician. Their scope of practice is very similar to that of PAs, but their education consists of an RN (Registered Nurse) degree and a 2-year graduate degree.

It is important for patients to know that PAs and NPs are not only found in retail clinics. In fact, if you have visited your family physician, OB/GYN or even dermatologist lately, you may have seen a non-physician provider rather than your regular physician.

Quality

A poll of customers who have used retail clinics showed high overall satisfaction with cost (86% satisfaction), convenience (93%), having qualified staff to provide care (88%) and quality of care (90%). A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine comparing cost of care and quality outcomes at retail clinics versus other settings such as urgent care centers, physician offices, and emergency rooms, found that retail clincs did as well or better than other settings of care in terms of quality.

However, for most people, the idea of receiving healthcare services at their local grocery or drug store is still a foreign one. That is why only 2.3% of American families had used retail clinics as of 2007.

Limitations

If you are generally healthy, and all you need is a prescription for that annoying sore throat on a Saturday afternoon, then the retail clinic might be the place to go. Also, if you are traveling and happen to come down with a minor cold, chances are you cannot get in touch with your regular doctor and your health plan may not cover the doctor available to you. In this case, the retail clinic is a convenient, fast and cheap(er) way to get care so you can resume your fun vacation or get ready for that big presentation or job interview.

However, if you have a complicated medical history or currently suffer from a chronic health condition such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer or asthma, chances are the providers at the retail clinic may not be able to treat you. The reason is they don’t have complete access to your medical file and your conditions are outside the scope of their practice. Moreover, these clinics are not designed to provide a long-term treatment and follow-up plan. In this case, your best bet is still your regular doctor, an urgent care clinic, or the Emergency department.

So how can patients prepare before going the retail clinic? When you plan to visit a retail clinic, Dr. Jennifer Ashton recommends that you know your own medical history, bring a list of all of your medications, get a phone number in case things worsen, and follow-up with your regular doctor.

Retail clinics should be used in addition, not instead of your regular doctor’s care. So don’t be tempted to call your doctor’s office and tell them to “get lost” just because a new MinuteClinic has opened around the corner!

Are Extended Warranties Ever a Good Deal?

Sierra Black — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:00:02 +0000

By Sierra Black

Extended warranties are everywhere. Every time you buy a car, a house, a computer, a cell phone or pretty much any appliance, you'll be offered a chance to purchase an extended warranty on it. A few years ago, my husband came home with a new toaster — and a warranty contract for it.

Are these warranty contracts ever a good deal? They shouldn't be. To make a profit, the private companies that offer these things need to take in more money than they pay out in warranty claims. And they do make money. The profit margin on extended warranties is reputed to be between 40 percent and 80 percent. Anyone buying an extended warranty is betting against the house.

I've never bought a lottery ticket, but I do often buy extended warranties. Why? Because I am brutal on my possessions. I drop them, I spill things on them, I crash them into things. I also have two small kids and a teenage boy in my household, who are no gentler than I am. I bought an Apple Care contract on my last laptop, and used it for numerous phone support calls, two mail-in repairs, and two complete replacements of the machine. Apple Care is notorious for being unquestioning in their acceptance of warranty repairs: most contracts won't cover something that has obviously gone dancing with a two-year-old or been run over by a car.

When I posted about buying an extended warranty for my new-to-me car, a few people suggested I'd broken one of the first rules of car purchasing: never buy the extended warranty. I wanted the warranty because I'm just getting out of debt, and don't have a lot of savings put aside. The thought of facing a large repair bill while paying off a car loan was more than I could stomach. Will I get my money's worth out of it? I hope not, because that would mean my car needs no major repairs in the next five years. If I don't, I won't buy one on my next car. By then I expect to have enough cash savings to cover any repairs that might come up.

So should you ever buy an extended warranty? The experts say no. Consumer Affairs outlines five good reasons not to. Here's one good reason to consider bucking that wisdom: you might know something they don't. I would consider buying an extended warranty if:

I was insuring something I needed to have ready access to. If you rely on your car to get to work, for example, and don't have sufficient savings to pay for a major repair, a warranty might be an insurance policy against lost income while your car was broken down, as well as covering the expensive repair.
I knew I would be extremely hard on my purchase. For example, I knew when I bought my laptop that I had a toddler and was about to have another baby. I could reasonably expect the laptop to fall victim to an accident during the three years the warranty covered.
I was buying something for someone else. My mother gave me a suite of children's bedroom furniture when I had my first child, and it came with a warranty against breakage or stains. It may not have been a good deal, but it was part of the gift: she gave me furniture and the freedom to not worry about the kids breaking a drawer or spilling milk on the rocking chair.

Probably, even if you think you're gaming the system, you'll lose. After all, these companies do make a profit, and no one buys a warranty expecting to lose money on it. But if you really do have a special case, like my "laptop vs. toddler" situation, a warranty might be a good bet for you. It's still a gamble though, and putting that money in the bank will never steer you wrong.

Permalink | 14 comments | Sierra Black's blog | Channel: Shopping

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Best Deals For Monday 11/09/09

Paul Michael — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:29:45 +0000

By Paul Michael

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Start a Cooking Club: Cook Up Some Frugal Fun

Tisha Tolar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:02 +0000

By Tisha Tolar

It's becoming a big trend in households across the nation to stop dining out and start eating at the dinner table. However, as growing families continue to race from play practice and soccer practice, their tendency to pull into a drive-thru is still strong simply because it is convenient. Parents today have less time to do domestic activities but as frugality is becoming a lifestyle, people are looking to change their ways.

While people have every intention of cooking from scratch and preparing more homemade, healthier meals, it may take some motivation to stay on task. That's why starting a community or family cooking club can be just the right incentive to get going. A cooking club is something like a book club or a frugal club, but instead of reading, why not trying cooking? Families and friends can get together once or twice a month and have some fun in the kitchen. There are many ways to be creative with this idea but the end result is the same: more quality time with family and friends, plus some great time-saving meals for weeks to come!

Here are some ideas that you can use as a springboard to coming up with your own cooking club.

Start by asking friends, family, and neighbors to find out who enjoys time spent in the kitchen. When you have a good list of people who are interested, start planning to host your first "open kitchen" Discuss different ideas people have for hosting a cooking party.

Send out invitations (cards, emails, or word-of-mouth). Ask those planning to attend to send over their favorite recipes that are freezer-friendly and cost-effective to make in bulk. Get the invites out early, as you'd have some planning to do. Keep in mind that you can only invite as many people as will fit comfortably in your kitchen.

As you receive the replies and recipes, make a list of the ingredients that is needed. You will also need to include other supplies such as freezer paper and bags, cooking utensils, pots, pans, cooking sprays, spices, and the like. When you have your list complete, check off the items you already have in stock and then pass along the list to the other invitees asking them to do the same. Remember that you will need to have enough ingredients to make dishes for each member. If you have 4 attendees, you'll need to be able to make 4 of every recipe.

When the list has been returned, you can either divide up the list of what is still needed among attendees or, as the hostess, you can get the items. Provide the attendees with the lists of who is to bring what, along with the party details.

Prepare to host the cooking soiree. You might want to some wine and hors d'oeuvres for your guests. Be sure your cooking and preparation areas are cleared, clean, and ready to go.

During the first club meeting, there will likely be different kinks to be worked out, but over time the club meetings will likely run themselves. A bit of investment may be required in the beginning but in time each members pantry will likely become stocked with all of the essentials and cost will be less of an issue. Perhaps the club would be willing to invest in a membership to Sam's Club or Costco and buy ingredients in bulk to start.

When everyone is ready to get cooking, select one recipe and everyone can pitch in to complete it. Some people can be designated to slice and dice. Others can be relegated to the stove. The point is to have fun and create family-friendly meals each member can wrap for the freezer and pop in the oven during a busy week.

As the club grows, ideas and creativity will likely grow too. There are many ideas that can come out of starting a cooking club but the best outcome will be time together, low-cost meals, and an incredible smelling kitchen!

Permalink | 2 comments | Tisha Tolar's blog | Channel: Food and Drink

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8 Free (and 4 cheap) Things to Do in Auckland with a Toddler

Adam Baker — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:01 +0000

By Adam Baker

Sometimes getting out and exploring a city, especially when traveling overseas, can be difficult to do with young children. It's easy for us parents to make the "I have a toddler" excuse and thus become restricted in what we are able to see and do.

Also, when you are venturing through a new city finding fun things to do that don't bust your budget can be a drag.

Recently, Courtney and I have settled in Auckland, New Zealand for a short time, while backpacking overseas. We've created a list of free (and a couple cheap) events within Auckland that are easy to do even with a young child. These are all items that we've already done or that are on our to-do list for the coming weeks!

While this list may contain specific items in Auckland, even if you never plan on visiting New Zealand, you can use the list to brainstorm events that you may be overlooking in your own city.

If you haven't spent time looking into it, you'll be surprised at just how many free options you really have!

Inside Auckland's Central City (CBD)

Auckland Domain/War Memorial Museum

Location: Southwest section of CBD, bordered by AUT campus to the west and Parnell to the east
Transportation: You can take a pleasant walk through Grafton Cemetery and across the Grafton bridge. You can also catch the Link bus which cycles through the city's key destinations for $1.60
Admission: FREE (Museum is $5 donation)

The Auckland Domain is a Central Park with grassy malls open for rugby scrimmages. The walkways are decorated with arching trees, which feature exposed roots, thick trunks, and low hanging branches. There's a lovely duck pond with a water fountain, a WinterGarden observatory, and War Memorial Museum. The domain is a common hot spot for festivals, races, and free concerts.

Auckland Library

Location: Wellesley and Lorne Street
Transportation: 5-10 min walk
Admission: FREE

How many times do you see the library on a list of things to do in the city? I enjoy reading, but I never feels inspired when I see a library listed on an activities list. Please let Auckland Library change your thinking. They have interactive story telling, frequent guest speakers for kids, and the most decked-out children's play section we've ever seen.

Tepid Baths

Location: YMCA at the corner of Hobson Street and Customs Street
Transportation: 5 min walk
Admission: $5/person $0/under 2

This is a small gym/pool in the center of the city. You probably won't find this on too many lists of things to do, because the facility is rather small. However, there is a second pool tucked inside where they have open swim. They'll pull out noodles, balls, and water polo nets. We just splashed around in the water for hours. As a bonus, many downtown hotels provide free passes.

Albert Park

Location: One entrance at Lorne Street and Victoria Street (one block east of Queen Street)
Transportation: 5-10 min walk from Britomart
Admission: FREE

If you are looking for a quick escape from the city, wander over to Albert Park. Although it's not the largest park in the city, it has tree-covered walking paths, historical monuments, grassy patches, and a fountain surrounded by gorgeous flowers. The only downfall is the lack of playground.

Victoria Park

Location: Blocked in by Fanshawe Street and Victoria Street (one block west of Nelson Street)
Transportation: 15 min walk
Admission: FREE

There are always scrimmages or organized games of some sort at Victoria Park. This is also one of the few parks in the CBD with a playground. Make a stop at the Victoria Park Market, a new Auckland souvenir shopping hotspot.

Outside Auckland's Central City (CBD)

Auckland Zoo

Location: Western Springs
Transportation: 25 min bus ride on GoWest for $3.20 or 10 min by car
Admission: $19/adult $0/under 4

The Auckland Zoo highlights included seeing a NZ native Kiwi and walking through the "Walk-About" where you enter the arena of roaming kangaroos and wallabies. There are several play centers, outdoor slides, and grassy areas. You can hire a "pushcart" — a stroller — from the gift shop. There is also a tram that travels next to the zoo which is part of MOTAT, the Auckland Transportation Council.

Mission Bay

Location: East of Auckland and Orakei, along the Harbor
Transportation: 15 min by bus for $3.20, 10 min by car
Admission: FREE

Mission Bay is the more popular beach of the Eastern beaches. It has several seaside vendors and lots of room to spread out a blanket. Amazingly, this bit of paradise is only 15 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

One Tree Hill

Location: Epsom, next to Cornwall Park
Transportation: 15 min train ride for $2.80 and a 15 min walk
Admission: FREE

One Tree Hill is a highlight for New Zealand pop culture and, unfortunately, the victim of several recent vandalism acts. The hill is treeless now, but there is talk to replant a new tree in place of the old. The walk is fun and grassy! Stop in Cornwall Park for a stroll and a picnic.

Ambury Farm Park

Location: 15km from Central City, Manukau Harbour
Transportation: 30 min drive on Southern Motorway, 1 hr by bus for $7.00
Admission: FREE

Ambury Farm is a living farm operated by the government. You can visit the farm, interact with the animals, and run wild. Spring is best when lambs are booming out. There's a drive, but it's worth the free visit. Just watch that you don't take any dung home with you.

Rainbow's End

Location: 20km South of Central City, Manukau
Transportation: 20 min drive on Southern Motorway, 50 min by bus for $6.50
Admission: Adults $44, Castle Pass (2-5yrs) $15, Spectator Pass $15

Rainbow's End is the only theme park in the Greater Auckland area. The Castle Pass is geared specifically to toddlers and offers a significantly discounted price. As an adult accompanying, you can buy a Spectator Pass for only $15. There are family pass deals as well. This could a great option to satisfy everyone!

Kelly Tarlton's

Location: Tamaki Drive in Orakei, northeast of Auckland along the harbor
Transportation: There's a free shuttle service that departs every hour from 172 Quay Street (along the wharf). 10 min by bus for $3.20
Admission: $31.50 /non-residents $0/under 3

Kelly Tarlton's is an "Antartic Encounter" and a "Underwater World." Though I have yet to visit this museum, I hear about it on a daily basis. Students are constantly talking about how they saw a stingray over the holidays. In their pre-school books, they always show a picture of them visiting Kelly Tarlton's. I mostly hear about how they have penguins and how you can "swim with fish if you pay extra."

Rangitoto Island

Location: 25 min ferry ride off the coast of Auckland
Transportation: Fueller's runs several ferries in the harbor. $25/adult roundtrip, $0/under 2 yrs, $59/family
Admission: The volcanic island is FREE

Grab that backpack carrier, granola bars, and a sun hat. There are different tour options for how in depth you want to explore the island. With Fullers, you can take the $25 trip over and walk around. There's also a Volcanic Explorer Tour that guides you through the island on a 4WD Train $55 (including ferry ride).

There it is! You've lost your "I have a toddler" excuse next time you are in Auckland (or anywhere for that matter). This is just one example from one city. Even if you won't be visiting Auckland or New Zealand anytime soon, hopefully you'll be able to brainstorm some free and cheap spots in your own city!

What free options are available in your own home city for families with young children?

Permalink | Comments | Adam Baker's blog | Channel: Art and Leisure

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Savings Bonds as Interest-Earning Travelers Checks

Philip Brewer — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:00:01 +0000

By Philip Brewer

Remember travelers checks? In the days before ubiquitous automated teller machines, they were a useful product. You could use them almost like cash — but you could carry more than you'd feel safe carrying in cash because if they were lost or stolen you could get them replaced. Well, savings bonds have all those features but one.

The thing you can't do with savings bonds is spend them like cash; you have to cash them in at a bank. (But then, I've sometimes had to cash travelers checks at a bank too.) In the US, pretty much any bank will cash US savings bonds. I assume there's something similar in other countries.

I first noticed this feature in the early 1980s — back before networked ATM machines made it easy to access the money in your accounts from anywhere you happened to be. Travelers checks were a useful tool for carrying your cash. But, when I noticed that several of their key features were shared with savings bonds, I started buying savings bonds instead — they paid interest. And I wasn't the only one. Anybody who needed to move around a lot — for example, military personnel — found them just as useful.

Basically, what you do is this: Buy savings bonds in small quantities over a period of time. This is easy to do; many employers let you buy savings bonds through payroll deduction and many banks will set up automated purchases as well. You can get them in all the denominations that you can get travelers checks and then some: $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000, and $5,000.

You can't cash the bond in until you've held it for a year, which is why I suggest buying gradually — you wouldn't want to put your whole emergency fund into savings bonds all at once. But, if you buy one every pay period or every month, pretty soon you'll have some that are more than a year old. Once that happens, they're basically just like travelers checks that you can only cash at the bank.

Go into pretty much any US bank with one or a few savings bonds (up to $1000 worth), and you can turn them into cash in just a few minutes. If they're lost or stolen or the paper certificate is damaged, you can get it replaced.

I've been enamored of savings bonds for a long time, but haven't talked about using them this way before here on Wise Bread, because they haven't had a competitive interest rate. Now, though, the rate on I bonds is looking pretty good.

As I mentioned back in July, the Consumer Price Index is about to surge. This isn't because inflation is rising (although I rather expect that to happen as well), it's just because it's now been a year since the big drop in oil prices.

The interest rate paid on I bonds is based on the CPI for the previous six months, so the effect of the oil price drop has already fallen off the calculation. Bonds purchased now will earn interest at a 3.36% annual rate for the next six months. That's a hard rate to beat in the current environment.

There's a 3-month interest penalty if you cash them in during the first 5 years, but even if you end up paying the penalty you still come out ahead compared to most vehicles for small savers. And if inflation rises (as I rather expect it to), the return just gets even better. Combine that with the features that make them like an interest-paying travelers check, and I think they're a pretty good buy right now.

Permalink | 12 comments | Philip Brewer's blog | Channel: Investment

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Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

Xin Lu — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:00:02 +0000

By Xin Lu

A couple months ago I wrote about the pros and cons of extending and expanding the popular first time homebuyer tax credit which was due to expire on November 30th, 2009. I wrote that there was a good chance that Congress would extend the credit regardless of the costs. Sure enough, this week Congress has approved an extension and expansion of the credit. Here are some details on the changes.

First of all, the $8000 tax credit will be available to first time homebuyers that enter into contract by April 30th, 2010, and close on the deal by June 30th, 2010. This is essentially a 6 months extension.

Next, the income limits for qualification have been increased from $75,000 to $125,000 for single filers, and $150,000 to $225,000 for joint filers. This increases the number of people eligible for the credit as well as the cost of the program by quite a bit since many people who could afford to buy homes now have high incomes.

Finally, there is an expansion of the credit for move up buyers. Basically, those who have owned their current homes for at least five years could buy a new home and get a $6500 credit. The new home purchased must cost $800,000 or under. The start date for this new credit will be November 6th, 2009, when President Obama signed it into law.

This credit extension was attached to a larger bill that is extending unemployment benefits by 14 weeks to 20 weeks, and it passed with very few dissenters. The new extension is projected to cost 10.8 billion in lost taxes, but if it works out like the Cash for Clunkers program or the first part of the tax credit then it will probably cost quite a bit more.

In my last post some commenters wrote that they would be very angry if late comers were given a better deal on the tax credit. Some people I know are also feeling gypped that they did not qualify for the tax credit this year due to the lower income limit. What do you think? Is the tax credit extension really necessary now? Would you take advantage of the new extension?

Permalink | 17 comments | Xin Lu's blog | Channel: Real Estate and Housing, Taxes

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Secrets of Telemarketing From an Industry Insider

Paul Michael — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:15:02 +0000

By Paul Michael

They call you at all hours. They don't care if you're eating dinner or taking a shower. And they really don't like to hear you say no. They're telemarketers. And recently, someone from "behind enemy lines" came forward to give us all invaluable tips on dealing with those harassing calls.

The information comes from reddit's Ask Me Anything section (IAMA). Usually, people will put themselves out there to answer questions on anything from work and hobbies to computer games and, well, anything you can think of. Today, a telemarking insider came forward to reveal all on a profession that's about as beloved as dog poo on your shoe (he uses the pseudonym "Lotkrotan" to protect his identity).

He explains that roughly 90% of telemarketing calls are made from specialized call centers, not the business itself. From Bank of America to EA Games, everyone is outsourcing this stuff. Often, it's to places like India, but there are still plenty of call centers here in Uncle Sam's country. The numbers they call are on an auto-dialer which recycles numbers on a monthly basis. And as for the human you eventually talk to, they're armed with a bag of tricks loaded with everything they need to convince you to say YES.

The original post is quite lengthy. But here is a condensed and edited version that gives you the best advice in a nutshell. Follow it wisely, and arm yourself with the knowledge that will stop these people getting between you and your hard earned cash.

Here are the 10 top tips on dealing with telemarketers.

1. So you're on the Do Not Call List? So what?

This is not a cease and desist order to every telemarketer in the world. Bottom line, if you have ANY kind of relationship with the company, or it's a political or non-profit group, the list does not apply. You can request to be put on a do-not-all list for that specific company, or you can ask to be put in that call center's do-not-call database. If this doesn't work, you have the FTC on your side. Call them.

2. Never hang up immediately.

Why? Because the reps mark it as an early hang up. No pitch was made, so you're still a prospect. Hence, you go back on the list.

3. Don't be rude.

Aside from the fact that these people probably hate their jobs anyway, they have the power to put you back on the calling list. And they will if you're rude.

4. A simple NO isn't good enough.

Saying you don't want the product doesn't mean they won't bug you again. And again. And again. So ask to be taken off the calling list as well.

5. Trickery won't work either.

We've all done it: "Oh, he's not here right now" or "No speak English" may get you off the hook for that one call, but it won't stop the next one.

6. The telemarketer has to rebut when you decline.

Getting mad because they initially won't take no for an answer is not going to help. Reps often get fired for not rebutting at least once, often twice. But after that, it's time to ask to be taken off the list or speak to a supervisor.

7. You have rights.

Check out the TCPA. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 provides rules that telemarketers must follow, or face serious penalties. If a telemarketer breaks ANY of these rules, your have the law on your side (yes, you can sue). They include:

Solicitors may not call residences before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m., local time.
The solicitor must maintain a "Do Not Call" (DNC) list, which must be honored for 10 years.
Solicitors must provide their name, the name of the person or entity on whose behalf the call is being made, and a telephone number or address at which that person or entity may be contacted.
Solicitation calls cannot be made to residences with artificial voices or recordings.
Calls cannot be made with artificial voices or recordings to cell phones or to any service in which the recipient is charged for the call.
Prerecorded or autodialed calls cannot engage two or more lines of a multi-line business or to any emergency number.
In a related section, unsolicited advertising faxes are also prohibited.
In the event of a violation of the TCPA, individuals are entitled to collect damages directly from a solicitor for $500 to $1,500 for each violation, or recover actual monetary loss, whichever is higher.

8. Beware of buying from infomercials

Many are legit. Just as many are high-pressure sales outfits with all sorts of upselling techniques and sketchy practices. Here's a direct quote from "Lotkrotan":

We used simple circle talking techniques to trick people into buying our product. In the infomercial it was $120. We had a list of people that called the number from the infomercial but didn't buy the product. We called them back and offered the same product for $45. Then if they refused we'd go down to $35 and eventually $25 as a last resort effort. They were willing to sell this product for $25, and people were buying it for over 4 times that much! (Employees got the product for $5)

9. Learn the rebuttal and "permission to continue" laws for your state.

Some states require that the rep ask your permission to continue. Others must terminate the call after your first refusal. Know the law for your state and it's another weapon in your arsenal. There's a ton of info here.

10. Remember, you're dealing with a real person.

This is a person with a real family, real bills and real problems, just like the rest of us. It's a minimum wage job and it's not pleasant. They most likely took it because it was all they could get and they're just trying to make ends meet. Before you get into a fit of rage over their call, remember that they're only trying to make a living and your attitude could get them fired.

Here's the complete text. I did my best to cut it all down for you, but it's well worth a read if you want to learn a little more. Also, the other links contain a lot of info, but that is also very helpful.

Permalink | 28 comments | Paul Michael's blog | Channel: Consumer Affairs, Shopping

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Simple Living: Determining Your Priorities

Sarah Winfrey — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:02 +0000

By Sarah Winfrey

Even with the economy slowly exiting the spectacular nosedive it took last year, many people find themselves with a renewed interest in living simply. However, what that means for each person depends on their own individual priorities. Determining what this means for each of us sounds like it should be easy, but instead is something many of us struggle with more than we are at peace about it.

Simplistic it might seem, but the easiest way to figure out your priorities is to make a list, then whittle it down based on how the different things that are important to you interact. There are some questions you can ask that dig right to the heart of this matter. They aren't always easy, but the answers will be more than satisfying.

What is necessary?

Things that are necessary must be done, plain and simple. It doesn't matter how much we like them — if they're essential, they go on the list.

However, we often tend to think things are essential that aren't. For instance, the amount of money we need can sometimes be drastically reduced if we eliminate things that truly aren't needed. Sure, we need food, water, and shelter, but do we really need catered lunches, Evian, and more bedrooms than there will ever be people in the house?

Include in your thoughts about necessities things like your individual needs for time and space. Maybe your mental health suffers if you don't meditate every day, or you continually dream of 30 minutes uninterrupted time alone. These are necessities, too, even if you usually ignore them.

Add these items to your list.

What do you like?

While we certainly can't eliminate everything unpleasant from our list of priorities, we're going to be more likely to focus on things we enjoy doing. It's worthwhile to make a list of these things, even if we find that some of them can't make our ultimate priority list.

Think about how you dream of spending your time — those things you'd love to do that consistently get ignored in favor of other, more urgent happenings. Think also about how you function best, whether it's being alone, finding yourself surrounded by people, or at a purple desk with glow-in-the-dark stars on the walls.

Think also about your if-onlys — that list of things you would do if only you had more time, money, space, energy, whatever.

Add them all to your list.

Set your list aside

Once you have your list, walk away from it for a while. Leave it someplace where you won't see it, where you might even forget it exists. Put a date on the calendar 2-4 weeks out from where you are now, to remind yourself to go back to it.

During these weeks away, don't intentionally think about your list, but don't stop yourself from thinking about it and the items on it, either. Note what you think about, but hold the thoughts loosely.

Review your list and make changes.

When the day pops up in your calendar, go back to your list. Read the items on it again, without trying to judge them or put them in order. Cross off anything that no longer seems to fit. Don't judge these choices — often, our priorities are buried so deeply inside us that we can't articulate why something does or does not belong.

Repeat this process of setting your list aside and coming back to it until you feel like the list in front of you is what you need to focus on, regardless of whether or not you like each of the items or think it's actually possible.

Take a deep breath when you get this list, then look at it again. Here, sitting right in front of you, is your own personal guide to simple living. Put your best energy toward these things and you will find your life taking on an easier, more manageable tone, not only psychologically but spiritually, emotionally, physically, and financially as well.

Permalink | 2 comments | Sarah Winfrey's blog | Channel: Lifestyle

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Best Deals For Friday 11/06/09

Paul Michael — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:10:10 +0000

By Paul Michael

Today's WISEBUY. 1000 Full Color Custom Business Cards For $3.37 + FREE s/h
Office Depot offers 1,000 Full-Color Raised Print Business Cards (four boxes of 250) for $3.37 with free shipping

FREE - 1400 Christmas Cards!
There are 4 cards to choose from and you can order up to 350 of each card.

FREE Sears Classic Montage Portrait + 20% Off Entire Purchase
Print the coupon and bring it with you to Sears Portrait Studio.

FREE 3 Issues Of Wood Magazine
Enjoy 3 issues (March '10 - July '10) No strings attached. You'll never receive a bill.

FREE Sample Of AgriMarks Plant Marker
AgriMarks™ Plant Markers are rugged, weather-resistant, clear plastic holders for empty seed packets.

The Friday Amazon Sale - Grab a Bargain or Three!
So many deals in one place. A great time to start on the Holiday shopping.

Remington Titanium Cordless Shaver 72% Off - Just $27.99 + FREE s/h
Titanium Coated Foils For Long Lasting Performance : Side 2 Side Pivoting Head - Adjusts to the contours of your face : Lift & Wash for easy, quick cleaning .

Banana Republic Clearance Sale - Up to 75% Off
Banana Republic takes up to 75% off select men's and women's apparel as part of its latest sale. Plus, knock 20% off orders of $100 or more via coupon code "BRNOV25".

Skyway Expandable Carry-On Luggage 72% Off - $37.99 + FREE s/h
Skyways Montage features Zero Gravitytrade; frame construction that is fully flexible for maximum protection of contents in transit.

United Airlines Round Trip Flights From Just $103!
As listed on Travelocity, United Airlines offers select round-trip flights starting from $103 as part of its Heartwarming Holiday Prices Sale.

5 Quick Fixes to Salvage a Good Meal

Tisha Tolar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:07 +0000

By Tisha Tolar

We've all likely burned a pot of something in our lifetime, but sometimes a ruined dinner may not be so ruined after all. Learn a few tricks of the trade and save yourself some time and money. As more and more families go back to basics and choose to stay home to eat, there is a big interest in the recipe industry and cooking shows. Catching a few episodes of these shows or investing in a new cookbook can certainly help to keep meals at home fresh and interesting. If you make a mistake during your experimentation, don't throw out the food. Use these 5 quick fixes to salvage a good meal.

Soup's too salty?

If you are making homemade soup and get a little excited about the salt, your dinner fare is certainly not ruined. Throw in a peeled, raw potato and let it cook in the soup for 20 minutes. The starch in the potato will absorb the excess salt. Remove the potato and use it to make homemade french fries or mash it up.

Pasta's hardly al dente?

Overcooking your pasta noodles is quite easy to do, especially when you have other things going on around the kitchen. Fear not. Simply run the pasta through cold water to halt the cooking process. Add tomato sauce and reheat. The acid in the sauce will help bring back a firm noodle.

Burned expensive steak?

Meat costs a fortune these days. In the pursuit of making sure meat is cooked fully, we may find that our steak gets a bit too well-done, especially for the kids. Simply slice it up and use it in other ways such as fajitas and stir-fry recipes.

Veggies gone limp?

It happens a lot — you buy fresh vegetables with the best of intentions and promptly forget about them after you've stocked the refrigerator. Limp vegetables can be brought back to life by adding them to a bowl of cold water (no ice) for a few minutes. Rewrap the vegetables in a clean, damp towel and return to the refrigerator.

Fruit going bad?

Wasting fruit is common because if not stored properly, fruit can go bad rather quickly. If you find fruit is always rotten before you get to eat it, make a mental note to stop buying so much fruit at one time or only purchase one or two kinds of fruit in small quantities when you do your shopping. It's better to run out than to throw out. If the fruit that you have isn't passing muster for eating, find some recipes for fruit smoothies and get to blending.

Rolls are stale?

There is nothing like fresh, steaming rolls for dinner but the next day, the fresh and steaming part seems to have left in its place hard, unappetizing pieces of bread. Next time, don't ditch the rolls. Instead, sprinkle them with some water, wrap them in foil and put them in the oven for about 10 minutes. They will be soft and piping hot for another dinner.

Permalink | 10 comments | Tisha Tolar's blog | Channel: Food and Drink

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The First Step to Budgeting

Nora Dunn — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:01 +0000

By Nora Dunn

Why do so many budgets fail? Because the first step to budgeting is omitted. When implemented correctly, it can make a huge difference. When the first step is neglected, intangible and unrealistic budgets are often created — a recipe for disaster.

So, you ask, what is the first step to budgeting?

Keeping Track of Expenses

It’s that simple. But it still requires a process, which is described below.

Once you decide you want to create a budget, you need a starting point. You can’t accurately and immediately forecast what you will spend in the future if you have no historical frame of reference to work with.

The Idea

Right off the bat, all you need to worry about is simply keeping track of your expenses. You don’t judge yourself (or your partner if you are doing this together) for what you are spending. Simply keep track.

You may notice that just as a function of keeping track of your expenses, you already become more budget-conscious and will spend less anyway. But don’t beat yourself up if that doesn’t happen. Just keep track of what you spend — religiously.

Yes, those little cups of coffee count too. Record. Everything.

Format

Using a spreadsheet to keep track of your expenses is best, since it makes for easy calculation of expenses and viewing of running totals at a glance.

However, you may not always be in front of your computer, so use whatever means you need to remember/record each day’s expenditures. You can either sit down to your computer at the end of every day and do it, or keep a notebook handy and record your daily expenses so you can update the spreadsheet every few days.

You can, of course, choose to exclusively use a notebook instead. However, it will be more difficult to analyze your expenses as each month progresses and use it as a barometer for how you are doing. It’s possible, but requires more active and repetitive calculator work.

Pictured above you will see a very basic sample spreadsheet format for keeping track of your expenses. You create the categories along the top as you see fit and as fits your lifestyle, and each time you spend money within those categories, you list the expense. A few rows down, a line of running totals indicate you how you are doing.

If you need more room to list your expenses under a certain category as the month rolls on, just add more rows and keep listing.

If you wish, feel free to add extra columns to add the date of each expenditure. It’s up to you.

At the End of Month One

Once you have a month of expenses recorded, take a look at how you fared.

What did you spend in each category?
Do you feel it was a typical spending month, or were there unforeseen circumstances that altered the outcome?
What is an average spending amount that will work for you?
Are you surprised by any of these spending amounts?
Are there any spending habits you want to change right away?

Now it’s time to add another row to your spreadsheet: a budget row. Certain fixed expenses will be easy to budget for; others will fluctuate and require some flexibility. Don’t worry about these numbers needing to be perfect right away; think of this row as a work in progress.

Month Two

Start with a fresh spreadsheet, and keep recording your expenses every day. (This will ideally become a force of habit that will last for months, so get used to it). This month, as you record your expenses, check your running totals against your budget amounts to see how you are coming along as the month goes by.

As you do this over time, you may find that you’ve tapped out your Entertainment budget early on in the month. With this knowledge, you will either reconsider going out again, or will find money from another category of your budget that you anticipate under-spending on this month for some reason. This is your budget — you get to control how it goes down; keeping track of your expenses is a mechanism for ensuring you spend within your means.

Spreadsheet Extras

Once you start playing with budget amounts, you may also want to insert useful columns for income so you can see how much you are spending versus saving. Pictured here you will see a fuller sample budget spreadsheet, part way through a month:

Ensuing Months

Continue keeping track of your expenses as you have been doing, and if needs be, continue to edit your budget amounts. No two months are the same, and you won’t have a solid budget after only two months. For example, many people find that the upcoming holiday season wreaks havoc with their budgets. Use the flexibility in your own budget to ensure that you stay on track, possibly by finding other areas where you can cut back to compensate.

The Second Step to Budgeting

Guess what? You can stop at the first step if you like. Why? Because by keeping track of your expenses, you have unwittingly created your entire budget. Congratulations!

Simply continue to keep track of your expenses, record income and tweak budget amounts to make sure your finances balance out the way you want them to each month.

Permalink | 9 comments | Nora Dunn's blog | Channel: Budgeting

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The Law (of) Suits: Insurance for Men

Jabulani Leffall — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:23 +0000

By Jabulani Leffall

In this blog, on this site, I usually explore ways to think about spending rather than ways to actually spend. That’s not my blogcallojob (blog calling or job) to tell you how to spend.

But I’d like to pop a sales tag of conversation for fellow men, or women with fellow men in mind, reading this right now and speak plainly. I’m about to tell you how to spend money on something for which the worth cannot be measured.

It brings smiles, impromptu favors, more respect, more enigma, better service, attention — usually the right kind — and did I mention smiles and respect.

Not the automobile — the suit.

Recently I was riding home with a soon-to-be jobless, soon-to-be former colleague. One word: awkward.

But before he dropped me off, I asked where he was headed, and he said to the mall. And, curiously, making my own judgment on what one could be buying when one knows one won’t have a job, I ask, for what?

He says a suit.

A light goes on and I nod because it makes sense. I nod proudly, in fact, at him. I say to myself, smart man. I nod in whimsical favor because he’s thinking about investing in his future rather than moping over his present. I nod because he wants to plunk money down for something that in most cases brings the immediate return of self satisfaction as well as the intangible prospect of being in the right place and the right time, looking darn good.

He mentioned he didn’t want to “over do it” expense wise. Of course I understood that and then proceeded to rattle on about what could be done. I proceeded to monopolize the convo on what the pros and cons were of different aspects of suit procurement.

Suits, I don't remember saying but will say here, are like insurance for the professional and non-professional but skilled American man. They are insurance for the man who wants to make inroads into achievement and stand out with a statement on who he is when wearing that suit.

It’s like a financial plan: better to be impeccably prepared (overdressed) than woefully underdressed (unprepared).

Now let’s say you’ve paid your rent and gotten your groceries and have all your necessities and you’re a grown, able and responsible man with $300 to $500 and are in the market for a suit.

Okay, you’re like my friend. After asking him what he planned to spend, without revealing too much of the young man’s business, I went into a diatribe where I leaned back in the passenger seat and expounded wisdom using the famous pyramid hand gestures that most pseudo experts use on talk shows. This is the essence of what I said.

Suit up premium

Heck yeah: Classic is called classic for a reason. For instance, classic American clothier Brooks Brothers recently harkened us back to the era of smartly-clothed ad executives from the popular television series Mad Men. The classic look remains just that and outlasts any fashion week. Plus the clothes usually last longer and are of better quality.

Uhhh but wait: The issue here is that suits that are tailored to your specifications and/or made of fine fabrics from top labels, usually begin at $400 per suit. Maybe not the extravagant purchase you want to make right now but there are always sales and alternatives. Maybe you’re a forward thinker who sees their world beyond the recession or even sees opportunity in it. Maybe you want to go make an unmistakable statement. But maybe you don’t which brings us to our next alternative.

Suit up quickly and bountifully

Heck yeah: If you happen to live in a place with a population greater than half a million, there should be at least one or two places that have this type of sale: Three suits for “x” amount of dollars in a package. In other words, what you would pay for one Brooks Brothers or discount Italian or English designer suit, you can get three off-brand no-frill wool or down-market fabric suits, which you can freak just right if you have the right style sense.

This is probably the greatest stitch-for-stich value because it gets you through the week and month and maybe even the year and allows you to mix and match if you have a pre-existing and respectable shirt game and at least one good pair of shoes.

Uhhh but wait: You may be sacrificing quality, which is kind of like buying liability without getting uninsured motorist. After four or five trips to dry cleaners, it’s literally a wrap for these types of suits. I’m not talking about the plastic coating to protect them from the elements. I’m talking about fabric thinning and the appearance of nappy lent beads on your suit. There's not an afro-pick or lent brush in the world that can remedy this type of wear and tear. But that brings us to the last alternative.

Suit up without a suit

Heck yeah: If you’re easing into the game or just a novice or a stylish but not a “suit” man, you know how to accessorize on the cheap. Get a really nice blue or black sport coat or blazer, even a gray or solid brown one: or all four if you go to a thrift shop.

I’m talking blazer now chums. This is not to be confused with a suit jacket but an actual coat, which that 9 times out of ten won’t match your pants directly. You can use your style to go for the professorial, business casual look and perhaps hunt Ebay or your local thrift store for “pre-owned” quality coats that will compliment brand new pants. Get brand new pants — don’t be a tightwad on that.

Also if you’re not going to get a full suit, don’t be a tightwad on shirts either. They should be dry cleaned or brand new and if you’re considering your budget, why not buy a shirt that no one else has from a site such as ShirtsMyway.com. This site claims to have 7 trillion different designs. With that many variations, you will have your own style and through bulk save money by not having to go to the mall and be bilked by someone trying to get a commission. You design it and you order it. No plug here as I don’t own a single shirt from that site but I like the idea and am considering it.

Back to the stand-alone blazers. Save on the coats, up the quotient on the pants and shirt and it’s the cheaper, less high-maintenance alternative. You can wear them with ties or with an open-collared dress shirt and maybe just maybe on rare occasions throw it on with jeans and sneakers if you believe you can pull it off. Or if you believe you can wear a straight face if you don’t pull it off.

Uhhh but wait: You should be able to pull this off if you want to earmark this as a professional style. Remember, it’s not a suit and shouldn’t be carried off as one. If the pants are the same color as the jacket, please let them be close to the same fabric and if not, know your ledge. Shiny silk blazer and corduroy pants might get you unemployed as fast as the trickle-down effect of your company’s falling earnings. Corduroy and silk pants might get you beat up or laughed at so hard you feel like you’re getting beat up. Double polyester — let’s not discuss that.

Why are you still reading this? Go get a suit, no okay wait…look. This is mostly tongue and cheek and there are bigger issues in the world I know, but at the same time, if you’re a professional or professional aspirant between 25 and 50 years of age, you should own a suit.

If you are not independently wealthy through some sort of athletic ability, pop song, technological innovation or government defense contract — in which case you might wear a lot of Hawaiian shirts and khaki — you need to have at least one dark blue or black suit.

If not, you ought to be thinking of a good mix of what was described up here. Are you a grown man or what?

Permalink | 13 comments | Jabulani Leffall's blog | Channel: Career and Income, Health and Beauty, Shopping

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Best Deals For Thursday 11/05/09

Paul Michael — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:06:03 +0000

By Paul Michael

Today's WISEBUY. 50% To 75% Off Toys At Target
Target takes 50% to 75% off select clearance toys. Plus, apply coupon code "TCHOLYD1" to knock an additional 10% off.

FREE Bone Shaped Key Ring
Bone-shaped key rings are perfect for your car keys or house keys!

FREE Sample of White's Premium Dog Food
Enter information to receive free sample.

FREE Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
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FREE $50 in Tylenol Coupons
Complete details at the link above.

V - The Complete TV Series 67% Off - Just $12.99, FREE s/h
Catch the original V: The Series, presented complete and uncut in this 3-disc, 19-episode set.

Shoes.com Clearance - Up to 62% Off plus Extra 20% Off, plus FREE s/h
Shoes.com takes up to 62% off select shoes as part of its ongoing clearance sale. Plus, take an extra 20% off clearance shoes with no minimum required via coupon code "SALE".

Cavalry 2TB External Hard Drive $149.99 after $40 rebate
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The Biggest Loser Cookbook Just $7.97 with FREE s/h (was $22)
More Than 125 Healthy, Delicious Recipes from the Biggest Loser Experts and Cast--As Seen on NBC's Hit Show!

The Dockers Store Private Sale - Up to 80% Off
As part of its Private Sale, the Dockers Store takes up to 80% off select items for men and women when you sign up to receive their mailing list.

Book Review: Becoming a Category of One Second Edition by Joe Calloway

Xin Lu — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:02 +0000

By Xin Lu

In Becoming a Category of One, business consultant Joe Calloway writes about how companies can successfully beat their competition by creating their own category of business and being the only one in it. I feel that many business leaders would benefit by reading this book, and as a consumer I feel that the world would be a better place if all businesses applied the lessons in this book.

First of all, I felt that the book offered a lot of common sense advice that not all businesses seem to understand. Joe Calloway writes that Category of One businesses know their values and do their core jobs very well, and then they add a "wow factor." If companies chase after the "wow factor" and ignore their basic products then they will not necessarily be successful. One example he gave was that his wife ate at a restaurant that served a salad that was piled high like a tower, and the waiter said that was their "wow factor." Afterwards, his wife told him that salad was a stupid idea because there is no way to eat it without making a mess. I think a lot of businesses do spend too much time on gimmicks and forget the basics and Joe Calloway repeats over and over again that companies must do their core business well.

Another point in the book is that businesses cannot compete on just price and quality because modern consumers have high expectations and a lot of technology on their hands for comparison shopping. Calloway writes that Category of One companies should know more about, get closer to, and emotionally connect with their customers. Once a company accomplishes these three things it will have a competitive advantage. For example, he wrote about the product recommendation algorithms on Amazon.com and iTunes.com and how these personalized pages prompted him to buy more products. He also wrote about how he got a consulting job once simply because he knew more about the potential client's current situation. The idea is that businesses need to know what their customers want and build a real relationship with the customers. Some companies do this through data and send out bunches of form letters, but ultimately great personalized service wins.

Finally the book contains a case study on Tractor Supply Company, a chain store that serves the needs of farmers, ranchers, rural homeowners, and contractors. This chapter details the reasons why TSC is a Category of One company through customer letters and interviews with executives. This chapter is a little repetitive and ultimately the author concludes that Tractor Supply Company simply knows exactly what they are all about and executes on their mission of working hard, having fun, and making the customers happy.

Overall, I thought that the book is very easy to read and contained a lot of simple truths on how a business could stand out in the eyes of its customers. Although the ideas are simple, not every business cares enough to execute them. This book is great for anyone who runs his or her own business or even someone who is trying to find a job. It teaches you how you can differentiate yourself from your competitors and be in a Category of One.

Disclosure: I received a free review copy of this book and this post contains an Amazon Affiliates link to the book.

Permalink | 1 comment | Xin Lu's blog | Channel: Entrepreneurship

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Dry Cleaning: Hazard to Your Wallet (and Maybe Your Health)

Tisha Tolar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:00:02 +0000

By Tisha Tolar

Of course we all like to look good. For some of us, professional attire is a job requirement. We spend a lot of money to look good but we are also doing a lot more homework about how to look good for less money. Dry cleaning seems to be one of those areas where people still spend money without giving it much thought. If you have your clothing and other goods dry-cleaned regularly, have you ever sat down to find out how much it costs you in a year? You might be surprised. Because it is considered by some to be a necessary evil, few fail to really figure out how much dry cleaning is really costing them. Here are 7 things you should know about dry cleaning services.

Dry Cleaning Is an Expensive Skill

As with any professional business skill, it costs a lot to employ the skillful. In turn, you will be expected to pay top-dollar for the use of the one's skills. The employees who press shirts and pants get paid well because of the talent they have for doing the job correctly. Plus, the machines and technology of the dry cleaning industry are not cheap.

Women's Clothes Cost More

It's not an unfair gender discrimination thing. Simply put, women's clothing traditionally have more bells and whistles than men's clothes. It takes extra time to work around buttons, other ornaments, and fancy trimmings than it does to press a man's work shirt. Silk shirts of either gender also take more time and therefore cost more money.

Potential Health Hazard

The cleaning agent special to the dry cleaning business is called perchloroethylene. Perc, for short, has long been considered to be a possible carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) that can cause illness or injury from exposure. Some dry cleaning services are working with inexperienced staff who are not properly cleaning clothing. If you distinctly smell of chemical, your clothing is not being cleaned correctly and your health may be in danger.

Green Clean

There are some businesses that are capitalizing on the health concerns of dry cleaning solvents. These companies promote the use of "green cleaners" that are safe for the consumer and the environment. The downside is they don't work well and you can end up paying for services that didn't provide any results, especially on tough stains and perspiration.

Forgotten Stuff

While dry cleaning services are getting more expensive, there is another popular reason why people are losing money having items dry cleaned — forgetfulness. All too often people will bring items in for service and then completely forget to pick them back up again. As we are a busy society, it can be easy to forget to pick up linens, bedspreads, and outerwear that you don't need for the office each day.

Liability of the Lost

Another common dilemma for dry cleaning customers is that from time to time, items brought in for service leave with someone else. Some dry cleaners will do the best job they can stalling you in hopes the items will be returned. As with many business owners, they are not in a hurry to write you a check for items they have misplaced. If you have to use a dry cleaner, find a reliable one you can afford.

Alternative Consideration

While dry cleaning your clothing is a necessary evil, there is something else to consider. When you buy new pieces for your wardrobe, try sticking with wash and wear items only. Check all labels for care instructions and limit what "dry-clean only" clothing you buy. There are a lot of manufacturers that have worked to revolutionize clothing to avoid dry cleaning altogether. There are also DIY dry cleaning kits you can use at home. Product reviews are mixed based on consumer reviews but you might want to give such a product a test-run to see how you feel about them before nixing the idea completely. If you still must use the services of a dry cleaning, do some comparison shopping for best price and customer service if necessary in your area. You can also ask a quality clothing store for referrals.

Permalink | 8 comments | Tisha Tolar's blog | Channel: Health and Beauty

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How to Explore Your Antique Attic Treasures for Profit

Tisha Tolar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:00:02 +0000

By Tisha Tolar

While more people are realizing the benefits of "yard saleing" — both having and shopping at — there may be some items in your home that you'd like to unload but are not necessarily cut out for a place in a yard sale. These items, such as antiques and heirlooms, can often surprise their owners when the actual value of the piece is discovered. In some cases, families will not part with family tradition but for others, selling an antique can be a practical solution for decluttering a home and gaining financial income.

Selling an antique or an item of great value can be difficult. Oftentimes, people who do not know any better will indeed place "knick-knacks" out on the yard sale table for a mere fifty-cents, only to have them scooped up by knowing dealers, resulting in the loss of a tidy sum. Antique dealers are known to hit up yard sales first thing in the morning to pick through the wares of others and are happy to pay a few cents for something they can resell for a whole lot more. People are happy to get rid of the items at the time, but would be livid to discover they could have made a lot more money with a little bit of research.

So how do you determine what's hot and what's not? Here are a few tips to help you sort through the real junk and those items which have much more value than the sentimental kind:

Keep Reality In Check

If, for instance, you have the duty to clean out a loved one's home after they have passed away, you may go in thinking that you could make a fortune selling Grandma's old stuff. It is this excited thinking that gets people into trouble. Looking for a quick buck without doing any legwork will likely result in doing things the wrong way. Don't expect any kind of fortune so that if you should get any money for your antiques, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Do Your Research

Since television shows like The Antique Roadshow came on the scene, a lot more people are taking an interest in what's in the attic. It seems so simple to make a few grand on a family treasure; however, it doesn't really work that way. There are a lot of different factors involved in determining the value of something antique. For example, if your item is not in mint condition, chances are good the price will be considerably lower than one that is. Use the internet and books at the library to research the piece you think may have value. Don't rely solely on websites like eBay either. While it can be a great way to find out what is selling these days, these auctions sites will not give you a true indication of what something is really worth.

Visit an Antique Show In Person

If you have the time and interest, it can be well worth it to visit an antique show to find out what you are getting into. Bring along really good photographs of what you have and find a specialist in that particular niche to ask questions about your items and whether or not you should pursue it further.

Get an Estimate

There are likely antiques dealers working in your area. You can speak to them about estimates on items you have. You can use the estimate to further your research.

Decide the Value

There is a huge difference between an estimate and an appraisal. An estimate is essentially an educated guess by an experienced person in that field whereas an appraisal is much more in-depth and can cost you up to $150/hour. Unless you are certain that an item you have is really valuable, it is best to skip the appraisal and do your own legwork to make a fair sale.

What's In Your Attic?

There are a lot of collectibles and antiques that are very much in demand and that could bring in significant income. Just some of the popular categories include albums, toys, sports cards, books, comic books, pottery, porcelain, furniture, jewels, and coins. There are also a number of books available that are specific to identifying high-valued items which you can use to identify what is worth the pursuit of sale.

A Bonus

After all of your research and hands-on education, you might develop a new creative outlet that earns money. Who knows? You may just start a life-long hobby and make a profit from something you actually enjoy doing. It may not be easy work but it certainly can be rewarding.

Permalink | 4 comments | Tisha Tolar's blog | Channel: Making Extra Cash

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This article is from Wise Bread.

Cavalcade of Risk - November 4, 2009 - How Much Assurance Does Your Insurance Offer?

Debbie Dragon — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:36:29 +0000

By Debbie Dragon

Welcome to the November 4, 2009 Cavalcade of Risk — the How Much Assurance Does Your Insurance Offer edition! As I was going through the submissions for this particular carnival, I noticed a large number of insurance related topics. Does that mean we're becoming more concerned about whether we have enough (or the right types) of insurance? Or was it just a coincidence? Whether you've got concerns about life insurance, car insurance, health insurance or business insurance — you can find information in this carnival.

LIFE INSURANCE

FMF takes on the life insurance debate, with How Much Life Insurance Do You Need? posted at Free Money Finance, saying, "A simple formula to determine how much life insurance you need."

Jeff Rose always looks at whether things make good financial "cents" or not. Here's his theory on Should You Buy (ROP) Return on Premium Term Life Insurance?

Tom @ Canadian Finance Blog discusses life insurance and children. I have life insurance for my children but have always wondered whether or not it's a good use of money. Tom thinks not — here's his take: Insurance You Can Do Without — Life Insurance For Your Child posted at The Canadian Finance Blog.

Peter helps us decide when is the right time to get that life insurance policy in When Should I Buy A Life Insurance Policy? Should I Wait Until I Have Children Or Dependents? posted at Bible Money Matters.

CAR INSURANCE

Colin Robertson asks Do I Need Car Insurance if I Don’t Own a Car? posted at The Truth About Insurance.com.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Henry Stern, LUTCF, CBC sent us High Risk Obamacare from InsureBlog, saying, "Bob Vineyard explains that a new high risk pool included in ObamaCare could really end up hurting the very folks it seeks to help."

David Williams presents Fears of the public option are overblown posted at Health Business Blog, saying, "Big business thinks the public option will put them at risk for cost shifting and the elimination of the private health insurance industry. I think their fears about the risk are overblown."

Jason Shafrin talks about the cost of health care — “Health care, at any level, cannot be equated in dollars and cents.” at Healthcare Economist

Jaan Sidorov gives us More Implications on the Suspended Animation of the Medicare Medical Home Demonstration

BUSINESS INSURANCE

Nancy Germond, ARM, AIC, ITP presents Admitting You Are Wrong May Limit Claims posted at AllBusiness.com — Risk Management for the 21st Century

OTHER RISKS

Peak Personal Finance tackles the risks involved with Lending Money to Friends and Family posted at Peak Personal Finance, saying, "Lending money to friends and family can be risky business!"

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Stock Market Timing: Advice For Investors posted at The Digerati Life, saying, "Is market timing a way to reduce or manage risk? Or is it a highly risky strategy when investing? The debate rages on."

Dugan presents Why Release People we Think are High Risk? Well, who said risk wasn't controversial? Dugan Z wonders about allowing sex-offenders to live in family-centric neighborhoods is a good idea, and is stunned by how easy it is to use Google-maps to find them.

Thanks for checking out the carnival! If you have some time, check out some of the great posts from the bloggers on Wise Bread — there's a little something for everyone here. Submit your blog article to the next edition of cavalcade of risk using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Permalink | 5 comments | Debbie Dragon's blog | Channel: Personal Finance

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5 Classy Gift Ideas for Any Time of Year

Myscha Theriault — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:00:02 +0000

By Myscha Theriault

Looking for Thanksgiving hostess or Christmas gift ideas that will be well received? Trying to keep your holiday spending in check? Here are five elegant gift ideas that are suitable throughout the year. All of them can be purchased affordably.

Crystal

Vases and fruit bowls might be seen as girl-only gifts by many folks, but well chosen photo frames, mantel clocks and spirit decanters in a neutral design (stay away from hearts and flowers) can easily serve as elegant gift ideas for both men and women. Crystal is timeless, elegant, and if you shop at places like Home Goods and Tuesday Morning, darn cheap.

Book Stands

If you don’t happen to be traveling to Indonesia, Thailand, the Middle East, or Africa, check your local import stores like World Market or outdoor markets where travelers bring back goodies from abroad to sell for a small profit. Hand carved wooden display stands provide an affordable yet exquisite backdrop for sacred texts, coffee table books, and photo essay titles. They make a dramatic decorative statement suitable for numerous design styles. Bonus? They aren’t something you can pick up at just any box store on the street, although they are available to those with a little time to look.

Wine Stoppers

My folks bought us two of these a few years ago and we are complimented on them all the time. The trick? Look for some nice hand blown glass ones with metallic accents and skip the tacky primary colored fruit replicas. I’ve also seen some reasonably tasteful wine stoppers done in various metals. These don’t take up a ton of space, so they are easy to ship. They are also suitable for every decorating style and are not holiday specific, making them suitable for year round giving as well as the numerous winter holidays representing multiple faiths and denominations.

Easels

The more dramatic, the better. As affordable gifts go, this one is still higher end and probably more appropriate to give a family member. That being said, if you’re wanting to spend more on someone and want something they will use for years regardless of changing tastes, these things are perfect. They can be a bit tough to find, but I’ve seen brass and other decorative metal ones at furniture stores and custom frame shops. Years ago, I saw the perfect one for me and did not go for it — still regretting the missed opportunity, really. A large brass display easel can hold oil paintings in antique frames, enlarged black and white photos for a theme party, a framed dinner menu, program schedule, and much more. If you can’t get your hands on larger museum quality version, go for a medium table top easel with classic decorative elements. The person who receives it will still get miles of use out of it. Trust me.

Liquor

I’ve suggested this before in last year’s hostess gifts article, but I’m tossing it out again here. Why? Because it’s timeless, unisex, and depending on what you select, uber affordable. Think butterscotch schnapps or coconut rum versus twenty year old single malt.

Do you have a favorite standby gift that’s elegant as well as affordable? Sound off below.

Closely Related Readings:

When Going Green is Classy

A Classy Christmas on the Cheap and Easy

Spirited Christmas Cocktails

Six Strategies for Green Gifting

Other Holiday Posts on Wise Bread: Dreaming of a Frugal Christmas, Making Christmas the Smart Way, Dreaming of a Green Christmas and DIY Christmas Gifts for the Under 6 Crowd.

Permalink | 18 comments | Myscha Theriault's blog | Channel: Lifestyle

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Best Deals For Wednesday 11/04/09

Paul Michael — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:08:22 +0000

By Paul Michael

Today's WISEBUY. ShoeSteal Fall Clearance - Up To 75% Off + Extra 20% Off
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