Insurance is on my mind right now. In my current job, I have life insurance but not very much. I am single, no kids, so I don't really need a lot of life insurance, but sometimes you still want it to be part of your mix.
I have approached my "relative" boss about giving us some more options for insurance, but he seems unimpressed with the idea. I don't understand--it would cost him or the company nothing it seems, as we would tap into our association's group rates.
Well, anyway, I have good health insurance, but measly life insurance, and no disability. Just for the heck of it, I thought I would check some Websites to see what some prices might be.
For me, term life would probably be the better choice, as I am not really looking at life insurance as a way to save money. But for those who do want to use life insurance as a way to accumulate cash value, they might want to check out their whole life insurance.
Right now, I am more concerned about disability insurance, so I filled out a form on that . We'll see what I get back. I'd rather do it through our company, but that may not be an option.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Poor Little Loopot
My poor little cat, Loopot, is not well. I am not sure what is wrong. The last couple of weeks he has been drinking immense amounts of water, eating even more than he normally does, and going to the bathroom all of the time. It didn't really occur to me that there was really a problem until about 2 weeks ago. I really didn't have the money to take him to the vet, but I did this past Saturday. I had to take money out of my law review course money. I know that is not good. I was trying to wait until my next payday to take him to the vet, but last week, he seemed worse, and I just couldn't not take him. I'll just have to make up that money another way.
The vet says he probably either has a thyroid problem, diabetes, or kidney problems. Thyroid would be the best scenario. I guess diabetes would be the next, and the kidney problems the worst. I will find out tomorrow or Tuesday. He is very alert, so that is good.
I am really worried about Loopot. Prayers please that whatever wrong is fixable (and it would be better if it were not real expensive.) But sometimes you just have to spend the money.
The vet says he probably either has a thyroid problem, diabetes, or kidney problems. Thyroid would be the best scenario. I guess diabetes would be the next, and the kidney problems the worst. I will find out tomorrow or Tuesday. He is very alert, so that is good.
I am really worried about Loopot. Prayers please that whatever wrong is fixable (and it would be better if it were not real expensive.) But sometimes you just have to spend the money.
Merchant Accounts
As consumers, we are always wanting to get the best credit card rate, if we choose to use credit cards at all.
But merchants are also looking for the best rates--better credit card processing transaction rates. Depending on what kind of businesses they are in, merchants can have an easier or harder time getting a good rate.
For example, brick and mortar retail stores are not considered very risky, because retailers can swipe the customers' cards and get the consumers' signatures on credit card purchases, which prevents a lot of chargebacks. So it is pretty likely that some companies would give a retail store a good retail store processing rate.
On the other hand, some internet retailers might be considered risky and have a harder time getting a good rate, because they cannot swipe customers' cards or get their signatures, which can lead to a lot of chargebacks.
For companies that are considered very risky or that have been rejected by a solution provider, they might consider applying for merchants services off shore. There are some drawbacks to using offshore processing providers, but Ms. Merchant Account states they work only with the most reputable international credit card processing agencies to protect their customers from fraud and other bad practices.
But merchants are also looking for the best rates--better credit card processing transaction rates. Depending on what kind of businesses they are in, merchants can have an easier or harder time getting a good rate.
For example, brick and mortar retail stores are not considered very risky, because retailers can swipe the customers' cards and get the consumers' signatures on credit card purchases, which prevents a lot of chargebacks. So it is pretty likely that some companies would give a retail store a good retail store processing rate.
On the other hand, some internet retailers might be considered risky and have a harder time getting a good rate, because they cannot swipe customers' cards or get their signatures, which can lead to a lot of chargebacks.
For companies that are considered very risky or that have been rejected by a solution provider, they might consider applying for merchants services off shore. There are some drawbacks to using offshore processing providers, but Ms. Merchant Account states they work only with the most reputable international credit card processing agencies to protect their customers from fraud and other bad practices.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Online Promotional Codes
On my local news tonight I found out some valuable info just in time for Black Friday! Go to your search engine and type in "Online Promotional Codes." A list of links will come up that can take you to online promotional codes. These are the codes that you type in when you order online. There are some great deals, and for great stores like J. Crew, Victoria Secret and even Walmart.
I didn't have time to really study the lists of stores and codes, but I am glad to know it is there. I will definitely peruse them before I do my Christmas shopping in about a week or two.
Happy shopping and saving!
I didn't have time to really study the lists of stores and codes, but I am glad to know it is there. I will definitely peruse them before I do my Christmas shopping in about a week or two.
Happy shopping and saving!
When Creditors are Evil
There have been too many stories lately about creditors breaking the law and getting away with it.
I do want to emphasize that I think people who have debt need to pay it back. Period. But not at the hands of creditors who will stop at nothing to get their money back.
First I read an article on the Web (sorry I cannot find the link) about how many people who have filed bankruptcy are now being hounded again about the very debts that were supposed to discharged under bankruptcy. Unbelievable!
The article went on to say that the creditors are slow at reporting the discharge on purpose, so other companies that have bought the debt go back in, and sometimes people pay the debt years later when they don't have to. The article went on to give some devastating examples of this.
Then I read another article about how creditors are now freezing bank accounts with social security money in it, when that is prohibited by the federal government!
http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/53832
We are talking about elderly people who then have no money for food, rent, medicine, etc. The problem is exacerbated by people who have direct deposit of their checks. While direct deposit has been a help to many, in some cases such as this, it can be a nightmare. It can take a long time to switch back to getting a regular check in the mail, and by that time, bank fees and overdraft charges have probably eaten everything up.
We need to do something about the creditors who overstep the law and get away with it. Maybe the law needs to be updated to exact steep punitive damages on companies who break the law in this way. Our elderly people deserve better.
I do want to emphasize that I think people who have debt need to pay it back. Period. But not at the hands of creditors who will stop at nothing to get their money back.
First I read an article on the Web (sorry I cannot find the link) about how many people who have filed bankruptcy are now being hounded again about the very debts that were supposed to discharged under bankruptcy. Unbelievable!
The article went on to say that the creditors are slow at reporting the discharge on purpose, so other companies that have bought the debt go back in, and sometimes people pay the debt years later when they don't have to. The article went on to give some devastating examples of this.
Then I read another article about how creditors are now freezing bank accounts with social security money in it, when that is prohibited by the federal government!
http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/53832
We are talking about elderly people who then have no money for food, rent, medicine, etc. The problem is exacerbated by people who have direct deposit of their checks. While direct deposit has been a help to many, in some cases such as this, it can be a nightmare. It can take a long time to switch back to getting a regular check in the mail, and by that time, bank fees and overdraft charges have probably eaten everything up.
We need to do something about the creditors who overstep the law and get away with it. Maybe the law needs to be updated to exact steep punitive damages on companies who break the law in this way. Our elderly people deserve better.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
New Career--Professional Survey Taker?
I was welcomed into the world of my newest career--that of professional survey taker, or so they said. I had been doing online surveys for a couple of companies, but not really making any money, so clicked on a link for paid focus groups and such and signed up for a few.
Well, the ads started coming at me like those online porn ads used to. Ad after ad, all looking like casino slot machines almost. Ads for surveys, games, prizes, cash, etc.
All well and good if they are legit. I started worrying that maybe my computer would be infected some how. But so far OK.
I am working full time and going to school full time, so I don't have time for a part-time job. But I need some extra money. So the surveys seemed like a good idea.
But one problem is, most of the surveys take up a whole lot of time. I wish they could pare them down somehow.
Also, it is hard to separate the wheat from the chaff? Which are legit, and which are scams? Are they all legit?
I know some professors who used to teach at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management who were into online research and such. Because I know they were into this kind of thing, makes me think it is legit.
But I have already gotten stung once so far by one of this companies putting through an unauthorized charge to my checking account. I can't tell which one, but my bank removed it today.
I am going to be careful in proceeding. I want to do the surveys, because the idea appeals to me, but I don't want to waste more money than I make, and I will have to be vigil for other unauthorized charges.
But then as a "professional" survey taker, I guess I can take that challenge on.
Would love to hear comments from others who have done these type of surveys.
Well, the ads started coming at me like those online porn ads used to. Ad after ad, all looking like casino slot machines almost. Ads for surveys, games, prizes, cash, etc.
All well and good if they are legit. I started worrying that maybe my computer would be infected some how. But so far OK.
I am working full time and going to school full time, so I don't have time for a part-time job. But I need some extra money. So the surveys seemed like a good idea.
But one problem is, most of the surveys take up a whole lot of time. I wish they could pare them down somehow.
Also, it is hard to separate the wheat from the chaff? Which are legit, and which are scams? Are they all legit?
I know some professors who used to teach at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management who were into online research and such. Because I know they were into this kind of thing, makes me think it is legit.
But I have already gotten stung once so far by one of this companies putting through an unauthorized charge to my checking account. I can't tell which one, but my bank removed it today.
I am going to be careful in proceeding. I want to do the surveys, because the idea appeals to me, but I don't want to waste more money than I make, and I will have to be vigil for other unauthorized charges.
But then as a "professional" survey taker, I guess I can take that challenge on.
Would love to hear comments from others who have done these type of surveys.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Stupid Tax
If you are a fan of Dave Ramsey, like I am, you know the term "stupid tax." That is his codeword for something you have done with money that is stupid beyond belief.
Of course, I have paid more than my share of stupid tax. (Should I apply for a refund?)
But probably my most stupid one involved a piece of athletic equipment, and you guessed it....a credit card!
At the time, I was in my fitness mode (unlike now. While in school, I haven't had a chance to exercise at all.) I was enamored with the exerciser that looks like you are walking--you just move your legs back and forth and there are arm pieces that go in tandem. I can't remember the name of the equipment--I think I have blocked it out of my mind, it was so painful.
I was enamored with it, because it looked like fun, and also it was quiet. This was important, as I could exercise in front of the TV and hear the TV, and I live in a condominium, and it would be quiet for my neighbors.
Well, I saw them on sale at K-Mart, so I go trudging over to K-Mart, all excited. On top of the sale, I could get an extra 10 percent off if I applied for the store credit card and bought the item that day. It was not an impulse item, as I had wanted to buy it for a long time. But the smart thoughts stopped there.
I applied for the card, got it, and charged the equipment--$200. I put it in the car and drive home thrilled. I get the awkward package up the stairs into my place, and couldn't wait to put it together.
Unfortunately, I could never get it assembled correctly. It looked right, but if I got on it and started walking on it, one side would basically collapse. I worked and worked and re-did it and re-did it, and it would never work.
Deflated, I called my handyman and asked him if he could put it together. He came over, took it apart, and then back together and charged me $50. It was a bargain!
The problem is, it still wouldn't work right. It still kept collapsing on the same side. I knew then there was something wrong with it, because the handyman would know how to assemble it.
Well, before long, I trudged it out to the trash, and someone else picked it up. Buh bye!
But the cost didn't go away. My money was so strapped, I only paid the minimum on it. Over the months and years, the fees and late charges added up, and now I owe about $2,000. That is definitely one of the debts I am paying off this year, no excuses.
At least I can say I did my part to keep K-mart solvent.
Stupid tax!
Of course, I have paid more than my share of stupid tax. (Should I apply for a refund?)
But probably my most stupid one involved a piece of athletic equipment, and you guessed it....a credit card!
At the time, I was in my fitness mode (unlike now. While in school, I haven't had a chance to exercise at all.) I was enamored with the exerciser that looks like you are walking--you just move your legs back and forth and there are arm pieces that go in tandem. I can't remember the name of the equipment--I think I have blocked it out of my mind, it was so painful.
I was enamored with it, because it looked like fun, and also it was quiet. This was important, as I could exercise in front of the TV and hear the TV, and I live in a condominium, and it would be quiet for my neighbors.
Well, I saw them on sale at K-Mart, so I go trudging over to K-Mart, all excited. On top of the sale, I could get an extra 10 percent off if I applied for the store credit card and bought the item that day. It was not an impulse item, as I had wanted to buy it for a long time. But the smart thoughts stopped there.
I applied for the card, got it, and charged the equipment--$200. I put it in the car and drive home thrilled. I get the awkward package up the stairs into my place, and couldn't wait to put it together.
Unfortunately, I could never get it assembled correctly. It looked right, but if I got on it and started walking on it, one side would basically collapse. I worked and worked and re-did it and re-did it, and it would never work.
Deflated, I called my handyman and asked him if he could put it together. He came over, took it apart, and then back together and charged me $50. It was a bargain!
The problem is, it still wouldn't work right. It still kept collapsing on the same side. I knew then there was something wrong with it, because the handyman would know how to assemble it.
Well, before long, I trudged it out to the trash, and someone else picked it up. Buh bye!
But the cost didn't go away. My money was so strapped, I only paid the minimum on it. Over the months and years, the fees and late charges added up, and now I owe about $2,000. That is definitely one of the debts I am paying off this year, no excuses.
At least I can say I did my part to keep K-mart solvent.
Stupid tax!
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