Archive for November, 2011

7 Ways to Save Your Credit Score on Black Friday

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Published November 25, 2011 FoxNews.com

Hours after we fill up on turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, many Americans will give the plastic a workout at shopping retailers across the country.

Last year, the National Retail Federation estimated that 212 million bargain-seekers visited stores and online retailers over the weekend spending a whopping $45 billion.

Overspending on gifts around the holidays isn’t something uncommon. In fact, with high lines of credit available to consumers, credit card companies are doing everything they can to ensure that we overspend.

In a society that oftentimes requires individuals to borrow, one’s credit score is increasingly an important number. Companies use algorithms to calculate how much credit an individual can obtain. With recent dips in the economy and foreclosures on the rise, many people are wondering if there are a few easy ways to improve their credit scores? Here are my seven top tips:

1. Pay bills on time

Paying your bills on time is probably the single most important contributor to a good credit score. Credit bureaus want to see people make payments on their debt in a consistent and timely manner. If you have missed payments get current and stay current. It is harder to build than to destroy your credit.

2. Don’t go crazy over the holidays

Keeping balances low on credit cards is also important. After all, you do not receive a prize or award for pushing your credit cards to the limit. It is important to use credit cards wisely and pay off your balance at each payment period as often as you can. This will save you money by helping you to avoid interest as well.

3. Keep yourself under 50% of available credit

If you do need to go into debt, try your best to keep your outstanding balance under 50% of your available credit. Moving debts around from one card to another doesn’t really help as the credit bureaus are looking at all debts and not just debts on specific credit cards.

4. Credit card deals aren’t really “deals”

There are no such things as “credit card deals.” Consumers should not fall for spend incentives by credit cards. In the end, they are gouging you somehow.

5. Get help if you are having trouble

If you’re having trouble making ends meet, contact your creditors or see a legitimate credit counselor. However, it should be noted that some counseling services say they will help but don’t actually end up helping. You want to find a service that is rooted in helping to educate you about your options. Not a service that is trying to sell you on a particular product.

6. Get on a budget

Creating and sticking to a budget is also beneficial, and will help you manage your finances in a way that will translate into a higher credit score. The less money you have, the more you need a budget, because you need to account for every penny.

7. Get a copy of your credit report

As a general rule, it’s also important to get a copy of your report every six months, or at least every year. However, this can take a lot of time and effort, so it’s best to sign up with a company that you know will help you protect your credit.

Passard Dean is associate professor of accounting at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida. Dean also formerly worked at Equifax, one of the three main credit reporting agencies.

Black Friday

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

By Sue Ricketts

Great jumping horny toads! As Yosemite Sam would say. What is going on? People are shooting one another over their right to buy something which they probably don’t need. Using pepper spray to keep others away from “their” purchase? And they want to bring this awful idea to Canada?

Where else but in a Los Angeles Walmart would 20 people be injured by pepper spray? Not while shopping, but while standing in line waiting for the store to open on Thursday night. And why did this happen? To allow a woman to get to the head of the line for the chance to buy an Xbox. There’s a real urgent and important reason to hurt others for you. I wonder if she’ll turn out to be a blonde when they track her down?

Some other highlights of this insane shopping mania: Police in Fayetteville, N.C. are hunting for two suspects after gunfire went off early Friday in the Cross Creek Mall. At a Walmart in upstate New York, a man was arrested after two women were injured in a fight that broke out. In Phoenix Arizona, it was reported that a grandfather was roughed up by police after he put a game in his waistband to free up his hands to lift his grandson above the crowd. He was slammed to the ground by cops, who likely assumed that he was shoplifting. At least that’s why we assume the crowd control people reacted like that. Maybe they just got caught up in the frenzy of the mob.

Crowds were bigger than ever all over the place. About 600 shoppers were in line at a Target store in Brooklyn, New York when it opened. At midnight, nearly 2,000 shoppers wrapped around a Best Buy store in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Mall of America, the largest mall in North America, had 15,000 shoppers for its midnight opening. And more than 9,000 people were outside the flagship Macy’s store in New York’s Herald Square at its midnight opening, up from 7,000 a year ago.

Adding to that, some Occupy Wall Street protesters turned up for the Macy’s midnight opening and are expected to plan flash mobs and other events later in the day in places like , Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Boise, Idaho to urge people to reconsider shopping at national chains on Black Friday.

Such excess is happening even though the country is in recession with a sluggish economy and unemployment figures the highest they’ve been in a long time. As an antidote to the true poverty after the market crash of 2008 and the terrible housing crisis which has stunned our neighbours to the south, the media and the government are promoting spending as the answer to all the ills. Go out, true citizen, and spend money that you need to eat and keep a roof over your head on things you really, really don’t need, really, really can’t afford and which was made in another country so that it won’t last long enough to have made the effort worthwhile. Maybe it’s a way to allow people to let off steam and fight with someone other than those who run the country.

Never the less, I really, really don’t want to see this tradition come up here. Canadians have a tradition of being civilized, calm, quiet, unassuming folks. Let’s keep it that way. If you need to blow off steam, please cross the border to do so. Our friends need us to come down and spend our hard saved money to get their economy working again.

Zero Day

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

by David Baldacci

In a rural county in West Virginia mining country, a family of four have been found murdered and posed on a sofa in their living room. The bizarre crime scene is obviously staged as none of the dead were killed there.

The local police ask for help as the father was an employee high up in the military and privy to many national secrets. What possible connection could there be to spies and terrorists in this depressed and impoverished area? There’s nothing here worth fighting and killing over. Or is there?

In response all the government investigative agencies send in only one person. John Puller is a soldier’s soldier who works for the Criminal Investigative Department of the United States Army. He is an experienced fighter and well-trained investigator with many years served in places all around the world, lately in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Puller arrives to find that the lead police Sergeant is a strong, determined woman who is prepared to help solve a mysterious crime in her hometown. Together they delve into layers and layers of deception to find that the hidden motives of the crime will have far-reaching impact a long way from West Virginia. Plots within plots lead them to a stunning conclusion.

For fans of Baldacci, you will know that he writes an exciting and action packed story which is fun to follow and always a good read.

How to Avoid Paying Retail for Christmas Gifts

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Jason (Frugal Dad)

Does it seem cheap to search for deals on Christmas gifts? Absolutely not; it’s a frugal move, and one I gladly participate in each year.

With Christmas budgets already stretched thin, it makes a lot of sense to use a few cost-cutting strategies when checking off your Christmas list.

1. Buy online. This one is easy for me. I’d much rather purchase Christmas gifts at Amazon.com than stand in a line with 300 people fighting over limited quantities. Depending on where you live, you can often avoid paying sales tax, too, which can represent a sizable portion of a large purchase such as a computer.

Many brick and mortar stores such as Target and Best Buy participate in Cyber Monday (the Monday following Thanksgiving) deals at their websites where you can find deals similar to the ones that were found in stores on Black Friday.

2. Pay with cash (for larger items). It used to be widely known that if you paid for large ticket items with cash you could expect a deep discount. That’s not always a given these days, because many stores make money on their in-store financing or branded credit cards, and would be just as happy if you financed your big purchase.

Still, it’s worth having the cash on-hand and asking for a cash discount.

3. Buy next year’s Christmas gifts in January. Some gifts are timeless, and if buying the latest hot gadge isn’t particulaly important to those on your list, you might consider picking up some gifts at deep discount after the holiday season shopping rush has passed.

Note, we like to shop for Christmas decorations around this time, too!

4. Don’t shy away from floor models. Just this past weekend I scored a zebra-patterned Parsons chair that will look great in my daughter’s room.

I asked the sales associate if she had one in the back, because the floor model had a few scratches on the legs. She returned with a disappointed look – the only remaining item was the floor model. The chair was originally $79.99, marked down to $59.99. I offered them $30. The manager said they couldn’t go below $40. We settled on $35.

I used a furniture pen to cover the scratches, gave the chair’s fabric a quick wipe down with a wash cloth, and it is now as good as new. Total savings – about 55% off the full, retail price.

5. Use coupons. I rarely purchase anything online without using some sort of coupon or promotional code. Many of these codes offer free shipping, or a discount off your total purchase. There are just too many ways to save not to do a little research.

Of course, I’ve tried to make this easier for readers in recent weeks by offering a consolidated spot here at Frugal Dad for coupons and deals. I highly encourage you to check out this area when you are ready to do some online shopping.

What are a few ways you save on Christmas gifts each year? Share your tips here and at the Facebook page where I’ve just kicked off a new discussion on this topic.

Found (Brides of the Kindred)

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

by Evangeline Anderson

For those keeping track this is the fourth book in the Kindred series. Ms Anderson writes erotic fiction for those of us who are not children. In real life she is an MRI technician who keeps her senses alive by writing these highly imaginative stories on the side. She even has a bumper sticker saying “I’d rather be writing”.

At the end of the third book, we were left hanging with Lauren being saved by Kat and her twin male lovers. She and Xairn, son of the AllFather, head of the Scourge must flee to a far planet so that they can disguise themselves enough to keep hidden from the their pursuers.

Lauren is the cousin of Olivia and Sophia from the original Kindred books. She is now believed by the frightening race of the Scourge to be part of the prophecy which says that a woman with a certain mark will be the one to save their race from extinction. It has been a very long time since the last female Scourge died and they have perpetuated themselves by growing sons in vats of genetic soup.

Xairn was raised by an unforgiving, cruel father who delights in the suffering of others. The Allfather wants Lauren for himself so that he will keep the Scourge race alive. He is terrified that he will continue his father’s ways and could never have a normal relationship with any female.

Xairn is frightened by his emotions which are growing toward Lauren and even though he has saved her from his father’s clutches he must find the strength to take her back to Earth and then leave her before he does her bodily harm. Will they both find peace and any happiness? Only reading the book will tell the tale.

There is a hint from the authour at the end of the book about where future stories in the Kindred series may go. I look forward to reading more of these strangely captivating tales.

Rooneyisms

Sunday, November 20th, 2011

We lost a really great soul a few weeks back. He managed to work right up to a couple weeks before he died. Always aware and interested in life. If you take the time to read these you’ll come away with an enlightened perspective. The subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis:.They’re written by Andy Rooney , a man who had the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy…….

I’ve learned…. That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I’ve learned…. That when you’re in love, it shows.

I’ve learned…. That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.

I’ve learned…. That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I’ve learned…. That being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned…. That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I’ve learned…. That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.

I’ve learned…. That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I’ve learned…. That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I’ve learned…. That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I’ve learned…. That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I’ve learned…. That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned…. That money doesn’t buy class.

I’ve learned…. That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned…. That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I’ve learned…. That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I ‘ve learned…. That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I’ve learned…. That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I’ve learned…. That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I’ve learned…. That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned…. That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I’ve learned… That life is tough, but I’m tougher.

I’ve learned…. That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned…. That when you harbour bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I’ve learned…. That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I’ve learned…. That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I’ve learned….. That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I’ve learned….. That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.

I’ve learned…. That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.

Stay Young My Friend

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Authour Anonymous

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

Try everything twice.On one woman’s tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph:”Tried everything twice. Loved it both times!”
Keep only cheerful friends.The grouches pull you down.(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)
Keep learning:Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever…Never let the brain get idle. ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.’
And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s!
Enjoy the simple things.They are the ones you will remember the longestAnd treasure the most.
Laugh often, long and loud.Laugh until you gasp for breath.And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,
Spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.
The tears happen:Endure, grieve, and move on.The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves.
LIVE while you are alive.
Surround yourself with what you love:Whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever..Your home is your refuge.
Cherish your health:If it is good, preserve it.If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
Don’t take guilt trips..Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county,To a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.I love you, my special friend.
Do share this with someone.Remember! Lost time can never be found.Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Wine does not make you FAT …- it makes you LEAN ….(Against tables, chairs, floors, walls and ugly people )

Christmas 2011 — Birth of a New Tradition

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Authour unknown. – Obviously a Canadian who Cares

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Canadian labor. This year will be different. This year Canadians will give the gift of genuine concern for other Canadians. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Canadians hands. Yes there is!

It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local Canadian hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, Canadian owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down some of those hard earned Sir John A. Macdonald’s on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town Canadian with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Canadian working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Canadian pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about us, encouraging Canadian small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Canadians, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine. THIS is the new Canadian Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list — post it to discussion groups — throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city — send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

BUY CANADIAN – BE CANADIAN – The job you save might just be your own!

Minerva’s Soul

Sunday, November 13th, 2011

By Thomas C. Stone

Here we are at the third book about Harry Irons and his crew. Previously they have found at least three sentient, alien races – two friendly, innocent races who become their friends and one advanced and mercenary bunch called the Tec’Lasir or the True Ones as they like to call themselves.

Sent by Braithwaite Corporation to find the essence of another unknown race called the kitzloc, Harry has become infected when they tried to gather oil from their lair. Kath, Harry’s beloved co-commander, had to kill the kitzloc in order to save Harry. The whole planet, far from Earth and all it’s technological resources, must now contend with an angry and hostile race who seem to be able to make themselves invisible. The kitzloc are over seven feet tall and extremely strong. Because of their skill at hiding they seem to be an unbeatable foe.

Harry now finds that he and his body are changing. Everyone else who has been similarly attacked by the kitzloc has gone insane and either died in agony or killed themselves. In order to save Harry, he and his reunited crew, take the amazing starship Minerva back to the planet of the kitzloc to try and find a cure.

They all make a break from the Braithwaite Corporation as the company wants to take their young Bedoran friend and do a vivisection on him because he is different. The firm’s attitude is that he is no more than an animal. Braithwaite is acting just like the Tec’Lasir who kill for scientific research reasons. The corporation also insists on having the starship Minerva so that they can learn how to duplicate it’s technological marvels. This is very important because the wormhole which humans have been using to help them explore the universe seems to be closing.

From here the story unfolds in very unexpected ways. I’m not sure that they are completely believable but it makes for an interesting tale anyway, crafted in well written fashion.

There are a number of unexpected turns of events and the ending is an unexpected surprise. These characters are all interesting and believable. This is a page turner but does not really close all of the story’s threads from the previous two books. And guess what? When I checked out the authour’s blog it announced that there is another Harry Irons book coming out in spring of 2012. I, for one, am eager to read more.

How to Find a Scam

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

By Sue Ricketts

How do you tell if the email offer, the phone call or the person at your door is a trickster or a treater? That is the question!

There are places to call or go online to check out your particular offer. We’re most likely aware not to answer that person from Nigeria or the UK who’s emailing about your inheritance – for which you must send a money order deposit right away. What about that contest you’ve one in another country? Could it be real? It can’t hurt to check it out, surely. Oh, yes it can. They are looking for personal information.

When someone calls you and claims that you are their customer and they have a wonderful new deal for you, like a utility company, be very careful what you tell them. If you are their customer they know your information without you giving it to them. I say that I will verify my identity if they will first give me my account number with them. If they don’t, I don’t. Seems fair to me.

Online there are resources. Scambusters.org is interesting but it’s American based and doesn’t necessarily get all the latest local Canadian scams running around. They do explain how a lot of these scams work and tell you what to look for when you are going about your daily affairs. For example, there is a very interesting article about Gift Card Scams on their website that everyone should read before they buy for the holiday season. It tells you exactly what a scammer would do and then tells you how to safely buy and activate the cards to your benefit. This website debunks those Urban Legends and “Urgent” emails which are passed around endlessly without thinking. Before sending on anything, check it out. Lots of helpful hints are available for free.

If you Google “scams canada” you’ll find an interesting site at canadaonline.about.com which is full of articles about the latest scams and what is being done about them. Who’s been arrested. How to make a report and to whom. You’re not helpless and alone. There are thousands of others who are experiencing the same frustrations and want to see these things stopped. Truth in advertising is not something that can be enforced on the internet. Until humans stop trying to cheat and steal from one another, all we can do is be wise and up to date.

If you should receive an email which you think is a scam, what should you do? Well here’s a few tips.

Copy the exact email header from the email in question
Go to www.ip-adress.com/trace_email
Paste the address into the box and it will tell you where it originated
There is also a secondary search if you need more information

Now you can report it to internet service email provider and have the abuser stopped. Each of us should personally make it our duty to get at least one or two fraud artists reported. It would get some satisfaction for all those who have been annoyed, bothered or scammed.