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Shopping for Shoes – Intro
Before Sex in the City, it is accepted that women like fancy shoes, with high heels. Men are not any more practical. Men what boot to look and feel macho. Both are not necessarily the best approach to buying shoes. 21st century has taken over, even the shoe industry. I am sure many of you have see the TV commercial that suggests you don't have to go to the gym. All you have to do is wear this c...
Shopping for the Palm Pre
It has been over a year since Palm released the Palm Pre. At that time all the tech reviewers were joking that the Palm Pre was the pre-bankruptcy release for Palm. Well, Palm has not gone into bankruptcy. Three of the four major cell phone carriers offer the Palm Pre. In call seriousness the Palm cell phone is different than the Blackberry, or the many smart phones that use the Android operati...
Shopping for the Chevy Equinox
The Chevy Equinox is classified in what some people want to call "plus-sized crossover, small SUV". This basically means the Equinox is smaller than a full size SUV and larger than your standard crossover. The much advertised feature of the Chevy Equinox is the rear seating and rear storage.  60/40-split rear seat that could be slid almost 8 inches front and rear. In the rear cargo section t...
Money Management from the Mint
Way back in 1995, I remember when I helped a young pest control business get their first computer. We set up their books with a new software from Quicken. Over the years, Quicken has been the only real money management software for personal of business use. Since then there has been several of money management programs to come on the market and many of them leave. Then in 2005, Aaron Patzer sai...
Dean Koontz on Audible
One of the many author found at Audible.com is Dean Koontz. Do you realize you can get his Dean's book Breathless in an MP3, but it on your iPod, or other MP3 player and listen to it while driving to work, or even washing the car, or at the gym.   Breathless was #1 New York Times bestseller. Author Dean Koontz delivers a thrilling novel of suspense and adventure. The mystery unfolds high ...
Clear Expectation of Service
Several years ago, I worked briefly at this computer store. The owner would change the terms of service at least once a week, if not more. When I left there the Terms of Service was very fine print on the back of every receipt. The receipt was printed on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper. This is nothing unusual. Every business has literature that states where their responsibly starts and where ...
32 Inch LCD Recon
I love sitting around coffee shops, and lounge area. What I over hear is so amazing. Just the other day this guy asked a friend, "Where was the best place to get a LCD TV?" The friend answered quick, "Fred Meyer, they have the best prices." I was so tempted to lean over and ask what empirical data he was making statement. Instead I bit my tongue. Without any ceremony, I got up and walked t...
Auto Recon: Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is another one of those little sub compact cars that came into being to easy the strain on our wallets because of high gas prices. The Fit is akin to the sportier Honda Jazz. Introduced at the time of high gas prices the Honda Fit is a subcompact four door hatchback. The first-generation Honda Fit was available for just two years: 2007 and 2008 model year. The base model came wi...
Mattress Recon – Intro
Next to marriage and underwear the mattress you sleep on is the next personal thing in your life. It has been my experience that what on individual sleeps well on is another individuals restless nights sleep. So when asked to help buy as mattress, I had to start with the basics. The number of different types of mattresses far exceeds the three Goldilocks came across in the three bears cottage. ...
Business Books from Audible
Anyone in business will tell you that knowledge and time management is a crucial factor to success. Traveling to an appointment, or waiting in a doctors office can be put to good use. An MP3 player containing an audio book can convert dead/wasted time into an enriched learning experience. Books like "How to Wind Friends & Influence People", "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" make great...

Money Management from the Mint

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on August 31, 2010 in Budget, Business, Finance, Home - Comments: 1 Comment »

Way back in 1995, I remember when I helped a young pest control business get their first computer. We set up their books with a new software from Quicken. Over the years, Quicken has been the only real money management software for personal of business use.

Since then there has been several of money management programs to come on the market and many of them leave. Then in 2005, Aaron Patzer said there could be something better. So in 2008 Mint.com came out of beta.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

Clear Expectation of Service

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on August 27, 2010 in Business, Home - Comments: No Comments »

Several years ago, I worked briefly at this computer store. The owner would change the terms of service at least once a week, if not more. When I left there the Terms of Service was very fine print on the back of every receipt. The receipt was printed on an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper.

This is nothing unusual. Every business has literature that states where their responsibly starts and where the customer’s responsible begins.

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Office Office Which Office

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on August 20, 2010 in Business, Tech Stuff - Comments: No Comments »

School is almost back in full swing. Last minute shoppers of school supplies and school clothes are bustling through places like Wal Mart and Target with almost the ferver of Christmas shoppers on Christmas Eve.

In addition to the traditional school supplies a computer is needed. On that computer is required a word processing program, spread sheet program, presentation program, and internet access.

Some schools just say that Microsoft Office is what their students need to successfully complete homework assignments. The complete unrestricted version of Microsoft Office will cost just over $300.00. However, the Student Edition of Microsoft Office will cost only $123.00.

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Paper Shredder Recon

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on August 12, 2010 in Appliances, Business, Home, Tech Stuff - Comments: 1 Comment »

I remember a time as a teenager we go through the neighbors trash just to see what we could find. This was at the local dump outside a small town, in northern California. People saw us and thought we were looking for old aluminium and copper to sell at our version of the recycling center, in 1968. In addition to the  aluminium and copper we found old love letters, adult magazines, and credit card numbers. Of course we only used what we found for our amusement.

Today, there are unethical people going though other people’s trash, before the garbage man comes to get information for identity theft. This could be a credit card offer, or a bill from a life insurance company, or even an electric bill. You see adding up these bits and pieces of information, along with the internet can yield enough information for identity theft.

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Read Those Agreements

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on July 22, 2010 in Business, Home - Comments: Comments Off

It is a good thing to sit back in your comfortable chair, with a tall glass of ice tea and read the end user agreements. I know any legal paper is not the most exciting reading, but it can save you 100′s of dollars by taking a few minutes, and leisurely read through them.

Reading things like mortgage papers, lease agreements. or cell phone contracts is not the most exciting reading there is. However, it is always good to know what you have agreed to do. I have lost count the number of times I have had people come to me and tell me stories of how they got themselves in a bind over not reading fully what they have signed.

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Bankruptcy Is Like Divorce

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on July 13, 2010 in Business, Finance, Home - Comments: Comments Off

A few weeks ago, a friend and I were talking. Then out of the blue he blurred out like someone who was about to be tortured. “I am afraid that I am going to have to file for bankruptcy.”

I could see the pain in his eyes. He was the type of person who did not have a lot of money. He paid his bills. He took pride in providing for his family. The mere idea of bankruptcy was the worst possible thing that could happen. He believed that if he could not provide for his family he was the scum of the earth.

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10 Reasons to Live Below Your Means

Posted By: TSN Boise on May 29, 2010 in Budget, Business, Food, Home, Lifestyle - Comments: Comments Off

I know it is easy to spend money. We are bombarded daily from television and radio ad. Sometimes it seems that every place we go there is someone who want us to give them our hard earn money. This makes it a real effort just to live within our means.

To many of us the temptation is to live above our means. In the past few years we, as a nation have learned we cannot live on credit. We cannot live above our means, it will eventually catch up with us.

I have notice those people who have not been greatly affected the current recession have been living below there means. They had a good cash reserver. They have been saving money.

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How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

Posted By: TSN Boise on May 25, 2010 in Business, Finance, Home - Comments: 1 Comment »

How much does a lawyer cost? Well that all depends what you need a lawyer to do for you.

According to Lawyers.com the national average is $284 per hour. Then depending on they type of lawyer you need and the area of the United States, that $284 per hour can quickly turn into over $1,000 per hour.

Note, I said per hour. Court appearances, filing fee, and research can put a person in the poor house before going to court. That does not say you are going to win your case.

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Death and It Does Cost

Posted By: TSN Boise on April 13, 2010 in Business, Home, Lifestyle - Comments: 1 Comment »

In preparing for today’s post, I am reminded of the old saying, “There are two things that we cannot escape: death and taxes”. Everybody is quick to talk about how the government is taxing them to the poor house. However, very few people are quick to talk about how they are preparing for their own death.

In the past month, I have read in various consumer advocate publications, each one had some very interesting points about saving money. Especially just disposal of your body, after you are dead, will cost as little as $800. The traditional funeral cost can reach $15,000. However, the average funeral runs in the $6,000 range.

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Moving – Big Bank to Little Bank

Posted By: TSN Boise on March 30, 2010 in Budget, Business, Finance, Home - Comments: 2 Comments »

Two weeks ago we looked at choosing a small bank that would be a good fit for you and your money. Last week we looked at all the advantages of banking with a credit union. This week we are going to look at how to move our money, to a smaller more customer friendly bank.

Moving from a big bank to a little bank, if done wrong, can cost you hundreds of dollars, and lower credit score. If done right, the move will be relatively painless along with not have you paying any late or overdraft fees.

The best way to move from a big bank to a little bank is in stages. I have broke it down into 5 stages. That you will sure that the transition will be smooth and painless as possible.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises


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