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Measure Your Cars CPM not MPG
It was back in August of 2009 when I wrote about figuring what it would cost me to drive my Dodge Caravan one mile. Since then I have come across new information. It seems that I am not the only one who realizes that the old way of measuring a cars efficiency by miles per gallon leaves out too many variables. Since August of 2009, everyone that I have talked with have raised their eye brows...
Foreclosure Don’t Give Up
Foreclosure is a word that has been striking fear, remorse and a lot of negative emotions in virtually every home owner in the past few years. News agencies have been reporting 1 in 10 home owners are facing foreclosure. The most common foreclose is for failing to pay the mortgage. Foreclosure can all happen for failing to do something else not related to money. This can be not adhering to...
Self Improvement with Audible
If you are coming to The Shopping Nazi, you want to improve your lifestyle. You want to be able to get the best possible value with your hard earned dollar. If you know that Audible.com has a large selection of audio books to help you. There are books to help you improve you communication skills, parenting skills, personal finance, and even audio books to help motivate/inspire you to do what yo...
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 ...
Shopping for a 32 Inch LCD
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...

Shopping for a Ford Fiesta

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on August 18, 2010 in Automotive - Comments: 2 Comments »

I know that in different parts of the United States, different types of vehicles are more popular than others. When I first came to Idaho 4 wheel drive trucks were more popular than regular cars. The Ford Fiesta is a rarely sighted in Idaho. It was not until scanning through an automotive website that I found the Ford Fiesta was still being made.

I was amused to find the number of websites devoted to the history of the Ford Fiesta. Ford-Fiesta.info has a nice little phone gallery along with showcasing the history of the Ford Fiesta. The Fiesta was originally launched in 1976 through out Europe. Then in 1978 the”Americanised” version made its debut in the United States. Where it was marketed as a subcompact car.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

5 Common Hidden Cost

Posted By: TSN Boise on June 11, 2010 in Automotive, Bargin Places, Cell Phones, Travel - Comments: Comments Off

It was like last week we bought our daughter her first a MP3 player for $39.99. It was not what it cost us. After sales tax, carrying case, and mp3 our cost was well over $50 and still going up.

That is why I want to take today and look at hidden or unexpected costs. We have chosen only the 5 most common hidden cost over and above the price tag. Some are expected. Some are hidden and unexpected. All are over and above the price tag.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

All Wal Mart’s Are Not the Same

Posted By: TSN Boise on May 1, 2010 in Bargin Places, Food, Home, Lifestyle, Tech Stuff - Comments: Comments Off

We live in an interesting location. We live within 5 miles of  three different Wal Mart’s in three different directions from our place. All three are Super Centers, in an area that is not really consider a dense populated area; Boise, Idaho.

You would think that each Wal Mart would carry the exact same thing as the other. Not so! It depends what we are going to Wal Mart to buy determines which Wal Mart we drive to first.

The newest Wal Mart that is north of us is the newest. They have more household goods like blenders and clothes. When it comes to electronics they have the minimum. The pharmacy seems to be larger than the others.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

I Will To …

Posted By: TSN Boise on February 27, 2010 in Health and Wellness, Home, Tech Stuff - Comments: 1 Comment »

As much as everyone of us does not like to think about death, it will happen. We are going to leave behind family members, friends, and stuff. What we want our family to do with that stuff after we are gone is a very important issue.

I am not big on stuff. I realize that I am only going to be on this planet for a very short time. So I am not into collecting a lot of stuff. What concerns me when I am gone is my family and how they will live when I am gone.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

Buy Idaho – Part 2

Posted By: TSN Boise on February 20, 2010 in Bargin Places, Business, Lifestyle, Travel - Comments: 1 Comment »

Yesterday, I shared, with you, some of the great benefits I have experienced since I moved to Idaho 15 years ago. Today, I want to share with you the top 7 businesses that impress me the most when I went to the state capitol building as part of annual Buy Idaho event.

Idaho Candy Company has been around since 1901. They are not a world player that competes with Nestle or Mars candies, but they do offer some tasty treats. The Cherry Cocktail and Idaho Spud are two of my favorites.

Dream Chocolate is another candy company. Well not just another candy company. They specialize in great chocolate bar with a custom label. Can you think of a better way to impress a future employer than by attaching a candy bar with your picture on it to your resume.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

Moon’s Kitchen Delivers

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on January 29, 2010 in Food, Lifestyle - Comments: Comments Off

Anyone can waste money by eating out. But there are time you just need to get out of  the kitchen and out of the house. A mini vacation you might say.

My wife and I try to get out at least once a week, to sit down together some place and share a meal. No agenda, just sitting there talking small stuff. As a general rule we try to find a restaurant  that we have not visited, or one that it has been a long time, since we were there.

Moon’s Kitchen is on that I saw on through a friend on Facebook. Since my wife and I were going to be in downtown Boise, it seemed like a good place to good for breakfast.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

Home Path-FNMA REO Financing

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on January 19, 2010 in Bargin Places, Home - Comments: 2 Comments »

Guild Mortgage of Boise Idaho announces “Home Path”.   Another great Boise home loan financing program.

Home Path targets Fannie Mae (FNMA) REO properties.   It allows Idaho home buyers a great opportunity to purchase the home of their dreams.   A few of the high lights are

  • Only 3% down payment which can be gifted or granted
  • NO Mortgage Insurance is required-this part is great!  Mortgage insurance usually runs from $50-$200 per month.
  • NO Appraisal-the purchase price will be determined by the real estate contract that is negotiated between the buyer and the FNMA representative.
  • Only 10% down for an investment properties with 1 to 2 units. Again no MI!
  • 30 year fixed financing
  • Credit Score needs to be above 660

Here is the link to check to see if a property qualifies.  www.HomePath.com

Guild Mortgage – Boise Home loans – Craig Ballhagen                    208-713-3309

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

Travel Waste

Posted By: The Shopping Nazi on January 15, 2010 in Business, Travel - Comments: Comments Off

If I need to take a quick business trip from Boise, Idaho to San Francisco to meet with Leo Laporte, I could easily spend a $1,000. Now if I did some research and planning, I could cut that cost in half.

A flight to San Francisco from Boise Idaho starts at $216, with one stop in Salt Lake City. Most of the discount airline booking website average around $260 to $300 for a round trip ticket, for the same trip.

Now there is a few things that you can or can not do that will raise that cost.

Pre-Ship Luggage - If you have a lot of luggage you may want to pre-ship it UPS. Airlines are watching how much up check as well as what you carry on the plane. Many of the airline are charging $25 to $50 extra per piece. This is where shipping an extra bag of cloths to your hotel may just be cheaper

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

Boise Idaho Short Sale Expert Rick Bennett

Posted By: Craig Ballhagen on January 12, 2010 in Home - Comments: 14 Comments »

My clients call me “The Closer.” I am in the serious business of helping people buy and sell houses here in the Treasure Valley. I am serious and passionate about searching the market, knowing the market, helping clients approach buying and selling properties from a very business-like, objective, and informed angle, negotiating offers, and BEST OF ALL, getting deals under contract closed!

I am a full time realtor who loves Boise, the surrounding communities and everything Idaho has to offer to its residents.

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises

No More Mortgage Home Loan Bait and Switch

Posted By: Craig Ballhagen on November 3, 2009 in Home - Comments: Comments Off

ShellFinally there will be an end to low balling a Good Faith Estimate just to get the deal.  All Idaho first time home buyers are against more rules and regulations, but this one is long overdue.

As of June 30th, 2009 the new rule of 3-7-3 goes into effect.   What this means is a Idaho first time  home buyer must receive their upfront disclosures 3 working days after the home buyers Boise loan application is submitted.   Many escrow officers tell me that far too many Idaho first time home buyers don’t see any disclosures until the day of closing.  The buyer ends up signing two sets of loan documents, at the closing table, instead of one.  This is completely wrong!

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© 2009 – 2010 Cussins Enterprises


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