Many Things

Here are some good money-saving tips for this recession or anytime. Call your auto insurance company and let them know if you are unemployed. If you are no longer commuting to work, you should qualify for a lower premium. Some companies, such as Allstate, will give you a "retired" discount if you are 55 and older and are not working. When you find a job, you then can resume your previous coverage. I saved almost $200 a year by doing this. Also consider increasing your deductibles. If you are driving less, your odds have improved about not having an accident. If your cell phone contract has expired, get a new one with a reduced feature calling plan. Allow yourself enough minutes for job hunting activities. I canceled my 2500 anytime minutes plan and got a much cheaper 450 anytime minutes plan. I now make more of my personal calls after 9 PM or on weekends. Cancel your land line phone. I've lived without one for about six years. This is a trend that is increasing. And do y...

After a week using an ice chest, I am delighted to report that my refrigerator was delivered and installed this morning. I have washed it with vinegar and water, removed the tape and plastic wrap, and have loaded the few perishable items I have. I've run about three gallons of water to clear the water line. I'll still have to toss the first bin of ice as a precaution. According to the user guide, I should not put any food in until it runs about a day. I guess it takes that long to achieve the correct temperature. The few things I did put in won't be a big deal if I have to toss them. Comments were left on my previous refrigerator post that my new refrigerator may be made in China or in South Carolina. I have not found any info. about that yet, but I will continue to search when I have more time. If the "made in" label is on the back somewhere, we'll just have to keep on wondering.

If you don't have DISH satellite television, then this little trick won't be of concern to you. I think DISH's search function is clunky. I sometimes find a program or movie I want to record, but I already have something set to record. What is a fellow (or gal) to do? Assuming you are starting at the programming grid, follow these steps: Highlight the program or movie in the grid you want to record and press Select on your remote. Select DISH Pass and press Select . Select Create Timer and press Select . When the search is complete, a list of all instances of the program or movie in the next approximately ten days appears. Select the instance in the list you want to record. Press Info and write down or remember the channel number, date, and time of the instance. Select Delete and press Select to delete the DISH Pass timer you just created. Select Yes and press Select . Select Done and press Select and repeat again. Return to the programming grid and select the pro...

If you are like me and missed this gem when it was broadcast, now you can catch up. DO NOT miss this one . Jon Stewart is at his sharpest and takes on CNBC, Santelli, and all the other dimwits who thought they knew so much about the economy. This just made my weekend! A tip of the hat to the Huffington Post for sending me the link. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart M - Th 11p / 10c CNBC Gives Financial Advice Daily Show Full Episodes Important Things With Demetri Martin Political Humor Joke of the Day

Since Harry Truman, every Democratic President has made an effort to enact comprehensive healthcare reform legislation. Each time, special interest groups blocked the effort. We have made progress along the way, with Social Security , Medicare , and SCHIP , but still "no cigar." Check out the historical timeline . Officially, today President Obama began to fulfill his campaign pledge on healthcare reform, which Americans have repeatedly said they want. President Barack Obama vowed Thursday to forge a new US healthcare system this year by confounding entrenched interests which crushed the hopes for reform of several of his predecessors. "This time is different," Obama said as he opened a White House "summit" on healthcare with doctors, nurses, lawmakers and business groups to launch the politically perilous process of driving a reform bill through Congress. "Our goal will be to enact comprehensive health care reform by the end of this year. That is ou...

I saw this news clip on CNN yesterday. I thought it was an interesting approach to housing in this terrible economy. Hopefully this idea will catch on all over the country. It helps sell homes and helps those in need of low-cost housing who are flexible about moving. Here is the direct link to the video . Embedded video from CNN Video

Rush is the head of the Republican Party. Michael Steele is just head of the RNC. If you disagree, tell me how I am wrong. I used to think of Rush as a "radio personality." I've never thought of him as an entertainer, and apparently he doesn't think so either. BTW, I recall Chris Matthews saying a few days ago that Rush always sounds as if he had just eaten a hearty breakfast. At least that's how I recall the remark. Check out this website: www.imsorryrush.com