lindainks55 said:
Gary, Where have you been? You are a man of few words, but they are always good ones! Just wanted you to know you're missed when you disappear.
Looks like the rain might stop for a few days. Hope I didn't jinx the drying out but talking aobut it!
Looks like the rain might stop for a few days. Hope I didn't jinx the drying out but talking aobut it!
gster said:
Linda- Thanks, I was lunching... no, I was lurching....no.., I was lurking, you know, like the bird.
Can you believe it? Even my dogs moon me!!!
Sigh....
Can you believe it? Even my dogs moon me!!!
Sigh....
Vaughn Tolle said:
Just a reminder to those here. New postage rates take effect Monday. Cost of a letter-sized first class item is going up to 41 cents for the first ounce, 17 cents per ounce for each additional ounce (or part). Large envelopes, 80 cents for first ounce, 17 cents per ounce thereafter. Postcards to 26 cents.
Details at www.usps.gov.
Details at www.usps.gov.
Dubya said:
Be sure to send me your blog entries! I'm sure people are tired of reading my daily tirades!! :)
~Dubya
~Dubya
lindainks55 said:
THIS rate increase may be the one that pushes me to learn to pay bills online. Everybody else knows how to do it, everybody has told me you enter (at your convenience) the date you want the payment made and taking the U.S.P.S. out of it makes your payment WHERE YOU WANT IT WHEN YOU WANT IT. OK, I'll take the plunge and see if I can figure it out.
Do you young people jsut see a stubborn old woman? Does the hand-written note still hold meaning for you?
LOUD scream! I am becoming more techie than I ever wanted to be! I don't want to CHANGE! I like signing those checks and having the paper bill to file in my file cabinet! OK, not sure the rant made any difference, but I'll stop.
I looked just now and found I have twenty-seven 39 cent stamps and twenty-one 3 cent stamps (??). At sometime in the past postage must have increased 3 cents and I (in ALL my wisdom) bought MORE 3 cent stamps than I needed??
Last Christmas Chad left his phone charger cord here when he returned to Boston. He said he had another as he kept one at home and one at his office so I didn't hurry but probably got the padded envelope and made the trip to the post office within a week so the package should have left Wichita by the end of the first week of January. Chad received it in mid-March!
On the day of the shootings at Virginia Tech I sent my grandson a short hand-written note telling him I love him and tucked a $20 bill inside. He has NEVER received that! I know how stupid sending cash was, but I'm a grandma, I was emotional, I'm old...
So, this should tell me U.S.P.S. doesn't deserve another penny from me! I should start learning that on-line bill payment NOW.
Nothing will ever take away (from me anyway) the need for the stamp that pays to mail the invite, the thank you, the greeting card, the hand-written note. I won't change enough in the time left on this earth to do away with those needs! Of course, I could go FedX or a way that tracks what I send...
Do you young people see in me just a stubborn old woman? Do hand-written notes have any meaning to you?
Do you young people jsut see a stubborn old woman? Does the hand-written note still hold meaning for you?
LOUD scream! I am becoming more techie than I ever wanted to be! I don't want to CHANGE! I like signing those checks and having the paper bill to file in my file cabinet! OK, not sure the rant made any difference, but I'll stop.
I looked just now and found I have twenty-seven 39 cent stamps and twenty-one 3 cent stamps (??). At sometime in the past postage must have increased 3 cents and I (in ALL my wisdom) bought MORE 3 cent stamps than I needed??
Last Christmas Chad left his phone charger cord here when he returned to Boston. He said he had another as he kept one at home and one at his office so I didn't hurry but probably got the padded envelope and made the trip to the post office within a week so the package should have left Wichita by the end of the first week of January. Chad received it in mid-March!
On the day of the shootings at Virginia Tech I sent my grandson a short hand-written note telling him I love him and tucked a $20 bill inside. He has NEVER received that! I know how stupid sending cash was, but I'm a grandma, I was emotional, I'm old...
So, this should tell me U.S.P.S. doesn't deserve another penny from me! I should start learning that on-line bill payment NOW.
Nothing will ever take away (from me anyway) the need for the stamp that pays to mail the invite, the thank you, the greeting card, the hand-written note. I won't change enough in the time left on this earth to do away with those needs! Of course, I could go FedX or a way that tracks what I send...
Do you young people see in me just a stubborn old woman? Do hand-written notes have any meaning to you?
lindainks55 said:
While posting above TWO TIMES I got a screen that said the connection had timed out. And one of those times it removed (I thought) my final sentences/questions. So, I added those to the end and when it finally "took" my post they're in two places.
And, I'm supposed to trust this 'puter to pay my bills??
And, I'm supposed to trust this 'puter to pay my bills??
Dubya said:
Hahaha...how ironic is that, the computer cut you off when you were asking whether or not to trust it!! :)
Linda, I pay almost all of my bills online and HAVE for several years now. The only bills I don't pay over the internet are those that don't have the functionality to do so. HOWEVER, banking with Bank of America (I'm sure they're not the only bank like this) has actually allowed me to pay ANY bill online because they'll mail the payment to anyone you like, for free.
It is VERY easy once you have set it up. Once you have an account setup there, you just enter the amount of money you want to pay, and hit the send button....very quick and easy!
~Dubya
Linda, I pay almost all of my bills online and HAVE for several years now. The only bills I don't pay over the internet are those that don't have the functionality to do so. HOWEVER, banking with Bank of America (I'm sure they're not the only bank like this) has actually allowed me to pay ANY bill online because they'll mail the payment to anyone you like, for free.
It is VERY easy once you have set it up. Once you have an account setup there, you just enter the amount of money you want to pay, and hit the send button....very quick and easy!
~Dubya
lindainks55 said:
Dubya, I've never read a tirade from you. There was one time I thought you were unfair but it's gone and mostly forgotten. People like you remind me of all the good that exists in people who are conservative, Republican... And, you are no more "represented" by today's leaders than me the no-good liberal. Most Americans aren't represented by what we've got currently.
We The People are more alike than different.
I'm WAY more conservative financially than the current group. Most people are! We would all be nearing bankruptcy if we were as irresponsible with our money as government is with OUR MONEY.
You have always seemed to be a reasonable man capable of seeing all sides, or at least respecting everyone's rights to their own personal beliefs and opinions. That's what it means to be an American in my opinion. Our differences and being able to accept those is one of our greatest strengths.
So, give us a rant!
ALL you young people, and all you who have mastered technology say how easy it is. You just have no idea how difficult it is to think and learn when you're shaking with fear! Don't you know there is a key on my keyboard that if hit at exactly the right time will wipe out all computing!?
We The People are more alike than different.
I'm WAY more conservative financially than the current group. Most people are! We would all be nearing bankruptcy if we were as irresponsible with our money as government is with OUR MONEY.
You have always seemed to be a reasonable man capable of seeing all sides, or at least respecting everyone's rights to their own personal beliefs and opinions. That's what it means to be an American in my opinion. Our differences and being able to accept those is one of our greatest strengths.
So, give us a rant!
ALL you young people, and all you who have mastered technology say how easy it is. You just have no idea how difficult it is to think and learn when you're shaking with fear! Don't you know there is a key on my keyboard that if hit at exactly the right time will wipe out all computing!?
Wendy said:
Linda,
If you do elect to do the online billpay through the bank like Dubya suggests for the ones that don't have their own capabilities, be sure to allow yourself plent of time. In my experience, it takes between 7-10 for a online check to be cut, mailed out, and recieved, so make sure you pay well in advance. And if you really like having that paper bill, most sites offer a printable reciept for your files once your transaction has been completed - so voila! you have proof if they ever try to say a payment was not made. They also provide you with a confirmation number (most anyways) which I like to write down in my check register under the payment so I always have it on hand when needed :) I find online bill pay MUCH easier - and in fact, if you can afford it (I can't, but we are hoping a month or so to get things right side up and be able to have the extra moolah in the account to always cover it) you can just set up your payments to automatically deduct from your account each month and you don't even have to remember to make them! Good Luck!
If you do elect to do the online billpay through the bank like Dubya suggests for the ones that don't have their own capabilities, be sure to allow yourself plent of time. In my experience, it takes between 7-10 for a online check to be cut, mailed out, and recieved, so make sure you pay well in advance. And if you really like having that paper bill, most sites offer a printable reciept for your files once your transaction has been completed - so voila! you have proof if they ever try to say a payment was not made. They also provide you with a confirmation number (most anyways) which I like to write down in my check register under the payment so I always have it on hand when needed :) I find online bill pay MUCH easier - and in fact, if you can afford it (I can't, but we are hoping a month or so to get things right side up and be able to have the extra moolah in the account to always cover it) you can just set up your payments to automatically deduct from your account each month and you don't even have to remember to make them! Good Luck!
Vaughn Tolle said:
Linda, I'm not that much younger than you, and I've mastered the on-line bill paying stuff. Works well. Of course, I print the confirmations out, etc. as proof.
Wendy, on the auto pay thing; certain companies assess a fee for the privilege of deducting money from the account. Caution to all here.
Back to Linda: I'm still of the generation that a note, etc., is appreciated. I'm not the best at actually doing it, but I try. I think I and the wife have become slaves to technology, as we have sent the girls e-cards for their birthdays the past few years. Doesn't seem to upset them, however.
Wendy, on the auto pay thing; certain companies assess a fee for the privilege of deducting money from the account. Caution to all here.
Back to Linda: I'm still of the generation that a note, etc., is appreciated. I'm not the best at actually doing it, but I try. I think I and the wife have become slaves to technology, as we have sent the girls e-cards for their birthdays the past few years. Doesn't seem to upset them, however.
Danny said:
Linda,
Being one of the younger here, I do online bill pay. All the companies I've dealt with continue to send the paper bill, I just go online and pay it. In some cases, I've gone ahead and setup automatic bill pay with a few companies(Gas and Electric), and get a paper invoice about what was on the bill.
Thus far, all the companies I've dealt with though, have the invoice online, so I could opt not to have a paper bill sent to me, and just view it online.
Being one of the younger here, I do online bill pay. All the companies I've dealt with continue to send the paper bill, I just go online and pay it. In some cases, I've gone ahead and setup automatic bill pay with a few companies(Gas and Electric), and get a paper invoice about what was on the bill.
Thus far, all the companies I've dealt with though, have the invoice online, so I could opt not to have a paper bill sent to me, and just view it online.
Rox said:
I'm far from being a young person, but I pay my bills online. NOT through my bank, and definitely NOT auto bill pay. If for some reason I don't get money in the bank before time to pay a bill, I'd rather pay the small late fee than an overdraft.
The only thing I don't pay online is my rent and my car insurance. The first I mail, the second I hand deliver.
Having worked at the USPS encoding center, especially during the holidays, I find it amazing that so few items are late and/or lost.
Linda, did you hand write or type the addresses? If the former, try typing them. It's easier for the machines to read them. Otherwise, they have to go through people at the encoding centers who have to read them.
And remember, mail is not delivered by name (unless you live in a teeny tiny town that will actually do that), so make sure the address is correct and legible. Again typed is much better. It's sorted first by zip, then state, then city, then address. (Hints from a former "government employee". (gasp!)
The only thing I don't pay online is my rent and my car insurance. The first I mail, the second I hand deliver.
Having worked at the USPS encoding center, especially during the holidays, I find it amazing that so few items are late and/or lost.
Linda, did you hand write or type the addresses? If the former, try typing them. It's easier for the machines to read them. Otherwise, they have to go through people at the encoding centers who have to read them.
And remember, mail is not delivered by name (unless you live in a teeny tiny town that will actually do that), so make sure the address is correct and legible. Again typed is much better. It's sorted first by zip, then state, then city, then address. (Hints from a former "government employee". (gasp!)
Rox said:
Linda, as VT said, you can print your receipt when paying online. I keep a folder handy for them, and just slip them in, straight out of the printer.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Rox is most correct concerning handwritten addresses. In February, 2006, our younger sent her W-2 from her summer employment to us, which we received in April (and long after she had requested a duplicate to be sent to home). My best guess is that there was difficulty in reading her handwriting on the envelope, given the delay combined with a few illegible markings thereon placed by someone.
Wendy said:
Linda - Hi! Yes, we have had the stomach flu around my place, so I have been out of commission for a while. Plus, I am trying to plan a wedding and find a new house. So things have been a little crazy here :)
Vaughn, you are correct, although I did find out that in Kansas, state laws prohibit those fees, so they have to find a way around it in order to charge. I pay gas, electric, water, trash and all the ccards online, and even my mortgage :) And the only time I get charged a fee is by the ccards if it is a "rush" payment (to make it to the account in less than 24 hours) and they get around that by actually charging the card instead of adding the fee to your payment.
Vaughn, you are correct, although I did find out that in Kansas, state laws prohibit those fees, so they have to find a way around it in order to charge. I pay gas, electric, water, trash and all the ccards online, and even my mortgage :) And the only time I get charged a fee is by the ccards if it is a "rush" payment (to make it to the account in less than 24 hours) and they get around that by actually charging the card instead of adding the fee to your payment.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Wendy, so right you are on the adding the "fee" to the balance rather than as a direct charge. Depending upon the status of the account, this may lead to other fees and charges, such as an "over the limit" fee.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Also, by adding the fee to the blance, should the account holder declare bankruptcy under Chapter 7, this represents a charge within the last 90 days, and thus is not subject to discharge (has to be paid).
Wendy said:
Yep, I actually did know that. Have never had to use it myself, but on the payment options screen it gives you the "rush" payment option with a little blurb behind it that says "a $12.95 rush fee applies. this amount will be charged directly to your card" Although, I did read my cardholder statement, and if I do elect to do a rush payment, and say I was at my credit limit and the rush payment would put me over, they will not charge an over the limit fee on a rush payment charge (that is how it appears on the statement apparently) unless you then fail to make your next payment on time... at least on that card anyways - luckily i have never had to find that out... try to avoid using those stupid things whenever possible - got myself into enough trouble with them in college when i was using them to pay bills because i was in between jobs (that never works out well, by the way) and had maxed out financial aid...
Vaughn Tolle said:
The link below is to a thoughtful examination of media concentration, especially the so-called "old media", why this is important and of concern.
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-dustup11...,0,4111614.story?coll=la-promo-opinion
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-dustup11...,0,4111614.story?coll=la-promo-opinion
lindainks55 said:
I'm learning more recently about using credit and debit cards than I knew before (or wanted to know!). My kids are opening a new business and setting up what it takes to allow their custoemrs to pay with credit and debit cards. It's a big expense to business owners! The machines to slide the card, allow customers to punch in pen numbers, etc. must be purchased or rented from the finanacial institution. If it is a credit trasaction there is a 2-1/2% per transaction fee, a debit transaction is around 1%. If it's credit and the credit card holder wants to dispute a charge there's a chance you will never see the money -- even if the service as promised has been provided. It might not have met their expectations...
Of course we all know that costs to businesses are usually passed along to customers.
I know we are not going to go backwards to the days of carrying cash or writing checks but I am seeing the other side of what I had only thought of as convenience and ease from the side of the customer.
Of course we all know that costs to businesses are usually passed along to customers.
I know we are not going to go backwards to the days of carrying cash or writing checks but I am seeing the other side of what I had only thought of as convenience and ease from the side of the customer.
lindainks55 said:
Vaughn, the "tinyurl" place Aaron mentions is new to me too but makes those god-awful long url's into just what it says -- a tiny url. And they work. It's another of those automagically things.
Just go to the link Aaron provided, paste your long url into the space provided, one click and they change it into a tiny one which I'm guessing will open here (since Aaron points that out as a remedy).
Just go to the link Aaron provided, paste your long url into the space provided, one click and they change it into a tiny one which I'm guessing will open here (since Aaron points that out as a remedy).
Vaughn Tolle said:
Aaron, thank you. We'll try this again, huh?
Linda, you have listed reasons why this business doesn't accept credit/debit cards.
Linda, you have listed reasons why this business doesn't accept credit/debit cards.
Vaughn Tolle said:
Ahh, much better. Thanks again to Aaron (and Linda). As posted upthread, this is about media concentration.
http://tinyurl.com/3csk4p
http://tinyurl.com/3csk4p
Vaughn Tolle said:
The below is some more on the new postage rates. Note the .25" limit on a normal envelope.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/13/mail.shape.ap/ind...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/13/mail.shape.ap/ind...
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