Tightwad Tips

Compatible Ink Cartridges

prowler — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:13:27 GMT

Several years ago I embarked upon the use of "refillable" ink cartridges for my home PC. Luckily, the mess I created was [somewhat] contained to the area around my computer but the process was a total failure in my hands. Since then, I pay top dollar for the name brand products and try to avoid leaks and messy finger tips.

Question: What has been your recent experience by ordering "compatible" ink cartidges? Their costs routinely run waaaaay below those of the brand-names - but their advertised disclaimers suggest all is well when using these products. They advertise pressure filling the compatibles (thereby assuring ink containment) and they advertise ink volume to equal that of the name brand cartridges. Any experiences? Any advice?

thanks, Roger

Mastercard Hates America

ray918 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:07:01 GMT

Mastercard is forcing a 1% foreign transaction fee on deployed military members overseas and even on overseas bases. The fee levied on ATM and debit transactions. The fee was brought to my attention through a notice from USAA. I know a lot of you are either retired military, active, or know someone in the military. I believe this to be outrageous.

Auto / Car Insurance - especially Massachusetts - $1,000 annual savings

robertcgray — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:08:00 GMT

MA has had regulated car insurance rates for the past several decades and only this year has authorized insurance companies to set individual competitive rates.

I had used a "group discount" plan through my credit union for the past 25 years or so. I believe that during the regulated period, I was getting about the best rates available.

Not so under deregulation.

Leaving COSTCO a few weeks ago, I noticed that they were offering auto insurance with member group discounts. Since my policy was coming up for renewal, I put my needs "out for bid".

Did I get a shock. My long term supplier was quoting me $1700 per year (two cars) - with group, safe driver, pleasure-only miles, and multi-policy discounts. The COSTCO vendor came in at $768. Nearly $1,000 less. And on the WEBsites rating satisfaction, COSTCO's vendor get better customer satisfaction ratings than my old supplier.

COSTCO's vendo beat the next lowest price by about $150 and the more expensive alternative had a much poorer satisfaction rating.

Message: Take a look around ahead of renewal time, especially if you are here in Mass.

8 top sites for online shopping

WOODJ — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:37:00 GMT

Tightwads will appreciate this story in MSN Money and it's listing of sites titled 8 top sites for online shopping. I know you know of most of these, but it could be a bookmark for you for a reminder.
Jim

Originally posted in thread: 202

Does "Magic Jack" work as advertise and it is WORTH buying? .....

MedicineMan — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:29:59 GMT

I have some reservations. However, I want to know from anybodt who has REALLY used it and knows pros and cons.

I did goggle serach and search on youtube and noticed that many folks are NOT happy. However, I do not know how true are these allegations UNLESS I find out from somebody on this board.

Thanks in advance.

amazon

Alohapat — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:49:12 GMT

It's a good idea to check prices on Amazon as well as getting previous purchasers opinions. You may be surprised-they sell almost anything, from books to shoes, mailboxes to wheelchairs. Plus free shipping. Pat

Just read a book on Identity Theft...

Alex... — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 05:16:00 GMT

"Stealing Your Life" by the infamous Frank Abagnale.

It is a pretty good book, and has a lot of good tips. Let me share a couple, all of which I follow:

Invest in a shredder.

Guard your mail from theft, perhaps with a private mail box.

Avoid Sketchy ATMs. Those small ones in odd locations.

Put real passwords on your accounts. Alpha / character / numeric.

Place fraud alert tags on your credit reports.

Originally posted in thread: 279

Energy Efficient Hot Water Heaters

Bulllwinkle — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 07:09:54 GMT

My current bill from the gas company touted these new heaters & are even giving a $150 credit if you get one. Has anybody installed one? Did you notice some real savings on your gas bill? Thanks

Set top boxes

MasterPlan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:49:13 GMT

I just got my Government coupon for a set top box (to convert analog TV to digital)...

It says it's good for boxes at Albertson's and K-Mart along with places like Best Buy and Radio Shack.

Are there differences in quality among these boxes? Can I get a decent enough one at K-Mart, or should I go to Best Buy?

And any suggestions on brand?

Thanks.

Buy-one-get-one-free

chipmunk — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:12:13 GMT

:-8

Going on six brew cycles now!

hurleyhuckster — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:13:19 GMT

Greetings fellow cheapskatonians,

Due to lack of new coffee filters in the house and my addiction to the stuff, I was forced to re-use the disposable filter. To my surprise the thing rinsed off extremely easy and is going on six brew cycles and not a tear in it yet!

Tasty as the first cup!

Guess I should buy some more before I push my luck!

Have fun

Brian

Who says you can't use a coffee filter six times?

M*_Darrin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:16:45 GMT

Savvy investors are always on the hunt for a good deal -- sometimes, to a fault. Below are smart and funny ideas for saving a buck in this down economy. Join in with your own suggestion in the reply section below. We'll be featuring this on the homepage this weekend!

Going on six brew cycles now! (link to original thread)

Greetings fellow cheapskatonians,

Tasty as the first cup!
-- hurleyhuckster

Got paint on your shirt? Scrub it with a Brillo pad for good as new! (link to original)

I was painting today and neglected to wear one of my 'work shirts'. Instead I had on a new T-shirt - one I really liked - heavy weight cotton that I bought at Wal-Mart on sale for $5.99.

Not a big deal you say; but, for me, I have ruined so many shirts this way, it was frustrating. So, I brought it to the kitchen sink, thinking I could maybe get off the paint - which had dried somewhat. No luck.

But then, I noticed the Brillo pad on the edge of the kitchen sink! I grabbed it and 'scoured' the shirt, rinsing it under the faucet frequently. It worked! The shirt was as good as new.

Just thought I'd pass it on. Save a shirt! Brillo it clean! (SOS pads would probably work too.)
-- garyp

Pull the Plug (link to original)

Some appliances draw a lot of current even while turned off and one can save money by unplugging them when not in use, particularly for extended periods of time. Some examples include:

VCRs (notoriously bad)
Water heater (as heat escapes, electricity is used to reheat the water)
Cable box (Note: it could take a cable box several hours to pick up its decryption key from the cable if it has been off for several days.)
TVs ("instant on" comes with a power drain)
items that charge (electric toothbrush, battery shaver, ...)

Some of these are very inconvenient to reprogram after being unplugged for a while (especially VCRs if you use them to record shows), some may be suitable if you plan to be out of town for a few days (especially water heater.)

One change I did that I noticed quite significantly was when I replaced my exterior lights with compact fluorescent bulbs designed for outdoor use and striking temperature as low as below freezing. I keep the exterior lights on all night for security purposes, and replacing those three bulbs dropped my monthly electric bill by $8 to $10/mo.

Another change I made which produced noticeable results is that there are a number of items I now air dry on a rack instead of in the (electric) clothes dryer.

-- Mark0

Bread Making - a good retirement hobby et al. (link to original)

My husband stays home more in his retirement and has learned to bake bread. It has become his hobby-obsession. And to procure all the exotic ingredients, he takes long walks in our town and gets exercise. He loves kneading it and eating it.

Also I help and have learned to make yogurt. I bought a little machine after many frustrating attempts. (You can make it with a thermos.) It is very good yogurt, especially for smoothies with fruit.
-- bbc

Cheap Long-Distance Service (link to original)

We switched to Pioneer Telephone last year and the prices are great. My wife makes 3 or 4 calls a month to South Korea and we make several state side calls. Service is great - you can pay on-line or whatever. If i would have gone with Verizon it would have been much more expensive.
-- Bulllwinkle

I'm trying out Vonage. I can cancel without charge in the first month. Except for AT&T's slow switch-out of my prior service, Vonage is working well. It is my understanding that there is no extra charge for service to US, Britain, Italy, Spain and Canada. Calls to Mexico are 1 cent per minute. Korea is 6 cents per minute.
-- Arb-Alot

Anyone using GMAC bank?

bcoleman — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:37:17 GMT

I am looking to open a 12 month CD with GMAC bank and want to know if anyone has had any adverse experience with them other than their telephone wait times. They are currently offering a 1 year CD with a 4.10 APY. My best savings account at Emigrant Direct is only paying 2.75. I thought it would be worth it to tie up some of the money we don't anticipate using during the next year.

Seasonal thermal storage

robertts12 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:05:40 GMT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_thermal_store

Cheap Long-Distance Service

Bulllwinkle — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 09:59:35 GMT

We switched to Pioneer Telephone last year and the prices are great. They have a 99 cent surcharge if your bill is less than $20 for the month. My wife makes 3 or 4 calls a month to South Korea & we make several state side calls. We never go over $20, but the prices are so cheap that is still worth paying the 99 cent surcharge. Service is great - you can pay on-line or whatever. If i would have gone with Verizon it would have been much more expensive.

Saving for a car

fattylikescake — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:10:28 GMT

I need some advice. Where should I put money that I set aside for the purpose of buying my next car? I want to avoid making another car payment, but I would like to drive a reasonably nice car. Hopefully I have three or four years before I purchase my next car.

Thanks,

Fattylikescake

Best Place to Buy a Refrigerator

mur44 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:53:12 GMT

I am looking to replace our Refrigerator

at a great price - preferable brands are

GE, Kenmore, Whirlpool for 25 cu ft

Side by side unit. I live in Northern New Jersey.

Free or Inexpensive anti-virus software

srevnal — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:53:22 GMT

I'm currently using AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, which as it name says was - until now - totally free. However, as of April 12, it won't be free anymore.

Can anyone recommend a free alternative (anyone using "avast!" for instance,) or an inexpensive virus-protection program? I need your guidance...

Get a free entree from Kashi

WOODJ — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:00:04 GMT

Want a free entree? Kashi will send you a coupon to get one free. Go to http://www.kashi.com/picturehunt.

The promotion ends March 15, 2009.

Bon Appetit

3/8/09 Too late, folks. I looked at the website and they have run out of the coupons. Better luck next time.

Jim

Upset at Quicken

farmera1 — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:56:56 GMT

I've used Quciken for years and years. I've probable had 6-8 versions of Quicken over the years. I just got a letter saying my Quicken 2006 is toast and I must shell out some $80 bucks for a new Home and Office. I'm not happy with this forced obsolescence.

My question is are there any free/cheap alternatives to Quciken. I don't like being told I have to buy their product.

Thanks for your help.

What do you think of Angie's list?

Jeannette10 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:44:11 GMT

Has anyone here used Angie's List to find good referrals for various businesses ? Is it worth the annual registration fee ?
Jeannette

What's the best source for after market ink for Brother Printers?

marcb515 — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:55:41 GMT

I have a Brother MCF-5860 ink jet printer, and am just wondering who you guys have found to have the best after market ink.

I see ther are many companies on Ebay, but not sure who is reputable.

Thank you,.....marc

Inexpensive Tips to Reduce Stress in this Recession

ralphhh — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:16:32 GMT

You've probably seen Patricia Chadwick of Ravengate.com on CNBC. Her relative new blog site has some timely suggestions on saving money during this recession.

She has a nice 'easy' read at www.ravengate.com

ralphhh

Suggestions for a new Investor?

Aloh86 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 06:46:26 GMT

Hello,

My name is Alex. I'm 22 years old and I recently started investing in the market only a few weeks ago. One of the reasons I decided to invest was to start saving up for my important future expenses such as a house or savings for children I may have in the future. Since jr. high or so, I saved up about $800 in a savings account. Problem is, I don't have much to start out with. I realized that my money just sat there, only increasing about a dollar per year from interest.

Anyways, with a little $200 of help from parents, I took $1,000 and decided to put it in an investment account. So far I purchased 55 shares at 11.00 dollars which is a little more than half (a bit sad I purchased at that price since it is below Morningstars buy recommendation). Anyways, so far that's been doing fine and expect it to do well but I have $388 in my account left available for trading. There are quite a few companies I'm interested in, but the problem is that they are all so expensive, around $30-$40 which means I can buy very few shares.

What suggestions do you have? Should I invest what I have in whatever stocks that I want despite only owning few shares? Wait for those to increase, sell, and reinvest?

Other suggestions?

Also, I was interested in subscribing to StockInvestor or GrowthInvestor newsletter. Which one would you recommend for a beginner investor?

Thank you

Rollover to avoid fees

LarryL — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:41:00 GMT

[I posted this in Investment Basics, but haven't gotten any responses, so I'm trying here.- L]

My Roth 401K entails oversight in return for being able to sock away more money than other retirement funds. This oversight comes at a cost, however -- $1000 a year "administration fee" and also an annual fee of .25% of my total 401K's value. Now, while business is good and the money is rolling in, I'm inclined to pay the $1000+ admission to this ride so I can save a lot more in a tax-exempt account. Should that change, and I don't want to pay the highwayman his fee anymore, can I "close" the Roth 401K and roll the money in it over to my existing Roth IRA?

I'd think so as:

1. I have already paid tax on the money when I put it into the Roth 401K.

2. The administration fee is ostensibly for auditing and reporting to the IRS on "this past year's" activity -- not any earlier time period. It's a "gatekeeper fee".