Cell Phone Spam

It's a new year that brings new opportunities for spammers. I have already received 3 spam texts and this is just the 1st day of the new year. I went to the National Do Not Call Registry website. Good news: Registration no longer expires. If you register your phone numbers after February 2008, you won't have to do it again. So, now's as good a time as any. If anyone calls or texts after you register, you can file a complaint at the same site.

My First Suite 101 Article

Check out my first Suite 101 article: Are you Tech-Savy? Beyond the Basics of Electronic Security.

Myths about Biofuel

The biofuel I am talking about is fuel for vehicles that is made mostly from kitchen grease (i.e. vegetable oil etc. There are a few myths surrounding this kind of fuel that I hear mentioned quite often.

1. Biofuel comes from a free resource.

False.
Kitchen grease from restaurants and other businesses is not free. Rendering plants pay many of the customers for this grease.

2. Biofuel comes from an over-abundant resource.

False.
Kitchen grease is picked up by the rendering plants and rendered to be used in products such as moisturizers, conditioners, and industrial lubricants.

3. Biofuel is a cheap alternative to gasoline and diesel.

False.
It cost money to process biofuel. It must at least be screened to remove impurities (i.e. foreign materials). Rendering plants make more money selling to companies that produce the products listed above.

4. Biofuel is available for the taking. Just pick up a grease barrel from your local restaurant.

False.
Taking this grease is stealing and is illegal. It is not the same as taking someone's trash. The restaurant is under contract with a rendering facility to remove their grease. There are also laws in many communities that regulate the way the grease is stored, removed and disposed of.

5. Biofuel is cheaper than gasoline.

False.
The transport, processing and storage of biofuel would make it about the same price as gasoline.

"Having trouble paying your bills? We can help!"

I bet you've seen and heard those words a thousand times in cheesy, emotion-provoking advertisements. But don't be fooled. These companies charge large fees to "lower your debt", and you will probably just end up with more debt than you started with. They most often work with the creditors by paying them late and months later making offers to payoff at much lower amounts than owed (if they keep up with your account), all the while still charging you the same amount of money.

You are better off using strategies on your own to pay off your bills. Don't be afraid of your debt. Take the emotion out of the equation. Take charge of your finances.

1. Don't open any more lines of credit and stop using the credit cards/credit lines you currently have. Cash only (or bank debit card only).


2. Pay essential first: food, electric, mortgage/rent.


3. Get current on your bills. If you do not have enough money coming in, get a second job (this doesn't have to be permanent).


4. Write out a budget each month and follow that budget. When the money runs out. Stop spending.
   

You can get yourself out of the mess and back on your feet again. But don't let yourself be taken in by scams. It takes a lot of work, but you can do it.

Reference: Dave Ramsey

Photo by Jenn_Jenn. Some rights reserved.

Fisher-Price to recall 967,000 toys - Yahoo! News

Fisher-Price to recall 967,000 toys - Yahoo! News

AnnualCreditReport - free

A law was passed that now allows consumers to request a free credit report from each of the credit reporting agency once per year.

AnnualCreditReport