Mandy: March 2009

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Walgreens: Free Medical Care for Jobless, Uninsured

Walgreens giving free care to jobless and uninsured

Payday loans are available for the uninsured who need to pay for a doctor’s visit on the fly. However, you shouldn’t always have to do that in order to receive basic care for minor ailments. For the remainder of 2009, that’s where Walgreens comes in. They’re a company that officially gets it right during this recession.

The Associated Press reports that the drugstore chain will continue to offer free clinic visits to the unemployed and uninsured for the rest of the year. Prescriptions will still have to be paid for, but tests and routine treatments for lesser ailments will be handled at walk-in clinics.

Save on basic health care when you are out of work

Walgreens has said those who lose their job and insurance after March 31, 2009 will be able to get free treatment at its in-store Take Care clinics. Respiratory problems, allergies, infections and skin conditions are among the conditions the clinics are equipped to handle. Treatments for conditions like these can cost upwards of $59 or more for patients without insurance, so this decision by Walgreens comes at the right time for thousands of people. Even spouses and children are eligible if they don’t have insurance of their own.

Walgreens currently runs 341 Take Care clinics in 35 markets around the country. Chicago, Atlanta, Miami and Cleveland are just a few places that have the service. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Rather than providing free checkups or vaccinations, Take Care clinics provide the equivalent of urgent care or even ER service for those with minor conditions, according to the AP. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Walgreens: Free Medical Care for Jobless, Uninsured"

Gary Sheffield Released | Dollars and Sense

Nobody’s safe

If the current recession economy has taught us anything, it’s that no matter how strong a position you think you have, no job is completely safe when companies look to downsize. I think there are better ways to handle the situation than putting people who depend upon every penny of their job earnings to be able to put food on the table, but then again I didn’t graduate from executive genius school…

Apparently, even potential Hall of Famers are in danger of recession cutbacks. However, I’m sure Gary Sheffield has something put away and won’t need to depend upon cash advance loans. Tom Gage of The Detroit News reports that the Detroit Tigers are prepared to eat the $14 million salary they owe the power-hitting outfielder/designated hitter for 2009.

That’s a shocker, baseball fans

Reports indicate that Sheffield didn’t see this coming. He had recovered from a shoulder injury and was ready to have a productive season. His first home run of the year would have been his ticket into the elite 500-home run club, an achievement that generally guarantees a player’s induction into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. However, in the post-steroids era, that’s no guarantee (as Mark McGwire and Raphael Palmeiro well know). Sheffield hasn’t escaped steroid suspicion, so we’ll see how the sportswriters view him, post-career. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Gary Sheffield Released | Dollars and Sense"

Laid Off, But College Costs Keep Adding Up

Dean and Terry Stanton have two sons in college, and their daughter is planning to start in the fall. They had the financing all figured out until a couple of months ago. The Stantons talk with Renee Montagne about how they are juggling college costs now that Dean has been laid off from his job in Silicon Valley.

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Surviving the Recession, Episode 3: Commute Smart (2)

More ways to save on daily transportation expenses

If you missed PART ONE of this “Surviving the Recession,” start there. You won’t need as many cash advance loans if you follow this plan…

Stay home - Sometimes you have to go, but if you don’t, stay in more often. Read a book, exercise, watch TV, call a friend or three. Anything to keep your gas and entertainment budget more manageable
Keep tires inflated properly - When tires are in need of air, the tread is not making optimal contact with the road. When tires don’t make optimal contact with the road, your care requires more gasoline to travel. Keep tires aired up and you’ll have a smoother, more efficient ride
Don’t suddenly stop or accelerate - Accelerate and decelerate slowly and smoothly. This places less stress on your engine, transmission and brakes, to name just a few. It also doesn’t burn as much gasoline. If you can make a habit of driving this way, your fuel savings will be significant
Carpool - Share the road. Not only is this good for your gasoline budget, but it’s good for the environment because it means at least one fewer car on the road. Ask the Human Resources department where you work if they have a ridesharing or similar alternative transportation program. In some cases, your company may even participate in a larger program that awards prizes to conscientious commuters
Ride your bike - If it isn’t practical to walk, biking is a fantastic option that’s great exercise. You’ll want to make sure you have proper safety gear (helmet, at least), a properly maintained bicycle and a route that is safe for bicycling
Go biodiesel - Keep in mind, I’m not talking about ethanol from corn. The world has enough problems feeding everyone and corn prices are high enough as it is. Let’s not cause an artificial corn shortage, no matter what America’s previous president opinion was on the matter. With little modification, a regular diesel gas engine can be made ready for biodiesel fuel that comes straight from the grease trap of your favorite fast food restaurant. With federal tax incentives, the increased cost of biodiesel blends is all but offset, and for the environment, biodiesel has been proven safer than standard diesel gasoline. But you know what’s the safest thing of all to do? CONTINUE READING…

Related Video: ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Surviving the Recession, Episode 3: Commute Smart (2)"

Monday, March 30, 2009

Obama Seeks To Change Federal Student Loans

President Obama’s higher education agenda includes major changes to the federal student loan program and a push to make Pell grants for lower income students an entitlement. Similar proposals were pushed by Presidents Bush and Clinton. But they went nowhere on Capitol Hill. So is this the year they will finally pass?

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Of Crossword Puzzles and Red Wine – A Study in Economics

How to stay normal when the whole world is crazy

How is it possible, I ponder, as I fill in the C, that the answer to the clue "Warm up" in the New York Times crossword turns out to be 'DEICE'? One of these days, I promise myself, I will get myself a No Fax Cash Advance and buy myself a new crossword dictionary, one with all the latest words, like DEICE which means 'Warm up.' I am sadly out of date and lagging behind in my English.

"We're going shopping!" The cry comes from the kitchen. I look around. There are only two of us here and WE'RE going shopping? The penny drops and I unwind from the couch with a grand operatic groaning performance.

Sunday night in the supermarket? "They've got specials for one night only!" And the whole town knew about it except for a few crossword fans who were busy with the really important stuff. The supermarket is standing room only. "DEICE" meaning 'Warm Up'? Oh you idiot, I tell myself. It's DE-ICE and everyone turns to see who is shrieking with crazy laughter. Of course it's DE-ICE. Serves you right. Now you are consigned to the supermarket. May as well be positive. Anyway DE-ICE wasn't exactly fair. The clue should have indicated that the answer was hyphenated. What's on sale? ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Of Crossword Puzzles and Red Wine – A Study in Economics"

Salary Flat? Washington Post Wants to Hear From You

A reported from the Washington Post is looking to hear from Consumerism Commentary readers who are coping with wage deceleration or stagnation. If you have had to make changes to your lifestyle due to wages or salaries that haven’t been rising as quickly as expenses, you are a perfect candidate for this article in progress. The reporter would like to talk to you about the effect of your stagnant income on your ability to save, pay for a child’s education, or any other kind of adjustment.

If this description fits your experience, please leave a comment here or send me an email (flexo at Consumerism Commentary dot com), describing your situation. I will put you in touch with the reporter.

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Product Specifications Influence Consumer Preference

When you make a major purchase, how do you choose between competing products? Do you buy solely on price? Or do you consider features, quality, and brand reputation?

A new study in the April 2009 issue of Journal of Consumer Research reveals that our purchasing decisions are susceptible to the influence of external descriptions. When we shop, we may spend too much when we base our decisions on product specifications.

The researchers found that “even when consumers can directly experience the relevant products, and the specifications carry little or no new information, their preference is still influenced by specifications”. In other words, even when we can compare products first-hand, we don’t trust our own judgment. We let specifications influence our decisions.

First-hand experience
I’ve experienced this first-hand many times. I might, for example, be shopping for a new blender and find a model that I really like. It does what I need and is easy to use. It matches our kitchen and the price is right. But then I’ll notice that it only has 6 speeds and other models have 8 speeds. Suddenly I’ll second-guess myself and end up buying a different blender — one that I ultimately find less satisfying.

Now obviously, product specifications are useful; they allow us to compare models and features. The problem comes when we let the specifications unduly influence our decisions.

When I purchased a digital camera in 2007, for example, I became fixated on the number of megapixels each model offered despite the fact that I know megapixels make no difference to quality. Ultimately I chose the camera that I preferred subjectively, but for a while I had dismissed it because its specifications weren’t top-of-the-line. I made a smart choice. That little camera has been a reliable producer of great photos.

Practical implications
The authors of this study conclude that marketers can manipulate consumers by taking advantage of their tendency to seek better specifications. For example, manufacturers might create new measurements and emphasize their importance, such as a hypothetical “crispness index” for crackers. And I’ve often wondered if some companies don’t funnel customers toward certain profitable models in their product line through the use of specifications.

The authors also have a recommendation for consumers: Base your buying decisions on experience, not just on numbers. They write, “The situation we find ourselves in when we decide what to purchase often differs significantly from the situation we will find ourselves in when we eventually consume the good we purchase.”

Comparing specifications is useful for creating a pool of choices, but you should base your final decision on personal experience whenever possible.

[Journal of Consumer Research: Specification seeking: How product specifications influence consumer preference]

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Fox Nation Inflicts TheFoxNation.com Upon Us (Pt. 1)

Feed the masses conflict pie

America’s economy is in a difficult place. We all know that the underlying system is in need of repair, but how we get there is far from universally agreed upon. President Obama’s stimulus plans amount to a giant cash advance to scores of failing industries, but many pundits agree that the long-term costs of this cash outpouring will bury future generations in debt. Liberals and conservatives will have material for years to come… and now there’s another annoying voice ready to scream at you.

Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post reports that Fox Nation is going to swing its “fair and balanced” stick at the fat fastballs the government and its arch nemesis - LIBERALS! - offer up. However, thefoxnation.com has a gopher ball of a slogan:

“It’s Time to Say NO to Biased Media and Say YES to Fair Play and Free Speech.”

Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck aren’t biased, are they?

“We felt that giving people a real destination to go and express themselves would give them a feeling of belonging,” said Fox Senior Vice President Joel Cheatwood. “People feel they’re dictated to a lot by the media.” And Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck never dictate… right? Apparently you’ve never paid attention to your own network, Mr. Cheatwood.

Because they must have a purpose, FoxNation.com has conceived of Fox Nation as its outlet to aggressively attack the Obama administration. I question the public relations aspect of this strategy. Rupert Murdoch’s charges spent eight years worshiping the G. W. Bush White House, which would have sent most into an irreversible spiral of public shame. But not plucky Fox Nation! The foamy-mouthed trinity of Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Mike Huckabee are ready to decry government with one pinky and point the rest of their fingers at any group whose value base differs from their own. They’ll even shout YOU down if you don’t CLICK HERE to continue reading this story… ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Fox Nation Inflicts TheFoxNation.com Upon Us (Pt. 1)"

Detroit Free Press Launches Digitalfreepress.com

Freep.com delivers Detroit news

Detroit Free Press

As newspapers continue to struggle with the bottom line, some organizations have finally come up with a new business plan. The Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News are changing to a hybrid approach to getting the news out.

Shrinking yet growing

Both newspapers are going to shrink a bit, meaning they will have fewer pages. The Detroit Free Press is heavily marketing freep.com and digitalfreepress.com, which are online sources of the newspaper’s content. Readers will be able to read and see the newspaper online every day instead of getting it delivered to their homes.

Why two sites?

The Detroit Free Press has two web sites because it is sharing news in two different formats. Freep.com is more like a traditional web site that most newspapers have. Digitalfreepress.com is a digital replica of the printed newspaper. Right now the sites are open to the public for free. However, if you don’t have any extra cash you might need to get a payday loan to view it in the future, when the Free Press will start charging for it.

Other changes

Both newspapers are also cut back home delivery to only three days a week. The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press will only be delivered to homes on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Detroit Free Press Launches Digitalfreepress.com"

Detroit Free Press Launches Digitalfreepress.com

Freep.com delivers Detroit news

Detroit Free Press

Shrinking yet growing

Why two sites?

Other changes

My Pets’ Worth

The author of Free Money Finance pointed out a story highlighting how the recession is affecting the health of pets. He or she also linked to a helpful chart of estimated costs for owning various kinds of pets.

Personally, my wife and I don’t even include pet care in our budget, because our affection for them goes beyond monetary concerns. I understand and sympathize with people who feel like they have to cut back their spending in multiple areas, and their pets’ overall health might have to be one of them. And I don’t imagine that this is an easy decision for anyone, but I would beg them to reconsider.

These are living beings, worthy of your care. And because you decided to take them in, they are dependent on you. If a pet gets ill, chances are it won’t get better by itself. Instead of “wait and see”, there are other options. In no particular order:

1). Use a Credit Card

My primary financial goal is to get rid of the credit card debt that I started in 1997 (this should drop to about $3,000 by the end of the week), but if it came down to a) sick pets or b) increased credit card debt, I would always pick B without hesitation. Your financial situation, though currently ebbing, will likely begin to flow again in the future. It’s not a fun choice, but some things are more important than interest payments.

2). Borrow Money from Friends or Family

You may be just barely getting by, assuming you’ve decided to let your pets’ health take care of itself, and you may want to avoid asking for help. But there’s a good chance that a friend or family member may be a real softie when it comes to pets, and will help you pay those bills, even if helping you pay other bills might’ve been something they’d avoid.

3). Plan Ahead with Pet Insurance

Lots of companies offer health insurance for your pets, and while I can’t currently recommend one in particular, it’s worth checking out.

4). Payday Loans

Payday loans are evil, period. But I think they’re slightly less evil than allowing your pet’s health to decline. If your pet is having an emergency health issue, I think this option is still on the table.

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Free SmartMoney Tax Guide

For those still working on their 2008 income taxes, here is a free SmartMoney Tax Guide that covers a lot of topics and tax reduction tips.

I haven’t had a chance to read through it in detail yet, but I did see a section on deducting IRA losses that caught my eye.

Read more of Free SmartMoney Tax Guide…

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Overhaul Targets Money Market

The broad regulatory overhaul outlined by Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner last week is aimed at restoring confidence in the financial system, reducing the chances that people unknowingly invest in high-risk securities and boosting investors’ protections from scam artists like Bernard L. Ma…

Finding Your Home Away From Home

Swapping houses with other would-be vacationers is a way to stay away from home for free. “The word’s getting out that exchanging homes is really a recession-beater,” HomeExchange president Ed Kushins said.

A 3-Minute Survival Course for Economic Mayhem

Don't get swept away by something you don't understand

Call it what you like – tsunami, implosion, melt-down or earthquake, it all amounts to the same thing -a devastating happening right in the middle of a system we had built and used successfully for many years. Then came the blow. Do you remember when an undersea earthquake ripped up a piece of the ocean bed and caused that gigantic and fatal tsunami that caused havoc and death in the Indian Ocean in 2004? Do you remember how the world was stunned by the devastation? It triggered aftershocks and other earthquakes around the globe and it all happened in a very short amount of time.

Devastation grew and grew

I remember hearing a radio news broadcast at about 9 in the morning reporting half a dozen deaths. By lunch time the number of deaths was up to 150 and at 8 that evening the news reported a "few hundred." Final count: more than 225,000 people in eleven countries.

I knew people in one of the devastated areas and I took a hurried Cash Advance to buy a shortwave radio to keep up with the news.

The force of the eruption

An event of this type takes shape over a period of time and then erupts with incredible force. What happened to global economies this past year is similar; it had been brewing for some time. When it hit, it was like a tsunami which caused other economies to start crumbling as well. The domino effect. We are all familiar with that scenario. But now we have to deal with it. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "A 3-Minute Survival Course for Economic Mayhem"

Sunday Roundup Looking at Houses Edition

Searching for a house could be a satisfying but confusing pursuit at the same time! Yesterday, we went to see a bunch of houses in an attempt to nail down the area that we would like to live in (we plan to buy in a year or so) and let me just say that we are as confused as ever! There’s a house that looks alright. Then there are ones that are 10% more expensive, then there are smaller houses in a better area, and of course there are unaffordable ones that you really would like but can’t buy. So, let me ask you. How did you buy your first house?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

Personal Finance Articles

First, a big “GET BETTER SOON” to my buddy Clever Dude, who is having back problems. I hope everything is going to be fine soon!
The minute I read about My Two Dollars’ extreme frugality, I instantly remembered how my wife did this. (To be honest, we only did it once in a while) What else do you do?
ABCs talk about how interest rate affect bond prices this time around. Check it out and learn something at the same time.
I wrote a note at Investing School about taking diversification in context. Don’t just blindly follow financial advice.
I loved the idea of turning off all lights during Earth Hour, as Frugal Dad suggested. Never mind the frugal aspects but the quality family time you can spent together doing something fun. I think I will do that after writing this post.

Personal Finance Article

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Time is of the Essence | Loan Modification Part 8

Timelines for federal aid

You should have a pretty good idea by now of whether you are eligible for Loan Modification or Refinancing through the federal foreclosure prevention plan. So, do you need to start filling out your paperwork right now?

In short, the best answer is “yes.” If you are struggling with your mortgage, the sooner you get help, the better.

For those not struggling … yet

It’s best to apply for aid as soon as possible because there is a finite amount available. However, for people who run into trouble in the near future, the foreclosure prevention plan will be around to help for a little while.

For those who will apply for refinancing on their personal loans through the government’s program, a very little while.

Refinancing

Just to refresh, the refinancing part of the foreclosure prevention plan is for homeowners who are not behind on payments. Only homeowners with loans through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can take advantage of this part of the program.

Homeowners must show proof of hardship and have mortgage payments higher than 31 percent of their income. If they qualify, their mortgages can be refinanced to bring payments down to that level. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Time is of the Essence | Loan Modification Part 8"

Friday, March 27, 2009

Will Payday Loans Help Families Weather the Recession?

Economists predict the end of the recession is near

If we listen to economists, the end of the recession is close but it is not close enough for many people to look beyond the need for payday loans. There is still the need for people to survive and pay bills with less income than they were making before the onset of the current recession.

How everyone weathers the remainder of this economic downturn remains to be seen, but looking around, we can see the economic damage it has caused with foreclosures and repossessions at a very high rate and several states reporting double digit unemployment figures. Of course we have to see it through until 2010—where does that leave those who are still unemployed or working for less money than they need to pay their bills?

Can people survive until the economy improves again?

Some people may be prepared for the rest of the economic downturn but what about those who came ill-prepared for a recession worse than we weathered in 1981? What are the chances of people pulling out of this and still having their sanity and finances in tact? It's a long road to go yet to 2010, and there are no guarantees. Predictions have been known to be wrong—after all they tried to tell us two years ago we weren't in a recession when all the signs were there in front of us.

Companies that have been in business for over a hundred years are shutting down or filing bankruptcy because they can no longer make a profit. Certainly we can blame some on an increase in online shopping but the majority is because people just can't afford to buy things they don't absolutely need. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Will Payday Loans Help Families Weather the Recession?"

Make Payday Loans your Last Resort

Payday loans – financial emergencies get definite solution

People, often move towards payday loans whenever they need cash immediately, without analyzing whether the situation is critical enough to borrow these loans.

Instant funds for emergencies

Remember, payday loans assist people with the instant supply of funds during financial emergencies. They are quite easy to acquire whenever you are in need of cash. The main motto of payday loans is to serve people in a short-term critical financial situation, or when any emergency financial expenses arrive and you have no money to deal with them.

However, some people use payday loans incorrectly by acquiring them frequently, even when they are not facing any financial emergency and when they just need money to spend unnecessarily. Their unnecessary expenses may involve spending money on vacations and holidays, organizing parties, buying luxury items etc.

To satisfy their urgent desire of money anytime, anywhere, they borrow payday loans. The online means of obtaining payday loans have added an additional advantage to their borrowing habit. Instant online payday loans are a much easier and convenient type of financial assistance as compared to the loans obtained from the brick and mortar financial institutions and lending companies.

These online lending institutions aim to providing immediate funds to those who are in desperate need of cash to solve their urgent financial problems. Quick approval and ease of obtaining them makes them immensely popular among the borrowers. Hence, they are borrowed by the customers every now and then, even when they do not need the funds desperately. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Make Payday Loans your Last Resort"

Planet Hospital Lures Patients Who Want to Save on Medical Care

Prices drive sick people to other countries

A new type of business has sprung up as uninsured Americans desperately try to find ways to afford the medical care they need. Planet Hospital and other firms like it aid people with medical travel planning.

They are like travel agents, but the purpose of the trip is to get a specific medical procedure at the best price. In another country.

Plight of the uninsured

Sandra Giustina is a good example of how this can help people in need of medical care. She needed surgery for an atrial fibrillation. She lives in Las Vegas, and the going rate for the procedure at U.S. hospitals was about $175,000. She knew she couldn’t come up with that kind of money and would never be able to pay off a personal loan in that amount.

She started looking into how much the procedure would cost in other countries. She was able to get the surgery she needed for less than $10,000, including travel costs, in India.

A growing trend

Experts say 6 million Americans will leave the country for the purpose of medical procedures next year.

“Medical care in countries such as India, Thailand and Singapore can cost as little as 10 percent of the cost of comparable care in the United States,” according to a 2008 Deloitte study. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "Planet Hospital Lures Patients Who Want to Save on Medical Care"

From An ACORN Comes Withering Roots (2)

They are mobilizing to grab power

(This is part two of a four-part article. CLICK HERE if you missed part one. If you want more information about a payday loan, FOLLOW THIS LINK)

Polett writes

Both to focus the strategic thinking of our political work and to put ourselves in position to attempt to raise the funds to support an ambitious, multi-year political program that grows out of ACORNs base and strengths, I believe we need a serious, well-argued business plan. On the fund raising side, places we will want to share this business plan include the billionaires club (Democracy Alliance), the billionaires (Sandlers, George Soros, etc.), friends and opinion leaders in the voter engagement world (e.g., Frank Smith, John Podesta), SEIU, the voter participation foundations, etc.

…A key element of and argument for our plan why ACORN? is that ACORNs model and history of building ongoing, multi-issue, geographically-based, politically-engaged membership organizations, plus the large organizing staff and organizing culture that ACORN brings, mean that ACORN is the perfect entity to build the kind of long-term, permanent electoral capacity that progressives need to take back power in America.

ACORN, Herbert Sandler, Soros and John Podesta have their fingers in many different pies. According to Anita MonCrief, Podesta ran the Sandler- and Soros-funded Center for American Progress. He was also Barack Obama’s transition team leader. Upper management was in place and well-connected. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "From An ACORN Comes Withering Roots (2)"

ACORN, Self-Help, Inc., Obama | Friends in Low Places (1)

American axis

President Obama has spoken well of the virtues of public service. On the surface of things, it is admirable to sacrifice one’s time and resources to help others in need. However, with the continuing controversy of the HR 1388 “mandatory volunteerism” bill inflaming the public’s sense of what is right for our increasingly socialist government to demand, let us not forget the organizations that are openly brazen in their defiance of America’s laws and the Constitution. The Association for Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and the Center For Responsible Lending (CRL) are two very visible organizations on the list.

Thanks to the efforts of activists like Anita MonCrief (also a former ACORN employee), the ACORN/CRL axis cannot hide their antics from the public eye entirely. This is much worse than the CRL fabricating information against payday loans. ACORN, according to MonCrief, feels that denying the evidence stacked against them is enough of a defense. They’re wrong. ... click here to read the rest of the article titled "ACORN, Self-Help, Inc., Obama | Friends in Low Places (1)"

ACORN, Self-Help, Inc., Obama | Friends in Low Places (1)

American axis

Great Way to Save on International Calls

From the Frugal Traveler column in the NY Times, a great explanation of how you can make and receive calls cheaply while overseas:

Staying in Touch Internationally, on the Cheap

When I used to travel a lot to Europe, I had an unlocked quad-band phone and bought a SIM card with a UK number. It was very handy for making local calls, but it was a nuisance to have to tell people back home that I had a different cell phone number.
But back then I didn’t have the option of forwarding calls using Skype! And I didn’t yet have Google Voice, whose rates for international calling are about half of the lowest rates I’d ever gotten with calling cards! (It’s not available to the public yet but since I already used Grand Central I was able to upgrade my account.)

I don’t know what I’m more excited by, the “neat-o” technology factor, or the potential for saving money! Unfortunately I don’t travel as much these days, or make as many international calls… but hopefully some of you do! Enjoy.