Government Auctions

Hi everyone!
Summer time and the shopping is easy....gee, isn't that a song? Every week we add a few more new thrifty neighbors to this distribution list. Welcome!
The more of us there are here, the more shopping steals and deals we're going to find out about together! Keep sending me your great tips!
You’ve probably seen the pitches on the Internet and late night TV about how to get rich through government auctions. They sound so exciting, but all these people want to do is take your money. There are some legitimate sites, however. Consumer Reports’ newsletter, "Money Advisor," lists the sites at federal and state auctions. The best part is that they are free. You have to do a little digging at these sites, but you can find some great deals. Are you going to get a Porsche for $50? Not likely. What happens is there is government minimum set on the items, which are typically seized or foreclosed items. If that bid is not reached, the organization can reject all of the offers and the bidding starts again. Check out www.firstgov.gov
Another place to get some free government information is at
www.pueblo.gsa.gov/ You can get pamphlets on all kinds of stuff from
medical drug interactions, living trusts, government auto auctions, arthritis, choosing cellular service, ID theft and tons more.
Shopping around for a good dental plan? Check out www.dentalplans.com where you can compare companies that offer plans in your zip code. Sweet!
It seems that every day we become more vulnerable to identity theft. The most recent story occurred in Nevada, where some criminals broke into a driver’s license office and stole a bunch of computers. The computers contained names, ages, dates of birth, photographs and signatures of Nevada residents. The state Department of Motor Vehicles told the media that it was not a concern because the information was encrypted. But that turned out not to be true. The computer vender, which is used by 37 other states, admitted they did not encrypt information. So, who knows what the criminals will do with that information, especially since they also took 1,700 driver’s license blanks, laminate covers and the state seal. Other companies that have fouled up people’s records include Choicepoint, Lexus Nexus and Bank of America. Someone needs to be done because these outfits have been operating free of oversight and penalty. The most proactive states – California and Texas – allow residents to freeze access to their credit. Retailers and banks are scared to death of the laws in California and Texas, and that is what it’s going to take to whip them into shape.
And finally, if you like buying clothes, the perfect situation is coming your way. For years, there were quotas on how much clothing one country could send to another. But that went away in recent years and, since then, the amount of clothing coming into the U.S. is up 550 percent. The Communist Chinese clothing makers have the most efficient system and the oversupply of clothes is mind boggling. Stores are figuratively flooded with clothes, so the savings will be passed on to shoppers in the States. You may not notice it yet, but clothing is becoming a smaller and smaller portion of our budget because prices are so low.
Enjoy that sunshine and remember to use sunscreen! (You can get free samples at pharmacies, dermatologists' offices & pediatricians' check out
counters)
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty