Criminal Check

Hey everyone!
It's that time of year again....fresh strawberries in season! If you're lucky enough to live in Carlsbad then you've seen them growing in the fields. You can pick your own at the fields, but if you want to save money and time you can go straight to their warehouse on the corner of Palomar Airport Road & Aviara Parkway. It's that yellowish building with a "Guimarra" sign outside. I paid only $7 last week for an entire flat!
Woohoo! Stock up for making all that jam and strawberry shortcake.
You may already know that Costco Wholesale, BJs and Sam’s Clubs all offer credit card services for businesses. They offer great rewards cards for business owners, so check them out. In addition, Wal-Mart is now offering a Discover credit card. There is no annual fee, and there is a 1 percent rebate for anything you buy. In addition, there is a 3 percent rebate on gas, which equates to about 5 cents off a fill up. I know that's not big bucks, but every penny adds up! It’s got the major oil companies quaking, and we’ll see how it works out.
I know, this isn't a money-saving tip, but something I thought you all should know about. Hey, I'm a mother...so sue me. I've told you all about the Megan's Law website where you can check out any criminals living in your
area, and here's another one: www.criminalcheck.com Enter your zip code
and you'll get a big list (unfortunately) of sex offenders living in your
area. If you click on each person's name you'll get a physical
description, what crimes they have committed, and oftentimes an actual address. EESH! I noticed that most of the offenders in my zip code live in
apartments. If I lived in an apartment building, I would definitely check
out this web site to see if any of these scumbuckets lived in my complex.
More bad news for apartment dwellers...Hundreds of people have unknowingly agreed to pay for cable TV when they sign their rental contracts, according to the New York Times. The cable companies are having trouble getting new subscribers because nearly everyone who wants pay television already has it.
So, cable companies are negotiating deals with apartment managers who then attach a "pass through" cable charge in tenants' leases. The Times called what’s happening "Pay Twice TV." So, you need to check your lease to find out what you're paying for. About 85 percent of American households pay for either satellite or cable. That means 15 percent of people have "rabbit ears" or no television at all. It’s also happening in condominium complexes, which could be a potentially good thing for homeowners. Bulk deals can save owners a great deal of money. If you're a renter, you must read your lease!
If you have more photographs than time to scrapbook them, contact Amy Hartung, who charges a modest fee to do it for you. She also has openings for childcare in her home right now. Her e-mail address is disneymom97@yahoo.com
I'm really excited to be able to go to the annual Women's Conference in Utah this week! I've never been before but I've heard women say wonderful things about it for years. In addition to all of the classes and performances that are offered, it's also the largest gathering of women to provide service
projects for world humanitarian aid! Very cool. You'll be able to view a
few sessions on certain cable & satellite stations. For more info, check out http://ce.byu.edu/womensconference/
Well, that's it for today! Have a marvelous week!
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty

Do Not Call

Hi everyone!
The Big Machines are back! If you live near Carlsbad and have little ones you're going to love this! The Carlsbad City Works Department brings out all their cool, big trucks, fire engines, police cars, tractors, and tons more (literally) for your kids to climb all over. There are dozens of booths, games, prizes, freebies, crafts, and great photo opps for your kids to look like adventurous, darling little angels. It really is cute and it's FREE! All of the fun is in the parking lot at the Carlsbad libary on Dove Lane on May 18th from 9:00 to 2:00. Mark your calendars now!
Another thing to check out at the library is their annual summer reading program. You can start signing up your kids on June 20th at 10:00 am. When children read a certain number of pages or books they'll earn fun prizes...not to mention actually learn stuff. Such a deal!
To save 10% off your order and get get free shipping at Target enter promotion code TCTENPCTFERU at checkout.
Trevor Tsang shares this GREAT tip with all of us:
I recently discovered an automotive "secret" that saved a substantial amount of money (at least it was substantial to me). I'd like to share it with as many people as possible ...
Need an Auto Remote?
Depending on the model of your car, a replacement remote can cost $150 at
your neighborhood dealership. Ouch! But here's some relief: for most
cars, you have far less expensive options.
If you NEED a new, pristine remote you can buy one from www.keylessride.com, which will typically save you 50% off dealership prices. BUT you can save MUCH MORE if you buy one off of eBay. Just be sure to search on the word "keyless" along with the name of your car manufacturer. Typically, you can buy a replacement remote on eBay for $7-$20. (I recently purchased a nearly-new remote for $5.50, which would have been $115 from my dealer.)
How do you get the remote to work with your car?
1) Your remote may come with programming instructions
2) You can find programming instructions on the Internet for most cars (Google search - e.g. toyota keyless program)
3) Ask your dealership/service technician very nicely
If your dealership won't help, programming is pretty easy. Really! Since every remote keyless entry (RKE for you nerds) system is different, I can't give you specific instructions for your car. Usually, it's a simply a matter of getting your car into "learning mode," which involves actions like inserting your key in the ignition 5 times in 10 seconds -OR- turning your key 6 times in 15 seconds -OR- running in a circle around your car 6 times in 30 seconds (just kidding about that last one). Alternatively, some systems allow you to use your old remote to train your new remote.
Lastly, most car remote keyless entry systems allow for a maximum of FOUR remotes. This means that along with mom and dad, you could economically have backup remotes for your prince or princess. This reduces key-swapping and tracking, and hopefully all but eliminates your need for an auto locksmith.
Thanks, Trevor! I actually needed a remote for my Toyota!
And finally, Jane Ewing has this good info to share:
Cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls. You will be charged for these calls. Call this number from your cell phone:
888-382-1222. It is the national DO NOT CALL list. It only takes a
minute of your time. It blocks your number for 5 years. You can also do
this at https://www.donotcall.gov/ Please pass this on to everyone you
know who doesn't want to be hassled. Thanks, Jane!
Everyone benefits when you share your great money-saving steals and deals.
Now go out there and save some bucks! :)
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty

Cell phones

Hi everyone!
It's finally spring break around here!! Woohooo!!!
You may have heard that MCI is going out of business. The news was all over the financial press this last week and it seems to be just another step in the recent evolution of telephone communication and long distance calling.
AT&T was once the most powerful company in the nation. Today, the company no longer exists except as a name. A few years ago, people started making long distance calls in non-traditional ways such as through Internet calls or on their cell phones. There is a transformation going on in this business, and you need to get with the program. If you still have long distance with Sprint, AT&T or MCI, you are throwing money away. These companies convince us that we need to spend tons on long distance when it actually costs nothing to make those calls. If you have a cell phone with long distance and you make occasional calls, that is really all you need. But if you must have long distance, there are many other options that are just as good:
* Americom.com 3.9 cents per minute state-to-state calls. No monthly
fee or minimum. New
customers get 100 free minutes.
* bigredwire.com No monthly fee or minimum usage. Interstate calls are
between 3.3 and 4
cents a minute. Members get $5 in free calls to other BRW members each month.
* www.capsule.com 3.9 cents a minute with a 6 second billing. There
could be a charge if you
don't use their "autopay" plan.
* gtctelecom.com 2.9 cents a minute for state-to-state calls. There is
a 95 cent monthly service
fee if you pay by credit card and slightly higher if you pay by check.
No fee if you pay on-line.
* onesuite.com 2.5 cents if you use a local access number, 2.9 cents
otherwise. No monthly fee.
* pioneer.com 2.9 cents for state-to-state calls & other Pioneer members.
Consider this plan only
if you make more than $25 in calls each month or else you're charged a "low usage fee."
Now seriously, folks, do you have another girlfriend who gives you such useful information????
Have a wonderful weekend!!
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty

Identity Theft

Howdeeeee!
Here's some great advice on protecting yourself, sent from an attorney:
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first
name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID
REQUIRED".
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work! address. Never have your SS# printed on your
checks.(DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it....and that's a scary thing for just anyone to have of yours!
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.
6. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place
a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. Now, here are the
numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
> 1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
> 2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
> 3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
> 4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

This weekend is the GENERAL CONFERENCE of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
If you have DISH network, you can watch it live on Channel 9403. Here in California it is on at 9 am pacific. In Utah where it is broadcast, it is on at 10 am and then again at 2 pm, on Saturday. On Sunday it starts again with the choir at 9:30 am mountain time.
You can find out more information about broadcasts live on the internet
also:
http://www.lds.org/broadcast/gc/schedule/0,17268,5184-1,00.html
For many years, I have often used General Conference Bingo and other paper games for my children, to help them learn to listen during General Conference. I thought I would find some online for those of you with young
children:
http://lds.about.com/od/familyhomeeveninggames/a/fheg_bingo.htm
http://www.christysclipart.com/bingo.htm
http://gemstate.net/friends/siler/conference/cbingo.htm
Something for older kids, maybe even you?
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/genconf/nreport.htm

I don't know who invented Daylight Savings Time...but it's that time again!
Did you know that not all of the states in the USA even participate in it?
SPRING FORWARD this time, Sat night at midnight--- it will suddenly be 1 am! =) Make sure you change your clocks.
And finally, in local San Diego news, Rosemary Tobler is interested in selling the following furniture items. They are all in great condition:
Forest green velvet massage recliner with controls that adjust heat, kneading, reclining etc., $750
Gorgeous and comfy gold and cream pillow back oversize loveseat, 3 months new, 6 ft. by 3 ft., $500
Maytag front loading "Neptune" washer and dryer, about 5 yrs. old, works great, only $250 for the pair
Portable air conditioning unit, cools up to 900 sq. ft., $75
All interested parties please contact Rosemary at 760 579-8565
Have a glorious weekend!
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty