How I saved $80 per month by switching from Comcast to AT&T.

If you have read the wisdom section of my book and website you know that I am real big on saving money.  A penny saved is really more than a penny earned because a penny saved multiplies exponentially over time. Prior to making a change I was paying $178 per month for Comcast high speed internet access and cable TV (with 3 TV sets and 1 premium channel- HBO) and $45 per month for phone service.  After making the change I am now paying $143 per month to AT&T for high speed Internet, cable TV and phone service (all on one bill).  

Here are the pros and cons: I’ve not noticed any difference in the Internet access or phone service.  Overall I would rate the Comcast TV service superior to the AT&T TV service, but not enough so to justify $80 per month.  Here are the major disadvantages of the AT&T system as I see them: The Comcast easy listening music channel plays instrumental music only- which is nice to have when you want to have background music to read by or talk over without vocal interruption.  AT&T does not offer an instrumental only music channel.  The AT&T TV system has its own DVR and does not work with TIVO.  TIVO is a superior DVR system as it offers more ways to select programs you want to watch.  However a prudent person would live with these disadvantages to save $80 per month unless you happen to be very wealthy, which for this purpose I would define as a net worth over $1.5 million or annual income of over $100,000 per year if single or $150,000 per year if married.  If one is that wealthy then I believe indulging in the more expensive system would not be imprudent.

Photo from South Council meeting of 7-28-09

Pictured here are Cal Heseman of Transworld Business Brokers, Timothy Hinkle of New York Life and Bruce Fouraker of First Data Independent Sales.

Validation – a great short course on human relations.

This you tube video takes 16.23 minutes to watch, but is worth it as a great short course on human relations.  It won the best narrative short award at the Cleveland Intertational Film Festival.

Photos from the Mandarin Council Breakfast of 7-23-09

Photos of folks who attended the Mandarin Council Breakfast on 7-23-09 follow:

Dana DeWeese, Journey with Us; Bill Pipes, Breckenridge & Co; Dallas Brenneise, AAA Auto Club South

Larry Marscheck, Marscheck Advisory Group; Chuck Petruska, Innovative Business Solutions; Roger Kuder, author, webmaster and web marketer

3 Sisters’ Chocolate Company mixer of 7-21-09

The 3 Sisters’ Chocolate Company networking mixer of 7-21-09 was a huge success with over 95 people in attendance.  A few photos from the event follow:

Robert Wood, UNF; Robert Burke, CPA; Larry Levy, author, Bob Asher, Guardian Commercial Realty

Bruce Fouraker, First Data Independent Sales; Mary Fouraker, retired.

Deborah Eveson, Smith Barney Morgan Stanley; Tanya Waller, Computer Solutions Group; Linnea Ventrone, NGI

Meredith Evans and Denise, Be Shellfish Designs

Michael and Diane Haney, River City Sign Company

Photos from the South Council luncheon of 7-14-09

 

Michele McManamon,  Sandler Sales Institute North Florida; Sheriff John Rutherford

Kenneth Smith, CLU Ken Smith Insurance; David Henderson, Vystar

Roger undergoes accupuncture

Here you see me with pins in my head.  Why, you might ask?  Lately I’ve been going to an accupuncturist as one of many remedies I have been trying to rid myself of my nervous tic habit of coughing and clearing my throat.  Sally says it seems to be helping some, but I’m not cured. 

What does organic mean and what items should you buy organic?

Organic food: Is it worth the extra money? Nutritionist Joy Bauer tells you what to buy. Even though you wash your fruits and vegetables, some still contain pesticide residue. These include: apples, berries, grapes, spinach, and potatoes. On the other hand, that’s not true for bananas, mangos, or corn. Here are some facts to help you decide what organic, or natural, foods you should buy: What organic means:

• Animals have not been treated with: antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal byproducts.

• Animals must have been fed organic feed for at least a year.

• Animals must have access to the outdoors.

• Food hasn’t been genetically modified or irradiated.

• Fertilizer does not contain sewage sludge or synthetic ingredients.

• Produce hasn’t been contaminated with synthetic chemicals used as pesticides.

What the labels mean:

• “100% Organic”: Product must contain 100 percent organic ingredients.

• “Organic”: At least 95 percent of ingredients are organically produced.

• “Made with Organic Ingredients”: At least 70 percent of ingredients are organic. The remaining 30 percent must come from the USDA’s approved list.

• “Free-range” or “Free-roaming”: Misleading term applied to chicken, eggs and other meat. The animal did not necessarily spend a good portion of its life outdoors. The rule states only that outdoor access be made available for “an undetermined period each day.” U.S. government standards are weak in this area.

• “Natural” or “All Natural”: Does not mean organic. There is no standard definition for this term except with meat and poultry products. (USDA defines “natural” as not containing any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients). The claim is not verified. The producer or manufacturer alone decides whether to use it.

The “Dirty Dozen”: Must-buy organic foods (their conventionally grown counterparts tend to be laden with pesticides. They cost about 50 percent more — but are well worth the money):

Fruit:  • Apples • Cherries • Grapes, imported (Chili) • Nectarines • Peaches • Pears • Raspberries • Strawberries • Oranges.
Vegetables: • Bell peppers • Celery • Potatoes • Spinach. 

No need to go organic with these foods (These products generally do not contain pesticide residue):
Fruit: • Bananas • Kiwi • Mangos • Papaya • Pineapples • Blueberries.
Vegetables: • Asparagus • Avocado • Broccoli • Cauliflower • Corn • Onions • Peas.