Good opportunities, if you do your homework.
Posted By: sm on 2009-04-03
In Reply to: Has anyone gotten into the stock market - with it being so cheap now?
We've kept our investments in utility companies, and those always do well. Not always the highest return, but steady. We look for companies that are investing more and more in environmentally friendly technologies. My son is 19 and has saved $1000 that he wants to put into the market. He's young enough to recover from any bad investment, and young enough to hold on for the long-haul good return. He's doing a lot of research, hoping to find something up and coming. I'm sure he'll learn a lot.
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"blacks not offered the same opportunities" is only
x
do your own homework-I don't do tabloids....
First, do your homework on different makes - sm
and models. Read customer reviews of their cars, what they like, don't like about them, maintenance, etc.
Once you've decided on a model, start looking. I found shopping online was the fastest & easiest way to do it. Whether you shop online, or at a dealership, before buying anything, sign up for "CARFAX.COM". When you find something you're interested in, get the vehicles's VIN (vehicle identification number) and then go home and run a Carfax on it. It can tell you important things - like whether the car was in any major collisions. You don't want to buy something that has had a bent or broken frame that's been spot-welded back together for quick resale! (One reason why it's not good to buy at car auctions...)
You can also see where the car was originally sold, and usually you can get the true mileage of it, but now always. I wanted a car that didn't come from anyplace where it snowed all winter and they salted the roads, because that can cause corrosion underneath.
So now you've found a car, it passed the Carfax, and you want to make a deal. Let me tell you, the sellers are falling all over themselves right now to make a deal! I found my car at a dealership. (I had run the Carfax on it before I even went out to test-drive it... saving valuable time.) I liked it, and wanted MY personal mechanic to check it out. Amazingly, the dealership agreed, even though my mechanic was about 30 miles away! (All I had to do was sign my life away on a bunch of forms, and they let me take it there.)
The car passed the exam, except that the mechanic said to get the radiator flushed and refilled pronto... the fluid in it was ancient! The dealership did that for me immediately.
As for price, do your Blue-Book homework, too. Of course you won't get it for Blue-Book, but if you figure a certain percentage of profit for the dealer, you'll come out at a fair offering price. What I did THEN, was go to the bank and get a cashier's check made out for my first and final offer, which was FIRM, as that's all I could afford to pay. Beforehand, I had let them know (truthfully!) that a similar, cheaper car had been on a dealer's lot just down the street, and the only reason I had tried this car first was that the first car was on a display rack out in front and several cars had to be moved before I could test-drive it. They were too slow in doing so, and as a result had lost the sale!
So we talked money for a few minutes, and when their "rock-bottom" price was still about $900 more than I had, I put the cashier's check down on the table (made out to them!) in front of them and said, "That's all I've got."
The salesman went to talk to the manager, and they accepted my offer.
That was about 7 years ago, and I STILL love my car! I'll probably drive it for the rest of my life. (And best of all, it's paid-for!)
Although not easy to do in this economic setting, years ago I was driving a very old vehicle, and had started socking money away for a down-payment on a new car. When that time drew nearer, because the type of car I wanted was too expensive new (Toyota 4Runner), that's when I'd done my homework about used ones, and found they pretty much last forever. So buying a used one wasn't as much of a risk as it is with some vehicles, though I didn't want to buy it from some guy who'd been out 4-wheeling the h_ll out of it, either. Luckily the car I'd found had been a corporate car, and had relatively low mileage. (Less than 50,000 - which meant I could extend the warranty on it.)
Of course, Carfax doesn't solve EVERYTHING, but at least you go into a deal armed with SOME knowledge about the vehicole you're buying, and every little bit helps.
Even better was this: After I got my car, I got an email from Carfax asking me to tell my story and send in a photo of me and my car. So I did. They ended up using it in an ad, so they sent me an Amazon gift certificate for $100! I needed a photo printer, and got one on Amazon the very next day. (Canon i850 - which also still works great, and has never given me a moment's trouble!)
A lot of my good car-buying experience was luck, but a lot was also preparation and information-gathering. I hope your car-buying experience is as easy and as successful as mine was.
Best of luck, & happy driving!
That is why people have to do their homework in this
A person always needs some kind of representation to help them sort out what is good and what is not but this really works with most business dealings, right? I did not look at your site because I knew someone who had really came out to the good doing this. If my parents ever wanted to go this route I would make sure they have the kind of information you need to make sure no one takes advantage of them. I can do this because my name is also on the home they own. Older folks tend some times to be too trusting and I see after them.
Do your homework on debt collection (sm)
laws also - you just may have yourself a $1000 piece of paper in your hand.
Have you requested validation of this debt? If not, I would do that right away. Send it certified mail, return receipt requested. Depending on the age of the debt, I would be very careful about sending the canned "do not contact me letter." If the debt is not that old, that can sometimes trigger them to sue. I bet if you send the "please provide me with full validation (not verification that you have my name, address and soc. sec#) of this alleged debt. Short and sweet.
Always negotiate and do your homework before hand!
If you do some good internet research you can find out what the dealer actually pays for the car before their mark ups. I bought a new car several years ago and took this information with me. It was about $3000 less than sticker price and I only paid a couple hundred over this base price AND they went to another state to get the car that I wanted because I didn't want to wait for one from the factory. They will push you hard so be ready to stand your ground. Also, ask them to throw in license fees, plates, taxes, etc. in the price. Many places will do this if you finance through them and some will give you a gas card for $50, free oil changes, and what not if you ask at the end. Just remember, the worst they can say is no. You will likely never see this person again. I would recommend using your own bank for financing. If you use theirs I feel they use that to their advantage and finance you the sticker price and make it more difficult to bargain.
Anyone have any good holiday dessert recipes? Looking for something good to take to a party. nm
x
What a good role model you are for good holiday spirit...wow nm
Awesome! Good service is good news.
nm
glad to see you look at it this way! Really good idea! Have a good season! nm
nm
Good Fences make good neighbors
You can get premade cedar fencing that comes in sections. You dig a post hole at the appropriate distance and fill with a bag of quick-crete. Alternatively, you could buy a used fence from a place that hauls away.
You could also get an electric fence, just hook to a battery and run the cord (for retraining purposes) it would not hurt your dogs.
I feel your pain. Roll up your sleeves and pray for some digging weather!
Hey hon, you can have one. There are tons of good ones out there looking for a good woman. They ain&
doorstep. Seek and you shall find. So, if you 'really' wanted one, me thinks you would have one...
All good points, good post. (nm)
xx
a good movie with a good lesson
x
Good for you! Keep up the good work!
nm
Yes there are some that are good. This wasn't about one that was good.
x
R-I-D-D-A-N-C-E. Good riddance. Not good riddens. Riddens is not even a word.
my pet peeve
I would make a good Beth with wig on. Not sure DH would make a good Dog.
xx
Here's a good one.....
She is sexually inactive since being widowed by choice. 
Good for you!
:-)
Good for you
Sounds like she has a good home. It just may take her time and I am sure professional help will help. We need to learn not to let them train us. I have two cats and my dog and I am sure I spoil them according to most people but right now they are my family. I am sure Tasha will not be around much longer and don't think I will replace her for a while. Would be nice to be able to come and go for a while and not worry about someone taking care of the dog. Also it is a little more work training a puppy down here on the water in a floating home. So it will be me and my cats for a while. I am also not sure I have the energy for a puppy. But it sounds like you have sure provided a good home for Miss Lilly.
Patti
good for you--sm
Puppies have a way of healing our hearts! We won't forget, but they fill that empty gap..for the other remaining pets, as well. They get lonesome too after having had a companion for a period of time. Just give them time to become friends. I am happy for you!
as an IC you need to get a GOOD CPA....
I truly do not think you can do this yourself, unless you are so business-books acclimated and always on top of things.....
I've been an IC for 10 years and an MT for nearly 30, and as an IC I always get my things CPA-ready for the CPA (receipts/bills/statements, and I write everything down once I get the receipts/bills in good order in the late winter/early spring, by March, and so I go to him with all the categories and the figures and not the receipts/other garbage). You get a percentage off for your office, your electric, et cetera. The CPA's know all the in's and out's of this and are quite helpful and worth every dime, in my mind. I used to pay quarterly taxes (about $500-750) but now I choose to pay yearly, one lump payment by April 15th and I'm all very legal!!
Best of luck! 
It looks good!
And shouldn't that be rheumatiz? :-)
Good for you and your Dr..sm
That is great to hear. Our GYN office was out of the vaccine at the time of our visit, so they must either pushing it hard, or getting a lot of requests for it. I had seriously considered having my daughter get the vaccine, but after I have had a chance to think about it, I'm having second thoughts. I don't want this generation of teenage girls to be guinea pigs for something that may have harmful effects later on. And the government making it mandatory? Let's hope not.
some good, some bad
but don't you want your kids to have a better and easier life?
That's a good one!
!!!!!!
not good
according to about-to-graduate as vet daughter. As certain nutrients that the one animal NEEDS, is not in the other's food. I can't remember all of what she said, but know it can lead to deficiencies.
Good for you!
Glad to hear things went so well, and I'm sure your mind will rest easier now too.
LOL! Good one... : )
x
Good for you.....
 So excited to read that. I would swear that is the best "diet" so to speak. Great news - keep up the good work! 
Good for you
I find it very hard to believe that it happened to you and you can be so flippant about it.
Mine happened more than 25 years ago. I was 14 years old. When I told, I was branded, I was a liar, I was asking for it, etc...
How is it that a grown man can beat the living daylights out of a young girl, rape her, cut her legs with broken glass, and then act like nothing happened. How can an entire community act like nothing happened?
I still have nightmares. I can sometimes even still smell that cheap cologne he wore. I want to vomit every time I get a little whiff of it.
The next 3 weeks were the longest of my life, wondering if that monster got me pregnant. I absolutely would have aborted if he had. Either that or I absolutely would have killed myself.
I would love to give you my nightmares since you seem to be so strong. I would gladly give them up.
Good. I used to like her; but since she
came out of the closet, she has become more arrogant.
Not that there is anything wrong with that. (coming out of the closet).
Good - thank you (sm)
You both just posted about the same time. Not sure what I did to that poster. Anyway..I made an appointment which my boss agreed to, and I haven't given my notice yet - thought I should wait until I feel better to make any big decisions. Thanks
Good for you. --sm
once you start feeling better, the other positive steps will fall into place too. Hang in there, you can do it!
and DumDum is not so DumDum--I have been around the block a few times myself, and have had many experiences such as yours. Think positive thoughts for what you want out of life and those positive thoughts will create positive energies around you. Don't let anyone elses criticisms get you down. It can be hard because all it takes is one negative remark to set you back sometimes. Take care and good luck to you!
Good for you! I am on day 2.
You can do this! We both can do this.
I am on my gazillionith quit attempt. Stress always does me in, but I am like you, thinking this has to be the end.
This stinking habit is really jeopardizing my healt. I had a really bad URI about a month ago and then ended up with costochondritis. I quit for a couple weeks, and then picked them up again. Got fed up yesterday and said enough. I can't smoke, because it kills to cough. I am so tired of the way cigarettes make me feel, both physically and mentally.
Look for the book, The EasyWay to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr. It helps to get you in the right mindset and put in perspective what the addiction does to you.
Good luck. Keep fighting the fight, no matter what. E-mail me if you need a quit buddy!
Good for you!
That sounds like fun. I would love to find something like that so I wouldn't have to be at this desk quite as much.
Good for you! If you have
made it through the first 3 days I think you are pretty much home free, so day #8 is excellent. You have gotten the nicotine out of your system and have conquered the physical withdrawal- now you just have to deal with the mental/emotional addiction.
I quit 15 years ago and it was a struggle but what worked for me was to ride out each craving when it came on, without trying to stuff it down with food or whatever. In the class I took they said that if you stuff the cravings at the beginning then they will pop up 2 or 3 months down the road when you are totally unprepared mentally for them, and that is usually what makes people relapse.
The other thing that really helped was when I was in a good solid mental state and really aware of how much I wanted to quit I sat down and wrote down all reasons I wanted to quit and all the bad things about smoking that I hated and all the good things that life as a nonsmoker would entail. It was very good to have that to read at times when my mind would try to play little tricks on me.
Also, watch your self talk. If you see someone smoking and think to yourself "man, they get to smoke and I can't" you will only feel deprived and punished. Think to yourself "I'm so glad I choose not to do that anymore."
Good luck!!
Good for you!
It will get better. DH did it 3 years ago, and he is unbelievably glad he did. Smoking is sooo inconvenient these days. When I see people smoking outside their places of business these days, they don't even hold their cigs like they used to; now they usually try to hide them. They are probably wishing they were already where you are right now - at 30 days. Your breathing is going to be improving, exercise will get easier, and your skin will start looking younger.
You certainly have a lot of stresses in your life, and this change is going to help you in the long run, as you know. I applaude you for making this positive change and handling all that.
You are pretty awesome.
When I say it's good for ya it's good for ya! nm
x
LOL. Good
I was afraid you were one of the many that didn't like him. If you need to know anything else, just let me know.
Another good one
We recently had an article in the paper here in town where a woman won on the Price of Right, a very expensive car, not sure if it was a ferrari or something else - wanted donations to pay the taxes, tags and insurance, something like 25,000, so she would not have to sell the car because she liked it so well.
WOW! Good for you.
Good for you.
good one TLR!
Ooops. I forgot this board is patroled. How boring for us. next thing you know gab will mean shut up. Goodnight to you too!
Good for you for following through on this!
So many people would just let it go and not take the time to do what really needs to be done. Pat yourself on the back for a good job well done!
This doctor is absolutely unbelievable. Every doctor, dentist, or other professional I have ever worked with or made appointments with has a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance, no charge. And you cancelled yours a WEEK in advance!
If your local TV news has one of those consumer alert segments, maybe you could give them a call and let them know what is going on. This doctor's current patients need to know that they will be charged if they cancel appointments.
Again,  for a great job!
Good for you
I wonder what he is like to his staff.
Really? That's good to know. sm
I'm afraid to do it myself for fear of messing everything up so I was planning on getting an estimate from sears and home depot and/or Lowe's. What did Sears do wrong?
But it's for a good cause
Way to go!
good to know
nm
And a good one at that!
opinion, that is. Couldn't have said it better :)
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