Benjamin Dover At His Best!

Good Tuesday morning!

Here's your weekly, increasingly street-savvy

Dose of Dover

Still the single-most reliable source for un-common sense advice,

insights and cover-your-rear strategies you simply won't be able to find anywhere else.

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Tuesday, July 15, 2003:

They change your due dates and their own billing addresses to increase the chance of your payments being received by them late! They jack up interest rates for no valid reason...and I have no sympathy for these crooks running the nation's biggest credit card companies: Consumers are tired of the games being played by incredibly greedy and manipulative companies like First USA/Bank One (which I wrote about last Fall). Read Liz Pulliam Weston's recent article on the latest devious profit-building tricks designed to siphon more of your hard-earned dollars.....

Don't cry for the clowns running the biggest ring of legal loan sharks in our country's history: Many of the losses resulting from the rise in consumer bankruptcies that the credit card industry's whining about are because they're lending money to people that don't deserve that sort of unsecured credit.

Then they pile on late or over-limit fees and make it almost impossible to dig out; by the time their debt collecting thugs are finished with you, you'll wish you had taken my advice years ago: If you're being harassed or threatening by third-party debt collectors, it's time to start firing them, kids. It's time to invoke your rights under federal law and take 'em out with one of my time-tested silver bullet-like Cease & Desist Letters, located (for free!) right here.

Level the playing with the long-awaited new edition of Back Off! The Definitive Guide To Stopping Collection Agency Harassment:

Read sample chapters from the new book!

Get the inside scoop on those "non-profit" credit counseling agencies.

Read all about the biggest thugs operating under the noses of authorities, rogue collection agencies that terrorize unwitting consumers.

If you're even remotely contemplating credit counseling, debt re-negotiation or bankruptcy, you'd better read this first: Trust me, you'll be more informed and alot more grateful 10-minutes (or less) from now.....

Speaking of brain-damage, check out the new section for Californians that'll help you get a handle on your rights if you do decide to pull the ripcord on your creditors: It's a Q&A with one of the top bankruptcy attorneys in the state, and a chance to debunk the half-truths being spewed by those bottom-feeding tele-terrorists.

If you ever have to give a eulogy at a funeral, remember...just because you've gotta microphone in your hand don't think you're at a karaoke bar: According to one funeral director, who's heard his share of beautiful, heartfelt tributes. "They talk too much," he says. "They bring up inappropriate things. They're more into performance than remembrance." Read (I suggest you print it out for posterity) the entire article here (free...for now, anyway); if they decide to archive it for a fee, pay 'em what they want. It's a great article by the Wall Street Journal's Jeffrew Zaslow; he makes some valid points you're gonna end up needing to know sooner or later.

Gotta have your Dover Radio Fix? Here are two options:

Listen to what you missed from past shows; access Ben's on-line radio show archive by clicking here, or.....

Call Ben on the air live, Tuesday mornings (as in this morning) on ABC Radio Network's Sirius [satellite] Channel 131 show with Mark Willis: It ain't perfect, and it's not 2 hours of Straight Dover, but it's better than nuthin': (888) 782-5966. (Limited show hours/limited window of opportunity to begin with...but it'll be expanding soon: 7:00a Pacific/8:00a Mountain/9:00a Central/10:00a Eastern.)

From the "I can't wait to take a look at your hard drive" department: Did you know that a bunch of Rooskies might have taken over control of your computer? Just when you thought you'd seen or heard everything, here comes a cyber-revelation that your computer may be an unwitting pawn for some Russian-based pornographers, known as the Migrant Mafia. Not only is this another reminder that you really need to make sure you've not only got a quality anti-virus program like Norton or McAfee installed on your computer, but you'd better be updating it daily. (Of course I've gotta section dedicated to making you smarter about this ongoing threat.....)

The fast. The furious. The numerous. With record numbers of drivers getting popped for driving 100 mph (or faster) than ever before, we've gotta ask the obvious question: Are radar/laser detectors worth it? Here's a staggering fact: The number of tickets issued to drivers for going 100+ is up over 54% in Texas...and apparently it's a nationwide trend.

But the bigger question? If you prefer to drive faster than the snail's-pace 55-65 mph posted freeway limits, is an investment in counter-law enforcement technology worth it? From laser/radar detectors to "jamming" equipment, you just knew I'd have something to say about this. (Of course I would never drive faster than the posted speed limits. Nah...not me.)

Happy Birthday and you're the real winner! You're reading the 1-year anniversary (52nd week) of the Dose of Dover...still the most reliable source of insights and no s*** ideas available on the planet. (Besides...it's free!) So why don't you be a big shot and share the wealth!?! Give a subscription to the weekly Dose of Dover Newsletter right here!

Speaking of birthdays or any sort of special occasion, or just to let someone know how much you appreciate what they do for you, here's an idea that won't cost much, but always impresses big time: Don't just send crappy flowers, send some from Hawaii for less than what you'd spend to order on-line or from one of those floral 800-numbers. The no-brainer choice? Tropical Colors. Call them toll-free: (800) 965-9732.

Did you know that interest rates are at a 9-week high? They're still lower than they were a year ago, so read what the big shots are saying about the future of those incredibly-low interest rates. And since we're on the topic of good timing, what are you waitin' for? Cash in and lock in the lowest rate in decades by re-financing your current mortgage and cut 10 to 15 years off your term! It's easy to get educated about the process first...and the price is right! (Free!) Everything you need to know can be found on-line; get your own copy of Bens' 2003 Home Buyer's Guide by clicking here.

If you're moving somewhere/sometime soon, let's hope you're taking advantage of these (still extremely attractive) interest rates and getting serious about buying into or trading up into a new home. But why not get some cash back on your next home purchase? (I'll show you how.) Click here.....

Since you're gonna be moving sooner or later, knowing how to avoid having all of your worldly possessions "held hostage" by a buncha thugs is simple? Do your homework (first) and choose the right moving company! Ben's Moving Tips will save you time, money and lots-o-heartache.....

How would you like to make a down payment on a new car, buy concert tickets, pay for school tuition, lingerie or even a tattoo with a credit card...and never worry about having to pay the bill? It's easy to do if you work for the federal government. Here's how to get in on the action.....

Trying to come up with a cool gift? Birthdays, weddings, divorces...even a little holiday gift-planning today will take the pressure off a few months from now...especially if you've gotta buy gifts for business clients. Check out the "coolest" and thickest towels (yes, I said towels) on the planet: www.fattowels.com.

Peeeeeee-yooooo! When was the last time you changed your socks? Expect more and more airport security personnel to be asking this newest safety question thanks to the latest changes in Transportation Security Administration policy. Read all about it here.....

Mickey Mouse. Rainbows. Waterfalls. Double-murder. (Hey guys, lookin' for someone new to date?) Okay, maybe she won't be goin' out on the town anytime soon, but if you need any further proof that this chick is whacked, you'll want to read about the infamous Murdering Mom.....

Millions of tax refund checks worth billions of dollars will be mailed out starting next week. What good is that gonna do for those of you that are off the IRS' radar? Tie down those tax-related loose-ends on your timetable--not theirs. Wave the white flag and get a deal worked out before it's too late: Check out your options and learn why hiring an Enrolled Agent probably makes the most sense.

(This one's about as funny a taking a straight pin to a box of unopened condoms.) Attention, Ladies. You could be getting a Mother's Day card next May if you're taking birth control pills. Read why you could be eligible for a free home pregnancy test. (I wonder if they'll be throwing in a year's worth of disposable diapers while they're at it?)

You've had a long day at work. You're looking forward to a quiet evening at home and then, you realize you are your own worst enemy. Why? Because you haven't taken the time to cut those moron tele-marketers off at the knees. Over 23 million Americans have signed up for the [free] national Do Not Call list so far. Isn't it time you point-and-clicked your way to a little more privacy?

This new list isn't a cure-all, though: Read why you're still going to get some calls at home (or even on your cell phone) and then spend a few bucks on Ben's favorite counter-tele-terrorism training CDs. Jim Florentine and Tom Mabe are making decent livings out of torturing telepests; there's no reason why you can't learn from their antics and entertain yourself at the same time. (Listen to Jim's "Brother's" bit right here; it's one of the silliest tele-pranks I've ever heard...)

Because I know you're already planning for the long Labor Day weekend (now only 45 days away): Really stretch your travel budget and even get your Thanksgiving or Christmas-time travel planning handled now. Check out Ben's easy choice for hotel rooms and condo deals: www.hotels.com.

Didja happen to miss the fastest (and most relevant) 2-hours in talkradio Sunday morning? Oops! So did I! Sleeping late? Live outside of Southern California? It doesn't matter: KFI canceled the show on Monday, June 23, 2003. (Oh well...that's life in the radio world.) Check out KFI's new weekend line-up by clicking here.

Diverse topics this week: Inside scoop from a moving industry insider, to what can be flushed in the courtroom, to financially preparing for the kid's college education...click here to see why more Americans are becoming Dover Disciples. It's the best, pull-no-punches, un-common sense advice on the planet. Check out the Thursday, July 17, 2003 edition of Ask Benjamin Dover from The Dallas Morning News right here!



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