Tuesday, January 27, 2004:
"The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time."
– Abraham Lincoln
!!! WARNING !!! Do not bite on the latest scammy e-mail making the rounds, this time threatening your bank accounts in the name of "The Patriot Act": These clowns are amazing and creative and out to steal your personal information so they can clone your identity and make your life miserable! Read more about the latest scheme (covered in a special Dose of Dover EXTRA last Friday, 1/23/04) supposedly originating from the FDIC.....
What’s it worth to protect yourself from identity theft? Government experts estimate that consumers will spend over $2,000 in real time, phone calls, postage and other brain-damage after they’ve discovered they been hit by the ID thieves–but I think it’s a lot higher, especially when you factor in the reality of losing out on the lowest interest rates available because of the damage inflicted by these scumbags.
Solution? 24 hours-a-day/366 days (this) year of credit report monitoring:
Sure, it’ll cost you $79.95 a year, but protecting yourself from loss (do you have auto/home/health/life insurance?) ain’t free.
Quit your whining and protect yourself from this 21st century pain-in-the-butt.....
I wonder if Barbara Walters is gonna start calling herself "Bah-bra-booey"? Howard Stern’s going to ABC–this should be good: The King Of All Media’s going to host at least one prime time interview special...it’s safe to assume the "establishment" isn’t happy about it, either. (I’ll bet they’ll be even more irritated when the special delivers the ratings.)
[Just a coincidence?] The Queen of 20/20 announces she's stepping down next Fall: You know Howard had something to say about the timing of this one.....
I wonder if Al Gore’s kid and the falsetto-half of one of the greatest musical duos can share legal fees...dude? Pass the bong and read more about this bridge over troubled [bong] water.....
Mortgage rates around the country dropped for the second straight week, welcome news to people thinking about buying a home or refinancing the one they already own: How long will it be before they start payin’ us to borrow the money? Hmmmmmm, maybe that’s a bit extreme–but these continued record-low rates aren’t gonna last forever. Read why.....
Thinking about buying or re-financing a home? You'd better know what’s on your credit report; here’s how to get a free copy, right here/right now! Look Einstein, your credit scores change every single hour–when was the last time you saw a copy of yours? Click here to get your reports from Consumer Info!
Let’s see–it’s the "off-time" of year and interest rates are at 6-month lows. What other kicks-in-the-butt do you need to move into the home ownership world? Maybe you already own a home and just need to re-finance–here’s additional evidence (motivation) for you to get off the dime and save a bundle.
Despite all of the paperwork and (perceived) brain-damage that goes with the home buying process, the first mortgage company that was supposed to close fell apart and set the stage for the save of the century by my friends at W.R. Starkey Mortgage. And what's really amazing about this story are the facts of the deal: A pock-marked credit report, a non-conforming loan and a short-fuse couldn't keep Starkey from delivering the goods for a grateful homeowner, which brings me to the moral of the story...
Don't screw around with a buncha pikers that make mortgage promises they'll never be able to keep! You might think you're getting a good deal, but it'll likely blow up in your face when push-comes-to-shove and they can't close. Then your problems really begin.
W.R. Starkey has the Dover Seal of Approval because they're the best, no-B.S. mortgage company in the nation...period.
They deliver and make home buyers the winners and long-term beneficiaries of Starkey's commitment to their company positioning statement: "A different kind or mortgage company where people come first." You really can bank on it, folks.
Take the Dover-proven route to stress-free finance, and take advantage while interest rates are STILL at incredibly-low levels! Ben's no-brainer choice for any/all of your mortgage needs? Easy...do it all on-line or on the phone with the official mortgage company of www.benjamindover.com and your first (and only) stop: W.R. Starkey Mortgage.
It's easy to get educated about the process first...(plus the price is right...how about free?!?) Everything you need to know is only a click away. Get your copy of Ben's new-and-improved 2004 Home Buyer's Guide by clicking here.
Do you hate your cell phone company? It may be about to get worse before it gets better: Oh sure, cell number portability was supposed to be the end-all pro-consumer weapon in the battle for good cell phone service–but news that AT&T Wireless is on the block may not bode well for millions of irritated consumers.....
Catching the bad guys in Buckeye Country–Columbus (OH) police are having fun at the expense of the low-lifes: Coming to a city near you...booby-trapped "Bait Cars" designed to lure pinheaded-punks. (I love it when the good guys win.....)
It pays to eat junk food! Here’s 1.5 billion reasons why all those McCrappy meals are really paying off for the Salvation Army.....
Junk food, Part II: How much is the McGarbage we’re eating costing the good ol’ U.S.ofA? (Try $39 billion in 2003 alone!) Put down the Twinkies and read more.....
Junk food, Part III: The quickest way to lose 176-pounds? No gastric bypass surgery, Atkins Diets or deletion of junk foods necessary on this diet: Just have the doctor remove that pesky tumor, like this woman in Romania did.....
In the market for some high-end Valentine's Day-related baubles? It's only 18 days away...more motivation to check out Ben's diamond/jewelry buying tips...all assembled in one easy-reference spot.
Credit scores not only affect your cost of borrowing–they affect your ability to get insurance or even a job! Don’t be lulled into a false sense of credit-score security just because you receive a zillion "pre-approved" offers in the mail every week, big shot. Here’s why.
Do you know what’s on your credit report? Here’s how to get a free copy, right here/right now! Look Einstein, your credit scores change every single hour–when was the last time you saw a copy of yours? Click here to get your report from Consumer Info.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch:
Just because they position themselves as a source for "Free Credit Reports" doesn’t mean that they’re really free. They’ll give you a free 30-day trial with the hope that you won’t cancel and you’ll stick around for an entire year, but this service really is free if you cancel before the 30-days is up,
so go for it!
Charging the Democrats into power this November: Providian’s out to cash in on the ’04 political race–but they’re not doing voters any favors! This story first showed up on Dover Radar about 3 months ago, but the brain-trust at Democrat Central ignored my requests for information about the interest rate being charged by Providian on their behalf. Now I know why–the Democrats are getting in line with the rest of the country’s greedy banks to get their fair share, in the name of democracy, of course.....
There's a reason why the cable companies of the world are the butt of so many jokes: Maybe it's because of their cavalier attitude, rising prices and crappy service. Here's the perfect New Year's Resolution you'll appreciate every single day of 2004...and beyond! (And here's why I love my Dish!)
A third of all elderly Americans suffer a fall every single year–here’s how you can shock ’em into standing! It’s a multi-billion dollar problem for today’s seniors...read about the electrifying techno-innovation that’s keeping ’em on their toes!
From the "if it sounds too good to be true–it is" department: I know, I know..."it’s guaranteed!" "Nobody’s ever lost money yet!" "I can make 7-10% on my money–every month!!!" Ya dopes–wake up!!!
Houston authorities just nabbed one of the biggest con-men ever–Jim Lewis–suspected of bilking naive investors outta $814 million.
Wake up, smell the coffee, and keep your life savings outta the hands of the bad guys.....
Is the world’s largest automotive manufacturer hooked on "crack"? It looks like it to me, what do you think?
Speaking of the automotive world, don't get suckered in by countless (empty) radio-commercial claims from car leasing companies out to hook you, wear you down...and beat you into an emotional (and maybe financial) pulp! They might getcha in their showrooms but they can't deliver on the promise--but my leasing/buying resource can (and will): Check out Ben's free Smart Car Seminar automotive acquisition tips right here!
This is a no-brainer; they're the first and last automobile leasing company you'll ever need to deal with, no matter where you live...Benjamin Dover-endorsed Manufacturers Auto Leasing! They have loyal clients across the entire state of Texas and around the nation. Why? Because they'll take care of you better than anyone else out there!
By the way: If you're facing one of those upside-down scenarios (car business term meaning you're financially buried), or maybe you simply want to bail on your current vehicle and need someone to get creative on your behalf, Manufacturers Auto Leasing is the best in the business. Period.
Do you bank at BofA? Maybe you should change your name to Ben Dover! Arrrrggghhhh!!! I hope they get their butts sued from here to eternity–Bank of America not only screws up, they set their customers up for horrific financial repercussions for years to come. Here’s why.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day! E-divorces??? Couples meet online. They choose gifts, plan weddings, scout romantic locales and book honeymoons online. And, if things don't work out, they can pull the plug and file for divorce online. Gather all of your possessions, hide your cash and click here.....
Okay, so you're happy with your relationship and looking for a nice Valentine's Day weekend getaway in a few weeks. Stretch your love-related budget...and get more bang for your buck...check out Ben's always reliable, no-brainer choice for consistently affordable and competitively priced hotel room or condo deals: www.hotels.com.
What’s love got to do with it? I’ll give ’ya $1.5 billion worth of reasons: G.W. Bush Administration officials say they’re planning an extensive election-year initiative to promote marriage, especially among low-income couples. Yawwwwwwnnnnn......
I know alotta you are trying to come with something unique for Valentine's Day, now only 18 days away! Get ahead of the game with some timely and even affordable gifts. How about.....
Who needs Tupperware? Break out the "D" cells at the hottest profit-center for housewives–Passion Parties: Myohmyohmy...look how far capitalism’s advanced–from the kitchen to the bedroom. Lock the door, drop the blinds and read more.....
Remember the story about the IRS auditing folks for "free" e-filing? There are more reasons why you should know what can happen before you point-and-click your way into a tax audit.
Our pals at the IRS, Part II: Didja think you were being a big shot/smart American/enlightened taxpayer by filing your taxes early? Rejection stinks, don’t it? Thousands of e-tax returns were rejected–but it wasn’t necessarily the fault of the good guys, this time. Here’s why.
Our pals at the IRS, Part III: If you're one of millions of taxpayers that are "off the IRS radar, why not make "getting right" with them a top priority on your To Do List for 2004? Don't even think about trying to make a deal with 'em on your own, since lousy advice could not only cost you dearly, it could really jack up your total tax bill...late fees, interest and/or fines can jump to levels that'll make you think about heading south of the border. Tie down the loose-ends, but do it on your terms by getting a deal worked out before it's too late. Non-filers...innocent spouses...941 (payroll taxes) for the entrepreneurs amongst us: Know all your options and learn why hiring an Enrolled Agent probably makes the most sense.
Oh gee–your "IN" box full of b.s. e-mails? Quit cryin’ about it, don’t bite on the [obvious] scams, make your friends smarter and don’t waste the time of the authorities! The FTC says their #1 complaint is Internet Fraud–but the reality is simple–lots of people are ending up on the victim’s list because they’re flat-assed stupid. Smarten-up and read more, Einstein.
Could Big Brother be monitoring what’s in your grocery cart? Duh!!! This latest story–while showing the "positive side" of loyalty cards, also reveals the more sinister side of those plastic gems that are supposed to save us money–(at the price of privacy!!!).
This is nothing new kids: California’s Von’s grocery store chain jacked up one unwitting customer several years ago, using his buying history against him in civil court. Don’t take my word for it–take my word for it, in a column from 1999.....
Looking for more ways to squeeze side-benefits outta your credit cards? Of course you are–here are some angles that are still available for folks hoping to pile up frequent flier miles, cash rebates or other perks, even at places [likes Sam’s Club or Costco] that don’t take "mainstream" credit cards.
Speaking of credit...Life happens and when it does, money can get awfully tight. Don't make bad decision make a lousy situation even worse. Here's where you can get your hands on Ben's popular pull-no-punches books and fire the debt collectors! Or maybe you need to take legal actions and clear the slate in '04? Read more here.....
Wanna work your way outta your current mess[es]? Sleep on it! (I wish I could follow my own advice on this one.): Experts contend that 8 hours of sleep will help you solve all of those vexing challenges that torture you during your working (waking) hours. Here’s why–and here’s how.
Should you tell a prospective employer the truth about your health when you're going through the interview process? They [supposedly] can't discriminate, (thanks to the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act) but how do you know? Before you spill your guts about your guts, read all about it here, first.
Speaking of your health, Part II: Don’t let the desire to be beautiful send you to an early grave like Olivia Goldsmith did: This story is a sad one–and really hammers home how we’re all as good as our surgeon–or in her case–her anesthesiologist. It was supposed to be a simple and semi-routine cosmetic procedure for the successful author of "The First Wive’s Club", but it ended tragically. Why none of us should take any visit to the hospital (or any type of surgery) lightly.....
Dontcha love the amazing resources I compile every week in the Dose of Dover? Good! Then don't whine about having to sign-up for free access: Like anything in life, there's always gonna be a trade-off on some level. I embed dozens of links in every edition of this newsletter, and my frequent sources, The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Los Angeles Times, The Orange County Register and USA Today require varying levels of registration in order to access their websites for free...with one small caveat: If you try to hit an older story, there's a reasonable chance that the news organization has either moved the story to a new URL, or to their archives. If it's archived, there's a high probability that they'll charge you for access to the story...usually under $3. Don't whine about it...just pay 'em if you wanna read it--or not. It's always your choice.
Also worth noting: Nowhere is it written that you have to give accurate information when you sign up for free access on their website. They'd like you to, but they'll never really know. So use a disposable e-mail address (like Hotmail or Yahoo) and get creative when you register. But just remember: They/we are giving you a tremendous service for a great price...free! So no complaining.....
Do you know who’s "inside" your personal information inside of your personal computer? I’ve gotta way to find out: You cannot take this stuff for granted!!! If you’re not being smart-and-aggressive about maintaining the security and integrity of your computer, the bad guys may already be invading your privacy. Read more about it.....
Forget those impressive full-page ads in the paper or silly TV infomercials selling you on the chance of wealth: The only people getting wealthy are the ones in the ads or on the screen! Plus: How to be a hero this Valentine's Day without going broke. Guiding you through your love-life's mine field...a dozen over-priced red roses at a time! Check out the January 29, 2004 edition of Ask Benjamin Dover from The Dallas Morning News right here!
