UCAN

Homeowner associations and city codes all over California enforce the watering of lawns. More.

Hypothesis: Some gas stations' pumps are not reflecting the amounts of gas you put into your tank. So, a call to action is requested. Read more.

I don't own a Plasma TV or a Playstation 3, but I sure can tell you the cost to operate one. Read more.

Skype Pro Customers who signed up for 12 months of unlimited service at $36 seem to be running into some problems and hidden gotchas with Skype.

It's a great day when you can turn the tables on your cell phone carrier. Thousands of visits to my post on January 2, have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in waived Early Termination Fees (ETFs). Don't be left out, you have less than a week to use the MATERIAL CHANGE clause in your contract to avoid the dreaded ETF. Your window to cancel expires January 31. When talking to Sprint or Nextel, remember to stick to fact that there was a MATERIAL CHANGE in the contract when Sprint added the Administrative Charge and the Regulatory Charge.

Most of all stay calm, but relentless, when you stick it to the man. Keep your comments coming.

Worth noting - You can download our Cell Phone Buyer's guide (only four pages) and we guarantee you'll never get ripped off on a mobile phone deal again!

The link found by UCAN, may be a faster way of finding the $10 "unbundled" DSL price that's advertised but a real chore to find!

TRAC, Volume 5, Issue 42 says: How To Sign Up For AT&T's "Naked DSL" - Until recently, consumers who wanted to buy DSL broadband service from AT&T without bundled local telephone service (known as "naked" DSL) didn't save much money versus buying DSL as part of the bundle. Thanks to conditions placed by the FCC on AT&T's merger
agreement with BellSouth, AT&T was forced to offer $10 unbundled DSL, though it was very hard for consumers to find
information about the deal and sign up. The service was also slow, 768 Kbps downstream and 128 Kbps upstream, versus traditional DSL's 3-6 Mbps downstream speeds. Over the past two months, AT&T has begun offering two new cheap "naked" DSL package in its 22-state service area. The "Express" plan offers 1.5 Mbps down/768 Kbps up speeds for $23.99 per month. The "Pro" plan offers 3.0 Mbps down/1.5 Mbps up for $28.99 per month. What's more, since telephone service is not required, consumers don't have to pay the myriad taxes and fees associated with a home phone line in addition to the monthly service charge for DSL and phone service. While AT&T doesn't heavily advertise
the two new plans, thanks to a tip from CNET.com, we have instructions on how consumers can sign up:

1) Call the AT&T Dry Loop department directly at 888-800-4095
(Note: This number may connect callers to the Ohio-only office.
If so, ask to be connected to the office serving your area.).

2) Second, ask to switch to "DSL Direct."

3) Finally if you have any problems with customer service, tell
them that it is a retention offer.

When TRAC called the Dry Loop department, we were told that there is no activation fee or service contract with the plan,
only a one-time fee of $49.99 to purchase the modem. If customers are unhappy with the speed of the service, AT&T they can discontinue their service without any additional charges. For consumer who want broadband service for web surfing and e-mail, but don't need the higher speeds of traditional DSL, cable modem, or fiber-based broadband services, AT&T's "naked" DSL could be a money-saver. Just don't expect AT&T to make it easy to find information about the service.

Link

 Most consumers who purchased homes or condos from sub-prime lenders knew the time would come when interest-only payments would end and that the actual monthly mortgage payment to which they agreed, would be due.  The truth is that 95%+ of the people that took out the loans and now have problems knew the risks. And they took those risks in order to live the American dream. For future reference, the following tips could serve as a checklist: 

1.       Only bank with reputable conservative companies;
2.       If it seems too good to be true, it is;
3.       Always ask about the worst case scenario.  If you cannot afford it now, don’t do it; and
4.       Never assume that things won’t go bad.

Foreclosure trauma depends on where you live because of the differences in state laws and the backlog of the court systems.  Here are two tips for navigating the dangerous waters of potential foreclosure.

Before borrowers take the following steps, it's best to call lenders prior to missing payments to try to get payments frozen, delayed, or suspended for as long as the negotiation process results will allow---enough time to avoid any actions after the fact.  People who waited for the default notice (especially in states where no court actions are necessary), the clock has pretty much struck midnight!  Rick Sharga, VP of marketing for foreclosure listings firm RealtyTrac said "that the very first two calls distressed borrowers should make are to the lender loss-mitigation department and not collections -- and secondly, to a local real-estate agent to assess for how much the house will sell and how long it would take".  More tips can be found at http://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/.

The degree of foreclosure trauma depends on where you live due to differences in state laws and the backlog of the court systems.  Having owned and sold properties in Texas, the state allowed lenders to auction properties just 21 days after the notice of public sale (http://www.foreclosures.com/www/pages/state_laws2.asp?state=tx.   Homeowners in New Jersey or New York could have more than a year to raise money http://www.foreclosures.com/www/pages/state_laws2.asp?state=ny), refinance or sell their place, courtesy of slow court systems. 

The long foreclosure timeline in some states means more red ink for lenders due to court costs and missed loan payments stacking up.  With a bigger risk on the other end, the underwriting standards are usually more difficult.  Getting loans would be much harder for buyers in these markets. Complicating matters are right-of-redemption clauses that allow homeowners in many states to buy the house back for the amount of the note plus interest which can be found together with the following summary of foreclosure rules for each state (http://www.tryforeclosures.com/z-article-state-foreclosure-laws.shtml).

In Minnesota or Alabama (http://www.foreclosures.com/www/pages/state_laws2.asp?state=al), the previous owner has up to a year to buy it back, causing headaches for new buyers or investors if they don't get the previous owner to waive this right.

A long foreclosure process is no guarantee that owners can sell and duck foreclosure. In these cases, the "timing" wouldn't necessarily work to the borrower's advantage.

In hot markets like California or Florida, where real-estate values increased at such a dramatic and rapid rate before cooling off,  recent buyers are stuck with notes worth much more than the house. James Gaines, a Texas economist said, "They can't afford to pay a 6% real-estate commission and come out whole".  Also, if the mortgage has been securitized or sold on the secondary market, finding someone with the authority to agree to a short sale could be difficult".  California timelines and procedures can be found at http://dca.lacounty.gov/TSForeclosure.html.  Another source for the most common California forcelosure laws can be found at http://www.foreclosures.com/www/pages/state_laws2.asp?state=ca.

Real estate advisors say many foreclosures can be avoided if people call their lender and try to work something out before missing a payment. Most lenders don't want to incur the hassles and costs associated with the foreclosure process.  Therefore,  many are  waiting a bit longer than state timelines to give buyers a better shot at keeping their homes. Freezes or delays in the foreclosure process are better options for lenders if borrowers are taking verifiable actions to work out the debt..

If a default notice has been issued, remember the advice provided by Rick Sharga, VP of marketing for foreclosure listings firm RealtyTrac. "The first two calls distressed borrowers should make are to the lender loss-mitigation department- not collections and the second call should be made to a local real-estate agent to assess sale value of the homel and how long it would take". 

Recently, the four largest Cell phone companies announced a few changes to your cell phone contract. These changes are either taking place or will take place some time in 2008.

Verizon Wireless on October 1, 2007 announced that Customers will have the option to change their voice and data calling plans, specifically selecting current Wireless plans with different minute allowances or text messaging of data use options without changing the end date of the customer’s contract. A new addition to what Verizon calls its “Worry Free Guarantee.” The policy went into effect on October 7, 2007.

Verizon Wireless also recently released a statement regarding their use of YOUR Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI). The statement allows Verizon Wireless to share your CPNI with their affiliates, partners and agents unless the customer specifically OPTS-OUT. Check out ucansue’s blogfor more information.

AT&T Mobility announced that beginning in November 2007 (no specific date listed) customers
who change to any one of the company's standard wireless calling plans during the course of their contract will no longer be required to extend their current contract or enter into a new one.

Additionally, beginning early in 2008 AT&T will no longer charge a flat rate early termination fee, instead the fee will be lowered throughout the term of the contract. This early-termination policy will ONLY apply to new and renewing wireless customers who sign one- or two-year service agreements. AT&T states it will release more information on this change.

Sprint Nextel announced that beginning Nov. 12, 2007 customers will be able to change their rate plans without having to renew their contracts.

In addition, Sprint plans to implement a new prorated early termination fee (ETF) policy in 2008. Sprint will announce
information and details of that policy next year.

Lastly, T-Mobile announced that under new company guidelines, the early termination fee will decline during the course of a customer’s contract with T-Mobile. The policy change will be finalized and introduced in early 2008. The new policy will apply to new customers as well as current customers renewing contracts.

So watch for announcements from you’re respective cell phone company and if you’re thinking of entering into a new cell phone contract, remember that changes are on the way and you should make sure that these changes will be a part of your new contract.

Cell phone dead spots are a major pain. Now PCWorld has listed three (3) ways to solve your cell phone dead spots. http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,138835/article.html?tk=nl_spxhow (10/25/07). This article will help consumers who are ready to get rid of their landlines and replace them with cell phone service. Up until now, consumers have been frustrated and fearful of relying solely on cell phone service even though it could be cheaper in the long-run.