Stamps Go Up 2 Cents Today To 44 Cents

Just a reminder. Today is the day that postage rates go up once again. First class postage goes up 2 Cents to 44 Cents. There are some other increases also like postcards go up a penny to 28 Cents. Check the USPS Price Guide for current rates.

Unfortunately it's kind of a vicious cycle. Internet and email give no cost alternatives (at least for those of us who consider broadband to be a required expense anyways). Lower mail volume, lower USPS income, raise rates. More people look for alternatives (pay bills on-line, send e-cards, etc.). USPS loses more income, raises rates.

I do use USPS for packages whenever I have occasion. You can ship priority mail by preparing, paying for and printing labels on their website. I then leave the package in a bag on my mailbox post. You can even get boxes free for priority mail shipping. The rates are reasonable, shipments are trackable, service is reliable. Try it.

Happy New Year!

Here's to a prosperous and healthy 2009!

Merry Christmas!

IRS Raises Mileage Rate to 58.5 cents per mile Effective July 1

For those of you with business travel...
The IRS just announced an increase in the mileage reimbursement rate to 58.5 cents per mile effective July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. This in large part due to the increase in gas prices but it is also influenced by increases in insurance costs and other variable costs (repairs, etc.).

IRS Increases Mileage Rates through Dec. 31, 2008

You Don't Even Want To Know

Sorry no posts lately. There are some things going on in my personal life that have me a bit stressed out. Hopefully get back to normal soon :-(

A Lenten Meditation

This was in our Church bulletin this past weekend (courtesy of Fr. Mike Uebler at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tonawanda NY).

Fasting and Feasting for Lent

Fast from "give me."
Feast on "thank you."
Fast from criticism.
Feast on praise.
Fast from shouting.
Feast on gentle words.
Fast from being "right."
Feast on agreeing and compromise.
Fast from a long face.
Feast on smiling.
Fast from anger.
Feast on kindness.
Fast from laziness.
Feast on helping and healing.
Fast from talking.
Feast on listening.
Fast from selfishness.
Feast on service.
Fast from worry and doing.
Feast on praying.

The meditation ends there; but I'm sure we can add to it. What would you add to this meditation in the spirit of the lenten season.

Research Shows Blogging Good for Your Health

Read the Discovery News article in the link below. Apparently the psychological benefits of blogging can be good for your health. According to the article, "Blogging can help you feel less isolated, more connected to a community and more satisfied with your friendships, both online and face-to-face...". I guess that's an added incentive to keep writing and communicating with your fellow bloggers.

Blogging's Good For Your Health - Discovery News

IRS has Web Page for Information on Economic Stimulus Payments

See the link below for information on the IRS website regarding the Economic Stimulus plan.
There are links to question & answer pages as well as information to help previous non-filers get the rebate (as noted in my previous post). There is an example (kind of vague) showing low income filers how to fill out form 1040A.

Information on Stimulus Payments (IRS)

If anyone has any questions, leave them in comments, I'll try to poke around and find answers.

Seniors May Have to File 2007 Return to Get Rebate

It looks like seniors (low income or living on social security) who generally don't file tax returns are being included in the economic stimulus rebate. BUT it looks like they may have to file a 2007 tax return. Read the article at the link below for more information:

Rebates for Seniors (CNN Money)

Cubicle Humor at Target

While in Target the other day, I walked through their dollar section. In one of the bins were a couple signs maybe a little bigger than a bumpersticker. One of them read something to the effect of, "How can I think outside the box when I work in a cubicle".
Don't know how many of you work in a cubicle setting, but a 'Dilbert' like myself had to laugh at this one. We relocated our office about 3 years ago and decided to just put up cubicles (although they were almost as expensive as building walls). Miss my private office with a window (always liked fresh air while I'm working).
Anyways, I should have bought it for a buck.
It's the little things in life (especially since the big things are so far out of reach).

A "Thrifty" Valentine's Day Poem

I wish I had the creativity Deborah at Simply Thrifty has.
Read her poem to her 'thrifty' husband (she didn't use thrifty).
Thanks for the laugh, Deborah

A Valentine's Ode... at Simply Thrifty

Feeds Redirected Through Feedburner

I just redirected my feeds through Feedburner. Subscribers update your reader program:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/ThriftyLiving

Exxon Sets Record Quarterly and Annual Profits

Does this make anyone a little angry other than myself. I know there are other issues; but some of us need a break too. Interesting fact in the CNN article...the $40+billion Exxon earned last year works out to $1,300.00 per second. I'm not a big fan of regulation, but maybe it's time...

Exxon Shatters Profit Records on CNN

Shed in a windstorm

We have a pretty bad storm going on today. Lots of power outages and damage. This picture was a shed at my Mom's house...
The winds are pretty much 30-40mph with gusts over 60mph (there has even been one reported gust over 80mph...hurricane strength). To make matters worse, we have lake effect snow coming and going...creating whiteouts with the wind.
When I left my house this morning, the only damage I had thus far were some down tree limbs and a piece of trim blown off the house. Hopefully there won't be more surprises tonight.

Don't Rely on Technology This Much!

I guess this fellow followed his GPS instructions and turned right onto train tracks. I assume they mean he was riding on the rails not just simply crossing the tracks. Apparently the GPS called for a turn, so he turned. CNN summed it up well: Doh!

Ignore my earlier post on a GPS Deal at Buy.com and stick with paper maps if technology wins out over common sense.

CNN.com: Doh! Man follows GPS onto train tracks

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Know Your Wines for the Holidays (Articles from BNET)

Almost too late for the holidays...but better late...

If you're like me, you enjoy the occasional bottle of wine; but when it comes to selecting that bottle, it can be a challenge. There are so many wineries and so many varietals of wine. Any help I can get before going into the liquor store relieves some of the anxiety. For me, it is fun to just go up and down the aisles and look at the cards that our local store (Premier Wines) has in front of many of the bottles; which list ratings and taste qualities.

BNET has a very good article summarizing all the varietals of wines available:
Wine Types: What They Are and Where They're From

While your at it look at this article on BNET for a lot more information on wine:
Hot to Survive Dinner with a Wine-Snob Boss

Web Browser Recommendation...Switch Off Of Netscape

AOL announced today that after Feb. 1, 2008 it will no longer be supporting (issuing updates for) the Netscape web browser. Myself, I haven't used Netscape in years. I'm a big fan of Mozilla Firefox (and Thunderbird for the email client). With AOL no longer supporting Netscape, if you continue to use the browser, you will open yourself up to potential security threats. Switch to one of the other available browsers (IE, Firefox, Opera, etc.) now so you can get adjusted to the 'change of scenery'. In the Netscape Blog, they even suggest switching to Firefox and installing the extension to add the Netscape theme (will give the appearance of Netscape). This is what I love about Firefox, the program is open so programmers are able to create extensions/add-ons which you can install to greatly increase the utility of the program. Maybe sometime I'll list all of them that I use just for reference (for now, visit the Squidoo lens I made which has some of my extensions).

Been Out of Town...

I've been out of town since Sunday for work. That's why there haven't been any posts. Will get back to it once I get caught up.
John

Christmas Cards and Holiday Cheer!?

While I'm on the subject of the holidays...it's getting close to Christmas card writing time. I'm debating whether to send any out this year. I suppose it's contrary to what this blog is about...being thrifty and productive.
Stamps are $.41, so it will probably run about $25 to send to everyone (if you do one, you've got to do them all). Furthermore, 2007 was probably one of the worst years of my entire life. I'm not feeling particularly festive this year. Part of me wants to put up the false front and do as I always do...send the cards, fill the front yard with 3000 watts of Christmas cheer, etc. The other part of me just wants to curl up in the fetal position and let the season pass by.