Money Blue Book

Despite what some people may think, many people still visit public libraries – such as myself. Although the societal trend seems to be shifting towards an entirely digital world where the internet dominates the information landscape, traditional brick and mortar library branches still serve their useful purpose.

Other than studying at the school library during college or university, the last time most people were inside their local public library was probably during high school. These days, your local public library branches are a bit different than those that are affiliated with schools. Rather than focusing on academic research type resources, many cater more to community and family needs. Today they offer a wealth of free services that should be part of everyone’s everyday frugal living strategy. Instead of buying expensive books, movies, video disks, or audio tapes without sampling first, you should think about test driving them out at the local county or city library before committing.

Here Are Some Free Services Your Local Public Library Likely Provides That You May Or May Not Be Aware Of:

1. Books – Okay, duh that’s stating the obvious. It’s a library so obviously they provide books on loan, but the key thing here is that they are free. The average book worm spends hundreds of dollars each month at their neighborhood Borders or Barnes & Noble bookstore on new books. Frequently, once those books have been read, the pages are never opened again. I personally have a hardback cover of The DaVinci Code that I bought a few years ago for a long plane ride. After reading it, I placed the copy somewhere on my bookshelf, never to be seen again. Frankly, I would have been better off borrowing it from the library, reading it, and pocketing the original cost of the book at the time – $24 . For some reason, I will watch DVD’s and video tapes again and again, but when it comes to books, it’s always one and done. Not sure why actually.
2. Free DVD Discs and VHS Tapes – Well they’re no Blockbuster or Netflix, but public libraries usually do have a reasonable size collection of movies that can be checked out with your library card. Keep in mind that popular titles are likely to be in greater demand. Many branches also carry old fashioned video tapes offering lots of interesting instructional and do-it-yourself lessons.
3. Exercise Videos - I’m a guy so I don’t use them (I don’t know a single guy who does), but I’ve heard from my female friends that it’s easy to get bored of them after you purchase and view them a few times. Try borrowing from the library to increase your selection instead.
4. Foreign Language Learning Tapes – This is one of the most untapped resources found at public libraries. Rather than buy expensive and one-time usage tapes, you can try borrowing them and using them for free.
5. Dance Instruction Tapes – If you’ve always wanted to learn how to dance – e.g. salsa or ballroom – many libraries have dance instruction tapes for loan. My library had a wide selection, albeit in VHS format.
6. Learning How To Play An Instrument Tapes – I play the guitar and the drums so I was pleasantly surprised to find numerous instrument instructional VHS tapes at my local library – although most were for beginners.
7. Audio Book Tapes – I’ve tried them a few times and noticed that audio books are actually pretty useful for activities when your eyes are preoccupied, such as when you’re driving during your morning commute, running on the treadmill, or cranking away on your stationary exercise bike.
8. Magazine Subscriptions – Sometimes there are certain magazines you’d like to glance through but don’t feel like paying the money to buy or subscribe to – such as US Weekly, the latest U.S. News and World Report school rankings, or the latest issue of your favorite video gaming magazine. Libraries frequently have a decent magazine collection on their racks, although newer issues are usually browse-only and can’t be checked out.
9. Internet Access And Free Computer Usage – Most public libraries offer free computer workstations for patrons. At my local library, usage is free but it’s limited to only one hour per day after sign on, tracked by your library card number. The time limit is short, but sufficient for times when your home internet fails. Back when my apartment experienced a power failure for several days, the public library was my source for emergency internet access. Kinkos Fedex also offers internet access, but you have to pay for your usage time and that can get very expensive pretty quick.
10. Free Community Classes and Events – If you want to find out the latest free community events or gatherings, your local library is the place to find that out. Most have public bulletin boards advertising the latest neighborhood events and workshops for various things.
11. Place To Study and Meet – If you need to just get away and study for something, the public library is the perfect place to go. If you tutor someone, it’s also a nice quiet place to meet, especially if you can reserve a private study room a few minutes ahead of time.

For the last few weeks I’ve been receiving incessant phone calls several times daily from some unknown toll free number – specifically 1-800-261-1646. Because I have a habit of screening my calls and not picking up my cell phone if I don’t recognize the caller ID, the missed calls kept coming in. The unknown calls were perplexing because I recalled signing up my number for the National Do Not Call List. Eventually I gave up and chose to call the number back to see what was up.

The Verizon Wireless Sales Pitch – May We Bind You To A New Multi Year Contract With Just A Few Freebie Offers?

When I called the number, at first there was dead air and I wondered if I had called a scam number, but then a voice over the phone introduced himself thanking me for my interest in Verizon Wireless and requested my cell phone number. I was a bit suspicious but since my cell phone was indeed serviced through Verizon Wireless and I figured my cell phone number wasn’t really confidential information, I gave him my information. If he had inquired about the last 4 digits of my social security number I might not have readily given him the number, since I was still a bit suspicious at that point. But with my phone number information, he immediately ascertained my name so I figured he was at least somewhat legit.

Immediately he launched into a sales pitch to get me to sign up for a new binding multi year cell phone contract. On that point he was correct as my current wireless phone contract was near expiration. He informed me that I was eligible for a new phone (although he didn’t specify what model it would be) and offered to throw in an extra 100 minutes per month if I would be willing to renew my wireless contract. He offered to mail me my new phone replacement right away but I refused to get suckered in. I told him the extra minutes were useless since I never even get close to reaching my monthly limit and that I probably could find a better deal online without the need for a contract extension. Unable to lock up the contract and without even saying thank you or goodbye, the supposed Verizon Wireless rep hung up abruptly – a typical sales commission driven response.

After investigating further, the phone number traced to a 3rd party outsourced vendor working with Verizon Wireless to help it secure new contract renewals. Apparently the vendor’s allowed to call individuals on the Do Not Call List because they are calling on behalf of Verizon Wireless to customers who are all current or recent Verizon Wireless customers. However, it should be noted that they can still be blocked if you tell them not to solicit or call you ever again.

My Advice For All Those Nearing The End Of Their Cell Phone Contracts – Negotiate With Leverage

Cell phone wireless contracts are the most anti competitive mechanisms that major wireless phone carriers like Verizon Wireless, Sprint-Nextel, AT&T, and T-Mobile use to keep their users in line and bounded to them in customer servitude. This contractual obligation is frequently renewed and extended through clever solicitation of verbal consent, and the dangling of seemingly attractive freebie carrots – shabby offers that are not really all that great.

Currently my phone plan is under Verizon Wireless’ America’s Choice 450 Anytime Minutes with Unlimited In calling for $39.99 a year. However, because I took advantage of student and corporate employee wireless phone discounts, I was able to save 19% off my monthly cell phone bill. My 2 year wireless phone contract is indeed going to expire in a month or two but I have no intention of renewing my contract just yet. I want to make sure I maximize the leverage I have when negotiating better terms.

Wireless carriers are desperate to retain their customers and look to using legal contracts to prevent them from jumping ship to another carrier. My advice is to initially resist the temptation to accept any of the free phone deals, upgrades or whatever extra minutes they offer, because once you accept, you automatically agree to a new contract extension. Wait until your contract is fully expired before you negotiate – you’ll have a lot more leverage with these wireless companies once your contract is up. At that time, you have the option at your disposal to leave and go to another provider without a termination fee – their nightmare scenario.

So, wait till your wireless contract is up, and then ask for any and all upgrades you want in addition to a new phone at zero cost. Currently Verizon Wireless only advertises a measly “New Every Two” year phone upgrade that only provides a paltry $50 or $100 good towards a new phone. In my opinion, that’s not good enough – so be sure to demand more minutes, more functions (like internet access), and a new phone for free. They will happily oblige but just remember, you’ll be signing a new contract with them for another year or two in the process, but at least you’ll know you truly maximized your options.

Warning – alarm – I am about to drive off the personal finance road and head into the entertainment marshes.

Well it’s been months since I rambled off topic but I think after having watched this year’s 2008 Super XVLII, I feel compelled to comment on the deteriorating quality and excitement of the once highly anticipated half time musical performances. It used to be that I always looked forward to watching the Super Bowl half time shows since they used to feature pretty good superstar performances. But unfortunately, what was once an exciting party bash has in recent years turned into a safe and cautious yawn fest.

Tom Petty’s Performance Was Decent But Too Safe For A Super Bowl Half Time Show

This year’s half-time show featured Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, a band that probably caters more to the older generation than today’s kiddies, myself included. While I will admit he did pull of a pretty skillful performance and sang some great songs, I’ve never been much of a fan of his band’s music. I wasn’t really moved or pumped up by their performance as it wasn’t really much of a performance – mostly just a karaoke selection of his greatest hits.

I think future shows need serious tuneups. Ever since the whole Janet Jackson alleged wardrobe malfunction episode of Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, the quality of the halftime shows have been sliding downhill. We really need MTV to bring back the excitement that the event once had or I think we’re going to start seeing many viewers switch channels during halftime to watch some of the other competing shows airing at that time. Some cable network channels have actually started to seize on the waning interest in the half time shows by featuring unique commercial free programs during that very time slot.

I know it was controversial at the time, but I personally thought the whole wardrobe malfunction incident was a great thing for the Super Bowl – an unanticipated oops that generated buzz and front page excitement for an event that by definition should be glorified, edgy, and memorable. I’m not sure what other football fans and Super Bowl followers think, but in my opinion, the best half time show I’ve seen in the last few years was the one in 2001 – Super XXXV – that featured amazing stars like Britney Spears, N Sync, Nelly, and Mary J. Blige, as well as the ageless, but still sort of hard rocking Aerosmith. Laugh if you want – I would have loved to have been there!

The music performers in recent years featured boring artists like the Rolling Stones, and Paul McCartney – two utterly forgettable artists that most people probably didn’t even realize were still alive. Of course, it’s obvious why the Super Bowl planning committee continues to book such predictably bland artists to cater to the older folks and the family crowd – they are the ones who have the money to pay the exorbitant ticket prices to attend these type of events.

One of the ways to maximize your money is by taking advantage of the higher cash back credit card rewards that many reward credit cards offer for purchases made at special bonus reward locations that include – supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations. What some people might not realize is that many, if not most of these three brick and mortar locations also sell gift cards that can be used towards other major retailers – everything from places like Home Depot to Bed Bath & Beyond. By buying these retail gift cards at the bonus reward locations, cardholders have the potential to earn up to 5% or more cash back through credit card discounts and rebates through a process that’s essentially a mild form of gift credit card arbitrage.

Purchase Gift Cards At Rebated Prices And Use Them At Places Like Department Stores, Restaurants, and Online Retail Websites

While there is a multitude of specialized reward credit cards out there (everything from airline credit cards to restaurant credit cards) offering all sorts of credit card offers and usage perks, the majority of these rebate cards reserve the highest cash back percentages for purchases made at what I’d like to call “the big three” - supermarkets, gas stations, and drug stores. Credit card terms do vary, but they usually offer much lower rebate rates (usually 1% back) for everyday purchases made at non “big-three” locations like department stores, clothing shops, restaurants, and online stores.

The trick to earning the maximum reward percentages even when you make purchases from the lower rebate percentage categories is to buy and stock up on these retail gift cards that can be purchased at supermarket display stands where cardholders can earn the much higher discounts.

Unlike the ripoff processing fees charged for the admittedly more versatile cash gift cards (most notably by American Express), retail gift cards usually have no activation or purchase fees other than your customary state sales tax. Thus, if you can purchase these retail cards at a supermarket or drug store and later use them at say, a department store or a restaurant, you have the potential to earn up to 5% cash back or more, depending on the specifics of your reward credit card’s rebate usage terms.

To see what retail gift cards are out there, I checked out a few major supermarket stores like Safeway, Giant, and Shopper’s Food Warehouse, as well as a few drugstores like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens to examine the variety of gift cards that they sell. Although not as prevalent, even some gas stations are now getting in on the gift card selling action.

Some Of the More Popular Store Gift Cards Being Sold On Display Racks and Stands At Supermarkets, Drugstores, and Gas Stations Include:

• Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Bass Bro Shop, Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Blockbuster, Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s, Circuit City, Cracker Barrel, eBay, Eddie Bauer, Gap, Home Depot, iTunes, Kohl’s, Macaroni Grill, Macy’s, Nordstrom, On The Border, Old Navy, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Panera Bread, PF Chang, Pottery Barn, Red Lobster, Regal Cinemas, REI, Sears, Starbucks, and Toys R Us.

There may be some I’m missing, but if you frequent any of these stores on a regular basis, you might want to consider using your trusty reward credit card to earn 5% cash back or more by snapping up one of the retail gift cards at your local supermarket or drug store for later anticipated use. You’re not going to get rich off this, but it will help you maximize your money potential by earning cash back rewards for something you were going to put your money towards anyway.

If You Don’t Already Own A High Purchase Rebate Supermarket Credit Card, Here’s A Short List Of Credit Card Offers You May Want To Consider:

1. American Express Blue Cash® Card - Offers up to a tiered 5% cash back for bonus category purchases at places like supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations. See detailed review of (Amex Blue Cash vs. Chase Freedom).
2. Chase Freedom (SM) – Earn 5% bonus cash back in popular, rotating categories like gas, groceries, airlines, home improvement and more.
3. Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card for College Students – Earn 5% Cash Back on eligible purchases at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores & utilities (including cable) for 6 months, and 1% thereafter*. Everything else gets 1% cash back.