Go to Jeff Salisbury LWGate Home Page.From: persfin-digest <owner-persfin-digest@shore.net>
Subject: persfin-digest V4 #40
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 21:23:00 -0400 (EDT)
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persfin-digest Tuesday, May 27 1997 Volume 04 : Number 040
IN THIS ISSUE:
ADVERTISEMENT: domainTNG [Oppenheimer Software <Connect-Sales@mcimail.co]
Anyone Have A Spare Computer for a Bulgarian University Student? [csadl98]
Would like feedback on my financial situation [Anonymous]
Re: Can You Have Multiple Wills? ["Mark J. Welch, Esq." <markwelch@ca-pr]
Source for Claims-paying record? [P Keehn <pakeehn@ucdavis.edu>]
It Actually Is Possible to Buy a Computer Without Microsoft Products [All]
MS products and Linux [Guillermo Alvarez <galvarez@cs.ucsd.edu>]
AARP Pharmacy Phone Number ["Lester M. Levy, MD" <llevy@hoflink.com>]
RE: AARP Pharmacy [Avrum Lapin <avrum113@cyberg8t.com>]
AARP Pharmacy Phone Number [Todd Korb <toddkorb@netzone.com>]
Cheap Prescription Drugs In Mexico ["Joseph Brouillette" <Broutek@worldne]
RE: how much to pay for house? [BOB FORD <BOB_FORD@compuserve.com>]
Re: Emergency Care (Fred Decker) [BOB FORD <BOB_FORD@compuserve.com>]
Kev's "Rules of Thumb" for Financial Security [ktjensen@juno.com]
Re: a thought on how to see a HMO doctor "quickly" [bjhaines@juno.com (Ro]
RE: Being Forced To Buy Microsoft Products [Rob Curran <rcurran@halcyon.]
Stock in CUST To My Mother? [Fred Schiff <f.schiff@ieee.org>]
sole vs. multiple agents for sale of real estate [erwiko@iol.ie (erwin Ko]
Re: How much should I spend on a house? [alufml@fanniemae.com (Francois-M]
Lying in the ER - Don't Do It [Elizabeth Kennard <kennard.3@osu.edu>]
Sell Your Copy of Windows 95 ["Barry H. Rodin" <brodin@pica.army.mil>]
Re: How much should I spend on a house? [David Meyers <dmeyers@panix.com>]
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Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:25:46 -0400 (EDT)
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------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:30:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: csadl98@tempus.tu-plovdiv.bg
Subject: Anyone Have A Spare Computer for a Bulgarian University Student?
Hello, I am a student from Bulgaria.My speciality is computer systems in
technical university in Plovdiv. That's for I have a grate need of own
personal computer.Alas I don't have enough money for personal computer.
Knowing that I search for help in very strange way I still believe that
someone can help me.I cannot think of anything else except this letter
and may by pray to God.I hope that you can help me or give me advice for
my problem.
Faithfully yours Atanas Lefterov
(Editor's Comment - I've seen a lot of useless (to us) computers thrown in
the dumpster. These 286, 386, and 486 computers can be recycled to
Bulgaria and other less fortunate countries. There's even a tax deduction
here. Comments? -IK)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:35:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: Anonymous
Subject: Would like feedback on my financial situation
(Editor's Comment - I'm posting this anonymously for a subscriber. This
scenario is probably typical for many of our readers. Looking for any and
all comments. -IK)
I'm posting here hoping for an honest and constructive evaluation
of the way my spouse and I are saving for retirement and college
and otherwise managing our financial lives. Here's relevant info:
DEMOGRAPHICS:
My spouse and I are both 37, both professionals with degrees and
good job security. We have 2 children, one 27 months old, and one
8 mo. I've got a fairly high tolerance for risk, my spouse is more
on the conservative side. Our joint net income is $4600/month from
salaries, no other income other than reinvested gains and dividends.
Decisions are made jointly, with my spouse being the primary
budgeter and me primarily doing the investment planning.
RETIREMENT ASSETS:
Spouse has a 401k, puts in 10% of gross pay, company matches 6%,
allocated as follows (allocations were more conservative in the
past, and were recently made more aggressive):
30% to Fixed Income fund: $8,788
10% to Balanced fund: $2,897
20% to Equity Index fund: $1,515
10% to Growth Equity fund: $1,315
30% to Aggr. Growth fund: $800
Company Stock fund (employer matching): $4,724
_______
$20,039
I contribute $165 per month to American Century Balanced fund
via automatic debit from checking. No 401k is available for me.
Current allocations in my IRA are:
American Century Balanced: $165
Benham Prime Money Market: $17,148
_______
$17,313
(I was assuming more risk, but I'm sitting in a money market right
now because I'm thinking about moving to another fund family.)
LIQUID ASSETS:
Strong Money Market Fund: $9,579
($9000 of this is home equity loan proceeds, earmarked to be used
this summer and next summer for home improvements.)
No fee bank savings acct pays 3.5% (min bal $1000): $1,606
(When the balance gets to $2,000, we sweep $500 to the money
market account, leaving a $500 cushion over the minimum.)
No fee bank checking acct pays 2.25% (min bal $500): $500
(The above accounts are at our primary bank. We use the
checking account for bill paying, and the balance varies
from payday to payday. If there's anything left at the end
of the month we sweep it to savings, bringing the checking
balance back down to $500 even.)
Another no fee bank checking acct is maintained solely so
the holder of the second mortgage can draw payments from it.
It pays no interest, and the minimum balance is: $100
_______
$11,785
SECURITIES (for long term goals, land purchase in 10 years):
Strong High Yield Bond Fund (recent addition to portfolio) $556
Janus Tax-exempt Money Market fund: $1,377
Janus Fund: $2,802
Janus Mercury fund: $2,230
_______
$6,965
COLLEGE FUND:
Janus Enterprise fund: $2,264
Twentieth Century Vista fund: $2,152
_______
$4,416
REAL PROPERTY:
Mortgage: 105,600 outstanding on home appraised at 127,000 and
purchased at 126,000. Fixed rate is 7 1/8%. We'll be here at
least five more years. Just took out a second mortgage for
$15,000 at 10.5% for home improvements.
VEHICLES:
1990 Toyota p/u - trade in book in 2/96 was $6,250
1995 Saturn SL coupe - trade in book in 2/96 was $9,275
(Both vehicles owned free and clear.)
_______
$15,525
LIABILITIES:
No revolving debt, finally!
Loan on life ins. policy at 4.75% (we pay $50/mo): $2,617
(life policy has face value of $5000)
Combined mortgage balances: $120,600
_______
$123,217
CREDIT LINES:
Overdraft protection on primary bank's savings account: $1,000
Overdraft protection on primary bank's checking account: $1,000
Credit line tied to secondary bank's checking account: $5,000
VISA card w 5.9%, going to 14.99% in a month or so, has
no balance, but available credit is: $11,000
_______
$18,000
(nothing else I can think of, we check our credit reports
at least once a year)
MONTHLY INVESTMENTS:
Money market savings (emergency fund) $200
Strong Money Market Fund (emergency fund) $150
Strong High Yield Bond Fund (long term) $150
Janus Mercury fund (long term) $100
Janus Enterprise fund (college) $75
Twentieth Century Vista fund (college) $75
Twentieth Century balanced fund (IRA) $165
_______
$915
MONTHLY EXPENSES:
Primary mortgage payment: $880
Second mortgage payment ($205 due, we pay more): $300
Day care for both kids: $900
Utilities, including phones: $155
Groceries (and diapers!) and misc. $1,000
(This is a pretty big bucket, and anything "misc" comes out
of it. We get pizza and videos now and then, but by no means
do we live "high on the hog." Jeans and tennies also come
out of this $1,000, neither one of us is a clothes horse.)
Auto insurance: $108
Gas: $100
Allowances (spouse and I, $20/week each): $120
Loan payment, life policy $50
Cable: $30
_______
$3,643
Yearly expenses like car registrations, magazine subscriptions,
Christmas and vacations always come out of savings, we don't
have special funds for them. Unexpected small expenses come
out of the savings account, too.
Here are the specific problems I'm aware of:
1. I know we don't have enough put away for emergencies.
2. I know we don't have enough put away for retirement.
3. We're both underinsured, each having about $30,000 term
life through our employers. Disability insurance is
minimal, limited to that provided by the state and our
employers.
4. I'm paying $30 a month PMI on the mortgage, but should
be able to do an appraisal next year and have it dropped.
Here are my specific concerns:
1. Are we assuming too much risk in our retirement and
college funds? Too little?
2. Are we saving enough for college for our two kids?
3. Should we suspend our contributions to the aggressive
growth mutual funds for a few months and bolster our
emergency cash reserve?
4. Should we suspend our contributions to the aggressive
growth mutual funds for a few months to pay down the
second mortgage? If so, should this come after we have
the recommended three to six months expenses saved?
5. Is there ANY way at all to shift money from those funds
that are not meeting my expectations to funds that may do
better, without incurring gains taxes? (Funds other than
401k and IRA, I know I can churn those as much as I want.)
6. Any major mistakes I'm making here?
Thanks!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:38:59 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Mark J. Welch, Esq." <markwelch@ca-probate.com>
Subject: Re: Can You Have Multiple Wills?
T. Peter Cutsey wrote (via Paul Balwierz):
> Can a person have two(2) different wills that are
> active simultaneously...ie. one will covering assets
> in one country willed to specific people in that
> country...and another will granting assets in
> another country to a person in that country?
In California (the only place where I am admitted
to practice law), a person could dispose of property
via more than one instrument. In general, I would
view the first document as a Will and the later
documents as Codicils. There is a risk that the
second and later documents might supersede the
earlier ones, unless each clearly states the intent
to maintain the prior documents' validity.
BUT I can think of no reason for doing this.
The better practice would be to prepare a single
will to dispose of all property (e.g. stating that
items A, B, and C go to persons X and Y, and
items D, E, and F go to person Z). You
should consult with an attorney (or group of
attorneys) admitted to practice law in ALL
states and countries where you own property.
Since you refer to multiple COUNTRIES, you
must recognize that the rules may be different in
each nation (and in each U.S. state). And the U.S.
will generally seek to impose an estate tax on
ALL property owned by a U.S. citizen or resident,
including non-U.S. property; there are some tax
credits for certain taxes paid to other countries.
DO NOT rely on my comments or other "free"
legal advice. Consult and retain an attorney who
is familiar with estate planning in EACH place
where you own property, to insure that your intent
is honored. Remember, you won't be around to
correct any mistakes in your Will.
- -- Mark J. Welch, Attorney at Law, Pleasanton CA
- -- http://www.ca-probate.com 510-462-8483
- -- This email is NOT legal advice, and is NOT confidential.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:40:12 -0400 (EDT)
From: P Keehn <pakeehn@ucdavis.edu>
Subject: Source for Claims-paying record?
Is there some source that gives the claims-paying record of an insurance
company? I bought Long Term Care insurance from Transport Life but don't
really know anything about their reliability. I bought from my insurance
broker. Would he be a source of such info?
Thanks for any discussion.
Pauline
(Editor's Question - What about A M Best? -IK)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:41:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: Allan Spring <pecanpi@primenet.com>
Subject: It Actually Is Possible to Buy a Computer Without Microsoft Products
It actually is possible to buy a computer w/o Microsoft products
installed.
Where I live (Phoenix) there are several small companies that build
computers to your specifications and sell them for less than you would
pay for a big name brand at your standard retailer. An example is ICS
in Tempe, AZ. You pay only for each piece of hardware and software that
is installed. You may have to hunt around, but I suspect similar small
companies are in other cities of similar or greater size.
Allan Spring
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:42:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: Guillermo Alvarez <galvarez@cs.ucsd.edu>
Subject: MS products and Linux
>
> You're completely correct about OEM deals, but I would have to disagree
> about not being forced to buy MS. Unless you want to build your own
> computer, there's very little choice but buying one with an MS operating
> system pre-installed.
Another case of being forced to buy MS products are people who
receive files from others, e.g. the editor of a magazine that receives
articles, or a vendor that has to provide quotes from clients' specs.
When the mass shifts to a new version of Word, Excel or whatever the
files are seldom backward-compatible, and these people are effectively
forced to upgrade.
> I wanted Linux on my
> machine, but most of these people had hardly even heard of Linux.
> I was able to install Linux on my system, but only after I
> had been forced to buy a system with an MS operating system on it.
I absolutely agree with Haggard and Alpert. Linux is the way to go to
see what your PC *really* can do. Regardless of the byzantine
discussion about how ethical Microsoft's market practices are, it is an
objective fact that Linux needs far less resources (memory, disk, cpu,
etc.) than NT or Win95 to run at the same speed. Thus a second-hand PC
can provide pretty good performance; symmetrically, a last-generation PC
runs Linux at speeds comparable to workstations that cost 500% more and
beyond (and are built using propietary hardware ;-). Last but not
least, Linux and almost all Linux applications are totally free.
Guillermo Alvarez
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:43:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Lester M. Levy, MD" <llevy@hoflink.com>
Subject: AARP Pharmacy Phone Number
To find telephone numbers (including 800 numbers) using the web: GoTo
http://www.switchboard.com/
Click on business, then fill in box with "AARP Pharmacy". Click on
search:
You will get a list of the telephone numbers for several localities
- --
-Lester M. Levy, MD llevy@hoflink.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:44:21 -0400 (EDT)
From: Avrum Lapin <avrum113@cyberg8t.com>
Subject: RE: AARP Pharmacy
Try AARP's pharmacy at 1-800-333-5600 for over the phone quotes
My HMO has its own mail order pharmacy - I don't know if they do retail but
their 800 number is 1-800-562-6223
My previous employer's health plan used JCPenny dba Express Pharmacy and
Thrift Drug Store - try the 1-800-555-1212 info operator
Avrum Lapin
Upland., CA
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:45:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Todd Korb <toddkorb@netzone.com>
Subject: AARP Pharmacy Phone Number
AARP pharmacy phone number is 1-800-456-2277.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:46:09 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Joseph Brouillette" <Broutek@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Cheap Prescription Drugs In Mexico
Hello everyone - I thought I might respectfully share this with all of you
as a lay person.
I am blessed with having a cousin Maria that lives in Laredo Texas near the
Mexican border. I send her my extended families prescriptions once every
three months, and she goes across the border to Nueve Laredo Mexico and has
hers and mine filled. Sometimes making several trips. Then she mails the
drugs to me.
This saves us in some instances, as much as 70% on a subscription.
Supposedly you can bring 3 months supply of prescription drugs across the
border legally. You can also get drugs without a prescription by having the
Mexican pharmacy write the prescription for you, which is legal. Here in
the New Orleans area, there are special buses that make trips to Laredo
Mexico, to especially buy prescription drugs. Maria really believes that
the border guards sympathize with the individual prescription Mexican drug
buyers, and instead concentrate all their efforts on the illegal drug trade
Maria has heard through the grape vine, that runner businesses are
beginning to sprout up, that go across the border and buy drugs by request,
then they are sold locally, and also mailed throughout North America. I
sometimes wonder because of Nafta, can a legal business of this type be
created?
Some of you may frown on these practices, but the drug industry in this
country is so powerful, and the prices so high, that something needs to be
done. The drug lobbyist in Washington are so deep in the politicians
pockets, it's like a hopeless case for reform.
I am sure some of you have read the recent newspaper articles about the
tremendous lobby pressure that is being put on our political leaders to
change the generic drug laws so that drug companies can extend their
patents even longer. They are also trying (and have made recent successes),
to minutely change / manipulate the laws so that particular drugs, or types
of drugs, can be controlled by drugs companies for a longer period. There's
a hell of a big prescription drug fight going on in Washington that people
don't know about. If the drug companies succeed it will mean even more
higher drug prices for the American people. How much more can we stand?
I welcome all comments / information regarding my post. I would especially
like comments from you who are knowledgeable about Mexican prescription
drugs, as to specifically why they are so much cheaper then American drugs.
I would also like to hear from you who live in Mexican border towns and buy
drugs across the border, or travel to Mexico to get prescription drugs.
Yours sincerely Joe
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:47:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: BOB FORD <BOB_FORD@compuserve.com>
Subject: RE: how much to pay for house?
>Subject: How much should I spend on a house?
>According to the authors of the "Millionaire Next Door", any individual
>should only take out a mortgage for about twice what there annual income
>is. So since I make $50,000 and I have no down payment saved, I should
>take out a $100,000 mortgage loan.
>Of course if I have $20,000 saved then I should get a $120,000 home.
>The philosophy here is that you need the remainder to invest in for your
>retirement, and your future.
>Any opinions??
There is no right amount you should spend on a home. For example, if you
buy a home in an area where house prices are going up at a fast rate and
will continue to do so, you should buy the most expensive house that you
can make the payments on. You will be living in your retirement
investment.
However, you should not buy a home SOLELY from an economic standpoint.
You would not want a beautiful house close to where you work if the house
was in a high crime area even if it cost LESS than 2 times your annual
income.
The same is true for bad schools, excessive noise (next to a freeway or
airport) and a host of other problems. You buy a home that you can enjoy
living in even if it means putting off savings for retirement. It may
cost you more than 2 times your annual salary.
Buying a home is a balancing act of several factors. Hawaii has some of
the highest prices homes in the U.S. but the average life span is Hawaii
is 7 years more that on the mainland. Is it a good trade off?
BOB FORD
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:52:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: BOB FORD <BOB_FORD@compuserve.com>
Subject: Re: Emergency Care (Fred Decker)
>From: Fred Decker <deckerf@ucs.orst.edu>
>Subject: Re: Peter Palma's way to doctor
>You have raised a major problem area, especially in "attack"
>cases (brain attack or "stroke" and heart attack), for in either of these
>you don't have time to play games with the phone staffers playing at
>triage. In fact, the primary care physician in most cases does not have
>the competence to deal with such treatable emergencies. Lamentably,
>every minute of delay means likely irretrievable loss of either heart
>muscle tissue or brain neurons.
>Regardless of HMO rules, etc., if you or a person you care about
>has any of the symptoms of heart attack or brain attack, the best advice
>is immediately without hesitation to dial 9-1-1 to get to the appropriate
>chest pain center (for heart) or stroke center (for brain), or lacking
>such center, then to an Emergency Room.
>snip
>My wife is permanently stroke-disabled as a result of delays
>because we did the wrong thing in first trying to get the attention of
>her primary care physician (PCP)
FRED
I am sorry to hear about what happened to your wife. That outcome is one
of the reasons I think HMO's should be illegal. You did a public service
by posting what can happen when treatment is delayed. I bet your primary
care physician had a thought that if he/she calls a neurologist, he/she
has to pay for the neurologist.
I hope everyone will take your message to heart. Everyone please read and
remember the next paragraph. It could save your life.
IF YOU THINK YOU OR SOMEONE YOU CARE FOR HAS SYMPTOMS OF
A HEART ATTACK OR STROKE GET PROPER MEDICAL CARE
IMMEDIATELY EVEN IF IT MEANS CALLING 911 WHILE YOU ARE IN
YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE. HAVE THE 911 PEOPLE
TRANSPORT YOU TO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. NO
EXCEPTIONS.
I also have a very personal reason for wanting people to go to a hospital
emergency room when they think they have a heart problem. One of my jobs
while I was going to college was as an emergency medical technician. I
was sent on a call to what turned out to be the mother of a close friend.
This woman had the classic symptoms of a heart attack. She had nausea and
was sweating. Her heart was irregular and she had shortness of breath.
She had pain under her breast bone and on the inside of her left arm.
When I asked how long she had these symptoms, I was told 8 hours. There
were several people in her bedroom.
When I asked why no one had called for help during those 8 hours, I was
told that they were praying for her and no help was needed. As I was to
learn later, the mail delivery person was the one that had called an
ambulance. I knew this woman was critically ill and needed immediately
care.
However everyone there including the woman told me not to take her to a
hospital as their prayer would cure her. I was only 21 at the time and I
was not going to let someone die on my watch if I could prevent it. This
woman weighed over 300 pounds. It took the ambulance driver, the mailman,
and me to get her in the ambulance over her protests and the protests of
the people in her bed room. She was barely alive when we got her to the
hospital and she died in the emergency room. The doctors told me that if
they had seen her only 1 hour sooner they could have saved her.
That happened 38 years ago and I can still remember it as if it was
yesterday. That was my last day on the job as an emergency medical
technician. I knew I had to find another way to make money to go to
college.
There have also been several post recently about having to lie about your
symptoms to get to see a doctor. Do we really want a medical care system
where this takes place. Does that not indicate that something is very
very wrong with a medical care system that requires you to do this to be
seen by a doctor?
Think where that will lead to. It will require other people to do the
same thing to be seen by a doctor. Then when you really need to see a
doctor, you can not because there will be all of these "very serious
problem patients" ahead of you.
BOB FORD
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:53:18 -0400 (EDT)
From: ktjensen@juno.com
Subject: Kev's "Rules of Thumb" for Financial Security
VERSION 1 - 5/97
Here are some generalizations or "Rules of Thumb" to follow when seeking
financial security. I welcome comments and additions. I would like to
refine the rules, and I will as I get feedback from people who care to
read this.
Email comments to ktjensen@juno.com
This information has been gathered from reading many books, and reading
the PERSFIN Digest. This information is worth what you paid for it. I
make no claims of being a financial advisor. Seek an un-biased (not a
broker trying to sell you their stock) financial advisor to confirm or
deny this advise.
1. Deposit the maximum of your Pre-Tax dollars from your weekly (or
bi-weekly) paychecks into your employee retirement plan ( hopefully this
is a diversified stock plan). Saving Pre-Tax dollars makes you an
immediate 10% or much more, in addition to what you will make every year
through interest..
2. Try to ignore the temptation to withdraw from your retirement plan
for any reason. You will never get the opportunity to deposit Pre-Tax
dollars into your retirement plan again. This money is working for your
retirement. No one will work for your retirement like you will. Social
Security will be only welfare for the elderly when most people retire
(Many people will be satisfied with living on a welfare income, which is
OK if that is your choice).
3. The maximum liability for Education Loans should not exceed half your
yearly salary at graduation. If you have a $20,000 loan you should
expect to make $40,000 per year or more. Anything more and you might be
debt poor. Try to earn as you learn. There are many ways to do this.
4. Mortgages should be no more than twice your yearly salary. Again,
you might be debt poor with anything more. Save money so that you can
ensure your mortgage will be only this size. Buy a condo or a small
house if that is all you can afford. Many people do this for the tax
advantages.
5. Rental payments (or mortgage payments) should be no more than one
weeks worth of income.
6. An automobile loan should equal the NADA value of that car (or less),
while making payments on that loan. Make sure your payments track the
NADA value of the car.
7. Always buy a used car (Used is three or more years old). Cars
depreciate at the maximum rate during the first three years. Car leases
are to be avoided by most individuals.
8. Make sure that all your credit reports are accurate. Challenge all
negative information.
9. Beware of making too many credit inquiries on your credit report (via
applications for credit cards). It is a negative factor to creditors.
10. Credit should be used for primary transportation (car); education;
or primary residence only. Totally pay off all other consumer credit
monthly. If you can not do this then get yourself on a plan to pay it
all off within a year (or within a few years via Consumer Credit
Counseling).
11. Never think that a professional (Doctor, Dentist, Lawyer,
Accountant, etc.) is smarter than you. They just know where to look for
information, and they know how to learn fast. No professional will
remember everything. You are your own best professional, but you should
consult a professional after doing your own research.
12. Shop at garage sales first; flea markets and used goods stores
second; discount retail outlets third; and standard retail stores
fourth.
13. Get yourself on a "Real Budget". This means you know where all your
money is going.
14. Realize that financial security is an achievable goal by anyone, no
matter what their circumstances.
15. Contract payments for any service (Cell Phone, Gyms & Spas, etc.)
should be avoided.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:54:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: bjhaines@juno.com (Robert J Haines)
Subject: Re: a thought on how to see a HMO doctor "quickly"
In persfin-digest V4 #38, Ira added to Peter Palma's post:
>>Just mumble the words "chest pain" at an emergency
>>room and you'll step to the head of the line.
Granted, this may work, but before doing this, please take
a moment to reflect on the ethics of the situation. What you
are in effect doing is making others wait and endure more
pain and suffering than they really need to.
Let's say YOU were in the E.R. with a sprain, broken bone,
deep cut, or bad burn -- and SOMEONE ELSE did this to "step
to the head of the line" in front of you. What do you think?
If the wait to get medical attention is too long, you should
yell loud and long -- to anyone who is responsible and
can take steps to improve the situation -- while you are
waiting and afterward. Continue until you get satisfaction.
But manipulating the system doesn't cure the problem; it only
transfers the problem to those who don't manipulate the
system.
Bob Haines
BJHAINES@JUNO.COM (preferred)
or BJHAINES@AOL.COM
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:58:20 -0400 (EDT)
From: Rob Curran <rcurran@halcyon.com>
Subject: RE: Being Forced To Buy Microsoft Products
>I didn't want to buy an MS product, I wanted to buy hardware. I paid
for an MS product that I didn't want and don't use.
>Richard Alpert
Let's get hypothetical for a moment, Richard. Ford has an agreement with
Goodyear to provide Ford with all the tires for Ford's cars. I like
Ford's cars, but I prefer Michellin tires. Do I complain that Goodyear
is "forcing" me to buy its tires? No. I recognize up-front that the
Goodyear tires are one component of the overall Ford car, and if I want
the car, I get the tires along with it. I'm sure the dealer will be more
than happy to provide me with Michellin tires, but I'm going to pay
extra for them, even though I don't want the Goodyear treads to begin
with.
No, you didn't have to buy your PC from that dealer. I'm sure your
local area is filled with computer dealers that would have been more
than happy to sell you the components for the PC configuration you
wanted without Windows 95 installed. I know the Internet is that way. My
guess is that OEM cost for Windows 95 in high volume is about $35. This
is the savings in cost you might have enjoyed had opted to staple your
PC together from raw pieces. But then you wouldn't have gotten a
system-level warranty, no one would have assembled the system for you,
you wouldn't have enjoyed the extra add-ons that first tier OEMs provide
with their branded PCs, etc. Just like if you built that Ford car from
scratch with replacement parts, you wouldn't have had to buy Goodyear
tires, but I doubt Ford would warrant the finished product. It's still a
question of choices and trade-offs.
The PC vendor made free decision to sign the licensing agreement which
made Windows 95 an integral part of the PC. You made a free decision to
buy the PC, even though Windows 95 was part of the deal. So I fail to
see how you "had" to buy an MS product. I'm sorry you didn't like the
way the deal was put together, but you'll no doubt enter into other
commercial transactions in the future that are not to your perfect
liking, but that don't involve Microsoft.
As I mentioned in my original post, Microsoft plays hardball, no doubt.
Exclusive licensing arrangements with PC vendors is one example of that.
But you still do have alternatives... even if you don't like them.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:59:35 -0400 (EDT)
From: Fred Schiff <f.schiff@ieee.org>
Subject: Stock in CUST To My Mother?
I have a bunch of stocks which my grandfather purchased for me when I one or
so. They are still in "Cust" to my mother. How do I get them out of that?
Fred Schiff (f.schiff@ieee.org)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 20:01:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: erwiko@iol.ie (erwin Korner)
Subject: sole vs. multiple agents for sale of real estate
I now have a question concerning the sale of some real estate. I
own a farm and a bussiness incorporated in it and I would like to sell the
whole lot together because of its nature, and because I want to retire. I
have approached some agents, but because the business is so different from
ordinary business(a farmhouse cheese and liquid goat milk operation which
is highly profitable and has tremendous growth potential) I find it
difficult to find an agent who is aware of the full implications of selling
such a business. Most agents want sole representation of the whole lot, but
most are only interested in the farm. Some are only interested in the
business. Should I employ a single agent to sell the whole lot or shall I
employ a few agents. It is important that the whole lot is sold together,
as the one depends on the other, unfortunately this brings up the price
quite considerably.
What are the advantages of a single agent vs. multiple agents on
the sale of such assests?
Any information would be much appreciated.
Erwin
Erwin Korner
Ardsallagh Goat Farm
Ireland
erwiko@iol.ie
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 20:02:51 -0400 (EDT)
From: alufml@fanniemae.com (Francois-Michel Lang)
Subject: Re: How much should I spend on a house?
I hope this doesn't sound too much like an advertisement, but:
There have been a number of questions posted recently about home buying,
mortgages, how much can/should one spend on a house, etc. I'd recommend
anyone asking such questions to check out
http://www.homepath.com
It's a site sponsored by Fannie Mae (my employer) that's chock full
of all sorts of information about home-buying, from the very basics
to the advanced. A couple of the nice features of the site are
the "Glossary" and the "Calculators" icons. The latter especially
can be very helpful for answering questions such as
* How much is the monthly payment for a mortgage whose parameters
(e.g., interest rate, term, and balance) you input
* How much house can you afford, given your income, debts, cash on hand,
interest rate, etc.
* What monthly payment is needed for a house with a specific sales price.
* How much house can you afford with a specific monthly payment.
Disclaimer:
I will personally derive no benefit from anyone's visiting this site.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 20:04:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: Elizabeth Kennard <kennard.3@osu.edu>
Subject: Lying in the ER - Don't Do It
I have to make a plea for truthfulness with your physician.
If you go to an emergency room for a splinter in your foot and whisper the
words "chest pain" as Ira suggested, you will be subjected to many
unpleasant procedures. If you get put into a room and seen quickly and say
your pain is gone, you may be tested anyway. If you tell them the truth,
that you lied to get in the door, you will most likely be made to wait
until other more important illnesses get attention and you will be treated
by people who are angry that you lied to them.
Having worked a few months in an E.R. I can tell you it's no place to screw
around with your symptoms. Your little games to get quick "service" may
cost someone else the care they need.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 21:17:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Barry H. Rodin" <brodin@pica.army.mil>
Subject: Sell Your Copy of Windows 95
You might try to sell your copy of Windows 95 to someone else
(who has an older computer that they want to update).
Since you are not using it, I don't see anything wrong with selling it.
Barry
(Editor's Comment - I'm not sure if this is legal or possible. Microsoft
installs a different version of Windows 95 in each computer brand. -IK)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 21:18:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: David Meyers <dmeyers@panix.com>
Subject: Re: How much should I spend on a house?
>According to the authors of the "Millionaire Next Door", any individual
>should only take out a mortgage for about twice what there annual income
>is. So since I make $50,000 and I have no down payment saved, I should
>take out a $100,000 mortgage loan.
It is a bit more complicated (and individual) than that.
The issue is not so much of how much do you make but
of how much you can afford to pay.
In the above example, at $50k, your monthly mortgage pmt
is going to be about $735 (assuming 30 yr. fixed, 8% rate),
of which around $667 is interest (and thus tax-deductible)
(well, on the first payment - interest decreases over time
as principal is paid down)
A better question is how much are you paying for housing now?
(and is any of it deductible). Is it more or less than
you will be paying monthly for that mortgage (plus taxes,
which can be as much as a couple of thousand a year on a
house in that price range - meaning another couple of
hundred bucks a month) plus other housing-related bills,
such as period repairs and maintenance and utilities. For
that $100,000 mortgage on a $120k house, you've got to
probably figure on the order of $1000/month. If you are
making $50k and paying, say, $800/month for your current
housing, and you have no extra money, than your estimate
of being able to handle a $100k mortgage is $200 short
per month. (again, taxes and deductions complicate this).
>Of course if I have $20,000 saved then I should get a $120,000 home.
If you have $20k saved and you get a $100k mortgage, you
still need additional money to cover closing, moving,
not to mention that you still need several months of
emergency cash stashed away separately from what you
use to buy the house (ie. in case you lose your job
or some other unforseen disaster, you want to still
be able to pay bills!).
Also, that $20k down on a $120k house is only 16.6%
equity in the house - that would force you to buy
PMI - mortage insurance - increasing your month costs.
>The philosophy here is that you need the remainder to invest in for your
>retirement, and your future.
I'll leave philosophy to stand-up comedians. Just remember
that it is better to buy too little house and save the rest
than it is to buy too much house and not be able to make
payments... I've not seen that "millionaire next-door"
program, but I understand that much of it is to the effect
of saying to stay _well_ within your means.
- --D
------------------------------
End of persfin-digest V4 #40
****************************
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