lexiconduel

A voip phone system still seems the best idea to me. It’s not that I am indecisive, just undecided.  I still have the business cell. I tried to do the grouping thing as I said, but it didn’t take so now trying to figure out what might be best in telephones. It is currently looking like the best would be to just take the hit and cancel the contract. That sucks, cause of course they charge like a ridiculous fee, although I can’t complain too much because I knew of the fee at the beginning. However, I believe it might be cheaper to just go ahead and do that instead of paying the separate monthly fee. I think it will take about three months and the cancellation fee would be equaled, then it would just be adding on money I am paying for something I would do better getting elsewhere. I haven’t had a chance to call anybody about it yet, which also sucks; been too busy.

A home phone would be good, and I checked on the business sdls availability, and the phone is for business, which is good. I just wonder if I get the internet then run the phone over it if I can get a tax break on my internet costs. I think it makes sense, because I use the internet a lot of business as well, so it is most likely doable. I will just have to check into it and see what the appropriate laws are.  Really need to get a short breather soon. Hopefully I can take one after next week. Midterms finish in the middle of the week then a short break before diving back in the following week. Think I may take that and just relax for a day or two. See if I can find wherever my life went and perhaps drag it back.
 

There are so many idiots out there.  Drivers that really have no business being on the road or even playing with those toy race tracks, they should stick to, perhaps, video game driving only. Why bring up video game driving? I bring it up because many people out there appear to have learned how to drive from there.  Thinking about it, if people are going to drive like they are in a video game then insurance makes a whole lot more sense. Driving really brings makes you want to check that your insurance is up to date.

People just forget other people, they seem to feel that once they get in the car the rest of the world becomes somebody else’s problem, the inside of the car becomes the limits of their world. That is a complete shame because their now limited world is constantly moving and constantly interacting with many other people’s worlds; wish more people would remember that. Each time we go driving it pays to pay a lot of attention to those around you, don’t know if it is just my friends and I but we have been seeing a lot more drivers who put aside their intelligence when they get in the car. They drive like idiots, inconsiderate idiots. I think the inconsiderate part is the main problem, if half the drivers out there made an effort to be just generally considerate of the other drivers on the road, every drive would be a lot more enjoyable and probably much safer. 

You can get whiplash injury symptoms come from getting in the car, sometimes from just accelerating but mostly from the deceleration caused by incompetent drivers. There truly are a lot out there. Drivers that drive a bit below the speed limit are fine, long as they remain in the correct lane, but when they drive a lot below the limit or get in the fast lane and run slow it causes a huge problem for just about everyone else having the misfortune of being on the road with them at the time. They completely impede any regular flow of traffic, causing delays and often accidents.
 

I am hoping the mortgage rates stay low for awhile. I am also hoping they extend that tax relief stuff in the states. That would be a great deal. I have to keep looking around, as it the house I had been interested in is now pending sale. I wish them luck with it, who ever bought it. It looked like a good place. I am getting closer to the house buying I want to do, say another few months is what it is looking like anyway. The mortgage news is looking up as well, at least in my part of the country.

I figure that there are other places out there and if I get my heart set on one specific one then the brokers will get their hearts set on my pocketbook. That is something I really want to avoid, they should be worried about their own pocket book not looking to mine. Still haven’t really found a place that I have fallen for, seen a few that I like but nothing that just grabs me. That is a good thing in my opinion. Much easier to negotiate on a place that I am interested in but can live without. I know I am going to have to open my wallet up a bit to get a decent house, but still.

Something I had been thinking about, hopefully I can sell my home plus selling houses = income. The only problem with that is the selling houses part. I am sure I probably need to purchase some before I can start selling them. Otherwise, I hear, the actual owners get a bit irritated about things. I can imagine that, coming home to find someone moving their stuff in any your stuff out, telling you that they bought the house fair and square. That might happen with the foreclosures, but in a worse way, probably wouldn’t be as amusing.
 

What  is relaxing? Oceans, mountains, art, drawing. Drawing or any hobby can be fairly relaxing. Some find that reading really relaxes them, lets them slip away into a world where they can lose themselves and leave there current worries behind. Things that relax you often vary from person to person. Pets can be very relaxing for some but others may find them mostly irritating. I would kind of be in between, I like pets but they can also be really irritating sometimes, a bit like kids. I don’t have kids and if pets are any indication I probably shouldn’t have them. I am fine with pets, but their irritation is quite enough for me. I don’t need that of a child. Slipping away from relaxing things there, let’s see.

Many people spend a lot of time in front of their televisions and so little time outside actually living. Vicarious living has been a big thing, ever since children were invented and television just made it that much easier to live vicariously. Not that I am against television, I enjoy turning my mind off as much as the next fellow.Watching television is a huge relaxation activity, we can’t forget that. Many, many people turn their mind off and let the television direct their thoughts where it will. They don’t even have to create images, all images and thoughts are done for them. Television makes it much easier to lose oneself within it.

The smell of rain is a relaxing thing. Especially if you are sitting nice and comfortably inside somewhere with a window open just listening to the rain fall down on the roof and splatter against the walk outside. Hearing it sputter against the upper canopy and drip down through the leaves to splatter upon the forest floor is just as relaxing. I wonder what others find relaxing. The sounds of a thunderstorm are also a bit relaxing, the crack of thunder and the rumble that can be felt down to your bones. Those are not only relaxing they help you to feel alive.
 

I think I should get one of those cordless phones for IP, that way it would save me some money and all I would have to do is pay for the internet connection.  Just haven’t gotten that far yet. The printer I got awhile ago isn’t as good as the one I had before. It works so I am not complaining about that, but it doesn’t print as clear as the previous one.  Which is a bit of a pain, as I thought it would be better than the last one, but it does work as several different things, making it still a good deal. I don’t have to check on fax machines or similiar office equipment like that.  So, it does save me money, just wish it was a bit better in the printing department, but overall it still works. Which is a good, cause the price of printers and stuff is still about the same as it was before. At least for new ones.

My home office needs a computers, several of them. At least that is the way it feels at the moment. The one I have is about 4 years old by now, and while it is still working well I think it is time for an update. Four years in the computer world is ages in the real world, things change so fast.  You are pretty much behind the times about six months after you purchase any new computers.  It would be nice to be able to keep up by getting a new pc every six months. At least at first, after awhile it would be tiring having to keep moving your stuff all the time.  Updating the software all the time is fun enough, having to do the hardware would be quite unpleasant. Although, I would certainly be willing to give it a try.
 

Heck, I’ll even take a shower more than twice a month so you can bet that I clean the place more than twice a year. (that will make sense, trust me) I am not fond of my vacuum cleaner. It works fine, low on power usage and everything, but its bag just sucks. No pun intended. After vacuuming things, emptying out the bag is a chore, I normally end up sneezing. It doesn’t have an actual bag it instead has the container you empty. While that may seem like a great idea; what happens when you go to dump it? That is right. You get crap all over. Even if you dump it into a bag or trash can, the fine dust you pick up end up curling up into the air around and you end up breathing it. Plus, now you have more dirt and fine particles all over the place again. Depressing, makes a person not want to clean up. Unless the vacuum is supposed to be some type of one use thing, although it was a bit spendy for that kind of item. I am seriously considering considering it as one. 

You don’t really want to keep all the summer dirt inside to mingle with the new winter dirt that is sure to appear. They don’t really mix well. You will find yourself living in a sewer as far as health goes. Cleaning is a good thing, even if you don’t do it all the time it really should be done in the fall and in winter. At least that has worked for me. Not that I don’t clean at other times. People forget about fall cleaning when they talk about spring cleaning. Fall cleaning is just as important if not more important. It is just like stretching before you start exercising, limber yourself up and get ready for the work ahead. In the case of fall cleaning it is more of, a clean things up and get ready for the long winter months of dirt ahead.
 

The BT home phones look like a good deal, but if not there are other choices out there, depending on where you live. I think any home telephone system is much better than keeping the cell line and paying extra for it. If they aren’t able to consolidate then I will just go ahead and drop it. Probably the smart thing to do anyway. I called the company to see if they could merge my accounts, but they were unable to do so. They told me they could, but instead they ended up unmerging the two accounts I already had merged, basically driving up my payment by about half. I was fairly unhappy to hear about that, more irritated than unhappy. I am thinking about going the BT route, maybe cancelling the business phone and going with a regular land line. See if I can get any discounts for that. I know it will cost me a bit up front but in the long run, actually after the first three months it will be saving me money to do it that way.

I know it might make me seem less important, only actually carrying one phone but I will be happier, as I am lazy and carrying the extra weight makes me want to take more naps.Trying to decide what telecoms are useful is almost really the same as figuring out a good sdsl internet, both are normally a pain.  I am hoping that if I cancel my business cell phone I will be able to get a better deal on my internet by trying to do the bundling services stuff that they offer.  That would be a good deal, I think. I could then just go ahead and forward the business phone and not worry about carrying around two phones all the time.
 

I enjoy winter, but am not too fond of having to drive in it. Although, if I was the only one on the roads it wouldn’t be too bad, but there are whole bunches of other idiots out there and they scare me sometimes.  Snow, ice, water and the ability to drive goes out the window for many people. That is also fairly scary, just being on the same roads with these people can make your life flash before your eyes.

I don’t think I would be too happy having to get up early to chop wood and try and hunt some food on the snow covered ground. Winter really brings all sorts of things, but it doesn’t stop the daily grind. At least it doesn’t any more. It used to but now things go on, people still have to go to work, still have to make a living, keep food on the table and warmth in the hearth. If they don’t it is just as bad as it was many years ago when you worked hard to save up enough food to help you through the winter. Now you don’t save up, you just continue working through the winter. I am thankful that even though I too must work I am in this time and not having to struggle like those who have gone before.

Winter is heading this way, not in a hurry to be sure, but heading this way. Fall is here and the rain is starting to show it, leaves are beginning to fall and colors are starting to appear. Already some trees have disrobed, and stand there baring their souls to the winter, ready for anything that comes their way. Be it rain or snow or dark of night, as the saying goes but in this case we are talking trees instead of mailmen.  Time to have the chimney checked and the gutters cleaned, prepare for winter. Last year was pretty bad, hoping this year will be a bit milder in this area.
 

I took quite a long drive earlier today and am a bit tired, but had a lot of time to think. Just got back and was thinking to keep to the general trend of thought for the week. I was thinking about what kind of house I would like and even more importantly,  where I would like. Remember that realtors credo, location, location, location. I would like a very nice place, secured but unobtrusively so. A place with a great view and of course privacy. I do not want my neighbor right next to me, need space.

Another thing, along with what we’ve been talking about all week is the green stuff. I am not thinking about  money but about things like solar panels and water tanks. Things to make you and your place self sufficient. It would be great to be able to not be dependent upon the power grid or the local water plant. Being self sufficient would be much better in my mind, that way you could utilize their stuff but be fine when it wasn’t available, like during storms or severe winters. If you can take care of your own power requirements you could even, depending on where you were, sell your excess back and that would be hard to beat. Having a green place is pretty much just common sense anymore.

With a good place and along with all the other stuff I have been talking about you would also want a dog, maybe a big dog. Just for security and friendliness. A dog makes the place seem less empty and more warm, I think. Cats too, but only one. Alright, maybe two. They would need to be indoor cats as I wouldn’t want them wandering all over outside, if they did that then they wouldn’t really be my cats. Those kind of cats seem to belong to the neighborhood more than any one person or place.
 

There are different types of mortgage deals but honestly there is only one type that you should even be thinking about, especially after all that has happened in the housing market. The fixed rate really should be the only consideration, unless you really know what you are doing and are in a very good financial position already.  Of course if you are in a very good position you could cough up cash for home instead of looking into mortgages. It’s a very important subject when you are talking about houses, unless of course you can just buy one outright, otherwise it is one of the major things you will be worrying about.

There are a lot of different places you could go or check for mortgage information but probably one of the best places to go for mortgage news is your local bank. Talk to you bankers representative, whoever does the home loans there. They should be willing to talk to you and go over your options, maybe even give you some ideas or other places to check. They could lead you to people who might be able to help, and you should be a bit better off trusting their sources. That way you don’t have to worry as much about being taken, although you will of course still have to be fairly careful about things. Just check into what you have been told and verify anything you think is a bit off. The easiest way to verify is to check things out online and see how many sources agree with what you are being told. Even now you should be able to find some mortgage deals if you look around. The biggest problem is making sure those deals are authentic and not some sort of scam. You don’t want to begin with some sort of bad credit mortgage, and if you get taken then you might end up having to.
 

Probably one of the more important things you want to be thinking about is insurance as you are looking at houses, although it really comes more after you have bought the house than while you are considering purchasing. But, thinking about it, it is probably good to at least think about it, take it into consideration while you are thinking about whichever house you have fallen in love with. Something that really comes later, as you are moving in perhaps, is getting contents insurance. Think about what you have and how you want to insure it. If you don’t have all that much, then you probably don’t need to worry much about the extra insurance costs.

It makes the most sense to have the important items individually insured and then maybe do a homeowners type of insurance; general thing that just covers everything else.  A building and contents home insurance quote is good if you have a lot of stuff you need protected. To be honest, that kind of stuff you probably already have individually insured. Home insurance would be important though, even if you forego homeowners insurance. The home insurance will help you keep a bit of sanity and hopefully help in case you need it. That kind of insurance is something I would really want to check on, look into and verify with other customers of whoever I was thinking about going with.

The biggest problem I know of with home insurance is choosing what and who. Choosing what to insure and choosing who to insure with. You hear stories on the news about companies not paying, weaseling out by using small print or lawyers to twist what was written to mean something else. It is sometimes difficult to know who to go with, at least it is a problem I am having.
 

There are a few things you need to think about for vacation, but they normally don’t take much and once you are done with them you get to enjoy your vacation. Vacations are great though, because all you have to worry about are certain things, maybe travel insurance or immunizations, customs and immigration. The immunizations are really important if you are going to Africa or South America, places that often have more undeveloped areas. Visas are important to check as well, but only so you can get back out of the country after enjoying your vacation.

When you are out on vacation it is great because you are only there for a bit then you go back to what you are used to, but living at your vacation spot means you have to get used to a whole new bunch of things. That is not bad and many people have done it, but after awhile you tend to miss all the other stuff. At least I did. I know, should be satisfied with what you have and in general I am but I guess I have just moved around to much to be used to a place that doesn’t include a lot of different choices for multiple things.  I am thinking about land and property for sale in Brazil, because it looks like it would be a nice place to live for a year or two. Anybody else thought about moving to Brazil? Rio? Places like that? I have a couple friends who were recently down there visiting and are seriously considering going back and staying, they really loved it while they were there. Many places, though, are great for vacation and not so much so for living. Not that you really get tired of the beauty there but you grow to miss the things that paradise often doesn’t have. Things like seasons and choices in the grocery store.
 

You may be you are one of those who would not have to worry about a loan, and would be able to just purchase a house outright. If you can do that, more power to you! I want to be doing that soon myself! However, something a person would probably be concerned with if they are planning or thinking about buying a house is, of course, loans. A house loan, specifically. At the moment I am thinking about different options for loans, getting somewhat serious about picking up a house. I am certainly getting closer to that point. Although, may have a month or two more, who knows.

I have used the loan calculator several times on my bank’s site; it is definitely something you are going to want to play with when you are thinking about a loan. I don’t mean the specific one I am using, your bank most likely has the same thing and if you look online you will be able to find a whole lot of others offering the same type of calculator, some even have more stuff you can play with. Just give them a call and see what they have to offer. You might be surprised what they can do for you.

I talked to my bank’s loan broker but probably need to go back to see how things stand now. I spoke to them before the bank failures occurred and the other bank stuff hit the fan. I don’t know what has changed exactly in my case, might be nothing because as far as the bank is concerned I am probably in about the same position as when I spoke to them a while ago. Which is not a bad place to be with all that has happened since then.
 

I often need repetition myself to get things. It’s not that I have a hard head, although some would claim that, but I do have a lot going on so some things get passed over if I haven’t thought about them in a while. This week is going to be about housing, buying and what you need to think about. Talking about it because the less important things tend to get dropped off the edge of my mind into a temporary storage area . This is great and the only problem with it is that after a certain time I tend to dump everything in there whether I wanted to or not. It makes it more challenging sometimes to keep certain things in mind all the time.

It is very convenient being in an apartment, especially a good one! Makes it harder to move sometimes. The yard work is taken care of, garbage and sewage are taken care of. And if something breaks you don’t have to buy a replacement or repair things yourself you just call the manager and they normally take care of it. Being in an apartment is not bad, but there is something about a house.

I have been thinking about the different aspects of housing because buying the first new house is a bit nerve wracking. There are so many things to consider. I have talked about a few already in previous posts, and to be honest I will probably be talking about some of them again until it sticks, and I get it. Once I get it then I can start considering the other stuff about after you have a new house. Like the regular upkeep costs and other things I will have to cover, instead of not worrying about it with an apartment or condo.
 

I posted before about winter driving coming up, I am already doing neck exercises in an effort to prevent whiplash. Gotta keep the body in shape if you are going to drive at all. It is almost its own work out anymore. A few stretches before driving, just in case and some light strength training to make sure your own frame is in good shape to handle whatever some idiot in another car may decide to do. Stupid drivers are most likely one of the leading causes of constant increases in life insurance policies. And they can be so creative in their stupidity. I bet everybody even non drivers can think of a few stories of their own, examples of perfect idiocy in driving. Heck, there are websites and posts galore talking about it. A person could create their own blog and dedicate it specifically to stupid drivers or the effect on term insurance and life cover cost. They would probably be able to fill it just from their own experiences, especially if they have a daily commute. Driving just once or twice a week would provide enough material for at least a full week. Although I would be quite happy if it were not that way. Push for drivers’ awareness, there should be a day about that. You drive? Be aware!

I was driving again and started thinking about whiplash, mainly because of idiot drivers. They kind of bring up those kind of thoughts when I have to swerve to avoid them or slam on the brakes because they don’t know how to drive. You may be wondering about my driving abilities if I am having to slam on the brakes, but I can vouch for myself. Truly, trust me.  Some of these drivers out there are almost guaranteed to cause injury to somebody just from the moment of their sliding into the driver’s seat.  Watching the news or having a daily commute is the best advertising there is for life insurance.
 

I realized I swear way too much when driving. I don’t really get pissed off much, so I am not really a road rager, but I do get irritated quite often. I have had a few passengers mention my vocabulary choice, between their screams of fear.  (That was a joke! My passengers don’t usually scream in fear at my driving). I don’t swear much otherwise, I try not too anyway, but get me in a car and my language drops a level or two. It took me a bit to realize it myself but after the thirtieth swear word in five minutes I realized I might have an issue. Which is one of the reasons I am working at calm driving. Zen, right. Be the car, be the road. Forgive the idiot.

You know what really irks me? Well don’t worry, I am going to tell you. Drivers, or wanna be drivers. I really hate those that drive slow and then get mad about being tailgated. Heck, get out of the way! That famous saying says it all, “LEAD, FOLLOW or GET OUT OF THE WAY!” Road rage is often understandable, one of the few things I completely understand cause it is so easy to catch. I know we should all be very calm and forgiving but it is quite hard to do that sometimes. I try to be courteous when I can but to be honest and to see both sides of a story I am sure I have been the cause of other people’s road rage on more than one occasion. Probably right after I cut them off or sat on their butt until they got out of the way or I could get around them. Even if that meant having using an open shoulder as a lane.
 

Looking into finances a person probably has checked on savings news, although I am not really sure all that much about what kind of news you could find, other than changes in rates. If you are really interested in it checking on the different kinds of accounts is definitely something a person needs to be doing. You could also check on online expatriate savings if you are like me, out of your place. I am thinking that an advisor is always a good thing, but sometimes they cost a bit. Luckily you can find all sorts of free financial information and advice online, even stuff on SIPP Investments. Just take it all with a grain of salt and make sure to verify any news or information you come across with several different sources. Otherwise you could end up taking the wrong person or site’s advice and seriously regret it.

Yep, Back to finances, talking about them is a good way to keep them in the forefront of our minds. It helps us to keep focused, at least that is the excuse I am using to keep posting about them. I am hoping to help myself, kind of selfish of me I know but hey, we all have to start somewhere. Right. It’s why you can probably see a few recurring themes in what I post every week.

One reason for looking into financial matters other than for your own is of course to protect and provide for your family. Things like a child trust fund or savings accounts set up for a child’s college adventure are always of importance to many people. Especially parents and grandparents.  It all kind of ties together actually, taking care of your family also entails looking into or at least thinking about life insurance, just in case. And of course providing a house. Hey! I guess my posts have mostly been family oriented! Not going to buy it huh? Well I thought it sounded good.
 

Raising children who are ignorant of the concept of consequences is a sure way to failure as a society, and to be honest there is only so much of that people will put up with.  If you do something you are responsible for it. Period. There is no blaming your actions on somebody else, not if you really want to live and not hide in fear. The reactions of parents to the recent speech by President Obama was a sad commentary on the current condition of parenting in the states, and probably all over. Stations did have interviews with children after the speech and most kids said it was motivating and just telling them to be responsible for themselves. That gave me hope for the kids, I just hope their parents don’t screw them up.

In the states, the President recently did his speech for the school children. Nothing new really, most every President does one. Some have been fairly controversial, like this one. Which, to clear the air quickly, is stupid. I was watching some news clips and there was this lady with her husband on, she was in tears cause her kid would have to listen to the President talk about being responsible for yourself and how the future of the country is in their hands. I could have slapped her, I definitely felt very sad for any kids she raises. All sorts of descriptions came to mind, white trash being the nicest. I couldn’t believe the fuss people were making about it. Made me proud that I wasn’t a parent to be honest. Which is also sad in a way. I wouldn’t want any kid I had raised alongside kids whose parents behaved like that. Don’t they get it? Consequences happen, you can’t hide a kid from them, damnit! Why don’t they teach a child to deal with them, to be aware of them and to act in a way that takes consequences for their own actions into consideration? It is not a consequence free universe and protecting the children too much will just make it so much harder for them later in life when they have to face up to what they have done. They need to learn first that what they do will have an effect, be it good or bad.
 

I haven’t tried to see about offshore or international properties yet. Perhaps invest in Panama real estate. I am sure that there are apps for the iPhone that will do that. It would be interesting I think. I may have to see if I can find one because it would be pretty cool to see what kinds of properties are available in various parts of the world. Places I am interesting in, anyway. Maybe see what I need to start saving for that nice little villa in the south of France or the quiet Mediterranean abode in the Greek archipelago; perhaps something in Argentina. I could learn to tango and melt by the beach. It’s almost enough to make a person decide to quit their job and pick up a ticket; start looking into an offshore financial service. Hmm, think I wandered off topic somewhat. 

I picked up a new application on my iPhone that I am finding I really like. Not sure if I mentioned it before or not. Zillow works great and lets you see what houses are on sale around you. So if you are looking for a new place and you have an iPhone it is something I would recommend. When you are driving around it is great to be able to open up the app and see what the price of that house you noticed is. Plus you can often see pictures of the place and other details as they are available.  It’s quite a neat little application. It really makes house hunting a lot more convenient and investments in housing a lot easier. I have been getting all of my friends who are looking for a place to try it. If you go out walking in the neighborhood you are interested in, you can use it to focus in on the places right around you, which is, again, quite convenient.
 

I tend to find myself thinking about time almost every day anymore. Things just get busier and busier and as that happens it often follows that less gets done. Comparatively more gets done but it feels like less is being accomplished. Which can cause even less to be done because we fall into the idea that we aren’t getting anything done so we start to feel somewhat incapable, when in fact we are already working at a higher than normal rate. People need to take breaks every once in a while, myself included. Take the time to refresh as you can and get caught up with yourself. It can be easy to find yourself lost and following along behind your actions wondering when you will get a minute to contemplate what has gone by. Although as I understand it some people aren’t that way, and find it nonsense to even think about thinking about what they have done or are doing. Self contemplation is truly anathema to some. However, one thing to keep in mind if you are into history or just interesting facts, kuon is written on the temple at Delphi, something that everyone who entered saw as they passed through to the inside. It means, “Know yourself.”

Writing and studying is a two edged sword, especially when you need to do both. Both are great fun, but having both to do cuts into how much of each you can get done. It makes it challenging to complete things in a timely manner, mainly because timely becomes highly subjective and you get lost in the minutes. No, I am not drinking anything, just letting the thoughts wander so this is going to be another one of those  “what the” posts. It is easy to find that you haven’t any idea what you have been doing when you look up at the clock and wonder where the time has gone.