Dish Network Chief Talks About Auto Hop

courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net

In a rare interview with the Wall Street Journal, DISH Chairman Charlie Ergen talked about his daughter's braces, poker and why he wants Dish's Hopper DVR to Auto Hop all network TV ads for recorded primetime shows.

As a viewer, I totally agree! Why make viewers sit through 18 minutes of ads per hour? You know they will walk away and tune out anyway. I often resort to muting the commercials because they are so annoying.

My take on Auto Hop and why network ads execs should think of creative solutions rather than start an ugly fight.

TV Networks Want to Pause Dish Network’s 'Auto Hop' Ad-Skipping DVR

Fake Debt Collectors Scam Americans by Collecting Phantom Debt

Courtesy: freedigitalphotos.net

Yahoo's main page today features an article and video by ABC News, titled "Phantom Debt Collectors From India Harass Americans, Demand Money." The issue was reported in February 2012 by the Wall Street Journal, in an article titled "India’s Fake Debt Collectors Said to Target U.S. Citizens."

While not a victim of this particular scam, I once stood up to a debt collection agency to fight back a debt that should not have been mine. Understanding the process and making the deadlines was the key to my success.

For more info on fake collection calls, please visit FTC's site.

4 Key Post IPO Dates Investors Should Take Note Of

While the secondary stock market is largely a free market where demand and supply for stock create a market price, initial public offerings (IPO) are different. After the initial price and size of the offering are set by the underwriting syndicate managing the IPO, there are several legitimate methods that brokerage firms underwriting the IPO use to restrict additional supply of shares, which would be a drag on the stock price. Oftentimes, after these restrictions are lifted, the stock price takes a step down. As a result, IPO investors should mark these key post IPO dates on their calendars, when an IPO stock's price could face downward pressure. Read more here...

Starbucks Yet to Stop Using Cochineal Coloring Made from Beetles

As of June 7, Starbucks is still a few weeks away from transitioning away from the cochineal or beetle based red dye used in Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino blended beverage and Strawberry Banana Smoothie. Cochineal extract, also known as carmine is also used in food offerings such as Raspberry Swirl Cake, Birthday Cake Pop, Mini Donut with pink icing, and Red Velvet Whoopie Pie.

In April bowing to pressure, Starbucks had announced it would use tomato based lycopene to color its foods and beverages red or pink. Yet, before it made the switch, the company ran a promotion last month when all its Frappuccino drinks, including the beetle dye strawberry one, was on sale at half price in the afternoon.

A local Starbucks barista confirmed today that they have not seen the new formulation.

Read more about cochineal beetles and Starbucks' initiative here.

Is President Obama Paying Your Utility or Electric Bills?

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A new scam by identity thieves is targeting utility customers nationwide. It involves a rumor that President Obama is paying American consumers' electricity or utility bills.

Recently, a rather disturbing email popped up in my inbox. On June 6, my utility company alerted me to a nationwide payment scam where scammers, posing as utility billing personnel were calling to tell customers of a one time payment by President Barack Obama towards utility bills. All the customer had to do was provide a social security number and verify some personal information and their electric bill would be paid, just one time, by President Obama. The funds would be wired by a Federal Reserve Bank, whose (incorrect) routing number was then provided by the scammers.

On June 27, Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) sent out a warning letter to its customers.

According to the utility companies, the scammers also used text messages, email, even social media to lure customers into believe that a single bill would be paid with a federal credit or payment.

President Barack Obama providing credits or applying payments to utility bills sound too good to be true? It is. Giving your social security number away is an invitation for identity theft.

While the reach of the scam is still increasing, electric and natural gas utilties in CO, FL, IA, GA, KS, MI, MS, NC, NJ, NY, TN, TX, UT, VA etc have already sent out warning emails to their clients. The scam has also been reported on Snopes and various local media, such as a CBS affiliate in Dallas.
While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services does offer a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), no universal credit is being made available by President Obama to pay utility bills for all Americans.

My utility has advised customers who believe are victims of the ulitity bill payment scam to notify the proper authorities, such as local police and report the incident to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) at (800) 242-5846 or (973) 504-6200. LIPA did not provide a contact number in their letter. Residents in other states should contact their own consumer affairs divisions.

No matter what the temptation, I will never provide my social security or other sensitive information over the phone. Here are some of my other safety tips.


Protecting Against Identity Fraud and Preserving My Security on Facebook
What I Would Do If I Lost My Wallet
Credit Card Lessons that I Have Learned

10 Reasons Why You Should Start Investing Early in a 401(k) Plan

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Less than 50% of the people in their 20s invest in a 401(k) plan at their workplace. But the power of compounding works in favor of the early saver. A person contributing only $5,000 each year (less than $500 per month) starting at age 25 will have a bigger nest egg than a person contributing $10,000 each year, starting at age 35 (assuming 8% rate of return). Here are some other reasons why I started saving for my retirement in my early 20s.

How to Save Up to 40% on Major Appliance Purchases

Buying a major appliance such as a refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher or cooking range can cause a big dent to the wallet. Here are some ways I save off the list price. These have helped me save 30-40% for planned purchases (when I was flexible with choosing a brand, a model or a color) and 10-20% when a purchase was unplanned and I had only a day or two to shop. Read more here...

Best Places to Watch New York City Macys Fourth of July Fireworks

Looking for information on the best spots to view the NYC Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks in New York? Here is a local expert's guide.

When: July 4^th at approximately 9:20 pm and lasting 25 minutes (rain date July 5^th). For best seats, plan to arrive before 7 pm.

How to get there: Due to various street closures and parking restrictions, viewers are strongly urged to take mass transit. For information on watching NYC Macy's Fireworks from Manhattan, please visit the official Macy's 4^th of July Fireworks website. If you are watching from New Jersey, your public commute options include PATH, NY Waterway Ferry, NJ Transit, and Hudson Bergen Light Rail.

Where: The NYC Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks show will be set off from six barges positioned on the Hudson River, stretching from 18th to 43rd Streets in Manhattan. This corresponds to the city of Weehawken, which is directly across from the barges, and north Hoboken.

Where to stay overnight: If you are planning to stay at a hotel, the W Hoboken should provide fantastic views of the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks as it is a waterfront property and the highest building in Hoboken with unobstructed views stretching from George Washington Bridge to Statue of Liberty. It is within walking distance of the PATH and downtown Hoboken ferry. The other option the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel, which would provide a more close up view of the Macy's 4th of July fireworks. The Lincoln Harbor ferry (from 38th Street Pier in Manhattan) gets you to the doorstep of the Sheraton Lincoln Harbor Hotel.

Manhattan

Every year, tens of thousands of tourists come to New York City to witness the largest fireworks display in the USA--The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks. According to the official Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks website, the best views from New York City are on the West Side Highway (12^th Avenue) below 59^th Street, which can be entered through access points listed on the website. The actual barges from where the Macy's fireworks go off are located between 18^th Street and 43^rd Street on the Hudson River. The Macy's NYC fireworks are not visible from the East River, Long Island City or other points in Queens, Battery Park, or the Hudson River walkway north of 59^th Street.

However, crossing the Hudson River and coming to New Jersey will help you not only get front row seats to the fireworks show along the miles of public waterfront walkways on the NJ Gold Coast, but also the stunning backdrop of the Manhattan skyline behind it.

Weehawken

My top picks for watching the NYC Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are, not surprisingly, in Weehawken. The best views should come from JFK Boulevard East on top of the cliffs. However, Kennedy Boulevard East is closed for traffic beginning early afternoon, and open to pedestrians from then on. New for 2012 is a waterfront walkway that now connects Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken with North Hoboken. This gets you front row seats right in front of the fireworks barges.

JFK Boulevard East (from Highwood Terrace to about 50th Street)
Waterfront walkways from 19th Street onward
Lincoln Harbor Park (Weehawken residency proof required)

Hoboken

Sinatra Drive from First Street to 15th Street is a waterfront road with public walkways along much of it. New for 2012, this walkway now connects to Weekhawken's Lincoln Harbor. This stretch will be closed to traffic and open to pedestrians for viewing the NYC Macy's 4^th of July fireworks. A portion of the street is generally reserved for food vendors, although the famed Washington Street with many restaurants is only three blocks away. As a reminder, north Hoboken, especially around 10^th and 15^th Street has unobstructed viewing of the fireworks on the Hudson. In 2011, the newly opened Pier C Park, a $25 million park on the Hudson River was closed off for security purposes. Do not plan for it to be open. Some other spots in Hoboken to watch the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks on Hudson River include:

Hudson Tea
Maxwell Place
Pier A Park

Jersey City

Since the cancellation of the fireworks show in Liberty State Park, Jersey City officials have been urging visitors to go to Weehawken or Hoboken instead. However, since many of the fireworks should reach up to 1500 feet in height, you will probably get a decent view of the New York city 4^th of July fireworks from Exchange Place, which has a fantastic pier and walkway, and amazing views of downtown Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

Restrictions

The cities of Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City typically impose a variety of restrictions for the 4th of July fireworks. Street closings, no parking areas and a zero tolerance toward barbecuing, public consumption of alcohol, and in some cases, rooftop viewing, apply. Due to safety issues, several of the best Hudson River waterfront parks in Weehawken and Hoboken that should provide great views to the Macy's fireworks are also expected to be closed. Chief amongst these are: Hamilton Plaza, Weehawken Stadium, and the new Waterfront Park in Weehawken, and the new Pier C Park and Sinatra Park in Hoboken. For a complete list of street closures and restrictions, and hours of service of mass transit, please check the links below.

Happy Fourth of July!

Useful Links:

PATH train

NY Waterway Ferry
Hudson Bergen Light Rail
Google Maps

City of Hoboken

City of Weehawken

Building a Tax-Advantaged College Fund for My Children

Courtesy: sxc.hu

This time each year, invitations for high school graduations begin arriving. Another year approaches towards sending my own kids to college. Like many parents, we are saving for our children's college education. However, there are many options to choose from, including 529 Plans, UTMA/UGMA, Coverdell ESA, Roth IRA and Education Savings Bonds, many of which are tax advantaged. Which ones do I like?

A Yahoo Finance article: First Person: Building a Tax-Advantaged College Fund for My Children

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-building-tax-advantaged-college-fund-children-183000212.html 

Graduates: Don't Let Lack of Money Stop You From Going to College

Choosing the right college and successfully graduating through planning, negotiation and hard work (and not student loans) set me off on an exciting career path and paved my road to future success. Don't let lack of money stop you from going to college! Read more here...