Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today - an On going Thread #3]

Frugal Dad .com ^ | July 23, 2009 | Frugal Dad

[nw_arizona_granny]

Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

The Frugal Roundup

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

A Few Others I Enjoyed

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

[gardengirl]

dried lima soup**

Gonna make a big pot tom—and a nice big pan of cornbread! LOL

[gardengirl]

Dragon lovers****

Thanks, Granny!

Might just have to make that one! I do love my dragons!

[nw_arizona_granny]

Cyber Security Tip ST04-020

Protecting Portable Devices: Data Security

In addition to taking precautions to protect your portable devices, it is
important to add another layer of security by protecting the data itself.

Why do you need another layer of protection?

Although there are ways to physically protect your laptop, PDA, or other
portable device (see Protecting Portable Devices: Physical Security for more
information), there is no guarantee that it won’t be stolen. After all, as
the name suggests, portable devices are designed to be easily transported.
The theft itself is, at the very least, frustrating, inconvenient, and
unnerving, but the exposure of information on the device could have serious
consequences. Also, remember that any devices that are connected to the
internet, especially if it is a wireless connection, are also susceptible to
network attacks (see Securing Wireless Networks for more information).

What can you do?

* Use passwords correctly - In the process of getting to the information
on your portable device, you probably encounter multiple prompts for
passwords. Take advantage of this security. Don’t choose options that
allow your computer to remember passwords, don’t choose passwords that
thieves could easily guess, use different passwords for different
programs, and take advantage of additional authentication methods (see
Choosing and Protecting Passwords and Supplementing Passwords for more
information).

* Consider storing important data separately - There are many forms of
storage media, including CDs, DVDs, and removable flash drives (also
known as USB drives or thumb drives). By saving your data on removable
media and keeping it in a different location (e.g., in your suitcase
instead of your laptop bag), you can protect your data even if your
laptop is stolen. You should make sure to secure the location where you
keep your data to prevent easy access. It may be helpful to carry
storage media with other valuables that you keep with you at all times
and that you naturally protect, such as a wallet or keys.

* Encrypt files - By encrypting files, you ensure that unauthorized people
can’t view data even if they can physically access it. You may also want
to consider options for full disk encryption, which prevents a thief
from even starting your laptop without a passphrase. When you use
encryption, it is important to remember your passwords and pass phrases;
if you forget or lose them, you may lose your data.
* Install and maintain anti-virus software - Protect laptops and PDAs from
viruses the same way you protect your desktop computer. Make sure to
keep your virus definitions up to date (see Understanding Anti-Virus
Software for more information). If your anti-virus software doesn’t
include anti-spyware software, consider installing separate software to
protect against that threat (see Recognizing and Avoiding Spyware and
Coordinating Virus and Spyware Defense for more information).

* Install and maintain a firewall - While always important for restricting
traffic coming into and leaving your computer, firewalls are especially
important if you are traveling and using different networks. Firewalls
can help prevent outsiders from gaining unwanted access (see
Understanding Firewalls for more information).

* Back up your data - Make sure to back up any data you have on your
computer onto a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or network (see Good Security Habits
and Real-World Warnings Keep You Safe Online for more information). Not
only will this ensure that you will still have access to the information
if your device is stolen, but it could help you identify exactly which
information a thief may be able to access. You may be able to take
measures to reduce the amount of damage that exposure could cause.
_________________________________________________________________

Authors: Mindi McDowell, Matt Lytle
_________________________________________________________________

Produced 2004 by US-CERT, a government organization.

Note: This tip was previously published and is being
re-distributed to increase awareness.

Terms of use

http://www.us-cert.gov/legal.html

This document can also be found at

http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-020.html

For instructions on subscribing to or unsubscribing from this
mailing list, visit

http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/signup.html.

[nw_arizona_granny]

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov
Health Canada, www.hc-sc.gc.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2010
Release # 10-125

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 492-6333
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Starbucks Recalls Glass Water Bottles Due to Laceration Hazard

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Glass Water Bottles

Units: About 11,000 in the United States and 1,200 in Canada

Importer: Starbucks Coffee Company, of Seattle, Wash.

Hazard: The glass water bottle and/or its stopper can shatter when the consumer is removing or inserting the stopper, posing a laceration hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 10 reports of either glass stoppers or water bottles shattering, including eight reports of hand lacerations.

Description: This recall involves clear glass water bottles with SKU number 11003503. The 20-ounce water bottles have the words “Glass Water Bottle” printed on a blue label affixed to the bottle.

Sold at: Starbucks company-operated stores and at Starbucks locations in Safeway and Target stores nationwide during January 2010 for about $9.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the glass water bottles and return the product to the Starbucks location where purchased to receive a full refund. Starbucks is also offering a complimentary beverage, of any size, to consumers upon return of the glass water bottles.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Starbucks at (877) 492-6333 between 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.starbucks.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=956

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10125.html

[nw_arizona_granny]

Goats the new chickens

As urban farming gains strength, small goats are proving popular as entertaining
and intelligent pets in backyards throughout the United States.

While many communities still ban goats, other cities such as Seattle, Portland,
Ore., and Oakland, Calif., are changing zoning laws to accommodate small goats.

In Portland, the newspaper Willamette Week predicted goats will replace chickens
as must-have backyard companions this year.

---

Alemany Farm - Bring the Land to the People

The complete antithesis of the rural idyll that many might associate with farming,
the 4-1/2 acre Alemany Farm is located just off the decidedly non-bucolic Highway
280 in San Francisco, adjacent to a public housing project.

But its tough exterior
contrasts sharply with its benevolent mission of educating, engaging, and feeding
its urban constituency through the organic food it grows. I spoke recently with
Alemany’s co-manager, Jason Mark, who, when he’s not harvesting carrots and kale,
is editing the quarterly environmental magazine, Earth Island Journal.

---

School Adds Weeding to Reading and Writing

THOSE who believe trends start on the West Coast and are perfected on the East Coast
might add to their argument a garden planned for an elementary school in Brooklyn.

This summer, supporters will tear up a quarter-acre of asphalt parking lot behind
P.S. 216 in the Gravesend neighborhood and start building the first New York affiliate
of the Edible Schoolyard program, developed by the restaurateur Alice Waters of
Chez Panisse.

---

Growing Bridges: Community Gardens and Civic Governments

Community gardens and other forms of urban agriculture (UA) make vital contributions
to the environmental sustainability, food security, and economic prosperity of urban
life. Community gardens also improve cities’ social, recreational, and aesthetic
qualities. Yet growers continue to struggle for access to land and mechanisms to
expand agriculture within cities. An umbrella organization that advocates and negotiates
for land access and favourable government policies on behalf of growers could be
an effective tool for increasing UA within the City of Vancouver.

---

Baltimore’s newest urban farming venture - a trio of plastic-skinned hoop greenhouses

Though it’s nearly freezing outside, fresh arugula, kale and more greens are flourishing
in Hoop Village. That’s the name given to Baltimore’s newest urban farming venture
- a trio of plastic-skinned hoop greenhouses on the historic Lake Clifton schools
campus.

The structures, finished in October, are already yielding harvests that will provide
wholesome snacks to some city elementary students this winter. And students at the
three Lake Clifton schools are helping to raise the food they’ll be eating.

---

Backyard Harvest one yard at a time - Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Backyard Harvest’s mission is to strengthen the Twin Cities local foods infrastructure
one yard at a time by turning lawns into nourishing and healthy landscapes. We connect
eaters directly to their food, neighbors to one another, and urban farmers to professional
opportunities.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All these stories here:
City Farmer News [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102973735600&s=1304&e=001j1AbT50_xqckFhWUyozxlDNTJHPdqW7c_7gJcrOnOxVG4Exz6pHUO_DT1qnNrJbD_sQuyIrFHRzhc3QM0DOucu-Yg4wjramR3qjP7_H7Kluy85_dDuhPaw==]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture
1978-2010

[gardengirl]

Ah, Granny! You know I love my goats! LOL

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan10/fraud_012910.html

INVESTORS BEWARE
Stock Fraud Case Offers Lessons
01/29/10

Handcuffs on stock charts
If you’re not familiar with “pump-and-dump” fraud schemes, it might be a good time to get educated.

That’s because the FBI and its partners are now wrapping up an investigation of such a scam that was so massive it took the better part of a decade to unravel. So far, our joint investigation has uncovered more than 40 schemes, convicted 40 perpetrators, identified thousands of victims in nearly every state and several foreign countries, and discovered hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.

share.gif
In Operation “Shore Shells,” so-named because it involved fake (or shell) companies and began in the coastal area of southern New Jersey, a group of co-conspirators—CEOs, stock brokers, CPAs, financial advisors, attorneys, etc.—had been engaging in pump-and-dump and other schemes for years.

stock chart

How ‘Pump and Dump’ Works

First, there’s the glowing press release about a company, usually on its financial health or some new product or innovation.

Then, newsletters that purport to offer unbiased recommendations may suddenly tout the company as the latest “hot” stock. Messages in chat rooms and bulletin board postings may urge you to buy the stock quickly or to sell before the price goes down. Or you may even hear the company mentioned by a radio or TV analyst.

Unsuspecting investors then purchase the stock in droves, pumping up the price. But when the fraudsters behind the scheme sell their shares at the peak and stop hyping the stock, the price plummets, and innocent investors lose their money.

Fraudsters frequently use this ploy with small, thinly traded companies because it’s easier to manipulate a stock when there’s little or no information available about the company. To steer clear of potential scams, always investigate before you invest.

Steps You Can Take

- Don’t believe the hype
- Find out where the stock trades
- Independently verify claims
- Research the opportunity
- Watch our for high-pressure pitches
- Always be skeptical

- Learn more about “pump and dump” schemes at SEC.gov.
How do these scams work? In this case, the ringleaders created shell companies whose penny stock (worth less than $5 a share) was traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (not on the more widely known New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ). They secretly issued most of the shares for themselves in fictitious names, then touted their companies’ stock through false statements in press releases, electronic bulletin board postings, online newsletters, and the like.

Often using their retirement funds, unsuspecting investors purchased the highly-touted stock—or their unscrupulous financial advisors did so without their knowledge—driving or “pumping” up the price. Then, the fraudsters “dumped,” or sold, their stock for thousands or millions of dollars, causing the stock to plummet and innocent investors to lose their shirts.

In many cases, the losses were significant. And while running an undercover operation and gathering enough evidence to put the criminals behind bars, our focus has been on helping victims get some of their hard-earned money back. We spent years interviewing more than 600 mainly elderly victims, painstakingly documenting their sometimes heartbreaking losses. For example:

*
We assisted a doctor from a prestigious hospital who began suffering from severe depression after learning of the scam and became unable to work.
*
To help a husband and wife who had both developed dementia during the investigation, our agents traveled to their nursing home and spent hours with them, their family members, and their accountants to substantiate their financial losses.
*
We worked with a man suffering from multiple sclerosis whose stockbroker had liquidated his pension and IRA and left him nearly penniless.
*
We learned of another victim who not only invested her savings and her pension, but also took out a second mortgage to invest more. Needless to say, she lost everything.

It was worth the effort. So far, more than 100 seizures and forfeitures totaling over $70 million in cash, artwork, jewelry, homes, cars, and other valuables have been made, and criminals have been ordered to pay more than $130 million in restitution. We expect millions more to be forfeited and repaid to the victims.

Because of their work on behalf of the victims in this case, the investigative team—comprised of special agents from our Atlantic City Resident Agency (out of the Newark FBI office), a Criminal Investigation agent from the Internal Revenue Service, and the Newark FBI’s victim/witness specialist—was awarded the FBI Director’s Annual Award for Distinguished Service for Assisting Victims of Crime.

Resources:
- Press release (1/21/2010)
- Press release (2/24/2007)

[nw_arizona_granny]

This message contains the following:

1. Rechargeable Batteries Used with Touch Panels for Audio/Visual Systems Recalled by AMX Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10035.html

2. Summit Treestands Recalls Hunting Tree Stand Brackets Due to Fall Hazard
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10126.html

3. FAF Inc. Recalls Children’s Necklaces Sold Exclusively at Walmart Stores Due to High Levels of Cadmium http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10127.html

[nw_arizona_granny]

marking for droolin’<<<

LOL, how do you think it affects me?

I can see how folks get fat, if they cooked all the good recipes that I have read the past year.

[nw_arizona_granny]

dried lima soup**

Gonna make a big pot tom—and a nice big pan of cornbread! LOL<<<

True “Soul” food.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Might just have to make that one! I do love my dragons!<<<

Go to the link in the main doll article for reading the newsletter on line and work backwards, for they have had many free dragon patterns over the years.

There was even, at one time, one small enough to be worn as a lapel pin.

Careful, you are about to get hooked in another passion, dolls and all related.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ah, Granny! You know I love my goats! LOL<<<

As I do also.

Did you hear me shout with glee, when I read the title on the newletter?

I would give a lot, to see an end to the soy milk, 1% and 2% milk, etc.

I can’t do the % milks, LOL, my idea of milk, is enough cream to leave a mustache!!!!

And all that wonderful fertilizer.

Folks thought that I was nuts a few years ago, I ordered and planted a amaranth/pigweed plant that grew 8’ tall and could be used for goat food........I prefer its leaves over spinach.

In the greenhouse it really grew to the ceiling, I kept a few growing, thinking that if it got bad I would move the goats to the greenhouse.

LOL, yes, I did plant Kudzu years ago and it will not grow here.

[Joya]

I enjoyed a blogpost, the writer was getting ready for church and had to change her clothes due to being splattered with mud by a pig. When she got to church, she glanced in the mirror before going in, and she had honey on her cheek and mud on her ear. Great story, here is the link

http://coalcreekfarm.com/2008/08/theyre-pigs/

[Joya]

This one is good too

http://coalcreekfarm.com/2009/04/pigs-on-coal-creek-farm-and-im-not-referring-to-my-children/

[Quix]

thx thx

[Quix]

thx thx

[Joya]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5huVSebZpM

Must-see video, new CPR method.

[Joya]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5huVSebZpM

Must-see video, new CPR method.

[Quix]

THX.

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fox5vegas.com/news/22384968/detail.html

Underemployment’ Tops 19 Percent In Nevada

POSTED: 9:09 pm PST January 29, 2010
UPDATED: 9:24 pm PST January 29, 2010
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said in his State of the Union that “one in 10 Americans still cannot find work.” But in nine states – including Nevada — the figure is closer to one in five.

The official unemployment rate of 10 percent doesn’t include people who are working part-time

[snipped]

Michigan’s so-called “underemployment” rate was 21.5 percent in 2009, the highest in the nation. California’s was 21.1 percent, and Oregon’s was 20.7 percent.

Nationwide, the underemployment rate was 17.3 percent in December, just below the 17.4 percent reached in October, which was the highest on records dating from 1994.

In South Carolina, Nevada, and Rhode Island, the underemployment rate is above 19 percent. In Arizona, Florida and Tennessee, it’s above 18 percent.

Previous Stories:

* January 22, 2010: Vegas Jobless Have Little But Faith Left
* January 22, 2010: Nevada Jobless Rate Rises To 13 Percent
* January 18, 2010: Nevada Bankruptcy Filings Surge In New Year
* December 31, 2009: Unemployment Tops 2009’s Biggest Stories