Recent content by cocobird

Former bank regulator here - credit scores vary according to lots of factors. It is only important if you are thinking of getting more credit, renting a property, getting insurance, having an employer check as part of its hiring process. Basically a score is a static representation of your...

I've read several articles indicating that most drugs are still effective after the expiration date for an extended period of time. I don't recall the name of the drug, but one article did state that one drug became "stronger" over time so that could be an issue. However, the name of that drug...

I was an examiner of financial institutions. First as a bank examiner (evaluating bank's management, financials, controls, and so on), then a compliance examiner (consumer protection, fair lending). Lots of opportunities to travel and meet people. Always interesting, but stressful.

Sometimes lost purses and wallets are drawn to people who return them. My DH and I have found a dozen of them over the years and always returned them intact. Most are relieved and grateful, although none have ever offered a reward or other thank you gift. We figured that their verbal thanks...

I am scheduled to go on a Road Scholar trip in August. The approximate $650 price is unbelievable for 6 nights lodging (own room in a 4 bedroom, 2 bath dorm), all meals, and all kinds of interesting stuff to explore (geology, dune buggy riding, 70 mile trip on the beautiful Rogue River, visit...

One consideration before completely paying off the mortgage is whether you think you'll need to borrow again or whether your credit score is used for other purposes. If you pay off a mortgage or other large installment debt, then it may affect your ability to borrow later. Although the pay-off...

Ellis Island DH loves Ellis Island for its award winning beers and tasty BBQ ribs; however, the casino is a throwback to the dark, smoke-filled places of yesteryear. It's a friendly local hangout. So if you're looking for clean air while gambling, you should avoid Ellis Island, unless they've...

Admittedly, I am a "late" adopter of technology and my laptop is 4 years old. My DH, however, has an incredible collection of computers including the Timex Sinclair he put together and a Commodore 64. He also used the TRS 80 at his semi-conductor job (they called it the Trash 80 back then) and...

rotating bonuses At one time, my workplace allocated bonuses to the top third. Since some of the managers were complete wimps, they rotated the top third each year so that everyone eventually got a bonus, whether deserved or not. What made it worse was that the employees were asked to...

Switched to class of 2011 Became officially retired after Thanksgiving. I was a rehired annuitant for a federal agency. Last March, my appointment was extended to May 31, 2012. Around July, I was advised that OPM ruled that the need for rehired annuitants was over and the appointments would...

The regulations have changed for the good faith estimate with regards to closing costs. The rules are somewhat confusing for consumers, but the bottom line is that the information is much more accurate nowadays, otherwise the lender ends up eating certain costs. So lenders are not low balling...

FDIC Considerations Hope this clarifies a couple of questions. Technically, FDIC doesn't close a bank. A financial institution that is covered by FDIC insurance has either a federal or state charter that authorizes it to operate. Only the chartering authority can close an institution and...

Had a date tell me I had a pleasant face. My sister later translated that as the nice way to say "plain". Course, my DH thinks I'm beautiful. Different strokes for different folks.

The Do Not Call (DNC) list doesn't seem to matter. I'm on DNC. I've also removed us from marketing materials and opt out from all third party or affiliate marketing (those privacy ads from banks). I'm still getting these calls.

Yep, getting one or two of these calls daily. I hang up on them. I am now getting my final warning that I will lose the opportunity for interest rate reductions. Since I automatically pay off every month, I don't care about the rate.