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    Tempted by a new car

    May I ask what model Mazda you have? I am on my 2nd one, and they have served me well. My first was a 1989 626 which I gave away at 211k miles (it was a stickshift and still had its original clutch!); I currently drive a 2002 Protege with 140k miles. I was going to change the timing belt last...
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    Any tips on buying a new car (online)?

    There was a good discussion on buying a new car, on the FatWallet site a couple of weeks ago: How to buy a new car, FWF style
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    Another sad but amazing story between China and America business

    Did you mean "wary"? Both words make sense in this context, but I think "wary" would be more appropriate here.
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    Replacing phone with VOIP

    Ooma Hub vs. Ooma Telo I am just about ready to pull the trigger and drop my landline with AT&T and switch to Ooma. I have been spending the last few days reading up this thread, as well as various Ooma discussion boards. One thing I am still unsure about, is the advantages/disadvantages of an...
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    Paying for College?

    I also wonder how much it has changed from my days... One thing which I found rather astounding, from talking to a French high-school teacher who retired in the US: when grading a written paper (good old rédactions or dissertations), teachers are not to grade on poor grammar and spelling. So...
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    Paying for College?

    Bonjour NW-Bound. Like you, I am a product of the French education system. Did you go through the "Math Sup/Math Spé" prep classes? (For US readers who may not familiar be with the French system: in France, if one wants to get into an elite school ["grandes écoles", literally "great schools"]...
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    Squeaking by on $300,000. It must be tough.

    Is Master Card like a bank, where everybody is either a VP or assistant VP? (am asking, not questioning).
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    Computer Help Needed

    If you google the error message, you'll see pages and pages of results. I have skimmed some of them, and the cause can be anything from a bad driver to overheating to cards that were not seated right. This little piece of freeware is very useful to identify exactly what is installed on your...
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    Vietnam

    This site has recent photos of Vietnam: Vietnam Photos | TrekEarth You can use the search box on the top right-hand ("Featured Destinations") to filter by city such as Hanoi, Saigon, etc. I left in 1980 and went back once, in 1997. I don't want to go back - I prefer to remember Saigon as it was...
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    Un Unistallable programs

    Have you tried CCleaner? It usually does get rid of things fairly efficiently. If you go to Majorgeeks.com or Sourceforge.net and search for "uninstall", you'll probably find several freeware utilities for uninstalling products. In Majorgeeks.com, look at the ratings and comments, that'll give...
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    Trying to figure out Ameriprise fees and my options

    Hunger, welcome to this forum. It is, by far, the most professional and useful forum that I frequent. Re Ameriprise, please read this article, and draw your own conclusions as to the expertise and value-add of Ameriprise advisors: Ameriprise Free Financial Consultation Experience » My Money Blog
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    TaxAct (state) and 529 plans

    Axtec, welcome to this board. It is by far the most professional and helpful board that I've ever been on. And thank you for your reply. It prompted me to go back into TaxAct and scrutinize all the screens. I finally found the 529 deduction in the NC version, and it was semi-hidden on the same...
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    TaxAct (state) and 529 plans

    Question for those who use TaxAct (state) and have a 529 plan: does TaxAct correctly handle the 529 deduction, if one exists? The reason I am asking is because NC recently changed its tax law and allows you to deduct up to $5K from your income if you have a 529 plan. I use TaxAct and can't find...
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    Internet help needed

    You can do it, and it's very straightforward. If you buy one of the newer wireless routers, they usually include a "wizard" to walk you through all the steps. Basically you'll have one cable going from the DSL wall outlet into your router, and all your laptops can connect to the router over...
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    TurboTax Filing Policy - News

    I am a new user of the download version of TaxAct, and I find that I can access most input screens with one or two clicks. So it sounds like the download version is a bit better than the online version in that regard. BTW, TaxAct just released their 1.0 version today. The previous one was v0.9...
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    TurboTax Filing Policy - News

    On a related subject: has anyone given TaxAct a test drive in the last few days? I downloaded it ($20 for federal + one state) and tried it out last night. I find it user-friendly enough that I am considering switching to it from TurboTax/TaxCut. The only thing that worries me is that TaxAct...
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    Max Gross Weight Take Off

    I actually flew in one of those IL-76, in 1994 in what was then Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of Congo). That aircraft is cavernous, and the one I was in was even equipped with a crane, inside the plane. There were 2 rows of jump seats, against each side of the fuselage. Each seat...
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    Pros/Cons of different martial arts?

    I agree with Nords: at age 4, it doesn't matter which MA your son is in. I did judo for a while. I broke my collarbone, and my tibia+fibula while sparring with much heavier opponents than me. You can see a number of MA here: AskMen.com - Top 10: Martial Arts I hope you'll see one that you like.
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    Dammit! Autism...

    Bimmerbill, I am sorry to hear the news. I am not sure where you are located, but Chapel Hill, NC is one of the places that are highly rated for their numerous resources for autistic children. The link below will show you a few more: tinyurl.com/6s626t
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    Turning 40, and ready to make a change

    If I were you, I would not give my employer 12 months' notice. One month is plenty.
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    Please tell me I can retire

    Have you budgeted for medical coverage? The way premiums are increasing, they could take a big chunk out of your monthly pensions.
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    Surgery/body Work

    Has any of you seen the stuff at awfulplasticsurgery.com? Wait for the right sidebar to load, and most likely you can look up your favorite actor or actress... Not a pretty sight, usually.
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    Is Ameriprise any good?

    Ameriprise (esp. their "P1" folks) is a joke when it comes to financial planning: Ameriprise Free Financial Consultation Experience » My Money Blog From an Ameriprise insider: The Unofficial American Express and Ameriprise Financial Advisors Consumer Opinion Web Site Message Boards - Working at...
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    Are there any early retirees with small pension???

    HuuTriNon - indeed we're from the same country. There are a few more of us on this board, such as "Sam" and "Van". BTW, Van has gone back for good and seems to like it there very much. You may be interested by this discussion we had a few months ago: Who is thinking of retiring in another...
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    Are there any early retirees with small pension???

    Hi Hu*u Tri' Non - like you I came to this country with just the clothes on my back, but a little bit later (1981). I think folks like us do know how to live simply! Have you been tracking your monthly expenses? That is a key piece of budgeting info. What about health insurance after your wife...
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