Infant Growth Spurts from 7th day
We had a baby boy on Christmas and it’s been good learning phase so far. Everything he does is new to us and we think he is having his first Growth Spurt from 7th day.
Things we noticed
- Increase in Feeding
- Sleep Habit is different in night compared to first few days.
When the baby is just 8 days old, its hard to get an established sleeping habits, but from day 7 we can certainly see lot of changes in feeding habits.
Coastal 24 Credit Union – Go Green Checking Account
Bank of America Checking account is good to have since they have branches all over the US, but it pays interest in pennies. So, 2 months back I opened Coastal Federal Credit Union’s Go Green Checking Account that offered 3.05% APY per year for maximum balance of 50,000, if you use ATM Card for atleast 12 times in a month.
Unfortunately just after 1 month, interest rates was lowered to 2.25% ,which is much better than Interest rates offered by Ally, HSBC Direct Savings or any other online Savings account.
It would be nice to have 3.05% but when the economy improves and Feds starts to increase the interest rates, Go Green Checking Account interest rates should go up.
Do you know any other bank that offers interest rates better than 2.25% APY?
Mortgage Refinance Without Home Appraisal
I locked the rates 25 days before and refinance went without any glitches yesterday evening. Just before I locked the mortgage rate, I was talking to 3 mortgage brokers. Also, I had reference for 2 more brokers. I decided to go with National Mortgage Alliance ( Upfront mortgage broker – suggested by Mortgage Professor) and when I told other broker that I locked the rates with NMA and I paid $300 as deposit to lock the rates, within few minutes he offered the rate match, 300 credit and process the loan without ordering home value appraisal. My current loan balance was 216,000 and estimated home value from Zillow and property tax value was 270,000 to 275,000. Since 805 of 270,000 is 216,000, if the home appraisal came less than 270,000 I will have to pay PMI.
I called up NMA to explain the offer other broker was giving me. NMA said, even they are not ordering appraisal. That was good news for me and so the loan approval process went smooth and so does the closing.
I came to know that NMA is not ordering appraisal, that could happen with any brokers or lenders. They could charge the borrower $300 to $600 home appraisal, but they could process the loan, without paying for appraisal. End of the day, its free money for them.
How to Avoid this?
I think, the best way to make sure home loan lender orders appraisal is to get a copy of the appraisal report. In that way, we can be sure, if we are not paying free money to them. Also, based on Credit Score and home value estimate they have is used to determine if appraisal is necessary.
Do you have any thought on this?
Dish Network Program Access Fee Waived
I called Dish Network to see if there is a way to reduce the monthly bill. I told Customer Service Rep about my customer experience was good so far and I did certainly like to stay with Dish Network, but I wanted to know if there is way to lower my monthly bill.
Program Access Fee Waived
I was transferred to Account Specialist and after looking over the account, he decided to waive the program access fee of $5.99 which I was paying every month. Dish Network requires their receiver (622) to be connected to landline phone connection. But, I was using Vonage as my landline. So, I had to pay $5.99 program access fee for last 3 years.
Now, I’m happy to get rid of that fee. I read in many forums about people asking Dish Network to play DirecTv card with them. I wanted to give it a try using the loyal customer card and it worked. Since, I was enrolled in Club Dish, which gives $5 monthly discount for referring a customer.
Other good thing was the program access fee is waived permanently. It was not for just 10 or 12 months. So, as long as I stay with Dish Network I pay $5.99 less in the monthly bill.
Turbo HD Package
Since I watch only few HD Channels and rarely used to watch other Non-HD package, I decided to move to Turbo HD package. It has the channels I want to watch and it save me bunch of greens every month. Above all the DVR and satellete receivers offered by Dish Network is much more advanced than the receiver offered by DirecTV.
2009/2010 Acord LX-P Buying Experience
I’m helping my brother to buy new Accord 2009 or 2010 LX-P. End of the years are usually good time of the year to get some good bargains in the car.
- Honda Accord 2009 or 2010
- Color – Gray ( Gray or black Interior)
- Sales Tax – 6.75%
- Destination charge – $710
Accord 2009 LX-P
According to Edmunds
- MSRP – $22,705
- Invoice – $20,592
- Target Out the door price – 20,000
Accord 2010 LX-P
- MSRP – 22855
- Invoice – 20727
- Target Out the door price – 20500
Quotes from Dealers
From Honda’s website for my brothers aread code and randomly selected 3 dealers. From their website, I sent the following email to their Internet Marketing Department
I’m looking for 2009 or 2010 Accord LX-P Gray on black. What is the invoice price on the car and out the door price on the car.
Note – No Phone calls please.
Thanks.
Within few minutes all the 3 dealers replied with following quotes
- 2010 Accord – LX-P Invoice ($20,727) + 710 + 299 documentation + T/T
- 2010 Honda Accord MSRP: $23,565; Invoice: $21,553; Internet Price: $20,996; Prices are plus tax, $398 documentary/admin. fee and $74 registration fee
- Our price for this vehicle is $19,327 + $100 processing fee, $710 destination ,and taxes and tags for your State
Now the baseline price was established. If one dealer can give the car for 19327, then there should be atleast 2000 profit for them in that car.
Looking at Edmunds for Honda 2010 Incentieces, I found the following
- Dealer Holdback – 2%
- Honda to Dealer Marketing Support – 1500
For the dealer who got the car from Honda for 20727 ( 2010) there is additional 2000 in profit. So, getting the car for Invoice out the door will be the good deal.
Car Salesperson Play Games
Car sales guys will try to make you come to the dealership, thats when they can make you buy the car. Try not to go to any dealership before you have negotiated the price.
To get you there they will quote much lower proce for the car over email ( or phone). When you get there they will show you the lower model.
Here is an example of how car sales person trick you
Car Sales Guy: My name is XXXXXXXX and I work at XXXXXXXX. I’ve been asked by my manager to see if there is anything I can do to assist you with our Honda Accords. First, I’d like to confirm that I can sell you a LX-P for 20,000. What time can you come by to take it for a test drive? If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at xxx-xxx-xxxx. Thank you for your time, and I hope you have a great day.
……
……
My Reply: My understanding is that you don’t have 2010 LX-P (Gray/Black) and the price you quoted was for 2009 (Silver).
Car Sales Guy: Your correct, I do not have a gray/black one, I’ve checked the entire dealership network, and from what I saw. There just aren’t any more left. They’ve also discontinued that color. I’m afraid the only real option you have, is if you consider a pre-owned Accord. I’ve also taken the liberty of checking our used car side and they are also currently out of this color too. I’d really like to fullfill your wishes, but unfortunatly I just can’t get it done. The reason I quoted you a 2009 because your email mentioned you would consider both, and lets be fair, while the two different years are exactly the same car. The only way you’ll be able to get this price is on an 2009.
Car Deal Negotiation
After getting the baseline price from 3 dealers, I sent email to lots of dealers in 3 nearby states. Some of them wants you to come and take a test drive. So, I changed the email contents to
Hi, I’m looking for 2010 Accord LX-P ( Gray on black). I have test driven the car and right now searching for the best deal. If you can beat the best offer I have so far, we have a deal.
Usually they will respond asking for the lowest offer I have so far.
We are still searching for the car. More details to be added as the search continues.
Review – Cafe Curry Leaves, Morrisville, NC
Cafe Curry Leaves – Indian Vegetarian restaurant opened 2 weeks back and we had dinner at Cafe Curry Leaves last night.
Review – Cafe Curry Leaves
- Food Taste – 4/10 ( Better than Rajbhog, Sambar had less salt and Spicy Chutney was good)
- Food Quality – 4.5/10 ( Idly was cold )
- Ambiance – 6/10
- Service - 3/10 ( Definitely need more waiter, Not all menu items were available. )
- Visit Again? – Will try once more after few months.
It would be good to have one more waiter to take the order and seat the customers. When we walked-in, it took a while to figure out, if we have to order the food (as in Cool Breeze) or Waiter will get order from the table.
1080p HD Is Coming to YouTube
From You Tube Blog
We’re excited to say that support for watching 1080p HD videos in full resolution is on its way. Starting next week, YouTube’s HD mode will add support for viewing videos in 720p or 1080p, depending on the resolution of the original source, up from our maximum output of 720p today.
As resolution of consumer cameras increases, we want to make sure YouTube is the best home on the web to showcase your content. For viewers with big monitors and a fast computer, try switching to 1080p to get the most out of the fullscreen experience.
Southpoint Mall, Durham – Free $10 Gift Card
Looking for value this holiday season? We’re rewarding The Streets at Southpoint Club Members with an exclusive offer – a FREE $10 mall gift card. Just print this email, grab your I.D., and bring it to the Merry Giving Gift Zone, designated by three giant shopping bags, between 11 A.M. and 6 P.M. on Saturday, November 14, 2009.
In addition, we’ve collected all the best deals and offers from our retailers and you’ll receive those special offers when you pick up your FREE Gift Card.
Spread the word to all your friends by clicking on the links below. Referred friends will need to provide a copy of this email and sign up for The Club at the Merry Giving Gift Zone to claim their Gift Card.
How to Lower Time Warner Internet Bill and Save $240
If you read personal finance blogs, you will see people finding ways to lower the monthly bills on Internet, Phone, Cable connection bills. I have been doing that for last few years and saved bunch of $$$. Our Time Warner Internet bill went up from $34.95 to $54.95. By default you will get Road Runner Standard 7 Mbps connection.
How to Lower the Bill
I called Time Warner Customer Service last evening and asked to speak to Customer Retention department, they handle requests like cancellation and discounts to bill. Don’t waste your time explaining the problem to Customer Rep who answers your call first.
Usually companies will give low monthly rate, if you can show a competitor with lower price, but this time around, I just asked to lower the rates to same $34.95 and they gave it to me for next 12 months.
It took about 5 minutes including the wait time and savings over $240 over next 12 months. Same rules apply to Dish Network, Vonageor other service providers. Let me know if you had success in lowering monthly bills?
Now Open – Cafe Curry Leaves at Morrisville, NC
Cafe Curry Leaves – New Indian Vegetarian restaurant is now open in Grace Park Complex located at intersection Davis Drive and Morrisville Carpenter Road ( behind Quizos, Starbucks). I’m sure after disappointing food at Rajbhog at Morrisville, if Curry Leaves can serve tasty vegetarian south India food and Chaat, it will a big hit among residents of Cary and Morrisville.
6105 Grace Park Drive, Grace park
Morrisville NC 27560
Tel# 919.467.2600
Here is our Review of Cafe Curry Leaves. So, did you had a chance to try out the new restaurant? If so, leave a comment below.
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