HOW DOES PURCHASING A HOME COMPARE WITH RENTING?

The two don't really compare at all. The one advantage of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission and may be at the mercy of the landlord for housing. Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity. And that's an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax breaks that assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities- like insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep- which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home, they are worth it.

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Boston Globe Registration

The Boston Globe will soon be requiring registration on their website. This is a major disappointment since I use the online version of the globe to check the latest newswires.

We’re now asking the readers of Boston.com to register for two reasons. We’d like to:

1. Understand more about you, so we can offer more content and features tailored to your interests. We want to improve your experience on the site.
2. Target the advertising messages you receive to make them more relevant, and deliver a better value for our advertisers.

I would suspect that the second reason is the primary reason.

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iPod Docking Station

Today I purchased an iPod docking station so that it would be easier to connect my iPod to my computer.

However, the docking station does not come with an iPod cable! So, you still need to purchase an extra iPod cable if you use your iPod between different computers! At $40 for the docking station, this seems to be an excessive price since it doesn't include a cable.

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Phone Book

I moved to a new place in Boston about ten days ago. Yesterday I got my first local phone book, and was surprised to find that it was the Latino edition!

The Latino edition contains all the important phone numbers for Latinos. Which isn't that much considering its about 1/4th the size of major metropolitan yellow pages.

I lived in San Jose, California for 6 years, and I never received a Latino phone book.

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Gmail Controversy

Google has taken a lot of slack about their new email service called Gmail. Privacy activist have been issuing press releases over the past few weeks about Google posting ads in the email based on the content of the email.

The thing is, Google's new email service is free! Do you really expect privacy from something that you don't pay for? Do people expect Government level email security at no cost? If you do require some form of privacy in your email communications, then pay for an email account.

At some point Google will probably come out with a low cost email service that will be ad free. Until then, privacy groups will continue to hound Google on reading personal emails, that people didn't pay for...

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iPod most popular gift

According to Filene's website the Apple iPod is the first and second most popular gifts.

I don't know if this is a marketing ploy by Apple computer, as I would suspect most people wouldn't buy technology from a non technical store. I would guess most people would want to buy technology from Best Buy or similar type of store.

Apple Computer has a standard pricing, so it doesn't matter where you buy Apple products, they are the same everyplace. Maybe Filene's has some type of value add.

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Office Move

Recently my company relocated from Chelmsford, Mass to Waltham, Mass. While the move was fairly smooth there are some lessons that some companies can learn from it.

• Mark all items before moving them. This way you know who's chair belongs to whom.
• Tape down loose parts, like the cover for the fax machine or the laser printer. (Our fax machine cover came loose in the move and several pieces fell out. We ended up buying a new fax machine.)
• Mark the outside of all boxes. This will help movers identify where the boxes should go in the new location.
• Throw things away. Too many companies move unused furniture and end up throwing them away with a couple of weeks after the move. Keep what you need, and throw out the rest.

These seem simple tips, but I have seen several moves become more challenging because they didn't pay attention to the fundamentals.

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Walmart Election

Today is an importaint election day in Inglewood as the city gets to vote on a measure that would allow Walmart to build a supercenter in their city.

While I am opposed to some of the business practices of Walmart, I am actually siding with Walmart on this issue. Why? Because the Labor Unions are fighting Walmart on this issue, since Walmart is a non union enterprise.

Over the past few years Unions has caused a negative effect on the economy, here are some notable examples:

• In 1998, UPS Union workers went on strike. This caused a huge disruption for small businesses. Federal Express and the United States Post office were benefactors, but many packages were delayed.
• In 2002, the union representing the west coast receivers went on strike in the late summer, causing delays in Imports, and had some inventory effect on the Christmas Shopping season. (Retailers couldn't offer big discounts due to limited inventories)

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iTunes Promotion

In New England, many stores still do not carry any of the Pepsi Bottles which have the iTunes game piece. I have yet to find a store that has a bottle with a yellow cap in Concord. Several stores in the Chelmsford area are now distributing the game pieces version of Pepsi.

I have bought three 20fl bottles and have 'won' a free iTunes song on two bottles. The average cost is $1.20. I know I am better off just buying the songs and drinking water. But I wanted to at least feel like I am getting something for nothing.

Walmart still hasn't carried any iTunes game pieces. I suspect that it will be cheaper than Stop & Shop, CVS, and the White Hen.

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Widmer Brothers

Finally my favorite Wheat Beer is available in Massachusetts! Today I purchased a six pack of Widmer Brothers Wheat Beer at the Stop and Shop Plaza in Framingham.

I took a vacation to Portland, Oregon during the July 4th weekend in 2000. It was during this trip that I discovered Widmer Hefeweizen.

If you never had Wheat Beer, I would highly recommend Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen Wheat Beer. Sam Adam's Summer Ale is almost as good, however its only available for a limited time.

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