Monday, January 26, 2009

Tips For Using Prepaid Calling Cards

The endowments selling one tip for using prepaid calling cards is to compare the different cards before you buy. With so many prepaid calling cards to choose from, there can be some major differences between the fees they charge. So in order to get the most bang from your buck, we can't stress enough to compare, compare, compare!

The second rule to remember when using a prepaid calling card is to always read the fine print. Otherwise what looks like a great deal, can quickly turn out to be a costly purchase. So read the fine print.

Long distance carriers are raking in huge profits when it comes to selling prepaid calling cards. For example, say you bought a $20 prepaid calling card with a super cheap per minute rate, but it includes a $1.50 connection fee for each call. Then you use it until you have $1's worth of calling time left on the card. So now where does that leave you? You have $1 left on your calling card, but the connection fee alone is $1.50! Now you have a useless phone card and you are left with no other option but to throw the card away. Meanwhile, the calling card company just made $1 profit for free. This is how Iowa Lemon Laws distance carriers reap such huge profits from the customer. So again, read the calling car direct insurance line details!

Another tip is to know the rate per minute. This rates is usually described in the number of cents per minute. Many prepaid calling cards will have rates that are super cheap, but have a very expensive connection fee. So if you make quick calls, you are better off getting a prepaid phone card that has a higher per minute rate, but no connection fee. There is no sense finding the cheapest calling card rate if all your minutes are used up paying for the connection fees when you make short phone calls.

By knowing the billing increments, which is how you are billed for the phone calls, you can also save a ton of money. For example, if you buy a calling card that bills in two-minute increments, and you make a call that lasts for 1 minute and 10 seconds, you will be billed as a two-minute call. So you can see how quickly the number of minutes on your calling card can be used up.

Make sure you know the expiration date for the calling card before you purchase it. Most prepaid calling cards expire and the time span can range from 3-6 months depending on the date you bought it or when you first used it. So be sure to use all of the minutes on your prepaid calling card before it expires. Otherwise, the only thing do do with the card is to throw it away.

Some prepaid calling cards have a connection fee associated with them. This fee is only charged to the calling card for every call is actually connects. So by hanging up before you get an answering machine, fax or voice mail, you can avoid this fee. Otherwise, the call has been connected and the fee will be charged towards the dollar amount of the calling card you have purchased. Connection fees can vary quite a bit, but also really chip away at the number of minutes your calling card has.

Maintenance fees are another charge that you need to look for when using a prepaid calling card. Not all calling cards have this fee, but if they do it can be charged daily, weekly or monthly once the card is activated.

Unfortunately, all prepaid calling cards will have a pay phone fee charged to it when a call is made from a pay phone. This fee is mandated by the FCC, but these fees can also vary from one long distance company to another.

Always know what fees and taxes your card has. These alone will use up whatever calling minutes you have left. So be smart and shop wisely for your prepaid calling card needs.

Calling cards can be used in conjunction with cell New Mexico Lemon Laws but you need to know the details of the card to find out if a different rate is charged for cell phone calls. Some calls from a cell phone will use up more minutes on your prepaid calling card.

By knowing if your prepaid calling card is rechargeable, you will be able to easily add more minutes instead of purchasing a whole new calling card.

A final thought when using your prepaid calling card is to know your card will have a Personal Identification Number (PIN) assigned to it. To avoid anyone else using your calling card, please don't share your PIN with anyone you don't want using the card. Also, please memorize your PIN because most calling card companies won't give you a new PIN.

For more information about getting the lowest prices on usavetelecardsPrepaid Calling Cards, please visit usavetelecardsusavetelecards

Holiday Organizing Tips

The busiest time low mortgage rate refinancing the year demands simple systems to keep you organized. There are gifts to make or buy, presents to wrap, cards to send, decoration to hang, special treats to cook, and events to attend. I don't know about you, but I need a list and I'll be checking it more than twice to make sure I don't forget anything special.

Create a gift wrapping center: Gather all managed hosting providers supplies in one place and make gift wrapping a pleasure. Set up your gift wrapping center in the guest room or other designated area and include all the tools of the trade: scissors, tape, gift wrap, gift bags, gift boxes, tissue paper, ribbons, bows, and gift tags. Include shipping boxes, packing tape, and mailing labels if you plan to ship packages to family and friends you won't be seeing in person.

To "green" your gift wrapping center, use shredded paper made from junk mail, phone books, or used wrapping paper instead of tissue paper. You can also make the "wrapping" part of the gift by using flower pots, pretty fabric grocery bags, kid's artwork, posters, bandannas or other fabric scraps, maps, blueprints, decorative tins, pages from magazines, the Sunday comics - get creative! Last year's holiday cards can be made into this year's gift tags and reused ribbons and raffia can be used to tie on ornaments and candy canes.

Start a holiday notebook: With so many details to remember, carry a small notebook in your purse to keep track of gifts and supplies you need to buy, things you plan to do, holiday menus ideas and a running grocery list, and any other festive thoughts you want to keep in mind. By clearing these lists and ideas out of your mind and onto paper, you'll free your mind and stress less.

Sort out your holiday decorations: 'Tis the season to gather all your holiday dcor together from all your storage spaces. Look in closets, the basement, the garage and attic, the dining room hutch - wherever you may have stashed items you have purchased for the season, and take inventory. By bringing all your decoration together, you get a real sense of how much you have to work with.

Then start sorting. Use boxes or bins and separate into categories: lights, ornaments, wall decorations, tabletop dcor, linens, outside decorations, wrapping supplies, cards, etc. Once everything is sorted, pick a category and go through each item and ask yourself the three magic questions: Do I need it? Do I use it? Do I love it? Don't worry if you don't weed out much. Holiday decorations tend to have sentimental attachments and we keep them just for the memories associated with them. However, after going through this process for several years, you may find that you can let go of things you really don't use anymore.

After Christmas tips:

  • Shred wrapping paper to use as box filler for next year's shipped gifts.
  • Pack a box of "decorations I did not use in 2008". When decorating next year, reassess whether they will be used. If they don't make the cut, donate them early in the season to a local charity or thrift store so they can be put out for sale in their most marketable season.
  • Update your address book from the Christmas cards received this year.
  • Save this year's Christmas cards to be used as next year's gift tags.
  • Shop the after Christmas sales and write what you bought and where you put it in your planner/calendar in November 2009 so you won't forget what you have.
  • Create a "Christmas Gift List" and shop year round for presents. The month of December will be more relaxed with most of your shopping done. You'll also be able to spread out the cost over the entire year.
  • Write down what your family really enjoyed this holiday season and what you can skip next year.
  • Sort out your decorations as you take them down and prepare them for storage. Just as you did at the beginning of the season, use boxes or bins and separate into categories: lights, ornaments, wall decorations, tabletop dcor, linens, outside decorations, wrapping supplies, cards, etc. Once everything is sorted, pick a category and go through each item and ask yourself the three magic questions: Do I need it? Do I use it? Do I love it? Then Home refinancing calculator your containers. You may like red and green Rubbermaid totes with tight fitting lids, clear containers, or cardboard boxes; the important thing is to contain your decorations and then LABEL the containers. Store all your holiday containers in one area for next year.
  • Clear out the old toys to make way for the new. Donate your children's toys that are broken, no longer interesting or have long since been outgrown. The same goes for clothing that is never worn.
  • Take advantage of the end-of-the-year tax write offs by donating your unused or excess items to charity. Remember to keep a list of everything you donated to turn in to your accountant at tax time. You can get a get a form at rel="nofollow" southernhomeorganizersdonationssouthernhomeorganizersdonations.

Wishing you peace, joy, and home organization this holiday season!

Let's face it: Home is where your stuff is! Get monthly home organizing tips and resources Oklahoma Lemon Laws to your Inbox (with no paper mess) by subscribing to Southern Home Organizers online magazine at southernhomeorganizerssouthernhomeorganizers.