Academic Superstore Promo Code - Save $20
Academic Superstore is currently running a promotion for Labor Day. As a graduate student, I’ve purchased several pieces of software from them over the years. Though their site has a technology focus, they sell everything from books to backpacks.
Note: you must prove eligibility when making purchases, such as affiliation with a school, university, or non-profit organization. See their eligibility page for details.
Anyway, here are the promo codes (valid through September 9, 2008):
- LABOR20 - save $20 off a purchase of $200 (or more)
- LABOR10 - save $10 off a purchase of $100 (or more)
If you need to buy academic-related wares, this is a nice offer. Take a look at the picture to prove that it works. In the photo, here I am applying the code to a piece of software that I’ve been eyeing. Just in case you’re curious, no, I didn’t actually buy the software, which brings me to my main point:
This is a good deal if you are already planning to make a purchase. Buying something on a whim simply because of a special offer does not a smart decision make (thanks Yoda).
I hope these codes are of use to someone.
MoneyExchange RevolutionCard - Check Your Mail ($15 Bonus Offer)
Out of the blue today I received a card from Revolution MoneyExchange. I admit that I was surprised to see it, considering that I had not ever requested one. Yes, I did open a Revolution MoneyExchange account at the beginning of 2008 when they were running their $25 sign-up bonus offer, but haven’t touched my account since then.
What is it?
First things first: it is not a credit card, nor do they pull a credit report when sending you the card. Instead, it’s more like a debit card - think of it as a card that allows you to access the funds in your MoneyExchange account. Specifically, it’s a debit card without a name or signature on it. The only way to get money out of it is to know the PIN.
You can use the card to make PIN-based purchases at a growing list of merchants, or withdraw cash from ATMs. Note: there are fees for ATM withdrawals, but not for making purchases). Like a typical debit or credit card, it requires activation before you can use it (phone or Internet). I’m still shocked that they sent it without a request, but to their credit they do mention in the paperwork that you can simply cut it up and toss it in the trash if you don’t want it.
$15 Bonus Offer
Speaking of trash, I was just about to throw the card away when I noticed that the paperwork included an additional bonus offer. Specifically:
Make a purchase of $25 or more and we’ll give you $5. Do this three times - We’ll give you $15!
Okay, I’ll play along. It sounds easy enough. I think I’ll simply transfer about $100 into my MoneyExchange account, and over the next month or two I’m bound to buy a few things that I would normally buy anyway. For instance, I noticed that Barnes & Noble is on their list of merchants, and since University classes are starting again, a textbook purchase could easily be one of my three swipes.
Here’s the fine print from the paperwork (emphasis = mine):
Make a purchase of $25 or more with your MoneyExchange RevolutionCard and we’ll put $5 in your MoneyExchange account. This offer can be used up to three (3) times for a maximum credit to your account of $15. Qualifying purchases must be completed within 90 days of activating your card. MoneyExchange accounts will be credited within 7 business days after making a qualifying purchase under this offer.
Revolution seems to be really pushing their MoneyExchange service, so if you have an account, check your mailbox to see if you receive the card and the bonus offer. It’s a decent little bonus for not much work.
Don’t have a MoneyExchange account?
Save Money on Security Software - 5 Free Antivirus Programs Worth Using
Let’s face it: if you use Microsoft Windows, you need anti-virus software. Using a Windows-based computer on the Internet without virus protection is akin to having unprotected sex with an entire Bangkok brothel.
Please pardon the gross analogy, but in all seriousness, the addition of anti-virus software to a Windows computer is simply a requirement. However, it does not have to be an expensive requirement. It hurts my soul to see people pay a yearly subscription to an anti-virus program (such as Symantec) without at least considering a free alternative. There are a number of free security programs available, and I submit to you that you can easily protect your computer using entirely free software. In fact, I’ve been doing just that for years, and here are some of the programs that I’ve tried.
1. Avast Antivirus Free Edition (Product link)
My current free anti-virus program of choice. I first replaced Norton with Avast back in 2002, and I haven’t returned to a paid program since. In a word, Avast rules. Over the years I’ve watch it mature from general “clunkiness” into a versatile and elegant program. Yes, the main interface is a bit unorthodox and… modern, but that’s easily changed with the number of interface skins that are available. It’s the features of the program that are more important. Speaking of which:
Features:
- Anti-Virus
- Anti-Spyware
- Anti-Rootkit
- Resident P2P, Instant Messaging, and Web shields
- POP3/SMTP E-mail scanning (plus a plug-in just for Outlook)
- Automatic updates
I’m pleased that the lastest version of Avast includes both Anti-Spyware and Anti-Rootkit protection. The addition of these features made me switch from my beloved AVG (see below). For a free program, it’s hard to beat Avast. It’s my favorite “install and forget” security program, and I have no problem recommending it.
2. AVG Antivirus Free (Product link)
Otherwise known (by me) as as “Old Faithful”, the free version of AVG has been around for ages. I’ve personally used it since 2003. No, AVG has not always had the world’s most beautiful interface (though recent versions have been better), and AVG’s virus detection rates have sometimes suffered. Despite these potential negatives, AVG has enjoyed a cult-like following by computer nerds the world over, and I have no problem recommending it for most people’s usage.
Features:
- Anti-Virus
- Anti-Spyware
- POP3/SMTP E-mail scanning
- Automatic updates
- Safe-search (shields against dangerous web search results)
AVG is one of the most frequently downloaded security programs for a good reason. It’s simple to install, easy to use, and won’t slow your computer to a crawl. Yes, there are probably more effective programs available, but AVG is a solid “install and forget” type of program. If it were not for the lack of a Rootkit scanner in the free version, I would likely still have it installed on my main desktop system. I don’t blame Grisoft for trying to provide incentive for paid upgrades - there are just too many other good programs that do provide Anti-Rootkit tools by default.
Still, AVG is a solid choice, and most users can get along just fine with it. I would much rather use it than pay for Norton Anti-Virus.
3. Blink Personal Edition (Product link)
Blink, by eEye Digital Security, is one of the newer free anti-virus programs that I’ve discovered. I wish I had discovered it sooner because it’s rapidly becoming one of my favorite free security programs. I’m not the only one who admires it - take a gander at eEye’s customer list. E-Trade, JPMorgan, Visa, and Harvard University can’t all be wrong, can they? 
Features:
- Anti-Virus
- Anti-Spyware
- Personal Firewall included (nice!)
- Online identity protection (anti-phishing)
- POP3/SMTP E-mail scanning
- Automatic updates
- Vulnerability report
I found Blink to be a highly-competent program, but not for the faint of heart. Blink offers a ton of control and customization, and with great power comes responsibility. Savvy users will like Blink, but it is not an ideal “install and forget” type of program.
Definitely keep your eye on this one (pun intended).
4. McAfee VirusScan Plus - Special Edition from AOL (Product link)
Here’s an interesting option. McAfee came with the first computer I ever purchased (back in 2000), and it turned my computer into sludge. I couldn’t even drag the mouse across the screen smoothly with McAfee running. Oh, and AOL - the name alone sends shivers down my spine. Back in the early days of the Internet, long before the explosion of blogs and social networking (Dancing Baby, anyone?), AOL stalked the fledgling Internet tubes, ready to stage a hostile takeover of any computer in which it could sink its greedy tendrils. And now the name McAfee somehow combines with AOL? Shock and horror!
All drama aside, I understand that times change, so I gave it a shot. Guess what? I was pleasantly surprised. No, more than that - McAfee/AOL VirusScan Plus is still installed on one machine in my household.
Features:
- Anti-Virus
- Anti-Spyware, plus Rootkit detection
- Personal firewall included (nice!)
- POP3/SMTP E-mail scanning
- Automatic updates
Their web site states that they are making McAfee/AOL VirusScan Plus available for AOL members on the Basic Dial-Up plan, but don’t be fooled. All you need is an AOL screen name in order to download the software. If you have ever used the AOL instant messenger, then you already have a screen name. Just try it. I was able to download the software without any trouble.
It’s a solid offering, and I’m delighted that they include a personal firewall for free. People who are hesitant to use a free anti-virus program because of a lack of name recognition will love this McAfee/AOL offering. In short, I don’t know why anyone would pay money for McAfee anti-virus software when this program is available for free.
5. Avira AntiVir Personal Edition (Product link)
Last, but certainly not least, we have Avira. Though this little program is the lightest on features of the programs I mention here, its strength lies in its reputed detection rates. Time and time again, Avira has scored at or near the top on AV-Comparitives, an independent Anti-Virus software testing site, besting such names as Symantec, McAfee, and Sophos. If sheer detection rates alone give you comfort, Avira is the software for you.
Features:
- Anti-Virus
- Anti-Rootkit (plus phishing protection)
- Automatic updates
As you can see, the free edition of Avira has spartan features, but since it shares the same legendary detection engine as its big brothers, this is justified. In comparison to the other free offerings, Avira mainly lacks Anti-Spyware protection and POP3/SMTP E-mail protection. If you use web mail exclusively (Gmail, Yahoo, etc), you can easily live without the e-mail scanner. However, I suggest supplementing Avira with a spyware scanner, such as Ad-Aware or Spybot.
In my usage, the free version of Avira spawns a pop-up window after each update reminding you of their paid upgrades. It’s a small price to pay for such a worthy program, but a quick search reveals a way to disable the pop-up. Of course, the choice is up to you.
Summary
Naturally, there are other free anti-virus programs available, and you may find them worthwhile. I have used all these programs at one point or another, and feel comfortable recommending them over just about any for pay program.
I have only purchased one anti-virus program (back in 2001), and to be honest, I have no plans to ever do so again. My computers have led a malware-free existence since 2002, and I have saved hundreds of dollars by using free security software. You can, too.
At the least, if you currently pay a yearly subscription for an anti-virus program, I urge you to at least consider a free alternative. It ultimately boils down to your comfort level. If using a free anti-virus program causes you lose sleep at night over your computer’s security, by all means use a paid program. At least you considered an alternative.
For the rest of us, free programs like these work just fine. No matter which you choose, I wish you a malware-free existence!
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Return from Greece
I just returned from spending close to seven weeks in Greece. While I certainly enjoyed my time there, I’m happy to be back in America. Living in a tiny Greek village really opened my eyes to the luxuries I enjoy in America (like being able to flush toilet paper… seriously). The sheer amount of poverty I saw startled me - I can’t speak for Greece as a whole, but the divide between rich and poor in my village was striking, and there were a lot of poor.
I saw people living in tiny dilapidated huts, their only possessions being a few articles of clothing, some aging farm equipment, and chickens. Still, they had sufficient food to survive, and were always willing to greet me (the exotic American man) with a smile as I walked by. I like to think that if I were a young boy growing up in that scenario, I would work my butt off to better myself enough to make it out of there and provide a better upbringing for my children. I know that it’s easy to talk about and hard to do, but my own father did just that. He grew up in a mud hut in a tiny Middle-Eastern village, and worked hard enough at his education to first make it into college and then into grad school in America. I am grateful that he did, for I owe my entire upbringing in America to his efforts.
Anyway, I also saw the richest of the rich, including visiting houses that would stun a sultan with their marble construction, artwork, and grandeur.
Now that I’m back, I have a renewed appreciation for my home country. Sure, America has its problems right now, but I have faith that she will hold together easily. Wobbles in the stock market and threats of an economic recession suddenly seem rather moot to me. I would give anything to see America avoid the levels of corruption and political unrest that I saw in Greece.
Ok, that’s enough flag waving for now. Mr. B is back, and InterestingMoney will continue to plod along, though with at least a slightly-higher posting frequency! Thanks for reading.
Update from Europe, Plus Observations about the Euro
Shock and Awe?
What’s happening to my country? I’ve been in Europe for a month now (in a village with limited Internet access), and I stopped by an Internet cafe to check the news only to discover that Indymac Bank failed, oil is (or was) well over $140 a barrel, and the Dow is in the lower 11k range.
I have no insights to give about Indymac’s failure. Honestly, I’m not terribly surprised given the unbelievable hassle I had with them simply trying to open a CD account. Since my account is well under FDIC limits, I’m not worried about it. Heck, I doubt I’ll even look into it further until my return to the USA in August. I know that Indymac has been in trouble since last summer (at least), but news of their collapse is still unsettling.
I haven’t logged into my Vanguard account in well over a month, nor will I have the opportunity to do so for another three weeks. The Dow was around 11,800 when I left in June. I was hoping that my mutual funds might actually increase a bit while I’m away, but it looks like that may not be the case. Oh well, all my mutual funds are “long-term” anyway, so I certainly won’t lose any sleep over it.
Where Am I Again?
I only mentioned it in passing a couple times before, but I’m on an extended visit to Europe - specifically Greece. I don’t wish to reveal too much about the nature of my visit, but it is part of an artistic and cultural collaboration in which myself and a small group of other people live and participate in the daily life of a Greek village. I try to keep this site independent from my main career, but I will mention that I’m one the content creators for a theatrical production in an ancient theatre here. We produce and rehearse the entire production in Greece, and our show involves a number of local Greek students. It’s a fantastic cultural exchange, and living in the village really integrates us into the community.
I enjoy it immensely, but our place of residence has no Internet access. I also have no television, cell phone, or even a radio. Despite the challenges of being “cut off”, I actually find it quite refreshing. As lovely as those tools of connectivity are, they’re also a source of distraction, and life without them helps me focus on my craft. Plus, it affords much more quality time to think, exercise, and even socialize. I’ll return to the “rat race” in a few short weeks, but in the meantime I am enjoying myself.
A Few Thoughts on the Euro
Two years ago, when I last traveled to Europe, one US Dollar equaled roughly 0.84 cents to the Euro. As of this writing, one US Dollar equals somewhere in the vicinity of 0.62 Euro cents. Ouch! Many of the Greeks I’ve talked to non-chalantly say that our Dollar will start increasing again after President Bush leaves office, no matter who else is elected! I certainly won’t bog down this site with political rants, but I suppose we will all see whether or not they are correct.
I DO appreciate how tax is already included when looking at prices in stores here. If the price for an item says “8 Euros”, that’s all it costs. That’s it - no more additional estimating for tax. After living in Europe for several weeks, I think our current system of “$7.99 plus tax” is idiotic. It seems we care more about marketing than simplicity.
One last thing: in case you didn’t know, the smallest bill in Euro form is a “5″. The “1″ and “2″ Euro denominations are in coin form. While I have a strange attraction to the “2 Euro” coin, I also find them disturbingly easy to spend! It’s easy to think of coins as “loose change” and blow them on small items, but given the poor exchange rate, one can easily carry the equivalent of $10 or more in “loose” change! Yikes!
My friends, I will continue to be “out of the loop” for a few more weeks. May they fare better for our great country than the last few have been!
5 Reasons Why You Should Open A 529 Account Right Now
My wife and I are both grad students, currently without any children. Even so, I recently opened 529 plans through Learning Quest (Kansas). What is a 529 plan? Essentially, it is a tax-advantaged account meant for future expenses related to higher education.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I thought you could only open 529 plans after you had a child. I was wrong, so here are five reasons why you should open a 529 account right now if you don’t already have one:
1. You don’t need kids to open a 529 account. In fact, you can open an account for yourself, for your spouse, or for whomever you please. With a few clicks, you can change the beneficiary at any time.
My wife and I opened accounts for ourselves even though we’re both nearing the end of our terminal degrees. Essentially, I plan to “launder” money through the 529 accounts - I’ll dump in some cash, let it grow tax free, and then use it for the remaining education expenses that we have. Whatever is left in the accounts will begin compounding away for any children we might have in the future. Yes, I’m kicking myself that I didn’t start doing this sooner!
2. Money grows tax deferred at both the Federal and State levels while in the account. Provided that you use the withdrawals for qualified education expenses, the earnings are also tax free. So, what are qualified distributions? Many things, including tuition, campus fees, meal plans, room and board, books, and other required equipment. Provided you can prove that it somehow relates to education, most anything goes. Yes, a laptop computer counts. No, a semester’s supply of iced mocha lattes probably does not!
3. You may be able to claim a state income tax deduction. Some states allow you to claim contributions as income deductions. For instance, the Kansas plan that I use allows me to claim an annual adjusted gross income deduction of up to $3,000 ($6,000 if married, filing jointly) for contributions per beneficiary, per year.
So, not only do I get an upfront state tax break, provided I use the money for qualified education expenses, the earnings are tax free. It’s the best of both worlds.
4. YOU remain in control of the account, no matter the name and age of the beneficiary. Money that you contribute to the account remains YOUR money until you decide what to do with it. If the named beneficiary decides to drop out or skip college entirely, he or she cannot access the funds. The money is then yours to do as you will. Pay the tax penalty and withdraw it all, or simply change the beneficiary to another family member without penalty. Also, all funds in a 529 are sheltered from bankruptcy (in case you run into financial hardship later).
5. Low minimums, high maximums, and low expense ratios (provided you shop around). Depending on the plan, you probably won’t have to commit much money to start the account. The Kansas plan that I chose only has a $250 minimum (Kansas residents only; $1000 for outside residents), or you can open the fund with an automatic monthly contribution of $50 ($25 for Kansas residents).
Keep in mind that you do NOT have to settle for the 529 plan offered by your state. You can open or contribute to any 529 account, no matter the host state, though you may not be able to claim a state tax deduction if you do so. As a Kansas resident, I can invest in any state-sponsored 529 plan and still claim a Kansas tax deduction - be sure to investigate how your own state operates. However, if your state’s plan does not offer a tax deduction at all, please shop around to find a plan with funds and expense ratios that suit you. Speaking of which….
I was pleased to see that the Kansas 529 offering includes Vanguard funds. It’s no secret that I’m a fan of both Vanguard and Index funds, so in my case I opted for the Total Bond Market Index Portfolio, which has a total expense ratio of 0.25%. Unbelievably, this is an even-lower expense ratio than if I were to invest in the same fund from within the Vanguard 529 Portfolio itself (expense ratio - 0.55%)! In any case, be sure to consider the expense ratio (and any other fees) for any funds in your 529 account. Lower is better. The Kansas plan has no fees other than the expense ratio. If your state’s plan has hefty expense ratios plus annual fees, RUN!
Also, the maximum contribution limit for 529 accounts is quite high, usually around $300,000 per beneficiary. As a poor grad student, I can’t imagine having that much money right now, but it’s nice to know that the sky is practically the limit.
One last thing that I want to add: while I think 529 plans are great, I suggest maxing out your IRA before contributing to a 529. In other words, a student can always apply for scholarships and financial aid, but there are no scholarships available for retirement!
Further reading:
The Essential 529 Guide - http://www.savingforcollege.com
529 Plans - Wikipedia link
ShoeMall.com Coupon - Save 15%
In preparation of my lengthy European trip this summer, I recently bought a pair of Chaco Z2
Anyway, my sandals arrived, and yes, they are quite comfy! Included in box was a coupon code to save 15% on my next order. Since I tend to only buy shoes once every 85 years, I have no use for the code and will pass it along to you.
Here it is: use the promo code 15SAVE15 to save 15% on your next ShoeMall.com order. I have no idea how many times the code may be used, so first-come-first-serve!
If the coupon no longer works, please post a comment and I will update this post.
Passwords Revisited - Using KeePass to Manage Your Financial Account Information
In a previous article, I described a few ways to make sure your spouse knows your financial passwords and other login information. Since writing that article, I have started exploring another password management tool - KeePass.
Too Many Accounts
Before I begin extolling the virtues of KeePass, allow me to explain why I think a password manager is worthwhile. After I wrote the previous article, an irate reader seemed hell-bent on pounding into my head that ALL my ideas were dumb and that people only need pencil and paper to manage all financial account information. Give me a break.
Sure, pencil and paper is fine if you only have one bank account, one credit card, and one investment account, but once you expand much beyond this basic foundation, the information that you must remember becomes increasingly unwieldy. Also, there’s also a great risk of losing the paper, forgetting to update it, or destruction by flood, fire, or rabid gophers.
I can only speak based on personal experience, but between my wife and myself, I manage about ten bank accounts, at least a dozen credit cards, two retirement accounts, and a multitude of other random accounts (utilities, affiliates, e-mail, shopping, etc). That is A LOT of information, and don’t like to use the same username/password combination twice. While I consider myself a competently-intelligent fellow, I welcome the assistance of a password manager in recalling all of the usernames, passwords, and security questions.
Why KeePass Rocks
Since I started using KeePass a couple months ago, I’ve fallen headfirst in love with it. First of all, KeePass is completely open-source and FREE. It’s easy to use. It’s secure. It’s portable. Best of all, you can use it interchangeably on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Heck, you can even use it on your Blackberry or Windows Mobile device!
Over the past few weeks I have been migrating my doubly-encrypted master password document over to KeePass, and I am enjoying the added convenience and versatility that it has given me.
Basic Setup
To start using KeePass, you must first create a new database in which to store your entries. From the File menu, click New, and a New Password Database window will spawn.
At this point, you need to set a Master Password that will allow you to gain access to ALL your other passwords. It is truly one password to rule them all, and in the database bind them!
Needless to say, create a strong password using numbers, capital letters, and special characters. Don’t use something dumb, like the word ketchup.
Once you have set your master password, it’s time to add some entries. The main interface of KeePass separates passwords Groups on the left and Entries on the right. Here’s a screenshot from my computer:
By right-clicking on either side, you can create groups (or sub-groups) and entries. For instance, let’s add a sample entry. Right-click in the space on the right and choose Add Entry… A new window will spawn like the one shown here.
Fill in the necessary information, including the password (press Shift + Home to clear the password field), and then press OK when done. Congratulations, you now have a new entry. But what can we DO with it? This is the exciting part.
Basic KeePass Usage
The features of KeePass are what make it infinitesimally cooler than a piece of paper or a text document. Here are some examples.
Right-click on the entry that you created and feast your eyes on the possibilities. With a simple keystroke, you can open the URL that you provided. Don’t feel like typing the password when logging into an online banking session? No problem. With another keystroke, KeePass will temporarily copy your password to the clipboard, allowing you to paste it into the appropriate web site. Worried that someone will come along behind you and try to paste again to discover your password? Have no fear, KeePass securely shreds that information immediately after the first paste. Cool!
Don’t like keystrokes? No problem! KeePass features excellent drag-and-drop support. From the main interface, you can simply click-and-drag the username and password fields to the appropriate place on the website, and KeePass will fill them in appropriately! Here is a screenshot, courtesy of keepass.info.
You can even drag the URL field to your browser window and it will automatically open the appropriate URL. Neat!
The drag-and-drop options (plus the keystroke ability) provide added security against keyloggers. I’ll be spending several weeks in Europe this summer and I have an inherent distrust of public Internet cafes. Who knows if someone has surreptitiously installed some software to record every keystroke pressed on the keyboard? To work around this potential problem, I’ll just run KeePass from a USB flash drive at all Internet cafes, leaving no trace behind me. Call me paranoid, but I’ve been a victim of identify theft before, and I don’t ever want to go through that again.
Oh yeah, one more thing: KeePass also includes a password generator. I’ve started using it to generate passwords for certain sites that I do not trust very much (such as eBay).
Storing the Database
Since the database KeePass uses to store your account information is completely encrypted, you can simply e-mail the file to yourself for safekeeping. I keep the database stored on my personal computer, plus in a couple different places online. A bomb could fall on my house while I’m away and I would still have all my critical account information!
For added security, you can stuff the database file into an archive using software such as Winrar, 7-zip, or IZArc, just like I described in the previous article.
As long as you remember to e-mail the database to yourself after you make any changes, you will always have the latest version of your passwords. Oh, and for those of you who feel more secure with paper copies, KeePass has the ability to easily print a list of ALL your account information by choosing Print from the File menu.
I want to re-iterate that my purpose in writing an article like this is to make people consider how their financial information is stored, and how easy or difficult it would be for other family members to access that information should tragedy strike. KeePass works well for me, but even if you do not care for it, I encourage you to find an option that does.
More information:
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Avoiding the Passport Photo Ripoff
My passport recently expired, and since I’m planning a European trip this summer, I need to renew it ASAP. I grabbed the passport application from the Post Office and zipped over to Kinko’s since I knew they took passport-approved photos there. It can’t cost more than a couple bucks for two small photos, right?
Wrong!
My local Kinko’s did not have a price listed underneath the large “Passport photos taken here!” sign. As the modestly-hot Kinko’s girl grabbed her digital camera and asked me to have a seat in front of the white backdrop, I casually asked, “How much will this cost?”
“Thirteen dollars,” she coolly replied, “and that’s just for the two photos. We don’t handle any of the paperwork or shipping.”
“Gasp! Hrgpt! Croak!” I wheezed as I blindly stumbled toward the exit, garnering the attention of the remaining customers and leaving the modestly-hot girl scratching her head in confusion.
Someone wants me to pay $13 for two lousy photos? I don’t think so. Some quick checking around found that Walgreens, CVS, and other competitors ALL wanted at least $8 for the same crappy service. No thanks.
An Alternative
If you have a digital camera (or can borrow one), you can take your own photo. Of course, it must adhere to certain guidelines, which means that you can’t use a LOLCAT or Hello Kitty as your passport photo. Bummer.
Seriously, the US Department of State has published the guidelines for passport photos, and they aren’t too hard to follow.
Once you’ve taken your photo, use a free service such as ePassportPhoto or 123PassportPhoto. I tried both, but liked ePassportPhoto better because it includes a nifty tool to crop the photo, keeping the distance from your chin to the top of your head in the proper ratio with the rest of the photo.
Here’s my picture! See how my chin and (um…) ears are solidly within the green bars?
Both ePassportPhoto and 123PassportPhoto will generate a 4×6″ photo containing six 2×2″ passport-ready photos.
Printing
To print my awesome new photo, I simply sent the single 4×6″ print to Wal-Mart’s online photo center and requested one color copy. Heck, I even splurged on their 1-hour service. Of course, any other competing online photo service should work just fine.
The grand total price, including tax? $0.20. That’s 20 CENTS! As you can see, 20 cents is clearly lower than 13 dollars. In your face, Kinko’s.
I even paid with a credit card.
Oh, for you tinfoil-hat-wearing types, new passports now come with a radio frequency identification chip (RFID). If this makes you uncomfortable, a quick smack with a hammer should permanently disable it.
InterestingMoney.com Goes Mobile!
Ever since I got my MOTO Q through the Sprint SERO plan, I occasionally find myself surfing the web and checking e-mail with it. I’ve since discovered that a lot of websites look TERRIBLE when viewed with a mobile browser. Yes, I’m ashamed to admit, my own website was one of those.
No longer! Gadget lovers, you can now read my latest entries by pointing your mobile browser to:
http://m.interestingmoney.com (no www)
Don’t have a mobile browser? That’s ok. Go ahead and click that link in a regular browser. You will see a slick demo of exactly how the site appears on a mobile phone. There’s even an illustrious iPhone preview.
For those interested, I set up the mobile version using the free MoFuse service. Essentially, all you have to do to create a mobile version of your own blog is to create an account with them and give them a link to your RSS feed. They handle the rest, including automatic image resizing (no more horizontal scrolling).
MoFuse even has a revenue-sharing program. In exchange for their service, they split your AdMob or Mobile Adsense impressions in a 50/50 ratio. Considering that it only took me about 20 minutes to get my mobile site running, I’m fine with this.
There are a few other similar services available, such as Mippin Maker, but I ultimately went with MoFuse because I liked the resulting layout better. If you have a self-hosted website or blog, I encourage you to create a mobile version, no matter what method (or service) you choose to create it.
By the way, TipsFor.us has a neat article on setting up an automatic Contacts and Calendar sync for Windows Mobile phones using Thunderbird and Google Calendar, all for free. It’s a fairly-intense setup, but it could save you a few hundred dollars if you dislike (or can’t afford) Microsoft Outlook.
