Wednesday, October 27, 2004UPC codes and midtermsUgh, I was woken up by around 3:30am by Wendy-- who had just finished studying for her b-school exams. I then spent the next 30-40 minutes trying to get my internet connection to work and then scrounging around the apartment for this cable modem UPC cutoout that I *really* need for my rebates. I really *hate* the whole concept of having to file rebates. Lately, an increasing number of manufacturers have been using this very annoying method of providing "low-cost" goods in which they hope to screw the consumer. The theory is that they make the rebate process as difficult as possible having postmark restrictions, check cashing date restrictions, and sometimes the dreaded first invoice restriction (e.g. you need to wait until you receive your first invoice before submitting the code). Worse yet, the whole process can take several months and end in an email or postcard saying that your rebate was incomplete for some reason which you can no longer verify. In fact, even rebates which I *know* I've successfully completed get rejected at times for frivolous reasons and require extensive followup. It's such a pain in the ass. Here's a guide on what to do to make the process a bit easier: http://www.ajc.com/money/content/money/0204/22rebateside.html Ugh hate this process-- it pisses me off! posted @ 04:25 AM PST [link] Tuesday, October 26, 2004Buying spreeI guess with the end of the year coming around, I decided to buy myself a few items I've really been thinking about getting all year. New laptop ======== Dell was having an awesome deal on inspirons ($750 off of $1500). I bought a 700m with a DVD+RW. I've been thinking of buying a DVD drive and this was just a great opportunity to pick up one with a laptop :D. The system is 4.1 lbs with 512MB of DDR, 30GB drive and 1.6 Ghz Celeron. The best thing about it is the X-Brite screen which displays at 1280 x 800; it's a huge improvement to my vaio z505-jek which I had bought because of the form factor and the XGA screen. New watch ======== Bought myself a Rolex. I was debating between a body kit and the watch and I saw a good deal for one at Shreve and Co. so I just picked it up. I've been looking at prices for a few years now, and it was the first time a new Rolex was on sale so I had to get it. What's really amazing is how good even the "cheap" fakes are in terms of how they mirror the real thing. Evidently there are three grades of fakes: Chinese/Japanese/Swiss. They're ranked in that order, and the best fakes "Swiss" are something like 1/4 the cost of a real rolex but nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. Anyhow, I'm pretty happy with my purchases; I've been wanting them for some time, but the thought of buying a place made me balk at the purchases. While I'm still saving towards a place, I think it's a bit farther in the horizon and I figured I might as well splurge a bit while I'm still young. I also started my 401k (finally)-- it's the first time I've been at a place that has 401k matching. My old startup had a 401k fund, but no matching. Luckily Yahoo! has a great policy of allowing increased contributions to 401k in the event that you didn't yet make contributions earlier in the year. I'm trying to put in more. It's kind of hard to save for "real" this way, but like a friend of mine said to me-- 401k is free money from the government and with matching from your company it's a great way to save for retirement (even if it's 40 years away!!). posted @ 09:42 PM PST [link] |
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