Archive for February, 2010

When you are looking for a cell phone family plan you should take a little time to research your actual needs. Pick the right number of monthly minutes as there are a variety of plans which fit most circumstances. Remember that phone calls between family members are free, which is an especially valuable bonus. If you decide that children should use cell phones only in emergencies you can plan for that when selecting your options.

You may have already purchased a cell phone for each member of your family but have you selected the appropriate cell phone calling plan? There are many choices and options available. What should be the included features and coverage and what should be optional? How do you know in advance how many text messages your daughter will send in 1.5 years when your family cell coverage is only half complete?

With the competition being what it is now across the entire mobile phone and service provider networks, you will want to be considered of the best course of action for the needs of your family. In most cases, you primary concern will revolve around plan costs, call limits, and contract terms.

You may want to purchase a Pay-As-You-Go or prepaid cell plan. You can compare different cell phone packages all willy-nilly based upon preference or the color of the phone or you can take price, call services, and features together and make an informed decision.

You may be just an “emergency usage only” type of cell phone user. That’s fine. In these cases, a valid option for you would be a prepaid cell phone that offers a set number of call minutes per month. For persons conducting business however, having a plan with unlimited call volume or good international rates would be favorable. Cell phone companies compete for your business, especially when you are considered an international traveler with needs for phone services in multiple countries, and have a variety of plans for the mobile phones they sell.

The best advice would be to look for global cell phones that offer no roaming and little restrictions on call volume or data transfer.

Shop and compare before you make your selection. Family mobile phone usage and needs are constantly changing. Take into consideration the rapid growth of text messaging by our global youth. New cell phone network providers are building innovative technology that runs on VOIP services. All of which are radically lowering the cost for family cell phone services. Ensuring you have the right plan to meet your family’s cell phone demands will help you as well as your family grow into the ever connected, WIFI world.

Some companies will provide the phone for “free” with a cellular calling plan. This is a good idea if you have a limited budget. The real gotcha comes with the data transfer limits and the restrictions on text messaging that really do not become apparent until after the fact.

Before locking into a multi-year cell phone service contract, you should do some research. New companies like ZER01 communications are altering (for the better) how cell services are being offered and priced; Taking the time upfront to understand your needs, available budget, and requirement for features will allow you to make the right choice when you are at the point of purchasing a calling plan.

Be selective and ask questions. When you know what you are wanting, then you can check out the competing cell phone providers to find the right family plan for you and perhaps for your international business needs.

Unlimited everything mobile phone calling plans are now emerging. Do a bit of research and you should find what you are seeking that will fit within your family’s budget.

Daniel Stouffer
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/family-cellular-coverage-plans-1069380.html

Have you just signed up as a member of a gifting program? Or perhaps you’re considering joining a cash leveraging club? Either way, unless you have had previous experience in online marketing, you’re most likely searching for the best ways to market your cash gifting system.

I’m sure you have read plenty of blogs and watched countless videos on marketing cash gifting. There is a lot of good advice out there that will give any newbie online marketer a good idea of what they should be doing. The only question is, what marketing techniques should you stay away from?

I would like to share my personal marketing experience with you by revealing my fool-proof list of top 10 cash gifting “don’ts”.

DON’T:

1. Use the term “make money”. It’s tempting to title your Craigslist ad: “Make $5000 NEXT WEEK!”, but I must warn you, doing so could be a violation of your program’s Terms Of Use. You see, technically you’re not “making money” with cash gifting, thus the above ad title could be counted as false advertising. Try using terms like “Bring in money”, “Receive money” or even “Get money”.
2. Tell people that it’s “incredibly easy” to succeed in cash gifting… because it isn’t. Anyone who’s not a professional online marketer is going to have to spend a lot of time studying Internet marketing and trying different techniques to find out what works for them. To be honest, it can get quite frustrating in the beginning. You need to make sure that your team understands that, although you will provide them with support and advice, ultimately, they are going to be the ones responsible for their own success or failure.
3. Send a lot of emails to your prospects if your system has a built-in autoresponder. This is self-explainatory: you don’t want to inundate your prospects with a ton of emails. I would recommend signing up with one of your own email addresses on your website, just to see how many automatic emails your system sends. If you do decide to send a custom follow up email, make sure it includes something of value, an e-book or just good advice.
4. Send out any “un-targeted” email campaigns. For one thing, you will get a lot more response from a campaign that goes to a thousand opportunity seekers as opposed to a thousand random people. Also, you could get into trouble if enough people report you – remember, “spamming” is against the law.
5. Seem uneducated and “scammy”. You might have an IQ of 150, but if you write sloppy, “get-rich-quick-sounding” blogs, ads and emails, you’re going to get a much lower response rate. An ad title “WANNA GET SOME FAST $$$? CLICK HERE NOW!” might sound appealing to a small group of Internet users, but overall, people online have a very good “scam detector”. Something simpler and less “in-your-face” should get a much better response.
6. Use paid marketing services that you have just “found on the Internet”. There is nothing wrong with browsing the Net, searching for the next best way to market your cash gifting program, but be VERY CAREFUL whenever you sign up for anything that costs money. There are A TON of services out there that promise a lot of things, but don’t deliver. Always ask your mentor for a list of the “tried-and-true” marketing websites.
7. Make promises that you can’t keep. It pains me to see cash gifting marketers make claims such as “Receive $2,000 CASH The First Week You Join Under Me” or “Sign Up Today And Get Your First Gift By Next Tuesday!” There is NO WAY you can guarantee such things to your prospects, so I suggest you don’t… Unless you want to get dozens of angry phone calls a day from people demanding to know where their money is.
8. Pay for something when you don’t know exactly how it works. Some marketing services offer great-sounding deals on anything from leads to targeted traffic. The only problem is, how do you know if they’re for real? A fool-proof way to figure out whether a company is legitimate is to look at their “About Us” or “How It Works” section. If it sounds wishy-washy – stay away.
9. Put your phone number out there if you want to retain your privacy. This is very simple. If you don’t want to be constantly answering phone calls, don’t plaster your cell number all over the Net! In my experience, it’s much better to provide your number only to those who have opted-in on your web-site. That way the majority of people who contact you will be serious.
10. Lie! This is the biggest of all don’ts! It’s better to admit that you don’t know or haven’t tried something, then to lie about it. A much better tactic is to emphasize your STRENGTHS while drawing the attention away from your weaknesses. Eventually, you will gain enough experience to be able to speak about any aspect of cash gifting with knowledge and confidence.

I hope this advice was helpful to you! If you’re looking for more cash gifting and home business marketing tips, feel free to read my blog at: http://bestcashgiftingreviews.wordpress.com/

Good luck in all of your cash gifting endeavors!

By Brad Sinjin Smith

blueoctopus@cox.net

Brad Sinjin Smith is a wealth expert with a revolutionary cash gifting system that has helped thousands of people create wealth on the Internet. There is no product involved and one doesn’t have to be a computer wiz to be successful at it. On Brad’s web-site http://ToGiveAndToReceive.com, you can learn about how cash gifting can aid your financial situation without considerable money and time investments.

Brad Sinjin Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-tips-articles/cash-gifting-marketing-10-biggest-donts-of-cash-gifting-marketing-672726.html

With consumer sentiment at rock bottom due to the ongoing credit crisis and the US economy on the verge of recession, many consumers are seeking ways to reduce monthly expenses.  A relatively painless way to reduce expenses is to eliminate goods and services that are paid monthly but not needed or fully utilized each and every month.

Telecom services fall into this category for most people since many telecom companies have been very successful at bundling services and selling consumers packages of services that they do not fully utilize.  Many of these packages sound like good deals but they are really just high priced conveniences since most consumers do not fully utilize or even need all of the services in the package.  A smart way to reduce monthly expenses is to rationalize these packages by removing services that are not needed or fully utilized and paying for them separately, as needed.   It is often better to shop around in order to find the best deal on the desired services rather than purchasing them from one service provider.  The following are some examples where phone related expenses can be significantly reduced.

Use Prepaid Long Distance

With the proliferation of cell phones many people question whether the traditional home phone is really necessary any more.  Many households maintain a home phone even though they have a cell phone family plan where all members of the household have a cell phone and individual phone number.  For many, keeping a traditional home phone is a sensible option since it is cheaper than paying for cell phone air time for receiving calls, calling toll free numbers or making local calls.  It may also be necessary for emergencies (911 calls) or for alarm systems or other monitoring devices.  However, traditional long distance phone service is likely not necessary or even an economical option. 

In most cases using prepaid long distance is a far cheaper option than using traditional long distance from the phone company.  Prepaid long distance like that offered by Tel3Advantage is very convenient and costs nothing if it is not used.  So consumers only pay for calls they actually make at dirt cheap rates with no taxes or added fees.  Tel3 only charges 1.9 cents per minute for long distance calls made to North American (USA and Canada) destinations.  This means that a consumer can use more than 500 minutes for a mere $10.  Rates are slightly higher for international calls depending on the location called but they are up to 95% cheaper than phone company rates.  It is also easy to open an account and there is nothing to change, it can be used from any phone or with any existing phone service.  An account can be opened by visiting the Tel3Advantage website or calling 800 441 0321.

Replace Your Existing Traditional Home Phone with a VoIP Phone

Consumers who want traditional home phone service and already have high speed INTERNET should consider adding a VoIP Phone. Home phone service from the phone company is very expensive when compared to VoIP, especially when one considers all of the added fees and taxes.   In comparison, a VoIP phone that includes local phone service, unlimited long distance in North America and every conceivable feature costs as little as $15 to $20 per month (including taxes and fees).  Compare this with your next phone bill.

A VoIP service provider will typically provide a modem and other necessary equipment at no additional charge.  There will usually be a small setup and activation fee but most VoIP service providers will also provide a bonus for new customers, like one month of free service, so setup costs are minimal.  It is relatively easy to save between $60 and $80 per month by using VoIP phone service instead of a home phone from the telephone company.  To be fair, VoIP does have limitations.  It is less reliable than traditional phone service since it needs both electricity and an active INTERNET connection or it will not work.  Also, VoIP will typically not work with home alarm systems or other monitoring devices.  However, people can still save significant money by mixing the two services.  For example, people who need a secure, reliable connection can get a cheap, basic land line from the phone company and install a VoIP phone for making their expensive long distance calls. 

Use Free PC to PC or Cheap PC to Phone Service

Consumers can make Free calls using their computers and an INTERNET connection with PC to PC or PC to Phone service.  Companies like Skype provide Free software for making free calls over the INTERNET between computers.  The software is downloaded from their website and can also be used to make computer to standard telephone calls to any phone in the world.  However, there is a charge for calls to a standard telephone, this is how companies like Skype make money.

Computer to computer (PC to PC) calling is typically Free if both parties download software from the same company.  This is obviously the cheapest option for making long distance calls, especially between international locations.  However, it does have drawbacks and limitations.  For one, both parties need to have a personal computer and an INTERNET connection.  They also need to be on-line at the same time so some coordination is required.  Also, some countries try to block or downgrade Skype calls in order to protect their high cost monopoly phone companies.  For those who can work around these shortcomings, PC to PC calling is a very good and extremely cheap option for making international long distance calls.

Make Cheap International Calls from any Country with Callback Phone Service

International Callback phone service is a popular option for making cheap international calls from countries that have very expensive monopoly, often state controlled, phone companies.  These countries block outside competition in order to keep their international calling rates artificially high.  Rates on Phone Cards also tend to be high in these countries and they often actively block the use of the INTERNET for making low cost calls.  These countries want to force consumers to use their high cost phone company. 

In most cases, international callback can be used to avoid the high tariffs imposed on international phone calls in these countries.  International callback by-passes the high cost monopoly company by placing the international call through a low cost third country.  It works in the following:

1. The user triggers a call to from a phone located in a low cost third country.  The call is triggered by making a call to a special phone number (letting it ring one or two times with no answer) in the third country or by sending a message like an e-mail or a text message from a cell phone.
2. The phone (computer) in the third country recognizes the user and places a call to there phone in the high cost country.
3. The user answers the call and has a dial tone.  The user can than place an international call over the third countries low cost network  by dialing the phone number they desire.  

Callback calls are normally triggered using three different methods.  The most common method is to place a call to a phone number in the third country.  The caller will let the phone ring two or three times than hang up without an answer.   In this way they are not charged for an international call.  A computer at the other end will recognize them based on their phone number and place a call back to their phone number.  Thus the term callback phone service.  When the call is received, the caller will be in the low cost phone system and can place a call to any country in the world.  This method of triggering a call is referred to as traditional callback.  Another method, commonly called web call, uses a standard e-mail message to trigger a callback and place a call.  A third method, commonly called SMS call, uses a text message from a cell phone to trigger a callback and place a call. 

Several countries try to block callback in order to protect their high cost, monopoly phone companies.  Blocking traditional callback is relatively easy since it relies on caller ID in order to recognize the customer.  Blocking web call or SMS call is difficult or impossible so these methods can be used from almost any country. 

Callback phone service can be obtained through a variety of service providers.  The service is almost always provided on a prepaid basis.

Use a Prepaid Cell Phone

Mobile phones are great to have in case of an emergency and a nice convenience but most consumers find them an expensive option especially if they are locked into a long term contract.  Many people do not use all of the minutes they pay for each month so having a long term contract is a waste of money.  One way to avoid paying for unnecessary cell phone services is to purchase a prepaid cell phone.  Prepaid minutes are rather expensive, usually around 10 cents per minute, but a far cheaper option for people who rarely use a cell phone but want one as a convenience or for emergency use.  In most cases consumers need to purchase a phone and prepay minutes in standard denominations  but many prepaid cell phone providers offer rebates and other incentives on phones.  Consumers should shop around for the best deal on a prepaid cell phone.  Also, prepaid cell phone refill cards (minutes) can be purchased at a discount to face value from a variety of discounters for some added savings

Bob Graham
http://www.articlesbase.com/communication-articles/five-ways-to-cut-monthly-phone-expenses-629259.html

Mobile phones have brought many changes in the way people interact with each other. The companies like Nokia and Sony Ericsson have come up with devices which are very hi tech and provide ultimate features. Both the companies are known for
their high customer satisfaction level and post buying service. The two companies give tough competition to each other with their user oriented devices. One can buy any of the mobile phones from these two manufacturers to play with cutting edge technology.
With Sony Ericsson mobile phones one can get a high resolution camera up to 12 mega pixel with 4000 x 3000 resolution for clicking images while Nokia mobile phones are lagging behind with maximum 8 mega pixel camera in newly launched Nokia N86 and 5 mega pixel camera in Nokia N97. There are some devices from these two companies which have powerful LED flash light to capture images in poor illuminated areas. Latest mobile phones from both the companies are coming with autofocus to adjust the lenses according to object orientation for clicking images easily.

Screen has also changed with advancing technology. Now, one can have a touch screen mobile phone at really affordable cost. One has to just touch it and the feature will open up. Sony Ericsson Aino and Nokia 5800 Xpress Music are latest examples
among best touch screen mobile phones. Comparing Nokia Vs Sony ericsson Mobile phones, we will find that both are launching phones with big screen size to give its users pleasant watching experience.

The 3G mobile phones have changed the way of communication entirely. Like in Nokia N97 one can access high speed internet up to 3.6 MBPS, one can do video calls and watch live streaming videos on its media player, more or less same features can be
found in Sony Ericsson Satio as well. Thus, both the mobile phone manufacturers are future ready with their high research and development plans. There are many more handsets from these two companies which are floating in market and highly appreciated by users of all segments. For entertainment purpose these gadgets are of great use, one can listen to melodious music with great sound clarity of Sony Ericsson and Nokia phones having wide range of audio format support.

Thus, the latest mobile phones have created a wave among users to go for them. For purchasing a mobile phone, one can contact the nearest dealer or go to comparison sites on internet. There, one will not only find suitable comparison of Nokia Vs Sony
ericsson Mobile phones but also some tariff plans and offers which will save a lot of money. Contract phones are one of the most suitable deals for users as they offer free laptops,LCD TV, Nintendo Wii, Sony PSP etc and free text messages, discounted call rates or free calls to a number. Thus, these deals can save a lot of money to users who wish to buy a mobile phone as well as any of the free gifted electronic devices
Buying any of the mobile phones from the house of Sony Ericsson or Nokia will not only make one to use high end features but also give them opportunity to feast on ultra modern technology. The latest mobile phones are making life of people smoother
by their user friendly nature. One can buy them for their design, camera or compactness to suit any personality. Phones like Nokia N97 will remain in top of the high performing handsets with its magical facilities.

Martin Dev
http://www.articlesbase.com/cell-phones-articles/nokia-vs-sony-ericsson-mobile-phones-go-for-them-to-explore-the-world-1136603.html

Cellular phones have become one of the most functional modern day gadgets. It has evolved from being a luxurious toy for young professional into a necessity for the multi dimensional life of these young professionals. However, cellular phones have different use for different people. Now, minors sport a cellular phone as a functional display, they consider it part of their wardrobe and flaunt having this modern day gadget in there complete get up. However, this is not the function of cellular phone to the business world. They are necessities and not for dressing up. Because of the varied usefulness of cellular phones and the increasing need and want for easy communication, manufacturers are quick to take advantage of this booming industry. Cellular phones and cellular phone accessories now flood the marketplace with different designs and different functionalities. Various cellular phone models and accessories including Audiovox cellular phone accessory comes in beautiful and functional designs.

Audiovox cellular phones and Audiovox cellular phone accessory can be such functional and comes with models that are lightweight and of beautiful designs. Audiovox cellular phone accessory such as premium power cord is a versatile power cord comes with cellular phone conditioning capacity. Audiovox cellular phone accessory also include a hip clip holder that can be functional even when your cellular phone is not Audiovox. In addition, Audiovox cellular phone accessory such as headsets and ear glove produce a hands-free cellular phone function that will help you keep your hands on the wheels. This will avoid accidents due to one hand driving and decreased attention on the road. Additionally, the over ear portable hands-free kit from the wide array of Audiovox cellular phone accessory line also functions to provide hands free telephony and had a built in feature that reduces background noise. You will hear clearly the person on the other line, even while driving or doing other stuff. There is also that Jabra model of Audiovox cellular phone accessory, which is a headset that provides hands-free telephoning. Jabra is small, lighter that other headsets and stylish; it also functions as a speakerphone and thus is a more functional gadget for your cellular phone.

All these prove that Audivox cellular phone and Audiovox cellular phone accessory line are functional and technologically advance. Audiovox cellular phone accessory is a multi-functional accessory, it can function well with Audiovox cellular phone but it can also perform its functionality with other cellular phone brands.

There is also that Audiovox cellular phone accessory like the multi-functional antennae, this is attached to your car while you travel, and it functions well when you talk to another person on the other line while the car is in motion. There are other antennas that limits their functions when you are mobile, not the antennae from the Audiovox cellular phone accessory line. This Audiovox cellular phone accessory design of antennae is very useful for travelers and corporate executives. If you are looking for functionality in your cellular phone, try to find an Audiovox cellular phone and the matching Audiovox cellular earphone accessory for your communication requirements. They are very good for young professional who endeavor doing many things are the same time. Your Audiovox cellular phone and Audiovox cellular phone accessory line can compliment your highly active lifestyle.

NOVYAR

Novyar
http://www.articlesbase.com/cell-phones-articles/functional-necessity-734890.html

Vuclip, a mobile video search service that has been operating under the radar for a year as “Blueapple.mobi”, offers a unique and free new technology. Vuclip is a mobile website that lets you search videos from popular websites like Youtube, Dailymotion and so on. You can either stream the videos or download them in any format which is compatible with every cell phone which can play videos. In 5 seconds or less, Vuclip can take a video in any format and convert it on-the-fly so that you can download and play it on a very wide range of cell phones. With Vuclip, you can find many popular television clips, MTV music videos and browse categories to discover the most popular videos on the web.

Search for and watch any Internet video on your mobile phone. In addition to having any video delivered to your phone whenever you want you may also now create playlists, receive alerts about new videos and share your favorite videos with friends.

Vuclip also provides a video “API” to push your existing Internet videos to consumers worldwide. Mobile operators can distribute a custom-branded video search and delivery service for their subscribers. Others can push their videos to a variety of mobile devices to enhance their social site. Another option is to provide search and video downloads for your users

Vuclip provides the best mobile video search, convert and download service. Use it to watch videos, television, movies, MTV and music videos on your cell phone for free.

Be sure to check it out today @ www.vuclip.com!

kevinj
http://www.articlesbase.com/video-articles/vuclips-free-mobile-video-search-ready-for-primetime-722489.html

Who ya gonna call? -

Where do you buy your cruise tickets to get the best price? Should you buy from a traditional travel agent, an online mega-seller or direct from the cruise line? Surprisingly, when it comes to the base fare, it doesn’t make much difference. Price variation is more contingent on qualifying for a particular type of discount; promotional, seasonal, past passenger, military or last minute booking- than on where you buy your ticket. The real variables between booking channels are in the level of service provided during the process and perks offered. So read on to learn how to max the experience while making sure you are getting the best value.

When trying to determine actual price from the advertised price, cruise fares can be almost as maddening as airline pricing. Advertised cruise prices are often misleading and unnecessarily vague.

Published prices are always per person based on double occupancy. Additional people occupying the same cabin pay less…usually a lot less. Port taxes and other fees are considerable and are the same for everybody, regardless of category and whether they are the first or fifth person in the cabin.

The add-on fees and taxes when combined with the base fare have been known to add 20% to 50% to the total per person, especially on shorter, already deeply discounted cruises. Always remember to ask about price inclusive of all fees and taxes- or note the fine print if you are reading a brochure. Some cruise lines include the added fees in their advertised prices, most do not. Always ask.

Click here if you would like to see our comments superimposed over a typical cruise ad.

How to qualify for discounts -

The most common discounts are seasonal, last minute, military, geographical, past passenger, senior citizen, positioning itineraries, promotional and distressed categories.

Seasonal – Caribbean cruises are typically discounted in the fall. Alaska cruises will be cheaper at the beginning and end of the season (May, September and October). Ditto for European and Mediterranean cruises – avoid the peak months of July and August and you’ll probably snag a good deal.

Last Minute – Waiting to book can also lead to a great bargain, especially if you are prepared to depart on short notice, having no strong preferences on which ship or itinerary.

Military – Tell the agent that you won the Medal of Honor fighting alongside Sgt. York at the Battle of Verdun and you might get an extra 5% to 10% off.

Geographical – Sometimes small discounts will be available because of where you live – say in Paris, Texas instead of Paris, Tennessee. (Don’t ask why – it is something known only to cruise line executives.)

Past Passenger – lines will frequently offer discounts and/or perks to loyal customers -depending on the number of previous cruises with that particular cruise line.

Senior Citizen – If you are over age 55, ask if an age related discount is available.

Promotional – These kind of discounts can rear their pretty little heads for any number of reasons – again, some only known by cruise lines executives.

Positioning Cruises – These are necessary but less popular itineraries needed to get the ship from one seasonal station to another – say, from Miami to Seattle for the Alaska season. These itineraries are available mostly in the spring and fall and almost always offer deep discounts. But be forewarned – these positioning cruises involve long days at sea and fewer ports. This is especially true of trans-Atlantic positioning cruises.

Category Sale – Another frequent price promotion – a ship may be over-sold in one category and grossly under-sold in another; resulting in deep discounts on the latter.

How to get the most perks –

Many times it is as simple as asking! If you are working with a travel agent, have the TA quiz the cruise line reservations department about any and all available promotions and perks on the sailing(s) that interest you. A good, experienced agent will have a long laundry list of possible perks for which you might be qualified. Or, if booking direct with the cruise line, use what you have learned here about booking direct- but you will need to play the role of Grand Perk Inquisitor yourself.

People who are associated with a group of passengers traveling on the same sailing will automatically qualify for some combination of perks- such as category upgrades, onboard spending credits, free photo, bottle of wine, private meetings, a free shore excursion, etc.

Tip – What most would-be cruisers don’t know is that you only need to be associated with the group on cruise passenger list – not literally. Hence, you only need to find an agency or online consolidator that has group space reserved on cruises that match your desired dates and destination- and before you know it you’re cruising in Perk City. Additionally, if the group is a theme group lead by a celebrity- you might find yourself temporarily basking in the glow and glory of one of your all time idols. Imagine the thrill of being part of the Simon Cowell School of Charm Cruise – complete with an in-the-flesh tongue lashing and public humiliation by Mr. Warm & Fuzzy himself!

Many mega-agencies will have hundreds of departures available with blocked group space into which they can slip perk hungry purchasers.

How to keep costs low -

Cruises were once all-inclusive – one price paid for everything. Today the cruise fare can pale in comparison to the bill you receive at the end of your cruise. There are so many extra cost options – you need to manage those activities as you go.

On board you have no need to carry cash, a credit card or even your wallet on your person - you are issued one card with a magnetic stripe that does triple duty as your room key, on board spending card and boarding pass. You can purchase anything on board with this little piece of plastic convenience in your pocket- alcohol, soft drinks, gift shop items, shore excursions, photographs, spa treatments, art work, surcharges for alternative restaurants, Internet access, ship to shore phone calls- you can even buy chips for gambling in the casino.

Tip – many ships now allow real time access to your on board spending tab at any time from the closed circuit TV in your cabin- displaying a current, up-to-the-minute running total – with details for each line item. So, you can rein in spending if it appears to be getting out of hand. Plus, you can call the front desk at any time to dispute an item if you think the charge is incorrect or excessive for any reason.

Tip toe lightly through the minefield of extra costs once on board -

Alcoholic beverages – Booze is always at extra cost with prices running about what you would expect to pay for similar service in a moderately upscale on-shore establishment.

Soda - priced from $2 to $4 per soda depending on ship and cruise line – if you consume soda daily best bet is to buy the flat rate “unlimited sodas” option for duration of the cruise.

Wine – always at extra cost with prices running about what you would expect to pay for similar in a moderately upscale on-shore establishment – there will be some “freebies” like at the Captain’s Welcome Aboard party or a complimentary bottle if it is your anniversary.

Specialty/Alternative restaurants – most have surcharges of $15 to $40 per person per reservation – the average being about $30. In our opinion the price is well worth paying for a night or two – especially if you want to experience elegant, high-end dining at a level that could easily cost $100 or more per person in a similarly upscale shore side establishment. (Click here for more details on the fine points of maxing the shipboard dining experience.)

Internet access – Available on most ships, you can purchase a basket of minutes for a fixed price. To economize on these dearly priced minutes, read and compose email offline – then log on just for sending and receiving.

Ship to shore phone calls – forget about it! Charges run $2 to $3 PER MINUTE! Buy the Internet access plan instead – then use Skype from your laptop. Plus, your regular cell phone will work on occasion – especially if you are departing from a US port and near land. My Sprint phone usually works just fine from the deck of the ship when within 5 or 6 miles of Miami, Ft Lauderdale or any US island like St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, etc.

Coffee bar – Although regular coffee at meals is included in the cruise fare, you are charged extra for specialty coffees such as espressos and cappuccinos – priced at about what you would expect to pay at Starbucks.

Photos/videos - They are grossly over-priced but it’s a captive audience, so they can get away with it. Even so, you might want to go ahead and buy one or two. My spouse and I always like to get a classy shot of us all dressed up in our matching pink satin bib overalls on formal night.

Shore Excursions – another huge profit center and usually way over-priced – but there’s good news; there are now highly reputable and reliable third party options that can save you a ton of money (Click here to see some alternative possibilities for Shore Excursions.)

Art Auctions – Usually held on days at sea to insure a captive audience, these events are intentionally set in a high trafficked public place to guarantee that innocent victims strolling by will be sucked in by the slick, silver-tongued Art Auction barker. You are cautioned to hold your hand firmly over your pocketbook when in proximity, as well as averting your eyes, humming loudly to yourself to drown out the beguiling sales pitch. It is our personal theory that these Pimped Up Picasso Pushers may be a contributing factor in the recent rash of suicides by jumping overboard. But, that’s just us.

Onboard Shopping – What started out years ago to be just a storage closet with a Dutch door - only open for business for an hour or two each day – primarily for elderly passengers to stock up on essentials such as Denture Cream and Preparation H (sold separately so as not to be confused) has now morphed into mega-malls to rival those of a small city. And, the deals have gotten better and better – with volume has come lower prices – sometimes even lower than shore side because of the lack of taxes.

Tip: Merchandise often goes on sale during port visits – if local authorities allow the onboard shops to stay open while in port – as well as on the last day of the cruise. If you can wait to buy that tacky tank top that says “I went down on the Titanic”, you might save a few bucks.

Gratuities – This is another aspect of cruising that has changed drastically over the years – from no tipping, period…to no tipping required…to “you’d better tip if you ever want to see your luggage again“…to prepaid tips. On cruises today you can expect to tip – but our preference is to maintain control over who and how much. So we stick with the old fashioned method. Pretending to be Congressional lobbyists, we go around the ship on the last night passing out envelopes stuffed with cash. However, if you are into convenience – go the prepaid route. You can always give a little extra on the side at the end of the cruise.

Gambling – There is a reason why the English blackjack dealers refer to customers in the casino as “punters”. For that same reason, our advice is to STAY OUT!…especially if you are easily mesmerized by loud noises, flashing lights and shiny objects going around in circles (NASCAR fans…are you paying attention?)

Tip: Occasionally people just have to test Lady Luck. If this is the case, set aside a fixed amount of money – an amount that you can afford to lose – and when that is gone, casually sip the last of your drink – but NEVER eat the ice; nervous, out-of-control ice eaters have been known to snow in their pants – then slowly but humbly stagger away from the table with downcast eyes, pockets turned inside out. Your dog will still love you.

How to earn a free cruise -

It is a well known secret that cruise lines offer a “TC” – or Tour Conductor berth – to travel agencies booking groups. With most cruise lines the ratio is one free for every fifteen full fare paying passengers traveling on the same cruise. The sixteenth person pays only the taxes and fees. (Note that only the first two people occupying a cabin are credited towards the TC- third and fourth people sharing a cabin at a discount rate don’t count- so you can’t stack-the-deck by cramming five people into each of three cabins.)

Tip - There several ways to leverage this offer – and most travel agencies will work with you on this. Give the credit away to a fellow cruiser; use it to defer your own cost of cruising; tell your travel agent that you want the credit to be an overall discount for the group- or, like a bankrupt CEO bailed out by tax payer money – skip the cruise, pocket the credit as a cash bonus and retire to your deluxe double-wide on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

Pros & cons of booking direct with the cruise line -

Pros – If you know exactly which line you want to take, the cruise line should be able to answer all your questions in great detail and will take your booking direct. You can access a cruise line’s online booking engine 24/7 and not have to wait for the travel agency to open for business.

Cons -The cruise line is going to offer the same price as travel agents – you won’t save any money on the fare. However, they are not going to tell you about any other cruise line that might match your needs – or have lower prices for the same itinerary. If you register on many of the cruise lines own sites for information, the lines will contact you often. One can receive weekly phone calls and emails for months or years!

Once you’ve talked with a travel agency, you need to let the agency handle the cruise booking details, follow up questions, etc. (although other cruise related add-ons such as airfare, hotels, car rental, travel insurance, shore excursions, etc. can still be handled on your own – or online if you are a “do-it-yourselfer” and wish to avoid agency service fees.)

If the cruise line knows that you have already reserved space through an agency they are not likely to provide further information. In such case, when called directly, the cruise line will stonewall – relentlessly referring you back to your travel agent for any more details.

Now you are ready to cruise – to max the experience while controlling the costs. But there’s more. Coming soon – articles on getting the best airfare; the best stateroom, maximizing onboard experiences such as dining, activities, entertainment, as well as how to get the best deal on travel insurance (hint: it is usually NOT the coverage offered by the cruise line).   – Lyn Edwin Cathey

Lyn Cathey
http://www.articlesbase.com/cruising-articles/the-perfect-cruise-vacation-how-to-spend-less-for-the-very-best-1134332.html

With consumer sentiment at rock bottom due to the ongoing credit crisis and the US economy on the verge of recession, many consumers are seeking ways to reduce monthly expenses.  A relatively painless way to reduce expenses is to eliminate goods and services that are paid monthly but not needed or fully utilized each and every month.

Telecom services fall into this category for most people since many telecom companies have been very successful at bundling services and selling consumers packages of services that they do not fully utilize.  Many of these packages sound like good deals but they are really just high priced conveniences since most consumers do not fully utilize or even need all of the services in the package.  A smart way to reduce monthly expenses is to rationalize these packages by removing services that are not needed or fully utilized and paying for them separately, as needed.   It is often better to shop around in order to find the best deal on the desired services rather than purchasing them from one service provider.  The following are some examples where phone related expenses can be significantly reduced.

Use Prepaid Long Distance

With the proliferation of cell phones many people question whether the traditional home phone is really necessary any more.  Many households maintain a home phone even though they have a cell phone family plan where all members of the household have a cell phone and individual phone number.  For many, keeping a traditional home phone is a sensible option since it is cheaper than paying for cell phone air time for receiving calls, calling toll free numbers or making local calls.  It may also be necessary for emergencies (911 calls) or for alarm systems or other monitoring devices.  However, traditional long distance phone service is likely not necessary or even an economical option. 

In most cases using prepaid long distance is a far cheaper option than using traditional long distance from the phone company.  Prepaid long distance like that offered by Tel3Advantage is very convenient and costs nothing if it is not used.  So consumers only pay for calls they actually make at dirt cheap rates with no taxes or added fees.  Tel3 only charges 1.9 cents per minute for long distance calls made to North American (USA and Canada) destinations.  This means that a consumer can use more than 500 minutes for a mere $10.  Rates are slightly higher for international calls depending on the location called but they are up to 95% cheaper than phone company rates.  It is also easy to open an account and there is nothing to change, it can be used from any phone or with any existing phone service.  An account can be opened by visiting the Tel3Advantage website or calling 800 441 0321.

Replace Your Existing Traditional Home Phone with a VoIP Phone

Consumers who want traditional home phone service and already have high speed INTERNET should consider adding a VoIP Phone. Home phone service from the phone company is very expensive when compared to VoIP, especially when one considers all of the added fees and taxes.   In comparison, a VoIP phone that includes local phone service, unlimited long distance in North America and every conceivable feature costs as little as $15 to $20 per month (including taxes and fees).  Compare this with your next phone bill.

A VoIP service provider will typically provide a modem and other necessary equipment at no additional charge.  There will usually be a small setup and activation fee but most VoIP service providers will also provide a bonus for new customers, like one month of free service, so setup costs are minimal.  It is relatively easy to save between $60 and $80 per month by using VoIP phone service instead of a home phone from the telephone company.  To be fair, VoIP does have limitations.  It is less reliable than traditional phone service since it needs both electricity and an active INTERNET connection or it will not work.  Also, VoIP will typically not work with home alarm systems or other monitoring devices.  However, people can still save significant money by mixing the two services.  For example, people who need a secure, reliable connection can get a cheap, basic land line from the phone company and install a VoIP phone for making their expensive long distance calls. 

Use Free PC to PC or Cheap PC to Phone Service

Consumers can make Free calls using their computers and an INTERNET connection with PC to PC or PC to Phone service.  Companies like Skype provide Free software for making free calls over the INTERNET between computers.  The software is downloaded from their website and can also be used to make computer to standard telephone calls to any phone in the world.  However, there is a charge for calls to a standard telephone, this is how companies like Skype make money.

Computer to computer (PC to PC) calling is typically Free if both parties download software from the same company.  This is obviously the cheapest option for making long distance calls, especially between international locations.  However, it does have drawbacks and limitations.  For one, both parties need to have a personal computer and an INTERNET connection.  They also need to be on-line at the same time so some coordination is required.  Also, some countries try to block or downgrade Skype calls in order to protect their high cost monopoly phone companies.  For those who can work around these shortcomings, PC to PC calling is a very good and extremely cheap option for making international long distance calls.

Make Cheap International Calls from any Country with Callback Phone Service

International Callback phone service is a popular option for making cheap international calls from countries that have very expensive monopoly, often state controlled, phone companies.  These countries block outside competition in order to keep their international calling rates artificially high.  Rates on Phone Cards also tend to be high in these countries and they often actively block the use of the INTERNET for making low cost calls.  These countries want to force consumers to use their high cost phone company. 

In most cases, international callback can be used to avoid the high tariffs imposed on international phone calls in these countries.  International callback by-passes the high cost monopoly company by placing the international call through a low cost third country.  It works in the following:

1. The user triggers a call to from a phone located in a low cost third country.  The call is triggered by making a call to a special phone number (letting it ring one or two times with no answer) in the third country or by sending a message like an e-mail or a text message from a cell phone.
2. The phone (computer) in the third country recognizes the user and places a call to there phone in the high cost country.
3. The user answers the call and has a dial tone.  The user can than place an international call over the third countries low cost network  by dialing the phone number they desire.  

Callback calls are normally triggered using three different methods.  The most common method is to place a call to a phone number in the third country.  The caller will let the phone ring two or three times than hang up without an answer.   In this way they are not charged for an international call.  A computer at the other end will recognize them based on their phone number and place a call back to their phone number.  Thus the term callback phone service.  When the call is received, the caller will be in the low cost phone system and can place a call to any country in the world.  This method of triggering a call is referred to as traditional callback.  Another method, commonly called web call, uses a standard e-mail message to trigger a callback and place a call.  A third method, commonly called SMS call, uses a text message from a cell phone to trigger a callback and place a call. 

Several countries try to block callback in order to protect their high cost, monopoly phone companies.  Blocking traditional callback is relatively easy since it relies on caller ID in order to recognize the customer.  Blocking web call or SMS call is difficult or impossible so these methods can be used from almost any country. 

Callback phone service can be obtained through a variety of service providers.  The service is almost always provided on a prepaid basis.

Use a Prepaid Cell Phone

Mobile phones are great to have in case of an emergency and a nice convenience but most consumers find them an expensive option especially if they are locked into a long term contract.  Many people do not use all of the minutes they pay for each month so having a long term contract is a waste of money.  One way to avoid paying for unnecessary cell phone services is to purchase a prepaid cell phone.  Prepaid minutes are rather expensive, usually around 10 cents per minute, but a far cheaper option for people who rarely use a cell phone but want one as a convenience or for emergency use.  In most cases consumers need to purchase a phone and prepay minutes in standard denominations  but many prepaid cell phone providers offer rebates and other incentives on phones.  Consumers should shop around for the best deal on a prepaid cell phone.  Also, prepaid cell phone refill cards (minutes) can be purchased at a discount to face value from a variety of discounters for some added savings

Bob Graham
http://www.articlesbase.com/communication-articles/five-ways-to-cut-monthly-phone-expenses-629259.html

WATCH IN HD(read all info!!)
Finally you can acess the web for free via ur fone with Opera mini 3!!!
Just follow the tutorial!!!
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Noah met with the Boost Mobile people and they sent him off with their new Motorola i465 Clutch. The Clutch is a small messaging phone with a full QWERTY board and a low, contract-free price. Is low cost worth low tech? Check it out for yourself.

More Videos: http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-videos/default.aspx

Win Free Phones: http://www.phonedog.com/sweepstakes/default.aspx

Duration : 0:7:41

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Technorati Tags: Boost, cell, Clutch, i465, krav, kravvy, kravvykrav, MOBILE, motorola, noah, phone, phonedog, prepaid, sprint