How to get an early upgrade with Verizon Wireless

If you've ever owned a cell phone and signed up for service with a 2 year contract, you would know that it's near impossible to keep 1 device for a year and 8 months (eligible for Verizon upgrade) without banging it up. So read this article and find out out you could upgrade your phone earlier than your scheduled upgrade date!

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If you're looking to upgrade Verizon phone before the eligibility date, then start off by finding out what that date is.
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If the current date is within a few months of your upgrade date, you will give Verizon Wireless' customer service center a call.
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Once there, tell them that you want to upgrade your phone early and come up with some boogie excuse like you lost your phone, your phone doesn't send or receive text message correctly, or all of a sudden the device keeps dialing out by itself. Whatever the excuse may be, make sure to let them know it is their fault and they need to do something to accommodate you.
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Of course they are going to tell you that they can't do it and blah blah blah. Well if they can't do it, then who can? And it sure isn't your fault that your device is dialing out by itself and your minutes are being eaten up unintentionally, right? If the representative keeps on insisting that they can't do it, simply hang up, call back, and you will get another representative on the line. Repeat step 3 and 4 until you get a response you want to hear.
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After that, you should be okay to walk right into a Verizon store, or even a Best Buy, to purchase a new phone. How do I know? I am currently employed at a cell phone retailer and have done this many time with Verizon. Quite frankly, I don't understand how they get away with selling a phone to a customer that could last a year and a half at most and expect the customer to keep it for any longer than that. Good luck.

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A Mighty Wallet Review

We like the Mighty Wallet. It’s no secret. But we thought our first post about them was a bit lacking in detail and grit. So here we are with a hands-on review.

The Mighty Wallet from Dynomighty, to recap, is made with 25% post-consumer materials such as recycled milk and water containers, and is also 100% recyclable. It’s made from Tyvek (the stuff used to make those incredibly sturdy express mail envelopes) and so resists tears because of its thousands of interlocking plastic fibers spun in random patterns giving the wallet incredible strength. Plus, its super-clever origami design reinforces that strength by using a single folded stitch less construction allowing the wallet to gradually expand and adapt to meet your own personal storage needs.

Review after the jump!

Here is a list of things that we like about the Mighty Wallet:

Contains 25% post-consumer content (water and milk containers).

Tear-resistant, water-resistant and expandable because of the nature of the material. We’re 3 weeks into using one and it is still in pristine condition, with just a little expansion to make room for credit cards. We can;t believe how durable it is.

Recyclable. Who do you know who has a recyclable wallet?

Very light with a slim profile. It makes for a great everyday or ‘night out’ wallet. A great alternative to bulky leather wallets.

Useful. 2 interior pockets, 2 inward facing credit card pockets (hold approximately 16 cards) and 2 quick access business card pockets.

Lots of cool designs. We’re rocking the newsprint edition right now.

Conversation starter. We’ve never been asked about our wallets. Ever. Until the Mighty Wallet came along.

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Senate nears passage of $858 billion tax-cut deal

The $858 billion tax-cut deal moving through Congress will jolt life into the struggling U.S. economy over the next two years, but faces one more major hurdle first - passing the House of Representatives despite Democrats angry about its estate tax and Republicans upset about its mammoth deficit spending.

The Senate was expected to pass the deal overwhelmingly early Wednesday, drawing a breadth of bipartisan support previously unseen during Barack Obama's presidency. Next stop is the House, which could vote as soon as Wednesday and where eventual passage is expected despite reservations on all sides.

Economists figure the deal should boost economic growth by up to as much as a full percentage point in 2011 and lower the unemployment rate, now 9.8 percent, to as low as 8.7 percent by year's end.

The plan, negotiated by Obama administration and GOP officials, would extend all Bush-era tax cuts, first enacted in 2001 and 2003, for two years. It also would cut the Social Security payroll tax for workers by 2 percentage points next year and provide 13 months of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed. And it would tax individual estates of more than $5 million at a 35 percent rate.

Leading economists have blessed the deal on grounds that it'll juice up the moribund U.S. economy - but just how much is debatable.

"The package would result in real GDP growth in 2011 of about 4 percent, and before the package we were expecting growth of about 3 percent," said Augustine Faucher, a director at economic forecaster Moody's Analytics.

Growth that strong would boost payrolls by 2.6 million jobs - twice as many as Moody's projected before the deal - and lower the jobless rate to 8.7 percent by year's end instead of staying stuck at 9.8 percent, Moody's calculates.

The biggest boost, Faucher said, wouldn't come from extending the tax rates now in place, but from extending unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed, expanding some business tax breaks and the proposed one-year payroll tax holiday.

Extending the tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, whose tax rate was set to jump on Jan. 1 by about three percentage points, won't translate into more consumer spending, according to economists, because the rich tend to save more. That doesn't mean, however, that there isn't benefit from retaining the lower rates for everyone.

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Black and Decker Cordless Screwdriver

What If Black and Decker Cordless Screwdriver Is Not What You Are Looking for? Having a screwdriver at home is really helpful as you can yourself do some minor repair work with it. These days the tools and appliances for maintenance and fixing are getting superior and better. A cordless screwdriver is just one example of this. This is your basic screwdriver without the long cord attached to it. It is portable, you can take it anywhere with you and you do not have to worry about electricity being available to do your work.

There are many brands available in the market today. Black and Decker is one such popular brand which manufacturers many electric devices. If you are not looking for a Black and Decker cordless screwdriver then there are many other brands which are available and you can choose one according to your need and your budget.

The popular brands of cordless screwdrivers are Hitachi, Bosch, Skill Twist drivers and many more. Each one has its own unique features with various power capabilities. You should make a visit to the hardware store and ask for the best one. They might show you the Black and Decker cordless screwdriver but you can then ask for the other good brands. Always make sure you take a good look at the product before you buy it. You can even ask to test the product.

There are other drills which are also available if you are not looking for a Black and Decker screwdriver. These drills are mostly electric and they can be just plugged in and used for all your repair needs. If you buy a good branded cordless screwdriver set then you will also get a few pieces along with many bits and accessories. You will then have a complete screwdriver set for varying screw sizes.

The other advantage of buying a cordless screwdriver is that you can just charge it and then carry it anywhere. You do not have to be on the lookout for an electric plug point to do all your work and neither do you have to be dependent on electric power to finish your repair work. Like other tools and gadgets the Black and Decker cordless screwdriver is quite popular for the common repair needs but if you want any other specific brand like the Milwaukee, Dewalt and Ridgid R8 then you should go shopping for them.

One great way to gain knowledge about the other brands is to check online. You can then compare brands, read product reviews, compare features and prices and then decide which one you want to buy. If you decide on buying this tool from an online har

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Choosing a Domain Name While Considering Search Engine Optimization

Choosing a good domain name can help increase your website's chances of ranking well in search engine results. The more you pay attention to the SEO basics, the more likely it is that you'll be able to make it to the first page of search engine results.

An exact match domain is going to make it a little easier to rank for your keyword than one that isn't an exact match. This is especially true for niche websites. If you're looking to build a bunch of niche websites, you don't want to spend months trying to rank for a keyword that doesn't get a ton of traffic. Choose a keyword where the exact match domain name is available.

Top level domains (TLD) make a difference too. The top level domain is the part on the end, e.g..com,.net,.org. Tests and research indicates that the best TLD's to use are.com,.net and.org, in that order. That doesn't mean you can't rank using other TLD. You can, it just takes a little more work. If you search for any phrase using Google, take a look at how many of the results use.com compared to the other TLD's. That, in itself, is pretty convincing.

There are major differences between the types of website a person can build. The approach to building a niche website is very different from that of building a blog. A niche website is more about finding a small market that is relatively easy to rank well for. You don't want to spend months implementing a complex SEO strategy for a niche website. You want to rank well in a fairly short period of time and start making money.

If you're interested in creating a blog, or website that'll be around for a long time, you can afford to get a domain name that isn't an exact match. A "brand" domain is more about building an audience, developing a brand, creating multiple sources of traffic, as well as ranking for some related keywords.

You need to be willing to spend months trying to rank for keywords. It would probably be a little easier if you have an exact match domain name. But, don't feel compelled to choose a domain name with keywords in it if you're trying to build a site based on a brand name.

When it comes to SEO basics, every little bit helps. You can choose to do things any way you want to and it probably won't make or break your website. If you don't want a domain with keywords in it, then don't choose one. You could still rank for keywords that you target. If you want to use a.info domain, go right ahead. You could still rank for keywords that you target. It might be harder, but you could still do it.

Everything is cumulative when it comes to SEO. The more good SEO practices you follow, the easier it will be for you to rank well. If you ignore good SEO practices, then you'll be making it harder for yourself. Typically, no one thing will determine whether or not you can get to the first page of search results. But, together, the choices you make will make a big difference. Do as many things as you can to make it easy for yourself.

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Prestige Remote Car Starter Instructions

Prestige Security Remote Car Starter is among the popular remote starter systems that can be installed to your car aftermarket. Once installed, you can program wireless remotes to the system transmitter within your car in just minutes. A programmed remote will allow you to start your car from within your house or hundreds of feet away in the street. Programming requires no previous experience and will have your remotes ready as soon as you finish.

Instructions

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Enter your vehicle with the Prestige remote system and be sure to have your remote and ignition keys in hand. Close all of the car's doors behind you.
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Turn your key in the ignition to the "On" position and move the valet switch from "On" to "Off" three times in quick order. The switch is located underneath the dash near the bottom of the panel.
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Wait for the light to flash and the siren to chirp and press either button one, button two or both buttons, depending on what you would like to program.
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Hold the button until the siren chirps again and turn the valet switch "On" and "Off" again, wait for the siren and the programming will be completed.

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Import a Car From Japan - The Basics

If you are into buying the most efficient, useful and greatly designed car models, you need to acquire basic knowledge about how to import a car from Japan. It is a common knowledge nowadays that Japanese car manufacturers are way ahead of the game when it comes to production and introduction of really interesting and efficient car models.

The sales figures of Japanese car companies all around the world can be a living proof of how global consumers are very much confident of Japanese car brands. If you want to have a very useful and efficient vehicle, import a car from Japan.

There are standard and basic procedures that must be followed when you are aiming to import a car from Japan. Before you proceed to import a car from Japan, of course, it is important that you first determine a good and impressive car model that you would surely love. If you have the specifics about the model and the brand, it would be easier to target your import requirements.

Online or through other means, start finding exporters of brand new or even used cars from Japan. Getting contact with these companies, you have to ask for brochures or a list of car models and products that you can browse at and choose from.

When you have chosen the car model and the Japanese exporter, you have to make a valid and purchase offer for the model. When you import a car from Japan, you would be asked to secure pro-forma invoice that would be sent to you by the exporter through fax.

Fill up, sign the invoice, and return to the Japanese exporter. The pro-forma invoice would serve as a document to prove that you are agreeing to all terms and conditions related to the purchase transaction.

When you import a car from Japan, you also have to transact the payments through online or electronic means. Send purchase payments through wired transfer or through bank transactions. Allocate a few days or weeks, as shipment of your purchased car would need some time to complete processing and facilitation.

Hire a shipping agent to handle the car import upon arrival and to settle the clearance with customs officials. In some countries, you will be asked to shoulder import duty tariffs, value added tax, customs levies, agent charges and registration payments. If you aim to import a car from Japan, now you have a better idea how you would do it

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Oklahoma Child Support Laws

Child support is one of the most contentious issues in family law, and Oklahoma child support issues are no exception. When dealing with Oklahoma child support, it is best if you have a good Oklahoma child support attorney to help you. But there are also some things which you can and need to know right up front about child support in Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma child support laws. While many people don't realize it, most state child support laws are fairly fixed, and don't take into account such things as what your or your ex's actual child-related expenses are.

The child support laws of most states look at only a few factors, and you may find that your Oklahoma child support award takes into account only:
# How much you earn
# How much your ex earns
# How many children you have; and
# What percentage of time the children are under each parent's care and control

Sometimes, although not often, a court will consider expenses which it may consider extraordinary, however that is the exception, not the rule. In most states, for example, the cost of dancing lessons, sports lessons, or other discretionary extracurricular activities, will not be taken into account when awarding child support.

Nor does the court usually really care how much rent you pay, how much your mortgage is, or what your other living expenses are. They really only care about income, number of children, and the time the children are with each parent. This often confuses people who live in states which require the parents to fill out lengthy and complicated income and expense forms. Why do they want to know your expenses if they aren't going to take them into account? It's a good question, and often it is a holdover from days when they did things differently, but you still have to fill them out.

Some exceptions to the above rule include the cost of child care if it is required during the custodial parent's work hours, or while they are going to school in an effort to create better job opportunities for themselves. In those situations, the non-custodial parent will often be ordered to pay part or all of that child care expense. The same will often hold true for medical expenses which are not covered by insurance, and if the children are not insured through the custodial parent's employment, the noncustodial parent may also be ordered to pay for medical insurance for the children.

Whether any of these exceptions will apply in your Oklahoma family law matter will depend on various factors, and you should consult a qualified Oklahoma lawyer to determine what your options and rights are. If you need to find an Oklahoma child support lawyer, you can consult our Find an Oklahoma Lawyer page.

Fights over money, especially with respect to child support, lead to some of the most damaging family law cases of all - and such battles are particularly damaging to the children. In the end, it's just money. Try to remember that as you weigh what is most important to you - money, or your children's well-being, and your relationship with your children. Think about it in these terms: how much would you pay to someone to see your children happy? That is the flip side of a child support fight: how much are you willing to damage your children by exposing them to their parents fighting over who will pay how much for them?

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Few Ideas for Last-Minute White Elephant Gift Ideas for Holiday Parties

Here are a few ideas for coming up with a last-minute white elephant gift for holiday parties. I hope you find one that suits your special event. The key principle to follow with these gifts is the concept of "non sequitur." In other words, anything that is out of context with the idea of the typical tasteful, conservative Holiday gift will be appreciated. Happy shopping, and here's to some wild Holiday parties!

Perhaps the most celebrated White Elephant gift exchange I ever gave was a leather dog collar (for human beings) with small metal studs in it. I live near Haight Street in San Francisco, and Haight Street has numerous stores with these kinds of "accessories." If you want to get a reaction, try giving a gift like this. I think you will be shocked at the response - I was. I actually turned red, because I hadn't anticipated the uproar. And guess who ended up with the collar? My boss, of course... You can find these kinds of items anywhere, by the way. I don't know if your town or city has a "Blue Light district," but let's face it, most of them do (and it's usually in a surprisingly accessible area). Try to shop in a safe one, though, or if it isn't safe, bring some really big guys with you when you do your shopping.

Along these same lines, if you have any store near you that sells hosiery, or a drugstore, you can always find a racy pair of stockings (like fishnet) for not much money. Those will make a very memorable White Elephant gift at your Holiday Party. And you can always run out and buy a pair at the last minute. In fact, these kinds of hosiery are usually on sale because - let's face it - they're harder for stores to unload than the usual, boring "suntan toeless" variety.

Okay - it's an hour before the party, and you have nothing. You're panicking, palms sweating - hey, wait! Remember the aforementioned drugstore? You're saved. Just buy a bunch of condoms and wrap them up in a package with a nice ribbon. All set! Your friends or coworkers will be talking about this one for years

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Short & Long Term Capital Gains Tax

If you're going to invest (whether it's in stocks, real estate or even rare stamps), you have to understand capital gains. After all, whether you win or lose with your picks, mastery of this convoluted part of the tax code can both soften your losses and sweeten your gains.

If you want no more than a good estimate of your cap-gains liability, you probably won't need to go further than this page. With Capital-Gains Tax Estimator you can plug in your gains and losses for investments you sold last year to figure out your tax hit. Keep in mind that this is also a good strategizing tool to use when you're weighing whether or not to sell some shares right now or later this year.

But if you really want to make this complicated corner of the tax code work to your advantage, we've got more reading for you. The first step is to understand at which rate sales are taxed. That depends on your income from other sources, how long you held the asset and what type of asset it is. (Believe it or not, your prized snow-dome collection would most likely be taxed at a higher rate than, say, your mutual-fund shares.) There's a lot to keep track of: While short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income, the taxes on long-term gains (for assets held more than one year) can range from 0% to 28%.

Once you've got the different rates straight, you're ready to strategize by using your losses to offset your gains. To do so, you need to calculate your net loss or gain.

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