I just googled a phone number that was in my call log as a ‘missed call’ and lo and behold I discovered a goldmine of a website…

It’s called: WhoCalled.Us and you can input the phone number or other info you have and often find answers from the other helpful folks who’ve commented there.

Sweet! That way you know if you want to return the call or just delete it. I left them a thank you for creating their site in the first place, very helpful and FREE!!

Have a superb day,
Donna

What a wonderful way to answer email, create ebooks, and tons more creative tasks - while simultaneously saving your body from frozen shoulder (MAN that hurts like a momma bear) or your wrists from the inevitable carpal tunnel syndrome that plagues many of us.

I personally use it, love it, and very highly recommend it!

Learn more about Dragon Naturally Speaking by clicking here They have lots of other cool solutions for business or personal use, but I found version 10 to suit my needs perfectly.

When you get there, it’s a UK site but click the “change country” link at the top of the page to see the product in your own currency. They aren’t kidding about it being a LOT faster than the old versions either – it is so amazing to talk and watch the typing while you rest your hands in your lap!

Sure there’s a learning curve, but it’s not steep like Adobe’s products, so you’ll be up and running in no time at all. All you need is a decent microphone and you’re ready to speak your emails, ebooks or any other written creation – and you can even tell it to send emails, visit other sites, etc. It’s very intuitive and fun to use.

Wishing you less painful wrists and much speedier typing!

Donna

Today is Granny’s RANT - I just got a phone call from a robotic female recording (not even a human being – AND on a Sunday) regarding my Amex Blue credit card account.

Firstly, please understand that I’ve paid on it faithfully every month, used it only when necessary, and never defaulted (or any other bad thing) for NINE long years and yet they (the “Review Committee” at American Express) decided to lower my “ceiling” to just under $100 above what is currently owed on the account.

Maybe it’s the current state of the economy or maybe they are so scared they’re doing this to ALL of their customers to prevent further charges or balance transfers – I dunno what’s going on, but it STINKS!

What kind of treatment is that for a GOOD customer who’s been with them nearly a decade? (Makes you wonder what they do to the ones who default or just quit paying entirely doesn’t it?)

What do you suppose it does to your credit rating when the balance owed is suddenly almost the same as the credit limit (which used to be over $11K) – it makes you look like you’re over-spending and lowers your score!

Here’s what I just wrote to them online inside my account:

To the “Review Committee”:

I have been a faithful customer for NINE years – always paying on time, never defaulting and you treat me as though I just signed up last week!

I just got your automated robot call that you AGAIN lowered my limit on my card to just above what I owe you. By this action you very likely will have an adverse affect on my credit score.

I don’t intend to make ANY further charges on this card now or in the future so if you want it cut up and mailed to you, so be it. I just wanted you to know that your actions are NOT appreciated one iota.

If this is how you treat “valued” customers then I’d hate to see what you do to anyone who doesn’t pay on time (like I always have).

Perhaps it’s time to close the account – listing it as “closed by CUSTOMER” in the credit bureau.

A VERY Unhappy Amex long-time customer,

Donna Maher

Do you think I was too harsh with them? I’d love to have some other opinions on this, but at least… thanks for letting me “rant” about it!

Unhappy Granny Today

PS: I just found a wonderful website with some amazing financial excel spreadsheets you can get for nada and a good article on credit cards (wish I’d read it 7 years ago!) http://www.uncommonwaytowealth.com/credit-debt-management/