| #: |
From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 6380. |
Marc
Seattle Age: 52 Sep 7, 2009
|
#6378 - Iris - Childrens privacy
First, don't use the bus. Take them yourself or get a friend to. Second, consider using a small private school. We use a church based school with approximatly 55 students(k-6). Since I take her to school each day I know all the staff, about 8 people, and most of the students and parents. Since the school is church based it tends to be conservative and since it is small the staff are very flexible about privacy and other issues. If they lose too many students they could lose their job. It's also not too expensive.
|
| 6379. |
Paul
San Francisco Age: 28 Sep 7, 2009
|
pre-paid cards online
What is the best pre-paid ONLINE card for anonymous purchases when you're NOT having something delivered? For example, dating sites like Eharmony, etc.? I've heard a lot of these cards don't work online(w/o a name on them anyways) and I don't wanna get stuck w/ a useless one. Any and all suggestions welcome. Glad I found your site, great info!
...
Have you also checked my blog?
www.invisible-privacy.com
|
| 6378. |
Iris
King George, VA Age: 40 Sep 7, 2009
|
Children & privacy
I hadn't really thought about it until after reading HTBI and then seeing the full page ad in our local newspaper...the school bus schedule! This schedule tells me the school (elementary, middle, or high=telling me age range of children), house address that the bus stops at, and what time it will be there.
This schedule could provide lots of information to a pedophile, stalker, PI, or whomever. Additionally; sommeone could check the list of students and their assigned classroom/teacher posted on the school doors. There are lots of ways this informmation could be used outside its intended purposes.
It may sound a little on the side of paranoia; but your family information is on public display.
...
Good point, Iris!
|
| 6377. |
Abagail
Chicago, IL Age: 30 Sep 7, 2009
|
RE: Private Vaults (post #6370)
Otto, I think (and would be interested in hearing what others have to say) that, generally, as soon as you rely or trust an outside entity with your data, you've potentially lost your data. Now, I only mean this literally in terms of having them pickup/deliver back your data files, disks, or whatever it is. I personally know someone that lost a hard-drive forever by sending it to a repair facility. They switched his with another customers' so he got someone else's hard-drive (which he returned to the customer, it had very sensitive financial material on it, he had to find a letter to figure out who the hard-drive belonged to, he never got his back though). If they allow you to personally place your documents or valuables into the vault yourself, then it seems like a potentially great service. I would still keep another backup somewhere else however. The anonymous account sounds terrific on the surface, yet I would be cautious about that - they and their facility is in America, after all, not in a country that values privacy or understands numerical accounts. By advertising basically what is just like the number-based swiss bank account (no name, etc), they have to be already be on the radar. That detail should have been kept under wraps IMHO, something
they could reveal to callers if and when they enquire what info is
required to open an account. The implicit assumption is that you could
store tons of cash or your "medications" in the vault anonymously, and that obvious possibility is bound to attract attention, I would think.
Without any account information, then I would think it would be more likely that an actual search would/could be done. It seems like a good enough reason alone. Additionally, Florida has its share of problems so it probably would be better to be located somewhere like Idaho or Iowa, for example, but for obvious reasons, Florida has got to be much better
for building a privacy/anonymous-oriented business.
|
| 6375. |
Seth
collbran, co Age: 50 Sep 6, 2009
|
Voting, CCW, and what I can still do
Mike wrote, "After reading many of the posts regarding voting I slowly and with much wrenching psychic pain came to the conclusion that voting and privacy are largely irreconcilable. *Then* I read about concealed carry. I consider the right of self defense to be more important, especially to me personally, and realized that voting is not even remotely my problem of first priority."
Absolutely correct. I will be facing the same conundrum shortly, when my existing permit, which is from a county different from where I live now, expires. Technically I'm supposed to notify the Sheriff within 30 days of a change of address, but I still own property in the old county, so I can plausibly say that that is my true place of residence because I have an "intent" to return there to domicile. I keep my post office box in that community for that reason as well.
Presuming that I don't sell the property in the next month or so, I'm going to renew my permit in the old county, which will keep me for another five years.
Then comes the hard decision, whether to comply with the law and provide my true address or try to skate around it.
I'm leaning towards renting an apartment somewhere for a month and using that as the renewal address, but never actually living there. Alternatively I may use the street address of close friends nearby.
Or I may dispense with the permit entirely, given the fact that only once in 25 years of concealed carry have I ever encountered a situation where it mattered, and that was during an accident investigation where I could easily have just put the gun in the glove box when the trooper showed up, rather than wearing it and having him disarm me during the contact, which is legal in Colorado.
One might claim homelessness, as the federal government allows the homeless to use a shelter address or even a park bench as a "legal residence" for the purpose of registering to vote, but this is likely to be detected unless you actually live on the street.
|
| 6374. |
Mike
Fairfax, VA Age: 27 Sep 6, 2009
|
Voting, CCW, and what I can still do
After reading many of the posts regarding voting I slowly and with much wrenching psychic pain came to the conclusion that voting and privacy are largely irreconcilable. *Then* I read about concealed carry. I consider the right of self defense to be more important, especially to me personally, and realized that voting is not even remotely my problem of first priority.
I have come to the conclusion that I am going to carry as long as it is legal for me to do so, irregardless of everything else. That said, which measures are of use (keeping my true address out of deliverer's hands, the DMV, not having a home phone, etc), and which are consequently unimportant due to my true address being required for the concealed carry permit?
On a side note, I could move to Vermont, no permit requirement for concealed carry.
Also, as a possible solution, albeit with rather intrusive results, what about moving yearly (or every 2, or 4, years to hit whichever elections) immediately following each election, registering the move 10 days or so before the election (whatever the minimum requirement is. Your actual domicile would only be exposed for 10 days, and furthermore you would not have to actually be in residence for those 10 days, but actually moved out, but still paying rent, 11 days before the election. (Obviously not a very tolerable solution for the CCW if I have to defend myself on months 9 after the last move.)
|
| 6373. |
Drake
LA, CA Age: 34 Sep 6, 2009
|
Tommy - 6353
"...Also, family court records are not public, yet my local newspaper published a family court legal notice including full names of both parties. How can this be???"
Tommy, you want to see something in the newspaper that will curl your hair? Look at the link below. Absolutely NOBODY needs to have this detailed information plastered across the small town they are moving to, or the Internet. Shame on the 'reporter' who listed private details in a column instead of writing a story. Any story! Now it is ALL 'public record'.
Think like a bad guy. What more can you want to know about your next target?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.currycountyreporter.com/news/story.cfm?...
|
| 6372. |
bobby
newport beach CA Age: 72 Sep 6, 2009
|
ref mike #6322 & george # 6334
The thought of bartering with gold & silver coins seems a little far fetched. If in fact there is hyperinflation & true economic collapse, it would seem to me that gold & silver would be worth thousands of dollars an ounce and who could make change, You would have to sell or exchange your metal for currency to make your daily purchases. Gold & silver as an investment makes sense so that they will appreciate in value and increase your net worth. Mike, don't worry about the end of the world theory until 12-21-2012. And if that comes true you won't have anything to worry about.
The thought of storing or hiding gold & silver coins & bars seems like a doom & gloom philosphy. I prefer to invest in gold & silver mining companies, in other words buy stock. George, you seem to be trading coins at your local coin store, as you mention they charge alot over spot for the 90% junk bags of silver and even gold coins. My experience is that your major brokerage firms that deal in metals charge only about 72-90 cents over spot for the 90% junk bags, and about $2.00 over spot on silver 1oz coins, and $40-$60 over spot on 1 oz gold coins. All the coins have a different premium, with the American Eagle leading as it is most popular. The cheapest seems to be the So. Africian Krugerand. They have all the various countries legal tender coins, no collector items, no nuismantic items. But remember, things do change. The major firms do charge to open an account & buy anything. They have a fee to buy coins & bars, and there is storage charge & a delivery charge should you want delivery. Also there is no privacy. They need to know who you are, SS#, DOB, legal address verified !! Shop around. turn to the Yellow pages. They have higher miniumn purchases. It sounds like you are waisting your time worring about the gold-silver ratio. Governments can change things. In the 1970's you had the Hunt Brothers trying to corner the silver market and the CFTC cancelled all new purchases of silver futures contracts. So as a result silver went from $52 to $3 over the next ten years. So where were all the buyers that said silver was, at that time, going to $100, They all became sellers of physical silver, silver came out of the woodworks. there is a time to buy & a time to sell. So that whole period is a useless effort of worry. If the trend is up, go with it. If the trend is down go with it. Gold is where it's now. Those who think silver is going to explode are dreaming to make money on the cheap man's metal. As gold goes over $1000 silver may get to $20. Well goody goody. Good Luck
And if I'm wrong so be it.
|
| 6371. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX Age: 45 Sep 6, 2009
|
Skipping College Isn't for Everyone
As I've said probably once a year since I've been posting here, just as attending college isn't for everyone--just around 28% of US residents complete college--skipping isn't either.
Ask yourself: do you want your doctor to have "skipped college"? What about your attorney? Your financial planner? The myriad other professionals who require a college degree to do what they do and serve us? I think not.
Similarly, not EVERYONE can run a business. It's far more complex than it appears and not knowing what you're doing--or not having the heart for it--can lead to ruin. Can it be learned by most people? Sure. But can everyone be a successful enough entrepreneur to make a living at whatever business they choose? Hardly.
I was an entrepreneur for nearly a decade before returning to school and getting my bachelor's degree. I have some graduate education but grad school bored me silly and was far to political. Where undergrad (at least USED to be) about developing your thinking skills/independent thinking, grad school is about group-think, go only this way and I was born an entrepreneur. I went to college because I WANTED to go and I went to one of the best schools in the world predominantly on a scholarship. (I've only ever had to take loans for living expenses because I was a mother raising a child who, himself, has been called to a career requiring a bachelor's degree or higher).
My nephew, on the other hand, has ALWAYS wanted to fix, refurbish and outright build cars. He requires vocational training not a college degree. And even WHEN he starts his own business (because that's what we do iin our family), he will have help from his auntie who did go to college and his mother who decided to return after many year out and is clocking nearly straight A's in a top, online undergrad program.
So, I'm a bit frustrated by the single-minded focus on "skipping college" when doing so is as impractical for some as going is for others. Moreover, I sense some resentment and/or even snobbery from those who may not have gone and think others who have/desire to are foolish. That's as unfair to those of who attend/desire to attend college as it is for those of us who have/are going to disparage your choice.
Don't skip college if YOUR true calling requires it. Plan and save for it starting as young as possible, get scholarships (some $93 billion annually go unused) and skip the debt). Go to a community college for the first two years and transfer to a four year from there. Learn how to preserve your privacy (um, yeah, you gotta forget posting those college binging photos and sharing your life story and your every thought on Facebook and Myspace!) and then prevent your school and others from violating your hard won privacy. (My son's school rarely uses nor requires social security numbers, for example. He now refused to provide them EXCEPT to apply for financial aid. And, BTW, I have NEVER had anyone obtain my financial aid transcript and use it against me. That's like getting somebody's tax return--actually, it's far more difficult. So, I don't worry about that.)
Despite not needing to have a degree to be a successful entrepreneur, I will never bitterly regret having obtained my degree. I learned more from the experience than I did from any books there could ever have taught me and grew in ways I could not have as just an entrepreneur. In fact, I'm a BETER entrepreneur (who is moving into teaching others how to be outstanding entrepreneurs, with or without a college degree.)
And, like or not, even entrepreneurs with bachelor's degrees get more and better opportunities than those without. It's one of the few places that stats can't be effectively skewed...they are what they are. (See link below.)
So, if you don't think college is for you, don't go. But if you know it is, especially if your calling requires it, don't "skip college" because others you know chose not to attend or were bitterly disappointed, debt-ridden barristas (sp?) at Caribou Coffee (since Starbucks is closing stores as even many college-educated individuals get laid off).
And for those who are considering returning, be smart and avoid the debt but, if this is your goal--even your calling--heed that call.
...
I stand by what I say in "SKIP COLLEGE." At least half the students should never be there. I admit that for certain professions a degree is necessary. In all other forms of employment, you do NOT need a degree if you work for yourself. I quit college at the start of my senior year. I have never once been asked about a degree. As for a career in law, read the Appendix.
|
| 6370. |
Otto
Pasadena, CA Age: 41 Sep 5, 2009
|
Private Vaults
The attached link might be interesting to run past this group.
The home page says: "Since it is non-governmental, you may open an anonymous account at Sarasota Vault for further security."
A] Does anyone have an opinion about this site/company? B] Does anyone have an opinion about private vaults in general? C] What experiences have you had with them? D] Are their privacy claims trustworthy?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.sarasotavault.com/...
|
| 6369. |
Dave
Greensboro, NC Age: 29 Sep 4, 2009
|
Buying stuff online with gift cards
I have purchased items through target.com with target gift cards and had them sent in the name of a fictitious company with no problems. Perhaps the visa/amex/mastercard gift cards are different? I highly recommend the store gift card method. Target.com and walmart.com sell books, dvds, electronics, clothes, practically whatever you want, and all you do is buy a gift card with cash in one of their stores and use it online with any name and address. Pretty much all chain stores sell gift cards that can be used online: Lowes, Best Buy, Victoria's Secret, Brooks Brothers, Radio Shack, whatever. You may not get the lowest possible price, but it's a compromise you make when protecting your privacy.
|
| 6368. |
Stan
Atlanta Age: 44 Sep 4, 2009
|
Is A College Education Worth The Debt?
as college classes begin, our money coach gives students advice about smart financial planning. But first, walk into a local eatery or retail store and you may find some debt-ridden college graduates behind the counter riding out the recession with minimum wage paychecks
Submitted Link #1: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?story...
...
In my ever-so-humble opinion, at least half of the students entering college this fall have no business being there. They will end up some day bitterly regretting that they ever went into debt.
|
| 6367. |
Stan
Atlanta Age: 44 Sep 4, 2009
|
Questioning the Return on Educational Investment
“If college education doesn’t always get you a job, but it almost always gets you in debt, is it worth going to college?”
Submitted Link #1: http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/ques...
|
| 6366. |
Lindsay
seattle, wa Age: 22 Sep 4, 2009
|
western union prepaid credit cards
i read a review about western union cards that speaks well of them but can they be used for renting a car, staying at a hotel, or traveling by air? does anyone have any experience with them?
|
| 6365. |
Iris
King George, VA Age: 40 Sep 3, 2009
|
Post Office Boxes
I just opened a post office box and noticed a few things. First, I searched the post office's web site for boxes near me. The cheaper the box meant smaller the post office...more privacy in getting the box and checking mail. Also, as I had hoped, the clerk would not be so rigid and checking every little box on the form. I put in the bare minimum on the form. Then I casually asked about adding my kids (for birthday cards and such). The clerk told me where to put their names. ID for the kids was never asked for; so I could have put any name I wanted; if asked explain the difference in last names due to divorce. With this; I can get mail in many different names and it not look weird.
...
Well done, Iris! Advance to the front of the class.
|
| 6364. |
George
Missoula, Montana Age: 58 Sep 3, 2009
|
LLC's Canary Islands address
I am thinking about getting an LLC now, before the price starts to go back up, but I have a question. Next year, I will use it when I buy another car from a private party for cash, but if the DMV sends the title to the Canary islands, how will I get it back?
...
The Canary Islands address which will appear on your Articles of Organization is for one single use--to be posted on New Mexico's public website. Unless you opt for a ghost address (which is a separate order), you are never to use the address on the Articles for any other purpose.Further, no DMV that I've ever been to has asked to see any documents whatsoever. When you get the clear title from a private party, fill in the "buyer" box with the name of your LLC and list your local PO Box or ghost address. Sign for the LLC with an initial and last name, as "member." However, if you do decide to order a ghost address in Alaska or Spain, then your title will go to that address and be promptly mailed back to you at your usual local address.
|
| 6363. |
Chris
New York City Age: 31 Sep 2, 2009
|
Regarding the ghost addresses
I read the concept of ghost addresses in your book thrice. However, I still fail to understand it completely. 1) How will I receive the mail back from the ghost address?
2) Even if I use a service like CMRA and the person who sends me the mail gets his mail back because he has not put the PMB number. will he not be able to find out that it's not my real address.
3) What is the use of CMRA, they have our real identity and not anonymous.
I will be thankful if you reply to these questions.
...
1) Assuming your mail is sent to the ghost address in Alaska or Canada, each letter will be put into a new, larger envelope, stamped, and mailed to you at what ever address you give. If you have the ghost address in the Canary Islands, you have the option of having each letter opened, scanned, and then e-mailed to you. In that way, you receive "foreign" mail without alerting the postal authorities and carriers. 2) Yes, which is a problem with CMRAs.
3) Although the CMRA (and the local post office as well) has your home address, the ones who send you mail to the CMRA address do NOT know your home address, right?
|
| 6359. |
Clay
New York, NY Age: 42 Sep 2, 2009
|
Re: #6354 Buying Electronics with a Gift Card
Use an American Express Gift Card (as long as the website accepts Amex). If the website is using address verification (where they compare the billing info you provide to the info the credit card has on file), then call the 800 number on the back of the card (from a pay phone is most private & no, you can't do it online) and tell them you want to add a name & address for online address verification. Then give them some common name like Joseph Carter & the address you want the order shipped to. No SSN or any attempt to verify your identity.
There is no way for website to know it's a gift card.
|
| 6358. |
Sue
Tallahassee, Fl Age: 51 Sep 1, 2009
|
Fl Driver's license,#6343
You should have been able to use your PO box to renew your license; this option will end in October. I hustled on down to the office and had the address that shows on the license changed to my CMRA. In my case, they already have my physical address, and I will have to renew in four years under the new rules, but at least for now it doesn't show up to anyone who happens to see the license - like if I lose it. Check out the official Dept. of Highway Safety site - your local office told you wrong, unless they moved the date up since I checked it out.
|
| 6357. |
Drake
LA, CA Age: 34 Sep 1, 2009
|
6353 - PI searches
Tommy, PI's get more access to the information in databases the public does not. Full SSN's (if they've been vetted by the database provider) and the like. PI's lives are centered on files - creating them, locating them, searching through them, verifying them, etc. A PI can hone your request and help you determine your actual need. In this vein, USSEARCH is a joke in the investigative industry - because you will receive a massive list of "possible" hits on almost any given name you enter. Statewide or Nationwide lists of people with similar names are usually not helpful. Other more evolved databases and searches are out there, a licensed PI would be able to cut out all the static and get to what you need.
|
|
|
 |