TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER

 

Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.

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January 8, 2011
Volume 9, Number 1
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. Carpenter Country Essay

2. Top Drawer Article

3. Top Drawer Tips

4. Top Drawer Satire

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CARPENTER COUNTRY

What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

Yesterday, I turned on my cell phone and it vibrated.

Since no one in Carpenter Country has my number, and I use the cell only for emergencies, I figured it was my provider. Sending free messages urging me to buy one hundred units and offering a reward of another twenty-five complimentary units is one of their marketing ploys.

But when I clicked on delete an advertisement appeared from an unknown business asking if my phone was broken - and telling me I could have it repaired by calling their 800 number.

What? I hit delete again.

Another message came up advising me that I'd just been charged ten units. Ten units for a telemarketing ad I didn't want or need. Were they crazy?

And then I realized it was probably my own fault.

For months I'd been deleting those pesky emails that start out: Warning - in just 4 days all cell phone numbers will be released to a wireless 411 directory and you will start receiving calls from automated dialers...

At that time a check of the Federal Trade Commission web site had informed me the email warnings were false. Now it looked like I should have registered my cell on the do-not-call list anyway.

Well, there's no time like the present.

Pulling up the DNC registry, I plugged my number into their protected file. Further reading advised that the government works for consumers to prevent fraud, deception and questionable business practices.

Great! If another telemarketer leaves a message that costs cheapie me ten units, I can file a complaint.

And I hope I don't get charged for doing it.

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Payable on Death Accounts

by
HL Carpenter

Rest in Peace (RIP) is a popular etching on grave markers. If you're leaving money to your heirs and you'd truly like to RIP, you might want to set up a POD account.

Click here to read the rest of this article

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

Tip: Some states allow you to establish Payable on Death accounts with your brokerage firm as well as banks, credit unions and savings and loan associations. You'll have to request the forms to establish a POD account, which may also be called a Totten trust.

Glossary Term: Totten Trust. An informal, revocable agreement for passing certain types of assets to heirs, also known as a Payable on Death (POD) account. The name comes from a 1904 court case, decided in favor of William H.B. Totten, who was administering the Estate of Fanny Amelia Lattan.

Financial Horoscope: Is the state of your finances keeping you up at night? A sound financial plan will let you rest in peace.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

The Sound Machine

by
HL Carpenter

New year, new congress, same old sound machine.

Click here to read the rest of this satire