Search found 180 matches
- Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Starkey Livio Edge Hearing Aids $6,800
- Replies: 5
- Views: 750
Re: Starkey Livio Edge Hearing Aids $6,800
Yes, the Neosonic MX is also available from Amazon @ $550.
- Sun Sep 20, 2020 1:52 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Starkey Livio Edge Hearing Aids $6,800
- Replies: 5
- Views: 750
Re: Starkey Livio Edge Hearing Aids $6,800
I too have been a satisfied Starkey wearer for ten years. My two aids cost $5000 on purchase and they never needed replacing until I lost the left aid about a month ago (probably taking off a face mask).
I checked out replacing just the left aid, but Starkey said no I'd have to buy left and right.
Finally, I bought the highly rated Neosonic MX for 1/10 the price of new Starkeys. The sound is better than my Starkeys were and, being rechargeable, I don't have to fool with batteries.
No middleman audiologist and 60 day trial period and return for full refund if they don't satisfy.
If I lose one, I'll just buy another pair.
I checked out replacing just the left aid, but Starkey said no I'd have to buy left and right.
Finally, I bought the highly rated Neosonic MX for 1/10 the price of new Starkeys. The sound is better than my Starkeys were and, being rechargeable, I don't have to fool with batteries.
No middleman audiologist and 60 day trial period and return for full refund if they don't satisfy.
If I lose one, I'll just buy another pair.
- Wed Sep 16, 2020 7:44 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: With interest rates near zero whats advice on CD ?
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1759
Re: With interest rates near zero whats advice on CD ?
"With interest rate near zero for next few years, what are suggestions for moving out of CDs."
This is precisely the time to be in guaranteed CDs, IMO.
I'm staying in CDs for the forseeable future.
Sleeping well.
This is precisely the time to be in guaranteed CDs, IMO.
I'm staying in CDs for the forseeable future.
Sleeping well.
- Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Saving on flight schools!
- Replies: 20
- Views: 2556
Re: Saving on flight schools!
Just read the general aviation publications, get the PPL and Instruments, then if you want to go further, read Trade-a-Plane, find yourself an affordable low-time plane and go from there. You can get a decent plane for less than a new car.
- Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Dog Bite Case (for real - and I own the dog)
- Replies: 56
- Views: 10908
Re: Dog Bite Case (for real - and I own the dog)
Legendary Texas lawyer Richard "Racehorse" Haynes describing how he defends somebody whom everybody knows is guilty:
"Say you sue me because you say my dog bit you. Well, this is my defense: My dog doesn't bite. And second, in the alternative, my dog was tied up that night. And third, I don't believe you really got bit. And fourth, I don't own a dog." :^)
"Say you sue me because you say my dog bit you. Well, this is my defense: My dog doesn't bite. And second, in the alternative, my dog was tied up that night. And third, I don't believe you really got bit. And fourth, I don't own a dog." :^)
- Wed Sep 02, 2020 10:36 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
" I'm in the middle of The Painted Veil, by W. Somerset Maugham." ' Twas the dog that died!
A good one!
I'm re-reading Maugham's Razor Edge and Human Bondage. Also, his Summing Up.
A good one!
I'm re-reading Maugham's Razor Edge and Human Bondage. Also, his Summing Up.
- Thu Aug 27, 2020 2:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I also recommend Mary Trump's book.
- Mon Aug 24, 2020 6:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Thoughts on Tennessee
- Replies: 116
- Views: 16187
Re: Thoughts on Tennessee
Gatlinburg would be nice, IMO.
- Sun Aug 23, 2020 11:44 pm
- Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
- Topic: A Plea for Ordinary English
- Replies: 128
- Views: 12376
Re: A Plea for Ordinary English
Everything I ever needed to know about writing, I learned in the Army -- KEEP IT SIMPLE, STOOOPID.
- Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
“SCALIA: A Court of One,” by Bruce Allen Murphy MEMO FROM: Chief Justice William Rehnquist TO: Justice Antonin Scalia SUBJECT: Justice Sandra Day O’Connor “Nino, you’re pissing off Sandra again. Stop it!” Ah, but Nino could no more stop pissing off his colleagues than he could stop his prodigious consumption of cigarettes and wine. In due time, according to Murphy’s biography, Scalia managed to level withering personal attacks against Kennedy, Blackmun, Powell, Stevens,and Souter, pissing them all off. Just about everybody over the years except Alito and Thomas. Thus, the subtitle, “A Court of One.” Over a 25+ year career, Scalia isolated himself, shifted the Court’s centrists to the left, and, according to Murphy, did violence to many of h...
- Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:15 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Thanks to someone here for recommending the Joe Pickett novels by C.J. box. I just finished “Open Season” (the first of twelve), and will read them all. If you love nature, the environment, the outdoors, or if you sometimes fantasize about being a park ranger or a game warden, or even just working outside, here’s a way to vicariously get some of those thrills. You’re not likely to find a more likable protagonist than Joe the game warden. He’s a straight arrow, not particularly clever or handsome, just an average Joe. Hard worker. Conscientious to a fault. No shortcuts for Joe, no compromises, no deals, no looking-the-other-way for game poachers. He loves his wife, Marybeth, his pre-teen daughters, and his job. Comes now an energy company th...
- Mon Aug 10, 2020 12:46 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Yes to Empire of the Summer Moon.
A mighty Baptist preacher effort to get QP to give up some of his wives came to naught!
He did not like the idea!
A mighty Baptist preacher effort to get QP to give up some of his wives came to naught!
He did not like the idea!
- Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:04 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
THE RELENTLESS MOON by Robinette Kowal, volume 3 of the Lady Astronaut series, in which colonists, leaving the doomed Earth, rocket to Mars.
I read about it in yesterday's NYT. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/insi ... kowal.html
I read about it in yesterday's NYT. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/28/insi ... kowal.html
- Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:12 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Fruit/vegetable planning for winter cooking
- Replies: 10
- Views: 1271
Re: Fruit/vegetable planning for winter cooking
We put up about 100 ears of corn each summer, straight off the stalk and into the freezer, no processing at all. For meals just defrost, shuck, and boil or grill. Easy peasy, and so delicious throughout the winter.
- Sat Aug 01, 2020 9:49 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Who is your favorite fiction author and what is your favorite book of theirs?
- Replies: 284
- Views: 30515
Re: Who is your favorite fiction author and what is your favorite book of theirs?
The entire oeuvre of Somerset Maugham. Everything. The novels, plays, short stories, essays, etc.
I have never been able to improve upon any sentence he has written.
I'm particularly partial to his short stories, collected in EAST AND WEST, and I forget the title of the second volume.
I have never been able to improve upon any sentence he has written.
I'm particularly partial to his short stories, collected in EAST AND WEST, and I forget the title of the second volume.
- Fri Jul 31, 2020 10:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Buying a House in Sellers Market?
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2508
Re: Buying a House in Sellers Market?
Things are too uncertain for my tastes right now. Personally, I would wait.
- Mon Jul 27, 2020 1:00 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
" I have my doubts about [Caro] completing book 5. He’s going on 85."
I agree. I'm 85 and most things are just not that important anymore. I read somewhere that rather than actually writing volume 5, he's concentrating more now on flawlessly documenting all the extensive research he's put in, and leaving it to a future writer to take up the project. His wish is that that volume will not have his name on it, IIRC.
As far as I know, he still has not been to Vietnam.
I agree. I'm 85 and most things are just not that important anymore. I read somewhere that rather than actually writing volume 5, he's concentrating more now on flawlessly documenting all the extensive research he's put in, and leaving it to a future writer to take up the project. His wish is that that volume will not have his name on it, IIRC.
As far as I know, he still has not been to Vietnam.
- Thu Jul 23, 2020 7:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: Getting married! Questions...
- Replies: 17
- Views: 2606
Re: Getting married! Questions...
There's no harm in broaching the subject of a pre-nuptial agreement.
- Thu Jul 16, 2020 1:07 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Loan to a Friend - was it done right?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1790
Re: Loan to a Friend - was it done right?
" . . . yes, I trust that I will be paid in full . . ."
Rotsa Ruck! :^)
Rotsa Ruck! :^)
- Thu Jul 16, 2020 12:02 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Starkey Hearing Aids
- Replies: 10
- Views: 865
Re: Starkey Hearing Aids
After 10 years, I'm still wearing my $5K Starkeys, but will switch when they wear out to the much cheaper HAs available at Sam's. I understand that they're of equal quality.
I also understand that high quality HAs will soon be available at $200 or so per ear, but some laws cutting out the audiologists must come first.
I also understand that high quality HAs will soon be available at $200 or so per ear, but some laws cutting out the audiologists must come first.
- Wed Jul 15, 2020 5:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Ummm. I almost bought the case for Trump but passed on it because of the reviews, the WAPO saying for example that the book "focuses less on the case for Trump than on the case against everyone else," in particular Hillary.
But I'll take another look.
But I'll take another look.
- Tue Jul 14, 2020 6:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Helping our Adult Child Buy a Home
- Replies: 72
- Views: 6949
Re: Helping our Adult Child Buy a Home
Not a good idea, shark.
Have your daughter pick out a home you can pay cash for and gift it to HER.
That way she's always got a home. Come D I V O R C E or high water.
Have your daughter pick out a home you can pay cash for and gift it to HER.
That way she's always got a home. Come D I V O R C E or high water.
- Tue Jul 14, 2020 2:55 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Becoming teacher after reaching FIRE? Advice needed!
- Replies: 86
- Views: 9185
Re: Becoming teacher after reaching FIRE? Advice needed!
You are smart to limit the districts in which you would teach to those that participate in Social Security. Google is your friend here. Just type in "Which (state) school districts participate in Social Security"? Of the four states you mention, only North Carolina participates. In Texas, only 16 districts (out of 1,000+) participate.
- Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Family Member Approached by Solar Company to Lease Land for Solar Panels
- Replies: 18
- Views: 2228
Re: Family Member Approached by Solar Company to Lease Land for Solar Panels
If your 80 acres is good farm land, you maybe renting it at way below market.
- Thu Jul 09, 2020 1:23 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Anna Karenina, Oxford World Classics. The Rosamund Bartlett translation reads wonderfully and naturally in English.
- Tue Jul 07, 2020 2:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Sell my house, buy 2 condos, travel and see what I want to do in my life.
- Replies: 19
- Views: 3163
Re: Sell my house, buy 2 condos, travel and see what I want to do in my life.
"In winter I really can't stand the 5 + months of dark and rainy times." Would the weather be much different in Squamish, just fifty miles away? "I'm not sure exactly what it is I want to do." Why not wait a year or two until you're more certain? " I can comfortably earn $800 a week [handyman]." Would this hold true if you moved to another location? " I'm 58." Would your small pension and rental and handyman income carry you comfortably 25 to 30 years into the future? Would you be able to financially help your daughter/grandchildren? Would the $800K stretch on out as you might hope, especially since it's not free money (it's your housing). All in all, you might think this through a little more.
- Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:54 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
I'm halfway through (and thoroughly enjoying) Chris Wallace's "Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World"
- Mon Jun 29, 2020 10:56 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: What is the best financial decision you ever made?
- Replies: 212
- Views: 21726
Re: What is the best financial decision you ever made?
Married right.
Bought the family farm.
Bought the family farm.
- Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:38 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: TIAA Trad Still A Good Investment?
- Replies: 29
- Views: 3251
Re: TIAA Trad Still A Good Investment?
I have 50% of my assets in TIAA traditional, and count the illiquidity as a plus, not a minus.
- Wed Jun 24, 2020 8:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What to buy parents as a token of appreciation/retirement
- Replies: 57
- Views: 4597
Re: What to buy parents as a token of appreciation/retirement
It sounds like your parents have everything they want and need so perhaps you should find some other way to show your appreciation to them.
- Sun Jun 21, 2020 12:41 pm
- Forum: Personal Investments
- Topic: A serious question from a senior about investing.
- Replies: 42
- Views: 3851
Re: A serious question from a senior about investing.
What more evidence do you need to be concerned about a coming calamity?
Millions unemployed
Millions hungry
A hundred year plague
Political turmoil
A near-powerless Fed
P.S. I remember Hoover Hogs (rabbits) and Hoover blankets (newspapers).
Millions unemployed
Millions hungry
A hundred year plague
Political turmoil
A near-powerless Fed
P.S. I remember Hoover Hogs (rabbits) and Hoover blankets (newspapers).
- Thu Jun 18, 2020 3:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: [Help high school student choose college career]
- Replies: 171
- Views: 4750
Re: Psychologist career pros and cons
Psychology is a popular course during the first couple of years of college. But hardly 10% stick with it, and they find other fields of interest. Way too early to decide on a major. First, decide on a school. My two cents.
- Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:33 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Would you send your child to a Gifted program?
- Replies: 99
- Views: 17170
Re: Would you send your child to a Gifted program?
Ah, silly me. I didn't realize this was a long running thread.
Congratulations on this fine achievement.
Congratulations on this fine achievement.
- Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:26 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Would you send your child to a Gifted program?
- Replies: 99
- Views: 17170
Re: Would you send your child to a Gifted program?
At age nine there's usually not enough reliable information on which to make a gifted/talented determination. What intellectual, artistic, creative, musical, mechanical, science, math, reading, etc., achievements can there possibly be at such a young age, with the possible exception of music and reading?
The appropriate standardized test for your child would be the "Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students (SAGES). A high percentile rank there would confirm the teacher/school assessment, but in just a few more years, say five, IQ test dscores of 130-144 can indicate moderate giftedness and 145 on up, decided giftedness.
Personally, at this point, I think I'd let her make her own school decision. My two cents.
The appropriate standardized test for your child would be the "Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary Students (SAGES). A high percentile rank there would confirm the teacher/school assessment, but in just a few more years, say five, IQ test dscores of 130-144 can indicate moderate giftedness and 145 on up, decided giftedness.
Personally, at this point, I think I'd let her make her own school decision. My two cents.
- Tue Jun 16, 2020 8:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Would you rent your house to a famous athlete?
- Replies: 104
- Views: 10220
Re: Would you rent your house to a famous athlete?
"Would you rent your house to a famous athlete?
Yes, as long as the athlete is not a Dallas Cowboy! :^)
Yes, as long as the athlete is not a Dallas Cowboy! :^)
- Thu Jun 11, 2020 11:59 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Newborn in Maryland; 529 Worth It?
- Replies: 16
- Views: 1916
Re: Newborn in Maryland; 529 Worth It?
Two granddaughters are entering Ole Miss in the fall and another in 2022, with 529s doing the heavy work.
We did this so that their father could then be entirely free to invest rather than scratch around for their expenses.
We did this so that their father could then be entirely free to invest rather than scratch around for their expenses.
- Tue Jun 09, 2020 4:24 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What happens to all my digitized photos when I die?
- Replies: 68
- Views: 7034
Re: What happens to all my digitized photos when I die?
"What happens to all my digitized photos when I die?"
REPORTER: What happens to all your money when you die?
JACK KENT COOKE: I have no intention of dying.
REPORTER: But all that money, surely . . .
JACK KENT COOKE: I'll be dead and I won't care, will I ?
REPORTER: What happens to all your money when you die?
JACK KENT COOKE: I have no intention of dying.
REPORTER: But all that money, surely . . .
JACK KENT COOKE: I'll be dead and I won't care, will I ?
- Sat Jun 06, 2020 3:34 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should we keep LTCI policy
- Replies: 11
- Views: 1079
Re: Should we keep LTCI policy
Here are 75 verified complaints about UNUM to the Better Business Bureau.
Personally, I woul have nothing to do with them.
https://www.bbb.org/us/me/portland/prof ... complaints
Personally, I woul have nothing to do with them.
https://www.bbb.org/us/me/portland/prof ... complaints
- Thu Jun 04, 2020 11:52 am
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Lost my job yesterday
- Replies: 70
- Views: 14623
Re: Lost my job yesterday
With your good record, you should have an in with your competitor. Why not apply there?
- Thu May 28, 2020 7:03 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Land Purchase Possible or Forget About It?
- Replies: 39
- Views: 6319
Re: Land Purchase Possible or Forget About It?
I think you're too emotionally caught up in all this to make a good financial decision. And teachers (I'm one) cannot afford to make bad financial decisions.
I think I would forget it.
I think I would forget it.
- Mon May 25, 2020 6:50 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Financial advice for undertaking a PhD
- Replies: 48
- Views: 4925
Re: Financial advice for undertaking a PhD
There are too many unanswered questions here for me to give good advice, e.g., your field, whether you will seek an academy, business (or other) position, whether this will be a US degree, private or public, etc. There's far more involved here than just the financial considerations (which seem to be your only concern). Other posters have asked these questions, without satisfaction. Retired professor
- Sun May 24, 2020 10:13 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Something Fishy Here?? [CARES payment received via prepaid Visa]
- Replies: 68
- Views: 9159
Re: Something Fishy Here?? [CARES payment received via prepaid Visa]
"Any kids under 17?"
No for me and for brother.
No for me and for brother.
- Sun May 24, 2020 6:39 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should we drop our Long Term Care Insurance?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1622
Re: Should we drop our Long Term Care Insurance?
" Have had LTC insurance . . . THROUGH EMPLOYER."
Perhaps your employer does not know about UNUM's appalling reputation ??
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/unum.html
Perhaps your employer does not know about UNUM's appalling reputation ??
https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/unum.html
- Sun May 24, 2020 6:22 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Customer hasn't paid me not worth cost of lawyer but...
- Replies: 48
- Views: 6046
Re: Customer hasn't paid me not worth cost of lawyer but...
A letter to the Better Business Bureau got the immediate attention of a business that owed me $1300.
I was paid in full within two or three weeks.
I was paid in full within two or three weeks.
- Sun May 24, 2020 6:16 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Something Fishy Here?? [CARES payment received via prepaid Visa]
- Replies: 68
- Views: 9159
Re: Something Fishy Here?? [CARES payment received via prepaid Visa]
My brother has more income than I do and and he and wife got $1400 back whilst DW and I got only $370.
What the hey!
Thanks. I'm the OP.
What the hey!
Thanks. I'm the OP.
- Sun May 24, 2020 3:14 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: Should we drop our Long Term Care Insurance?
- Replies: 15
- Views: 1622
- Sat May 23, 2020 7:01 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I go to grad school?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2256
Re: Should I go to grad school?
Yes, UW is an excellent school. Thanks
It would be a hard decision for me. Given your particular circumstances, I probably would not do it.
But best of luck whatever choice you make.
It would be a hard decision for me. Given your particular circumstances, I probably would not do it.
But best of luck whatever choice you make.
- Sat May 23, 2020 3:25 pm
- Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
- Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
- Replies: 7650
- Views: 1723411
Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
John Grisham's CAMINO ISLAND and CAMINO WINDS.
Fun reads.
Fun reads.
- Sat May 23, 2020 3:21 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Should I go to grad school?
- Replies: 24
- Views: 2256
Re: Should I go to grad school?
It's hard to imagine the "highly ranked" school you describe, unless only night and weekend schools are ranked. Frankly, the school sounds a little Trump Universityish. Hope I'm wrong.
I do not think you can get the good advice you need unless you name that school.
I do not think you can get the good advice you need unless you name that school.
- Fri May 22, 2020 2:37 pm
- Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
- Topic: Something Fishy Here?? [CARES payment received via prepaid Visa]
- Replies: 68
- Views: 9159
Something Fishy Here?? [CARES payment received via prepaid Visa]
Today I received the following message in the U.S. mail, purportedly from "The Department of the Treasury." "Enclosed is your Economic Impact Payment Card (EIPC). This prepaid debit card is being sent to you on behalf ot the U.S. Depatment of the Treassury in place of a paper check. This card contains the money you are receiving as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)." Enclosed is a VISA debit card. It is issued by MetaBank, N.A., Member FDIC. I never heard of them. The card came from "Money Network Cardholder Services, PO Box 247022, Omaha, NE 68124-7022." I never heard of them. To get my balance, I am directed to activate the card account and set a 4-digit PIN. Only ...