Audio Books Downloaded To iPod

I enjoy listening to audio books in the car, or while walking for exercise (Bluetooth headset, via iTouch type iPod).  I had been an Audible subscriber years ago, now Amazon bought them and has stepped it up a notch. You can buy the books discounted on AZ ($30 audio books for about $10 if they are very current, maybe less if they are older).  This can be done without buying a monthly membership.  Same book would be about $7 each with a monthly membership which would have some free Wall Street Journal stories and interviews thrown in, I think.   

Today I bought my first book using the new system (The ONE Thing).  It is 24 chapters, 5 hour plus playing time – several long car trips. To activate I had to put a new APP on the iTouch, “Audible”.  It is very well designed, and it found where I had purchased the book (using a normal PC) and downloaded 77 MB in a few minutes. It has its own player built into the APP, with much versatility.  Actually should be easier than iTunes player to navigate.  If you want more information, or to add your experienced with this, leave a comment.   

Smoke Detector -- new concept, First Alert ATOM

First Alert Atom P-1000

It was time to replace my (battery powered) smoke detectors and I dropped in a big box store to shop, and found a new product, or new to me, and that is the First Alert ATOM, a very tiny detector that is much less ugly and much less bulky than the old fashioned detectors we used to install everywhere.   I liked the more-or-less 10 year life and then dispose (no detector should be left up more than 10 years, they lose effectiveness).  Fairly easy to install (very white, not off white).  Very loud alarm from a tiny item. Amazon reviewers give this unit 5 stars --- many such reviews at that.  One review was very descriptive.  This particular detector is a so-called photo cell type unit that is less prone to false alarms and is better for deadly smoldering smoke type fires.  An ionization type unit is better for some types of fires, but in terms of fires that cause death, they are less effective, but, as said, they are better for some types of fires.  Bottom line, you compromise, no matter which type you choose.

But there is an answer, put up one of each type, and add a CO2 detector as well.  That’s a great deal of hardware on your ceiling.  The better answer might be an “all in 1”, that does all three in a single (large, flat box shaped) detector.  These were at the big box, but they were $45 or more each. And a house would need several I think. 

The Atom =   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BOSQHXQ/ref=cm_cr_dpvoterdr?ie=UTF8&thanksvoting=cr-vote-R3XPW2D6ZRW9V#R3XPW2D6ZRW9V.2115.Helpful.Reviews

Three for $60 is a good price, I paid $20 for one. Please leave your comments on what you are using and what you intend to buy next.

A New Game (App) -- "Learn A Language"

http://babadum.com/   A smart phone (or iPad – or PC) game that might help a person learn a language. Four pictures come up, and the game pronounces a word (and spells it) and you have to touch the object just pronounced. I tried it, and I like it. In the lower right corner you can change the language, I switched to German and was able to get a surprising number of the choices correct.  You can keep score and do a few other things, explore this APP at your leisure, and recommend it to young people you know.

$2.99 A Month For 100 Glossy Photos, Shipping Free

http://www.groovebook.com/

Not a bad idea. One price, $2.99 a month for 100 printed photos a month.  Painless upload from your smart phone. They tear out easily, but you can keep them in the photo book binder.  Glossy photo paper (don’t know the size, or the finished quality, but it seems to mimic Walgreen’s low-priced service, only much cheaper). 

At Walgreen's this could cost about $19.00 plus shipping, or you would have to pick it up.  With this app the shipping is free. 

You can order multiple sets, maybe have one set automatically sent to a distant grandparent each month as a “gift that keeps on giving”, month after month. Especially if the grandparent doesn't have an iPad or something. Or, know how to use an electronic device.

Problem is, most people don’t take 100 photos a month, so this might be an over-kill product for some.  It might be very useful for an insurance adjuster, for example, who takes many business photos a month. But, hey, $3 a month, what have you got to lose?

How To Wash A Nylon (poly) Golf Jacket

I have to do that, so I did a little research and here is what I found (a collection of several websites):

1.    wash the jacket by itself in a top load (or front load) washer

2.    zip up all the zippers firs, and close all the Velcro items before washing

3.    first let the water flow into the tub without the jacket, use warm, not cold or hot water. 

4.    then, add very mild detergent, some websites say powered is better, non bleach of course.  I will use something like Woolite for my jacket cleaning project.

5.    after detergent is dissolved, add the jacket

6.    run on the gentle cycle of course … and

7.    line dry the jacket, preferably out of direct sunlight  or, if that is not an option, some websites say it is OK to dry in a dryer on the lowest temp setting, or air fluff.

Pubic Safety Message 9-V Batteries

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSJH21WmALc

Disposing of 9 volt batteries safely is something that never occurred to me until I saw this video (about half way in he gets to the point).  The terminals on a 9 volt battery are very close together, and, when such a battery is in new storage, or after use when placed in a discard bag (with other dead batteries), these terminals can be shorted by touching other metal objects or another battery.  Resultant heat build up can set the storage bag on fire.  Put electrical tape across the terminals before discarding them and be sure that, when they are in normal "new-battery" storage location,  they are not touching other batteries or metal objects. 

The Power Of Compound Interest

http://investor.gov/tools/calculators/compound-interest-calculator#.UsHSz-LNkfk

The power of compound interest (ignoring taxes, such as in an IRA or a life insurance policy, or something like that). is enormous.  That's not really news, but what was news to me is this government page where you can make an easy calculations on "what it".

This website came to me by way of a curious moment today – I found some documents cleaning my files, and realized that I had an opportunity in 1983, when my children were young, to purchase a Gift Trust Fund that was being offered by American Century (under a prior name 20^th, Century Funds). The idea was this Fund would act like a mini trust fund, but the Fund company would do all the paperwork for you, and file any and all tax returns.  The minimum investment was $2,500, and you locked up the money for a minimum of 18 years.  Ideal as a gift for a newborn child for future college money.

The fund has earned 11.5 % average per year, since inception.  So, had I put in $2,500 per child, what would the present value be?   I ran the numbers, it was something like $65,000.  Think if I had put in more, like $10,000 ?  I ran the numbers on putting in $40,000, and that would have yielded $1,000,000.  Of course $40,000 is no small amount to part with, but $1.0 million isn’t a bad payout.  This Fund tracks the market, but invests in all size companies with high growth since it takes a long term perspective, that makes sense.

Of course the on-line calculator is my thrust with this post, not the Fund.  But it is interesting to look back over time and see that some growth mutual funds do perform well, in spite of 2008 type crashes. And surely this Fund is not the most successful of the type.