Goldbug

I have a hard time taking this seriously, it has to be a troll! Most people have debt problems through no fault of their own, medical problems, job loss, divorce, etc, or just get in over their heads and have to default.

The.book costs a whopping $2.99 and takes 30 minutes to read if you skip over the insurance stuff, which is not applicable in this case anyway. I think the book is worthwhile just to have all the info available in one place. But, whatever.

Hey Bridget, Welcome! To answer your question and hopefully give you some peace of mind, I'll tell you based on personal experience, that the situation is nowhere near as bad as it appears at first blush. BUT, you need to get on this soon. First thing, check with Amazon and get the Kindle book "How to Negotiate Your Hospital Bill and Apply For Financial Assistance" . If you don't have a Kindle, there's a free Amazon App to read the books on your computerI believe, you may have to hunt for it. It's a good book and it mirrors a book by Ralph Nader that he wrote years ago. Actually, buying a Kindle to get the book, if you should have to, would be very, very cost effective. To put it in plain English, the price you are being billed is 3 or 4 times what an INSURER has contracted with the hospital to actually pay. In other words, it's a scam. Uninsured people are charged much more than the insurance companies pay for the same procedures. Read the book and negotiate this down. Best of luck to you, and remember, 90 percent of the stuff we worry about NEVER happens. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

What is your experience with Sharebuilder? I know it's a Capitol One company which is usually enough to make me look elsewhere, but I'd like to hear what your experience with them has been. I'm thinking about getting back into stocks on a small scale. Never thought I'd say that after 2008-2009! Thanks!

karma!! http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamacares-cadillac-tax-hits-college-091500185.html

The comments are good. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/facebook-accused-of-tracking-all-users-even-if-they-delete-accounts-ask-never-to-be-followed-10146631.html

Excellent article from Wired on data that's being gathered on us. Good read. Link: http://www.wired.com/2015/03/data-and-goliath-nsa-metadata-spying-your-secrets/

I'm not allowed to edit, so I'll add this link. It just gets better and better! Buy them smart TVs, suckas! http://www.samsung.com/us/common/privacy.html And this: http://techcrunch.com/2015/02/08/telescreen/

Appreciate the heads-up, willing. The number of scams people come with is amazing! An elderly lady I know had just gotten her first computer online when she got a call from "microsoft" asking for her login info, passwords, etc., and she gave it to them. I was stunned!

Now, what did I do with that old copy of "1984" ... BMW sounds alarm over tech companies seeking connected car data Comments are pretty good! Nobody likes being watched, apparently. Link to article: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/685fe610-9ba6-11e4-950f-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3OwDRurfE

Question: What if this is "lost" in the mail, like many of my packages are? Looks like someone will have all they need in one neat bundle.

Article sounds a little far fetched to me, but I've under-estimated the evil before. We'll know in a few days I guess! Anyone know more about this? http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2014/11/warning-bank-deposits-will-soon-no.html Might want to check this article dated Dec. 3:http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article40373.htm

Most small business owners, that do retail sales especially, make small deposits of cash on hand. Now the IRS calls that structuring and seizes bank accounts. Link to New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/us/law-lets-irs-seize-accounts-on-suspicion-no-crime-required.html?rref=us&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&pgtype=article&_r=1

Try this one. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/28/opinion/verbatim-what-is-a-photocopier.html?rref=opinion&module=Ribbon&version=context&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion&pgtype=article&_r=1

Lousy internet connection? Mine has been a bad joke for a long time, this may be the reason. Dial-up speeds (or slower) at DSL prices. http://www.popularresistance.org/five-us-internet-providers-are-slowing-down-access-until-they-get-more-cash/