Money & Finance: Banking, Budgeting, and Spending

I use a credit union and they do have free online banking, but I don't use it. They have security and everything. I had started paying directly from the business sites before the credit union started the online banking and I have just never changed over.
I'm looking at the budgeting websites. Foonance doesn't really appeal to me. It looks very simplistic, but you have to sign up to get much information. I will at least try expensr and Wesabe, but they seem to be time intensive. No matter what you choose, you have to spend time inputting data.
As for cutting cost, I already comparison shop and buy some things at Sam's Club cheaper that you can get at the store. I don't buy bottled water, I try to use rechargable batteries. On my mileage, I get at least as much as the highway standard and it takes regular gas.
I already wash in cold water and usually air dry. I usually use a microwave, or I have a small toaster oven instead of the big oven. I've been changing over to the florescent bulbs as the others burn out. I just need to be better about turning out lights.
I don't have cable and my cell phone is prepaid.
I have a credit union for most of my banking and there are no charges for that.
Everything else, I try to be as frugal as I can.

Pot Luck: TXT U L8R - Texting

I've done a little texting. Mostly during Ike, but some since.
My father has gotten very good at texting and keeps his phone close by. When I did some travelling, it was easier to text him along the way where I was than to call. Not while I was driving! When I stopped for coffee.
I don't regularly text. There must be a lot of people texting to make the average they are showing.
I use some of the basic shortcuts.
Anyone who texts and drives or does anything else hazardous is not being safe. Talking on a phone is bad enough, but texting, which makes you look away from the road while you are trying to write a message, is idiotic.

Potluck: To Tweet or Not to Tweet...Twitter - Part 2

I have been back a couple of times. I did find the search at the bottom of the page and it works. I found websites and blogs that people mention which are interesting. Searched ihcpl and found a couple of tweets. Not sure that I would 'follow' any of the people since I don't think I care that much for using Twitter. It's just too much to keep track of with everything else that I'm doing.

Potluck: To Tweet or Not to Tweet...Twitter

I had signed up for an account during the original iHCPL, but it isn't something I have ever felt like doing constantly. Facebook is easier for me to use and more of my friends use it. I don't feel like trying to use it from my phone either.
I picked a couple of people mentioned in the Wall Street Journal article, How to Twitter, to try following, plus, HCPL. I also found two Houston tv stations and Houston Public Library to follow for a while. KHOU seems to Tweet a lot. Was watching ET last night, first time in forever, and they were talking about their Twittering. I'll 'follow' them for a while.
It's very hit and miss to us the name search to look for subjects. I did find a couple searching beading and quilting, but a subject search would be better. The search link in iHCPL didn't work.
It might be fun for some people, especially people on the phone all the time and with lots of friends who might want to share info all the time.

Pot Luck: Getting the Most Out of Facebook

I started using Facebook with the first iHCPL. My cousin got me to seriously using it. She is in college in Virginia and it's a fun, easy way to keep up with what is going on with her. I also have several friends that I keep up with this way. I don't have tons of friends and like it that way.
I do have a number of applications that I keep up. I have fun with (Lil) Green Patch and (Lil) Blue Cove, the ongoing Snowball Fight! and Pieces of Flair. From the previous iHCPL posts, I have added Visual Bookshelf, but need to do more with it. I've become a Fan of HCPL, Doctor Who, Stargate and others.
I was glad to have the information on 10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know. I changed some of my settings right away. I am very particular about how far my info goes.
I have added friends to my account and found friends to join me. I have occassionally chatted with people, catching up or passing on information.
I enjoy using Facebook as a way to keep up with friends and relations. It's a fun site.