Hidden Fee Tip of the Day

Sick of getting screwed by you cell phone, cable, financial and other "services"? Listen to How hidden fees can getcha, and what you can do about it

Update: More

Alcon Tip of the Day

So the day has come when it is not just Used Car Salesmen you have to watch out for. Now you have to check your back at every turn…eyecare companies are trying to jip you.

See these two different but very similar in size bottles from Alcon? One is for Opti-One and the other for Opti-Free RepleniSH. The solution in the two bottles do the same thing, they clean soft contact lenses. Notice in the picture below that they bottles look like they hold the same amount of solution



The two bottles come in the same size boxboard packaging. But on the side of the Opti-Free RepleniSH bottle, I noticed this very interesting "Fill Line" on the side, kind of buried in all this other text you'll never read:



Ahha, they are up to something here. Closer inspection, identifies the problem!



Turns out that is why the prices on the shelf aren't that much different! They are selling you what looks like the same size product for what looks like about the same price.

After using Alcon products exclusively since I got my first contacts over 10 years ago, I guess it is time to switch brands.

Google Tip of the Day

Refuse to pay $1.79 to call 411? Google has a great little solution for you. Call 1-800-GOOG-411 and they'll give you the 411 on whatever business you're looking for info on. If you are trying to get to that business just say "map it" and you'll get a Text Message with the Map. Now instead of being screwed by your cell phone company for $1.79, you'll just get screwed by 25¢.

Derby Tip of the Weekend

We've developed a great strategy for betting at the races that guarantees you not swindling too much money, and benefiting those you care about. Oh, and not giving "the house" one penny. It's simple. You and your group of friends each decide to throw a set amount of money in a pot, and the person whose horse finishes closest to the top wins the pot. That way no one gambles away their life savings, and even if you lose, you know a good friend got your cash, and not Biggs Casino. And, you can probably con the day's "big winner" into buying everyone dinner or drinks afterward. :-)

TSA Tip of the Day

You can bring a bottle of water past security at airports, you just have to drink the water first. Then you can simply refill the bottle with water fountain on the other side of the law.

Automated Phone System Tip of the Day

Who calls a customer support number because they expect to get help from an automated answer? (pause) Yeah, I didn't think so. Well skip past all that "please listen to all options before making your selection" jibberish with the gethuman 500 database or if you don't even want to bother with that, just use Bringo and they'll connect you straight up.

Fixed Tip of the Day

"Fixed" credit card interest rates don't really mean "fixed". It just means that they have to give you at least 15 days notice and they can only change the rate of a group of people, not just you. More info at Marketplace Money.

Career Tip of the Day

You want your boss to like you, right? Even if they do, it doesn't hurt for them to like you MORE. To increase their opinion of you, here's a simple tip. Access your work email at home via webmail. Then, reply to his/her emails at a time when you should NOT be at work. Like, say, 8:00 in the evening. Sooner or later, your boss will be mislead to believe that you are a hard, dedicated worker who puts in extra time. This can also be especially helpful if you know you'll be late to work. Before you take your shower, log on and send an email, just responding to work. He/she will think you're in your office, or just had to step out for a meeting. Works like a charm. If you get a raise, we at Pete & Jay's Tip O da Day need a 2% fee.