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February 25, 2013

Paying Your Bills Online Is A Win/Win




I know a few people who still insist on paying their bills the old fashioned way.  They write that monthly check for the mortgage, car payment and numerous other payments that they have.  Even after I tell them the benefits of paying online, they still prefer to pay their bills the old fashioned way.  If only they would listen.  They would save both time and money.
I have been paying my bills online now for almost 15 years. It is faster (you can set up recurring payments. Just be sure that the money is in your account to cover the payment on the day you set it to be paid) and less expensive (no stamps and you don’t have to buy checks nearly as often).
It also is safe to pay your bills online. Yes an account can be hacked but there is always the risk of mail theft when paying bills by mail. If a payee says they never received payment you readily research your account on the bank’s website to see if the payment was made and to whom. I have had an instance or two where I got a letter saying that payment was not made and it was.  What I found out was that the name of the payee or the address was not correct.  After corresponding with the payee, the issues were resolved.
In paying my bills online, I also am helping the environment and contributing to going green. Online payments save paper. Not just from the written checks but envelopes as well.  Companies have less envelopes to open so their costs get reduced. This truly is a win/win for all.
Certain recurring monthly payments are allowed to be made by credit card. You can take advantage of rebates and  my credit card happens to offer me a 1% rebate on all purchases.  Not much but every little bit helps. If I could pay my cable bill using my credit card I certainly would do so. It would also be 1 less payment to set up every month as it is now included with my other credit card purchases.
Banks are happier as well.  Online payments reduce their processing fees. Handling it electronically is also simpler for them and merchants like it because of this as well.  Less envelopes to open. Receive their money quicker.  Paying by mail vs paying electronically at the same time.  The merchant will receive the electronic payment quicker.
I do not recommend using online payments from service providers such as electric companies, credit card companies, etc. If they make an error it can adversely affect your credit rating and per your agreement with them it may be difficult to hold them accountable. Also if there is an error it can take a while to get your money back. I prefer paying bills online through my bank.

Paying by check still has its uses. It is not recommended that you pay federal tax bills through your online bank.  My bank specifically says, “The Online Bill Payment service should NOT be used to pay your local, state or federal taxes.”  When you pay online, the money is deducted from your checking account NOT when the payee cashes the check but when you tell the bank to pay the bill.  You no longer have a “float”.  How many of us will give a birthday gift of $50 by doing it through our online account?  We probably will include a check inside a birthday card. The same goes for weddings.  
On the minus side, it is not as easy to switch banks. If you do switch banks you need to make sure all pending and recurring payments are cleared. 
If you have further questions about paying bills online, or other technology questions I can be contacted at (917) 572-3468 or email me at mike@computerconciergeny.com .
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Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.

February 7, 2013

Mardi Gras in New Orleans


New Orleans just had the Super Bowl but Mardi Gras is just about here and you may be wondering why I am writing about Mardi Gras in a tech blog. Well first off if you want to see what is happening on Bourbon Street check out this webcam. If you want to know more about Mardi Gras including some tradition, history and videos then Mardigrasneworleans.com is the site you want to check. The website also has a schedule of the parade.

The Mardi Gras is also visible on social media. For those on Twitter, follow it all on @NOLAMardiGras.  You can follow the many tweets which also includes parade cams.  #paradecam is the hashtag used. #NOLA and #Mardigras will be popular hashtags on Twitter. For those familiar with the city, I found by going on Twitter that there will be a cam at Fat Henry's Bar on St. Charles Ave in the Uptown section. Check out the festivities by clicking on the link.  Also the St. Charles Streetcar does not run from Downtown during the parades.

Those on Facebook can go to the Mardi Gras page there. Quite a few posts, pictures and at last count about 12,000 people who "Like" this page. By doing a search for "Mardi Gras" you will get an idea of how it is celebrated in other cities.  And if that page doesn't have enough about theMardi Gras there is another one. Mardi Gras is another Facebook page. So there is certainly a Facebook presence here.

Of course there is more to New Orleans than Mardi Gras.  http://www.neworleansonline.com/ has more information on the big event going on there as well as upcoming festivals if you are unable to make it for Mardi Gras. There is also good information on things to do when besides the Mardi Gras. On a personal note , when I was last in New Orleans my wife we made sure to visit  Mardi Gras World. You get to see many of the costumes and floats from the Mardi Gras in the warehouse as well as some of them being made.  You may even get to wear a mask or two. The tour of the warehouse was truly something we both enjoyed.

Youtube has videos of some past Mardi Gras as well as New Orleans related videos that you may enjoy watching.

Perhaps the best known bar in New Orleans is Pat O'Briens. They also have a Facebook presence as well.  When a friend of mine prior to his trip to New Orleans put on his Facebook page that he will be at Pat O'Briens that Saturday night, I called him.  Not only did I suggest that he take the post down but Pat O's is also very crowded on Saturday night.  It will be packed during Mardi Gras as well.

New Orleans also is a culinary delight with many fine restaurants each better than the last.    NewOrleansRestaurants.com has a good review of them and other sites have good reviews as well. One of my favorites is Mothers. It is one of the many restaurants with great service and where you will be guaranteed to have a real good meal.

If you're at Mardi Gras enjoy! If you are not then there is the cam I mentioned earlier as well as all on Twitter and Facebook. If you get to go to New Orleans then have a good time. It truly is a fun city as those who have been there can truly say.

Computer Concierge NY LLC provides expert computer and technology services in the Queens, NY area. This includes Albertson, Bayside, Bayside Hills, Bay Terrace, Bellerose, College Point, Douglaston, Floral Park,  Flushing, Forest Hills, Great Neck, Jamaica Estates, Kew Gardens, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manhasset, Mineola, Munsey Park,  New Hyde Park, North Hills, North Shore Towers, Oakland Gardens, Plandome, Rego Park, Roslyn, The Bay Club, Thomaston, University Gardens, Williston Park, Whitestone and Other Areas in the Bayside, NY vicinity.  Our web services are provided worldwide.