How to Buy a Used Laptop

Need a new laptop but don't have the moola to waltz on down to the local computer store and get a brand-spanking-new, top-of-the-line, latest-and-greatest model?  Fear not.  You can still get yourself a great laptop at a bargain price.  You just have to learn how to tell a deal from a dud.

Having just gone through the agony and the ecstasy of researching and buying a used laptop, I wanted to share an article that I found entitled, "10-Step Guide to Buying a Used Laptop that Works" written by Alex Felsinger.

I can vouch for the accuracy of this article.  I only wish that I had read it prior to my recent purchase.  It would have made it easier for me.  Do what Alex has laid out for you to do, and you should end up with a good deal and a working laptop.

Happy Hunting.

Swap O Rama Rama - Los Angeles - November 16, 2008

Oh joy of joys.... another Swap O Rama Rama date in the Los Angeles area has been announced.

Get out your calendar.  Make a big red circle around the date of November 16, 2008 and don't plan ANYTHING ELSE for that day!  This is one of the greatest events for a Bargain Queen (or King) in Training (that's YOU .... my readers).

I have now been to two Swap O Rama Ramas so I can report with certainty that this is a not-to-be-missed event.

OK... so enough gushing... I'll tell you about the event.

The next Swap O Rama Rama in the Los Angeles area will be on November 16, 2008 at The Shrine Auditorium at 649 West Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007 from 11 am to 5 pm (get there early... there WILL be a line.)

In order to get into Swap O Rama Rama, you can either bring a bag of clothing or accessories and pay a $5 admission fee or you can come without a bag and pay $10.  I suggest you bring a bag, not only for the cheaper admission fee, but to clear out your closet for the new goodies that will be a-coming.

Upon turning over your bag of goodies and your crumpled currency, you enter a swappers dream world.  Piled high upon tables are clothing items sorted into major groupings: tops, pants, coats, sweathers, dresses, etc.  On the floor under the table are shoes.  On another table or hanging on something are accessories.

Hugging the walls of the space are tables with sewing machines attended by helpful volunteers ready to assist you in redesigning your newfound treasure into something different.

At the last Swap I attended, I picked out a boxy shaped souvenir t-shirt.  Great color, great picture on the front.  Horrid fit.  With the help of the lovely volunteer (who, by the way, makes her living as a wardrobe mistress for a major movie studio) that t-shirt was restructured into a fabulous top that actually FITS me.  It's my favorite shirt and it is sooooo cool looking.

My teenaged daughter scooped up a pair of black leather Liz Claiborne knee-high boots.  As she was walking around, a lady saw them and said, "Oh, you got my boots.  I got them when we went to Paris and I wore them for one day.  But, I'm not a boot person, so I brought them here."  How cool is that?

This Swap O Rama Rama is also going to have a craft show.  These are members of the cutting edge of the Los Angeles Craft scene.  I know their work.  Get ready to shop for Holiday presents.

So, I can't say enough about this event.  Don't miss it.  After the last Swap, I felt so bad that I hadn't insisted that all my friends go.... so, I'm telling you now... don't miss this!

For those of you not lucky enough to live in the LA area, there are Swap O Rama Ramas in other areas of the world.  Go to SwapORamaRama.org to find or start a swap near you.

Free Online Language Learning Site

When I was in high school and college, I was forced to "learn" French despite my protests that I would never have a need for it.  I did NOT learn French and I have not had a need for it.  Well, actually that is not true.  I learned enough French to confuse me when I try to speak Spanish, a language that I have a great need to know every day.

So, now I am trying to learn Spanish.  I've got a stack of tapes, CDs, books and workbooks by the side of my bed.  So far, I know how to say "hello," "supermarket," & "hat."  If I can find someone named "supermarket hat," I can start a great conversation.

Meanwhile, people speak Spanish, all around me, every day and I have no idea what they are talking about.

I am ready to take the Spanish Language Learning plunge again on a new Free Online Language Learning Site that I just found: busuu.com

I have no idea what "busuu" means, but it looks like a really cool site.

You can learn various languages - not just Spanish - and get connected up online to people around the world who speak that language and want to help you.  AND... you get to help other people learn to speak English.

This site is currently in Beta, so it might not always be free.  Check it out now.

Here are a few more free online language services:
123TeachMe.com
HowToSayIn.com
iGoogle translator

Adiós (which means "goodbye" in Spanish).  See, I'm already learning.

Free Movie Screenings - major cities in the US

A little birdie told me that my readers really like to know about free movie screenings, so I did a little research for you and found another free movie screening site.  Filmmetro.com

Glad to let you all know that this screening company doesn't just offer free movie screenings in Los Angeles (although the home offices are in the Los Angeles area), but they also provide free movie screening tickets in the following major metropolitan areas:

• Atlanta, GA
• Baltimore, MD
• Boston, MA
• Chicago, IL
• Cincinnati, OH
• Cleveland, OH
• Denver, CO
• Detroit, MI
• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Kansas City, MO
• Las Vegas, NV
• Los Angeles, CA
• Miami, FL
• Minneapolis, MN
• New York City, NY
• Philadelphia, PA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Sacramento, CA
• Salt Lake City, UT
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• St. Louis, MO
• Syracuse, NY
• Washington, DC

See, I'm thinking about my readers all the time.  Gotta go and find some more free movie screening sites for you.  Happy movie watching.

What song was #1 on the day you were born?

Oh... this is just too much fun not to share.

So, check this out..  Go to this site - The #1 Song on this Date in History, punch in the month and day you are interested in... and you'll go to a list of years.  Find the year, and voila, there is the title of the song and recording artist that was listed as #1 in Billboard Magazine on that day and year.  Then, you can link directly to itunes to hear some of the song and (of course) buy it.

This site was developed by Josh Hosler during a two year period of unemployment (whew... WAY too much time on his hands then) and is still kept up-to-date now. He is obviously into music, sharing his passion with the rest of us and has figured out a way to make a buck or two (from book and music sales) in the process.

If you want more info on the Billboard charts, you can buy the books he is linked to and send him a few pennies that way.

Also, you can listen to his online radio show The Billboard Pop 40 on Live365.com.

"Alright Bobbi, we get it... but how is this a bargain?" Well, not only is this a fun site (Doris Day sang my birthday song), but this gives you an edge coming up with a unique last minute frugal gift.  Who else is going to come to the birthday party with a copy of the song that was #1 on the Birthday Boy or Girl's birth day?  You'll be the hit of the party and your present will make a lasting impression.  Not bad for a 99 cent download fee.

Let's face it.... Bobbi's Bargains ROCKS!

Umbrella Today ? Simpliest Weather Report Ever

When I lived in New York City, the view out of my (expensive and tiny) fifth-floor walk-up apartment was a brick wall. This was rather frustrating since I had to determine the answer to the all important question... should I take an umbrella.

For those of you who have never lived in New York City, you need to understand the significance of that question.  When you leave your apartment (no one has a house) you have to be prepared for a day WITHOUT a car, a day where you WILL be walking in the weather, a day where the weather REALLY counts.  Plus, you will most likely be gone ALL day and you AREN'T close by.  So, if it rains and you don't have an umbrella, you WILL be buying one on the street for an enormous sum of money - again.

Of course, The Weather Channel was a lifesaver.  However, if you were running late - which I always was .... you had to pray that they would be showing your area and the all important "rain or no rain" question when you tuned in.

Decades too late for me, but just in time for those of you in a similar position.... www.umbrellatoday.com

Just plug in your zip code and get an immediate "yes" or "no" answer to the simple question.  You can even get text messages sent to you at a specific time each day.

Whew!  Now, if someone could make web site that answers the question, "Date him?" they'd be an instant hit..