http://www.bnet.com/5799-19695-0.html?type=18 Blog Recent Discussion Activity http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_92218 I'd like to know how many people ACTUALLY lost their sense of smell? I see only 3-5 mentioned on the FDA report. Just tell me how many? Nationally? Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:38:22 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_92218 2009-11-24T00:38:22Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_92216 I have used Zicam (nasal spray, swabs) for at least five years. I'm very susceptible to colds ... usually at first turn of autumn to Winter in November/December. Zicam used daily (3-4 swipes each day) would rid the nasal sniffly/sneezy type of cold within 36 hours EACH AND EVERY TIME.<br><br>This product allowed me to return to work, be more productive, take less time off - and probably avoid a cold from turning into sinusitis or respiratory infection which is what used to happen to me every year before using ZICAM. <br><br>THIS FDA ban is garbage. Now I must be miserable each time I get a cold. People will be forced to try and create their own batch of Zinc gluconate ... which is worse?<br> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:18:41 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_92216 2009-11-24T00:18:41Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/do-your-friends-a-favor-and-give-cash-not-gift-cards/884/#18086_92205 I really am beginning to hate these things for reasons just like <br>that, Srmurrayut. When you're planning to use a gift card (after <br>all, you've been told that it's just like using cash), and they <br>decline it because it's not--at all--like cash, it's embarrassing <br>and annoying. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:53:45 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/do-your-friends-a-favor-and-give-cash-not-gift-cards/884/#18086_92205 2009-11-23T22:53:45Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92202 Martin, I'm impressed that you're that on top of your <br>finances. I've never spotted a fraud before the credit card <br>company, I'm afraid. But they've always been darn good at <br>spotting off-kilter charges before the crook goes wild and <br>really great at reversing them too, so I've never had to pay a <br>cent toward something that wasn't mine. I actually think <br>that's a big plus for credit. <br><br>Although, Dmrdano is also right. Retailers and credit card <br>companies love to give you a way to spend more than you've <br>got. Discipline is key. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:00:38 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92202 2009-11-23T22:00:38Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92200 Hey, Tim. You offer some good tips, but most prepaid debit <br>cards have fees attached--like fees to "load" them with money. <br>Those fees can be more expensive than even paying interest on <br>a credit card balance. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:55:07 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92200 2009-11-23T21:55:07Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/florida-mansion-for-sale-10/404/#13756_92167 I clicked on the link to buy a ticket and it says it's $30 a ticket! Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:07:38 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/florida-mansion-for-sale-10/404/#13756_92167 2009-11-23T21:07:38Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/do-your-friends-a-favor-and-give-cash-not-gift-cards/884/#18086_92165 I had an interesting experience trying to use a $25 Visa gift card at a restaurant. The total bill was $23, but their credit card approval system automatically added an estimated tip of $4 and Visa declined the card. Of course we did not know anything about the tip add-on, so we could not understand why a $25 card would be declinced for a $23 purchase.<br><br>After calling Visa Card Services we found that this is universally true with respect to using gift cards at restaurants.<br><br>Moral - Don't use gift cards at restaurants unless it was issued by the restaurant. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:47:10 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/do-your-friends-a-favor-and-give-cash-not-gift-cards/884/#18086_92165 2009-11-23T20:47:10Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-makers-strike-back/1056/#19016_92126 Matrixx Response To Zicam Warning Letter Doesn't Satisfy FDA <br>By Carol S. Remond <br>Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES <br>20 November 2009 <br>15:50 <br>(c) 2009 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. <br>Matrixx Initiatives Inc. (MTXX) is attempting to take the offensive in its battle with the Food and Drug Administration over the safety of its nasal cold remedy Zicam.<br>Four months after it received a warning letter from the FDA alleging that two of Matrixx's cold remedies may cause a loss of smell, the company has filed its official response. In a letter made public through a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Matrixx said "because there is no valid scientific evidence that these Zicam products are unsafe," the FDA should withdraw its warning letter and close the matter.<br>But that's unlikely to happen.<br>An FDA spokeswoman told Dow Jones Newswires Friday the agency doesn't consider Matrixx's answer letter to be a response to its warning letter.<br>"In FDA's warning letter to Matrixx, we stated that we had concerns about the safety of these Zicam products and the company needed to file data demonstrating that they were safe and effective. The Zicam zinc nasal products are for the common cold--a condition which runs its course without any medication--we are especially concerned that they should not cause harm to the user," the spokeswoman said.<br>Matrixx said in its letter that it had been unable to engage in any meaningful discussion with the FDA. Rather than provide the data requested by FDA, it's essentially asking the agency to prove that Zicam isn't safe.<br>Zicam Cold Remedy intranasal products are over-the-counter common-cold medicine marketed as homeopathic drug products. Matrixx earlier this year voluntarily pulled two products off the shelves in response to the letter. Other Zicam products weren't affected by the FDA action.<br>In January 2004, Dow Jones Newswires first reported an FDA investigation into complaints that Zicam Cold Remedy, a spray designed to deliver a zinc gel into the nose, may cause a loss of smell in some users. Matrixx has said all along that reports linking Zicam to a loss of smell are misleading and unfounded.<br>Matrixx shares were recently trading at $4.35 a share, up 14%. The company stock traded around $19 a share before the FDA warning letter became public on June 16.<br>-By Carol S. Remond, Dow Jones Newswires; 303-997-5783; carol.remond@dowjones.com [ 11-20-09 1550ET ]<br> <br> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:27:14 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-makers-strike-back/1056/#19016_92126 2009-11-23T19:27:14Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92138 Debit and credit cards both have the unfortunate (and deliberate) affect of getting people to spend more than they ought to spend. It is too easy. Cash is better, but all spending should be done with discipline. I need a credit card for travel (many hotels and car rental agencies will not accept debit cards, another problem with them). I pay off my credit card at the end of the month and have never paid interest. I know, though, that I have made purchases I would have passed on if I had not had the card. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:33:40 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92138 2009-11-23T18:33:40Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92143 "Credit cards have their own hazards, such as letting people spend beyond their means."<br><br>Tell me about it, a $1 and a 30c charge were the clues one day last week, so I found out before my bank did (I keep a real close eye on my account!).<br><br>That did not help me get a new card any quicker - still waiting...<br><br>That botched a few regular payments I make, so now I'm looking at swapping those to direct from by checking account or continuity goes south.<br><br><b>Martin Haworth<br><a href=http://www.coachtrainlearn.com>Coach Train Learn!</a></b> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:31:13 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92143 2009-11-23T18:31:13Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92131 Scary stuff, but I've used debit cards for years and never had any major problems. Some suggestions:<br>- Select a debit card provider who will send you a text message immediately after any transaction hits your account. NetSpend and MoneyGram offer this feature.<br>-Avoid bank debit cards with their overdraft fees. Use a prepaid debit card.<br>-Put a "firewall" between your bank account and your debit card by using a prepaid debit card. You can link your prepaid card to your bank account to transfer funds at your discretion, but identity thieves will only have access to the funds you've loaded onto the prepaid card. <br>- If all you have is a prepaid debit card, get a second account with another provider and keep some money there so that if one account is attacked, you're not totally out of luck while getting the issue resolved.<br>-Find out what your bank's policy is for pay at the pump. If they put a $50 or $75 hold on the card, just pay inside rather than paying at the pump.<br><br>This article offered some good advice but it also seemed designed to scare people into using credit cards. Credit cards have their own hazards, such as letting people spend beyond their means. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:57:37 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/for-safetys-sake-dump-the-debit-card/1035/#19014_92131 2009-11-23T17:57:37Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/is-your-401k-a-dog-or-a-darling/908/#18874_91477 From RR, who contacted me via Facebook:<br><br>"If you've left a company with a rotten 401(k), how do you <br>find a good place to take your roll-over?"<br><br>My response is boring: Go to Vanguard. They have a wide <br>array of really good, really low-cost index mutual funds and <br>Exchange Traded funds. I'd recommend the ETF for a rollover <br>simply because the fees are slightly lower on these, but you <br>have to pay a small trading fee to buy one. However, with a <br>rollover, that fee is (presumably) a one-time event, so the <br>cost of that will be quickly overwhelmed by your savings from <br>the lower annual maintenance fees. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:42:44 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/is-your-401k-a-dog-or-a-darling/908/#18874_91477 2009-11-19T16:42:44Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/is-your-401k-a-dog-or-a-darling/908/#18874_91476 A few people have commented privately on this story, asking <br>that their names not be used. But, because they're <br>comments were worth adding, I'm adding them here.<br><br>This one, which came via email, was from a Freedom <br>Communications employee:<br><br>"Freedom quit matching 401k a while back....not above <br>average at all."<br><br>Quick response: If you find that the data for your company <br>plan is not accurate, contact Bright Scope. They get much of <br>their data from employees, like you. Their web site explains <br>how to submit new plan details. <br><br><br><br><br><br> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:33:56 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/is-your-401k-a-dog-or-a-darling/908/#18874_91476 2009-11-19T16:33:56Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/watch-for-fees-when-hit-with-refinance-fever/911/#18340_91398 Hi Rachel - I love Entitle Direct. I actually wrote on them as well (I publish a mortgage industry trade magazine, I am also a loan officer, see my mention of them <a href="http://bit.ly/1NzaBT" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1NzaBT</a>) after I lost a few too many deals because the title fees I was quoting to my borrowers, from the title company I worked with, was too high. I was livid after I found out how much I could've been saving my clients. I now ONLY use Entitle Direct. BTW they have great service as well. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:54:22 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/watch-for-fees-when-hit-with-refinance-fever/911/#18340_91398 2009-11-18T23:54:22Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/watch-for-fees-when-hit-with-refinance-fever/911/#18340_91397 Hi Rachel - I love Entitle Direct. I actually wrote on them as well (I publish a mortgage industry trade magazine as well as being a loan officer, see my mention of them <a href="http://bit.ly/1NzaBT" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/1NzaBT</a> ) after I lost a few too many deals because the title fees I was quoting to my borrowers from the title company I worked with was too high. I was livid after I found out how much I could've been saving my clients. I now ONLY use Entitle Direct. BTW they have great service as well. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:51:07 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/watch-for-fees-when-hit-with-refinance-fever/911/#18340_91397 2009-11-18T23:51:07Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_91372 Thanks, Zicamvictim. Please invite your Facebook friends to the <br>blog. I'd love to hear more about your stories. As I have <br>mentioned here, I'm tremendously frustrated by the lack of <br>information coming out of the FDA. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:19:48 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_91372 2009-11-18T21:19:48Z http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_91363 Thanks, Every time I noticed I could smell something new or it would smell like it should, it was a huge relief. Yes I only used it once! Crazy right? I purchased Zicam a few weeks before I used it. I have annual Superbowl party all my friends attend. I remember I was telecommuting the day i used it at home. The weather was bad I was afraid of getting sick for my party and saw it in my cabinet and thought why not? it cant hurt. Man, was I wrong. I asked the ENT the same question. She said sees someone about every 9 months. I was one of only 2 who did not lose their entire smell. I saw her every month for a while. i didn't know what else to do. One of her other patients with Anosmia from Zicam who lived near me asked her if I would like to get in touch. I agreed to give my contact information. This person had no sense of smell at all for over a year. This person was also in the military. They were going to lose their job people they could not smell smoke. I would guess this has effected a lot more people then you think. It's an extremely embarrassing injury and people are so distraught by it they are afraid to say anything. I didn't care. I told everyone. Because of the Daubert standard of scientific evidence, lawyers were not taking cases. Matrixx had a team of lawyers defending lawsuits knowing full well the plaintiffs would have a hard time proving causation. If a lawyer would take your case, little or none would work on a contingency basis. If you would like to contact victims with a similar experience to mine they are on a facebook group. Warning don't use Zicam! I am happy to answer questions! If I talk about it people seem to treat you like your complaining. I just don't want Zicam to hurt anyone else. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:08:24 GMT http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/devil-details/zicam-addicts-and-shareholders-were-ripped-off/968/#18556_91363 2009-11-18T20:08:24Z