Random Thoughts
Last night I was watching Catch Me If You Can. I really enjoy this movie and watch it whenever it is on TV and there isn’t anything else on. I think the reason I like it so much is the fact that the main character, Frank Abignale, has the confidence to pull off all sorts of crazy things. Back in the 60′s he forged and kited checks all around the country and pretends to be an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer and pulls it all of.
That got me thinking about another thing. None of this would have been possible in today’s age. Thanks to the internet checks can be cleared almost immediately and no longer take up to a week or two to clear. There are all sorts of crazy security features on checks these days to prevent them from being forged. In fact, Frank Abignale actually worked for ADP and other check companies after he got released from jail to improve check security! Crazy huh?
The internet also allows you to be able Google anyone’s name and figure out a lot about them. In the movie, Frank used a nick name of Barry Allen. Barry Allen is the name of The Flash when he isn’t a super hero. If the FBI could have Googled Frank Abignale’s alias they would have know this immediately. Instead, in the movie, a waiter in a cafe happened to see the FBI agent’s paperwork and learned of the alias by chance.
The internet is a very powerful tool and it is something I have grown up with. Without the internet we would all be living a very different life today.
What can you think of that the internet has improved in your life? Do you ever wish it hadn’t been invented?
Round Up
Good Financial Cents writes about How He Gave Up a $198,000 Check and He’s Much Happier Without It. It sounds like this worked out for the best for Jeff. He’s seems to have been very successful without the check that would bind him for 7, that’s right SEVEN years!
See Debt Run writes about America’s Worst Warranty – Why They Will Never Buy Another Hyundai. It is sad that companies have so many exceptions that basically make the consumer have to shell out a ton of cash. While there may be some good warranties out there these days make sure you fully understand yours.
Money After Graduation writes that You Are Your Most Important Asset. It really is true. Granted the value of the asset of you generally decreases as you get older and you have to replace it with investments, but that would be a story for another post…
Thousandaire got engaged! Enough said… go read more if you want the details!
Free Money Finance‘s First Property Purchase Went South. While it is unfortunate and cost him a small chunk of money the best thing is he learned from it. If you don’t learn from these problems you’re going to keep digging yourself into the same hole.
Carnivals
Below are all of the carnivals that I was included in this week… well, at least those that I could find or I got ping backs on. If you hosted a carnival that I was included in this week and I missed it please let me know and I’ll add it below!
Carnival of Financial Planning included my post Two Huge Problems with Dividend Stocks Right Now.
Yakezie Carnival, Carnival of Money Pros, Financial Carnival for Young Adults included my post What Would You Do?: Pay Off Higher Interest Rate or Variable Rate Loans First?
Carnival of Personal Finance included my post Carnival Cruise Price Protection Saved Me $160.
Enjoy your weekend!
An accountant by day and blogger by night, Lance is the owner of this site. 
I loved Catch Me If You Can, it’s a great movie. I agree that it’s crazy how much technology has changed things these days!
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..Quick Hits and Weekend Reading
I like that movie too. It’s amazing how much the internet impacts our lives, and how relatively recent it is to our world!!!
Barbara Friedberg recently posted..HOW TO RENT AN APARTMENT
What’s crazy is that he only served maybe 4-5 years in prison! Awesome story. I would love to meet the guy. I’m sure he can tell some even crazier stories than the actual movie.
funancials recently posted..Weekend Reading