Skip to content
Andrew Tobias
Andrew Tobias

Money and Other Subjects

  • Home
  • Books
  • Videos
  • Bio
  • Archives
  • Links
  • Me-Mail
Andrew Tobias
Andrew Tobias

Money and Other Subjects

Reader Mail

June 4, 1998February 5, 2017

MERGER MANIA

From Toby Gottfried: “It seems that every week we hear about ‘the largest corporate merger ever.’ (Or, if need be, ‘the largest in industry X’ or ‘the nth largest.’) And each time the executives trumpet the efficiencies and wonderful prospects. Well, it seems to me that the logical conclusion of all this is to just merge everything into one company. We could call it ‘the company.’ Or ‘the government.’ Oh wait. They tried that in Russia. It didn’t work.”

APR vs APY

From T.S.: “I had to put in my two cents worth and remind everyone that you CANNOT earn an APR on a deposit account! APR – annual percentage rate – refers strictly to loans. Deposit accounts are stated as APY – annual percentage yield. Of course, no one intelligent enough to shop APY versus nominal rate will be foolish enough to put money in an account (with the possible exception of CDs) that is quoted as APY. (Hint: get a good mutual fund money market account instead!)

ATCALL

From Victor Smith: “Thank you for ATCALL. I have been a long time user of AT&T having been a stockholder in years gone past. After reading your commentary on Ameritrade I got a postcard from AT&T announcing HIGHER rates starting June 1. I’m not taking it any more! I called ATCALL at the 800-411-9696 and am now going to be switched to them within ten working days. My local phone company will charge me $5 for the switch but ATCALL will give me $5 credit so it cost nothing to switch plus I now will get 10 cents a minute anytime any day. This will be great because we’ve got six kids and grand kids and Nannie is a great talker!”

A.T.: And now you can get 9-cent-a-minute calling through a deal America Online has arranged. But if you use AOL, you certainly know about it – talk about “in your face” advertising.

 

Post navigation

← Uvarov’s Lament
The Trouble with Libertarians →

Quote of the Day

"We've forgotten all the sacrifices that the people who've gone before us made to give us this wonderful life that we have. We accept it; we take it for granted; we think it's our birthright. The facts are, it's precious, it's fragile -- it can disappear."

Ross Perot, 1988

Subscribe

 Advice

The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need

"So full of tips and angles that only a booby or a billionaire could not benefit." -- The New York Times

Help

MYM Emergency?

Too Much Junk?

Tax Questions?

Ask Less

Recent Posts

  • Our Record-High Stock Market

    June 30, 2025
  • Stuffing The Goose

    June 30, 2025
  • Yes! (Plus A Bonus)

    June 29, 2025
  • How Does THAT Make You Feel . . .

    June 27, 2025
  • Randi, David, Ken, and HYMC

    June 26, 2025
  • Six Links For Your Consideration

    June 25, 2025
  • Weekend Reading

    June 20, 2025
  • Oh, My

    June 18, 2025
  • 3 Quick Clips

    June 17, 2025
  • A Quick Poem

    June 15, 2025
Andrew Tobias Books
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
©2025 Andrew Tobias - All Rights Reserved | Website: Whirled Pixels | Author Photo: Tony Adams