Living In USA

Supermarkets in the United States keep getting bigger, and they are always confusing. How can you decide what to buy amid an amazing choice of items? Understanding some general patterns of packaging and pricing can help you evaluate the options available to you.

Price
You can save a good deal of money if you watch for sales instead of buying the same "brand-name" (a well-known company name) items at regular prices. Many supermarkets have their own label, and these items are almost always less expensive than brand-name items. You'll have to experiment, because some brand-name items are indeed tastier or better quality than less well-known brands.

Look to see if both brands contain the same number of ounces, and look at the list of ingredients to see what percentage is water. By law, actual ingredients must always be listed in order of the amount contained. Using "unit pricing" can also help. If, for example, you are shopping for laundry powder, the unit price will reflect how much you pay per pound. The "per pound" or "per fluid ounce" or the "per quart" prices are more important than the actual cost of an item. Large is not always less expensive.

Food Labels
The U.S. grading system for meat has nothing to do with nutrition, only with federal standards of quality for tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. The most common grades of meat are prime and choice.

Foods are marked using three categories: nutrition information per serving — calories, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fat, and sodium; percentage of U.S. recommended daily allowances of these items plus vitamins and minerals; and the ingredients. It is important to know the size of a serving if you are interested in watching your weight or must eat carefully because of medical conditions such as diabetes or heart problems. Many products also have directions for preparation and suggestions for use.

Warnings
Although an increasing effort is being made to protect the buyer, there are still, unfortunately, a number of "shortcuts" or hidden factors that one needs to watch out for — sizes and weights, for example. A bottle that looks like a quart (or liter) does not necessarily contain that amount. In small print on the label, it may say "contains 24 fluid ounces" (a quart is 32 ounces). Packages meant to look like one pound may actually contain only 14 or 11 or 9 ounces worth of food. By law, weight must be printed on all food packages, under "net contents," so one can always check this, but too many of us do not take the time and trouble. Often the print is very small — on purpose!

Don't be overly concerned about these matters. You will gradually learn by experience and by trial and error, but you can shorten your learning time if you read labels and compare as you shop. You will soon find the foods your family likes and which brands are best for you. Such care and study can save you a considerable amount of money on your food bills. The U.S. Department of Agriculture claims that those who watch carefully and who follow the weekly specials offered in all supermarkets can save about 6 percent per week.

If you have clipped a discount coupon from the newspaper and you find the same item on sale in the store, you save even more. And some supermarkets offer "double coupon" savings, meaning you save twice the amount noted on the coupon.

Any large bookstore will have a selection of books that are helpful as guides to shopping.

Overview
It might be said that shopping, rather than baseball, is the real national sport of the United States. As Paco Underhill observed, "We use shopping as therapy, reward, bribery, pastime, an excuse to get out of the house, as a way to troll for potential loved ones, as entertainment, as a form of education or even worship, as a way to kill time." [1] In the small town of Freeport, Maine, just up the road from our publisher, there are 158 stores. One of them, the flagship store of the venerable catalogue company L.L. Bean, is open 365 days a year — 24 hours a day! Should you find yourself in need of a fishing pole and complete line of tackle at 3:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, the people at L.L. Bean can help. In another small town, Bloomington, Minnesota, there is a shopping mall so large that it boasts 525 stores and claims 42 million visitors a year. Apparently that's more than the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, or the Washington Monument, because the Mall of America, as it is called, asserts that it is the most visited attraction in the United States. More than 1,500 couples have been married in the Mall of America since it opened in 1992.

One newcomer to the United States, when asked his first impression, replied, "So many things to buy." And there are! You will find yourself being urged from every page of every newspaper and magazine, on the Internet, and on every TV and radio station to buy all manner of goods, which, in fact, you will be quite happy without. This constant barrage of advertising, with its emphasis on owning this or that in order to be happy, healthy, or more attractive, has given the United States the reputation of being very materialistic. It is true; this is an affluent and, therefore, materialistic nation. It is interesting to note, however, that as soon as any country grows more affluent, it tends to grow increasingly materialistic. Traffic jams develop in country after country as more people are able to buy cars; sales-people work hard in most of the world to sell televisions, watches, furniture, food, clothes, computers, or washing machines.

People everywhere seem to be alike in this respect. As soon as there is any extra money, we seek to raise and keep on raising our standard of living. You may not be surprised by this, but look at the bigger picture: What do people do with their new prosperity? Does it enrich their relationships with other people? How creative are they? How hard do they work? How do they spend their money?

Because so much in the United States is mass-produced, and much of it imported from countries with cheap labor, there is a large quantity of relatively inexpensive goods available to everyone. You will find a tremendous range in price, based on quality, style, area of the country, and other factors. Comparative shopping is a good idea before you buy any major item. From all of the choices available, how are you, the new arrival, going to know what to buy and how to get your money's worth? In the first place, don't hurry. Take time to look over the various kinds of stores and examine the quality of their merchandise; read the ads carefully so that you can compare prices; touch, explore, and examine before you buy, and talk to your new colleagues at work or school and ask them for recommendations. In addition, some helpful guidelines are provided below

If you've shipped your belongings from home, you must be present to receive them. As the movers unpack, check to see that each item has arrived in good condition. The person in charge of the moving crew should make a written note of any damage before you sign the bill. Once you sign it, he or she will make no further changes. If some goods are damaged, immediately obtain a claim form from the moving company (or its insurance agent). Fill out the form, make a photocopy for yourself, and then return the original promptly. Time is important. Don't delay. Also inform your employer so that their transportation specialist can advise you. If you are not reimbursed within two or three weeks, let the transportation officer of your company follow up on your claim, or do it yourself. Don't let too much time go by.

Photocopies should always be made of whatever papers, letters, claims, or counterclaims pass between you and the movers and/or the insurance company. This is very important. If your company does not make the copies for you, take the papers to a public copying machine. You will find them in post offices, banks, stationery shops, libraries, and even some stores. Having everything in detail and in the proper sequence in your files makes following up on any claim far easier and quicker.

Consult with your company some days before the movers are to arrive so that you know exactly what you can expect. Services vary widely according to the contract. Some will place your furniture, set up beds, and unpack china, silver, glassware, linens, and books. They are required to remove all packing debris. Some movers will connect your electrical appliances for you; most will not. Some will set up only large items and will not unpack small ones. Be sure to ask in advance.

Most people tip the moving crew in relation to the size and length of the job. Tips range from $5 per person for a small job up to about $20 per person for a full day's job. It is also a good idea to have cold soft drinks and coffee available if possible. This is a tiring job, so be kind to the movers and try to stay out of their way. Remember that time is money for them.

Be sure to keep track of what they are delivering in case something is missing. It can be difficult to file a claim after you have signed the paper-work saying that everything has been delivered.

Nothing symbolizes the American Dream more than owning your own house. Record low mortgage interest rates and a strong housing market at this writing have combined to make buying a home worth considering, especially if you will be in the same place for more than a couple of years. Although interest rates may climb again, buying a home will still likely be a sound investment for the foreseeable future. In recent years, the values for homes have continued to appreciate, which, combined with the mortgage interest tax deduction and the money saved in rent, makes buying a home a sound investment. You can often arrange a mortgage payment that is nearly the same as a monthly rent payment would be. The downside, of course, is that you will not have the benefit of a landlord to call when something in the house breaks, as it almost certainly will. Remember, too, that a home you buy can be a house, an apartment, a condominium, a townhouse, or a co-op. In other words, just about any type of housing can be purchased rather than rented.

Real Estate Agents and Brokers
You will almost certainly want a qualified real estate agent to help you. The seller's agent will usually split his or her fee with your agent. This means that you do not pay directly for your agent's services. Nevertheless, the agent is working for you, and a good agent is more than worth the fee. The seller's agent fees (paid by the seller) average around five or six percent of the home's selling price. Your agent is paid by the other agent for bringing a qualified buyer. There is really no advantage for you to try to go through this process without an agent, unless you manage to find a home that is for sale by owner (FSBO), meaning that the seller does not have a real estate agent. FSBOs are relatively rare, and in that case you would have to forgo an agent, pay your agent's fee yourself, or negotiate the fee with the seller. As long as the seller has listed the home with an agency, she or he will be paying the full fee, regardless of whether you have an agent or not.

A real estate broker closes the deal and handles the paperwork. In some states, this is handled by lawyers, but in many, a broker will close the deal. Unless you are very familiar with real estate law, it is probably foolish to try to close a real estate transaction on your own. Real estate agents usually work exclusively with (often they work for) a particular broker, so it is a team you are selecting. The best source for your real estate team, including your mortgage broker (see below) is an enthusiastic recommendation from a friend or colleague.

Mortgages
Setting up the mortgage can also be made much simpler with the help of a professional. Mortgage brokers do not represent a particular lender but can offer a number of competing rates and plans to choose from. Some things to consider include points, adjustable or fixed rates, and the length of the loan.

Some mortgages appear lower but require "points," which are additional percentage points that are paid up front, although they can usually be included in the loan amount. Basically, points should be avoided unless they come with a significantly lower annual percentage rate. Some mortgages are fixed rate, meaning they will not vary for the entire fifteen-or thirty-year period of the mortgage. Others are adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs), which start at a much lower rate but can go up over time, to a maximum that is usually much higher than a fixed rate mortgage. ARMs make good sense if you are confident that you will be staying in the house for just a few years and then selling. They may make good sense anyway, as you can almost always refinance your house if national interest rates are low. Finally, loans are typically offered in either fifteen-or thirty-year durations, although others are possible. Remember that if you can make one extra mortgage payment per year, your loan time can usually be cut about in half.

If you rent a house, in addition to the rent, you will generally be expected to pay for gas, electricity, heat, and sometimes water and sewage. You also provide (or pay for) normal maintenance, such as grass cutting, window washing, leaf raking, and snow removal. If the house has a sidewalk, you may be responsible for having it cleared of snow within a few hours after each snowfall (usually within four daylight hours).

Furnished Apartments or Houses
The word furnished means different things to different people. You will normally be supplied with the essentials: stove, refrigerator, beds, chairs, sofa, tables, lamps. Minimal china and glass, flatware (often rather poor), basic kitchen supplies, curtains, and some pictures may be supplied. Sometimes, but very rarely, there is a small supply of bed, bath, and table linens and blankets.

You will need to supply your favorite kitchen utensils, some table linens or place mats, extra lamps, coat hangers, whatever electrical appliances you want — such as toasters and irons — and generally, bath and bed linens and blankets. You will certainly want to bring enough of your own things to make you feel comfortable and at home. Your own pictures, books, decorations, and the like will make it seem more like home to you.

The word unfurnished means different things also, but generally a stove and refrigerator are included — also towel racks, light fixtures, and other such built-in items often not included in other countries. Partly furnished often means only that there are some large furniture items that the previous tenant didn't bother to take.

Housing Agreements and Leases
Don't sign any agreement, normally called a "lease," until you have consulted a member of your company's personnel department, a lawyer, a real estate specialist at your bank, a well-recommended real estate agent, or an official at your university.

You should understand clearly in advance what the lease states about ending it or renewing it if you want to stay longer, provisions for damages, number of allowed occupants, rules about children or pets, rules that apply to subletting (i.e., renting to other parties while your own lease is in effect), painting or redecorating regulations, and hidden charges — sometimes extra ones suddenly appear for such items as a TV antenna or garbage removal. Also ask when the next rent increase will occur and what it is likely to be.

When you rent an apartment, you are normally asked for one month's "security deposit" in addition to the first and sometimes the last month's rent. The security deposit will be returned to you when you leave if there has been no major damage to the premises during your occupancy. The landlord or the landlord's agent will do the inspecting. The security deposit is an assurance to the landlord that any damage to the premises will be covered. For your own protection, you should examine the apartment carefully before you sign a lease, and get the landlord's or agent's signed (written) acknowledgment of any cracks, stains, holes, scratches, or other damages that existed before you became the tenant. Otherwise, you may be charged for preexisting damages two or three years later when you leave.

If you should move before your lease runs out, you will have to negotiate with the landlord to terminate your lease unless this provision is already written into your original lease. You may have to pay the rent until another tenant can be found, but sometimes you merely forfeit your deposits. It is best to clarify this in writing if the lease does not specify. Often, you can arrange an "early out" option in exchange for a slightly higher monthly rent.

All such matters should be discussed in advance, as mentioned above, and be sure to get professional advice before signing your name to anything. Once a contract is signed, it becomes binding. It cannot be canceled, and the terms cannot be changed without great legal difficulty. Furthermore, you will then have no opportunity for any further negotiations.

To summarize, find out the following before you sign:

1. Which services and utilities are or are not included in the rent — heat, electricity, gas, air conditioning, washing machine, clothes dryer, etc.?

2. Do you have to pay a brokerage fee (if you found the apartment through an agent)? If so, how much will it be?

3. How often will the landlord repaint the apartment, and who will pay for it?

4. Exactly how long does the lease run (they vary)?

5. What are the conditions under which you can end the lease if you leave early?

6. If you should want to sublet to someone else, can you? Under what conditions?

7. Does the landlord know the size of your family? Not all apartment houses allow children.

8. Does the landlord allow pets? Have written permission if you are going to keep a pet.

9. If you rent a house, who pays for lawn mowing, snow removal, etc.?

Utilities
Utilities refers to gas, electricity, heat, air conditioning, and water. Stoves (sometimes called ranges) are either gas or electric. Your heating costs may or may not be included in the rent — ask! If you have to pay, ask for the average monthly cost. Central heating systems generally burn oil or gas; in some cases, apartments or even houses may have electric heating. Be particularly careful about electric heating in climates with cold winters — you may find yourself paying six or seven hundred dollars a month, just for heat.

Modern apartment buildings are nearly always equipped with centrally operated air conditioning, which can be adjusted by the occupants of each apartment. If you live in an older house, it is likely to have window air conditioners. If there are no window units and the need is great, you can rent air conditioners on a monthly basis for the few hot months.

Most of the country operates on 110–120 volt current, 60 cycles, AC. Unless your own small appliances can be converted for U.S. current, you are well advised to leave them at home. For small items, transformers can be a nuisance. However, you can buy all kinds of appliances here at reasonable prices.

In most rented apartments and some rental houses, you will not have to pay for water or sewage. Houses are metered for water, and if you have to pay for it, the bill will arrive either monthly or quarterly. Water rates are low. In most communities, the charges for water consumption and sewage are combined. Sewage is generally a flat fee per month.

You can safely drink water from taps anywhere in the United States. Do not drink from brooks, streams, or rivers, however. Pollution is widespread. Tap water may taste unpleasant because it contains a high percentage of minerals or purifying chemicals. If you find this distasteful, you can buy bottled water in the supermarket, have filters installed, or buy an inexpensive, hand-held filtering system.

Finding a place to live can be one of the most challenging and stressful parts of many people's experience, especially in a new country. There are a seemingly endless number of housing options available to you, and in many parts of the country none of them are inexpensive. With careful planning and adequate information, however, you will be able to find a place to live and soon be calling it "home."

How to Begin Looking
As is generally true throughout the world, the farther you are from any urban center, the lower the rent will be. However, transportation may be so overcrowded and expensive that you will have to balance these two factors in deciding where to seek housing. Naturally, it is easier to take part in the life of a city if you live within its boundaries. For this reason single people and couples without children often prefer to live as close to the city as possible. However, families with children are generally attracted to the suburbs, where they can find larger houses at lower rents, better schools, and a slower pace — not to mention grass and trees!

If your children are of school age, the quality of local schools should be of primary concern before you decide where to rent. Many families have found that in the end it was less costly to move to a fairly expensive suburb with good public schools rather than to a less expensive neighborhood where inadequate or crowded public schools lead them to send their children to costly private schools. If there are several children in your family, this is a particularly important consideration. See Chapter 19 for a discussion of schools.

Once the school question has been explored, commuting conditions should be investigated — train or bus schedules, highways, available types of transportation, commuting time.

Your employer or foreign-student adviser should be able to give you helpful advice about schools and commuter schedules in suburban areas. You will be able to judge a good deal for yourself by driving through a number of neighborhoods. Talk to the local librarian, a salesperson, or a gas station attendant; investigate neighborhoods or suburbs as thoroughly as possible before you actually select one.

If you are moving to a medium-sized (about 500,000 population) or small city (about 100,000 population) or to a small town, the housing situation will be quite different from that in large metropolitan areas. Neighborhoods within these cities may be as spacious as those in the suburbs, although houses will sometimes be older. Public transportation, however, is frequently limited in smaller cities.

Sources of Information
Your best source of information about either houses or apartments is likely to be the local newspaper. As a rule the week's most complete real estate section appears in the Sunday edition of city newspapers. Try to get a copy on Saturday! Usually the real estate section is printed early. Timing is important, as there is often tremendous competition for housing. You need to read the columns carefully the night before so that on Sunday morning you can telephone early (even at 8 a.m.) about rentals that seem interesting to you.

There are real estate agents in all localities, and many of them handle rentals. These can be helpful, but if you can find a house yourself through friends, the newspaper, or by seeing a "For Rent" sign, it will be cheaper. Agents charge steep fees — a month's rent is common, but so is one-half month's rent. Depending on the rental market, the landlord may pay this fee or split it with you. Some companies pay such fees for their employees; others do not. Be certain you understand your company's policy regarding this matter, and inquire about fees before you sign with any real estate agency.

Even Americans are confused by the terms used in real estate advertisements. A tiny hallway, an alcove off the kitchen, or an "L" in the living room may be called a room. Sometimes kitchens and bathrooms are counted as rooms, and sometimes they are not. When you see "2-1/2 rooms" listed, you cannot be certain what this means. Neither can Americans! The only safe thing to do is to ask when you telephone: how many rooms are included in the apartment, and what size are they? Apartments are more expensive as you go higher in a building, unless there is no elevator. You are paying for more light and less dirt and noise from the street and sometimes for a better view. Listings are often described in terms of square feet. Simply divide by three to get a rough estimate of the size in square meters.

By Taxi
Because at first they feel uncertain, most people are likely to travel by taxi (also called cabs) when they arrive in any new place. Here, taxis definitely come under the heading of luxury travel. Furthermore, taxis have an aggravating way of being hard to find, not only at the busy hours of a day but also if the weather turns bad. In most cities you can telephone to get one (see the local phone book for numbers); but in others, including New York, you usually hail them on the street or find them at a "hack stand" (special parking areas reserved for taxis).

Generally speaking, taxis are metered throughout the country, but there are some cities (e.g., Washington, D.C.) where they operate on a distance zone system. Nothing is uniform in the United States. You will need to ask a friend, a colleague, or hotel personnel about the rules; they vary from city to city. Also be sure to use a well-known taxi company to avoid being overcharged.

Although drivers do not always comply, the regulations are as follows: they must stop if the taxi is empty and not showing an off-duty sign; they must drive anywhere within the city limits; they may not ask your destination before you get in and then refuse to take you; and they may not charge more than is registered on the meter except for trunks, for bridge, tunnel, or ferry tolls, or for late-night special fees. Off-duty signs are often indicated by lights on the taxi roof, but it is wise to ask someone how to tell when a taxi is off duty and can therefore be expected to pass you by. It varies from city to city.

There are various sizes of cabs. Often they are not permitted to carry more than four people — sometimes as few as three — but some can carry five or six passengers. If you find yourself sharing a cab with several strangers (legal in some cities but not in others), you will often be expected to pay full price, unfair though that may seem.

In heavily congested areas the driver may not be allowed by law to get out of the cab to open doors or help with luggage. Do not assume the driver is being discourteous — it may be a safety measure.

If you want to make a complaint about taxi service, note the driver's number and name (posted somewhere inside the cab). Be sure to get the name of the taxi company also — there are many companies in all cities. When you write to the company, be sure to keep a copy of your letter.

By Subway (Or Metro)
Subways, or metros, in some cities are by far the quickest way to move about. Networks of them lie under a number of our cities, and they operate day and night. Most of the time they are filled with people and can be used safely. There are a few warnings, however, that should be observed.

1. Naturally, avoid rush hours if you can. Subways are full from about 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and again from about 4:30 to 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. (These are the hours when pickpockets do their best work, too.)

2. Choose to sit in cars where there are other people, rather than empty ones.

3. For safety while waiting for a train, stand near the token booth if possible.

4. Hold your purse firmly and consciously — don't let it dangle. Men should carry wallets in inside jacket pockets.

5. Before riding the subway at night, ask a friend or colleague whether it is safe and whether there are areas of the city that should be avoided at night.

Subway or metro stops are clearly marked, and maps of the system are available at most stations. In some cities, the fare varies with the length of your trip and in others a flat fee takes you anywhere in the system. Increasingly city transit systems are doing away with tokens (special coins) and using fare cards instead. With fare cards, passengers usually pay by the distance traveled. You buy a card in a machine at a subway or metro station, and slide it into a turnstile or gate machine at the entrance. Your card is read, and you slide it once more when you exit the station at your destination. The fare is then deducted from the remaining value of the card. Save yourself trouble by buying tokens (or fare cards) in quantity if you plan to use subways regularly. Many cities also offer discounted daily, weekly, or monthly passes.

It is helpful to have a basic understanding of the system's navigation cues before you start. In Manhattan, for example, trains run generally either "uptown" (north) or "downtown" (south) before continuing on to other boroughs such as Queens or Brooklyn. In contrast, Boston's metro system (called the "T") labels trains either "inbound"(toward Government Center and Park Street stations) or "outbound," meaning away from them in either direction. Thus it is important to know if your destination lies between these points or away from them.

By Bus
Trams or trolley cars are now rarely found in U.S. cities; generally the public travels by bus or subway. More and more cities are requiring passengers to have the exact change in hand as they board the bus — or else "tokens" (small coin-like pieces similar to the French jeton) that can be bought in advance. Drivers used to have the double job of making change at the same time that they were driving their huge buses through traffic. The exact-change rule eases the driver's work and speeds service for everyone. It also reduces the number of robberies that were taking place when drivers had a great deal of extra money for making change.

In many cities bus and subway tokens can be used interchangeably and are bought at subway booths. It is a great time saver to buy tokens in considerable quantity and keep them in a special purse or envelope so that you can get at them easily. Otherwise, you may have to wait in long lines during rush hour or get caught without change just when you need to catch a bus. If you are using two buses (or a subway and a bus) to reach your destination, you can request a "transfer," a small slip of paper that allows you to pay one fare for the entire trip but use two (or sometimes more) vehicles to complete your trip.

Bus stops are usually located at busy corners and are clearly marked. Normally, the bus schedule is displayed at the stop, and in most cities you can request printed bus schedules from the bus driver or company. In some cities you can telephone to ask for the best route to go from one point to another, and most have Websites with printable maps and schedules. If time allows, the bus driver will often give quick directions or at least tell you when to get off the bus.

Schoolchildren and people over sixty-five years of age can get special passes in most cities so that they can ride at reduced rates during certain hours of the day.

Transportation
Americans move around a city on foot or by bus, taxi, car, or (in some cities) subway (sometimes called the metro) — just as is done in cities the world over. The rules for doing so, however, are different in every country.

On Foot
If distances are short, the quickest way to get from one place to another may be on foot. Traffic in our cities and towns is often very heavy, particularly during morning and evening rush hours at the beginning and ending of the workday. So city people often get to their destination most quickly on foot if distances permit. Many people also walk as a form of exercise.

Jaywalking, which means either crossing in the middle of a block or crossing against the traffic light, is illegal in most communities, and you could be fined if caught. You will see many people taking chances, but do not follow their example. It is not worth it. Most pedestrian injuries are the result of jaywalking.

If you come from a country where driving is on the left, be especially careful to look both ways for oncoming cars and have your children practice doing the same. Many people are hurt by failing to do this before stepping off the curb. Unlike in London, our cities do not have helpful signs reminding people that the traffic may be coming from the opposite direction from what they are accustomed to or expecting. The widespread use of one-way streets makes it advisable for everyone to be extra cautious about crossing our city streets.

E-Mail and Internet Access
Electronic mail (e-mail) and, increasingly, instant messaging (IM) are fast becoming the communication method of choice, especially among young people. In order to connect your home computer to the World Wide Web, you need to first select an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Popular choices include Earthlink, American Online (AOL), and Microsoft Network (MSN), along with a myriad of others, including cable television and telephone companies. You have four possible choices, although all of them are not available in all areas.

Dial-Up
The least expensive is to use your regular phone line to dial an ISP using your computer's built-in modem. For somewhere less than half to a third of the monthly charge of the other options, dial-up is limited in speed to 56 kilobits per second and can be excruciatingly slow for heavy users, especially if you want to view lots of images on the Web. It is also inconvenient in that you cannot place or receive telephone calls while your computer is connected.

DSL
This uses your regular phone line but does not prevent you from placing or receiving voice calls at the same time. It operates far faster than dial-up, but it is more costly and requires special equipment to connect your computer's network port to the phone line, although many companies waive the equipment charge when you sign a one-year contract.

Cable
This is very similar in speed and price to DSL but is carried through the television cable rather than the telephone line. There is also special equipment involved, but again it is sometimes free with an annual contract agreement.

Satellite
If you have satellite television, you can access the Internet that way instead of using wires. This is more expensive than cable or DSL, has more equipment charges, and is generally slower.

Once you have decided on an ISP, you can use the company's services to provide you with an e-mail account. Most ISPs also include some storage space for a personal Web server or file transfer protocol (ftp) server, which can be handy for storing files you wish to access from another computer. If you don't have a computer, you can buy an inexpensive (Under $100) e-mail machine and pay a lesser monthly amount for e-mail-only access (these machines are sometimes discounted or even free when you sign a one-year contract). Or you can use public-access computers in many libraries for free. You can get a free e-mail account through many web portals such as Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com) or Hotmail (www.hotmail.com).

Wireless Access Points (WAPs)
Airport lounges, coffee shops, and other public locations are increasingly offering access to wireless networks, which usually use the 802.11(b) standard, although the faster (and mutually compatible) 802.11(g) is increasingly available. The charge for this access is usually by the hour.