[November 09, 2009] How to survive in tough times tips Tweet Nov 09, 2009 (The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Tough times should make tough people, Ronald Lewis suggests. The self-proclaimed activist has put together a guidebook on ways the little guy can try to level the playing field in the endless battle with the giants of business. In "Stick It to the Man: How to Skirt the Law, Scam Your Enemies, and Screw Big, Fat, Stupid, Lazy Corporations ... for Fun and Profit!" (Skyhorse Publishing, $12.95), Lewis offers tips on ways of fighting parking tickets, eliminating spam, avoiding costly mechanic fees, beating expertly worded cell phone contracts and getting free upgrades on airlines. The 185-page paperback is printed on thick pages with lighthearted drawings spread throughout its easy-to-read type. All of that makes the book a likeable companion for a spot near the phone or computer where you might wage your wars. Among other elements in his strategy, Lewis offers tips such as: --How to avoid the dead-end job: Become a free-lance writer, start an interior-design business, become a talent scout, be a professional errand runner or become a tour guide for convention attendees. --Deal with cell phone hassles: Get out of phone contracts by making satisfaction claims work against the companies: Use one company to make an offer that forces another to match -- or better -- it. --Restoring iPod music on a computer: When music at an iTunes site disappears, use the services from KennettNet to get it back. --Take a bite out of the Apple: Avoid being caught up in the computer domination of Apple or Microsoft by using Linux. --Make your own recordings: If you want to make sure a customer-service employee deals with you honestly, use the same strategy they use on you. Record the phone call so you can complain to a supervisor if you need to. But be sure to warn the representative that you are recording the call. --Do a little investigation before buying a car: Use sources such as the Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds.com and be aware of the significance and validity of the numbers a car salesman is spouting. Bob Karlovits can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7852. To see more of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]