There is a one-time cost of purchasing the OBi200 Polycom device and it costs around $50. There are no usage limits, so you can make as many calls as you want for free.

Get Free Home Phone Service With OBi Devices

Buy the Obihai Device

First, you need to buy the Obihai OBi200 device. This device will connect to your internet to provide phone service. Obihai OBi200 device has one port, which gives you one phone number. If you need two phone numbers, get the Obihai OBi202, which has two ports. The ports can be used for a telephone or a fax line.

The typical price is around $50 for the OBi200 and $70 for the OBi202. Prices on these drop by $10 to $15 multiple times a year. I got my OBi200 device for around $40 in December.

How does it work?

Obi200 uses Voice over IP (VOIP)  technology to offer phone service. It routes your calls through the internet and not through telephone lines like a traditional telephone company. The OBi devices are integrated with Google Voice (owned by Google, obviously). Google provides phone service for free. Google will provide a phone number if you need one or you can port your number to Google. In either case, your phone number will stay with Google, not Polycom, the owner of OBi.

The OBi devices’ integration with Google Voice (GV)  has a number of advantages. Google allows you to connect more than one phone number to GV. The advantage of this setup is that when someone calls your number, all the numbers connected to Google Voice will ring. Google Voice also allows you to call other countries for a reasonable per minute rate. You will need to buy international calling credit ahead of time if you plan to make international calls.

Get all standard phone features but no recurring bills

With Google Voice and OBi devices, you will get all the phone features you would expect such as caller ID, call blocking, call forwarding, three-way calling, etc. Neither Polycom nor Google Voice will send you monthly bills. In fact, you don’t need to have a credit card on file with either of them

E911

One disadvantage of the Obi VOIP devices is that it doesn’t come with a standard 911. But there is a workaround. You can sign up for a E911 service like Anveo  or PunchAlert, which cost around $25 per year. Once you sign up for an E911 service, the 911 operator will have access to your name and address if you ever have to call 911 .

How to set up?

• First, you need to set up a Google Voice account (need a Gmail account).
• Google Voice will get you a new phone number for free, or you can port your number to Google Voice. Google charges a one-time fee of $20 to port the number to Google Voice.
  • Note that GV will only port-in mobile numbers. So if you are porting in your current landline number, you will first need to port it to a mobile operator such as Ultra Mobile, and then port it to Google.
• Go to Obitalk.com and register your device.  The website will walk you through the steps. It is fairly straight forward. You will also be able to link your Google Voice account to your device at this stage. You will have also have the option to set up E911.

Other Suggestions

While the phone service from OBi200 is reliable, I did run into a couple of issues while setting up the device. The ObiTalk website would not allow me to register the device. I was getting errors but after a few tries, I was able to register. So be persistent if you have registration problems. Polycom’s customer service is not very responsive but thankfully I have never had any issues since then. ObiTalk has an active forum where you can search for answers if you have any questions or problems with the service.

When you buy something online, you expect the manufacturer to send you everything you need for installation. That’s especially the case if the installation needs special parts that you may not usually have at home.

I recently bought the Ring – Video Doorbell Pro and Chime Pro Bundle. What should have been a simple 30- to 45-minute installation took me a day or so to install. I was trying to install the Ring doorbell on brick. Ring sent a 15/64″ bit that they claimed will drill through the brick but I had no luck.  After a frustrating 30 minutes of drilling, I had barely made a dent on the brick. It was clear that this drill bit will not get the job done.

Then I got a hammer driller and tried to drill a hole with the bit that Ring had sent. That got me nowhere either. Then I had to get a Bosch 7/32″ masonry hammer drill bit. With a hammer drill, this bit got the job done in a few minutes.  Note that the bit is 6 inches long. The reason I had to get the 7/32″ bit is that 15/64″ bit can be hard to come by even at big home improvement stores but the 7/32″ is very close in size and will work just fine.

When it comes to masonry bits, Bosch hammer drill bits are the best. When you are drilling through brick or masonry, the bits can get very hot. I have found that other drill bits are not as good as Bosch for these kinds of jobs.

The Bosch drill bit is quite cheap. I am not sure why Ring doesn’t send a quality drill bit with the kit. Certainly, some bricks can be difficult to drill. It will avoid a lot of frustration for homeowners trying to install this themselves.

This was the only challenge I had installing the Ring doorbell. Everything else went smoothly. Instructions were clear. The kit even had extra parts such as screws in case they get lost.

We were one of the last families in our neighborhood to get Ring. But we are happy that we got it. The Ring app is very easy to use and allows you to check on the front door for strangers and packages without having to walk to the door. Lately, our neighborhood has been dealing with porch pirates who come by and pick up the packages when no one is home. Ring sends us alerts on the phone every time motion is detected near the front door.

While this may be sufficient for some people, a PO box has some disadvantages if you run a business from home.

Disadvantages of a PO Box

If you want to register your business as an LLC or a C-corp, using a PO box address may not be a good idea. You could use your home address but that exposes you to potential liabilities and you lose your privacy.

Even with real a street address, a PO box address does not give you the professional branding your business might need.

A PO box sits inside a post office in most cases. Your mailbox may get full and you need to empty the mailbox contents periodically.

A virtual business address helps you overcome these limitations. As more people run businesses from home, a virtual business address has become very popular in recent years.

What is a virtual business address?

A virtual business address is an address tied to a prestigious commercial or business building. You can use the address to receive mail not just from USPS but also from FedEx and UPS.

Having a brandable address (eg. 1000 Main Street) gives your business a professional image and confidence to your customers that they are dealing with a reputable company.

You can also use the address on your websites, letterheads, and checks. If you send newsletters and updates to a mailing list by email, you can use the address for CAN-SPAM compliance purposes.

Document management solutions

An added benefit of having a virtual business address is that many companies that offer virtual business address also offer document management solutions. This reduces the amount of paperwork you have to deal with.

If you receive physical mail to your virtual address, the company will scan and upload your physical mail to your virtual mailbox. You can get access to your mail electronically usually in less than a day.  It is almost like picking up your mail every day, except you get it electronically.

You don’t have to store tons of mail and paperwork in your home office. Since the documents are saved electronically, you can retrieve them more efficiently.

Cost

Plans that include a virtual address and document management solutions cost as little as $10 per month. If you get a lot of business mail, it costs a bit more. For example, ipostal1 has a $10 plan that lets you receive up to 30 mail items per month.

Bottom Line

Having a virtual business address gives you many advantages over having a PO box.  For a small cost, you get a reputable physical address that lets you add prestige to your business and gives customers and vendors the confidence that they are dealing with a legitimate company. You can even get your physical mail scanned and uploaded to your digital mailbox.

Let’s dive right in.  Here are the places where you can make copies of your keys.

Home improvement stores

Most home improvement stores offer key duplication services.  You will most likely find a self-serve kiosk at these stores.  Though these stores no longer employ key specialists, if you ask, someone will help you at the self-serve kiosk.

You put in the original key, and you will get your copy in a couple of minutes. Cost varies but it usually costs a few dollars.

Home improvement stores that key duplication services

• Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• Ace Hardware
• Menard’s
• True Value Hardware
• Sears (if they still exist in your area)

Grocery stores

Many grocery stores also offer key duplication services. That is good news because you don’t have to make a separate trip to get copies of your keys. You can do that on your next grocery trip.

• Walmart
• Safeway
• Kroger
• H-E-B
• Meijer
• Vons

Automotive Stores

Automotive parts stores also make copies of keys.  Though most auto parts stores do, Autozone does offer key duplication services.

Here is a list of stores where you can get copies made.

• PepBoys
• O’Reilly Auto Parts
• Advance Auto Parts
• NAPA Auto Parts

Automotive stores are a good choice to get your car keys made. You will find the cost to be much cheaper compared to a dealership.

Other Options

Locksmiths

You can hire a locksmith to make copies of your keys.  Locksmith services are expensive and best used if you need specialized help.  In most cases, it will be cheaper to get copies made at home improvement stores, grocery stores, or automotive stores.

KeyMe App

If you can wait a few days to get your keys, you can use the KeyMe app.  Simply download the app, take a picture of your keys and you will get the keys in a few days.

It is not as complicated as you think. I have had good results using this app.

KeyMe also has kiosks that are available inside several stores.

Places That Don’t Offer Key Duplication Services

Many popular stores don’t offer key duplication services.  Here are a few places where you cannot get copies made.

• Auto-Zone
• CVS
• Magic Mart
• Sam’s Club
• Costco
• Target

Type of Keys

As you know, not all keys are the same.  At a minimum, there are the following types of keys.

• House keys (office keys, mailbox keys)
• Auto keys (key fobs for your car or van)
• Do not duplicate keys
• High-performance keys

How much does it cost to make a copy of a key?

It depends on the type of key and the type of service.  Simple house or office keys are cheaper and cost $1.5 to $3 per key.  Self-kiosks are cheaper than places that have a key specialist. Locksmith is likely to be the most expensive option.

If you need copies of auto keys or high-performance keys, they are more expensive than simple house keys.

How to make copies of “Do not duplicate keys”?

Do not duplicate keys that are used by apartment buildings and offices.  Apartments and offices do not want the keys duplicated because the keys offer entry to restricted or sensitive areas.  But there are a few ways to make copies of these keys.

You typically need to provide proof of ownership before you can make copies.  You can also hire the locksmith who put the original locks in place because they are likely to have a record of who the owner is.

In some cases, you can tell the store making copies that you are the owner.  That might work sometimes, but don’t be surprised if they insist on proof of ownership.

Bottom Line

When you need additional keys, it’s always good to know where you can get copies made.  You don’t have to travel far from your house since so many home improvement, grocery, and auto parts stores offer key duplication services.  If you need specialized services, you can call a locksmith.  If you can wait to get your keys and are tech-savvy, you can use the KeyMe App.

If your personal items such as a laptop or iPad, clothes or furniture get stolen, it will cost you at least $5,000 to replace them.

Do you know that if you leave your faucet open in your apartment, and it causes water damage to the property, you will be held liable for the damages because you were negligent?

Do you also know that many apartments now require renter’s insurance before they will lease the property to protect themselves?

Renter’s insurance provides coverage for your personal belongings and gives you peace of mind. It doesn’t cost much but most tenants overlook rental insurance?

What is rental insurance?

As the name implies, renters insurance provides insurance coverage for renters. Rental insurance covers:

1. Personal Property
2. Loss of Use
3. Liability Coverage

Personal Property

Rental insurance provides coverage for your personal belongings if they are lost or damaged due to fire, smoke, theft or other events specified in your policy.

Loss of Use

If you are unable to live in your rented home or apartment for some reason, the insurance policy will pay for hotel, food and other living expenses while your place is repaired.

Liability Coverage

Renter’s insurance also provides liability coverage.  If your kid gets in a fight and injures another kid, the policy will cover your damages subject to the limits of the policy. It will also protect you against lawsuits if you are sued or if your dog bites a guest.

If your guests are injured on your property, that will also be covered by the policy.

How much rental coverage do you need?

The coverage you need depends on the value of your personal belongings. The best way to determine the coverage you need is to inventory all your personal items, and furniture and find out what it costs to replace them.

There are two types of policies – cash value policies will compensate you for the depreciated value of your belongings, and replacement value policies will compensate you for the replacement value of the belongings.

Typically, you will need $30,000 to $50,000 coverage if you are renting an apartment and around $100,000 if you are renting a home.

How much does renter’s insurance cost?

Renter’s insurance is very affordable.  It only costs $10 to $15 per month. If you combine it with your auto insurance, you will get a discount, which will lower the cost even further.  If your discount is substantial, you may actually get the renter’s insurance for free.

How do I keep track of what’s in my house in case something goes wrong?

The best way to keep track of all the items in your house is to take a video of the things in your home and store the video either in a bank locker or in the cloud.  If something unfortunate happens to your home, and you have to submit a claim, you will have proof that you owned all the items in the video.

Bottom Line

Renter’s insurance is very affordable and costs only $10 to $15.  For that small cost, it will protect your personal items that cost thousands of dollars. In addition, it will pay for hotels if your home is damaged.  Most landlords now expect renters to have renters insurance.  If you a tenant, consider getting rental insurance for peace of mind.

For example, home insurance policies do not provide flood coverage. You will need to buy flood insurance to protect you from floods.  Unfortunately, many people find out about this only after their home is flooded.

Here is a list of things your home insurance policy is likely to cover.

Student Property When Staying At A College Dorm

If you have students in college, and they are living in the college dorms, their personal property is covered by your home owner’s insurance.  If they are living off-campus, they may need their own renter’s policy for coverage.

Libel And Slander

Everyone spends quite a bit of time commenting on social media posts these days. If you get sued for something you wrote or said about a person, your homeowner policy’s liability coverage will protect you.

Pet Related Accidents

The home owner’s policy provides liability coverage against damage caused by your pets. Let’s say your dog bites a guest, and the guest sues you. Your policy will provide coverage up to the liability limits of the policy.

Injured Guests

Let’s say your guest falls down the stairs and is injured.  Your home insurance policy will cover damages if your guests are injured in your property.

Living Expenses

If your home becomes uninhabitable for some reason, your policy will pay for accommodation at a hotel or an apartment.  Your home owner’s policy will also pay for additional expenses such as eating out at a restaurant.

Mandatory Building Upgrades

If you suffer damage to your property, when it’s rebuilt, it must be built up to the city or state code at the time. Your home insurance policy will pay for the necessary upgrades to bring your property up to the mandated code.

Drones

If you fly a drone for fun, and the drone gets lost or stolen or injures someone, you will be covered by your home insurance policy.  When filing a claim if the drone is lost or stole, ensure that the value of the drone is more than your policy’s deductible.

Unauthorized Use of Credit And Debit Cards

If your credit card is stolen, you should contact your credit card provider first because credit cards provide fraud protection coverage.  But your home insurance policy will act as a back up because these policies typically pay $500 per incident.  Deductibles don’t apply in this case.  Just like the credit card, home insurance will also cover debit cards and forged checks.

Miscellaneous Incidents

Do you know that if your kids in college get in trouble at their fraternities, any liability will be covered by the home insurance policy since their permanent address is their parent’s home address?

Bottom Line

Home insurance policies cover more than just your home.  Knowing what’s covered, and what’s not covered will help you make informed decisions when something goes wrong. Always check with your agent or insurance company whether something is covered.

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