Speaking of Millionaire checks, I need some advice

[Winnamill]

Hi!

I've been meaning to post this question for awhile, but have been so busy lately that I haven't had a chance to even look at the Bored much, let alone post. But reading Hermillion's description of opening her check from Millionaire, pushed me into typing mode.

My check should be arriving right around Dec. 24 when I will be visiting family in IL for two weeks. During my communications with the show publicist, I asked her if it was possible to send the check to IL instead of CA because it would be safe there no matter when it arrives. If it goes to CA, I will spend my two weeks of vacation worrying about the check instead of just enjoying the time. The publicist said to send the address and the reason for requesting the change. I did this, but I never received confirmation of where it would be sent. Now I'm not sure where to figure the check will be going.

I did ask her one other time when replying to another question she asked, but she didn't reply to that part of the message. I hate to keep bugging her as I'm guessing it's not really her job to answer these questions, and I'm sure she has other things to do. I could e-mail my producer or the contestant qualifier, but because the show is done for the year, I'm not sure they will be reachable.

Does anyone with more "inside knowledge" than I have have any suggestions for the best person to either phone or e-mail? I would need numbers and/or e-mail addresses, if possible. Is there a generic phone number that would put me through to Millionaire fairly easily, if a specific person is not known?

I leave for IL on Dec. 21 and would like to know what to plan for before I go. Any advice/suggestions anybody has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Karen (Winnamill)

[Governor Blago]

I'll see to it that your check makes it to Illinois.

50/50 sound fair to you?

[TheConfessor]

Have the post office stop delivery of your mail while you're gone. If WWTBAM sends the check to Illinois as you requested, you'll get it there. If not, you'll get it when you return home. Even if it somehow got lost or stolen, no one is going to be able to cash the check, so don't fret about it.

[15QuestionsAway]

Have the post office stop delivery of your mail while you're gone. If WWTBAM sends the check to Illinois as you requested, you'll get it there. If not, you'll get it when you return home. Even if it somehow got lost or stolen, no one is going to be able to cash the check, so don't fret about it.

The problem is that the cheques come via from FedEx.

You need to contact the publicist again, as she's the best show contact point during the offseason. She needs to contact someone at Valleycrest Productions to change how or when the cheque is sent. Since you've done what she asked already, I wouldn't hesitate to follow up with her.

[silvercamaro]

Have the post office stop delivery of your mail while you're gone. If WWTBAM sends the check to Illinois as you requested, you'll get it there. If not, you'll get it when you return home. Even if it somehow got lost or stolen, no one is going to be able to cash the check, so don't fret about it.

The problem is that the cheques come via from FedEx.

Your check may have come via Fed Ex, but mine didn't, and -- more significantly --Nancy Christy's didn't. Perhaps they changed over to using the USPS when the show went into syndication.

[littlebeast13]

Have the post office stop delivery of your mail while you're gone. If WWTBAM sends the check to Illinois as you requested, you'll get it there. If not, you'll get it when you return home. Even if it somehow got lost or stolen, no one is going to be able to cash the check, so don't fret about it.

The problem is that the cheques come via from FedEx.

Your check may have come via Fed Ex, but mine didn't, and -- more significantly --Nancy Christy's didn't. Perhaps they changed over to using the USPS when the show went into syndication.

Wasn't 15QA on after you and hermillion though?

lb13

[Bob Juch]

Have the post office stop delivery of your mail while you're gone. If WWTBAM sends the check to Illinois as you requested, you'll get it there. If not, you'll get it when you return home. Even if it somehow got lost or stolen, no one is going to be able to cash the check, so don't fret about it.

The problem is that the cheques come via from FedEx.

Your check may have come via Fed Ex, but mine didn't, and -- more significantly --Nancy Christy's didn't. Perhaps they changed over to using the USPS when the show went into syndication.

Mine came via DHL.

[silvercamaro]

The problem is that the cheques come via from FedEx.

Your check may have come via Fed Ex, but mine didn't, and -- more significantly --Nancy Christy's didn't. Perhaps they changed over to using the USPS when the show went into syndication.

Wasn't 15QA on after you and hermillion though?

lb13

I had been thinking that he was on before, but according to Wikipedia, his show was aired on Nov. 18, 2004. My major point, though, is that one person's experience is not necessarily what another person will encounter at a different time.

Have any of this year's early contestants received checks yet? If so, could they report how their checks were delivered? That would seem to be the most valid way to determine the production company's current practice.

[littlebeast13]

Your check may have come via Fed Ex, but mine didn't, and -- more significantly --Nancy Christy's didn't. Perhaps they changed over to using the USPS when the show went into syndication.

Wasn't 15QA on after you and hermillion though?

lb13

I had been thinking that he was on before, but according to Wikipedia, his show was aired on Nov. 18, 2004. My major point, though, is that one person's experience is not necessarily what another person will encounter at a different time.

Have any of this year's early contestants received checks yet? If so, could they report how their checks were delivered? That would seem to be the most valid way to determine the production company's current practice.

Shade mentioned his check "came in the mail"....

lb13

[madamemeisha]

Mine came two days ago, (side note: yay!) and it just came in the mail.

[Bob78164]

Mine came two days ago, (side note: yay!) and it just came in the mail.

I'm not sure if you saw my earlier posts on this subject, but it may be to your substantial tax advantage (to the tune of thousands of dollars) to prepay your state taxes in 2008. You're probably subject to AMT (alternative minimum tax), so the analysis is a little involved, but you've got a little less than three weeks to figure it out (or to hire someone who will figure it out in time to do something about it).

Please don't delay. --Bob

[madamemeisha]

Mine came two days ago, (side note: yay!) and it just came in the mail.

I'm not sure if you saw my earlier posts on this subject, but it may be to your substantial tax advantage (to the tune of thousands of dollars) to prepay your state taxes in 2008. You're probably subject to AMT (alternative minimum tax), so the analysis is a little involved, but you've got a little less than three weeks to figure it out (or to hire someone who will figure it out in time to do something about it).

Please don't delay. --Bob

I plan on taking care of it all next week after finals are done and I go home for the holidays. Thanks for the advice. I absolutely need to talk to someone who knows what they're doing, because while I'm trying to educate myself quickly, I don't know enough about it all to do it myself. It's all a little overwhelming, but it's definitely not a bad problem to have!

[danielh41]

Getting that check can be an adventure. Airbourne Express lost mine back in March 2001. The WWTBAM production company had to stop payment on it and get me a new check. I received it on April 5th, the day before we closed on our house...

[tlynn78]

Mine came by USPS, just sitting in the mailbox.

t.

[ghostjmf]

Bob78164 says:

You're probably subject to AMT (alternative minimum tax), so the analysis is a little involved, but you've got a little less than three weeks to figure it out (or to hire someone who will figure it out in time to do something about it).

Wasn't alternative minimum tax cancelled as kind of an "earmark for the actual people" in the Wall-Street bail-out?

I don't know in what calendar year the cancellation of alternative minimum tax takes effect, but that lifting the FDIC insurance cap from $100,000.00 to $250,000.00 (or is it "only" $200,000.00?) took effect right away.

I've been reading for years about this alternative minimum tax, intended to hit the rich but where the level it cuts in has not been "upgraded" with the passage of time, so that it now hits 2-income not-yet-filthy-rich families. Whereas the actual rich have so many tax dodges XXXXXX shelters set up they never actually have to pay it.

[lilyvonschtupp26]

I got mine in the mail, regular white window envelope, 30 cent stamp. My mailman stuck it inside a magazine and I didn't find it for 2 days.

[Bob78164]

Wasn't alternative minimum tax cancelled as kind of an "earmark for the actual people" in the Wall-Street bail-out?

I haven't found anything suggesting that AMT has been cancelled. Some tweaks were made, but nothing major. I fully expect to pay AMT this year, as I have for the last three or four years. --Bob

[frogman042]

Mine also came via the good ol' US postal service.

---Jay

[cindy.wellman]

The problem is that the cheques come via from FedEx.

Your check may have come via Fed Ex, but mine didn't, and -- more significantly --Nancy Christy's didn't. Perhaps they changed over to using the USPS when the show went into syndication.

Mine came via DHL.

DHL lost my computer. DHL replaced my computer.


The previous statements were just FYIs.

[Winnamill]

Good news! I sucked it up and e-mailed the publicist. I got an answer almost immediately, and it was that YES, it will be going to IL. That will make a very nice Christmas gift!

And no, Gov. Blago, thanks for the kind offer of assistance for a fee, but I think I'm all squared away now. You can now turn your full attention to senator purchasing.

[ulysses5019]

Good news! I sucked it up and e-mailed the publicist. I got an answer almost immediately, and it was that YES, it will be going to IL. That will make a very nice Christmas gift!

And no, Gov. Blago, thanks for the kind offer of assistance for a fee, but I think I'm all squared away now. You can now turn your full attention to senator purchasing.

I hate to rain on your parade, put I NEVER got my million dollar check. Oh, I dint win a million. Nevermind.