Junk Mail, Part II

Though the mail had little to offer yesterday in the way of substance, every piece did get me thinking about personal finance in some regard.

- A dividend reinvestment and share-purchase statement from Cinergy: I'm still waiting for the merger with Duke to go through so I can decide on how to handle this stockholding. Cinergy is solid, and had a real committment to the environment, but I'm not as familiar with Duke's financial or environmental positions. Figuring out the cost basis should I sell is another matter entirely.

- A one-day guest pass to Sam's Club: This might be something worthwhile if a 10% service fee didn't apply to nonmember purchases.

- Two teaser postcards from Yardville National Bank announcing a new branch and hinting at "an incredible rate on an incredible CD," with details to come in another mailing.

- Final notice from Newsweek. Let's hope so. This magazine has really gone downhill editorially, so I let my subscription lapse and switched to Time. Now Newsweek bombards me weekly with offers and deals.