Every once in a while, I make you go to work. Just as a little carrot, I'll give you two gimmes to induce you to read up.
First, here's a terrific website that aggregates online shopping discount and coupon codes for a few hundred significant merchants. As in, your junk mail nailed the email, but you still get to save the bucks. Check it out.
Second, another handy little online tool that allows you to zip through and just print the store coupons you're actually needing. Mommy saves big!
Okay, down to business. Get out your little Walgreen's reading glasses, and your big glass of water, and dig in.
First, I'm going to have you read a terrific article in Rolling Stone about how the United States Senate should be fired. All of 'em. They're only interested in giving away the dough to those who give the biggest checks.
Don't believe a word they tell you. And, don't write your Senator, unless you're writing a check.
Mother Jones has been raising hell again, and describing for you how a former Economics professor from Texas A&M wrecked out financial system nearly single handedly, and then is now advising John McCain on how to make it even BETTER. Forget Punxsutawney Phil, this is Phorclosure Phil!
Okay, you'll need some musical support for this next one - cue up the old favorite "Proud to be an American" while you read this one. A Brit, who spent years in Africa providing charity medical services to dirt poor Africans now does more than 60% of his work here in the USofA. Where we have the "best medical system in the world."
Uh-huh. E recently traveled from YVR to SFO, London and Paris. He bought supplemental insurance to cover his medical risk during his trip. They asked him if he was spending more than 48 hours in the US, because if he was, they'd have to charge him more than double.
That's more than double the amount for medical care risk than he'd have had to pay to visit, say, one of the former Soviet stans over near the Black Sea. Yeah.
Is that song over yet?
Finally, a bit of hope that's very cool. A researcher has concluded that a single, universal vaccine for the influenza virus is possible. This could lead to a wide range of viral vaccines, and a reduction of influenza death. Whoo hoo!
Other stuff you'll have to contend with - I'm reading "The Disappearance of the Universe," and it's hot stuff. Also, I'm reading this article from Scientific American that investigates whether time moves forward and/or backward in other realms. My brain blew up earlier when I started it, so I'll report more later.
Trying to drag you kicking and screaming into integrated knowledge...
DJHJD
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I had her son in my living room two weeks ago
I'm sorry, but if you're going to choose McCain over Obama because you're angry HRC didn't win the nomination, then you deserve everything you get out of it. No complaining from you between 2009 and 2013...
Friday, May 30, 2008
Sometimes what makes sense doesn't make sense
From Motive Magazine, who snared it from Consumer Reports:
After digesting the permanence of $4 gasoline, many consumers are jumping ship to smaller, lighter cars that get better sticker mileage — just you try to find a Honda Fit on a dealer lot and let us know how that works out for you. But Consumer Reports, wet blanket of reason that they are, has recently put out a report finding that jumping ship without factoring all the costs can end up putting a bigger dent in the piggy than buyers will ever save on gas.
To wit, CR figured that depreciation makes up nearly half of what owners pay out during a car's first five years. But gas costs are only 21 percent. So by trading out of a car halfway through the note, consumers are shafting themselves by taking on even greater depreciation with a new car.
Like having your hopes and dreams shattered further? The douche of cold water continues after the jump.
YONKERS, NY - With national average fuel prices approaching $4 a gallon, many consumers are clamoring to trade in their current vehicles for smaller, more fuel-efficient ones. But a new study from Consumer Reports warns drivers that downsizing too soon can cost them more in other owner costs than they'll save at the pump.
Consumer Reports has always encouraged drivers to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles. But if the timing isn't right, it can cost you more in the long run. An analysis of CR's exclusive owner-cost data found that it often doesn't pay to downsize if you've only owned your vehicle for three years or less and haven't paid off the loan, even if the new car's fuel economy is much better. Consumer Reports' experts say consumers should typically hold on to their cars at least four or five years to minimize the financial impact of depreciation and finance charges. Owner cost data include depreciation, fuel usage, interest on financing, insurance, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. A complete analysis and sample trade-in comparisons is available free at www.ConsumerReports.org
According to Consumer Reports' calculations, depreciation makes up about 48 percent of an average owner's total vehicle costs in the first five years of ownership. Fuel, however, averages only about 21 percent of total costs. Because the greatest depreciation occurs in the first three years, your car costs you less to own overall in the following years. So for a typical, payment-making owner with a 60-month loan, trading in a three-year-old vehicle means you've just taken the biggest depreciation hit on your current car and still have a lot of the loan principle yet to pay off. What you'll save in depreciation costs by holding onto the vehicle for another year or two will net you more money in the long run than you'd save in gasoline with the new car.
"These hidden costs may be the factors you are least likely to focus on when downsizing," said Rik Paul, automotive editor, Consumer Reports. "After all, depreciation and interest are less tangible costs than the high price for a gallon of gas that slaps drivers in the face with each fill up."
For example, a 2005 Ford Five Hundred SEL V6 sedan got 21 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' testing. The 2008 Toyota Prius got 44. Assuming 12,000 miles per year at the current national average for gasoline of $3.75 per gallon, the Ford will cost about $2,000 in gas this year, while the Toyota will cost just $1,000. But factoring in all of the owner costs of trading in the Five Hundred now, the Toyota will cost about $9,000 to own for the first 12 months, while the Ford costs $6,000. That's a difference of $3,000, or $0.23 per mile.
"Based on today's numbers, it's less expensive to tough out another year or two with a gas guzzler than trade-in too early," Paul said. "However, if gas prices rise past $5 a gallon, large vehicles may see their depreciation accelerate and owners could face new challenges in selling their old model."
Consumer Reports continues to advise shoppers to buy the highest-rated, most reliable, and safest model with good fuel economy that suits their needs. When it comes time to buy a new model, there are considerable savings and advantages to downsizing, but consumers should understand the full financial impact of the timing for their decision.
Jeff Bartlett, deputy automotive editor, ConsumerReports.org, adds, "While we support the downsizing trend in principle, we caution consumers to look at their long-term owner costs and not rush to make a change they may later regret."
ConsumerReports.org has recently launched a "Guide to Driving Green" special section (ConsumerReports.org/fuel) with tips on how to improve fuel economy; lists of models with the best fuel economy; guides to the latest hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles; and powerful tools for searching Consumer Reports' ratings.
Online subscribers can compare costs for one, three, five, and eight years of ownership from the detailed model pages.
With more than 7,000,000 print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Website; the magazine's auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To become a subscriber, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
After digesting the permanence of $4 gasoline, many consumers are jumping ship to smaller, lighter cars that get better sticker mileage — just you try to find a Honda Fit on a dealer lot and let us know how that works out for you. But Consumer Reports, wet blanket of reason that they are, has recently put out a report finding that jumping ship without factoring all the costs can end up putting a bigger dent in the piggy than buyers will ever save on gas.
To wit, CR figured that depreciation makes up nearly half of what owners pay out during a car's first five years. But gas costs are only 21 percent. So by trading out of a car halfway through the note, consumers are shafting themselves by taking on even greater depreciation with a new car.
Like having your hopes and dreams shattered further? The douche of cold water continues after the jump.
YONKERS, NY - With national average fuel prices approaching $4 a gallon, many consumers are clamoring to trade in their current vehicles for smaller, more fuel-efficient ones. But a new study from Consumer Reports warns drivers that downsizing too soon can cost them more in other owner costs than they'll save at the pump.
Consumer Reports has always encouraged drivers to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles. But if the timing isn't right, it can cost you more in the long run. An analysis of CR's exclusive owner-cost data found that it often doesn't pay to downsize if you've only owned your vehicle for three years or less and haven't paid off the loan, even if the new car's fuel economy is much better. Consumer Reports' experts say consumers should typically hold on to their cars at least four or five years to minimize the financial impact of depreciation and finance charges. Owner cost data include depreciation, fuel usage, interest on financing, insurance, maintenance and repair, and sales tax. A complete analysis and sample trade-in comparisons is available free at www.ConsumerReports.org
According to Consumer Reports' calculations, depreciation makes up about 48 percent of an average owner's total vehicle costs in the first five years of ownership. Fuel, however, averages only about 21 percent of total costs. Because the greatest depreciation occurs in the first three years, your car costs you less to own overall in the following years. So for a typical, payment-making owner with a 60-month loan, trading in a three-year-old vehicle means you've just taken the biggest depreciation hit on your current car and still have a lot of the loan principle yet to pay off. What you'll save in depreciation costs by holding onto the vehicle for another year or two will net you more money in the long run than you'd save in gasoline with the new car.
"These hidden costs may be the factors you are least likely to focus on when downsizing," said Rik Paul, automotive editor, Consumer Reports. "After all, depreciation and interest are less tangible costs than the high price for a gallon of gas that slaps drivers in the face with each fill up."
For example, a 2005 Ford Five Hundred SEL V6 sedan got 21 mpg overall in Consumer Reports' testing. The 2008 Toyota Prius got 44. Assuming 12,000 miles per year at the current national average for gasoline of $3.75 per gallon, the Ford will cost about $2,000 in gas this year, while the Toyota will cost just $1,000. But factoring in all of the owner costs of trading in the Five Hundred now, the Toyota will cost about $9,000 to own for the first 12 months, while the Ford costs $6,000. That's a difference of $3,000, or $0.23 per mile.
"Based on today's numbers, it's less expensive to tough out another year or two with a gas guzzler than trade-in too early," Paul said. "However, if gas prices rise past $5 a gallon, large vehicles may see their depreciation accelerate and owners could face new challenges in selling their old model."
Consumer Reports continues to advise shoppers to buy the highest-rated, most reliable, and safest model with good fuel economy that suits their needs. When it comes time to buy a new model, there are considerable savings and advantages to downsizing, but consumers should understand the full financial impact of the timing for their decision.
Jeff Bartlett, deputy automotive editor, ConsumerReports.org, adds, "While we support the downsizing trend in principle, we caution consumers to look at their long-term owner costs and not rush to make a change they may later regret."
ConsumerReports.org has recently launched a "Guide to Driving Green" special section (ConsumerReports.org/fuel) with tips on how to improve fuel economy; lists of models with the best fuel economy; guides to the latest hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles; and powerful tools for searching Consumer Reports' ratings.
Online subscribers can compare costs for one, three, five, and eight years of ownership from the detailed model pages.
With more than 7,000,000 print and online subscribers, Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Website; the magazine's auto experts have decades of experience in driving, testing, and reporting on cars. To become a subscriber, consumers can call 1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org.
My Review of FreeStyle Test Strips
Originally submitted at AllegroMedical.com
FreeStyle Test Strips - TheraSense FreeStyle Test Strips Stock up on FreeStyle Flash Diabetic Test Strips to test blood glucose levels with the FreeStyle Blood Glucose Monitoring System. The easy-to-use FreeStyle Test Strips allow people with diabetes to take a blood sample from multiple sites inc...
One out of five ain't bad
By drdivo from Houston, Texas on 5/30/2008
Pros: Comes in a yellow box, Has numbers on the label
Cons: Don't buy at full price, Poor web resources, Terrible quality control
Best Uses: Daily Use
Describe Yourself: Type II
I've been using this BG measuring system for about six years. Over the last two plus years, each box of test strips that I've received has had about 1/6th of the contents not work. Meaning, you do everything the right way, and the strip picks up the blood sample, and nothing happens until the device tells you that there is an error. Then, you re-stick yourself, use a new test strip, doing everything the same way and -- results.
NEVER buy these full price. Always look for a sale, and never buy them after their posted expiration date. When you buy 100, only 82 or so will work. Count that into your math.
(legalese)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Better get busy
So, last night, I actually did one of the things that I intended to do yesterday - and would have done during the day had I not spent most of my day being irritated that someone had stolen the big marble ball out of my trackball at the office.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Whimsy
This evening, I made a couple of mad dashes outside. Once, I realized I hadn't yet taken the COH garbage can out to the curb, so .. whoooooosh! I manhandled the can past the shrubs and off of the loose rock upon which it sits, and lumbered it out to the curb. I was #7 tonight. I need to get some numbers for it, or some paint or something, so I can mark it as my own.
Later, Jackie arose from her deep slumber on my bedroom floor to announce it was time for her evening constitutional. We headed down the steep stairs, and went around the back side of the patio homes. As we went southeast, the huge KBR complex across the street, it was apparent that the rain bands Guy had been speaking of were about to spill their drops on our neighborhood. The wind had kicked up a bit, and I was delighted with a plastic bag - so familiar to us, this one from a Chinese restaurant, just from the gauge of the plastic and the design printed on the side - floated in a whimsical cyclone of its very own. Around, and up, and back, and around and down it went.
As I approached it, my presence disturbed the delicate balance of air currents, and the bag began to move in lurching, distressed patterns. It finally started trying to jerk away from my outstretched hand but I caught it, ending the demonstration of the wisps of disturbed air.
It, and the Dr. Pepper bottle I had picked up earlier, went into the neighbor's trash can. They were going to be #8, it seems.
Later, Jackie arose from her deep slumber on my bedroom floor to announce it was time for her evening constitutional. We headed down the steep stairs, and went around the back side of the patio homes. As we went southeast, the huge KBR complex across the street, it was apparent that the rain bands Guy had been speaking of were about to spill their drops on our neighborhood. The wind had kicked up a bit, and I was delighted with a plastic bag - so familiar to us, this one from a Chinese restaurant, just from the gauge of the plastic and the design printed on the side - floated in a whimsical cyclone of its very own. Around, and up, and back, and around and down it went.
As I approached it, my presence disturbed the delicate balance of air currents, and the bag began to move in lurching, distressed patterns. It finally started trying to jerk away from my outstretched hand but I caught it, ending the demonstration of the wisps of disturbed air.
It, and the Dr. Pepper bottle I had picked up earlier, went into the neighbor's trash can. They were going to be #8, it seems.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
This guy rocks - Cheers and Jeers for Tuesday
Just to remind you, I pay $5/month so that this guy has a job and can continue to write this stuff every day. Today, he brought a moment of aliveness to my otherwise crappy morning.
By Bill in Portland Maine
on Cheers and Jeers
From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...
Hurricane season starts in five days. If the Grand Committee of Meterological Poobahs hasn’t come up with their list of names yet, may I suggest the following as a way of commemorating the greatest hits of the Bush administration in this, its final year:
Ashcroft
Brownie
Condi
Dick
Enron
Feith
Gonzales
Hughes
Iraq
Jack Abramoff
KBR
Lieberman
Matalin
Negroponte
Osama
Perle
Quagmire
Rummy
Scooter
Turdblossom
Uranium from Africa
Viceroy Bremer
Wolfowitz
Xenophobe
Yoo
Zell
On second thought, that would really be unfair. To the hurricanes.
Cheers and Jeers starts in There's Moreville... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]
By Bill in Portland Maine
on Cheers and Jeers
From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...
Hurricane season starts in five days. If the Grand Committee of Meterological Poobahs hasn’t come up with their list of names yet, may I suggest the following as a way of commemorating the greatest hits of the Bush administration in this, its final year:
Ashcroft
Brownie
Condi
Dick
Enron
Feith
Gonzales
Hughes
Iraq
Jack Abramoff
KBR
Lieberman
Matalin
Negroponte
Osama
Perle
Quagmire
Rummy
Scooter
Turdblossom
Uranium from Africa
Viceroy Bremer
Wolfowitz
Xenophobe
Yoo
Zell
On second thought, that would really be unfair. To the hurricanes.
Cheers and Jeers starts in There's Moreville... [Swoosh!!] RIGHTNOW! [Gong!!]
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