Time To Call Some Bluffs

For many, the financial reality and the sluggish economy is calling for tightening belts.  Indeed, while many businesses are trying desperately to convince you otherwise, shoppers do refrain from excessive consumption is all areas.  People around the world, the ones who still have jobs that is, are traveling less, frequenting restaurants less, and in general, consume less.  Much less.  Of course, for the economy this is the worst thing.  Less consumption means less production, which leans less jobs, which means less money and of course less jobs, which takes consumption down even further.  On the other hand, consuming more means more production, more jobs, more money, increased consumption and of course, high risk investment, greedy capitalism, humongous bonuses, and a complete meltdown of the entire global economy…

But, this interesting time provides a good opportunity to discuss and call some bluffs.

Vitamins.  Nutritional supplements.  The Mayo Clinic suggests that: “If you’re generally healthy and eat a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats and fish, you likely don’t need dietary supplements.” (more).

Dairy products.  I love cheese and milk.  But in all honesty, for many years now I have noticed that I am sensitive to milk and milk products.  To my great surprise I found that most humans are.  Milk, as opposed to what we were taught to believe, is not good for you.  (more).  Milk is the perfect food for calves, not for people.  I must admit though, that chocolate is probably not good for anyone either, yet I love it so much that good for me or not, I still have it once in a while.  Well twice in a while, or more…

Pay attention, this is important.  In Israel, when you buy a gift, it usually comes with an “exchange note”.  Exchange note simply means that if the recipient of your gift thinks that your gift stinks, they can go to the store and exchange it for something more attractive.  The exchange arrangement is limited in time.  So the benefits to the giver is that 1. the value of the gift is disclosed, and 2. no recycling of gifts is possible.  The reason is simple: if you present a gift without an exchange arrangement, the recipient can be sure that you are giving a recycled gift.  If you do, the value is disclosed.  So bottom line, exchange is good for the vendors only.  Go figure.  I hereby state: I will accept gifts that can’t be exchanged.  I promise to love your gift and use it when I have a chance, or recycle it.  But I will always appreciate the thought, and I will always love you for thinking about me.

Let me tell you a little secret: if you have a new car and you have to change the oil, check the brakes, and cross the tires, you don’t have to go to the dealer.  They do it just as good in the neighborhood auto shop.

If you buy an appliance, or anything else for that matter, and the salesperson offers you a great deal on extended warrantee, make sure you ask the salesperson the following question: “Is the product so lousy that you expect it to die a day after the manufacturer warrantee expires?  A year?”.  If the question is yes: do not buy the product.  If the answer is no, do not buy the extended warrantee…

Food for thought: airline safety.  Gas prices went high in 2008, expenses went high, less people traveled, but the ticket prices had to go down.  In short, something had to give.  Was it quality of maintenance?  more

I thought China was a place to bargain.  Let me tell you something.  The situation of the economy is such that a good bargain can be found everywhere.  As long as you stay away from the chain stores and the brands, you can pretty much bargain everywhere and get a lower price.  And that includes everything, including bank and insurance rates.