The real issue is why the FDIC examiners didn't rescind FDIC coverage for banks like Countrywide that offered -10% down-payment mortgages. The taxpayers (of China) should not be funding yet another Ponzi scheme.
All humans are more likely to waste any resource they don't see as their own. This is why government programs always grow to gargantuan size and are massively wasteful - there is no personal ownership. This is especially true since the majority of voters do not pay income tax.
It's a let-the-other guy pay or bear the burden mentality.
No skin in the game.
Americans and Canadians are very much alike in this respect.
"I, too, was told to keep a small revolving balance on my credit card when I first got one in high school. I charged something like $100 and paid it of in $20 increments, and I had stellar credit - who knows if the revolving part had anything to do with it? "
This advice was totally wrong. There have never been any portion of a credit score that would reward those that carry balances. In fact, one of the parts of the credit score is utilization or the ratio of balance to available credit. The smaller the ratio the better. The ratio is smallest if your only balance at any moment are the current month's purchases.
BTW - I've never carried a balance and I've always had stellar credit.
I agree with conservative driving mostly, but reality will show that it all depends on WHAT you are driving! Different types of vehicles have different types of gearing and engine characteristics. This is probably why some people will not notice a difference in mpg whether they are doing 55-60 or 70-75 flowing with interstate traffic. For example I drive a sport sedan with a 7 speed sport automatic (like most cars nowadays) and 55 mph is a weird spot for my engine and transmission to cruise at, I get much lower mpg at this speed, but when I speed up to the recommended 70 mph (on highway) my gears change and my rpm's drop lower and I get better mpg. Now in in my mother's plain V6 Camry, I benefit from driving a little slower because the that cars gearing is designed that way. It really does matter what you are driving. In the past half a decade or so, the car market has been full of performance based cars. It's important to realize what vehicle you are driving and to drive it as it was designed to be, (abiding laws of course) this will achieve the best efficiency for your vehicle. A Tahoe does not need to be cruising at 75mph on the highway for best mpg, but a 350z or other performance cars or trucks may do just fine while achieving their highest mpg ratings.
Sam,
I understand your trepidation, but I don't understand your explanation. Who are these 'investors' who are getting a 1.5% daily return? And how can I become one? 1.5% per day is more than Warren Buffett ever made in his entire career (he was lucky to get 30% annual). By your calculations, 1.5% per day is over 30% per month. Extrapolating from that, that's over 360% per year. At the end of a year, starting with that $10,000 you mention, you'd have over $230,000. After 5 years you'd have over $68 BILLION! I daresay, if that was possible...well, I don't know, but I'd be in a spaceship stocked with sandwiches out by Alpha Centauri.
'Serious people' indeed.
If you want to put it into perspective, look into the Savings and Loan crisis of the late 80s early 90s. We may or may not be headed down that path, but a good way to help the situation is by leaving your money in the bank.
NCUA is an independent federal body, much the same as FDIC but separate.
i am also a b*tch on wheels. i hate hate hate driving slow, except when cops are around. but i have noticed lately that people are slowing down on the highways, but still driving fast while in town. doesn't it help to drive the speed limit both on the highway and on city roads? i'm just happy i have my moped!
Xiu Lu, you are right on about those CD's which pay higher interest rates. More risk = higher expected return.
Are you aware the FDIC has recently hired and un-retired numerous auditors expecting many banks to go under in the coming year?
Also, FDIC insurance does cover deposits up to $100,000 in savings accounts - not money markets! And, yes, they cover up to that amount, but, in the event of a large number of banks going under, will not pay it back all at once or quickly. They'll pay it back slowly and in small installments.
Almost all banks and Credit Unions are up to their eyeballs in toxic paper - mortgage bonds that may very well turn out worthless. That's the main way they generate, or are supposed to generate, profits to pay interest on deposits. No institution is immune to the mess.
Keep inflation in mind as well. Government figures are faulty to say the least. One trip to the grocery store and gas station will tell you that. I fully expect inflation to be running over 10% within 12 months of NOW - and that's what official government figures will say. That's how much your dollars will erode in earning power each year.
It's a very tough environment out there. Be careful.
Interesting... I don't think the American health care system could be "socialized". The fact that it is for-profit would make that very difficult. The costs of setting up the program would be unfathomable, and I don't think providers would be terribly impressed by earning less.
I'm finding myself agreeing with Kelja on the point that people need to be better informed and there needs to be more transparency in the system. It's like any business relationship: You should know enough to make an informed decision and get a fair price.
That being said, I hope the for-profit health care model doesn't ever come into play here in Canada! (That WSJ article sure was an eye-opener!)
One question for Kelja: When you're talking about people being less responsible with money that isn't their own, are you talking about Americans or Canadians (or both?)
I agree with commenters that you just never know. It depends who you are and what you do.
Broken furniture or appliances with parts missing can be made into other furniture items, art, planters, etc. My family had one of those wood console TVs - with the TV taken out - when I was a kid. The old TV part had to be disposed of, but the wood made a really cool toy box. We kept board games in it.
People take old dressers, bookshelves, or entertainment units that are partly broken or missing drawers or shelves and make them into display cases for your beer stein collection, a play kitchen for kids, puppet theater, liquor cabinet, etc. I bet some smarty enviro types could make a broken washing machine into a giant solar oven. Heck *I* could, if I wanted to!
And since you brought it up, cut orange juice cartons make some of the best free seed starter trays for the frugal gardener.
Repurposing stuff just takes a little creativity, imagination, and the willingness to use a little elbow grease.
Maybe you don't want any of that stuff, but you just never know.
I agree my example was a poor example of 'shopping around'. But I maintain it's possible, albeit difficult. I've done it with doctors and dentists both. Funny thing is, I usually went with the pricier ones because they were just plain better.
It is difficult to shop because of the complexity of the system now in place which results in a lack of price transparency. If people had some incentive to shop for their medical care, I'm sure you'd agree, that transparency would be demanded.
In the old days, before insurance coverage, people did pay for their medicines and medical care. Granted, the technology 100 years ago doesn't compare with todays in any way, but medical care was both affordable and personal. Think of family doctor making home visits.
With the rise of corporate insurance plans, people took less interest in the prices paid for medical plans. As a result, slowly but surely, prices rose.
I'm not advocating going back to the old days. All I'm saying is that their should be some individual responsibility built into the health system. It would act as a governor on price. People are much more cautious about spending their own money vs what they perceive as someone else's.
I don't get people who want more government involvement in this area.
Name one governmental program that's efficient and effective??????????
Hmmm. Joanna's story sounds almost like a mechanic trying to take advantage of a customer who doesn't know anything about cars. When there's a profit to be made at your expense, you have to be informed or you'll get scammed.
I guess the big difference with our "socialized" health care is that dishonest providers are defrauding the government rather than defrauding consumers directly (or through their insurance companies).
In the former case, all tax-paying Canadians bear the brunt of the costs through higher taxes. In the latter case, Americans who are paying for health insurance bear the brunt of higher insurance premiums so the companies can keep making their tidy profits... But they're also getting hit through either higher health care costs because people without insurance can't pay their bills or through taxes as the government fills the gap.
Perhaps I'm missing something, but it sounds like both Americans and Canadians are paying "other people's way". They're just doing it differently.
@Xin Lu: I agree it's absolutely ridiculous to pay $200 for a band-aid, but do we really need another law to fix this problem for us? I have a different idea. Let's start a grass roots revolution. Every time you go to the hospital or the doctor, demand to see the prices prior to receiving treatment. When they give you one pill of your antibiotic and charge 3 times the copay for the remaining 2 weeks'pills, give it right back to them and stop by the pharmacy on your way home.
Also, do you have any examples of government intervention increasing competition? My view is that it would definitely decrease it, but perhaps I'm wrong.
Shane, I get where you are coming from, but given that I am now frequently driving with other people, I find that the extra 5 minutes on my daily commute, or the extra 30 minutes on a trip over the pass really isn't too bad. And although I didn't write about it, my slower driving has as much to do with conservation as it does with saving money. If I could bike to work, I would, but it would take me too long (probably at least an hour and a half each way) and I can't add 3 hours with of commuting to my daily schedule.
Rachel, I'm surprised you're not noticing a difference. Do you use cruise control at all?
I see your point here and it's valid. However, I have two things to say. First, I'd argue that shopping around is more possible than you describe. In some cases, doctors may have medical reasons for selecting a particular facility, but many times it's simply a matter of routine and convenience. Although I completely agree that quality of care is currently opaque the only way it will become more transparent is if consumers (a.k.a. patients) insist upon it.
And, apart from price comparison, there are other ways in which you can be a consumer rather than just an impotent patient receiving what doctors & hospitals choose to give him.
Case in point: Last year, my then boyfriend went to he ER after 6 days of fever, body chills and generally feeling bad followed up by a spiked fever on Sunday night that responded to neither tylenol nor an ice bath. In triage, the young woman who was attending us received a phone call while doing so. Over the phone, she described what she was currently doing and stated that it was "probably a case of pneumonia". By the time we left the hospital, he'd had bloodwork, a chest x-ray and, strangely, an MRI. Why the MRI when it was "probably pneumonia"? He was having headaches. However, at that time, headaches were totally normal for him due to the fact that he gets migraines when stressed. Had we been consulted about the MRI, explained what it did and why it was recommended, we would not have had it. Instead, a nurse simply came to the room and cheerfully informed us that he was going for an MRI. Not knowing any better, went for the MRI.
While at the hospital, he asked at least 3 times how the "payment situation" worked and was blown off every time, being told, "don't worry, you have insurance". Yes, but not all insurances are alike and his was high deductible a fact of which I was unaware at the time. The doctors did not wait for blood work / chest x-ray to come back and confirm that he did have the most likely cause of his symptoms, pneumonia. Instead, they threw everything they had at it all at once even though it was not a life-threatening emergency. I guarantee you this is due to the "no worries, you have insurance" mentality.
A month and over $3k later, we learned a very costly lesson and one that we will continue paying even after we are married. (1) Know what procedures are being performed and why they are recommended. Insist on being informed. (2) YOU decide what procedures are performed, not the doctor. (3) Find out how much things cost before they are done. You wouldn't have your car fixed without an estimate and health care should be no different (with the obvious exception of a life threatening emergency). (4) Don't sign a piece of paper that gives the hospital the right to do whatever they please and charge you for it later. This is what they'll use to justify their rash decisions.
For me, this was an extremely eye-opening experience and one that has made me a much more active consumer of my medical care. In my opinion, that is the solution we need, not socialized health care. I just don't trust our government to do it better than I. But that's just me.
I have shifted my thinking too. Last fall, driving aggressively (passing everyone slower than 50mph) on my route to/from work, I would use 1/4 of a tank of gas every day. Now, Using a combination of lower speeds, and less agressive tendencies (42mph, no passing, coasting down the larger hills) I'm only using 1/8 of a tank per day. Since the cost of gas has jumped by almost 50% over that time frame, it's saved me a lot of money...
I've recently had a similar experience. I decided to slow down after being pulled over for speeding (way over the speed limit), but only getting a warning from the incredibly nice police officer.
I now limit myself to the speed limit or 5 miles over at the most. It feels strange, being the one to get in the right lane and let everyone go by in the left. I remember how that was me, but I also sometimes marvel at how unsafe some of these people appear to be (also used to be me). I've noticed a little change in my gas mileage, but more importantly than that I am more relaxed and not at risk of a speeding ticket. I really can't notice a difference in overall commute times either.
I had the same experience with trying out the actual speed limit or under on a trip I've made many times. And it's true, it's amazing how much more enjoyable the trip is when I force myself to calm down. And for my trip, I think it took me 8 minutes longer than usual or something crazy.
Good for you! I am a 70 year old active guy with grandkids. I take great pleasure in totally wearing out something before replacing it - and wearing it out includes repairing it as many times as I can before discarding it.
I have always been amused at the spit-and-polish preparation that many folks have lavished on their cars (polish, clean, custom wheels, etc.) to impress the other drivers on the street. Watching this parade carefully, it is obvious that they (the spit-and-polish group) have little use for the other drivers on the street - so why do they make such a pretty sight for the other drivers to enjoy? They must be doing it for the other drivers - they can't see the whole of it while driving it. One of the perplexities of human nature, I guess. Being in touch with ones self is one of the great joys of being alive. I believe you have risen to that level and you enjoy life a great deal more than the "must keep up" crowd. I know I do.
Just for a laugh, let me tell you of my greatest accomplishment of getting the max use out of a car. I once called an auto dealer about a van he had advertised. He described it to me and I told him I was coming to see it, and that if it was as he described it I would buy it. I jumped in my thoroughly worn out Ford hard-top and started the 20 mile journey to the dealership. Halfway there, my Ford started to vibrate. I continued on, wiggling and shaking. When I arrived at the dealership, and pulled in, the Ford literally BROKE IN HALF just behind the drivers seat. It had rusted in half. They had to tow it to the back lot. I had literally gotten the very last mile out of it. Great fun!!!
You mention that it took you 30 minutes longer to get home. That's 30 minutes I could have played with my son.. or 30 minutes I could have been working on side projects (which more then pays for the gas)
My preference is...
- Only drive when I have to drive.. riding our bikes to the store may take an extra 20 min BUT it saves gas AND is great family time :)
- When I am driving get where I am going as fast (in a safe manner) as possible.
At the end of the day you can find ways to earn more money, or save money elsewhere. What you can't do is increase the amount of time you've got on the earth (assuming one is already taking care of themselves).. so use it wisely :)
besides saving on gas, I'm glad you wrote about how you felt when you slowed down. getting glimpses of the scenery, enjoying the music, in general enjoying the road because you weren't concerned about getting around *that* guy who's going so slow in front of you.
I've been taking a few long distance road trips the past few months and stayed at about 60 mph instead of 70 and haven't noticed a single difference in my mileage. I'm kind of disappointed, I have to say.
You can tell when you're done by tasting the product. The first part of the run will be nearly pure alcohol. As you continue distilling, the product will have less and less alcohol with more and more water. After a while, a "quality control" sample will no longer taste of alcohol--at that point, you're done.
I just saw this site with many interesting ideas, what to do with old jeans. I just want to add, that beside all this possibilities there exists also a crazy litte Jeansmuseum in the heart of Europe, which collects vintage denim items older then 1980, but also non vintage raw or extremely worn out denim items, no matter how ugly, just too dirty, stained or whatever for any other use. Those really bad looking items with endless stories in them reflect a long part of the owners life. The jeansmuseum is a possibility for hard worn out denim rag items or real old vintage stuff, where they can retire in a safe place for ever. This Jeansmuseum can also be used for people, who have a very high emotional connection to their beloved jeans or denim jacket and don't want to just dump them or cut them in pieces for some other denim projects.
So if anybody wants to keep alive his denim stuff for ever, feel free to contact me at any time.
Ruedi Karrer www.jeansmuseum.org (german only) rkarrer@jeansmuseum.org
Founded in 1973 in a little Swiss mountain village, over 10'000 jeans and denim jackets so far. The Jeansmuseum is 100 percent non commercial and is free of any governmental funds. The little museum is open to the public 2-3 times each month on request.
The real issue is why the FDIC examiners didn't rescind FDIC coverage for banks like Countrywide that offered -10% down-payment mortgages. The taxpayers (of China) should not be funding yet another Ponzi scheme.
All humans are more likely to waste any resource they don't see as their own. This is why government programs always grow to gargantuan size and are massively wasteful - there is no personal ownership. This is especially true since the majority of voters do not pay income tax.
It's a let-the-other guy pay or bear the burden mentality.
No skin in the game.
Americans and Canadians are very much alike in this respect.
"I, too, was told to keep a small revolving balance on my credit card when I first got one in high school. I charged something like $100 and paid it of in $20 increments, and I had stellar credit - who knows if the revolving part had anything to do with it? "
This advice was totally wrong. There have never been any portion of a credit score that would reward those that carry balances. In fact, one of the parts of the credit score is utilization or the ratio of balance to available credit. The smaller the ratio the better. The ratio is smallest if your only balance at any moment are the current month's purchases.
BTW - I've never carried a balance and I've always had stellar credit.
I agree with conservative driving mostly, but reality will show that it all depends on WHAT you are driving! Different types of vehicles have different types of gearing and engine characteristics. This is probably why some people will not notice a difference in mpg whether they are doing 55-60 or 70-75 flowing with interstate traffic. For example I drive a sport sedan with a 7 speed sport automatic (like most cars nowadays) and 55 mph is a weird spot for my engine and transmission to cruise at, I get much lower mpg at this speed, but when I speed up to the recommended 70 mph (on highway) my gears change and my rpm's drop lower and I get better mpg. Now in in my mother's plain V6 Camry, I benefit from driving a little slower because the that cars gearing is designed that way. It really does matter what you are driving. In the past half a decade or so, the car market has been full of performance based cars. It's important to realize what vehicle you are driving and to drive it as it was designed to be, (abiding laws of course) this will achieve the best efficiency for your vehicle. A Tahoe does not need to be cruising at 75mph on the highway for best mpg, but a 350z or other performance cars or trucks may do just fine while achieving their highest mpg ratings.
Sam,
I understand your trepidation, but I don't understand your explanation. Who are these 'investors' who are getting a 1.5% daily return? And how can I become one? 1.5% per day is more than Warren Buffett ever made in his entire career (he was lucky to get 30% annual). By your calculations, 1.5% per day is over 30% per month. Extrapolating from that, that's over 360% per year. At the end of a year, starting with that $10,000 you mention, you'd have over $230,000. After 5 years you'd have over $68 BILLION! I daresay, if that was possible...well, I don't know, but I'd be in a spaceship stocked with sandwiches out by Alpha Centauri.
'Serious people' indeed.
If you want to put it into perspective, look into the Savings and Loan crisis of the late 80s early 90s. We may or may not be headed down that path, but a good way to help the situation is by leaving your money in the bank.
NCUA is an independent federal body, much the same as FDIC but separate.
i am also a b*tch on wheels. i hate hate hate driving slow, except when cops are around. but i have noticed lately that people are slowing down on the highways, but still driving fast while in town. doesn't it help to drive the speed limit both on the highway and on city roads? i'm just happy i have my moped!
Xiu Lu, you are right on about those CD's which pay higher interest rates. More risk = higher expected return.
Are you aware the FDIC has recently hired and un-retired numerous auditors expecting many banks to go under in the coming year?
Also, FDIC insurance does cover deposits up to $100,000 in savings accounts - not money markets! And, yes, they cover up to that amount, but, in the event of a large number of banks going under, will not pay it back all at once or quickly. They'll pay it back slowly and in small installments.
Almost all banks and Credit Unions are up to their eyeballs in toxic paper - mortgage bonds that may very well turn out worthless. That's the main way they generate, or are supposed to generate, profits to pay interest on deposits. No institution is immune to the mess.
Keep inflation in mind as well. Government figures are faulty to say the least. One trip to the grocery store and gas station will tell you that. I fully expect inflation to be running over 10% within 12 months of NOW - and that's what official government figures will say. That's how much your dollars will erode in earning power each year.
It's a very tough environment out there. Be careful.
Interesting... I don't think the American health care system could be "socialized". The fact that it is for-profit would make that very difficult. The costs of setting up the program would be unfathomable, and I don't think providers would be terribly impressed by earning less.
I'm finding myself agreeing with Kelja on the point that people need to be better informed and there needs to be more transparency in the system. It's like any business relationship: You should know enough to make an informed decision and get a fair price.
That being said, I hope the for-profit health care model doesn't ever come into play here in Canada! (That WSJ article sure was an eye-opener!)
One question for Kelja: When you're talking about people being less responsible with money that isn't their own, are you talking about Americans or Canadians (or both?)
I agree with commenters that you just never know. It depends who you are and what you do.
Broken furniture or appliances with parts missing can be made into other furniture items, art, planters, etc. My family had one of those wood console TVs - with the TV taken out - when I was a kid. The old TV part had to be disposed of, but the wood made a really cool toy box. We kept board games in it.
People take old dressers, bookshelves, or entertainment units that are partly broken or missing drawers or shelves and make them into display cases for your beer stein collection, a play kitchen for kids, puppet theater, liquor cabinet, etc. I bet some smarty enviro types could make a broken washing machine into a giant solar oven. Heck *I* could, if I wanted to!
And since you brought it up, cut orange juice cartons make some of the best free seed starter trays for the frugal gardener.
Repurposing stuff just takes a little creativity, imagination, and the willingness to use a little elbow grease.
Maybe you don't want any of that stuff, but you just never know.
I agree my example was a poor example of 'shopping around'. But I maintain it's possible, albeit difficult. I've done it with doctors and dentists both. Funny thing is, I usually went with the pricier ones because they were just plain better.
It is difficult to shop because of the complexity of the system now in place which results in a lack of price transparency. If people had some incentive to shop for their medical care, I'm sure you'd agree, that transparency would be demanded.
In the old days, before insurance coverage, people did pay for their medicines and medical care. Granted, the technology 100 years ago doesn't compare with todays in any way, but medical care was both affordable and personal. Think of family doctor making home visits.
With the rise of corporate insurance plans, people took less interest in the prices paid for medical plans. As a result, slowly but surely, prices rose.
I'm not advocating going back to the old days. All I'm saying is that their should be some individual responsibility built into the health system. It would act as a governor on price. People are much more cautious about spending their own money vs what they perceive as someone else's.
I don't get people who want more government involvement in this area.
Name one governmental program that's efficient and effective??????????
By the way, Philip, a healthy discussion!
Hmmm. Joanna's story sounds almost like a mechanic trying to take advantage of a customer who doesn't know anything about cars. When there's a profit to be made at your expense, you have to be informed or you'll get scammed.
I guess the big difference with our "socialized" health care is that dishonest providers are defrauding the government rather than defrauding consumers directly (or through their insurance companies).
In the former case, all tax-paying Canadians bear the brunt of the costs through higher taxes. In the latter case, Americans who are paying for health insurance bear the brunt of higher insurance premiums so the companies can keep making their tidy profits... But they're also getting hit through either higher health care costs because people without insurance can't pay their bills or through taxes as the government fills the gap.
Perhaps I'm missing something, but it sounds like both Americans and Canadians are paying "other people's way". They're just doing it differently.
@Xin Lu: I agree it's absolutely ridiculous to pay $200 for a band-aid, but do we really need another law to fix this problem for us? I have a different idea. Let's start a grass roots revolution. Every time you go to the hospital or the doctor, demand to see the prices prior to receiving treatment. When they give you one pill of your antibiotic and charge 3 times the copay for the remaining 2 weeks'pills, give it right back to them and stop by the pharmacy on your way home.
Also, do you have any examples of government intervention increasing competition? My view is that it would definitely decrease it, but perhaps I'm wrong.
Lucille, are you dense or what?
What in any one of my posts gave you any idea I'm obsessed with the almighty dollar?
People like you, Lucile - ignorant in economics - that make me worried for this county.
Thanks for the comments, everyone.
Shane, I get where you are coming from, but given that I am now frequently driving with other people, I find that the extra 5 minutes on my daily commute, or the extra 30 minutes on a trip over the pass really isn't too bad. And although I didn't write about it, my slower driving has as much to do with conservation as it does with saving money. If I could bike to work, I would, but it would take me too long (probably at least an hour and a half each way) and I can't add 3 hours with of commuting to my daily schedule.
Rachel, I'm surprised you're not noticing a difference. Do you use cruise control at all?
Phillip:
I see your point here and it's valid. However, I have two things to say. First, I'd argue that shopping around is more possible than you describe. In some cases, doctors may have medical reasons for selecting a particular facility, but many times it's simply a matter of routine and convenience. Although I completely agree that quality of care is currently opaque the only way it will become more transparent is if consumers (a.k.a. patients) insist upon it.
And, apart from price comparison, there are other ways in which you can be a consumer rather than just an impotent patient receiving what doctors & hospitals choose to give him.
Case in point: Last year, my then boyfriend went to he ER after 6 days of fever, body chills and generally feeling bad followed up by a spiked fever on Sunday night that responded to neither tylenol nor an ice bath. In triage, the young woman who was attending us received a phone call while doing so. Over the phone, she described what she was currently doing and stated that it was "probably a case of pneumonia". By the time we left the hospital, he'd had bloodwork, a chest x-ray and, strangely, an MRI. Why the MRI when it was "probably pneumonia"? He was having headaches. However, at that time, headaches were totally normal for him due to the fact that he gets migraines when stressed. Had we been consulted about the MRI, explained what it did and why it was recommended, we would not have had it. Instead, a nurse simply came to the room and cheerfully informed us that he was going for an MRI. Not knowing any better, went for the MRI.
While at the hospital, he asked at least 3 times how the "payment situation" worked and was blown off every time, being told, "don't worry, you have insurance". Yes, but not all insurances are alike and his was high deductible a fact of which I was unaware at the time. The doctors did not wait for blood work / chest x-ray to come back and confirm that he did have the most likely cause of his symptoms, pneumonia. Instead, they threw everything they had at it all at once even though it was not a life-threatening emergency. I guarantee you this is due to the "no worries, you have insurance" mentality.
A month and over $3k later, we learned a very costly lesson and one that we will continue paying even after we are married. (1) Know what procedures are being performed and why they are recommended. Insist on being informed. (2) YOU decide what procedures are performed, not the doctor. (3) Find out how much things cost before they are done. You wouldn't have your car fixed without an estimate and health care should be no different (with the obvious exception of a life threatening emergency). (4) Don't sign a piece of paper that gives the hospital the right to do whatever they please and charge you for it later. This is what they'll use to justify their rash decisions.
For me, this was an extremely eye-opening experience and one that has made me a much more active consumer of my medical care. In my opinion, that is the solution we need, not socialized health care. I just don't trust our government to do it better than I. But that's just me.
I have shifted my thinking too. Last fall, driving aggressively (passing everyone slower than 50mph) on my route to/from work, I would use 1/4 of a tank of gas every day. Now, Using a combination of lower speeds, and less agressive tendencies (42mph, no passing, coasting down the larger hills) I'm only using 1/8 of a tank per day. Since the cost of gas has jumped by almost 50% over that time frame, it's saved me a lot of money...
I've recently had a similar experience. I decided to slow down after being pulled over for speeding (way over the speed limit), but only getting a warning from the incredibly nice police officer.
I now limit myself to the speed limit or 5 miles over at the most. It feels strange, being the one to get in the right lane and let everyone go by in the left. I remember how that was me, but I also sometimes marvel at how unsafe some of these people appear to be (also used to be me). I've noticed a little change in my gas mileage, but more importantly than that I am more relaxed and not at risk of a speeding ticket. I really can't notice a difference in overall commute times either.
I had the same experience with trying out the actual speed limit or under on a trip I've made many times. And it's true, it's amazing how much more enjoyable the trip is when I force myself to calm down. And for my trip, I think it took me 8 minutes longer than usual or something crazy.
Good for you! I am a 70 year old active guy with grandkids. I take great pleasure in totally wearing out something before replacing it - and wearing it out includes repairing it as many times as I can before discarding it.
I have always been amused at the spit-and-polish preparation that many folks have lavished on their cars (polish, clean, custom wheels, etc.) to impress the other drivers on the street. Watching this parade carefully, it is obvious that they (the spit-and-polish group) have little use for the other drivers on the street - so why do they make such a pretty sight for the other drivers to enjoy? They must be doing it for the other drivers - they can't see the whole of it while driving it. One of the perplexities of human nature, I guess. Being in touch with ones self is one of the great joys of being alive. I believe you have risen to that level and you enjoy life a great deal more than the "must keep up" crowd. I know I do.
Just for a laugh, let me tell you of my greatest accomplishment of getting the max use out of a car. I once called an auto dealer about a van he had advertised. He described it to me and I told him I was coming to see it, and that if it was as he described it I would buy it. I jumped in my thoroughly worn out Ford hard-top and started the 20 mile journey to the dealership. Halfway there, my Ford started to vibrate. I continued on, wiggling and shaking. When I arrived at the dealership, and pulled in, the Ford literally BROKE IN HALF just behind the drivers seat. It had rusted in half. They had to tow it to the back lot. I had literally gotten the very last mile out of it. Great fun!!!
Keep on enjoying life - it is a wonderful trip!
You mention that it took you 30 minutes longer to get home. That's 30 minutes I could have played with my son.. or 30 minutes I could have been working on side projects (which more then pays for the gas)
My preference is...
- Only drive when I have to drive.. riding our bikes to the store may take an extra 20 min BUT it saves gas AND is great family time :)
- When I am driving get where I am going as fast (in a safe manner) as possible.
At the end of the day you can find ways to earn more money, or save money elsewhere. What you can't do is increase the amount of time you've got on the earth (assuming one is already taking care of themselves).. so use it wisely :)
besides saving on gas, I'm glad you wrote about how you felt when you slowed down. getting glimpses of the scenery, enjoying the music, in general enjoying the road because you weren't concerned about getting around *that* guy who's going so slow in front of you.
I've been taking a few long distance road trips the past few months and stayed at about 60 mph instead of 70 and haven't noticed a single difference in my mileage. I'm kind of disappointed, I have to say.
@Mark:
Thanks for the WSJ link--fascinating article, right on topic.
You can tell when you're done by tasting the product. The first part of the run will be nearly pure alcohol. As you continue distilling, the product will have less and less alcohol with more and more water. After a while, a "quality control" sample will no longer taste of alcohol--at that point, you're done.
Hello from Switzerland
I just saw this site with many interesting ideas, what to do with old jeans. I just want to add, that beside all this possibilities there exists also a crazy litte Jeansmuseum in the heart of Europe, which collects vintage denim items older then 1980, but also non vintage raw or extremely worn out denim items, no matter how ugly, just too dirty, stained or whatever for any other use. Those really bad looking items with endless stories in them reflect a long part of the owners life. The jeansmuseum is a possibility for hard worn out denim rag items or real old vintage stuff, where they can retire in a safe place for ever. This Jeansmuseum can also be used for people, who have a very high emotional connection to their beloved jeans or denim jacket and don't want to just dump them or cut them in pieces for some other denim projects.
So if anybody wants to keep alive his denim stuff for ever, feel free to contact me at any time.
Ruedi Karrer
www.jeansmuseum.org (german only)
rkarrer@jeansmuseum.org
Founded in 1973 in a little Swiss mountain village, over 10'000 jeans and denim jackets so far. The Jeansmuseum is 100 percent non commercial and is free of any governmental funds. The little museum is open to the public 2-3 times each month on request.