How to parallel park in a tight spot
Posted By RichC on December 4, 2012
Although I had to parallel park to pass my driver’s test, I don’t recall being taught to do it this way??? 
Clickity-click … the sound of flip-flopping sandals
Posted By RichC on December 4, 2012
I know the clickity-click (or is it clickity-clack?) is to be expected when wearing flip flops, but some pairs are noisier than others. A few months ago I purchased a new pair of Keen Waimea H2 sandals that 
I intend to keep on the boat because they have toe protection, but I can’t figure out how to make them a little quieter when I walk?
The last few days have been exceptionally warm here in southwest Ohio and so I opted to wear flip flops while bring in the garbage cans on Monday. I was amazed at how much “clackier” they were than previous sandals and am wondering if over time they will break-in and quiet down (as is common with the foam soled brands)? These Keens are a made with sturdier materials and foot bed is cup shaped to fit the foot. It is possible the stickiness will wear off (at least that is what I’m hoping), but I’m wondering if a little powder or something might help? All I know is that they are annoying … but with 60 degrees in December, who’s complaining!
| Keen Flip-flop sandals (mp3) going “clickity-click” or “clack” |
Is the new RAM Mount clip going to hold up?
Posted By RichC on December 3, 2012
After the first RAM-Mount iPad holder broke at the clip, I called the customer service line and they gladly replace the previous plastic part with a new “slightly beefier” clip ($9 shipping charge). I’m still not convinced the new part (left) will hold up for the long term as it is still a bit snug and requires a snap in place and then again on removal. I’ve giving some thought to adding a new “personally modified clip” to the broken one, but will wait to see how well this one holds up. My advice is to be careful with your RAM-Mount in order to make is last.
Planted and marked a few flower bulbs using the Notability app
Posted By RichC on December 2, 2012
I finally finished planting all the new bulbs Brenda purchase a few weeks ago as the weather on Saturday was in the high 50s and dry. I also decided to mark the locations using a few photos then marking it up on my iPad using Notablity … an excellent PDF app, by the way. Marking the general location should help when we pick up a few annuals next spring or just trying to remember what bulbs are where (actually already missed a few odds and end bulbs mixed in with the tulips).
* Trying to post using the limited editing available on the iPad’s WordPress app and Flickr for photos.
This 1969 Ford Mustang puts others to shame
Posted By RichC on December 1, 2012
Advice: New cars, high prices and borrowing to purchase
Posted By RichC on December 1, 2012
This past week, I talked to a younger friend of mine about his growing family and making fiscally sound decisions. He politely told me how much he respected my opinion as he asked for some advice … and my head swelled with the less than deserved accolades (but who doesn’t appreciate complements?) His primary question had to do with buying cars and how to them.
At first, I chimed in by paraphrasing the advice given by most financial gurus … “new cars are a lousy investment and you should save until you can afford one and then only purchase a sensible vehicle where the initial depreciation has been taken by someone else.” I shifted to my long winded lecture about the years of driving old cars and the regrets I had when I purchased of a new vehicle when I finally “thought” I could afford one. It was a small Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck with a cap when I started my business – it was a mistake to buy a new truck and finance it for 3 years. I’d like to say that I learned a lesson, but a decade later the new car itch returned and took over my sensibility; once again we again financed a new car. To our credit, we’ve always been wise enough to keep the term to 36 months, but we were not disciplined enough to save the full amount first or always sticking to a used car.
Back to reality and the advice I think he was looking for. I found out that he and his wife “were” planning to replace both of their older vehicles … plural. Their temptation was to replace both of their older cars with new smaller and more efficient cars … stressing the safety of the family, blah, blah, blah. Believe me, I know the rationalization drill – been there, done that … how else could I have convinced my wife we needed an S-class Mercedes when the kids were young? 
So I started with “yes, I understand” and figured that if their hearts were set on “newer” cars and fewer visits to the repair shop, that at least I should use some logic to help them rationalize what they were about to tackle. I asked the “why” question and the first answer was “reliability.” Good, I understand that … then start with different brands and models regarding reliability. I pointed to our positive experience with Hondas and Toyotas, but suggested that most cars are far improved in this area compared to a decade or two ago (he noticed I didn’t say VW – hmm?). Second was safety and again, my point was that all cars have improved, but that I was not alone in concern over the new breed of the sub-compacts coming to the market. I also mentioned that the complex technology and excessive electronics haven’t been proven long-term and could pose frustrating visits to the dealer. (I don’t have the statistics to back up my skepticism) He agreed and seemed very rational about borrowing excessively just to have options, but then the biggest issue.
I asked, “how are you planning to pay for a new car?” His answer, the trade-ins and low interest rate auto loans. I acknowledge that the rates were low, but that borrowing nearly the entire amount for two cars would be expensive and that the monthly payment alone would zap a family budget. We broached the “stretch the loan out” discussion, which is fairly common and seems to be acceptable today … far too common and acceptable in my opinion. He mentioned that if he and his wife each took out a 7 year car loan (ugh) that they could afford the payments. Quick answer … you really can’t afford new cars if you’ve got to borrow for 7 years.
I could see that he was disappointed, but I held to my advice and stated that it was not wise to buy two new cars or to finance them for 7 years. Hopefully in the end, they will compromise and consider one car with a shorter term and keeping the better of their two cars. I shared that one of the ways Brenda and I enjoyed the combination of an older car and newer cars for most of our life was to buy the new (or newer) reliable smaller car for Brenda … and that would justify an older used “cooler” car for me. I can’t say we’ve always practiced that (ie. Brenda drives a 1998 Rav4 currently), but it might be a way for him to be satisfied with an older second vehicle?
Car prices in the last four years.
- ’08 $25,505
- ’09 $26,317
- ’10 $27,644
- ’11 $28,337
- ’12 $28,318
Source: J.D.PowerAs those prices have gone up, car buyers are looking to keep their monthly payment as low as possible. So they’re stretching out their auto loans further, often spreading new car payments over 6 and 7 years.
Year % of auto loans 72 Months
- ’08 23%
- ’12 29%
Source: J.D. Power
How Costco is planning for the expected tax increase …
Posted By RichC on November 30, 2012
Playing the tax game as a big business or 1%-er investor must be a challenging problem to have? [sarcasm]
Here’s a Wall Street Journal op-ed commenting on Costco’s recent “early” dividend announcement. Uncertainly in the tax code, along with the credits, deductions and complexity, slows economic growth, deters job creation and demonstrates that the more involved government gets in our lives, the more challenging it is for small businesses and individuals.
The giant retailer announced Wednesday that the company will pay a special dividend of $7 a share this month. That’s a $3 billion Christmas gift for shareholders that will let them be taxed at the current dividend rate of 15%, rather than next year’s rate of up to 43.4%—an increase to 39.6% as the Bush-era rates expire plus another 3.8% from the new ObamaCare surcharge.
More striking is that Costco also announced that it will borrow $3.5 billion to finance the special payout. Dividends are typically paid out of earnings, either current or accumulated. But so eager are the Costco executives to get out ahead of the tax man that they’re taking on debt to do so.
– WSJ
Made in the USA – what you can do to help our economy
Posted By RichC on November 30, 2012
I started a post earlier in the week with the intent to demonstrate my ability to “Rise Above” and to recommend a compromise solution that would address the fiscal cliff, but I realized that I was banging my head
against a wall even when dealing with people I get along with. I can’t imagine reaching an agreement with those who only see a “one way” sign? I’m putting the draft in moth balls for now until I’m feeling more optimistic – we’ve got 30 days!
For now, let’s start smaller as a way to “grow” our economy and stimulate job growth. Each job we save (and hopefully new ones we create) keeps one more person and
one more family off the entitlement roles and self-reliant. These working families in turn can purchase products, keep others employed and paying enough in taxes in order to hire more bureaucrats that provided the many services our “wise elected representatives in Washington DC” decide we “must” have. I’m sure they are all necessary. (ok, that last bit was a little sarcastic).
We made our first pair of running shoes in 1938 and hold the distinction as the only company that still manufactures athletic shoes in the USA. One out of every four pair of shoes we sell in the U.S. is made or assembled here. Where the domestic value is at least 70% we have labeled them "Made in the USA". — NB
So here’s what you can do: This year, if there is a fairly priced product of equal or better quality being make in America, choose the one made in the USA. 
I’m not suggesting wasting money or settling for something of poor design or quality, but when there is a product made in America, chose that instead of the one using inexpensive overseas labor. For example, it is an easy call when buying athletic shoes because only one major brand makes a majority of their shoes in the US and they are of high quality and are nearly equally priced with the other heavily marketed brands. My suggesting is to compare the New Balance shoes to the competition … and unless there is a really good reason to purchase the other brand … go with the NB shoes. It is probably only a small thing for the consumer, but it’s a big thing for those supporting their families because the have a US job. I highly doubt changing athletic shoe brands will negatively affect your foot comfort or performance. Personally I think most “daily-wear” athletic shoes are about the same. Give NB a try this year and feel good about keeping a fellow citizen employed.
Sailing across the Atlantic and Snoopy lost at sea, sort of …
Posted By RichC on November 29, 2012
So much for the model robot boat “Snoopy Sloop” and the planned unmanned crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Whoops! 
The technology packed and lake tested 4 foot sailboat set sail from England on November 27th and intended a six month voyage to the Bahamas, but unfortunately the little boat encountered “strong tides” … something neither Snoopy or his designer Robin Lovelock calculated.
“…a strong tide pulled him into Alum Bay, Isle of Wight. He last reported on the rocks at 1939 (7:39pm) in Alum Bay. He then stopped reporting – water in electronics ? Snoopy may have sailed over 5000 miles on Bray Lake this year, in winds over 50mph, but strong tides and hard rocks are something else!”
Spot mapping (above) details the possible “shipwreck”…
There was a little fanfare and some BBC reporting along with a launch video – also a promotional video detailing the testing below.
Deactivating Shareaholic WordPress plug-in
Posted By RichC on November 28, 2012
I’m doinh little minor WordPress blog housekeeping by “deactivating” the Shareaholic plug-in due to what I’ve perceived as an overall site slowdown … for very little gain. Most reposts and forwards are done the old fashion way (copy and paste) and besides the few reads of older links, I’m not sure using it has generated enough “shares” to offset the clutter. So if you miss the little button bar, or recommendation below each post, let me know and I’ll reconsider.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.