Hot off the press. U.S. consumers, during our economic doldrums, are buying technology gadgets rather than washers, apparel and furniture that last a few years. Apparently the lure of a smartphone or blu-ray DVD player is more appealing than the five-year old toaster that...well, makes toast. One 28 year-old guy was quoted: "Who cares about a toaster?. If it still works, let it be." Somehow I can't imagine techies saying the same thing about their $3,000 LCD TV hanging on the wall. If you pay … [Read more...]
Insurance and the Risks of Life in an Uncertain Universe
Have you ever thought about why we buy insurance to handle risk in our lives? After purchasing auto, home, health and life insurance, you'll probably get a sales pitch from an appliance store sales person to insure your washer, dryer and fridge. Walk into an electronics store, like Best Buy, and out you walk with a new laptop computer insured against any failure for three years. Many credit cards come with "free 90 day theft and loss protection" in case someone steals your laptop or you … [Read more...]
Smart Meters Invade Northern California
Over the past two years, so-called wireless "smart meters" to measure electricity have been installed in millions of Northern California homes by PG&E, our utility company. The company claims with great fervor that smart meters are accurate to a nano-kilowatt; home owners beg to differ, saying their electric bills have risen 20%-30% or more since installation with no change in their California lifestyles. At first I thought the complaints were of no consequence since the early ones … [Read more...]