Author Archive
Avoiding The Tax Pinch, and Getting Electronic Assistance
It happens every year, and now it is happening again. It is tax time. Whether you are an employee on a W2 status, or self-employed on 1099′s, or both, or neither, if you have received any income in the United States, you are required by law to report it on a federal tax return. For [...]
No More Waiting at the Post Office; Now Click-N-Ship
We don’t do a whole lot of mailing via the US Postal Service anymore, but when we need to, those old nightmarish images come back to mind: standing in an interminable line waiting to deal with someone who does not like their job – or worse yet, someone who loves their job because they think [...]
Minireview: The Olive Garden is Nice and Green
First of All, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! And that brings me to my point… Olive Garden is currently performing satisfactorily to my consumer’s taste. And that is a good thing, since I took my familiy there last night as my Valentine’s gift to them. Evidently, lots of others feel the same way, since the place was [...]
Scammers Taking Advantage Of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package
Be careful whenever you are contacted by someone offering to help you do something that is government-related, or if they claim they are from the government. Typically the government communicates through official established channels such as the news or their website. Regardless of how you hear about something like tax rebates or homestead exemptions or [...]
McDonalds Invades Starbucks’ Space
Starbucks stock has reportedly lost half its value over the past 12 months. A weakening in the economy has something to do with it, as well as a new competitor of sorts… McDonalds.
McDonalds? Yeah, I said the same thing at first. But after thinking about it for a moment, I guess it did not sound that strange after all. You see, I have been drinking McDonalds’ coffee for the past two years of my own volition – meaning, I like it. In fact, I like it a lot (with 9 sugars and 5 creams in my large, please). It, like Starbucks, both beat the heck out of gas station or restaurant coffee. But often times Starbucks coffee tastes burned or over roasted to me.
Blu-ray Edges Ahead in the Format Battle
In the ongoing saga over whether HD DVD or Blu-ray will be the ultimate DVD standard, Blu-ray just moved ahead with backing from Warner Brothers Studios.
We’ll find out soon enough if the format battle will finally be over, it surely will make things easier for the consumer and prevent any inconvenience due to movie releases only being available in one particular format.
Watch for Oil Change Place Scams
Sometimes I get my oil changed at Wal-Mart or Kwik Kar because the trouble saved with messing with the under pan on a Lexus is worth the extra money. But with my Suburban, I do it myself because it is so high off the ground it doesn’t need to be jacked up. It takes less than 15 minutes, and I save enough money for a dinner out.
There is nothing wrong with using an oil change services provider, unless…
Power Wheels Hummer of a Humdinger!
The Fisher Price Power Wheels Hummer had great reviews from Wal-Mart purchasers, so I decided to give it a try as a Christmas gift for two of my little ones. Retailing for $394 at Wal-Mart, it was sold out and not available before December 24th. However, my wife found one at Toys-R-Us for about the [...]
KYMCO ATVs Recalled for Suspension Failure; Can Lose Control of Vehicle
Recall Alert U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207 January 2, 2007 Alert #08-532 ATVs Recalled By KYMCO Due to Suspension Failure; Riders Can Lose Control of Vehicle The following product safety recall was voluntarily conducted by the firm in cooperation with the CPSC. Consumers should stop using [...]
Ingested Magnets Can Cause Serious Intestinal Injuries
In spite of the fact that hardware and supply stores sell different magnets that are intended for ingestion by livestock to capture swallowed hardware, it is a very bad idea for children. As reported by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission: Small magnets, like those found in magnetic building sets and other toys, can kill [...]
