Daily Dose of Common Sense

Craftiness is all the rage. Because of the recession, many people are making things at home. Soap, stationary, knitting, sewing, scrapbooking…there’s a whole lotta crafting going on. And, sites like Etsy, GetCrafty, and eBay are hugely popular for those seeking out handmade items.

But, not everything made by two hands is a winner. One of my favorite new Web sites is Regretsy. This site finds the absurd in the vast crop of crafted items on Etsy and asks the questions we’re all dying to know: Why?

In some cases, a store-bought gift is better. Especially if someone is trying to pass this off on you: Corn Poo Soap.

Want to know how banks are making up the money they lost in the economic crash? Off you, that’s how.

Despite the current recession, banks are charging record fees to checking account customers. The costs are sneaky: higher non-bank ATM fees, higher bounced check fees, and higher monthly service charges.

ATM fees have risen for three-consecutive years. In 2009, consumers paid an average fee of $3.54 to use another bank’s ATM, up 16% from 2004. This includes the fee charged at the ATM, as well as the fee charged by the customer’s bank.

This year, consumers are paying a record charge of $12.55 per month for an interest-bearing checking account, up 3.5% from 2004, Bankrate’s data show. The average bounced-check fee was $29.58 this year, near the inflation-adjusted high of $29.73 reached in 2005.

Also, banks are increasing their credit card interest rates and penalties for late payment. They are finding any way they can to make up for the housing mortgage debacle of ‘08. And, don’t look for it to get any better any time soon.

BankRate.com has a good list of ways to avoid checking account fees. Some tips are common sense, like don’t bounce checks and only use your bank’s ATMs, but others may be new information on how to avoid paying more.

Most banks offer three or four checking account options. Visit the Web sites of several banks and see the differences between accounts. Do you really need free checks if you’re going to have to pay a fee for the account? If you pay most bills online, perhaps you only need a couple of paper checks per month and it would be cheaper to buy them yourself. Carefully review what each account offers and see if it’s worth the price of admission, or if you’d be better served by a free account.

So, read your statements and shop around. Don’t let your bank stick it to you.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: The Consumerist

British Airways may just be starting the next trend in airline fees. In another effort to nickel-and-dime customers to death, BA will now charge passengers an additional fee for choosing their seats ahead of time. So, if you’re traveling with your kids, securing their seats with yours is going to cost extra.

This will also affect anyone who prefers an aisle or window seat. Locking those down before you fly will cost extra on BA.

A BA spokeswoman said: “Customers frequently request specific seats, but in the past we’ve only been able to confirm them 24 hours in advance or on the day.

“We know people want to secure them in advance and have real control over their flying experience. This will allow them to do that.”

Why not just be truthful? Instead, say something like, “Our airline was 400 million pounds in the red last year. We need money and therefore we pledge to find ways to get more of it from our passengers.”

[Via BoingBoing]

Photo courtesy of Flickr: Simon_sees

They have always been a good idea, but the tough economic times have made more people than ever look into using rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries. Once a mystery, we now all routinely use special-purpose rechargeable batteries in devices like cell phones and digital cameras. Like anything else, however, knowledge is power (pun intended), and even a few simple facts can help a lot.

First, let’s deal with the most important issue: safety. NEVER try to charge a single-use battery. Those warnings are not from some overly cautious lawyer; fire and explosions are real dangers. If you don’t believe me, search for battery fire on YouTube and you’ll see that these innocuous-looking little devices are not to be misused. Electricity and chemistry can each be dangerous on their own, and together they are even more so.

Similarly, never use any kind of rechargeable battery that has been damaged in any way. Likewise, don’t try and jury-rig anything; use things as they are intended and according to the instructions. We technology professionals have a humorous acronym for this: RTFM, which stands for (polite version) Read The Freaking Manual! While our arcane knowledge may seem a mystery to most people, and some of us do indeed have a knack for gadgets, it’s mostly due to the fact that we read the darn directions!

Read the rest of this entry »

In the recession, one suggestion I’ve heard over and over again has been to borrow books and DVDs from local libraries instead of purchasing them. Makes sense, right? Well, if you live in Philadelphia, you may not have the option any longer. All of the libraries in Philly will close on October 2nd if the state Legislature does not act on the budget request.

Yep, a legislative deadlock is to blame. The city has requested a temporary sales-tax hike and a two-year deferral of pension payments in order to generate funding. If this doesn’t happen, the Philly libraries will all shut down at the beginning of next month. Hard to believe, but it appears to be true.

It is so important to support local libraries. Libraries aren’t just for kids. Many adults need libraries, too. In addition to access to books, movies, and other media, libraries provide computer access to many people who otherwise would not have the option. They host great programs and serve as a resource for the community. To give you an idea of what the closings would mean, just read this excerpt from the notice posted by the library:

All branch and regional library programs, including programs for children and teens, after school programs, computer classes, and programs for adults, will be cancelled.

All Parkway Central Library programs, including children programs, programs to support small businesses and job seekers, computer classes and after school programs, will be cancelled. We are exploring the possibility of relocating the Philadelphia Author Series programs to other non-library facilities.

All library visits to schools, day care centers, senior centers and other community centers will cease.

All community meetings at our branch and regional libraries, and the Parkway Central Library, will be cancelled.

All GED, ABE and ESL programs held at Free Library branches will be discontinued, students should contact their teacher to see if other arrangements are being made.

If you live in the area, here is how you can help.

So, get it together, Philly legislators. Do your jobs and keep the libraries open.

My grandfather always paid in cash. Never with a check, never with a credit card. He believed that if you didn’t have the cash on hand, you shouldn’t buy it. Well, my grandfather wouldn’t be welcome to eat at the New York City restaurant Commerce. The upscale Greenwich Village restaurant no longer accepts cash.

The owner sited security as a big reason for the policy. Whether he fears getting robbed by thugs or his own employees isn’t clear. Regardless, with no cash around, there’s less chance that some will go missing.

How about the customer’s security? When you use your credit card, you are giving vital personal information that could be sold or misused in the wrong hands. Having waited tables myself, I have witnessed other servers change totals on credit card receipts. I have also heard of servers who tracked down bad tippers (via the internet or phone book) to harass them. How did they track them down? The name on the credit card.

Speaking of waitstaff, I can only imagine that the servers at Commerce are none too pleased about this policy. Yes, the restaurant allows diners to tip in cash if they wish (thank goodness), but most people probably won’t. Why does this matter? Servers get a very (very) low hourly rate and the rest of their income comes from tips. When people tip with cash, the amount a server must claim for tax purposes is nebulous. The IRS assumes the tip was 15 or 20%, but they can’t prove it. However, credit card tips are there in black and white, which means the server pays more in taxes. (On the flip side, I’m sure the restaurant’s accountant is pleased because it makes doing the books a whole lot easier.)

The “privilege” to accept American Express, Visa, Master Card, Discover Card, etc. isn’t free. The restaurant pays a fee to the credit card company on every transaction. So, it would seem in this economy that businesses would be moving the other direction: cash only. Leave it to a New York City restaurant to buck the trend.

What really bugs me most about this policy is that it smacks of elitism. The restaurant’s co-owner said,

“If you don’t have a credit card, you can use a debit card,” said the restaurant’s co-owner, Tony Zazula. “If you don’t have a debit card, you probably don’t have a checking account. And if you don’t have a checking account, you probably shouldn’t be eating at Commerce to begin with.”

Yes, most upscale diners have credit cards and debit cards. But, this attitude is just plain snobby. Besides, shouldn’t the customer have a right to pay however he or she wants? The policy seems a little out of step with the old “the customer is always right” mantra. My guess is that this restaurant isn’t going to bend over backwards for your dining experience.

So, even if you stop by the bar at Commerce to have a $13 cocktail, plan on paying with your credit card. I could tell you what my grandfather would have said about that, but I’ve forgotten how to spell my Italian curse words.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: Andres Rueda

Summer is officially over. With some stores putting up their Christmas decorations in August, it seems as if summer is getting the bum’s rush. Besides getting shorter, summer is changing before our eyes. There are some traditional summertime staples that are fighting for survival.

The Clothesline

Remember your grandmother hanging her wet laundry outside to dry? The practice started to go out of fashion a few decades ago. But in the recession, you might consider hanging your clothes outside instead of running your dryer. Not so fast, say many towns and cities who consider clotheslines an eyesore. The opponents worry about the reduction in property values if everyone starts putting their skivvies outside. So, across the country, folks are fighting for the right to air their dirty laundry.

And, who can blame them? Summertime electric bills are no laughing matter. So, in not running the dryer, a reduction in power use would add up over time:

More than 5% of electricity used in homes goes to power clothes dryers, according to a U.S. Department of Energy report that looked at energy use in 2001.

Besides, have you smelled clothes that have been drying in the sun on a clothesline? There’s a reason why fabric softeners and laundry detergents try to bottle that fragrance.

Ease up, community powers-that-be. A few clotheslines here and there does not mean the neighborhood is becoming a tenement.

The Ice Cream Man

The sing-song jingle of the ice cream man is a memory we all share from childhood. You heard it and you ran like hellfire to find the truck. Well, the ice cream man is taking a beating these days. First, parents complained about the song the trucks play. It was too loud, was played when the truck was stopped, or played after dark. Now, many parents are railing against the continued presence of the ice cream vendors, especially if it happens to be nearby some kids. (I hate to point out the obvious, but isn’t that the target audience?)

The bottom line is that some parents want those sweet treats as far away from their kids as possible. (Apparently, the word “no” is hard to say to some kids.) And, in the times of rampant childhood obesity, people are listening. However, “according to Mister Softee, its typical small vanilla cone is 170 to 190 calories.” A lot of other snacks are much worse for kids than that.

We understand your kids drive you crazy when the truck shows up. But, the ice cream man only shows up a few months out of the year. Don’t ruin it for the rest of us who want the occasional frozen treat.

Reruns

The lazy days of summer aren’t that, well, lazy anymore. TV is no exception. It used to be that you could catch up on all the shows you missed during the year. Forget to see a few episodes of The Love Boat? This was no problem because you could see them (usually starring Charo) again and again over the course of the summer.

Reality TV mostly dominates the summer line up now. So, instead of reliving my favorite 30 Rock episodes, I had to run screaming from More to Love. Or, when I might have had a chance to check out struggling shows like, “Dollhouse” or “Parks & Recreation,” I had to take a shower after seeing the ads for “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.” Yes, I have a DVR. But, it’s nice to flip around and catch an old episode of “The Office” or “Ugly Betty”. Catching up is all too rare in the new summer “reality” of TV.

Some scripted shows, like Mad Men, come back during the summer, too. So, while summertime used to be a time to forget about TV for a while, you really can’t anymore.

Photos courtesy of Flickr: Cyron, duluoz cats

A man in Florida claims he opened a can of Diet Pepsi, took a sip, and got a mouth full of rotting frog. Hmmmmm…. The FDA confirms the can contained amphibian parts, but I’m sure skeptical of how the frog got into the can in the first place. Chances are, based on the packaging process, the couple put it in there themselves. If not, the frog’s presence would have to be the result of a worker placing it in the can deliberately. Seems unlikely.

Most claims of this sort turn out to be hoaxes. Remember the woman who found a severed finger in her Wendy’s chili? Turned out the finger came from the husband’s friend, who lost it in an industrial accident. The big tip off? The finger hadn’t been cooked, so investigators smelled a scam.

The FDA has launched an investigation into how the frog got into the can. They have already checked the Pepsi bottling plant from where the can originated. No “adverse conditions or association to this problem” were found. Next, I assume they will be looking at the couple involved with a more discerning eye.

Speaking of the couple, they are seeking legal advice. Even if it were a legit case–which I doubt–is suing the company appropriate? To me, it just smacks of a desperate play to extort money from a big corporation.

So, drink up! The chemical additives and acid in the soda will do far more harm than anything else you might find in there.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: sailorbill

With childhood obesity rates climbing, many people are looking for ways to turn the tide. One report out this week strongly suggests that junk food and sugary sodas should be taxed by state and local governments. According to the article, tobacco taxes have been shown to be effective in reducing tobacco use. So, they argue, taxes on soft drinks and fattening foods could do the same for the obesity rates in this country.

No one can deny that childhood obesity–and adult obesity–are problems. From the article:

“The prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled in just three decades,” the report reads. Nearly 18 percent of U.S. adolescents are obese.

While the food and restaurant industry cites personal choice and a lack of exercise, many reports have shown that unhealthy food is cheaper, more readily available and more heavily marketed than more healthful foods.

This is definitely cause for concern. But, are taxes really the answer?

First, who determines what “junk” food qualifies for the tax? This could be a very fine line. Soft drinks…chocolate…fast food…popsicles…flavored yogurt? Where does the list end? Plus, it would be very hard to get a fair assessment of all the foods that contribute to weight gain. You can bet that some special interest group would use every trick in the book to keep their products tax-free. For example, the soft drink lobby has not responded favorably to finger-pointing thus far:

Last week, the American Heart Association took on the $115 billion soft drink industry, saying the drinks are the No. 1 source of added sugars in the American diet.

The American Beverage Association, representing companies including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola Co and Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc, says sugar-sweetened drinks do not pose a particular health risk.

Second, the tax would mostly hit the people who can’t afford it. According to an article in Time Magazine, childhood obesity “discriminates by income: 22.4% of 10-to-17-year-olds living below the poverty line–less than $21,200 for a family of four–are overweight or obese, compared with 9.1% of kids whose families earn at least four times that amount.” So, the tax wouldn’t teach the lower-income families how to eat better; it would only have them pay more for what they currently know how to do.

How about more education for the lower-income families on how to buy fresh and healthy food more economically? For example, apples, bananas, and cheese aren’t expensive, and these are great snacks for kids. Grocery store chains could offer classes on purchasing healthy food for kids. Or, what about cost incentives in low-income neighborhoods to customers who purchase fresh fruits and vegetables?

Schools are starting to do their parts to educate kids about nutrition and take away access to all the sugary soda and candy. Healthier lunch options are also being made available. Will it be enough? Probably not, if the parents aren’t on board as well.

It seems as if no one wants to address the real issue, which is knowledge and access. Throwing money at obesity, even in the form of higher taxes, isn’t the answer.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: D Sharon Pruitt

Think your lottery money is going to a worthy cause? Think again. In Texas, a portion of your scratch-off lottery ticket revenue might be going to the Dallas Cowboys. That’s not a middle school or high school, or even a non-profit company. No, it’s THE Dallas Cowboys of Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach fame. The professional football team stands to make about $4.2 million from the new scratch-off tickets.

Yeah, they really need your money. What about asking those overpriced players to take a pay cut? Other people all over the country have taken pay cuts, unpaid furloughs, and many have lost their jobs. Football players should be no exception, even with contracts in place.

There are 14 NFL teams who have sponsored lottery games this fall. I’m sure they are all feeling the economic crunch and need to supplement their revenue. But, the lottery? That’s just a way to pick on the people who can least afford it.

If you know statistics, you’re probably not a lottery player. But, if you are still hoping your retirement will be funded by the MegaBall Jackpot, you might feel better knowing where your money goes.

Or, maybe not.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: dherrera_96