I don't feel the need to discuss or debate the merits of the decision to buy an American made versus a foreign made vehicle. The purchasing process of the American individual has never been a rational thing. The point I do want to make is the rare opportunity that this economic situation has afforded to people who might be in the market to buy a new car.

Prior to the financial meltdown that started at the end of 2008, one of the major selling points for people who purchased American was that some sort of incentive would make the price of a new car incredibly attractive when compared to a foreign alternative. The much sought after "Employee Discount" offered by the BIG 3 reduced prices down 10-15% but this was not available to everyone. Currently even offers of an Employee Discount do not seem to impress car buyers. Manufacturers have been offering "Employee Plus" discounts, cash back offers and 0% financing but that still fails to make a serious improvement in sales.

It is difficult to pinpoint the precise reason for the hesitation to purchase. Some claim it is the break down in credit markets and banks which hurts financing - since no one really buys a car fully in cash. Others claim that the fear of bankruptcy adds uncertainty to the validity of warranties. If you are an otherwise responsible consumer neither of those reasons should be a deterrent to buying.

In yesterday's announcement by President Obama, he stated the administration would back US Manufacturer's warranties. In any other situation, I would not be in favor of the government taking this position, but I cannot ignore this huge plus to consumer confidence. Additionally the administration re-iterated a point in its February 2009 Stimulus Package that stated that local and state taxes on a new car will be a deduction.

If you were or are considering a new car, do seriously think of the value of an American Automobile. With incentives some cars have dropped well below "fair" prices in 2008. If you know someone in the US automobile industry I'm sure they would help you get an Employee Discount or some other comparable reduction. (Ask around, I'm sure you can find someone who knows somone.) For savvy consumers it is not impossible to walk away paying 25% less than MSRP for a brand new 2009 vehicle.

And for more frugal buyers who would typically buy used cars: used car prices have actually risen. In some cases 2008 used cars can cost more than the "incentiv-ized" 2009 same models. Also consider the limiting (or non existing) warranties that come with used cars.

I should be very clear: I do not think people should buy a car just to support the US Automotive Industry. Don't be irresponsible, if you do not need a new car, simply do not buy one. However seriously consider if you wish to take advantage of some of the best values in US automobile purchasing in recent history. The math for once is completely in favor of the consumer.

Update: My mistake, I misinterpreted the tax deduction as a credit.

Posted in: Stuff,

I can count on one hand how many times I went to see a movie on opening weekend. Although it was fun, I never did so because I was eagerly anticipating the movie. It was always because of the situation or the company I was keeping at the moment. In the eyes of the movie industry I'm a bust - I don't succumb to paying $9.50 right away and add to what makes a movie a "blockbuster".

I don't mind waiting to see a movie. I find watching a DVD on a regular 30inch screen with normal 5.1 sound perfectly enjoyable. And renting is a fraction of the theater price (especially for a group). Previously I preferred to rent movies at Hollywood Video (which was previously "Video Watch"). The DVD rental there would only cost $3.00. However too many stores closed or were re-located, and I ended up going to Blockbuster. I found the more expensive rental fee of $3.99 acceptable since the alternative was incredibly inconvenient, and it was something I did rather infrequently.

However over the past 2 years the rental price at Blockbuster where I live went to $4.29 and now is at $4.69! This is getting to be too much. It has reached the tipping point that buying a used DVD maybe only marginally more expensive than renting a used DVD, and in the case of a slightly older movie, buying will be cheaper than renting!

What are the alternatives? Many cities and college campuses now have DVD "kiosks" which you can get a rental for as cheap as $1. The only downside is that it is typically 1 day only and the selection is incredibly limited. Netflix offers rentals in the mail. However their plans aren't that much cheaper if you watch DVD's as slow as I do. If you have Digital Cable you can use "On-Demand", but often neither the price nor the qaulity is worth a 24 hour rental.

Or do what I do: Buy used! You can go to Ebay and sometimes walk away with a $5 used DVD. Or if you don't like bidding, use Amazon. For Amazon just make sure you select "Buy used" and it can be as low as $1.99 (sometimes cheaper). For both sites shipping is max $3.00 (never buy if it is more than that). Understandably the $3 shipping may seem like a waste, but since you own the movie you can recover a large portion of the cost by easily reselling it on Ebay, Amazon or Craigslist. (Please be careful when using Craiglist as there is no protection for buying or selling).

Right now I keep a list of older movies (within the past 5yrs) that I would like to watch. If I see them cheap on any of the above sites, I will snatch them up. I have a stack that I haven't watched yet. The best part is that they are always there whenever I want to watch them - no need to run out and get something. When I'm done, I will keep the good ones and sell the rest. The money lost will still be cheaper than renting. It sounds time consuming but if you "queue up" and do it every few months, you'll find it can be fun.

Looking back, I will admit there were a few movies that I wish I had seen earlier and even fewer that I wish I had actually seen in the theater. But it's just a movie, and I am really glad I don't put that much value into it. If I were asked: "What's a movie worth to me?", my response would be "maybe $4 bucks - give or take".

Posted in: Movies, Internet,

As was announced earlier, U2's latest album: "No Line On The Horizon" hits stores this Tuesday March 3. U2.com members got to listen early to the first single "Get On Your Boots" on Jan 19. Let me say it was incredibly underwhelming! Pretty much same for their performance at the Grammy Awards earlier in February. Some of the reviews I've read basically sum up the album as "pretty good music, but not that great". I really hope that the first single is not representative of the whole album.

Anyways, I am obligated to purchase the album. I was about to pre-order it from Amazon, until I realized there are 5 different sets for this album. It comes in "regular" edition CD for ~$10, 2 LP vinyl for ~$20, limited edition "Digi-pack" for ~$25, limited edition "Magazine" version for ~$35, and finally the exclusive limited edition Box set for a whopping ~$65. All with varying extras. Unbelievable. Of course, one would hope to think that all these limited editions will become worth much more in the future.

Admittedly I have paid for a super deluxe limited edition in the past. And I do have the How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb Limited Edition, which apparently now costs double what it was in 2004. However if it still is available to purchase, how does it make it "Limited"? The thing about that set was all the extras were disappointing and the DVD had almost nothing cool on it, given that it was a pretty good album.

Anyways the thing that bothers me is that since I haven't heard the album in its entirety, I don't even know if I will like all the music. Does it make any sense to pay for all the extras? Also, I really like the pictures, but unless I get to flip through them once, I don't know if I will want them. And I don't know if 20 yrs down the road when the pictures become extra "cool", I will regret not getting it. Anyways, I think I will just go with the "regular edition" for now. I'm hoping it sounds great (crossing my fingers).

Posted in: Music,

Like most Catholic families, when we were growing up my parents always insisted on my siblings and me to sacrifice something during Lent. Typically we would do the most common things: candy, TV or something simple. I'm pretty sure I grasped the significance at an early age, but I don't know exactly when the whole sacrifice idea became so blindly ritualistic. So much so that at times I didn't know what I could do or give that would make a difference, seeing as everyday life was hectic enough.

Every year around this time I always think to myself: I don't really live that decadent of a life. What is there to let go that won't affect my ability to function daily? Even the Friday fasting and abstinence from meat does not seem difficult at all for me. I've lately considered making regular Lenten donations to charity, but often I feel cheap as if I am just paying money to circumvent any true effort on my part.

Honestly I do beleive the all the sacrifices and self discipline serve a very valuable purpose. It can put things into perspective or help us better understand our priorities (not necessarily in a spiritual sense). I guess personally I need an occasional "pause" in my life to simply sit still, turn off everything and do absolutely nothing but reflect. Maybe sacrificing a little time might be worth something this Lent.

Posted in: Life, Religion,

My uncle passed away yesterday, while I am deeply saddened by the loss, I feel even more sorrow that he never got the chance to complete many things that I know he intended on doing.

So, I was talking on the phone with a good friend, and when the topic came up he confessed that whenever he hears of a death, he ponders his own mortality - wondering how much time he has. I don't know why, but for me, the thought that enters mind is "Did I complete everything?". Did I pay my bills and fold my clothes? Did I leave a mess for someone else to clean? Did I remember to say "Thank You" and "Sorry"? Did I leave everyone in a state where I could cause them no more worries?

I don't believe in the statement: "Live each day like it is your last". Even so, I feel it is disappointing that every day we worry about all things we meant to do yesterday. I think all the things people owe to each other, whether it is simple as money or as important as love and respect, should be given long before anyone realizes the bill is past due.

Posted in: Life,