A Different Way of Looking at Things

Something we try to teach to our kids is to consciously view everything you do of consequence as having a cost.  Some might call this a cynical look at life but that's not true.  We often make this cost analysis subconsciously.  For example, when you get married, an immediate cost that everyone makes is that you forsake all others.  Just because something has a cost does not mean you don't gladly pay it.  Not saying it aloud or happily paying it doesn't make it any less of a cost.

More to the point.  Think about it another, less momentous, way.  If you're living close to the bone and decide not to get a daily paper you're saving yourself  5 to 8 dollars a week, depending what your subscription.  However, there is a cost as well.  You might lose out on opportunities you find in the classifieds or business section.  To a lot of people, though, they lose out on the coupons in the Sunday paper.

A Sunday paper usually costs a couple of bucks but if you use a lot of the coupons inside you are not saving.

You already knew that, I know.  But you need to start thinking of other things in your life that way.  Wired magazine recently published an article on how you can receive virtually everything you get on cable through the internet and, sometimes, desktop devices like Google TV,

For example, if you have a good internet connection, you can use subscription services like Netflix or Hulu to stream shows.  If you're a technophile you knew that already.  However, if you are spending tons of money for premium channels but watch just a few selected shows like Dexter or Boardwalk Empire you might be better served by ditching cable

Lets say you watch baseball, major networks and a few other select shows.  You can get an HD antenna for about $30 to watch local and network shows, a cable A/B switch for $17, a Netflix subscription for $10 and an MLB subscription for $120.  That's $300 a year.  If you buy a box for $150, that's $450.

How much is cable costing you a month?  How much of it do you really watch for, say, $100 a month?

Here's a good link.

http://www.labnol.org/internet/watch-internet-videos-on-tv/12177/

Walker, Not the Texas Ranger

I was in Greenville SC today, helping my son recover from getting his knee 'scoped.  I thought about getting him a walker but he doesn't need it.  What struck me, however, was how cheap they are in thrift stores.  While I understand they should be in reasonable shape, 99 cents is pretty cheap.

They had great ones at Goodwill for $15 and at another store for $5.  I know you're all happy for me.

But I'm actually making a bigger point.  The cheapest one I've found online, just for research purposes, was about 55 bucks.  That one you could get reimbursed for by the government or an insurance company.  Try submitting a Goodwill bill for 15.  It won't happen.  Again, I realize you have to be sure the darn thing won't collapse on Grandma but if you look you'll find quality on the cheap.  You can do the same with crutches and wheelchairs (manual, of course).

We won't solve the healthcare problems in our country by going to a thrift store, I know.  However, there is something wrong there with a 99 cent walker that can't be reimbursed but a 55 dollar claim can be paid.

If I ever find something like a hair plug deal for 99cents I'll let you know.