OK, I admit it. I am cheap. Frugal. And proudly so.
A while ago I noticed a $10 Off a Gillette Fusion razor coupon on Save.ca
I occasionally need a razor, so I took the coupon and then promptly forgot about it. Recently I discovered it again in a pile of papers and noticed it was a bout to expire. I had to stop on the way home for a few groceries at the Stupidstore and so I took the coupon with me.
The Fusion razor with 2 cartridges was $6.99. I looked at the coupon carefully. It clearly stated "$10 Off", not 'up to'. and sure enough when I got to the checkout, they gave me $10 off a $7 item! They actually paid me $3 to take the razor. Now I just have to find some coupons for the replacement blades...at about $28 for 8, I won't be buying those anytime soon.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Earth Hour
I am not really sure what to make of all this hoopla about saving the planet and raising awareness with this latest idea called Earth Hour. In case you missed it, there was a call for everyone to turn off lights and reduce energy consumption between 8 and 9 PM local time on Saturday. Very symbolic on many levels.
First level: At least it got people to reduce their energy consumption! You would think that the "savings" would be around 4-5% for the day, but this is probably optimistic. Although some energy, such as light bulbs, are truly saved, others such as heating or transportation are merely deferred to another time.
Second level: I fear it confuses the majority of people who equate symbolic gestures with solutions. turning out the lights for an hour is not a solution; it is a gesture. Buying a red coloured product is not a solution to AIDS in Africa. Neither is wearing a ribbon of any colour (pick your cause). these are all gestures. They may be worthwhile gestures, but they are most certainly not solutions or even concrete action towards a solution.
Third level: Given what I said above, it is obvious that anyone who really thinks that turning out the lights, burning candles and singing "Kumbaya" is the solution, is truly "in the dark" about a great many things.
My take: Because people confuse gestures and solutions, Earth Hour is not going to fundamentally change people's behaviour. Rather, it will be used as an excuse for their waste the rest of the 8,759 hours a year. "It's OK if I keep my house at 25C all winter - I observe Earth Hour!". Instead, it is going to take a lot of hard talk from our leaders, as well as substantially higher energy prices, before people change their energy consumption habits. I laugh every time I see an SUV with a "For Sale" sign on it. See what $1.15 per litre of gas will do?
BTW, did anyone take into account the CO2 emissions of the candles?!?!
First level: At least it got people to reduce their energy consumption! You would think that the "savings" would be around 4-5% for the day, but this is probably optimistic. Although some energy, such as light bulbs, are truly saved, others such as heating or transportation are merely deferred to another time.
Second level: I fear it confuses the majority of people who equate symbolic gestures with solutions. turning out the lights for an hour is not a solution; it is a gesture. Buying a red coloured product is not a solution to AIDS in Africa. Neither is wearing a ribbon of any colour (pick your cause). these are all gestures. They may be worthwhile gestures, but they are most certainly not solutions or even concrete action towards a solution.
Third level: Given what I said above, it is obvious that anyone who really thinks that turning out the lights, burning candles and singing "Kumbaya" is the solution, is truly "in the dark" about a great many things.
My take: Because people confuse gestures and solutions, Earth Hour is not going to fundamentally change people's behaviour. Rather, it will be used as an excuse for their waste the rest of the 8,759 hours a year. "It's OK if I keep my house at 25C all winter - I observe Earth Hour!". Instead, it is going to take a lot of hard talk from our leaders, as well as substantially higher energy prices, before people change their energy consumption habits. I laugh every time I see an SUV with a "For Sale" sign on it. See what $1.15 per litre of gas will do?
BTW, did anyone take into account the CO2 emissions of the candles?!?!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
More on Gas Prices - stable over Christmas
On my earlier post, I talked about gas prices and how many believe there is a conspiracy to raise prices at Holiday times. So with Christmas just past, and many people driving to visit relatives and friends, it would seem a perfect time to raise the price, right? NO!
As this chart shows, reatil prices in Calgary were incredibly stable since mid-December, and have come down since the start of the month.
Still think there is a conspiracy? Didn't think so.
As this chart shows, reatil prices in Calgary were incredibly stable since mid-December, and have come down since the start of the month.
Still think there is a conspiracy? Didn't think so.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Smart Strips - a good idea
I came across what for me is a new idea - and a good one. Smart Power Strips. Take a look at one here.
The concept is simple. One outlet is a control, and when power is shut down on that outlet, the other outlets are also shut down. Very applicable to PC's (monitor, printer, router, etc.) as well as TV/video/DVD areas. The small power draw of transformers and the 'standby' state is small but adds up over the days, weeks, and months.
If anyone still needs a Christmas gift for me....
I read about these in The Simple Dollar - a web log on basic finance and living frugally (not the same as cheap). So far, I quite like it and agree with about 90%+ of the articles. Not bad for a man of my opinions!
The concept is simple. One outlet is a control, and when power is shut down on that outlet, the other outlets are also shut down. Very applicable to PC's (monitor, printer, router, etc.) as well as TV/video/DVD areas. The small power draw of transformers and the 'standby' state is small but adds up over the days, weeks, and months.
If anyone still needs a Christmas gift for me....
I read about these in The Simple Dollar - a web log on basic finance and living frugally (not the same as cheap). So far, I quite like it and agree with about 90%+ of the articles. Not bad for a man of my opinions!
Happy Birthday Sir Arthur
Sir Arthur C. Clarke, author of 2001: A Space Odyssey, turned 90 yesterday (Dec. 16). ACC is one of my favourite authors. 2001 came out around the time I was born, and I saw it when I was a young man. I loved the huge panoramas of space and the ship, and the voice of the HAL-9000. I have to admit I found the opening sequence (with the chimps) very weird at first, but I came to appreciate it as I grew older and read (and re-read) the book.
Although Isaac Asimov is probably my overall favourite, ACC is right up there. Childhood's End, Against the Fall of Night, The Sands of Mars, and all of the 2001 series. Sir Arthur is also a noted scientist, who helped develop ground control assisted radar, thought up the concept of geosynchronous satellites (you do like long distance, don't you?) as well as developed the idea of the space elevator.
Happy Birthday Sir Arthur!!
Although Isaac Asimov is probably my overall favourite, ACC is right up there. Childhood's End, Against the Fall of Night, The Sands of Mars, and all of the 2001 series. Sir Arthur is also a noted scientist, who helped develop ground control assisted radar, thought up the concept of geosynchronous satellites (you do like long distance, don't you?) as well as developed the idea of the space elevator.
Happy Birthday Sir Arthur!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
A 14 year old buys a car?!??!
An article here notes that a 14 year old teen was involved in a car accident, where the vehicle rolled over three times and killed two 15 year-old passengers. The 14 year old had recently purchased the car, as a gift for his 15 year old brother.
Let’s see:
The parents of the teen insist they had no idea he had purchased the car. Maybe the car was a real beater, and he purchased it for $500 from someone. But he had to then use cash (who would take a cheque form a 14 year old?). What if it was a $2000 vehicle? Or even new? How the heck does a 14 year old make a purchase like that without the parents even knowing about it? And where the frak did he park the thing??
Meanwhile, the Premier (Dalton McGuinty) is vowing to ‘look into what, if anything’ they can do to keep unlicensed drivers off the road. Wow…such a bold statement!
This just boggles my mind…
Let’s see:
- you can’t legally drive in Ontario at 14
- apparently it is quite legal to purchase a car though
- quite legal to license the vehicle
- quite legal to insure the vehicle
- just not legal to drive it
The parents of the teen insist they had no idea he had purchased the car. Maybe the car was a real beater, and he purchased it for $500 from someone. But he had to then use cash (who would take a cheque form a 14 year old?). What if it was a $2000 vehicle? Or even new? How the heck does a 14 year old make a purchase like that without the parents even knowing about it? And where the frak did he park the thing??
Meanwhile, the Premier (Dalton McGuinty) is vowing to ‘look into what, if anything’ they can do to keep unlicensed drivers off the road. Wow…such a bold statement!
This just boggles my mind…
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Way Nature Intended? WTF?
So I am driving around town and I see a sign for Fabutan. Their signs are always amusing, promoting the benefits of exposing yourself to radiation. Today's example is particularly funny. More and more evidence is pointing towards Vitamin D as being key to health, especially in northern latitudes (such as Calgary). Normally produced by exposure to sunlight, this is in short supply in the Great White North half the year. So what does Fabutan do? Claim that their artificial bulbs are the way to get "Vitamin D - the Way Nature Intended It!"Ummm...no. That would be getting outside more. Maybe you want to tan, but a week in Mexico is a far better alternative. Better scenery too!
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