Attack of the Snuggie!!!!

Is this for real?  Is this headed to be a new pop culture icon?  An oversized fleece blanket with sleeves?  It seems to be real.  Its hitting pop culture like wild fire showing up in most major social mediums.  And, yes,  it is an oversized fleece blanket with sleeves.  USA Today reported that is has already showed up in nearly 250 Facebook groups and in nearly 300 parody videos on YouTube.  Wow.  I can't believe the hype on this.  Can't you just put on a sweater or a fleece if your cold?    This is also the same as putting on your bathrobe backwards with sleeves in front.  Isn't it?  Just seems like common sense to me.  Not the Snuggie but using alternative like sweaters or fleeces.  

A Different Feel for NAIAS

Have you been to the 2009 North American International Auto Show yet?  I just went yesterday and was amazed at the different feel it had.  Please note that I was one who had not been following all the pre show press describing the show for this year which talked about it. Even if I had it would not fully describe the different feel until you experienced it for yourself.

 What feel am I talking about?  I call it 'simplicity'.  Yes, scaling back on the fancy show stopping displays to keep budgets in check.  Keeping things simple.  And as a few people at the show shared with me, it was like they were bringing it back to how it used to be back in the day. There were no monsterous displays for the most part.  Maybe only a few.  All I could see were cars. Wait a minute!  Isn't that what you always see when you to an auto show? Yes, but it was different this time.  I saw more of them.  They popped out at me more because there were no big huge displays and contraptions to distract you from seeing them. And it even seemed like there were more cars there than last year.  I am not sure if this is true but it sure seemed like it. Seems like simplicity may be better for marketing to allow people to actually pay more attention to the cars themselves.  

Unfortunately, several foreign companies backed out from the show this year as they figured there would be a focus on American cars.  This did however open up the basement for a new exhibit which I found to be very interesting.  Visitors are able to ride as passengers in hybrid and fuel cell concepts and ride around a track built for the test drives. While riding in the car your driver tells you all about the car you are riding in and how it is operating.  It was fantastic and a great way to allow consumers to get a head start on thinking of going green with their transportation.  All in all I had a much better experience this year than in recent years.  If you haven't had the chance to go be sure to get there soon!!

Detroit's Auto Momentum

When the Big Three were pounded in Washington DC last month did anyone stop to look at the big picture or to really see all the things the Big Three are doing behind the scenes?  Doesn't seem like it to me.  Mike Cox had a nice write up on the Washington Post on Monday.  The perception on Capitol Hill was that the Big Three were behind the eight ball.  Not tending to the needs of today.  Well here is a snap shot of some interesting facts that Mike Cox shared. Now wouldn't you think things have potential to turn themselves around?

• "The brand-new Ford Fusion Hybrid, which is the most fuel-efficient midsize car in America, averaging 41 miles per gallon."
• "Three new electric vehicles from Chrysler, including a gasoline-electric minivan and Jeep model and an all-electric sports car."
• "Chevy's new midsize Malibu, which gets 33 miles per gallon -- better than the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima."
• "The Big Three will also sell 25 hybrid models, 38 versions of flex-fuel vehicles and eight models that run on clean diesel."
  

How close is the reality of an internet sales tax?

New from Christopher Null's blog, internet sales tax is creeping more toward reality. Really? Yikes! With state deficits climbing and a grim outlook for 2009 it appears states are revisiting taxing interstate sales on the web.  Apparently, 22 states and retailers have joined a group called Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board (SSTGB).  The group simplifies the methods by which sales tax operate online.  New York is heading up the effort with taxes and, yes, Michigan, is on the list. Keep you eyes and ears open.  The SSTGB also already rounded up some large retailers including:  Wal-Mart, Borders, and JC Penney. Thankfully, my beloved Amazon and Overstock have put up a fight.  Right now things are in waiting and negotiating mode.  For much more detail check out Christopher's article.

Great Money Savings Tips

I just read an article by Brett Arends from the Wallstreet Journal Online (Small Investments With Big Returns) that had some good ways to save a few bucks. With the state of the economy today this could be helpful.  Here are a few tips that he shared which I thought were great ideas.

• "Buy a bread maker.  You can buy one for $55.  If it saves you just $4 a week on store-bought bread, that's $208 a year.  A 280% return."
• Don't forget about the library. "If it even saves you $10 a month on books thats a savings of $120 a year."
• Grow your own herbs, vegetables, etc. We all know this one and some of us have tried it. Others may not be able to.  "But, if you spend even $10 on seeds and saved a mere $50 on the year. That is a 400% return on investment."
• Make your own coffee to take to work.  A good thermos may run you $20, $10 for filters and papers, and maybe $60 for ground coffee for the year. "Then skip the $4 per day drive thru. It saves you $1,000 per year!"

Hmmmmm...... Something to think about.

It Makes Me Want to Leave

While I watch the never ending snow come down today I can't help but wish I was someplace else without my snow shovel to boot. 

Have you ever been to La Paz?  It was introduced to me in an article in Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine. Although I have not been there it will definitely be added to my destination list (which is getting too long). La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur and means "the peace".  How can anyone not like the sound of that? Sounds so relaxing and tranquil.  And it looks it too.  Ahhhhh... More information can be found at http://www.vivalapaz.net.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra Offers Special Package

Do you love the symphony but don't go because you are on a budget?  The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has a special package deal for those under the age of 37.  

Check it out:

http://www.detroitsymphony.com/page.aspx?page_id=99