12 
2 | § ¶Smart Cars
-- Coming to a City Near You
DaimlerChrysler (DCX) announced that they will start selling Smart Cars in the USA in the first quarter of 2008. I love those cars for city driving. I think agencies like Zip Car may benefit a lot from them. However, I do not like the $15,000 price tag at all.
The cars are very small (8 by 5 feet), and have user-replaceable exterior parts, so that you can change its color or repair scratches and bumps easily. It also enjoys a 40 miles per gallon efficiency. To top it off, they sure look cool – although some people may disagree on that one. I have traveled in them while on some of my trips to Western Europe, and I must say they are very comfortable for their size.
However, a locally made Ford Focus can provide you up to 37 miles per gallon efficiency for less than $15,000. I doubt many Americans will prefer the Smart Car. However it is great news to know that Americans are starting to favor small, economical, and environmentally friendly cars that do a good job at meeting their transportation needs.
I would not mind having one for $8,000, however. Maybe $10,000 tops!
9 5 | § ¶New Miata
-- Without the New Car Smell
After many months searching for a new Miata I found a special one today (June 27th, 2006). It is a 2005 MazdaSpeed model that was first sold in March 28, 2006 and traded in after just 522 miles. I hope it didn't resulted bad for the owner, but with four years of warranty left, it is almost as new. However, it didn't costed me as new: I bought it for $21,500 – in the middle between the private party and the dealer suggested prices according to the Kelly Blue Book. My only guess is that the Orange color resulted a bit 'strange' for some people. Me, on the contrary, like it.
I am starting to love driving a car that doesn't make any sounds or doesn't make me feel afraid that it will leave me stranded anytime soon. Hopefully we will enjoy many years of fanciful service.
My old Mazda Miata 1996 M-Edition had to stay at the dealer. I am sure they will service it nicely and after a few minor repairs find it a good owner that will enjoy it for many years to come.
Now, lets take a topless ride on it and enjoy! (BTW, still polishing my 6 speed manual transmission driving skills after 10 years of automatic driving.)
BTW: I financed using my credit union at 5.5% - a rate that I guess we will not see a lot for a while, and I traded in my old vehicle for $2,500. My first payment is on August 11th, 2006 for $388. Same payment ammount I was paying for my old car for the initial five years of ownership: that is what I call an almost inflationless economy.
6 9 | § ¶Happy Birthday Miata!
-- 10 Years of Faithful Service
On June 25th, 2006 my Faithful Mazda Miata 1996 - M Edition with a beautiful Starlight Blue Mica Paint became 10 years in my possession. I have enjoyed the car and it has been my faithful friend.
It has been a great car, even with the many scars it has acquired over the years. It has aged well.
However, it has aged. Its paint is starting to rust, the key less and alarm system is not working anymore, some speakers are busted, the antenna doesn't rises, the engine sometimes gives me a tic-tic-tic noise, the soft top is broken, belts skid when not warm, car turns itself off when not warm -- unexpectedly, and once in a while the automatic transmission kicks a bit more than I want it to. It has a bit more issues than it should have. Maintenance this year has exceeded the $1,500, and if I wanted to put it in top shape it will probably cost me at least the same amount (more than what the car is worth).
To celebrate its birth date I took the car to do what I love most: driving it and going hiking on the White Mountains. We went on Sunday for a ride, put up around 500 more miles all the way to 108,500 miles when we parked at my garage. It was a great ride which reminded me of all of the rides we have had together.
3 5 | § ¶Eisenhower and Pierce
-- June 20th, 2004
A couple of years ago (June 2oth, 2004) we wanted to introduce our friend Quique to hiking on the White Mountains. Eric and Zoey also went with us. The hike we chose couldn't have been better. We did Mt. Eisenhower (4780ft.) and Mt. Clinton/Pierce (4310ft). The most impressive and beautiful part of the hike is the portion between the two mountains. It is mostly above the timberline and exposed. Although the breeze is quite strong, the views on a sunny day like the one we enjoyed make the experience unforgettable. It is one of those hikes I would love to do again. We took a two car route, starting north by climbing Edwards Path until we hit the Appalachian Trail, then traversing from Eisenhower to Pierce on it. From there we descended via Crawford's Path. It is approximately 6.5 miles and a 3000 feet in elevation change. Photos are in the usual place. E-mail for link if you do not have it.
2 6 | § ¶3 in a Row
-- Mt. Tom, Mt. Field and Mt. Willey
Yesterday we decided to start bagging a few White Mountain's 4000 footers, namely Mt. Tom (4051ft), Mt. Field (4340ft), and Mt. Willey (4285ft) on an almost 10 mile day hike on which we elevated ourselves about 3100ft. Today, our feet and legs are sore, a good preparation for what we anticipate will be our next weekend (Mt. Washington and surrounding ones).
The day itself was unpromising, as rain was expected although not found until we where in our car on the way back. Cloudy skies didn't helped the very few views that can be seen from side trails out of the otherwise viewless peaks.
The hike was fairly simple, parking a few hundred feed south of the Crawford House / Lodge, climbing up through the A-Z Trail until the intersection with the Willey Ridge Trail. On the ridge we hiked north to Mt. Tom and then back to bag Mt. Field and Mt. Willey. Once on Mt. Willey we turned back towards Mt. Field and descended from there via the Avalon Trail and the A-Z Trail towards the car.
This is one of those hikes that serves a well purpose as a good workout but will otherwise be just marked on my New Hampshire's 4000 footer list without too much glory. Beginners may want to do Mt. Tom alone, but due to the location of the trailhead and the lack of views I would recommend these people to try Tecumseh and Osceola first.
Photos are in the usual place. E-mail for link if you do not have it. Online maps for this hike are on the outdoors section of AnesHome.com.
10 4 | § ¶festival of job hunting - June 19, 2006
-- Fift Edition
Welcome to the June 19, 2006 edition of festival of job hunting.
EmploymentKirk Walsh presents 10 Ways to Get a Promotion posted at The Investimist.
Job HuntingLori Reynolds presents Work from Home and Make Money posted at Work from Home and Make Money, saying, "I review work at home programs that will help you decide on the best track to get started."
WorkPeter Kua presents 6 Secrets to Shooting Up the Corporate Ladder posted at RadicalHop.com.
Javier Marti presents Your job will go too. But you can do something about it! posted at Javier Marti / Life and Artworks, saying, "It is called "Your job will go too, but you can do something about it" I am not specially proud of it technically -I am not a professional writer- but I think the subject is important, has universal appeal, a high sense of urgency, and, the way the post is written, I made an effort so that anyone can understand what I am talking about. Also, the links in the article took weeks to be gathered and I think that they convey pretty well -and quickly- the main idea behind the article. Of course, like any blog post, that article is something alive that is still evolving, and since English is not my mother tongue, I'll gladly accept any suggestion for improvement that you guys may have"
David Lorenzo presents Going Through the Meat Grinder posted at The Career Intensity Blog.
That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of festival of job hunting using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.
Next edition will be posted on July 3rd by My Money Forest. The seventh edition will be posted on July 10th by The Business of America Is Business. Let me know if you are interested in hosting the eight or subsequent editions.
Technorati tags: festival of job hunting, blog carnival. 8 7 | § ¶The S-Plan
-- Difficult to Buy a Car With It
My vehicle, a Mazda Miata 1996 M-Edition, is just 10 years old this week. It still runs, but at some point maintenance costs may start to become a worry. I am considering exchanging it for a newer model of the same car, or another type of car.
Ford / Mazda offer an incentive plan for partner companies, the S-Plans. Employees of Bose, Raytheon, Fidelity, among others, can get the S-Plan price (very close to invoice) without negotiation on the vehicles from participating Ford or Mazda dealers. My wife happens to work at a company that offers the S-Plan to their employees. Different car manufacturing companies may have other similar plans, but essentially the car manufacturer gives some incentives (kickbacks) to the dealer for participating on the S-Plan sale.
At this point buying close to retail price is the fartest from realistic option: The car still has some life on it, and I am in no hurry to part with it.
Recognizing that only participating dealers offer it I ask the question within a few minutes of meeting the salesperson on the dealer. This is what has happened recently at two dealers:
Read More 8 6 | § ¶Inflation: Fast Food
-- Feeling It
Like it or not, we all stop at a fast food venue once in a while. When given a choice I prefer to stop at Panera Bread (PNRA)or Au Bon Pain where I can find good, healthy food served fast, for a reasonable price. Usually $6 to $9 can give me a good meal there. However, there are times when a discount fast food chain is my only option, and that means McDonalds (MCD)and the like. These fast food chains are found in almost any town, in most of the places we visit, and it used to be possible to eat there for $5 or less.
Something I have noticed is that in the recent past discount fast food prices have increased, almost to match the ones of the premium fast food chains. McDonalds and the like are no longer offering too many combos for $3.70. It has rather moved upwards of $4 and in some markets up to $6 for a three item combo – dollar menus excluded.
It is not clear yet why the sudden increase in prices. It could be just plain added up cost of all of the ingredients, real estate, salaries, and marketing expenses: inflation. It could be that they are increasing the prices just because they can: and consumers are willing to pay. Or it may be that the always improving menus really deserve such price increases.
What I know for sure is that the always static three item combo with a $3.70 price tag since I was in high school has disappeared and has been replaced with a potentially better three item combination at a price that shows around a 50% premium.
Good for those investors in fast food chains. Bad for those people, who don’t like, don’t want, or believe that can’t cook at home. To me, it is just an incentive to cook more at home, and to practice healthy and sensible eating at fast foods (read previous article).
9 6 | § ¶Fourth Festival of Job Hunting
-- Find New Job
Welcome to the Fourth Edition of the Festival of Job Hunting. Past edition can be found on Punny Money. Next edition will be hosted at a weblog near you (let me know if you are interesting in hosting it). To submit new articles to the next carnival just enter them in BlogCarnival.com
- Chris Quimby presents Job Interview posted at Chris Quimby, CPC - Certified Public Comedian.
- David Lorenzo presents Career Intensity Blog - David V. Lorenzo posted at Career Intensity Blog - David V. Lorenzo.
- David Maister presents How Are You Doing? posted at David Maister's Passion, People and Principles.
- Chris Quimby presents Job Interview posted at Chris Quimby, CPC - Certified Public Comedian.
- David Lorenzo presents Career Intensity Blog - David V. Lorenzo posted at Career Intensity Blog - David V. Lorenzo.
8 6 | § ¶Blog for Clarity
-- Write It Down!
Blogging forces people to write things down. When you write things down you are forced to organize them in a way that makes sense and sound like they come from an intelligent person.
By blogging before taking important decisions/actions you have an advantage over the majority of the population: you reviewed, and potentially let others review your plan before taking action.
I like to layout my savings and investments plans and ideas with hopes to make them better. I also like to use them as references latter to build on top of them rather than re-inventing the strategy.
Clarity is priceless.
8 9 | § ¶Estate Tax
-- My Views On It
Estate tax is absolutely immoral. The government gets their share of your earnings when you are alive tells you to enjoy the rest of it. Then, after you die and can’t defend your estate it takes another share. It has to be eliminated – the question is how and how soon.
Currently, the estate tax is progressively reduced until it gets eliminated in 2010, and then it comes back with full pre-2001 force in 2011. Some Republicans have been calling for a permanent elimination. As much as I hate estate tax, I see to issues here:
- Permanent action needed - Unless Congress takes action now any change in the Congress party balance as a result of 2006 elections may put into jeopardy taking action ever! Some action has to be taken now.
- Permanent elimination is difficult to budget - As much as I want it to disappear from the books forever, I would prefer to know that it is permanently reduced from 55% to something more humane – lets say, 25%.
In personal life I like bold and decisive action. On government issues I would love to see bold and decisive action, but realities dictate otherwise most of the time. I really hope that Congress can get their act together and design and vote on a plan that takes progressive steps to eliminate the estate tax and other immoral taxation schemes like the still active marriage penalty.
10 14 | § ¶Temporary Income Replacement Calculator
-- Special Project Savings!
The difference between a dream and a goal is that you are executing against a realistic plan to accomplish your goals, while you just hope that dreams become reality. Not to say that dreams don’t come true on their own, but if you want things to happen, you better make a plan and make them a goal.
Many people dream about special projects to carry at some point of their life. For example: an advanced education degree (master or PhD for example) for themselves or their child’s college expenses. Early retirement, a startup business, or even taking time off from work to take care of their kids. What many of these life’s special projects have in common is that they may require you to supplement or replace your current income with money you have saved and invested upfront. The question that comes up to our minds is how much do I have to save and invest?
Download the spreadsheet I have prepared. On it you can enter four simple variables:
- Money currently saved - what you have right now.
- Rate of Return - What the bank or bond is giving you for your money or a realistic expectation for the capital appreciation of the investment vehicle used. If this rate is lower than the inflation measure (below) you have a difficulty on achieving your goal.
- Inflation - Traditionally it has been 4%, you may want to leave it as such.
- Months before the event - How long before you start to require the money saved and invested. The longer you wait the better prepared you may be.
- Monthly savings - If you continue putting money towards that goal, enter it here. Make sure it is in an automatic plan that just happens every month, without your intervention.
- Length of the event - A master’s degree could be 24 months, a PhD degree may be 60 months. Make an estimate of how long it will have to be
Enjoy!