Originally Posted By figment1986 cell: 3 lines about $110 a month with t-mobile including texting (400 for 2 devices just in case,) total internet (for me only,) and sidekick (for my sister). All 3 of us share 1,000 minutes and never go over. landline: about $40 a month... and I don't I use it much.. includes long distance.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> The initial cost of the internet was the reason I didn't get on it until 1996. When I did I paid a little over $3300 for my 166 computer with a 2 gig hard drive and 24 worth of memory. That was with a hugh 15 inch monitor a scanner, and a printer. I had the baddest boy in the neighborhood for about a week. << Everything for computers used to be so expensive. I remember when a cousins husband bought a CD writer, for like 10k in the 90's. Not everything has gotten more expensive. RAM was also through the roof back then, because of a fire (as I recall) in Japan. My first computer - an NEC Multispeed.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Remember when needing more RAM was the solution to every computer problem known to man?
Originally Posted By figment1986 << Remember when needing more RAM was the solution to every computer problem known to man? >> Call tech support, thats still a major answer I get before giving up and fixing it without help..
Originally Posted By bayrr326 <<They were at Phase 2 on the 26th, but I don't know what times. I don't know for the 27th-30th. Yesterday, MK was at Phase 3 at 11:30ish. My parents were at the park because my cousin's sons were marching before the parade, and said it was packed. I just talked to my Dad this morning and a friend that works at MGM said they were closed for a time, and heard Epcot was too.>> Thanks, hopemax. I understand what you mean, but I think others might not and I don't have the energy to explain when I'm busy ripping our economy!>> I think this holiday season was off of last year. I remember last year everyday we were getting phased closing at MK and this year we were not. I was there on the 30th and it was no where near as busy as I thought it would be. We left right after the fireworks and walked smoothly down Main Street to the monorail and were in our car leaving the parking lot at 12:30. I couldn't believe it. Yes, NYE was insane. Epcot was packed but it is always crazy NYE.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<The markets have risen an average of 11% over the past 2 years, that's officially on the books, take it to the bank...sorry Charlie, those euros wouldn't have done you much good in comparison.>> Are you serious? A few years ago a Euro was only worth 85 cents. Now its worth about $1.40. That's a lot better than 11% per year.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<You're making a big assumption in stating that the reason, and the way you put it, the ONLY reason, for this formula is to understate inflation.>> No, I said that they are rigging the numbers because they want to keep Social Security COLAs T-Bill rates down.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<as for other inflationary costs - I want someone to show me how my property taxes have increased 11% , 10% and 13% the last 3 years - food costs are documented to have increased anywhere from 8% - 15% in the least 18 months depending on item, gasoline continues to increase, medical insurance is rising 25% a year ( ALL NECESSITIES) and somehow inflation in 3%-4% ?>> Now, now vb, just calm down and drink the kool aid. I recommend the new "Big picture" flavor.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Not exactly a "few" years ago. I first went to Paris (and DLP) nearly 6 years ago. The Euro was about .93 to the dollar. I just found an article from nearly 4 years ago, and the Euro was already worth about $1.20. So it is a jump, but not like double in just a few years.
Originally Posted By Mr X Thanks, nbody. And yes, fk, you would have been doing pretty darned well if you'd bought Euros half a decade and sat on them...but considering if you'd bought some particular stocks (like Apple computer for example) you'd be doing MUCH better comparatively, I just don't see how you can sarcastically dismiss the effects of what has been an incredible bull market for equities with a comment like "if you'd just stuffed Euros under your pillow"...sorry Charlie.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << but considering if you'd bought some particular stocks (like Apple computer for example) you'd be doing MUCH better comparatively, I just don't see how you can sarcastically dismiss the effects of what has been an incredible bull market for equities >> There will always be particular stocks that stand out from the crowd, and it's always unlikely that any one person is going to consistently pick the winners from the losers time and again. If you look at the broader indexes, you'll find that stocks have appreciated nicely during the past couple of years. However, if you are a long term holder of stocks, all you've really accomplished is to gain back all the losses from 2000-2001. The overall indexes are pretty much sitting exactly where they were 7 years ago, not the greatest returns when you open up your field of view.
Originally Posted By Mr X Dude, my field of view fine. You conveniently missed the RECESSION that occurred during that time. (duh) If you'd bought stocks from 2003 onward, you'd be doing just wonderfully...considering this has been pretty much the best bull market of all time (from 2003 forward). Again, duh. The returns from 2003 have been pretty much the best OF ALL TIME. if you open up your field of view, of course. p.s. Sport...we're on the same page believe it or not. NOT in the sense of trying to slam the markets or anything (have you been listening to some people like Don Harrold or something? if not...check that kook out...when I challanged him, he banned me from commenting on his youtube stuff)...BUT, I do believe, as you do, that the situation has gotten intolerable. What I don't believe is that it's the end of the line...yet. When I have enough evidence, I will surely jump onboard with you guys and go short...But, I just don' t see it yet, overall. The data just doesn' t support it.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Yes, I see a lot of Brits here (some others, but epecially from the UK). And I'm not happy with the new rules for visitors going through customs, I think it's going to start keeping some potential visitors away - if it isn't already. I hate returning to the US myself, and I'm an American! <<< Indeed the rediculous rigmoral of travel these days does make it much harder, and when you get to places like WDW and see a decline, you wonder if it is worth it. Seeing Mr X's and TDLFAN's good reports though, I might give Florida another try. We'll see.
Originally Posted By Mr X Oh, sorry. That first sentence was channelled through the spirit of TARZAN ROCKS! (geez, I miss that show!) It should have read..."DUDE, MY FIELD OF VIEW FINE, TARZAN LOVE JANE AND MARKET FINE TOO!". Sorry for the misquote.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << What I don't believe is that it's the end of the line...yet. >> I'd rather take a chance and get off the train now instead of waiting to feel it heading over the cliff. The U.S. economy has been unsustainable for quite some time now. We've been propping it up with government deficit spending, credit expansion, and slick Ponzi schemes (like the subprime mess) to keep the illusion of economic health. At some point, you run out of parlor tricks to keep things going. Is there enough trickery to keep things moving ahead for the next couple of years? There very well might be. I wouldn't take that chance, though, based on the rapidly deteriorating economic data that has been released in the past several weeks.
Originally Posted By Mr X Rapidly deteriorating data? I guess you haven't been watching for long. I've seen a lot of the same stuff for some 18 months now or more. In fact, I've made most of my money in the past two years shorting homebuilders and lenders...so PLEASE don't get me wrong. But I don't think the thing is going to topple anytime soon. I really do not.
Originally Posted By Mr X In fact, Alan Greenspan and I looked at much the same data. HE claimed he couldn't see it coming. Somehow I, a rookie, did. And acted accordingly. I short sold the lenders market when New Century (ever heard of them?) were just slightly declining (ask SuperDry for proof of my statements, I told him exactly what I was doing)...and when Countrywide was still king at $42 per share. I short sold American Home Mortgage to a HUGE profit when they went bankrupt...and so I did with Accredited Home Lenders as well (that paid for my vacation, in fact). For that very reason, I either think Greenspan is a liar (most likely) or a moron (less likely). And now, with the bones picked clean, I'm done with the short selling because, well, the companies that screwed up have paid the price. The overall markets are fine, though. That's my opinion.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << Rapidly deteriorating data? >> Yup. Yesterday's manufacturing report was dismal. Employment figures are showing weakness. Not to mention the severe drop-offs in the housing data released last month. Housing has been in decline for some time, but the numbers are really starting to look scary now. Then there are weak retail sales figures from this holiday season -- essentially keeping up with inflation and nothing else. Even Target had a bad holiday season, which I don't think has ever happened before.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo One thing that my mom noticed was how expensive groceries were in the Bay Area. She paid 6 times as much for a loaf of bread as we do here, and about 2-3 times more for everything else. I won't complain about $8 a gallon of gas any more. Though my $80 train fare for a train that ran an hour late was hard to chew (bear in mind it's only a 55 mile journey).
