Bloomberg news: Warren Buffett Tells ABC Rich People Should Pay Higher Taxes

Why do we keep letting people tells us that Trickle Down Economics works?  No serious economist believes in this ideology that doesn't deserve to be called a theory, and if so, it's a dis-proven one.  Why don't we actually listen to our most successful self-made business people rather than our idiotic politicians pandering for votes from the disillusioned and utterly confused public?

"Billionaire  Warren Buffett  said that  rich people should pay more in taxes and that Bush-era tax cuts
for top earners should be allowed to expire at the end of  December."
  
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-21/warren-buffett-tells-abc-rich-people-should-pay-more-in-taxes.html

 

What is the best cell phone plan?

My two-year cell phone contract just ended so it is time to switch plans.  The contract lock-ins are a complete rip-off because the price for wireless service tends to drop significantly during such a long stretch of time.  Locking you in at a rate for two years is a great deal for the cell phone company, but it is not a great deal for you.

So how do you find out what the best plan is?  Kiplinger magazine has an article on how to save money in all sorts of ways.  One of their suggestions is to check out a site called MyRatePlan.com or BillShrink.com.

Hmm...I'm already impressed with BillShrink.com because it asks you for your home and work zip codes to select a plan that has good signal strength in both areas.  This is a bit dubious though given that I live in a hilly area and in a zip code that covers a large area.  Still a nice touch though.

So I just put in all of my information on BillShrink.com regarding my current plan which is 400 minutes per month, unlimited mobile to mobile, no free nights/weekends, 1 MB data plan, and all at at $65 per month.  And yes, I know, it's a BAD deal which is why I'm using shopping around.

Based on my inputs it came up with 5 choices from the major carriers:  Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Boost.  Boost may not be a big player, but of the five choices it is the only one that doesn't require a contract.  The major carrier contract rates came out to $44.50 per month including a "free" phone.  The Boost plan came out at $50.

Definitely a savings over what I have now.  You can see an image of my results here.

Expected savings = $15 - $20 per month and the option of not having a contract.  I say give BillShrink.com a try!

What is the best cell phone plan?
How can I save on my cell phone bill?
What cell phone plan should I get?
What is the cheapest cell phone plan?
What is the best value in cell phone plans?
Who has the best cell phone plan?
Who has the best wireless plan?
Who offers the best cell phone service?
Who offers the best wireless phone service?
Who is the best cell phone service provider?

How to Prevent Dry Skin in the Winter

Winter is approaching, and so is the specter of dry and itchy skin.  I can't stand the feeling of crawling into bed for a nap only to experience what feels likes slight needle pricks on my back and arms as a result of dry skin.  The following tips will help to keep your skin moisturized during the winter months.  The only item I would add is using baby oil in the shower right before drying off.

From Humana.com:

Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep your skin feeling nice and smooth.

1. Shorten your showers to no more than 10 minutes and watch the water temperature. Although it's nice to warm up in the morning, a long, hot shower strips your body of the natural oils in your skin.
2. Shop for soap that's mild and less drying. Soap is made to break down oils, even the ones in your skin.
3. Pat your body dry. Too much rubbing on tender skin can cause irritation and damage.
4. Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize. Better yet, according to dermatologist, Dr. Kathy Fields, find a lotion that's hyaluronic acid-based to boost the amount of water that's drawn into your skin. Also, use lotion throughout the day to keep your skin from getting thirsty.
5. Use a humidifier. It will help keep moisture in the air, rather than letting the air wick away the moisture in your skin.

Read more of the article here

Will Netflix Destroy the Internet?

"Netflix accounts for 20 percent of downstream Internet traffic during peak home Internet usage hours in North America."

I love Netflix and it's streaming service.  I bought an Xbox 360 solely for that purpose and at $8 per month to stream unlimited movies plus one mail DVD rental at a time is a great deal.  So great as a matter of fact that I got rid of cable.

It is scary to think though that we are running out of bandwidth.

source: slate.com

10 Things Recruiters Will Not Tell You

I've used recruiters in the past and have had mixed experiences.  Overall I do not like them for one specific reason:  They are not working in your interest and apply pressure similar to what you would expect from a used car salesman.  The thing is though, you are not a used car and choosing to accept a position is about your life.

Smart Money has nice list of 10 things about recruiters that you should know:

1. “There are better ways to find a job.”
2. “We don’t work for you.”
3. “Until a year ago, I was a car salesman.”
4. “The job we advertised may not exist.”
5. “We already know quite a bit about you.”
6. “Our jobs aren’t so hot either.”

7. “You’re at the mercy of a computer, just like online job board users.”

8. “The ‘temp-to-perm’ carrot is rotten.”
9. “If you have a job, I could get you fired.”
10. “If I’m in Virginia, I probably won’t help you find a job in Nebraska.”


You can read the whole article here.