In this season of frenzied shopping a word of advice to the harried: check your credit card receipt. You may have been seduced by the price on the shelf or the label on the product but the scanner may not.
Couple of examples. I went to chain drug store recently and was pleasantly surprised that my product was on sale well below its normal price. I took two for slightly more than one normally would have cost.
Pleased with my bargain, I checked out only to discover just before I left the store that I was charged the full price. I immediately sought out a store manager. We checked the shelf where the sale tag showed the price I thought I was paying.
However, the astute manager, much younger and with much better eye sight, saw the fine print below the sale price which said “with coupon.” “What coupon?” I asked. To his credit, he took me to the front of the store, took a coupon book from a shelf near the entrance (which I never noticed) and gave me the sale price “with coupon.”
Today, I went to a liquor store to buy my favorite brand of champagne. I selected two bottles and checked out along with a bottle of wine that was offering a $2 rebate. As I was filling out the rebate coupon at home I noticed the price of the champagne was significantly higher than I was used to.
I called the store and asked “how come?” They asked if I had bought the organic version of the bubbly. Sure enough, I had selected the wrong vintage. Went back to the store and got a nice refund and my brand of choice.
Lessons for all seasons: read the labels, read the fine print, check the receipts.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
A very gentlemanly game
I'm referring to our weekly tennis game which features four men of advanced years trying to recapture their more youthful abilities. Truth is we've stopped trying that hard.
We love the game and have been playing together for what seems like forever. More recently, however, it's become difficult to get four guys available for a match.
One stalwart is recuperating from a knee replacement. Another has given up the game altogether because of his knee problems. But the rest of us just keep battling the odds to field a weekly foursome.
When we do get on the court, I've noticed a not so subtle change in the way we play. We don't chase down as many shots as we used to. We don’t race back for lobs over our heads. We don't charge in for drop shots unless they're within a couple of steps. We walk slowly back to the baseline to serve after a point. We seem to be more interested in going for our after-match coffee than matching points.
So I think what I'm saying is that we have a very social game, played at a very gentlemanly pace leading to a welcome coffee klatch.
We stroll, not run, on Dunkin'.
We love the game and have been playing together for what seems like forever. More recently, however, it's become difficult to get four guys available for a match.
One stalwart is recuperating from a knee replacement. Another has given up the game altogether because of his knee problems. But the rest of us just keep battling the odds to field a weekly foursome.
When we do get on the court, I've noticed a not so subtle change in the way we play. We don't chase down as many shots as we used to. We don’t race back for lobs over our heads. We don't charge in for drop shots unless they're within a couple of steps. We walk slowly back to the baseline to serve after a point. We seem to be more interested in going for our after-match coffee than matching points.
So I think what I'm saying is that we have a very social game, played at a very gentlemanly pace leading to a welcome coffee klatch.
We stroll, not run, on Dunkin'.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
It's funny, but it's not FUNNY...
I went to a monthly meeting tonight of a volunteer group I joined 15 years ago. Members have come and members have gone, but a small cadre of us are still active in the organization.
As with any group of people of a certain age the humor can be dark. One member said he asked his doctor about something behind his ear. The doctor told him he was “deteriorating.”
Another in our group said the same doctor told him he was “rusting.”
I'm going to see this same doctor soon for a checkup. I can't imagine what he's going to say about me. Words like “disintegrating,” “crumbling,” “falling apart,” come to mind.
How about just plain “getting old,” and collecting the natural ailments that accrue to the “old.” I hate the word “elderly.” Park that alongside “senior citizen.” (Although I accept all discounts offered to the breed.)
Describe us as you will, we'll continue muddling through the modern world.
As with any group of people of a certain age the humor can be dark. One member said he asked his doctor about something behind his ear. The doctor told him he was “deteriorating.”
Another in our group said the same doctor told him he was “rusting.”
I'm going to see this same doctor soon for a checkup. I can't imagine what he's going to say about me. Words like “disintegrating,” “crumbling,” “falling apart,” come to mind.
How about just plain “getting old,” and collecting the natural ailments that accrue to the “old.” I hate the word “elderly.” Park that alongside “senior citizen.” (Although I accept all discounts offered to the breed.)
Describe us as you will, we'll continue muddling through the modern world.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Times They Are A'digitizin'
Every day, it seems, I get an email from the New York Times telling me, as a subscriber to the newspaper, that I'm entitled to this and that on-line feature.
I rarely use any of them. I appreciate the news alerts that come via email but rarely read more than the headlines. I'm not comfortable reading lengthy news stories on line. Frankly, it hurts my eyes.
I prefer to hold a newspaper in my hand and flip through the pages looking for stories that interest me. In fact, my wife just came in from the den (it's 11:10 p.m.) and told me about several interesting stories she saw in today's paper. I'll get to them tomorrow. Sometimes I take days to finish a single edition. But I'm in no hurry and so the papers accumulate.
We keep a large brown paper bag next to our couch to collect the finished papers. Then it goes to the recyclers. Every two weeks we contribute a minimum of two full bags of old newspapers.
I understand newspapers are trying to make up for lost circulation and ad revenue by offering more and more web features. I wish them well. But by offering news and information in bits and bytes we sacrifice detail, context and perspective. That can't help a reader understand the larger picture.
As I drive through my small suburban town I see people of all ages walking along with their eyes on a hand-held device. At a local diner recently, a young couple at a nearby table, were looking not at each other but at their hand-held devices. I doubt if any of these people were scanning news reports.
If digitized information is the hare and knowledge is the tortoise, the modern world may just turn that old fable on its back. Pity if it should.
I rarely use any of them. I appreciate the news alerts that come via email but rarely read more than the headlines. I'm not comfortable reading lengthy news stories on line. Frankly, it hurts my eyes.
I prefer to hold a newspaper in my hand and flip through the pages looking for stories that interest me. In fact, my wife just came in from the den (it's 11:10 p.m.) and told me about several interesting stories she saw in today's paper. I'll get to them tomorrow. Sometimes I take days to finish a single edition. But I'm in no hurry and so the papers accumulate.
We keep a large brown paper bag next to our couch to collect the finished papers. Then it goes to the recyclers. Every two weeks we contribute a minimum of two full bags of old newspapers.
I understand newspapers are trying to make up for lost circulation and ad revenue by offering more and more web features. I wish them well. But by offering news and information in bits and bytes we sacrifice detail, context and perspective. That can't help a reader understand the larger picture.
As I drive through my small suburban town I see people of all ages walking along with their eyes on a hand-held device. At a local diner recently, a young couple at a nearby table, were looking not at each other but at their hand-held devices. I doubt if any of these people were scanning news reports.
If digitized information is the hare and knowledge is the tortoise, the modern world may just turn that old fable on its back. Pity if it should.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Folders to Follow
We all respond to untoward events in our own way. After assessing the damage, if any, comes planning how to deal with it.
I'm referring to the freak October snow storm that knocked out power across a wide swath of the New York Metro area. I've previously written about the damage to our basement and our electrical system.
We are now in the process of hiring professionals to do the repairs. We are working with an insurance adjuster and are starting to get estimates.
Hence the outbreak of new folders. We have one for the electrician, one for the adjuster, one for the flooring repairs, one for a new clothes dryer, and once the contractors give us estimates, we'll have one for replacing the basement paneling and ceiling.
Folders are a way of life in this household. They're handy, when you can remember where you put them, and give us a sense of control.
My wife has a folder file on her desk. I have two on mine.
Don't dare ask: “where is...?” without looking first.
I'm referring to the freak October snow storm that knocked out power across a wide swath of the New York Metro area. I've previously written about the damage to our basement and our electrical system.
We are now in the process of hiring professionals to do the repairs. We are working with an insurance adjuster and are starting to get estimates.
Hence the outbreak of new folders. We have one for the electrician, one for the adjuster, one for the flooring repairs, one for a new clothes dryer, and once the contractors give us estimates, we'll have one for replacing the basement paneling and ceiling.
Folders are a way of life in this household. They're handy, when you can remember where you put them, and give us a sense of control.
My wife has a folder file on her desk. I have two on mine.
Don't dare ask: “where is...?” without looking first.
Monday, November 14, 2011
E-Readers
Here they come, the latest e-readers for the holiday season. Bigger, better, bolder looking. Cheaper? Are you kidding?
OK, some still will be on the less expensive side (under $100 with ads, more without). I'm still not buying. I know people who love them. I haven't tried one so I really can't say I don't like them.
What I don't like is the concept. All the hype about e-readers downplays the fact you still have to BUY the books in order to read them. That's where I draw the line.
I like books. I read books. I get them from my local library. And if they don't have it on their shelf, they'll get if for me from another library. That's service.
I'm also patient. I don't have to be the first person on the block to read a book. I read book reviews. If a book sounds interesting, or its recommended by a friend, I'll reserve it at the library. Anticipating its arrival is part of the fun.
Best of all, it costs me only a dime to reserve a book. And they don't have ads between the pages.
Bookmark that!
OK, some still will be on the less expensive side (under $100 with ads, more without). I'm still not buying. I know people who love them. I haven't tried one so I really can't say I don't like them.
What I don't like is the concept. All the hype about e-readers downplays the fact you still have to BUY the books in order to read them. That's where I draw the line.
I like books. I read books. I get them from my local library. And if they don't have it on their shelf, they'll get if for me from another library. That's service.
I'm also patient. I don't have to be the first person on the block to read a book. I read book reviews. If a book sounds interesting, or its recommended by a friend, I'll reserve it at the library. Anticipating its arrival is part of the fun.
Best of all, it costs me only a dime to reserve a book. And they don't have ads between the pages.
Bookmark that!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
G-Z
Today we completed our disposal of old travel brochures, receipts, maps, etc. We still have several envelopes of pictures to go through but chances are we'll junk them as well. We're not going to squint at negatives (remember negatives?) to see if an old image is worth saving.
Yesterday we went through A-F. Today we started with G for Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah) and Greece (Athens, Delphi, some islands) and went through H (Hawaii), I, Israel (many times), Italy, Idaho and couldn't come up with a J, although I did spend 14 months in Hokkaido, Japan, in the Army.
Then there was L for London, M for Maine, Massachusetts, Montreal; N for New Mexico and North Carolina; O for Oregon, P for Pennsylvania (Gettysburg – everyone should visit Gettysburg) and Paris, of course.
Q for Quebec, R for Rhode Island, S for San Diego, San Francisco, South Carolina, T for Texas (we lived there for eight weeks during basic training) U for Utah, V for Vermont and Vancouver, B.C., W for Washington D.C. and Washington State.
Did not come across any X, Y’s or Z's so that about wraps up our travel disposal project.
We remembered wonderful moments from each of those visits but we're now in been-there-done-that mode. Except for Israel, where the call of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren cannot be ignored.
Next year in Jerusalem!
Yesterday we went through A-F. Today we started with G for Georgia (Atlanta, Savannah) and Greece (Athens, Delphi, some islands) and went through H (Hawaii), I, Israel (many times), Italy, Idaho and couldn't come up with a J, although I did spend 14 months in Hokkaido, Japan, in the Army.
Then there was L for London, M for Maine, Massachusetts, Montreal; N for New Mexico and North Carolina; O for Oregon, P for Pennsylvania (Gettysburg – everyone should visit Gettysburg) and Paris, of course.
Q for Quebec, R for Rhode Island, S for San Diego, San Francisco, South Carolina, T for Texas (we lived there for eight weeks during basic training) U for Utah, V for Vermont and Vancouver, B.C., W for Washington D.C. and Washington State.
Did not come across any X, Y’s or Z's so that about wraps up our travel disposal project.
We remembered wonderful moments from each of those visits but we're now in been-there-done-that mode. Except for Israel, where the call of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren cannot be ignored.
Next year in Jerusalem!
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