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Ramblings on Information Efficiency (Why We Need a “Google” For Everything)

Posted by Sean | September 29, 2008 .

Did the U.S. economy really move from manufacturing to services?
I think the U.S. economy forked into services and information.
We think of economies in terms of agricultural, manufacturing, service, information, etc… but they have been with us since the beginning. We classify an economy by what is surging and what is lagging. None of the “old” [...]

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The Warren Buffet Paradox, Part 1 (The Bailout)

Posted by Sean | September 28, 2008 .

“Warren Buffet does XYZ — so take that! — end of story.”
People use Buffet not to win debates, but to avoid the critical thinking of debates. This creates latent problems, however, when he goes against people’s pet positions.
Solutions to this dissonance are awkward. When Buffet appears to support someone’s position (even if he does not) [...]

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Buy when there is blood in the streets…

Posted by Sean | September 25, 2008 .

I see young(er) people who think the stock market is a video game. Don’t worry if you crash your sports car at 200 MPH, or get shot up by all manner of firearms. Just hit the reset button and try to run up the score again. Yet I have to reflect on the true nature [...]

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5 Things I’m Doing Today To Improve Tomorrow (Financial Meltdown Edition)

Posted by Sean | September 18, 2008 .

Crazy times bring crazy advice. Do something! Do nothing! Throw your hands in the air! Stick your head in the sand! Is there any middle ground? I’m not quite ready to give up on civilization. Yet I’m unimpressed by the uncritical thinking from the "don’t worry, be happy" crowd. Ehhh… here’s what I’m doing in [...]

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Awe

Posted by Sean | September 6, 2008 .

"You are going again? It is the same thing every time!"
A friend said that in response to my planning yet another fetal ultrasound visit with Mrs. Ramblings. I don’t think he meant anything negative by it. We are just in awe of different things.
To me, every visit is an amazing experience. I’ve already been to [...]

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Arrgh!!! First Day Of The Month Budget Busters

Posted by Sean | September 2, 2008 .

So much for thinking I’m frugal and disciplined. Yesterday, the symphony sent an ‘09 schedule, and opening weekend includes one of the most otherwordly, electrifying pieces… I did not physically spend money, but mentally, it is GONE. Mainly, I’m thinking babygirl will make less of a fuss in the womb than when she is out [...]

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Surplus Calories Cost Much More Than You Think (But How Much More?)

Posted by Sean | August 29, 2008 .

photo credit: matt1125

via The Frugalista Files, Alabama to hit obese workers with ‘fat fee’
Alabama is giving its employees until 2010 to meet BMI guidelines, or pay an extra $25/month for health insurance.
Here’s what I found interesting:

"Ashmore said research shows someone with a body mass index of 35 to 39 generates $1,748 more in annual [...]

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Financial Discovery

Posted by Sean | August 22, 2008 .

I’ve been listening to a lot of financial podcasts and radio shows. It is not as efficient as searching for specific financial information, but I think it serves a different purpose. Summarized here.

"Discovery is when something wonderful that you didn’t know existed, or didn’t know how to ask for, finds you."

How many financial [...]

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The End of Free Web Services (Some of Them)

Posted by Sean | August 20, 2008 .

Mighty Bargain Hunter raises a good point re: Losing Free Web Services in a Recession. We lost a lot of web services during the last bust, maybe the majority of them. Although many of the ones that disappeared were not serving critical needs. We certainly did not lose Google. Yet undoubtedly there were people who [...]

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4 Gas Stations, 4 Fireworks Stores

Posted by Sean | August 17, 2008 .

Saw an economic bizarro scenario on the border of Missouri and Iowa.
First, we spotted an old-looking gas station, connected to a fireworks store. Then another. And another. And, I think, another. I’m a little sketchy on the particulars as my mind was in the process of exploding. This was not exactly the population center of [...]

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