Two for Tuesdays #7

Last week we found out how to save some cash by enrolling in a free membership rewards dining program and by changing your furnace filters. This week, we'll keep it short and sweet.


#1

Don't buy bottled water. Not only is it bad for the environment (think of all the trucks transporting it as well as the oil used to make the plastic bottles), it's bad for your pocket book. 20 years ago, I would have said your were crazy to pay for water. I still do. What's next? Air?

Buying water at the supermarket is dumb. Buying it a ballgame is downright idiotic. It's more expensive than gasoline, less tasty than beer, and it's just not cool. The trend is over.


#2

Don't buy extended warranties. Back when I was in college, I worked for Circuit City. Their ESP plans paid me 20 percent of the total price you paid to buy the insurance. That's a hefty markup for a product you will never use. It's very likely that the salesperson will overpromise and when it comes time to use the warranty, the service department will point you to the clearly -- even if unbelievably small -- wording in the terms that you never read that tells you your particular problem isn't covered.

Plus, in today's throwaway and rapidly changing world, in 2 or 3 years, you won't even want that DLP Television or 3rd Generation iPod. Something with more capacity, more features, and a lower price will come out to usurp that gadget you paid too much for.

That concludes this week's Two for Tuesdays. Stay tuned for the next installment in one short week.

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