I've finally done it.
What, you ask?
In an attempt to increase (or maybe a better way to say it is 'expand') our shrinking grocery budget, I've been tracking coupons and sales for the last couple months. My ideal goal is to walk out of the grocery store with $100 worth of groceries that I've only spent $10 on.
However, today I made a pretty sweet step in the right direction of achieving this goal ...
When all was said and done, I saved more money than I spent. How cool is that?
Savings - $21.71
Spending - $17.97
Step in the right direction - Priceless
Anyhow, I was pretty excited when the lady at the store read me the total savings, and I had to tell Al when I got home.
It was a great success!
Friday
Tuesday
Ridiculous New FTC rules for websites
Well, I was surprised to see this new interpretation by the FTC for website owners.
Honestly, I thought people just assumed that website owners had some kind of financial stake in the material they published. But obviously people can't even figure out that publishers are trying to make money with their websites.
Some people are just stupid!
Anyhow - here is some of the FTC guidelines on their new rule.
Basically, it looks like, if I promote someone else's product with the words I say on a website then I have to tell people reading it that I will make money if they buy the product.
Uh ...
Duh ...
Why else in the world would I be paying money to run a website and put content out into the world? Because I want to use all my time to give back to my community? Right! Because my community gives so much back to me.
Whatever!
Anyhow, I just thought I'd let you know, since some of you who know me might also have similar situations.
Read more about the idiocy of the FTC here.
To be honest, some of the ideas they propose in their law are pretty helpful for consumers. But, I'm not sure exactly how this one, in particular, is going to be that helpful - because I pretty much assume anyone saying something good about someone else is going to be getting paid for saying such a thing online.
Oh - and by the way - I don't get paid one single cent to tell you all of that. My, aren't you lucky.
Al
Honestly, I thought people just assumed that website owners had some kind of financial stake in the material they published. But obviously people can't even figure out that publishers are trying to make money with their websites.
Some people are just stupid!
Anyhow - here is some of the FTC guidelines on their new rule.
The revised Guides also add new examples to illustrate the long standing principle that “material connections” (sometimes payments or free products) between advertisers and endorsers – connections that consumers would not expect – must be disclosed. These examples address what constitutes an endorsement when the message is conveyed by bloggers or other “word-of-mouth” marketers. The revised Guides specify that while decisions will be reached on a case-by-case basis, the post of a blogger who receives cash or in-kind payment to review a product is considered an endorsement. Thus, bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service. Likewise, if a company refers in an advertisement to the findings of a research organization that conducted research sponsored by the company, the advertisement must disclose the connection between the advertiser and the research organization. And a paid endorsement – like any other advertisement – is deceptive if it makes false or misleading claims.
Basically, it looks like, if I promote someone else's product with the words I say on a website then I have to tell people reading it that I will make money if they buy the product.
Uh ...
Duh ...
Why else in the world would I be paying money to run a website and put content out into the world? Because I want to use all my time to give back to my community? Right! Because my community gives so much back to me.
Whatever!
Anyhow, I just thought I'd let you know, since some of you who know me might also have similar situations.
Read more about the idiocy of the FTC here.
To be honest, some of the ideas they propose in their law are pretty helpful for consumers. But, I'm not sure exactly how this one, in particular, is going to be that helpful - because I pretty much assume anyone saying something good about someone else is going to be getting paid for saying such a thing online.
Oh - and by the way - I don't get paid one single cent to tell you all of that. My, aren't you lucky.
Al
Cool Question
Every morning, I ride my bike past the same intersection. In Florida, some intersections have traffic cops who patrol particular lights to protect the pedestrians walking by, because they are right beside public schools.
So, I see this same officer almost every day of the week. Most days we just pass by and say hi.
This morning, he says ... "Hey, do you ride your bike all day? I saw you riding around last night too."
It shocked me a little bit.
Of course, I ride to work, and then back home again at the end of the day.
Anyhow, I told him ... "Nope, just riding home from work. But ..." I added "that would a GREAT job."
Mostly - I thought it was one of the coolest questions anyone has ever asked me before. I was thrilled to be asked. Not to shabby!
It's given me a new mission to pursue ... how to ride my bike and make money at it. I probably won't let you know how it goes, though ... because I don't figure it'll be happening anytime soon.
Al
So, I see this same officer almost every day of the week. Most days we just pass by and say hi.
This morning, he says ... "Hey, do you ride your bike all day? I saw you riding around last night too."
It shocked me a little bit.
Of course, I ride to work, and then back home again at the end of the day.
Anyhow, I told him ... "Nope, just riding home from work. But ..." I added "that would a GREAT job."
Mostly - I thought it was one of the coolest questions anyone has ever asked me before. I was thrilled to be asked. Not to shabby!
It's given me a new mission to pursue ... how to ride my bike and make money at it. I probably won't let you know how it goes, though ... because I don't figure it'll be happening anytime soon.
Al
Saturday
More on the Cargo Bike Redo
I just posted about this bike a couple minutes ago, and then I found this article with more pictures ... so I HAD to post these up.
I'll keep it short and sweet.
I'll keep it short and sweet.
 clipped from bikehugger.com
What sets this bike apart from many other long-wheelbase cargo bikes is the use of aluminium in large diameter tubes as opposed to steel. Much as I like the ride of a good steel bike, a cargo bike is a great opportunity to allow aluminium to shine, especially when a manufacturer can really engineer the shapes and diameters of tubing. A lot of cargo bikes are begging for some extra rigidity. The Bullitt comes in 13 versions, with disc brakes and choice of internally geared rear hubs or derailleurs. The lightest version weighs 48lbs. As far as I can tell, there might be only one frame size, but I so want one. |
Grocery Bike Redo
I was talking about bikes that you can use to gather up grocery supplies when you go shopping.
And then I saw this new bike concept ... designed to let you carry stuff on the front end. It's a pretty cool idea. It has what looks like a skate board deck mounted on the front frame of the bike. Apparently wide enough to hold a bag of groceries.
And then I saw this new bike concept ... designed to let you carry stuff on the front end. It's a pretty cool idea. It has what looks like a skate board deck mounted on the front frame of the bike. Apparently wide enough to hold a bag of groceries.
 clipped from dvice.comBullitt bike puts cargo space on two wheels there's basically no storage room on a bike. It's very difficult to go to the grocery store on your bike, for example. That's not the case with the Bullitt.
|
Wednesday
Here's a Cutting Edge Electric Bike
Here's another example of the direction that electric bicycles are going. This one is a space aged example of the future.
It reminds me of something you might see from an old Star Wars show, or something like that.
I thought it was intriguing. I hope you like it.
OF course, rather than buy the $5000 bike, I think I'd rather pick up a scooter ... like a Vespa or something like that. Maybe even a motorcycle.
I guess you wouldn't have to pay for licensing on something like this though.
It reminds me of something you might see from an old Star Wars show, or something like that.
I thought it was intriguing. I hope you like it.
OF course, rather than buy the $5000 bike, I think I'd rather pick up a scooter ... like a Vespa or something like that. Maybe even a motorcycle.
I guess you wouldn't have to pay for licensing on something like this though.
 clipped from www.trendhunter.com
 clipped from www.trendhunter.com clipped from www.trendhunter.comclipped from www.trendhunter.com |
Sunday
Loyce Harpe Park, Lake to Lake Bike Race in Lakeland, Florida
You know I've been thinking about doing this off and on for quite awhile. And I almost decided not to check out the Lake to Lake bike race, in Lakeland today.
But, I knew, if I didn't ... I would kick myself later.
And I'm so glad I did.
There weren't a whole lot of spectators. But it was great to see a large collection of avid bikers from around the area gathered together. And I was BLOWN away with the quality and caliber of bikers and bikes that were there.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch the whole race, nor was I able to get any video ... since I left my video cam at work. But, I did snag a few shots of pre-race preparation, and some scenes from the first corner of the race. In fact, I almost got run over, I was so close to the action (check out my camera angle, and the angle of the tire on the very last picture - I had to move pretty quickly to get out of the way).
Anyhow, I was totally happy with my short visit there. I would love to check out more races just like this. It was great to see, and be a part of ... even if I was just a happy enthusiast.
I even shared a few words with the local newspaper photographer. Super nice guy! He asked who I was covering the race for ... ha ... I only wish! I know I was sweating in that heat. I'm sure he, and the riders, were nice and toasty before it was all over.
Oh ... and one last comment before I cut out. A few posts ago I talked about new bike ideas that I had never seen before. In particular, there's a new front fork for mountain bikes, called a 'leftie'. You'll find a picture of what I'm talking about just below (see the 2nd photo). I couldn't afford it at this point, but I love the idea. Very cool!
And even a few kids got in on the bike racing action. Why didn't I ever have bike races around town when I was a kid? I could have been a contender back then.
Happy Trails!
Al
But, I knew, if I didn't ... I would kick myself later.
And I'm so glad I did.
There weren't a whole lot of spectators. But it was great to see a large collection of avid bikers from around the area gathered together. And I was BLOWN away with the quality and caliber of bikers and bikes that were there.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to watch the whole race, nor was I able to get any video ... since I left my video cam at work. But, I did snag a few shots of pre-race preparation, and some scenes from the first corner of the race. In fact, I almost got run over, I was so close to the action (check out my camera angle, and the angle of the tire on the very last picture - I had to move pretty quickly to get out of the way).
Anyhow, I was totally happy with my short visit there. I would love to check out more races just like this. It was great to see, and be a part of ... even if I was just a happy enthusiast.
I even shared a few words with the local newspaper photographer. Super nice guy! He asked who I was covering the race for ... ha ... I only wish! I know I was sweating in that heat. I'm sure he, and the riders, were nice and toasty before it was all over.
Oh ... and one last comment before I cut out. A few posts ago I talked about new bike ideas that I had never seen before. In particular, there's a new front fork for mountain bikes, called a 'leftie'. You'll find a picture of what I'm talking about just below (see the 2nd photo). I couldn't afford it at this point, but I love the idea. Very cool!
And even a few kids got in on the bike racing action. Why didn't I ever have bike races around town when I was a kid? I could have been a contender back then.
Happy Trails!
Al
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