No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. Companies who supply food to the grocery stores have long used the trick of increasing the size of packages but putting the same amount, or less, in the package, making it look like you’re getting more for your money. Last year, food packages shrank as food makers struggled to maintain their profits. But the weakened economy has caused a slump in demand for ingredients like corn and oil, pushing those prices back down. With lower cost ingredients, some brands like Frito-Lay are now shifting back to bigger packages, without raising prices.
Think of your food packages as an economic barometer. Times are tough, so costs are low and packages are bigger. When times are good, costs are high and packages, to compensate, get smaller. Tough times also mean consumers have less money to spend, so they want those bigger packages. Experts say this is a promotional trick that helps branded food companies steer shoppers back to their products and away from less expensive, store-brand alternatives.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Top Five Jobs with Recession-Resistant Salaries
In case you’re contemplating a new career, here is the latest list of the Top Five Jobs with Recession-Resistant Salaries:
Pharmacist ($110,000)
Research Scientist, Biotechnology ($85,500)
Project Engineer ($85,500)
Nurse Practitioner ($82,600)
Civil Engineer ($81,400)
Pharmacist ($110,000)
Research Scientist, Biotechnology ($85,500)
Project Engineer ($85,500)
Nurse Practitioner ($82,600)
Civil Engineer ($81,400)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
New City Ratings
In case you’re planning a vacation, here are the new ratings for cities, from a new TripAdvisor survey:
Favorite City:
New York City
2. San Francisco
(Tie) Chicago and Boston
Most Underrated: Portland
Most Economical: Las Vegas
Cleanest: Portland
Sexiest: Miami
Healthiest: Seattle
Friendliest and Most Helpful: New York City
Best Free Attractions: Washington, D.C.
Nicest Sounding Accent: Atlanta
Favorite City:
New York City
2. San Francisco
(Tie) Chicago and Boston
Most Underrated: Portland
Most Economical: Las Vegas
Cleanest: Portland
Sexiest: Miami
Healthiest: Seattle
Friendliest and Most Helpful: New York City
Best Free Attractions: Washington, D.C.
Nicest Sounding Accent: Atlanta
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Recession Discounts
If you're looking for a good deal, here are five kinds of stores offering big discounts as they struggle with a slowdown in consumer spending:
1. Car dealers. From 0% financing to thousands of dollars in rebates, now is a great time to buy a vehicle if you can afford it.
2. Home furnishings. Some furniture stores are offering steep discounts of up to 70% off.
3. Apparel. You can get some great deals...50% and more at many retail stores.
4. Electronics. There are discounts of up to 40% at some places, and $50 to $250 savings on some laptops. There are even some rebates of up to $400.
5. Full-service restaurants. Many are promoting lower prices and value meals at fixed low prices that include appetizers and entrees.
1. Car dealers. From 0% financing to thousands of dollars in rebates, now is a great time to buy a vehicle if you can afford it.
2. Home furnishings. Some furniture stores are offering steep discounts of up to 70% off.
3. Apparel. You can get some great deals...50% and more at many retail stores.
4. Electronics. There are discounts of up to 40% at some places, and $50 to $250 savings on some laptops. There are even some rebates of up to $400.
5. Full-service restaurants. Many are promoting lower prices and value meals at fixed low prices that include appetizers and entrees.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Life's Lessons
This was sent to me by a listener. It was written by a 90 year old woman. Here are some of them.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you're sick. Your friends and family will. Keep in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
9. Save for retirement with every paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.12. It's okay to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter??
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.
31. However good or bad the situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you're sick. Your friends and family will. Keep in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
9. Save for retirement with every paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.12. It's okay to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter??
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give it time.
31. However good or bad the situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
What To Expect Before You're Expecting
First there was "What to Expect When You're Expecting", followed by a series of wonderful books including "What To Expect The First Year", "What To Expect The Toddler Years", and quite a few more including journals and babysitting guides. Now there's a new addition to help you plan a future pregnancy! It's called "What To Expect Before You're Expecting" from Heidi Murkoff.
It's a guide to the preconception period - the three or more months of planning and preparation that medical experts suggest are vital to healthy baby making. This is a step-by-step, all-in-one preconception plan...everything hopeful parents need before sperm meets egg, and before they even get busy making a baby. From planning and prepping to baby-making how-to's, to little conception know-how's to help fast-track fertility and get that baby on on board sooner!
It's a guide to the preconception period - the three or more months of planning and preparation that medical experts suggest are vital to healthy baby making. This is a step-by-step, all-in-one preconception plan...everything hopeful parents need before sperm meets egg, and before they even get busy making a baby. From planning and prepping to baby-making how-to's, to little conception know-how's to help fast-track fertility and get that baby on on board sooner!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Beach Manners
Here's some 'all in fun' advice from "The Book of Beach Etiquette" by Michele Campanella, summed up the show yesterday:
- Remove your flip flops and don't run...you get sand on other people!
- Beware of others' personal space. There's plenty of room.....leave a little bit of distance! - Watch where you stand...you could be blocking someone's sun!
- Watch out for others when you're boogie boarding or body surfing.....injured ankles and bruised bodies are no fun!
- Don't put up beach umbrellas on a windy day!
- Don't leave holes in the sand for others to trip in!
- Don't play ball in the sand....it's not fun for others when it smacks them in the head!
- Don't feed the seagulls....others don't want bird poop on their heads!
- Don't splash in the surf....some people like to have only their feet wet and not the rest of their body!
- Remove your flip flops and don't run...you get sand on other people!
- Beware of others' personal space. There's plenty of room.....leave a little bit of distance! - Watch where you stand...you could be blocking someone's sun!
- Watch out for others when you're boogie boarding or body surfing.....injured ankles and bruised bodies are no fun!
- Don't put up beach umbrellas on a windy day!
- Don't leave holes in the sand for others to trip in!
- Don't play ball in the sand....it's not fun for others when it smacks them in the head!
- Don't feed the seagulls....others don't want bird poop on their heads!
- Don't splash in the surf....some people like to have only their feet wet and not the rest of their body!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
