Wedding/Honeymoon Over

Back from the honeymoon and still adding up the damage. It was worth it. In the following weeks, I will be posting on some of the highlights – the Hyatt and the lowlights - the Marriott.

Final Wedding Report

Tomorrow is the big day. I am marrying a wonderful woman in a beautiful church with a dinner in a great restaurant (and view) to follow. Today, we are doing a few last things, but it looks like we managed not to bankrupt ourselves. On to the honeymoon. Next posting in 2 weeks.

Housing Market - Starting to Harden?

Although I would not be the farm on it, I am starting to see signs the housing market (in Connecticut) is starting to harden. Currently, I work with two new employees looking to buy homes. According to them, the supply is now limited to the "dregs." From what they see, the only people who are willing to sell at the depressed prices are the people who have no choice. Everyone else is holding on to their houses.

Since Connecticut did not have the massive housing developments of California and Florida, one would expect us to be "leaders" in the recovery due our limited supply of housing.

Charging the Wedding!!!

Having already put a large amount on my Citibank card to pay for the honeymoon, next week I have to pay for the wedding and the reception. Although I had enough money in savings to pay for all of it, paying it off seemed risky. Instead, I did a balance transfer to move the money from Citi to Discover. At a cost of $75, I get to use their money for 12 months free. For the reception, it is going directly on the Discover card and I get 5% back since it is a reception.

When we get back, my wife will be back to work (she is a teacher) and our cash flow will really pick up. While we cannot quite live on my income alone, it is close enough to bank a large portion of her paycheck. We should have enough cash in the bank to pay everything off by Christmas.

 

Wedding Spending Orgy

Only one week until the spending orgy of the year, the wedding cake, tux, hotel rooms, reception, limo, flowers, rehearsal dinner, and on and on. If I ever become dictator for life, my first dictate:

1. Church/temple/other – one priest
   
2. Like the NFL – a salary cap (and a hard cap) would be instituted. $1,000 or one month take-home pay – the smaller.
   

Once it is over, back to saving!!

$3 per gallon gasoline – in 2008?

This morning, I paid less than $4 per gallon for fuel for the week. Will we get to $3 per gallon before 2008 is over?

ATT – Faster DSL for the same price

After I threatened to turn off my phone line and go with DSL, SBC (now ATT) offered to double my DSL speed for free. While I don't need a landline, I will enjoy having faster download speeds.

Smartcar is a Dumbcar

Carpooling with my fiancé in our Toyota Corolla, we spotted a "Smartcar" at a stoplight. Although interesting to look at, the idea behind it is idiotic:

1. It only gets 33mpg in the city. While not awful, we get similar mileage from the much larger Corolla.
   
2. It has room for two people and almost no cargo. In comparison, the Corolla is large enough for 4 people for short trips. Indeed, we feel comfortable planning a 3,000 mile trip (with a lot of luggage) later this year.
   
3. It is simply too small. In a crash, size matters and the SmartCar has no room for error.
   
4. Cost – For the price of a SmartCar, one can easily purchase a very well made Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris with money to spare. Both are larger, more practical and can match it in mileage. For just a little more, you can get a nicely appointed Civic or Corolla.
   

Bottom Line: The SmartCar is a vanity purchase for most people and almost always a bad idea.