Dangers of CFL's

Despite the small problem of them containing mercury, I am still a big fan of compact fluorescent light bulbs.  I think it is a no brainer to use them, as it could very well save you $20-$50 per month in electric bills.  If you don't have any installed now, try them out.  

They last each for well over a year and more than make up for their extra cost in longevity and efficiency.  I believe that the average bulb can save something like $50 over its lifetime.  

But do be careful if the bulb breaks and when it burns out do not throw it in the trash.  Click here for some tips on disposal.

Social Engineering a Restaurant

I eat out often.  Probably about average for Americans, but in general I eat out at a sit-down restaurant at least once a week.  I also like to get a good deal, since restaurants have a huge markup on most food and especially drinks.

If nothing is done wrong for your meal, than you are an asshole for asking the manager for a discount, though it is very possible.  Here are certain situations where you can normally get a discount if you speak up.

1. You are billed for something you did not order.

2. There is more than a 5 minute gap between your food arriving and the rest of your party's food arriving.

3. Food is too cold or otherwise prepared incorrectly (well-done when you ordered medium rare).

4. Service takes much too long in general.

Once you've made up your mind that something has not been done to your satisfaction, here is what you need to do:

1. Tell the waitress you want to speak to the manager.  I have never had them tell me that he was busy or not available.

2. When the manager arrives, remain calm.

3. Tell him exactly what happened, and ask if there's anything he can do to help.

Its that simple.  After completing these steps, I've gotten free desserts, $50 gift cards, free meals, free drinks, etc.

Restaurants that are most vulnerable to this technique (and most likely to screw up) are those that have shared service.  Shared service is when a team serves you and you don't have a dedicated server.  So the person who takes your order does not necessarily serve your food.  You ask one person for a beer, another brings it out.  Lots of room to mess up.  

So speak up, and get a discount.

Refunds are for dummies

If you got a refund this year from the IRS, you got conned by uncle sam.  Unfortunately, I got one too.  Mine is about $200, meaning that I let the IRS borrow $200 from me, interest free over the course of 2007.  At a rate of return of 5%, it cost me about $10.  Not too bad, but some people get refunds in the thousands of dollars, giving up hundreds to the IRS.  

What I will do next year: under-withold.  The goal is to owe the IRS a small amount, maybe $25.

Of course, its always hard to determine your exact tax liability, so I must issue a disclaimer that you may want to consult some idiot accountant, even though the math involved is so simple a 3rd grader could do it.  All it takes is a bit of research.  My accountant is a free program online.  That's another truth to taxes, the only thing worse than giving he IRS an interest free loan is actually paying someone to do your taxes.