| Wines becoming liquid asset
Not long ago, Stephen Bachmann, a private-equity investor turned online wine store owner, posted a chart on his widely read blog about wine collecting. The dots on the graphic charted an investment starting at around $1,000 in 2003. They continued on a sustained northerly path -- up 100 percent, up 200 percent -- peaking above $4,000 in 2007.
If the average investor's E-Trade account looked like that chart, he would be popping bottles of Champagne. But the chart's subject did not concern the latest hot tech stock. It certainly was not charting the performance of a 401(k) retirement fund. The liquid asset in question was literally liquid: a single bottle of 1990 Petrus, a Bordeaux blend.
"If you didn't know what that was, most people would look at that chart and say that looks like a pretty good investment," said Bachmann, the founder of Vinfolio, based in San Francisco.
Investing: Another sort of wine appreciation
Not long ago, Stephen Bachmann, a private-equity investor turned online wine store owner, posted a chart on his widely read blog about wine collecting. The dots on the graphic charted an investment starting at around $1,000 in 2003. They continued on a sustained northerly path — up 100 percent, up 200 percent — peaking above $4,000 in 2007. If the average investor's E-Trade account looked like that chart, he would be popping open bottles of champagne. But the chart's subject did not concern the latest hot tech stock. It certainly was not charting the performance of a 401(k) retirement fund. The liquid asset in question was literally liquid: a single bottle of 1990 Petrus, a Bordeaux blend. .
Pawn shops have come a long way
He is not a hunter and doesn't like firearms much. And he figures he's doing fine without them. He opened his business in 2004 with a loan from a relative that he managed to pay off in one year. He sometimes markets items online for his business or community members for a fee. The most unusual thing he sold was a prosthetic leg to a guy in Germany for $4,000. The man who took it to his shop had a new one and wanted to make a little cash on the old one. The guy who bought the used one was pleased to get such a bargain because he lacked adequate insurance. Customers who pawn items are from all walks of life. Some are unemployed or blue-collar workers; others are professionals in need of quick cash or a business loan. Carr, who figures his business is the best of all worlds, is never bored.
DirecTV still covets DISH
DirecTV is still interested in buying smaller rival EchoStar but doubts U.S. regulators would allow such a deal. The two companies tried to merge in 2002, but the deal collapsed under opposition from the Federal Communications Commission, which believed it would be anti-competitive.Mike Palkovic, chief financial officer of DirecTV, said a merger would be "desirable but not feasible" as the market environment had not changed.
"We'd be nuts not to look at it," Palkovic told Reuters. "But the regulatory issues haven't gone away." According to Leitchman Research Group, DirecTV has 55 per cent of the satellite TV market, or 15.1 million subscribers, and EchoStar Communications Corp. has 45 percent, or 11.9 million subscribers.
DirecTV said in February it was in talks with EchoStar to create a wireless high-speed network, which would put them in a stronger position to compete against cable operators and telephone companies that sell Internet, video and phone services.
Terri Gruca
She is one of five children, and claims her parents were the "Masters" of making money stretch. Her parents' lessons about money stuck, and turned her into the bargain hunter she is today. Whether it's searching for the latest information on consumer issues or investigating problems, Terri does it all. You'll find some of her best tips in her blog. Before coming to WCCO, she worked at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, N.C. There she traveled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan with the 82nd Airborne Division covering the first joint training exercise between U.S. and Russian troops. At WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., Terri anchored the morning and noon shows. She also did an investigation into prison inmates abusing the health care system. The result of that investigation: several counties implemented co-pays for inmates.
A fine romance
Valentine's Day matters. Like it or not. Some love it -- embracing the opportunity to express their feelings for someone special. Others hate it -- dreading the pressure of coming up with just the right card and gift, or being reminded that they have neither someone to give a Valentine's Day card or gift to, nor anyone to receive one from. In Canada, we take romance seriously. According to Hallmark Canada's recent Love Lines Valentine's Day Survey conducted by Ipsos-Reid, 65 per cent of Canadians who are in a relationship put extra effort into conveying feelings on Feb. 14. But it doesn't necessarily come easy to us. The survey shows that one-quarter of Canadians currently in a relationship agreed they find it difficult to express their feelings either in writing or in words.
dodgersfan7800's Blog
I'm not sure if anyone reads my blog. Probably nobody does. That's OK. I wanted to make an announcement anyway. Something very important in my life. I am now a father. My wife gave birth to our beautiful son on Monday, January 14th and we are a very happy household. A gamer in training, this boy will appreciate the classics. It's an amazing, indescribable feeling being a dad. Although my wife and I have been married for nearly 8 years, and he's only been here a little over a week, we can't imagine our lives without him. .
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