August 2025 update

 

The consumer is getting bilked. Over the years, products, which are being sold on the basis of brand history, have been reduced in size and/or quality. A half gallon of a popular grocery store ice cream that once sold as a half gallon, is now sold as 1.5 quarts. Candy bars are smaller than their historically older  counterparts. Hidden fees. Fine print so small a magnifying device ( like a cell phone camera) is needed to read the text.

The consumer's best and most powerful tools are the dollar and, well I was going to say congressman, but we all no how that's going. If consumers buy wisely, businesses will have to conform to expectations if they want to make a sale. Impulse buying is making millionaires. Trend buying is making billionaires.

An example. Technology. I was educated and worked in technology for several years. People don't know anything about tech but make buying decisions every day.

Do yourselves a favor. Educate yourselves about the tech you're interested in or do without. We've all heard/read the posts about too much screen time. A good que to cut back. I'm still using an iPhone 7+ and recently purchased a used iPhone SE as backup.

I have to work at weeding out uneccessary tech. Sometimes elimiinating tech can improve life. I frequently go for walks. No bicycle or ebike. 

Brands. A brand product should be examined for quality versus price. Learn to make decisions rather than follow the other Lemmings over the cliff.

Companies spend millions studying ways to control your spending habits. Get out of the habit.

eBay has a "eBay guarantee" that makes online purchases safer. A backup system. Look for such guarantees.

Bottom line: work as hard spending your money as you do earning your money.