Gas and Panera: more saving tips
Yeah, the $4 a gallon gas is finally coming, it’s $3.899 in recent 3 days here in STL. I tried to stretch the gas I put last time at $3.699 as much as I could, but it seems like I will need to put gas either tomorrow or Monday. Meanwhile, I tried to walk to and from Panera this morning and afternoon, maybe I saved a dollar or two on this 🙂
Seriously, I think my last car tune up worked in terms of improving gas mileage.
Also, I read from yesterday STL Post Dispatch that Panera is going to raise the price again, for instance it will raise the Signiture Asiago bagel by 25 cents (now 99 cents), so I guess I will switch to Sesame to save the quarter. Another tip at Panera, if you buy coffee from Panera everyday, ask for the coffee drink card. You can get a free drink (espresso?) with 8 stamps. In other words, buy eight small coffee (at $1.59), and you can get an Iced Mocha ($3.69) for free. Of course, the better way to save, is brew your own coffee, or not drink coffee at all.
Barrons article Buy GM stock
I am not automotive expert, but I think the author is not giving the readers good advice here. Just look at this data comes with the article (source: Center for Automotive Research), Healthcare cost per vechile for Retiree: GM $950, Toyota NM; total per vehicle cost: GM $3,289, Toyota 1,895.
I know if Brother Obama gets elected, he will try to do something about healthcare. But I won’t bet on it (the universal healthcare). Notice Warren Buffett recently added United Healthcare stock? He is supporting Obama and Hillary too.
Met old friend in graduate school
Had great discussion and arguments about China economy, real estate and stock market etc. It has been 10 years since we left SUFE and China. While we saw great things and changes in China, we still saw good many problems in market efficency, and overall system. I may be a bit emotional, but I think the pop and bust of PetroChina stock (601857) in Shanghai shows the relative youth of domestic stock market.
What is Shan Zhai Ji?
I happened to read this Shanzhaiji article written by Li Jing. While I don’t like the idea of copying, it seems to me Shan Zhai Ji (山寨机) thing is no small business anymore. I remember a while ago there is this thing called HiPhone, which is a knockoff of iPhone.