The Economy

Two years ago my policy was a bit over $1,500.

Last year it was $1,700.

For my renewal at the end of the month, it’s rising to $2,150. I’ve shopped around to see if better rates are out there, and they aren’t.

I’ve had no additional points on my license. I’m a much tamer driver than I was in my younger days.

I drive a 2017 Civic, ffs, not a heavy-duty pickup.

 

USAA crushed me with a rate hike last year, but they also have the app to install on my phone and monitor phone usage while driving - and they score you and there's a policy discount associated.

It knocked 25 percent off my bill this year.

 

I drive a 2010 Civic, so this may not apply. But check the weatherstripping around the windshield and doors to make sure it is not rotting or peeling off. If so, you’ll either have to replace it or live with road noise and wet seats and carpets after heavy rains.

 

Funny you should mention that. I just bought a 2009 with incredibly low miles (<17K). It was owned by a snowbird who just kept it outside and was only around about a month or two each year. But the sun baked the paint and some of the panels. Dealer freshly painted it before making it available and replaced some of the panels/weatherstripping --- but not all of them. Still waiting on a couple of window panels to arrive. Dealer said they should have arrived by midweek.

 

Norfolk Southern laying off 7% of management and staff. What happens when hedge funds own your business.

 

Friends, I’ve been in Vegas for the past week. Based on my observations, the economy is doing well. Also, fucking $60 for a burger and fries from Guy Fieri? Fuuuuuuuck.

 

Geezus. It must because I live in the sticks, but I have a 2012 Civic and 2020 CR-V and combined I pay $1,600 a year.

Everything seems cheap after paying for car insurance as a 21-year old male, though. That was like $2,000 a year in 2005. I shudder to imagine what that costs now.

 

Capital One hates me.
I am a convenience user to the highest degree. The paint is worn off the edges of my card (which will change with my next one because you mostly tap these days). Everything I buy goes on my card, and I get my 1.5% cash back.
I get paid on the 17th of each month at 7 a.m., and by 7:01, the card is paid off, and we start over again. I never carry a balance. I don't know that they've ever gotten a cent in interest from me.

 

I really miss getting points from using my debit card. That ruled. So I just put everything on my 2 percent card and pay it off.

 

I get 3% back for online purchases, 2% for gas and 1% on everything else.

My card recently decided that phone and internet/TV count as online purchases.

All told it works out to about $400 cash back per year, $0 interest paid.