Cliffhanger

Quite a tense moment in today's Doc Rat. Never seen him do such a gripping end-of-week strip.

12 things we should stop buying now.

From Time's Moneyland Click the link for the full article - here you get the executive summary without having to page through the slide show.
 
 
 
 

1. Homeopathic Flu Remedies: The CDC says there is no benefit.
   
2. Credit Card Payment Insurance: Largely a scam, with so many conditions and exclusions that you may never see a dime.
   
3. Dirt-Cheap Paper Towels: Non-absorbent, cancelling your savings.
   
4. Bottled Water: Expensive, non-ecological. Exception: If you're in a place where the water can't be trusted. See more here.
   
5. Premium Gasoline: 99% of cars don't need it. Edit: (From the comments below, it appears that many people still use premium or a mixture to get optimal performance in various vehicles.)
   
6. Super-High SPF Sunscreen: Expensive hype - SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. Exception: If you're very fair-skinned or have a history of skin cancer.
   
7. Auto Service Warranties: Scams - "92 percent of consumers called the companies’ sales tactics misleading or improper." Note: These are not the "prepaid service plans" offered by many dealerships, but the aftermarket solicitations you get in your junk mail.
   
8. 100-Calorie Packs of Snack Foods: Make your own. Exception: If you're a binge-eater who can't stop from eating the whole pack, paying more is still better for you than the alternative.
   
9. Lottery tickets: A tax on people who are bad at math.
   
10. Unlimited Cell Phone Minutes: Most of us don't yak enough to make such plans worthwhile.
    
11. Brand-new college texts: Do everything you can to find or borrow used or electronic versions.
    
12. Extended warranties: Usually duplicate manufacturer's coverage and are not needed. Exception: Laptops (especially for students and frequent travellers).