your stuff own you
August 25, 2004
By Mary Hunt
Source: The Cincinnati Post
What would you do if you had to actually use -- or at least enjoy -- everything you own? All of that stuff in the drawers, cupboards, closets, shelves and boxes in your kitchen, bedroom, living room, basement, attic, garage, back yard and car?
Most of us would never live long enough to accomplish such an overwhelming task. So what do we do instead? We pack it, stack it and pile it away. We even pay rent to store it and then continue accumulating more.
Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, "discovered" the 80/20 principle by observing that 80 percent of the land in England (and every country he subsequently studied) was owned by 20 percent of the population.
Pareto's theory of predictable imbalance has since been widely proven and applied to almost every aspect of modern life.
To wit, 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means 80 percent of the space in our lives is occupied by stuff we never use.
It's clutter.
You might think you own all that stuff you neither need nor use. But, in reality, it owns you.
Every possession carries two price tags, the original purchase price and the continuing toll.
That second amount is paid in upkeep, attention, time, safekeeping, maintenance and storage.
Such clutter not only fills up our available space, but also negatively impacts our lives. The cost is levied in anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, financial distress and even impaired functionality.
Recently, I heard from a woman who had finally had it with all her clutter, loaded it up (two truckloads), and headed for the flea market. Excited that she could possibly net $800 to $1,000 for one weekend of selling, she quickly changed her attitude as she realized her prices were barely 5 or 10 percent of the price she paid.
Her mind drifted to the time she'd spent earning the money to buy all of the belongings; the afternoons wasted shopping; and the effort to lug it all home. She figured that even if she made $1,000 on this effort, she'd spent at least $10,000 to purchase it. For her, that was little less than one year's take-home salary. That day she vowed to never buy anything again unless it was absolutely necessary.
Ask yourself a series of questions to decide if it's clutter or not: Does it work? If not, get rid of it. Do I really need it? Things we need we use. Do I enjoy it? If this item brings beauty and joy to your life, it is not clutter.
Sentimental belongings and things that bring true beauty to our lives should be treated with great care and respect -- not packed away in the attic to be forgotten.
Getting rid of the physical clutter in your home is going to do more than free up some much-needed space. The clean, light, uncomplicated and unshackled feeling will give you a fresh new lease on life.
Mary Hunt is the creator of The Cheapskate Monthly newsletter. You can e-mail questions or tips at cheapskateunitedmedia.com or Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135 Paramount, CA 90723.
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Source: The Cincinnati Post
What would you do if you had to actually use -- or at least enjoy -- everything you own? All of that stuff in the drawers, cupboards, closets, shelves and boxes in your kitchen, bedroom, living room, basement, attic, garage, back yard and car?
Most of us would never live long enough to accomplish such an overwhelming task. So what do we do instead? We pack it, stack it and pile it away. We even pay rent to store it and then continue accumulating more.
Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist, "discovered" the 80/20 principle by observing that 80 percent of the land in England (and every country he subsequently studied) was owned by 20 percent of the population.
Pareto's theory of predictable imbalance has since been widely proven and applied to almost every aspect of modern life.
To wit, 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means 80 percent of the space in our lives is occupied by stuff we never use.
It's clutter.
You might think you own all that stuff you neither need nor use. But, in reality, it owns you.
Every possession carries two price tags, the original purchase price and the continuing toll.
That second amount is paid in upkeep, attention, time, safekeeping, maintenance and storage.
Such clutter not only fills up our available space, but also negatively impacts our lives. The cost is levied in anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, financial distress and even impaired functionality.
Recently, I heard from a woman who had finally had it with all her clutter, loaded it up (two truckloads), and headed for the flea market. Excited that she could possibly net $800 to $1,000 for one weekend of selling, she quickly changed her attitude as she realized her prices were barely 5 or 10 percent of the price she paid.
Her mind drifted to the time she'd spent earning the money to buy all of the belongings; the afternoons wasted shopping; and the effort to lug it all home. She figured that even if she made $1,000 on this effort, she'd spent at least $10,000 to purchase it. For her, that was little less than one year's take-home salary. That day she vowed to never buy anything again unless it was absolutely necessary.
Ask yourself a series of questions to decide if it's clutter or not: Does it work? If not, get rid of it. Do I really need it? Things we need we use. Do I enjoy it? If this item brings beauty and joy to your life, it is not clutter.
Sentimental belongings and things that bring true beauty to our lives should be treated with great care and respect -- not packed away in the attic to be forgotten.
Getting rid of the physical clutter in your home is going to do more than free up some much-needed space. The clean, light, uncomplicated and unshackled feeling will give you a fresh new lease on life.
Mary Hunt is the creator of The Cheapskate Monthly newsletter. You can e-mail questions or tips at cheapskateunitedmedia.com or Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135 Paramount, CA 90723.
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Using Your Credit Card Online
By Andrew Shain
Source: The Charlotte Observer, N.C.
It seems that for every person who shops eBay with the comfort of strolling aisles at a Wal-Mart, there's another one or two afraid to even type their credit-card numbers onto a Web page.
Computer users say in surveys that security fears top why they stay away from Internet shopping or online banking.
"Many people don't know what happens with the information on the Web," said George Tubin, a senior analyst with marketing consultant Tower Group. "They just feel more comfortable at the store. They have someone they can hold accountable."
The discovery last week of a security glitch on Mecklenburg County's Web site to pay property taxes did little to soothe folks who think online shopping is risky.
The site had operated for a still undetermined period without scrambling credit-card information. The problem was fixed soon after calls from the Observer. There's no evidence anyone accessed information, but people who used the Mecklenburg system are urged to keep an eye on their credit-card statements.
That said, you can safely spend money over the Web by taking some precautions. You just need to apply some common sense while you shop in your pajamas with a mouse and keyboard.
First some perspective.
The chances of someone stealing your credit card number sent over an unsecured Web site (such as what happened with Mecklenburg) is slightly less than anywhere in the nonelectronic world, said Ted Claypoole, a Charlotte attorney who specializes in technology security issues. Hackers have several obstacles to getting your information, but if they succeed, the numbers are easily read.
A bigger point of attack for hackers is servers where Web operators compile your information to complete purchases, said Jim Brown, managing partner at nGuard, a Charlotte computer security firm.
You'll want to know whether the Web operator continually monitors servers for hacking attempts, he said.
Most big businesses do, though there are breaches. Last month, a hacker gained access to a small number of the 8 million credit card records held by BJ's Wholesale Club.
Just like a waiter who uses an electronic reader to skim information off your card while you're paying for a meal, server attacks are nothing you can prevent.
Your best defense is being a diligent consumer by checking your statements.
You also should:
-- Look for the signs that a Web page is secure when you're asked to share financial information You'll want to see a padlock in the lower right-hand corner of your Web browser and that the Web address starts with "https," not just the usual "http." Both are signs that information you will share will be encrypted and hard for hackers to see. Don't see them? Stop the transaction.
-- Ignore e-mails that look like they come from legitimate businesses asking for financial information or passwords. Real merchants and banks would not have you click a link to some page to share the gateways to your wallet.
The scam, called "phishing," has tried to impersonate eBay, Bank of America, Best Buy and Citibank in recent months.
-- Take a moment to read a site's privacy policy. Reading legal disclaimers is not a hobby for most of us, but you want to know how a site might use information you share with it.
In the end, if you have any questions about security of a Web site, go the low-tech route and call the company.
Andrew Shain covers consumer issues. Reach him at (704) 358-5164 or ashain@charlotteobserver.com
To see more of The Charlotte Observer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.charlotte.com.
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Source: The Charlotte Observer, N.C.
It seems that for every person who shops eBay with the comfort of strolling aisles at a Wal-Mart, there's another one or two afraid to even type their credit-card numbers onto a Web page.
Computer users say in surveys that security fears top why they stay away from Internet shopping or online banking.
"Many people don't know what happens with the information on the Web," said George Tubin, a senior analyst with marketing consultant Tower Group. "They just feel more comfortable at the store. They have someone they can hold accountable."
The discovery last week of a security glitch on Mecklenburg County's Web site to pay property taxes did little to soothe folks who think online shopping is risky.
The site had operated for a still undetermined period without scrambling credit-card information. The problem was fixed soon after calls from the Observer. There's no evidence anyone accessed information, but people who used the Mecklenburg system are urged to keep an eye on their credit-card statements.
That said, you can safely spend money over the Web by taking some precautions. You just need to apply some common sense while you shop in your pajamas with a mouse and keyboard.
First some perspective.
The chances of someone stealing your credit card number sent over an unsecured Web site (such as what happened with Mecklenburg) is slightly less than anywhere in the nonelectronic world, said Ted Claypoole, a Charlotte attorney who specializes in technology security issues. Hackers have several obstacles to getting your information, but if they succeed, the numbers are easily read.
A bigger point of attack for hackers is servers where Web operators compile your information to complete purchases, said Jim Brown, managing partner at nGuard, a Charlotte computer security firm.
You'll want to know whether the Web operator continually monitors servers for hacking attempts, he said.
Most big businesses do, though there are breaches. Last month, a hacker gained access to a small number of the 8 million credit card records held by BJ's Wholesale Club.
Just like a waiter who uses an electronic reader to skim information off your card while you're paying for a meal, server attacks are nothing you can prevent.
Your best defense is being a diligent consumer by checking your statements.
You also should:
-- Look for the signs that a Web page is secure when you're asked to share financial information You'll want to see a padlock in the lower right-hand corner of your Web browser and that the Web address starts with "https," not just the usual "http." Both are signs that information you will share will be encrypted and hard for hackers to see. Don't see them? Stop the transaction.
-- Ignore e-mails that look like they come from legitimate businesses asking for financial information or passwords. Real merchants and banks would not have you click a link to some page to share the gateways to your wallet.
The scam, called "phishing," has tried to impersonate eBay, Bank of America, Best Buy and Citibank in recent months.
-- Take a moment to read a site's privacy policy. Reading legal disclaimers is not a hobby for most of us, but you want to know how a site might use information you share with it.
In the end, if you have any questions about security of a Web site, go the low-tech route and call the company.
Andrew Shain covers consumer issues. Reach him at (704) 358-5164 or ashain@charlotteobserver.com
To see more of The Charlotte Observer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.charlotte.com.
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Ceiling Fans Recalled
Vaxcel International Co. Ltd.
Announce Second Recall of Ceiling Fans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: Ceiling Fans with Light
Manufacturer: Vaxcel International Co. Ltd., of Glendale
Heights, Ill.
Hazard: These ceiling fans were assembled without the proper wire insulation sleeving, which could result in exposed wiring. Consumers could receive an electrical shock during installation or removal.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: These down-rod-mount, dual-motor, 36-inch ceiling fans were sold in chrome, stone white, brush nickel, polished brass, antique brass, or weathered patina finishes. Model number 355-6645 is printed on the box and on a label located on the central housing of the ceiling fan. The brand names of the fans are “Aire Tek” and “Turn-of-the- Century Apollo Series” which is written on the packaging only. A label located on the central housing of the ceiling fan displays the
File Number “E215078,” the UL Listing Mark, and the model number 355-6645. Vaxcel had previously recalled the same model fan sold under the “Aire Tek” brand name.
Sold at: Menard stores nationwide between January 2002 and May 2002 for between $350 and $450.
Manufactured in: Taiwan
Remedy: Consumers should contact Vaxcel to verify if they have one of the recalled ceiling fans and to receive a free replacement ceiling fan if they do. To avoid the risk of shock while checking or removing a recalled fan, consumers should turn off the power source to the fan. Consumers are encouraged to use a professional electrician. Vaxcel will reimburse consumers up to $75 for charges incurred in removing recalled fans.
Consumer Contact: Call Vaxcel at (800) 482-9235 between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
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Announce Second Recall of Ceiling Fans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of product: Ceiling Fans with Light
Manufacturer: Vaxcel International Co. Ltd., of Glendale
Heights, Ill.
Hazard: These ceiling fans were assembled without the proper wire insulation sleeving, which could result in exposed wiring. Consumers could receive an electrical shock during installation or removal.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: These down-rod-mount, dual-motor, 36-inch ceiling fans were sold in chrome, stone white, brush nickel, polished brass, antique brass, or weathered patina finishes. Model number 355-6645 is printed on the box and on a label located on the central housing of the ceiling fan. The brand names of the fans are “Aire Tek” and “Turn-of-the- Century Apollo Series” which is written on the packaging only. A label located on the central housing of the ceiling fan displays the
File Number “E215078,” the UL Listing Mark, and the model number 355-6645. Vaxcel had previously recalled the same model fan sold under the “Aire Tek” brand name.
Sold at: Menard stores nationwide between January 2002 and May 2002 for between $350 and $450.
Manufactured in: Taiwan
Remedy: Consumers should contact Vaxcel to verify if they have one of the recalled ceiling fans and to receive a free replacement ceiling fan if they do. To avoid the risk of shock while checking or removing a recalled fan, consumers should turn off the power source to the fan. Consumers are encouraged to use a professional electrician. Vaxcel will reimburse consumers up to $75 for charges incurred in removing recalled fans.
Consumer Contact: Call Vaxcel at (800) 482-9235 between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.
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