If you don't use Ebates, you are missing out!

It's true, I use Ebates all the time and it's awesome....I know this shameless promotion, but it doesn't cost you anything and it can only benefit you. I love a good deal, so why not share?

So what is Ebates? It's a click-thru site that you use for online shopping. If you want to shop at one of the 1800+ retailers they have on their site, you click the link and if you make a purchase you get a percentage back in the form of a quarterly check (a Big Fat Check as they call it). It's really that simple. They make it even easier by offering an extension to your web browser that lights up to tell you that you are browsing one of their participating sites and you just click the button to activate it. It'll even show you coupons and try them out for you at check out.

I'll give you an example. I was shopping for a new computer. I found one on the HP website that fit my needs. The computer was $1100, but it was marked down to $800. I clicked the little E on my browser to activate Ebates for this site/purchase. Turns out that they were offering 15% cash back on HP purchases at that time. Not only that, but Ebates found a coupon code that saved me an extra $25. That transaction will net me over a $116 on my next Big Fat Check. Pretty sweet, right? You get paid for buying the stuff you were going to buy anyway.

If you aren't a member of Ebates yet and you want to be now, please do so using this link (I confess, I get credit for referrals too): http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=CraSx%2BVRnAWK5yaMLKLclA%3D%3D&eeid=28187

Happy saving!

That old familiar itch

I can feel it coming. The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising, spring is upon us. Every year as winter puts itself in the rear view mirror, something inside me gets triggered, and it makes me long to change my automotive situation.

This year, contrary to years past, I find myself shackled having committed myself to a 3 year lease on a perfectly adequate vehicle. Probably for the best, to save me from myself, but not enough to control my vehicular wandering eye.

Especially strong as the weather improves is my desire to rekindle my romance with a convertible. Fiercely impractical from its wobbly structure to its mostly unusable (if even present) rear seat, there's just nothing quite like top down motoring. I gave up my latest flirtation with an open top automobile a couple of years ago in the name of practicality (more doors, more space and all wheel drive). My 2005 Saab 9-3 convertible was one of the best cars I ever owned. A powerful 2.0 liter turbo engine and the ability to let the sun shine in through the motorized roof in about 20 seconds all with stylish good looks, a comfortable ride and a cozy leather interior. Some thought I was out of my mind to buy a used (6 years old with 95k miles) Swedish convertible, but surprisingly it turned out to be one of the most reliable cars I ever owned with hardly any issues during the three years I owned it (one of my longest car ownership experiences to date).

Sadly, when it comes to scratching this itch, I know it is not to be (for now :-) ) but while my mind knows this, my mouse hand still directs my browser to Craigslist and Autotrader to waste time looking at what will not be. Sad, I know.

Care to share any of your favorite past rides?

Entering a show void, suggestions?

I admit it, I'm a victim of on demand media availability. The ease with which you can watch shows has been too hard to resist and I have gotten roped into a bunch of series. Some of them are long time established ones that I could binge on from the beginning, without waiting for the calendar to click by. Others I have heard things about and jumped on the boat mid-stream.

Now I am at an ending point with many of the ones I was watching, leaving me in the 'show void'. Here are some of my favorites:

The League: chronicling a group of long time buddies in their misadventures against the backdrop of a fantasy football league, the show is hilarious, raucous, and often raunchy. Laugh out loud funny, especially Jason Mantzukous' character Raffi. Sadly the current season was their last. Farewell :-(

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: This is another absurd comedy featuring a group of long time friends who run a bar in the city of brotherly love. The craziness was only amplified by the addition of Danny deVito to the cast. Alas, this show too has aired its final episode.

Strike back: this was an action series about a covert British intelligence faction. Often ridiculous in a Rambo-esque way (evidently all bad guys have lousy aim), it was a fun ride. I got in on this one late, it's already done but available on demand.

House of Cards: an amazing performance by Kevin Spacey is the highlight of this behind the scenes look at government and politics. I've watched since season 1 and Netflix gets that people like to binge and they release whole seasons at a time.

Billions: A new Showtime original about a billionaire money fund manager and the attorney who wants to expose insider trading. Paul Giammati plays the lawyer masterfully and I look forward to next season.

Better Call Saul: an excellent prequel to Breaking Bad. It's fun to watch the characters from BB pop up periodically and witness the development of the Saul Goodman character. Season 2 is mid-way through. I'll wait for it to be over and plow through them all at once.

I know what you're thinking, "does this guy do nothing but watch TV?" On the contrary, it's usually just an episode or two at night in bed, but it's all so available, I can get through a season in less than a week.

So here lies my chasm, waiting for these shows to return, or others to come to my attention. Any recommendations?