{"id":31074,"date":"2015-05-02T05:15:01","date_gmt":"2015-05-02T12:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=31074"},"modified":"2020-10-25T08:49:57","modified_gmt":"2020-10-25T15:49:57","slug":"black-coffee-stupid-financial-system-tricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id31074-black-coffee-stupid-financial-system-tricks.html","title":{"rendered":"Black Coffee: Stupid Financial System Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe<\/em> …<\/p>\n

I’ve got a lot of honey-dos I’m trying to check off. Of course, you know what means: Yep. This week I’ve got another scintillating espresso edition of Black Coffee for you!<\/p>\n

Please, hold your applause.<\/p>\n

Okay, onward and upward …<\/p>\n

Credits and Debits<\/strong><\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Who says stock market players are still rational? Last week Amazon reported that it lost $406 million<\/a> over the past year — the company’s worst performance since 2001 — and its stock promptly skyrocketed 14%<\/a> on the news. Um, what bubble?<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> And you thought the nation’s “Affordable” Care Act exchanges were swimming in red ink<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Speaking of skyrocketing prices, US gasoline is increasing at the fastest rate in three years. At $2.60, the average US price for a gallon of unleaded is now 57 cents higher<\/a> than it was in January.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Those of us living in California should be so lucky; the average pump price here is $3.53 — and climbing<\/a> fast. That’s 34 cents more than it was last week. I know.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> When you put current gas prices in perspective, we’ve all<\/em> got it pretty good right now. After adjusting for inflation, the all-time average high<\/a> price in the US was $4.51 per gallon back in July 2008 — and in California, it was $5.05<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Although they’ll deny it, government loves higher gas prices because of the tax revenue. In fact, by some estimates the government earns seven times more<\/a> money on a gallon of gas than the oil companies.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> If you’re thinking the recent price increases are temporary, you better think again. According to OilPrice.com<\/a>, “the latest data points to higher prices in the weeks and months ahead.” Just in time for your summer road trip!<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> By the way, anybody taking their summer road trip in Norway this year better have satellite radio because they’re turning off their FM<\/a> band in January 2017. For good. Apparently, FM is no longer cost effective compared to other transmission methods.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> As for those of you planning on a Grecian holiday, don’t forget to carry plenty of euros<\/a>. Government officials in Great Britain are urging travelers to do so in case the growing Greek debt crisis forces the country’s banks to shut down their ATMs.<\/p>\n

Debit:<\/strong><\/span> Then again, if you’re going to use those euros, you better hurry. The Telegraph is warning that those negative Eurozone interest rates have “put the world on course for the biggest mass default<\/a> in history.” Their words, not mine.<\/p>\n

Credit:<\/strong><\/span> Of course, who’s worrying about mass defaults when a ringside seat to Saturday’s boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao was selling for $351,005<\/a>? I know I’m not.<\/p>\n

By the Numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n

After 33 years, David Letterman is leaving late night television and signing off as host of the Late Show on CBS:<\/p>\n

1<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Bill Murray’s guest number. He was Letterman’s first guest on both NBC’s Late Night (Feb. 1, 1982) and the Late Show on CBS (Aug. 30, 1993).<\/p>\n

6028<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Total number of Letterman’s late night broadcasts on both NBC and CBS.<\/p>\n

16<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Number of Emmy Awards won by Letterman.<\/p>\n

19,932<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Total number of guests appearances across both of Letterman’s late shows.<\/p>\n

126<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Number of Stupid Pet Tricks episodes.<\/p>\n

89<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Number of Stupid Human Tricks episodes.<\/p>\n

136<\/strong><\/span><\/span> Late Show appearances by Regis Philbin; that’s more than any other guest.<\/p>\n

Source: PR Newswire<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Question of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

[poll id=\"59\"]<\/code><\/p>\n

Last Week’s Poll Results<\/strong><\/p>\n

How much was your federal tax refund this year?<\/p>\n