Write-Offs: 02.01.08

Posted by Lowly Assistant, Feb 01, 2008 6:47PM

Craigslist ad...spot on.

Kudos, herr toyman.

Posted by , Feb 01, 2008 7:18PM

cl guy needs some friends

Posted by , Feb 01, 2008 8:21PM

cl guy probably hitting close to home to some DB readers....

Posted by Anonymous, Feb 02, 2008 3:15AM

Re: Craigslist. (1) I have read other self-congratulatory accounts of riding out the recession. Somehow it always works out that the hero was once the owner of a home, saw the real estate bust coming, sold and made a killing, and is now a wise renter. Guess what. Rentals always come with landlords and restrictions. Most people with plenty of money aren't going to tolerate the restrictions and uncertainty of rental living. If someone does, and doesn't have to, how do we know that person is wise and foreseeing and not just a miser, indifferent to the needs of his family?

And how is it again the prices in the rental market are going down? I haven't seen any data to support that, and no one I know has had their rent reduced.

(2) If you want to buy precious stones from Craigslist, go right ahead. You are as smart as someone who buys Rolexes on the street.

(3) Nothing I've ever encountered in the real world suggests a guy without an education making $45K would aspire to own a BMW. It's a status car for a very different demographic. Plus, a car market exists with attractive lower cost alternatives. The same can't be said about the housing market, even now.

(4) Those maxed-out credit cards probably contain some debt to doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and car repair shops, all at 23.9% interest. The after tax take home pay of someone making $45K is modest indeed. There's not a lot of cash left for emergencies.

If you have a job, have equity in real estate, have your retirement in a 401(k), or own stocks or bonds, you're likely to be within the reach of economic uncertainty.

Posted by , Feb 03, 2008 11:13PM

nice win G men!

Posted by 18-1, Feb 03, 2008 11:29PM

kiss my ass new england

Posted by Tim Brady, Feb 04, 2008 12:02AM

Giants Suck, Patriots Suck. Worst Season Ever.

Posted by Distinterested Observer, Feb 04, 2008 12:09AM

fine fourth quarter, Eli!

Posted by Anonymous, Feb 04, 2008 12:47AM

Rumor is that Charles Gasparino's Super Bowl menu was a tableful of deli meats. Same as his usual breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dinner food but more bologna than usual to mark the special occasion.

Posted by Novice, Feb 04, 2008 2:08AM

I almost reconsidered my decision to cancel a subscription to Portfolio... no, not really.

But to keep things in the same vein as the other commenters, the small woodland mammals I sacrificed to the Manning shrine appear to have worked some good.

Posted by Jimmy Snyder, Feb 04, 2008 12:08PM

I only watched the last five minutes of the game - was rest of the game any good?