Featuring Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports is the trusted monthly magazine from America s #1 consumer product testing center. You'll get unbiased product ratings and advice on everything from cars to cameras, personal finance and health. Don't miss our famous Annual Auto Issue; 360-page annual buying guide; and important product recalls all included in your subscription. Expert. Independent. Nonprofit.

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Deck The Halls With LEDs

Wow, I had no idea, but it looks like switching over to LED Christmas lights would make a huge difference on your electricity bill.  Consumer Reports did a side-by-side comparison this month between using age-old incandescent bulbs and the new LED type.

They tested the lights over a 300 hour period and found that the operating cost is 400% higher using the normal string of incandescent Christmas tree lights. The cost difference is even more astounding when you compare it to the outdoor lights (almost 8,000%!)  They also include that the LED’s last way longer and were less likely to shatter since they are plastic.

Where Are You Going Skiing This Year?

Skiing or snowboarding it’s a tough choice. My wife wants me to learn to ski this year so that we can go to more resorts. You know…I’m a little disappointed that some ski resorts are prejudice toward snowboarders. Yes, the sport is rife with punk little kids that screw around and tear up the slopes…but what about older more mature folks like me that just want to enjoy a peaceful ride down through beautiful snowy terrain? Maybe they should have an age limit of 30 and up instead of barring everyone.

Okay so I’m just resisting change. As I get older I’ll probably end up making the switch anyway…So have you set up your ski vacation this year? My wife and I can’t decide. Park City is my fave. She wants to go to Whistler or Blackcomb. I can’t find my passport so that may be a moot option. (Yup, you need a passport to enter Canada now…thanks Global Terrorism!)

She asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year. I think I will hand her a copy of Skiing magazine, they have a list of 82 snow hound must haves this year (check pages 105-121). I could always use a stylish new hat! If you’re into snowboarding, pages 84-91 of Future Snowboarding magazine has a full review of the top tier affordable boots for the 2008 season.

As for deciding on a resort, I and others who read this newsletter could use your help. If you fancy yourself an avid skier/snowboarder, give your opinion in our Ski Resort poll on our most recent blog post.  If you have a better choice, leave a comment and tell me your favorite resort that I may be missing.

Making a Fortune (on the iPhone)

Kudos to Fortune magazine for admitting they missed a few investment predictions on the iPhone.  In a short recap on page 160 of this month’s Fortune magazine, they did a comparison with their May 28^th 2007 predictions on stocks affected by the iPhone launch.

Fortune Predicted –

• AT & T would go up
• Broadcom would go up
• Nokia would go up
• Apple – overpriced…wouldn’t budge or would go down

Today’s Reality –

• AT&T – up slightly
• Broadcom – went up, but then down
• Nokia – went way up
• Apple – went way up

Be sure to check out the article on page 159, if you own some oil stocks Fortune is recommending that you take your profits now.