One of our most popular reports over the years has been ‘’Living & Loving Life - The DAX Way'’ which shows the reader how to live the life of a millionaire without requiring a large bank account. The report is still available, by the way - via the DAX STORE.
You know, each and every time I hear the phrase ‘’live like a millionaire'’ I’m taken back many years to the start of comedian Steve Martin’s fabulous career.
You may recall - at that time he would wear the fake arrow through his head or rabbit ears . . . In one of his routines, he’d declare, ‘’Let me tell you how to live like a millionaire!'’
A hush would come over the audience as they leaned forward to hear him say, ‘’First - get a million dollars . . . ‘’
The particular feature you’re about to read is a mix of what we and some DAX-DOERS consider the elements of the ‘good life.'’ Living richly, but not necessarily at great expense. In short, it is possible - even preferable, at times - to enjoy the finer things that life offers without being filthy rich.
True, some things do require money - scads of it: I like expensive automobiles, travel to exotic locales and many other costly perks, but truly, after a long day is over, there’s nothing more pleasurable then to plop my tired self down on a comfy chair on the deck overlooking the lake . . . throw back a Perfect DAX Martini or two (scroll down to the very bottom of TASTY REPASTS for the recipe!) and . . . snooze.
How about you? Whatever you seek in this life can certainly come to pass, but one of the oddest things about all this . . . first, ya gotta decide what ’tis you WANT!
-Dean
$ $ $ $
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED . . . BUY, BUY AGAIN!
When a person is poor but wants to be rich, there are usually some very basic things that are viewed as ‘’goals,'’ if and when a certain level of financial success is attained. Nice big house. Fancy car. Nifty clothes. And so forth.
After a person reaches a level of achievement where the basics are covered, they tend to become more sophisticated - more discerning.
I’ve come to look at ALL major life decisions as being in a more or less state of flux until such time as just the right decision \can be made.
With me, it started early, with a multi-decade search for just the right wife! Instinctively, I felt that nothing else would ever be totally harmonic in my sphere until that ‘’find'’ was made. Very pragmatic - but a useful approach, methinks!
After all, if one can ‘’bite the bullet'’ and ‘’change partners'’ now and then until the BEST one can be had, what’s the big whoop in doing likewise until a proper automobile can be found. Or boat. Or doctor . . . dentist . . . lawyer. Or especially, an ideal place in the Universe to hang your hat?
Let’s take cars for example. I’ve had some 65 different and very expensive vehicles so far. I was always seeking a model that would be ‘’just right.'’ Spent tons of money - some of my picks cost $250,000.00 a copy. My main objective was to find ‘’the exact right one'’ and for sure, discard any that did not serve my purposes or worse, were downright problematic.
The only way I know to do that is to actually give a candidate a try - and to keep trying. And maintain good records. From experience, I learned that the following makes which I have owned more than one of - are poor choices for me - either due to manufacturer’s defects or factory and/or dealership bugaboos:
Rolls-Royce (3), Cadillac (5), Lincoln (4), Thunderbird (2) Ford Explorer (2).
You could neither give me for free nor pay me to own or drive another of those vehicles! Why? Because doing so is asking for on-going angst and even possible death in the case of certain Ford products!
Contrariwise, I’ve learned from experience that these vehicles are pretty much overall sound and trouble-free:
BMW (4), Mercedes (2), Lexus (2) Volkswagen (5).
Marginally troublesome - but countered with sheer fun(!):
Alfa Romeo (1), MGB (2) and TR6 (1)
Many others not rated - or not worth rating or no longer manufactured: Packard (2), DeSoto(1), Chrysler (3), Pontiac (3), several regular Fords, Plymouths, Dodges, Chevrolets, Oldsmobiles (a bunch of ‘em - they used to be in Lansing not too far from where we lived for four deacdes in East Lansing) and a British Hillman-Minx (ever hear of that?)
This concept of never ‘’satisficing'’ with less than totally desirable items extends to other areas of one’s life where making changes can make one either comfortable or miserable: Clothes, shoes, eye-glasses, office equipment, your favorite (or not so favorite) easy chair and so on.
On that last item, in my quest to find that ‘’one perfect'’ chair, I’ve ended up buying some three dozen La-Z-Boy or Barca-Loungers over the years and currently have a dozen or so in my possession spread over several venues. S.E. once calculated that I’ve blown over twenty grand on the beasts!
In short, why suffer fools (or inanimate objects) gladly? Get rid of the offender . . . whatever or whomever ’tis! Replace with something you really want and enjoy. That’s one of the grander perks of becoming financially and emotionally successful:
Being able to have, hold and maintain what YOU really want - not what another person, society or ‘’custom'’ dictates.
$ $ $ $
THE PERFECT ‘’LOVER’S DAY'’ DESSERT DELIGHT!
I hope, by now, it’s no secret that I LOVES TO EAT! Not just ‘’filler food,'’ however, but the ‘’good stuff!'’
In the past, whenever I wanted a really great CREME BRULEE, either we’d have to venture to a fancy-schmancy bistro here or abroad - OR spend many hours concocting our own version. The usual recipe (per culinary greats such as Craig Claiborne, New York Times food critic) requires initial preparation of ingredients and then an overnight wait and finally, a carefully engineered quick broil to caramelize the topping.
The very first time I had anything to do with making this stuff - the OLD way - ’twas my third or fourth date with SuEllen - many moons ago. We started making the dish about 8:00 P.M., she went home around 11:00 P.M., and I was stuck with tending the thing all night and had to report to her via phone at 7:00 A.M. the next morning before she went to work! (Life in all ways got much easier a few weeks later when she moved in . . . )
Our NEW method (and the ingredients) are far superior in many ways - not the least of which is that there is NO cholesterol, the calories are far lower than usual and the fat grams are a mere tenth of the regular version. All because noted cardiologist, Richard Collins, M.D., has taken to inventing great recipes that are HEALTHY.
Here first, are the ingredients:
10.5 ounces of light firm tofu. (Yes, that is the stuff that you always wondered what to do with when you see it in the store or worse still, in your own refrigerator!)
1/2 cup of lemon curd. I had trouble finding this item - once I did and mentioned it to others, a few said, ‘’Oh yes . . . that stuff tastes great on toast -veddy British!'’(You’ll find it in a store’s jelly/jams).
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 teaspoons powdered sugar
10 strawberries, sliced
RAW sugar (or) dark brown (coarse) sugar
HOW TO MAKE IT - FAST!
Place tofu in a food processor or mixer and work until smooth. Add the lemon curd, vanilla and powdered sugar. Blend all until smooth. Pour into a mixing bowl and stir in the sliced strawberries.
Divide into four ramekins, cover the tops with raw sugar (or the brown sugar) and make a choice:
You can place under the oven broiler until the sugar has caramelized - if so, watch VERY CLOSELY! Do not walk out of the kitchen - watch it like a hawk or it will BURN, baby, BURN!
I prefer to use the good ol’ Julia Child’s method: Take your trusty shop blow torch, fire it up and apply the flame to the sugar in each ramekin until browned. It’s easier, safer and faster!
The foregoing is really VERY easy and worth the small effort. You and yours will marvel at how tasty (and cheap!) this fabulous desert is, and I guarantee you will return to it at least once or twice a year for the rest of your life!
$ $ $ $
IN SEARCH OF THE BEST EATERIES!
If a DAX-Doer for some time, then you realize one of the major perks of becoming rich and successful is that of indulging your whims as well as ensuring your needs. For many of us, that means ‘’eat well - ’til you blow up'’ - enjoying the great bounty of foodstuffs that perhaps, when younger, we could not afford.
SuEllen and I love to travel around from restaurant to restaurant - both here and abroad - and sample all the goodies available - although truthfully, since she quit eating meat altogether a few years back, the vast array from which to choose - for her, at least - has dwindled somewhat. (As an aside, S.E. says she’s never worried about me running off with some 25 year old blond bimbo UNLESS it’s someone who is either a superior cook or loves to go out four times every day and ‘’pig out'’ on, well . . . PIG! Love those B-B-Q ribs!)
Anyway, as the old saying goes, ‘’No good deed goes unpunished,'’ thus, as you also probably know, eating a whole lot of good food generally translates into, ‘’Yikes! I have become a Hippo'’ And pretty soon, you’re off on some new diet or pill or whatever.
We’ve covered the best ways to lose excess weight any number of times before, so right here, right now, what I’ve got for you is my own recent (about an hour ago!) lunch or dinner concoction that is essentially based on the DAX method FOR losing (or maintaining an ideal) weight.
The great thing about it is that even though we could both dump a lot of $$ into such great meals if we needed to - there is NO need for that! This is cheap as it gets and as tasty as you will find - anywhere!
(Pardon the interruption, but speaking of ‘’food'’ - I’m writing this when there’s still snow on the ground and there’s a small herd of deer that regularly visits the backyard at WINTERWOOD for the winter apples in our orchard, but those are pretty much consumed now so I had to quit this for a spate and go throw some other goodies out there for them!)
Earlier, I made myself a meal based on whatever ‘’stuff'’ I could find laying around the house - and I mean that, literally. SuEllen of course, goes out and buys great and specific ingredients for delicious special gourmet meals and then there’s always this and that left over.
Frankly, it usually gets tossed unless I pick up the scraps and make something, because unlike myself, once she’s enjoyed a great meal made from a batch of ingredients, she does NOT like leftovers. Personally, I love ‘em - but that’s another story and a pretty common solution to using the odds ‘n ends you find in the kitchen.
In this case (and many others - I do this frequently) - take a large frying pan and place on the range over medium heat. Squirt extra virgin olive oil in - just enough to almost cover the surface. Shave some onions (whatever you have -Vandalia, white, yellow, Bermuda - makes no difference) and drop in. Add some fresh garlic - at least two cloves, diced.
Grab a small bunch of (shelled) walnut pieces and break further apart as you drop into the admixture. Add some salt and black pepper. Chop a few green and/or black olives and toss in. Got a stalk of celery? Chop into little pieces and add to the pan. Got some green onions? Two or three all sliced into inch long pieces will really be nice. Be sure, when possible, to add about an inch worth of fresh Ginger Root - diced into small pieces.
A few mushrooms - fresh or canned - also sliced, up adds some body to this dish and finally, here’s where it gets interesting: Whatever you have on hand, asparagus spears (ever try the white ones? Totally terrific!) or some green beans, snow pea pods or most anything ‘’green'’ and bulky will be the final item to slice and add to the simmering pan.
Now, you may also (like me!) want to add other goodies - such as a scoop of plum jam . . . a tablespoon of either (or both) sesame oil or peanut oil . . . perhaps - especially, if you need more bulk or are concerned about getting more soy protein in your diet - some cubes of tofu (yes, that horrible-looking stuff cam be tasty when allowed to absorb the flavors of things around it!)
Another great little ‘’secret'’ would be a table-spoon (make it BIG!) of peanut butter or Tahini (sesame seed paste) or Hoisin Sauce (plum paste). On top of it all - just a couple minutes before the cooking is done - dribble salt-free Soy sauce and liberally sprinkle some red pepper flakes. This adds just the right measure of ‘’zest!'’
Now, the above dish is not necessarily of ANY particular ethnic origin although certainly, there are shades of Mid Eastern ingredients therein.
BUT do note that I do NOT add this great taste treat to a batch of pasta, noodles, rice, beans or other high carbohydrate foodstuffs and as such, with the olive oil as a cooking base, the vegetables as the ‘’main ingredients'’ - and the other tasty ingredients just thrown in as condiments rather than large portions of the recipe - you end up with a very healthy, low calorie, low carb meal that is absolutely fantastic!
Essentially, like the caption indicated - you’re putting everything but the kitchen sink in this dish - and the actual ingredients almost totally depend upon what you have on hand.
For this particular meal, I had just been to the supermarket a few days before and had passed the ‘’Bargain Bin'’ where I found a huge batch of broccoli (enough for THREE such huge meals per the above) for . . . a mere 15 CENTS!
All those other ingredients that you may wish to add - are pretty much basic items that most of us who love to cook have in the kitchen pantry, refrigerator (or wherever), anyway. Uncork a five-dollar bottle of ‘’Ernie ‘n Julie'’ Cabernet Sauvignon to accompany your ‘’instant taste treat'’ (the meal takes all of 7 minutes to prepare and cook - I timed it!) and . . . well, like the title of this feature says, here you’ve got . . . ‘’The Good Life: Savor Your Success!'’
$ $ $ $
ZOOM - ZOOM - ZOOM!
When SuEllen and I first met she was driving a little two-door, gold, under-powered stick-shift Chevette. A great college girl car, she said. I drove it once (yuck!) and immediately went out and bought her a new burgundy, Eddie Bauer Ford Explorer.
Very nice vehicle - and the four-wheel drive took us on many (fully video-documented) ‘’Dean & SuEllen’s Excellent Adventures'’ all over North America (literally). In fact, we wore it out (mostly the AWD) so, we bought another one - this time, a Limited model in pearlescent ivory. For awhile, that one was pretty good, too (although the road stance was never as stable as the first one.)
Then, the dang thing started stalling - for no apparent reason. We would be diddly-bopping along and all of a sudden . . . nothing! It would just quit - and it was difficult to get safely off the road as the power steering and brakes would also be ‘’out.'’
Then, there was the matter of getting assistance which was exacerbated because, at the time, I had gleefully relinquished all my portable phones - except for the two built-into my Rolls. (I always quipped that with a phone in the front AND back -it saved steps!)
Anyway, we had to have that Explorer towed in a couple times (once after interrupting a family’s dinner to use their phone.) The upshot of all that: First, we bought a couple cell phones! Next, we attempted to get reimbursed for the several hundred bux expended for the towing, and ‘’repair.'’ NEVER did we get a straight answer from the service department at Ford as to what was wrong with the thing. But it continued.
So, we contacted Ford in Dearborn directly. We sent a letter certified, return receipt requested. Nothing. No response at all! Finally, we dis-covered from news reports and on-line chat boards that there was an inherent ignition problem with that model - and Ford had known about it all along! People were getting killed when their car unexpectedly stalled in traffic.
But as I say, Ford never responded to us - and they never reimbursed us for our actual loss of $$ caused by their screw-up. Naturally, we joined a class action suit and sued the bastards!
Which brings us to now. Although I would never again buy anything made by Ford (and nowadays, that includes Jaguar and Range Rover) and although in the past I’ve owned many Lincolns (including the entire ‘’MARK Series'’ starting in 1973) you, on the other hand, may not hold a grudge like I do.
If so, you may want to look into what appear to be a nice pair of new Ford sedans - offering an alternative to the bulkier, more costly-to-drive SUVs.
The first is the ‘’500′’ Model with many SUV-type attributes: It sits high off the road, carries five passengers, is All Wheel Drive, all the seats fold down flat (including the front ones) clear through to the trunk (which is large). Full leather and some nicely done fake wood accents are available.
Best of all, the thing gets the highest 5-star rating of the National Institute of Safety crash worthiness AND it gets the highest MPG rating of any full-size passenger car.
There is a Mercury version, the Montego - with essentially, the same specifications - but a slightly better-looking grill and other superficial appointments. That one, I believe, lists at a few hundred less than thirty grand - fully loaded.
Either one looks like a decent buy - and if the malcontents at Ford have realized the error of their ways - perhaps, you could acquire one of the new generation vehicles and not go mad or homicidal (as I did!) as an owner.
A BETTER ALTERNATIVE
For many thousands more, you can get what appears to be a terrific new model that Cadillac has developed called the DTS. It replaces the venerable DeVille, of all things - who would have thought that popular model would ever be retired?!
The DTS is also an All-Wheel-Drive but approaches the task with a great deal more luxurious accouterments than either of the Ford AWD products - as well it should - for the nearly double price tag!
Finally, one other AWD sedan that looks spectacular - and is very low-priced - is the Chrysler 300. That thing has garnered more awards, accolades and great press critique than any new model in automotive history (literally).
It looks like a little stepbrother to a Bentley, has many luxury options and even fully loaded costs less than forty grand! Only problem: The 2006 model year has a very poor selection of body colors - but when sales drop as a result, no doubt the color pallet will be expanded.
By the way, that Chevette of S.E.’s? After she got the first Explorer, she put an ad in the paper to sell the little car and an old farmer came around and asked what she wanted for it. $2,200.00. He started to peel off hundred dollar bills and she said, ‘’Oh, but I don’t feel right about that price - so make it just $2,000.00.'’ He did - farmers are not as dumb as city folk think they are.
I asked her why she did that and she said, because he looked poor. I asked his name - and then told her how he was one of the richest people in the area - owned most of the farms in our county - probably, half of ‘em in the next one.
I considered that event a cautionary advisory for future financial dealings concerning my new beloved . . .
$ $ $ $
SHABBY CHIC - AMISH STYLE!
Not long ago P.C., S.E. and I (that sounds like a weird alphabet soup!) ventured to Shipshewana, Indiana where we spent most of the day in Amish Kitsch Country. That’s what they should call it, as the Amish really have little to do with the small empire that’s sprung up to exploit the ‘’English'’ (that’s you and me) who cannot seem to get enough of the rural cultural ways that seem so different from ours.
Trust me, they do not live all that differently from us - other than the apparent ones vis-B-vis- their way of dressing, mode of transportation, etc. But nowadays, many have telephones, propane-generated refrigerators, battery-powered everything (including sewing machines), etc. A little neighbor boy’s favorite toy is a fake cell phone which doubles as a cigarette lighter! Some Amish drink alcohol and smoke.
I’ll tell you another little secret: Whilst yes, those kindly old Amish ladies do bake delicious pies, cakes, cookies and such - doing so ‘’from scratch'’ often means opening store-bought cans of fruit, custard and similar ingredients, and when in a rush (they make upwards of 100 at a time) factory-frozen pie shells are often utilized!
Many prefer the absolute worst junk food available. The young-uns get into all sorts of trouble and a goodly number of both sexes regularly mingle into the wee hours on our island - unchaperoned. (Jacob Amman - founder of the sect 500+ years ago) is probably whirling in his pine box about now). Nevertheless, they’re still about the most honest, hardworking bunch of folks I’ve ever encountered.
Anyway, whilst traversing from shop to shop we ran across a fancy mouse pad - and I mean for your computer mouse not the one in the barn! I looked at it but it was priced at twenty bux and I get all my mouse pads for free, usually.
Plus, as you may know, I am a born skinflint - at least when it comes to buying stuff for myself. It’s inborn - like the fact that whatever food I put on my plate I fully eat - even if I discover I’ve made a horrible-tasting choice or have taken too much (easy to do at all-you-can-eat buffets!)
Well, I discovered later that S.E. had seen me looking at the mouse pad so she bought it for me. Now, here’s what’s interesting: The thing is part of a large collection that are exact copies of full-size Persian rugs - with fringes and all. Some are from museums. I have always loved these things and my favorite is one I had custom-made in Karachi during my first visit there with Hameed.
The mouse pad versions are of a high quality and the mouse works better on the thing than any other pad we have in the office. The company that makes ‘em also offers matching coasters - about half the size.
For twenty bux you could have a piece of genuine quality artwork - maybe, even start a miniature collection. For more details including full color pix, go to: WWW.MOUSERUG.COM The first one you see with a mouse resting on it - is the one I have - purely by coincidence. By the way, methinks, these things would make excellent, thoughtful and very unusual gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
$ $ $ $
HERE’S THAT OTHER V-DAY SPECIAL DEAL I TOLD YOU ABOUT!
Whether you’re male or female (and I truly hope that by now - you’ve made a definite choice for yourself!) you’d better get busy thinking about something nice to give to or do for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day!
For many people - especially, the fairer sex - and those of us who just happen to also celebrate our birthday on that day - it’s a pretty important event - right up there with wedding anniversaries (more so for the women, that one.)
If you are a woman, then you already know better than I do what your man will appreciate (but do use your wildest imagination!) If you’re a male, here’s an idea you probably never thought of:
Make her a really nice dinner or . . . if that’s too difficult (it won’t be if you ever start training yourself TO cook) -at least, consider making her a fancy dessert of some kind. Take her out for a good dinner somewhere that doesn’t feature golden arches out front and when it comes time for dessert, tell her you have something really nice waiting for her at home. Reassure her that, ‘’No - I don’t mean that!'’ (Hopefully - but unlikely, she’ll be disappointed upon hearing that . . . )
When you get home, treat her to whatever concoction you’ve decide to make. Elsewhere I detail the really terrific crPme brflée that I whip up periodically - often, on Valentine’s Day.
But whereas crPme brflée is certainly not a dessert that most people would expect an amateur to even attempt - the following is a simple, yet delicious rendition of another quality favorite amongst the gourmet glitteratie - Raspberry Tiramisu! This stuff will cost you up to twenty bux each or more in any fine restaurant, but you can make it rather inexpensively - and fast - in about twenty minutes!
YOU’LL NEED TO HAVE AT THE READY:
6 tablespoons of Grand Marnier (do NOT drink this wickedly strong stuff whilst cooking - you may fall face first into the bowl!)
1 cup of raspberry jam (preferably, seedless).
Approximately 3 half-pints of fresh raspberries, if available. If not, buy and thaw out a bag of the frozen variety. Frankly, they’re just as tasty!
1 cup of whipping cream.
1 pound of a soft, mild cheese such as mascarpone.
1/4 cup pf sugar (I use a natural product called ‘’stevia'’ but unless you’re a bit advanced as a cook - go for the plain old white sugar!)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Go to your local bakery, if possible, and get about 30 soft lady fingers. Otherwise, get a couple 12-ounce pound cakes and cut into 1/2 by 1 inch pieces about 3 inches long.
LET’S MAKE IT, SPORT!
Blend just 4 of the tablespoons of Grand Marinier and all of the jam in a small bowl. A rubber spatula works well for this.
In a separate, larger bowl, combine the other two spoons of Grand Marnier (dang hard to resist sipping the stuff, ain’t it?!) - with the cheese. Mix well together.
In yet another bowl (yes, there will be some clean-up to do later!) add the cream, sugar and vanilla - beat with an electric mixer until a soft peak forms.
Use that rubber spatula to scrape the whipped cream admixture in with the cheese and blend it altogether until smooth.
Try to find a glass baking dish in the cupboard there - about 13″ X 9″ 2″ in size. Cover the bottom of the dish with half of the ladyfingers. Spread half the jam mixture over the ladyfingers. Now, spread half the cheese mixture over that and cover with half the raspberries.
Repeat layering the dish with the remaining ladyfingers, the jam and cheese mixtures and raspberries. Cover (plastic wrap, foil or the dish’s lid, if there is one) - put away in the refrigerator for at least 3 1/2 hours or even overnight.
When it becomes appropriate to serve, cut generous portions, place on fancy-schmancy serving plates and dust the top with confectioner’s sugar . . . serve . . . enjoy . . . and with any luck, maybe later, you will get YOUR ‘’just desserts'’ . . .
WHOA . . . !
Is the foregoing too much work for you, fella? Look, I know that usually, we devote most of our space in this publication to things involving money in one way or another - often, health issues, as well.
But frankly, when it comes to genuine ‘’Personal Success'’ - that covers a LOT of territory and there is nothing more important than one’s interpersonal relationships - especially, with a spouse or someone you should have MADE your spouse a long time ago. (Are you listening David Letterman? Tim Robbins? Kurt Russell?) So, let’s explore this subject a bit more:
How about this idea - ’tis super simple yet ‘’magical.'’ Go buy some fresh strawberries - they’re available all year ’round any more. Also buy a can of Hershey’s chocolate and a bottle of Champagne. Doesn’t have to be very expensive - but make sure the label does say ‘’champagne!'’(Your lady ain’t gonna to lie to her best friends - and she’ll want to relate this story involving the word ‘’champagne'’ - not ‘’sparkling water!'’)
When the time arrives, serve her a plate of strawberries with a small bowl of the melted chocolate. You may need to warm it a bit in the micro. She dips the berries in the brown stuff and enjoys! And don’t forget a glass of that champagne to accompany this little repast. Very sensuous. Let me tell you where I got this idea and in so doing, why you may create a memorable moment in your own relationship.
Many years ago, when SuEllen and I were first married, the day before Valentine’s Day (also my birthday), she innocently asked, ‘’Do you have to go to the bathroom?'’ ‘’Huh? I hadn’t really thought about it but yes, I guess so.'’ Puzzled, I went to ‘’do my duty'’ and when I emerged, she was waiting - with my coat and boots. ‘’Let’s go, she exclaims - I’ll drive.'’ I get in her car, she drives - doesn’t say a word.
After awhile I notice that we’ve left the city, but when I query her she says just sit back and relax. Okay. I did. Fell asleep. Before long, she pulls up at a nice hotel in Traverse City situated right on the Bay. It’s the dead of winter. Not many people around. She says ‘’Get the stuff out of the back. We have reservations.'’ I did. A whole bunch of stuff - luggage, containers, plastic bags, etc.
The upshot of all this was, we spent a glorious night there, as well as the entire Valentine’s Day. She served me breakfast in bed! I still have the wooden serving tray. Among many other taste treats (lots of my favorite cheeses, deli meats, etc.) she presented those aforementioned strawberries and chocolate - and champagne. I never forgot that.
Believe me, whether you ‘’go all out'’ as S.E. did - or just opt for a modified version of her extravaganza - YOUR best friend will appreciate - and long remember fondly - your effort, as well.
$ $ $ $
FINDING JUST THE RIGHT LUXURY AUTOMOBILE CAN BE INTERESTING . . .
I mentioned recently that after ten years of owning and driving 4 wheel-drive Explorers (first a burgundy Eddie Bauer, later replaced by a pearlescent Limited model) SuEllen decided to become a bit more civilized in her motoring motif which set into motion that once great American tradition of ‘’dickering for a new car.'’ That’s what my late father used to call the process - and he actually enjoyed mentally sparring with the salesmen of his day - whereas today, most everyone I know detests the exercise.
S.E. had no particular car in mind, but we did narrow it down to a select few sedans rather than a sports model, wagon or van. I first suggested a Jaguar as that is a marque we have never owned but always thought would be a nifty addition to the stable. So, I got on the Internet, researched the big kitty, got the e-mail addresses of the only two dealers in Michigan and sent them a message requesting further, printed materials.
One dealer, a well-known highly successful operation in the Detroit area never answered the e-mail. We sent them a second e-mail a week later. Still no response of any kind. Too bad: That dealership gained fame because it was (do not know if it STILL is) owned and operated by a woman - somewhat of an oddity in the automobile biz. Maybe she’s gotten fat and rich and no longer rides herd properly on her staff. We shall never know! (Nor care!)
The second Jaguar dealer responded with a small brochure and soon S.E. and I ventured to Kalamazoo to check out the goods. Very nice car -we liked the new S-Type - a design that’s retro to the mid 1950’s model. We selected a steel gray color, equipped it with all the goodies and decided to mull the deal over as the figures did not sound too good.
The amount allowed for trade-in on the Explorer seemed awfully small. We checked out prices on the web and discovered the wholesale value was about $3,000.00 more than offered to us - the retail was $9,000.00 more!
E-mailed the salesman and told him we’d need more $$ on trade in - but they would not budge! Not even so much as a nickel. Called a local Volvo dealer, talked with the manager, made an appointment for us to meet with him later that day, arrived 5 minutes early, were greeted by some wet-behind-the-ears salesman who said the manager had asked him to help us - and wasted the next 45 minutes trying to extract data from the kid on the Volvo. Totally unresponsive.
S.E. who has much more patience than yours truly (usually) at last, exasperated, said ‘’Are we somehow interfering with your schedule?'’
I also asked the kid about the new Volvo convertible - NOT the automobile we were considering for SuEllen (something called an S80, I think) but I was seriously looking for something to replace my BMW roadster. Kid says, ‘’Oh, that convertible doesn’t sell very well, so we don’t carry it.'’ Okay . . .
Needless to say, we exited stage left fairly quickly - smiled at the sales manager who was seated at his desk near the front door - same boob whom I had personally spoken to earlier in the day!
Next, we looked at a Cadillac Seville - pretty dark green with a tan cloth-type top. I’ve had three new Sevilles in the past - all problematic - but had heard that the current crop were engineered much better. (The head of the Cadillac division used to live next door to MOTH MANOR and he had personally reassured me {at the time of my previous ‘’unhappy'’ Seville ownership} that the new ones would be much improved).
Okay, next day, S.E. goes by herself to look the car over. Asks the salesman to work her up a deal and fax it. Never heard from HIM again! Not a peep.
We briefly considered either a BMW or Mercedes sedan - we’ve had both over the years but two things there: Neither has been significantly redesigned in a very long time - they just look outdated - even dowdy, to me - and the final straw was when I called the dealership (where, over the years I have spent well over a quarter of a million dollars) and asked if they still installed radar detectors as they used to. Nope. The Jaguar dealer had also been negatory in that regard.
One day on the way back from having a little Chinese (the big Chinese got away!) we stopped by a Lexus dealer, saw a neat-looking vehicle called a GS400, called the salesman, spent 45 minutes on the phone, shot some e-mails and faxes back and forth and SuEllen now owns a brand new bee-ootiful vehicle. They come to her office and do basic inspection and servicing in the parking lot - or pick it up, leave her a brand new loaner and take hers to the shop.
The trade-in allowance on the Explorer was considerably more than anyone else (after I did a little of that aforementioned ‘’dickering,'’ that is!) Well, we got a fifty thousand dollar vehicle with a new $1,100.00 fuzz buster installed by giving them the old Explorer and a check for $30,900.00 - tax included and in Michigan, that alone is a hefty 6%!
If the car continues to be as interesting as it is - if the service continues to be as great as it has been - we’ll probably buy more Lexus autos in the future. Indeed, they are coming out with a convertible sports model in a few months, too!
Two things about the foregoing:
1.We’ve often said that Americans are losing their ability - even their WILL - to do much of anything properly any more - especially, if it requires a bit of effort - like contacting a potential customer - rather than hoping he/she will just force their way into the dealership with a certified check for the full sticker price on the vehicle!
2.The state of leasing an automobile is such that we would definitely counsel against it. There was a time when leasing versus buying presented some worthwhile advantages, not the least of which in high sales-tax states like Michigan, Nevada or New York you are assessed the tax only on the cost of the lease rather than the full price of the car. We have never leased anything except an IBM selectric about three decades back when that was the only way IBM would let you acquire one of the things, believe it or not!
But we have known many people who preferred leasing their vehicles - some, entire fleets - but nowadays, there have been way too many TV exposes that reveal most of the leasing programs are deceptive at best - outright fraudulent, at worst. One recent report showed where over 50% off all dealers presenting lease programs were ripping off customers in significant ways: One such, was charging $400.00 per month when the actual cost should have been $190.00!
Do as you will, but if an outright cash purchase of your next car is out of the question - perhaps, you should put the notion of acquiring another car (now) out of the question, as well! What’s wrong with SAVING $$ until you have the wherewithal to buy? If you must borrow to buy, shop around for the best rates - just as you will shop around for the best deal on the vehicle, itself. Banks vary greatly - from what they charge to what they pay. It’s up to you to ferret out the best deal.
Final thought on all this: If you are in the market for a medium to high-priced vehicle (sedan, SUV or whatever) have a go at the Lexus. They were also amongst the very first to engineer a massive Certified Pre-Owned Automobile program which can save you some money if you opt for a ‘’used car.'’ You won’t save as much as with some others though, as the Lexus holds its value greater than virtually any other on the market.
$ $ $ $
JUST SOME PLAIN-OLD, ‘’FLAT-OUT'’ FUN!
An important reward for those of us who have worked hard to achieve a measure of success is, at some point, having the time (and of course, the resources) to engage in some enjoyable endeavors, which at an earlier stage in our career, may not have been fun or even possible due to other, more important things needing to be done.
When your nose is to the grindstone, ’tis hard to smell the posies . . .
A few months back, my youngest grandson, Stephen Louis (now 8), sent me a letter concerning a school project involving one Flat Stanley. Enclosed was a crayon-colored rendering of said fellow, cut out to form, and the deal was, that perhaps, we would like to take Flat Stanley on trips, adventures or whatever and write about the experiences - plus, take pictures.
If you do not know (and we did not then), Flat Stanley is a children’s book character who, I believe was flattened somehow by a bulletin board in the course of his helping to solve certain mysteries, etc.
This offer sounded good to us, so we ‘’invited'’ Flat Stanley to stay at BLUE HERON POINTE and enjoy the lake. Unfortunately, the lake was frozen solid so he could not engage in the usual lake-type activities. SuEllen did entertain him with Winter bird-watching, ice skating to the island and making Snow Angels, but he soon grew tired with all that.
Then, I suggested that we all go on a quest to find some great new restaurants and to that end, before leaving, I pasted Flat Stanley on a nice wooden frame, with a mock stone wall underneath - and oh yes, I also provided him with two FEET as somehow, when Stevie helped him metamorphose from the printed page to ‘’reality'’ - the feet were missing!
For the next three months we took Flat Stanley everywhere - to great and not so great restaurants - in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. At each stop, I’d grab ol’ Flat and stand with him under the restaurant’s sign, whilst SuEllen snapped the pix. Sometimes, we’d take a picture INSIDE the restaurant - to the puzzlement of other diners (Who cares?!)
One such, was taken at the Whippersnappers in Branson, Missouri where, at an all-you-can-eat seafood presentation, SuEllen consumed SIX LOBSTERS! She says it was only three - but Flat Stanley told me that he counted ‘em at SIX. Regardless, I have never seen S.E. enjoy food so much and we will have to go back there, soon.
One time, whilst I was back in East Lansing on some business I had lunch with Stevie’s mom, P.C., and had her pose with Flat Stanley at the table - much to her embarrassment - HA!
Naturally, when we had taken several dozen pictures (including a few on the old Route 66, the Jesse James hideout and a toy museum) we put it altogether, wrote and printed a bunch of copy, inserted the pix and sent completed books to both Stevie’s school teacher and to him separately - in case one of ‘em got lost.
Oh yes, some kickers:
Near the end of the book is a picture of yours truly, naked from the waist up, holding Flat Stanley as we stand next to our limousine at the Michigan City (Indiana) Blue Chip Casino. The caption on that one was, ‘’This is where Grandpa Du Vall lost his shirt!'’
The very last page has a picture of Flat Stanley with an oversized, round belly - the result of all those dining-out events and he says (in effect) that he had a great time travelling and eating and all but NOW, he is known as FAT Stanley!
Funniest of all: I knew that all this was starting to get under S.E.’s skin a bit (especially, when I doffed my shirt outside the Casino on a very blustery March afternoon) so, when we were done and I asked her about it all, she said, ‘’Oh, I’m so glad that’s over: I’m tired of taking pictures of you and that flat little paper person!'’ I just love that . . .
If you get a chance to participate in something like the above - go for it, if at all possible. We’re told that most parents will not take the time - but many grandparents or aunts and uncles would delight in doing something like this. So will you - I guarantee it!
$ $ $ $
GENEVA AUTO SHOW’S REALLY ‘’GREEN'’ SIDE!
We were unable to attend the fantastic Geneva Automobile Show this year - which to me, is the absolute best in the world - better than Frankfurt, Tokyo, Los Angeles or Detroit. Maybe (no doubt, in fact!) it’s ’cause I love Switzerland so much, but regardless:
Recently, I told you about a new Japanese compact car - a hybrid called ‘’FIT.'’ The thing is scheduled to come to our shores later this year and will sell for under $12,000.00, but the most important fact is that it will get 50 miles per gallon!
However, all of a sudden, that sounds picayune, to wit: At Geneva, a German start-up company, Loremo AG, unveiled a terrific-looking sports car which is called LOREMO, a derivation of ‘’low resistance mobile.'’ But who cares what they call it or why:
The thing is sporty-looking, cheap ($13,100.00 - $19,000.00) and get this: It goes from 0 to 60 in 9 seconds and will get 150 miles per U.S. gallon on diesel fuel - not gasoline - and it is NOT a hybrid!
Hmmmm . . . genuine German automotive engineering and build-quality, matched with Japanese thriftiness! Let’s hope that this one becomes a reality - VERY SOON!
Bookmark to:
