If you are like me and have no medical insurance coverage, the open enrollment for providers begins October 1st. You are like me in that on March 31, 2014 you will have medical insurance because of the federal healthcare law that mandates all Americans have health insurance. We have six months to figure out who we are going to give our money to so we avoid the government fine for not having said insurance.
I read in the Wall Street Journal about some nefarious practices of some health providers in the US that are sending current members misleading information about the ramifications of the new health care law as pertains to their current coverage. It was an interesting read, and not too surprising. I'm glad the state insurance regulators caught the providers and did something about it. The article got me thinking about my coverage, or lack thereof, and the necessity of it by the end of March next year.
The article in the WSJ mentioned Cigna Health and an online tool that assists people in finding the best health coverage plan for them -- even if it means Cigna will lose customers because a better plan happens to be with another health provider. This action made me nod my head in approval, Cigna was the first place I went looking for my health coverage. As it turns out, however, Cigna will not be available to me in California. The nice woman I spoke with on the phone at Cigna directed me to Healthcare.gov, a website that will help me find the information to get me the coverage I need.
The website set up and run by the government was easy to navigate and sent me in the right direction. We do have to wait until October 1st to see the plan and cost information. I answered some questions about myself: Age, gender, state of residence, etc., entered my zip code and was directed to the state agency responsible for signing up people living in that state. California uses "Covered California," Colorado has "Connect for Health Colorado."
Back at the Covered California website I find a very easy to navigate website that helps me figure out exactly what I am looking for, on average. I was given three options to choose from based on my demographics. All are about the same price of $150 per month, and generally offer the same services with the only differences being in the co-pay and deductible ratios. I am a healthy dude and do not expect to need lots of care so I will go for the plan with a lower monthly and higher deductible because I don't plan on using the services too often. Besides, the preventive care visits are free with my plan. I look forward to access to a medical professional one-on-one.
Some people complain about the mandate increasing fixed costs for the household. Sure, I'd rather not pay $150 a month, but the positive externalities of everyone in the country with access to better healthcare services far outweighs my meager $1,800 a year contribution to society. Thank You, President Obama, for taking monumental action here at home in the USA. The Affordable Care Act will be how I remember you best.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Big Money Strategy
This is the contents of my Big Money investment strategy going into the first week.
The Zale Corporation is a small cap stock operating as a specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America. Over the past 52-week period, the share price for Zale has risen 128%.
A Finnish company part of the Materials sector, Stora Enso Oyi engages in the production and sle of biomaterials, paper, packaging, and wood products in Finland an internationally. This is a mid cap stock that has seen its share price rise 39% in the trailing twelve-month period.
Agean Marine operates as a marine fuel logistics company that markets and supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to ships in port, at sea, and on rivers worldwide. This is a small cap stock that has experienced an annualized stock price increase of 61%.
I will track their share price over the next week and next Monday may have new picks for the Big Money portfolio.
The Zale Corporation is a small cap stock operating as a specialty retailer of fine jewelry in North America. Over the past 52-week period, the share price for Zale has risen 128%.
A Finnish company part of the Materials sector, Stora Enso Oyi engages in the production and sle of biomaterials, paper, packaging, and wood products in Finland an internationally. This is a mid cap stock that has seen its share price rise 39% in the trailing twelve-month period.
Agean Marine operates as a marine fuel logistics company that markets and supplies refined marine fuel and lubricants to ships in port, at sea, and on rivers worldwide. This is a small cap stock that has experienced an annualized stock price increase of 61%.
I will track their share price over the next week and next Monday may have new picks for the Big Money portfolio.
Fantasy Football (Bonus: English Edition)
Economist link to Premier League article
Place your bets, Gentlemen! The Economist has a bit of advise for managing your Premier League teams.
I tried playing fantasy soccer, once. Fantasy football in the US is much more exciting and gratifying every week than trying to keep track of low scoring players in a completely different sport. Nevertheless, top players in Barclay's Fantasy Premier League for week five are as follows:
1. Leighton Baines (16) -- Everton
2. Dejan Lovren (15) -- Southhampton
3. Liam Ridgewell (15) -- West Brom Albion
4. Brad Guzan (14) -- Aston Villa
5. Mesut Ozil (14) -- Arsenal
6. Sergio Aguero (13) -- Manchester City
7. Loic Remy (13) -- Newcastle
8. John Terry (12) -- Chelsea
9. Robbie Brady (12) -- Hull City
10. Nathan Dyer (11) -- Swansea City
11. Paulinho (11) -- Tottenham Hotspur
Total: 146
Just to share a little comparison with American football fantasy, the starting Tight End (TE) in one of my leagues this season Jordan Cameron had a day with 40 points this week. Aaron Rodgers had a slow day with only 15 points. My other starting TE also had a day with 35 points. So, the top 11 players in NFL Perfect Fantasy points are as follows:
1. Antonio Brown (43.60) -- PIT, WR
2. Drew Brees (42.78) -- NO, QB
3. Jimmy Graham (37.40) -- NO, TE
4. Josh Gordon (35.80) -- CLE, WR
5. DeMarco Murray (32.30) -- DAL, RB
6. Jamaal Charles (30.20) -- KC, RB
7. Santonio Holmes (29.40) -- NYJ, WR
8. Calvin Johnson (27.50) -- DET, WR
9. Stephen Gostkowski (14) -- NE, K
10. Carolina (26) -- CAR, DEF
Total: 255.18
I do not wish to make an inference one sport is better than another. I do wish to impart the rich statistical nature of the NFL, and that Fantasy Football is the best fantasy sport available to play.
I tried playing fantasy soccer, once. Fantasy football in the US is much more exciting and gratifying every week than trying to keep track of low scoring players in a completely different sport. Nevertheless, top players in Barclay's Fantasy Premier League for week five are as follows:
1. Leighton Baines (16) -- Everton
2. Dejan Lovren (15) -- Southhampton
3. Liam Ridgewell (15) -- West Brom Albion
4. Brad Guzan (14) -- Aston Villa
5. Mesut Ozil (14) -- Arsenal
6. Sergio Aguero (13) -- Manchester City
7. Loic Remy (13) -- Newcastle
8. John Terry (12) -- Chelsea
9. Robbie Brady (12) -- Hull City
10. Nathan Dyer (11) -- Swansea City
11. Paulinho (11) -- Tottenham Hotspur
Total: 146
Just to share a little comparison with American football fantasy, the starting Tight End (TE) in one of my leagues this season Jordan Cameron had a day with 40 points this week. Aaron Rodgers had a slow day with only 15 points. My other starting TE also had a day with 35 points. So, the top 11 players in NFL Perfect Fantasy points are as follows:
1. Antonio Brown (43.60) -- PIT, WR
2. Drew Brees (42.78) -- NO, QB
3. Jimmy Graham (37.40) -- NO, TE
4. Josh Gordon (35.80) -- CLE, WR
5. DeMarco Murray (32.30) -- DAL, RB
6. Jamaal Charles (30.20) -- KC, RB
7. Santonio Holmes (29.40) -- NYJ, WR
8. Calvin Johnson (27.50) -- DET, WR
9. Stephen Gostkowski (14) -- NE, K
10. Carolina (26) -- CAR, DEF
Total: 255.18
I do not wish to make an inference one sport is better than another. I do wish to impart the rich statistical nature of the NFL, and that Fantasy Football is the best fantasy sport available to play.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Today I bought my first Windows 8 desktop PC
September 9, 2013 10:16 finds me writing this entry
because I am more excited than I thought I would be about this moment. Allow me
to go back, I have been pacing about a new computer purchase so I can be
productive while I apply for state jobs in Sacramento.
I have been to Fry's, then Best Buy, each twice three
weeks apart. I had given up for the time being for lack of a qualified
candidate. Duel-core processor, 6-8 GB of ram and 1T of memory, all for a price
I feel comfortable paying at this time. Those two store could not keep me
interested -- Best Buy was close with a price at $499. Didn't feel it, though,
with some upcoming auto maintenance and limited resources.
I happened upon Office Depot while passing the time to
pick up a friend from school. I found the machine I had been looking for, at a
price I could not walk away from: $299. It was the computer powering the
display monitors. I got it on the cheap and made a good computer contact with
the IT-sales guy in the store.
Here I am, a computer and no monitor. Oh well, I got a
great deal and I will have to save up for the monitor is no problem. I'm game;
because, I got a great deal on this tower with AMD A-6 processor. I take my
friend home and talk about the computer purchase and my subsequent
monitor-problem. Turns out her brother has an extra monitor and gives it to me
for keeps!
So I set it up and realized I got the HDMI cable but no
power cable. But that ain't a problem for a musician like me. I have cords at
that voltage already. Boom, headphones connected and the race is on.
I am the first in my family to run Windows 8.
I am the first NOT to delete the stuff I need on the
computer:
AMD
Catalyst Install Manager
Bonjour
HP
Connected Remote
IDT
Audio
Microsoft
SkyDrive
Microsoft
SQL Server
Microsoft
C++ (multiple apps)
Wi-Fi
Adapter
I am the first to figure out how to delete all the crap
that is pre-installed...
Clear
Desktop of shortcuts
CyberLink
Corp. (multiple apps)
HP
(multiple apps)
Norton
Internet Security
Wild
Tangent Games
This process is time consuming yet productive. I am not
multi-tasking, except on my iPhone to write this entry in real-time as I
experience the excitement of my first Windows 8 experience. The final uninstall
was Symantec, which also required a re-boot. Total efficiency; and, the Giants
won their second extra-innings walk-off in a row. Today was a good day.
Got connected to Wi-Fi. I nearly forgot about that stage.
The last time I had a desktop PC and needed to connect to the Internet was in
high school at my house in Southern California. That particular computer shared a hard-line with our home telephone.
Made some tiles smaller, unpinned, and uninstalled programs. My
new monitor does not have a camera, but I found out how to get out of a program
and back to the tiles. First thing I do is play Solitaire...
Microsoft requires an account I am not in
the mood to set up right now. Since I unpinned Internet Explorer, I have to figure out a
way to get on the Internet, download Chrome and pin it to my start screen.
The programs the Microsoft has created are glich-prone and crash more often than I care to keep track of. Though I am generally pleased with the way content is presented. I don't believe I would be as aware of the crashing if I did not use them as often as I do.
About the apps that load sports, news, and financial data, I do not like that I have no way to access the article through the app if I want to keep the link as a source or archive the article. And, the new app interface and the desktop do not work well together. Like, I can't be reading a story on the Finance app and simultaneously be jotting notes on Microsoft Word via the desktop.
I have no other complaints or comments. Some consumers and IT professionals do not like Windows 8, it doesn't bother me more than the few things I mentioned above. We will get used to it or buy another operating system. I give Windows 8 a neutral rating.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Obama - Jobs Speech
I am posting the speech President Obama made at the passing of Steve Jobs, October 5th, 2011.
"Following the loss of visionary Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, President Obama released this statement:
Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.
By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.
The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.
The passing of Jobs has had a worldwide effect on everybody. Daring Fireball's John Gruber has posted some great material on Jobs (as well as Apple and Macintosh), especially to honor and remember Jobs.
My aunt got my family a Macintosh computer when I was in fifth grade, that would have been 1994 or 1995, and I remember a lot about it still. It had some program installed that showed two folders, Applications and Documents. The main desktop was locked with a password, and only the Parents had access. We had Kid Pics, Oregon Trail, Mavis Beacon, and a football game where the player could customize his or her team. Those were a lot of fun. My high school had all Macs, the box-shaped, multi-colored series. Before I knew what "it" was with Macintosh, I got it.
My first laptop was an iBook,running the first version of OS X. I didn't realize at the time I needed to upgrade to the new feline operating systems until I was two OS's behind. My old iBook makes for a great jukebox! I also had the second generation white iPod. The black one was just made available for the first time, but white seemed better, more hip, somehow. My father was with me at the time (he is kinda doft), and he questioned my rational for buying Apple products. Though I could not quite express what it was, intuitively Apple products were far superior, and the natural choice.
There has been much written about Jobs' impact on our world - it's true. For the first time in my life, I feel very much compelled to join up with the masses and push the good vibe that is, and always will be, Steve Jobs. I am taking Values, Ethics and Society this semester and all I have been reading about are the crooks who rob from Americans under the guise of free markets. Steve Jobs possessed unquestionable integrity, but not because he sought to be ethical, but because he was.
I read on Daring Fireball Jobs only hired a marketing manager one time at Apple, and that was to see what another company,Compaq or Dell, did wrong. I will save my opinions on marketing for a future post; however, if I could personify Marketing into a tangible person, I would choke that person to death. For this reason, I will probably never be as influential as Jobs, but it sure would feel great."
Mr. Jobs, where ever you are, I will spark my next doobie for you!
"Following the loss of visionary Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, President Obama released this statement:
Michelle and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Jobs. Steve was among the greatest of American innovators - brave enough to think differently, bold enough to believe he could change the world, and talented enough to do it.
By building one of the planet’s most successful companies from his garage, he exemplified the spirit of American ingenuity. By making computers personal and putting the internet in our pockets, he made the information revolution not only accessible, but intuitive and fun. And by turning his talents to storytelling, he has brought joy to millions of children and grownups alike. Steve was fond of saying that he lived every day like it was his last. Because he did, he transformed our lives, redefined entire industries, and achieved one of the rarest feats in human history: he changed the way each of us sees the world.
The world has lost a visionary. And there may be no greater tribute to Steve’s success than the fact that much of the world learned of his passing on a device he invented. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to Steve’s wife Laurene, his family, and all those who loved him.
The passing of Jobs has had a worldwide effect on everybody. Daring Fireball's John Gruber has posted some great material on Jobs (as well as Apple and Macintosh), especially to honor and remember Jobs.
My aunt got my family a Macintosh computer when I was in fifth grade, that would have been 1994 or 1995, and I remember a lot about it still. It had some program installed that showed two folders, Applications and Documents. The main desktop was locked with a password, and only the Parents had access. We had Kid Pics, Oregon Trail, Mavis Beacon, and a football game where the player could customize his or her team. Those were a lot of fun. My high school had all Macs, the box-shaped, multi-colored series. Before I knew what "it" was with Macintosh, I got it.
My first laptop was an iBook,running the first version of OS X. I didn't realize at the time I needed to upgrade to the new feline operating systems until I was two OS's behind. My old iBook makes for a great jukebox! I also had the second generation white iPod. The black one was just made available for the first time, but white seemed better, more hip, somehow. My father was with me at the time (he is kinda doft), and he questioned my rational for buying Apple products. Though I could not quite express what it was, intuitively Apple products were far superior, and the natural choice.
There has been much written about Jobs' impact on our world - it's true. For the first time in my life, I feel very much compelled to join up with the masses and push the good vibe that is, and always will be, Steve Jobs. I am taking Values, Ethics and Society this semester and all I have been reading about are the crooks who rob from Americans under the guise of free markets. Steve Jobs possessed unquestionable integrity, but not because he sought to be ethical, but because he was.
I read on Daring Fireball Jobs only hired a marketing manager one time at Apple, and that was to see what another company,Compaq or Dell, did wrong. I will save my opinions on marketing for a future post; however, if I could personify Marketing into a tangible person, I would choke that person to death. For this reason, I will probably never be as influential as Jobs, but it sure would feel great."
Mr. Jobs, where ever you are, I will spark my next doobie for you!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Double Soy Sesame No Whip Add Avocado
I have been reading a lot about the merger and acquisition (M&A) division of many financial firms and the more aggressive sounding name for a similar part of a company, Leveraged Buy-Outs (LBO). I am all about world peace, multiculturalism, and equality of opportunity, etc. But when it comes to business, companies are not charities. I want to know more about how to create a successful LBO of another company; because, it is my opinion that Starbucks (SBUX) and Noah’s Bagels (BAGL) should become one company, exploiting the best aspects of each company to bring a better service to customers.
I worked for Starbucks a few years ago and was not really impressed with the corporate culture that it had developed for itself, so I quit. Recently Starbucks began to sell food they can heat up for customers in a really big convection oven. I have not tasted any of it, fortunately for me all the selections are non-vegetarian so I haven’t even been tempted, but I can tell it is all crap. Moreover, walking into the store used to be somewhat pleasant because I like coffee; now, it smells so bad inside that I want to sick up from the food being sold.
On the other hand, the bagels at Noah’s are really great. There is a good selection of smears (cheese creams) and there is a big selection of bagels made fresh with all sorts of good other toppings and combinations for making the bagel experience even more tasty. Yet the coffee brewed at Noah’s not only leaves something to be desired, but makes me question my affection for coffee altogether. This is where being a consumer becomes a challenge, and I don’t want to be challenged when I am gladly giving away what little money I have.
The problem with a LBO with these two companies is that Noah’s is in the red this year and has owners who would see positive cash flows only if Starbucks bought the bagel company. At this point, we would be looking at a merger and/or acquisition of Noah’s by Starbucks. This product-extension merger for Starbucks is what was supposed to happen when the breakfast food was introduced, but failed miserably, I avoid Starbucks completely because of the terrible smell that is a bad mixture of coffee, cardboard and reheated egg.
To make a sound merge decision, a key figure is a Price Earnings Ratio, Noah’s has a P/E of 2.76, meaning that investors are willing to pay less than $3 for each $1 in earnings. A very low number when compared other companies in the industry. Krispy Kreme (KKD), for example, has a P/E ratio of 80, Starbucks’ is 26, Panera Bread Company (PNRA) has a P/E of almost 30. There are other figures to consider, but just looking at the balance sheet for each company will reveal Starbucks has over 25 times the dollar amount of assets of Noah’s. Just to be clear for the mathematically challenged: Noah’s total assets are $200,000 while the total assets for Starbucks is $5.5 million.
While I am interested in finance, I can still think in terms of business and economies of scale. It would not be efficient, nor very practical to make the bagels inside the Starbucks coffee stores. There would need to be just a few adjustments to the business of each company to make everything run well enough to provide the customers with exceptional goods and services. Some may question my irritation of having to go to one store for decent coffee and another for a decent bite to eat; well, I am paying to make my life easier, so make my life easier.
First, Starbucks would do away with the mediocre selection of pastries and other products, selling the superior selection of current Noah’s Bagels stock, delivered fresh each morning from the location of the nearest current Noah’s. Next, Noah’s would install an espresso machine and employ a barista to make and serve coffee and coffee drinks in addition to the sumptuous selection of bagels and bagels sandwiches. Finally, Starbucks would begin to open new stores that better accommodate the paring of delicious bagels and finely picked and roasted coffee. Thus, a beautiful symbiosis of breakfast and sales is created.
I worked for Starbucks a few years ago and was not really impressed with the corporate culture that it had developed for itself, so I quit. Recently Starbucks began to sell food they can heat up for customers in a really big convection oven. I have not tasted any of it, fortunately for me all the selections are non-vegetarian so I haven’t even been tempted, but I can tell it is all crap. Moreover, walking into the store used to be somewhat pleasant because I like coffee; now, it smells so bad inside that I want to sick up from the food being sold.
On the other hand, the bagels at Noah’s are really great. There is a good selection of smears (cheese creams) and there is a big selection of bagels made fresh with all sorts of good other toppings and combinations for making the bagel experience even more tasty. Yet the coffee brewed at Noah’s not only leaves something to be desired, but makes me question my affection for coffee altogether. This is where being a consumer becomes a challenge, and I don’t want to be challenged when I am gladly giving away what little money I have.
The problem with a LBO with these two companies is that Noah’s is in the red this year and has owners who would see positive cash flows only if Starbucks bought the bagel company. At this point, we would be looking at a merger and/or acquisition of Noah’s by Starbucks. This product-extension merger for Starbucks is what was supposed to happen when the breakfast food was introduced, but failed miserably, I avoid Starbucks completely because of the terrible smell that is a bad mixture of coffee, cardboard and reheated egg.
To make a sound merge decision, a key figure is a Price Earnings Ratio, Noah’s has a P/E of 2.76, meaning that investors are willing to pay less than $3 for each $1 in earnings. A very low number when compared other companies in the industry. Krispy Kreme (KKD), for example, has a P/E ratio of 80, Starbucks’ is 26, Panera Bread Company (PNRA) has a P/E of almost 30. There are other figures to consider, but just looking at the balance sheet for each company will reveal Starbucks has over 25 times the dollar amount of assets of Noah’s. Just to be clear for the mathematically challenged: Noah’s total assets are $200,000 while the total assets for Starbucks is $5.5 million.
While I am interested in finance, I can still think in terms of business and economies of scale. It would not be efficient, nor very practical to make the bagels inside the Starbucks coffee stores. There would need to be just a few adjustments to the business of each company to make everything run well enough to provide the customers with exceptional goods and services. Some may question my irritation of having to go to one store for decent coffee and another for a decent bite to eat; well, I am paying to make my life easier, so make my life easier.
First, Starbucks would do away with the mediocre selection of pastries and other products, selling the superior selection of current Noah’s Bagels stock, delivered fresh each morning from the location of the nearest current Noah’s. Next, Noah’s would install an espresso machine and employ a barista to make and serve coffee and coffee drinks in addition to the sumptuous selection of bagels and bagels sandwiches. Finally, Starbucks would begin to open new stores that better accommodate the paring of delicious bagels and finely picked and roasted coffee. Thus, a beautiful symbiosis of breakfast and sales is created.
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