HEALTH & FITNESS SERIES

PowerBlock Person Adjustable Dumbbells

HFS1-09

Over the course of using P90X, my dumbbell set served me fairly well.  The amount of weight and weight-plates that I had fit my performance level and workout routines.  Switching plates between nearly every exercises was somewhat annoying as well as loud, but I managed.  

Several months ago, however, it became clear to me that I had outgrown my make-shift dumbbell set.  Given that I live in Manhattan and space is limited, I began looking online for an adjustable dumbbell set.  I quickly learned that these types of dumbbell sets are expensive; easily exceeding $300. Hesitant to dish out that kind of money for a non-essential item, I deliberated for some time whether to make the purchase.  

Finally, I decided to take the leap.  I concluded that the purchase was a good investment.  I use these weights four times a week and if I wanted to continue to see progress from my workout, then I would have to buy more weights anyway, so why not put the money towards a complete set.  

I resumed my search online and found the PowerBlock adjustable dumbbell set on Amazon.com.  I am thoroughly happy with the purchase.  Each dumbbell maxes out at 45lbs and is adjustable in 5lb increments.  This versatility allows me to find the perfect weight for maximum effect no matter what exercise.  The plates change simply by moving a pin and I can use the weights safely in any position and the plates remain secure.  The PowerBlock set also allows me to purchase an extender upgrade when I progress to the next level of performance.  Finally, the dumbbells fit neatly in the corner of the room.

For anyone serious about their fitness and weight training, I highly recommend adjustable dumbbells. 

PERSONAL FINANCE & MANAGEMENT SERIES

PFMS01-09

CitiCard "Reduces Exposure" - To Responsibility!

Be sure to check your account to see if you're a victim!

In my first Personal Finance & Management Series blog, I'm discussing a disturbing event that happened to me right before the new year.  It deals with credit cards.  Dave Ramsey...its why you do what you do and why you invented the "plasectomy" (click on the link for an example).

Let me begin with some background.  I have several credit cards.  I don't use them very often.  When I do use them, I pay the balance immediately.  My credit limits are comfortable due to my responsible credit card use.  

Fast forward to late December.  I logged onto my CitiCard account website to conduct a regular glance at my account.  I had not used the card in a couple of months and wanted to check to see that everything was as it should be - zero balance.  I expected to see everything in order.  My home-account page poped up...and to my surprise -and quickly to my disgust, I realized my credit limit had been reduced by $8000!! As you might imagine, I was in shock.  I had read an article several months before explaining that credit card companies would begin reducing their customers' credit limits to reduce their exposure to defaults, etc.  But I never thought that a responsible customer like myself would be one of the victims.

I had not received any notice that my limit would be reduced.  I was lucky to check because one large purchase could have put me over my limit without my knowledge, which would have caused major problems. 

I called CitiCard to investigate.  The representative was very helpful and informative.  She explained that CitiCard had reduced the limits of something like 500,000 of its card customers...500,000!!!!  All to reduce its exposure to potential defaults.  She explained that one customer's $700,000 limit was reduced to $3000!!!  That's incredibly ridiculous!!!  I explained that I'm a responsible customer and earned my credit limit through responsible use of my credit card.  What possible negative exposure did I represent to CitiCard?  She answered that the reduction of my limit was likely due to my limited use of the card and, therefore, fit with my limited purchasing habits.  "Great," I said, "So, I'm getting punished for good management of my finances!"  

I asked whether the credit limit that I earned could be restored and she said that she didn't have the authority to do that.  I would have to make an official request for an increase in my limit.  Thus, I would have to take another potential hit on my credit score just to get back the credit card limit that I earned and deserve! An aside: If you don't know, when your credit limit is reduced, your credit to debt ratio is reduced thus reducing your credit score.  Luckily, I didn't have a credit card balance, so my credit score was likely not affected.  But I have no doubt many CitiCard customers out there are suffering from lower credit scores as a result of CitiCard's actions.

I also spoke with a supervisor who basically said the same things as the representative. She said I should have gotten notification in the mail.  But, I had not received such a letter.  That is, until around January 7th, more than a week after the fact!  The letter was not dated of course! (Interesting, CitiCard can't even manage the distribution of its mail notifications and yet it's punishing me for perfect management of my credit card.) The letter starts by stating, "Citi...is always ready to serve you and your business credit needs."  (That's a bunch of nonsense.)  The letter went on to say that because I was only using a small portion of my credit line, Citi "adjusted" my credit line "based on [my] spending history."  Then Citi has the absolute nerve to say: "We understand circumstances change and the credit line on your credit card may have exceeded your current expense management needs."  That's a bunch of s**t!!!  I managed my needs just fine without Citi's interference.  Basically, Citi is saying that because I don't spend thousands of dollars every month and carry thousands of dollars of continuing balance, that my limit exceeded my management.  How about I make that decision!!!  How about reward me for being responsible!!!  

Speaking of responsibility, I can't help but think that Citi's (the parent company) own irresponsibility is at the heart of CitiCard's actions.  Citi is the one that lost tens of billions of dollars in the past year or so.  Citi is the one loosing millions of dollars every day. Citi is the one that has had to lay off over 50,000 likely innocent victims, uh, I mean, employees, of its irresponsibility.  Citi is the one who can't manage risk.  Citi is the one who needs the government to keep its lungs breathing and it's heart pumping. Citi is the one with a plunging stock price...down 88% from its 5-year high (at the time of this blog) to about $6.75 a share!  At that price, you could mistake Citi for an American car company.  Poor shareholders.  But I digress...

Going back to what the CitiCard representative was saying. CitiCard is attempting to reduce its exposure to risk and credit card defaults.  What it has really accomplished is that it has reduced its exposure to one of its more responsible customers.  That's a hell of a business strategy they got over there.  (Do they teach that on the first day of Harvard Business School, or the second day?)

In any case, CitiCard succeeded.  I am no longer using my CitiCard for any purchases, ever!  As I wrote to Dave Ramsey's email, I am cutting the card up.  I plan to perform Dave Ramsey's famous "plasectomy" (click the link for an example). My video will be sent to Dave Ramsey, hopefully to be featured on his Fox Business show of the same name.  I also plan to post the video on Back To a Nutshell for all to see!

Stay tuned...

HEALTH & FITNESS SERIES

P90X - Workout Program

HFS2-08

In my last HFS post, I mentioned that I like to work out.  I've always maintained some exercise routine, usually consisting of jogging, pushups, pull-ups and some weightlifting. My routine, however, was never very regimented and so I never achieved optimum results.  

Last Christmas, my wife bought me a work-out program that has gotten me into the best shape of my life.

In late 2007, my wife and I were watching TV and came across an infomercial for Tony Horton's work-out program, P90X. I was sold right away! This work-out program looked totally different than all the rest. There were no gimmicks. It was straight pushups, weightlifting, pull-ups, calisthenics and a bad-ass abdominal routine. The program contained all the moves I had been doing, but in a regimented, systematic program, based on the concept of muscle confusion. Muscle confusion is theory of varying your movements every month to avoid plateau. 

We were getting married in 6 months in the Dominican Republic, so using a system like P90X to get into beach-shape seemed like the necessary thing to do. My wife bought the system for me for Christmas and I've been using it every since.

P90X is a 3 month-rotation program, 6 days a week, 1 hour a day. I typically work out in the morning because it's too hard to work out at night. Thus, I go to work refreshed and energized.  It's a commitment, but it works! I lost 15 lbs. (down from 175 to 160) and discovered my six pack for the first time. My waist went from 35 in. to 31 in. I went from being able to do 10 pull-ups to 20 pull-ups. My wedding guests responded quite positively to the results...as did my wife.

To keep it real, I am not huge and I am not shredded. I do not like like Sylvester Stallone in Rocky III. But, for someone who works full-time behind a desk, P90X has gotten me into fantastic shape; the best shape of my life!

If you can find about an hour a day and the motivation, I highly recommend P90X! If you follow the program, you will not be disappointed. Check out Tony Horton's other work-out programs here.

HEALTH & FITNESS SERIES

Holiday Stress

HSF1-08

This will be the first post,  HFS1-08, of my Health & Fitness Series for Back to a Nutshell.  In this inaugural post, why not choose a topic fitting for the holiday season: stress. Think "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" when Clark looses his cool: click here for the YouTube version (caution, explicit language).  

As you surf the web, you might come across numerous articles or news segments on stress during the holidays.  Take, for example, this article from MSN, Best Ways to Beat the Holiday Stress.  The article discusses the triggers of stress (family obligations, relationship dynamics), warning signs of stress (over eating or irritability), and how to deal with the stress.  The methods of dealing with the stress are always the best part of the article. The methods almost always require you to be a zen Buddhist. But I guess the methods are suggested because they likely work.  For instance, if stuck in traffic, one suggested strategy is to pull over, breathe deeply, reflect on the source of anxiety and choose a response instead of a reaction. Imagine having to pull over in the middle of holiday traffic! Another suggestion is to talk with family members weeks in advance about what's important to you during your upcoming celebration. Yet another suggestion was to keep things simple by establishing what's workable.  

I should be taking note of these methods.  My wife, Sarah, and I will be flying Christmas Eve morning to her home town of Cincinnati and we're bringing our bladder-challenged Yorkie puppy, Izze.  It's tough enough getting yourself through airport security and getting situated in your seat. Add a puppy the mix and who knows how it'll work out.  Moreover, my wife heard we might have a weather event Christmas Eve morning.  Strangely, there always seems to be a weather event when we travel to Cincinnati. And these events almost always lead to severe delays or cancelled flights causing us to scramble through the airport trying to find a place to say for another night.  Again, add a puppy to the mix and who knows what 6 hours delayed in the airport will do to my stress levels. (I'll let you know after Christmas.)

I generally think exercise is a great way to deal with stress.  During the holidays, however, it's hard to keep schedules. Thus, it really does come down how you can emotionally and mentally deal with the situation. I'll just have to accept the situation and realize there isn't much that can be done about delayed and cancelled flights.  Oh, and there isn't much that can be done about a puppy that has to go to the bathroom. It'll happen no matter what.  

Thus, I'll emphasize to myself that it's all for the holidays and family and that I'm certain it will make for a good post!

Modified Format

I've been tinkering with the formatting of Back to a Nutshell.  Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions.

PEARL JAM -- TEN AGAIN!

All you die-hard Pearl Jam fans surely already know...but if you haven't heard, Pearl Jam is re-releasing its Ten album in anticipation of the band's 20th anniversary.  Go to pearljam.com for the details!  

If you're a Ten Club member, order now to get the album before it's available to the general public.  Brendan O'Brien, who produced their four subsequent albums, Vs., Vitalogy, No Code and Yield, returns with what I'm sure will be a bomb remix of Ten. Take a listen to Once, Alive and Black off the compilation album, Rearviewmirror, for a taste of what's to come!

Of course, you have to get the Super Deluxe Edition with all the goodies - I PUT MY ORDER IN!  Check out pearljam.com for the scoop!

Pottery Barn Customer Service

You've probably had an experience with customer service where you've talked to two or more reps, both very attentive and helpful, but got two or more very different worlds of service.  That was my experience with Pottery Barn not too long ago.

About a month ago, my wife and I purchased the Cynthia Storage Bed from Pottery Barn through its website.  It took several weeks of debate. The bed is beautiful mahogany and functional with six spacious drawers underneath (three on each side).  But it's quite pricey at around $2400. However, we had accumulated around $700 in gift cards and decided that it was a good long-term purchase.  

Fast forward to December 3rd: I was browsing my employer's, ABC Network, discount page and I found a 20% discount for Pottery Barn that applied to designer studio furniture, which includes the Cynthia bed. Twenty percent would take approximately $450 more off the cost. But we had to purchase the bed through a particular store near ABC with a Visa card and make the purchase by December 7th.

I immediately called Pottery Barn customer service and asked if I could cancel the internet order, get our entire gift-card value returned as well as the shipping returned, and then apply the returned gift card retroactively to the subsequent in-store purchase (assuming it would take a week or so to receive the gift card in the mail).  

The customer service rep was very attentive and helpful.  After several minutes of discussion, he concluded that I could accomplish all the things I wanted.  I then called the store and confirmed the same.  So, I again called customer service and cancelled my Internet order.  The next day I went to the store and made the purchase with my VISA to get the extra 20% off.  

Several days later, we get a call from Pottery Barn's delivery company informing us that the original order is ready for delivery! This was a fun moment realizing that I now owned two Cynthia beds.  I called customer service, this time speaking with another person who informed me that the original order was never cancelled. She also informed me that the order could not have been cancelled because the bed had been prepped for shipping.  She further informed me that I did not have to go through the hoops that I had gone through.  She said that the first time around, customer service should have applied the 20% discount to the original order even though the original order was not made with a VISA card.  

With a little further investigation, she found out that the store order had not yet gone through, so that would be easy to cancel.  Then working through the 20% discount calculations, she determined that my wife's AMEX card should get approximately $480 credited back, which happened to be a few dollars more than the discount would have come out to if the store purchase went through!

All in all, the experience was more time consuming than anything because it ended well!  Although the first customer service person I spoke with was very attentive, pleasant and helpful, he ended up not being able to provide the optimum service.  The customer service women who cleared all this up was also attentive, pleasant and helpful, but was able to provide the optimum service.  The difference? Perhaps the woman had more authority to make such decisions. Perhaps the woman had more experience with Pottery Barn's rules and guidelines for such situations. Regardless, both customer service reps should have come to the same conclusion.     

It's a lesson to consumers to be persistent and insistent, and to constantly follow up! There's almost always a solution to your problem, you just have to find the person who can make it happen!