Fight Back! with David Horowitz

Fight Back!® with David Horowitz appears in syndicated newspaper columns across the country. His current column appears below:

Release Date: August 25, 2008

"iBraries"

The internet has pushed the library experience to the recesses of past memories for many people, as online research and downloadable entertainment have replaced the weekly trip to the local "lending library."

But it may be time dust off your old library card, or sign your kids up for their first one. Hoping to draw back readers, libraries across the country are busily expanding their lists of digital material that can be downloaded to a computer or MP3 player. And the cost for the e-books, audio books music, and movies is "zero," a big savings over iTunes or Amazon.com pay-per-song services.

The material can be "checked out" from any computer with an internet connection, using special software that is easily downloaded. The patron doesn't get to keep the material, like one would with a purchased download. Depending on the library and title, the item remains on your computer for one to three weeks before disappearing, meaning you don't have to bother with returning a book, CD or DVD to the actual library.

Library downloads are advantageous for customers and libraries alike. The patrons have access to a vast supply of material at no cost, and the library doesn't have to worry about shelf space or restocking the stacks! Check with your city's library division to see if the service is being offered.

CAR LEASING COSTS CLIMB

U.S. automakers are scaling back their leasing operations and dropping the discounts and other incentives that appeal to customers. The negative impact is sure to be felt by leasers who enjoy switching vehicles every two or three years without down payments or other ownership obligations.

Chrysler recently announced their exit from the leasing business altogether. The problem has to do with resale: The used SUVs and other gas-guzzlers that the companies' financing arms sell when leases expire are pulling in far less than they did a few years ago. That means tremendous losses for the leasing companies, and painful payments for their customers as discounts and other incentives long used to artificially lower lease costs are dropped.

On the flip side, economy cars are holding their value well because of better gas mileage. Such models are expected to be readily available and lease for roughly their current average price of $340 per month. Compare that to a typical three-year SUV lease at around $500, with industry pundits forecasting a $200 jump on that monthly fee.

DEMAND FOR LOW ENERGY ELECTRONICS

With oil prices fueling utility bills, what trend is being fuel by the high utility bills? The answer is low-energy appliances and electronics! Electronics sales staff are hearing "How much does it take to run the fridge, AC, washing machine or laptop computer?" more often than inquires about how big, how loud, or how powerful the equipment might be.

With as high as $145 a barrel and electricity costs jumping, consumers are becoming preoccupied with keeping down their power bills. Electronics makers that develop energy efficient product lines and market them effectively to customers may get an edge in a gloomy global economy.

Currently, such products tend to go for a premium price, like the "higher than sticker" Toyota Prius. But smaller electronics and appliances, unlike the car, may prove to pay for themselves in energy savings in a relatively short period of time. So, if you're in the market to replace an appliance or electronic, keep your eyes open for new products hitting the market that are going "green," and help keep more green in your wallet over time.

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