One Showing ” or Two? If Sellers were OK with it ” and Realtors’ “smart” keys worked then ” it would be possible to show homes in late June in Minnesota between 9 and 10 p.m. After all, the sun sets after 9 p.m. on June 21, and twilight lingers almost till ten. Unfortunately (or maybe not...Read More
100%(!) Price Hike at Whole Foods If inflation should ever rear its ugly head again, here’s a prediction about where it will first appear: no, not at the gas pump, in your cable bill, or at the pharmacy counter. More likely in the grocery aisle. Exhibit A: Whole Foods’ just-doubled price for a cup of prepared...Read More
“Super-Duper High Gloss” (Or, Maybe They’re Just Wet?) When it comes to hardwood floor finishes, there’s “matte,” “semi-gloss,” and “gloss.”* And then there’s VERY high gloss ” in the case of the floors shown above. Rule of thumb: you’re supposed to see your reflection looking in the mirror. But, when you can see your reflection...Read More
“Assume You Don’t Need What You Need” If you want to know how economists think, a good start is jokes about economists. So, consider this classic about a physicist, an engineer, and an economist all stranded in the desert: They are hungry. Suddenly, they find a can of corn. They want to open it, but how?...Read More
Establishing ” and Testing ” Boundaries If you go to the Business section of any bookstore, you’ll see any number of books on negotiation titled, “Getting to Yes!,” “Win-Win Negotiation,” etc. In my experience, however, the key to effective negotiation lies not in getting to “yes,” but getting to “no.” Or perhaps more accurately: before you...Read More
When is the general election in November a non-event? In Congressional districts like Minnesota’s Fifth, which is something like 90% Democratic and 10% Green (I’m exaggerating, but only a little). Which is why today’s primary election — to replace exiting Congressman Keith Ellison — is so important. The leading contenders to fill the seat: former...Read More
